Hawaii
Selling the house
that Liberace builtFORMER ISLE real estate man Joe North is now living in Las Vegas and working for Colliers International. No, he's not selling encylopedias -- it's a real-estate firm and North, who was the surprise hit roaster at the "Stir-Fry" held for me at the Hawaii Theatre a few years ago, reports he's "doubled up with pleasure and bent over in pain and swelled with enthusiasm." Sounds like he's a contortionist, but he's actually just got the listing for the private desert residence of Liberace, who was Mr. Las Vegas when Wayne Newton was still a red-headed kid singing country music. It's quite an unusual property, reports North. It had one of only three private gaming licenses ever issued in Nevada, the others belonging to the real Mr. Big, Howard Hughes, and the ultimate chairman of any board, Frank Sinatra. Liberace had the license because his mother loved to play the slots, and once called him on stage during his show to tell him she'd won the jackpot. Anyway, the joint's for sale, and if you've got big bucks you can call and set up a meeting ...
Romancing the stoned
THERE'S going to be a full moon this weekend, and what better time to tell your loved one, "Ouzo nice." Tomorrow's Sunset on the Beach presentation will be "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." And what better way to celebrate the full moon, Valentine's Day and whatever than at the Halekulani's Lewers Lounge where tonight you can listen to David Swanson on piano, hear Sonya Mendez and Larry Keyes tomorrow, enjoy the piano of Noly Pa'a Sunday ...SO you're into romance and are looking for the ultimate romantic way to propose. Marriage, of course. Well, at last year's Symphony Ball, Kelly Ottmar won the bid to have Matt Cantingub write an original song for his sweetheart, Tracy Wong. During a concert in September, Tracy was called on stage and the orchestra played "her song." Right after the song, Kelly appeared and in front of the entire surprised audience, proposed. How could she possibly have said "No"? Well, this year's ball, slated for May 18, will again offer a chance to win a song written just for you by Catingub ...
RAN into old pal Stanley Hong in Restaurant Row the other day. Hong is married to the former Karen Ho, daughter of Betty and late financier Chinn Ho, and has held some top executive jobs locally. I asked what he was up to now. "I'm a garbage man," he replied and before I could express shock and surprise, he handed me a business card which identifies him as President of Waste Management of Hawaii, Inc. ...
Shannon's improv-ing
IMPROV performer Shannon Winpenny left Hawaii three years ago to study at the Second City Conservatory in Chicago and continues to perform on the improv circuit there. During a visit home, Shannon guested with her "alma mater," the local improv group, Loose Screws. Hanging around because of the near-zero temperatures in the Windy City, Winpenny finally had to take off to honor a commitment to perform at Chicago's Frankie J's tonight to benefit battered women. I don't know -- Chicago seems like a great town to stay out of on Valentine's Day ...
Dave Donnelly has been writing on happenings
in Hawaii for the Star-Bulletin since 1968.
The Week That Was recalls items from Dave's 30 years of columns.Contact Dave by e-mail: ddonnelly@starbulletin.com