Hawaii
Kelly Preston plugs
Hawaii on LettermanTHAT was a huge plug for Hawaii delivered by the lovely Kelly Preston on the David Letterman show the other night. Luke Wilson was filling in for Dave, who's battling shingles, and after the cursory Mrs. John Travolta stories, some of which bordered on bawdy, he asked about her being from Hawaii. "Born and raised," she said proudly, telling about swimming, scuba diving, sailing and fishing in isle waters, once landing a 116-pound marlin. Wilson was amused to hear how she, clad in bikini, hooked a fish, and since a tourney was going on, crew members wrapped their arms around her and set her down in the chair, where she fought the fish and after 45 grueling minutes, won. She also talked about skydiving on the North Shore, this time wrapping her arms around her instructor in tandem, and Wilson asked if it were the same guy that picked her up in the boat. No, she laughingly replied, but added proudly that since she'd had the guts to do it, her mother later followed suit. Preston made Hawaii sound like a great place to be, which can't hurt ...
ARE you ready for the name of the new GM of Auntie Pasto's Kapahulu? He's Leber Rebel Racmaqeil Fitzpatrick. And how did he get such a moniker? "My parents were hippies on a commune in Montague, Massachusetts," Fitzpatrick relates, adding, "'Leber is Rebel spelled backwards and my other name means 'Rock of Michael' in Gaelic." So naturally, he ends up running an Italian restaurant in Hawaii ...
Dita-tour
COUNTRY singer Dita Hollifield is switching countries temporarily. She and fiancé Ellsworth Simeona, plus her band D'Tour South are heading somewhat North to entertain troops on a USO tour in Okinawa headed by Wayne Newton. It means she won't be able to appear at the annual Susan G. Komen Hawaii Race for Cure as she's done the past two years as the dates are conflicting, and who can say no to Mr. Las Vegas ...COMEDIAN Mario Joyner was a regular on Chris Rock's TV series, so it's no surprise to see him in Rock's "Head of State," which opens today nationwide. But local audiences can catch a glimpse of him and his humor at the Laugh Factory in the Queen Kapiolani Hotel. He'll be appearing there through Sunday ... Joey and Shannon Sonoda of Frisco, Texas, are the first to make use of a new service offered by Roselani Ice Cream. They're now taking credit cards for shipment from Wailuku to folks on the mainland, craving a taste of paradise. For the record, the Somoda ordered two gallons of Chocolate Macadamia Nut and one gallon of Strawberry Shortcake. Those on Oahu can find Roselani's "Tropics" line of nine flavors is available at all Times Supermarkets ...
Aloha, Eddie
LOTS of long, sad faces in downtown pubs today. My dear friend Eddie O'Toole never awoke from his sleep yesterday, soon after a celebration of his 80th birthday at the pub bearing his name, O'Toole's. Services not yet set ...
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