[ EDITOR'S NOTE ]
Star-Bulletin introduces
new lineupTalk about forces of nature: Dave Donnelly was always a tough act to follow. Witty, charming and observant, he put his skills to good use capturing a long thread of Honolulu history through his eyes and ears, as well as those of just about everyone who crossed his path over the 35 years he wrote his "Hawaii" column for the Star-Bulletin.
Although Dave died in January, he is never far from my mind. There are many occasions when I've found myself at an event or dinner, musing, "What would Dave think of this?" After working with the man for 14 years, his tastes and aversions are as familiar as my own and, unbeknownst to me until recently, have become part of my hard-wiring, as different as we may have been.
Just the other day, I was admiring Jim Carrey's latest movie, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," and I caught myself wondering, "What would Dave say about this?"
You see, Dave, old-school thespian that he was, hated Jim Carrey with a passion. Even after Carrey eased up on his slapstick antics to play more serious roles in "The Truman Show," "The Man on the Moon" and "The Majestic," Dave still couldn't admit to Carrey's possessing an iota of talent.
Now, I would relish the opportunity to say, "Dave, I told you so," and he would have been gracious in 'fessing that maybe, just maybe, he might have been wrong.
I NEVER KNEW the impact a columnist could have to the point in which I am engaged in mental arguments with a dead man. Many in the community have told me they feel the same way, and surely no one could have guessed such a mind-meld taking place 35 years ago when Dave started his stint as a three-dot columnist.
Now the tradition will continue at the Star-Bulletin as we introduce the three-dotters who will take their places on page D2 Mondays to Saturdays.
» John Berger has written for our entertainment pages for 13 years. A journalistic Renaissance man, he has written music, book and stage reviews, as well as personality profiles, interviewing a number of celebrities representing a range of musical and theatrical genres. Most recently, his photographs of Oahu's night owls and party animals have been featured in "On the Scene" on our Entertainment page. He will now be delivering an expanded "On the Scene" photo feature on Mondays and Fridays, as well as writing an "On the Scene" column on Thursdays. Reach him at jberger@starbulletin.com.
» Ben Wood is well-versed in the art of the three-dot column, having written "Ben Wood's Hawaii," which evolved into "Wood Craft," for 25 years. Like Dave, he's a people watcher, born with newspapering in his blood. One of his first jobs was selling the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on the streets when he was 11 years old. He joined the staff briefly in the mid-1950s, before joining the U.S. Army and reporting for the Stars and Stripes. He returned to the Star-Bulletin in 1967, where he's also served as a reporter, home editor, food editor and copy editor. "Wood Craft" will continue to appear on Saturdays, with an additional column running Wednesday. Give him the scoop at bwood@starbulletin.com.
» Michelle Ramos' name will be new to most readers, but she has made her mark on the paper over 11 years, working diligently behind the scenes as a copy editor and page designer extraordinaire. She brings a decidedly youthful and feminine perspective to an endeavor that has traditionally been dominated by male voices. As always, the Star-Bulletin is committed to the notion of having every voice heard. Way to go, sistah! Michelle will be writing "Honolulu Diary" every Tuesday. Keep the gossip coming by e-mailing her at mramos@starbulletin.com.
» Carolyn Hax's sassy advice column will appear Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, with Dear Abby appearing the remaining days of the week.
» Charlotte Yee's Crossword of the Pacific has been moved from page D2 to our Entertainment page.
So that's our new lineup of columnists. I think Dave Donnelly would have been proud of his colleagues.
Nadine Kam / Features Editor
nkam@starbulletin.com
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