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Wood Craft Ben Wood |
Don Ho has sides splitting
at Side Street Inn partyDon Ho had guests laughing loudly and listening intently Monday night at Side Street Inn as he told stories about the past and present. The party, organized by producer Haumea Hebenstreit, was for the behind-the-scenes stars of his recent tribute at the Hawaii Theatre. Haumea said Don was very happy about the honor. Don got serious after telling funny stories about his pal Sam Kapu and told the guests that they were "the foundation of the whole tribute, the core people that made it happen." Attending were Randie and Jamie Fong, John Mounts, Shea Reiner Mounts, Jeff DePonte, Sherrie White, Mona Wood, Max Sword, Kuulei Akahane-Park, Robz Yamane, Stacey Leong Mills and Kristin Jackson ...
moving on: Kimo Kahoano had a busy Friday night. After emceeing the Taste of the Stars at the Hilton, Kimo and friends went to see Olomana, performing outside the Hilton's Bali restaurant. Kimo was called up by Jerry Santos and showed some of his remarkable versatility by dancing "Boy From Laupahoehoe," and singing "Aloha Friday." Santos had Ryan Tang on guitar and drummer Willy Paikuli working with him ...
Taste of the Stars food was fit for royalty
The Taste of the Stars was a fabulous affair with 18 of Hawaii's top chefs laying out dishes fit for a king. Wine distributors also took part in the benefit for Leeward Community College's food service program. Music by Nueva Vida, featuring vocals by Anita Hall and the sax of David Choy, was outstanding. Darryl Carter also sang. To cap things, chefs Roy Yamaguchi played drums and Hiroshi Fukui strummed guitar with their band, Manua. Lisa Kim, one of event coordinator Fern Tomisato's helpers, sang. After the band got off to a rather rocky start, I told Nueva Vida leader Robert Shinoda that the chefs better keep their day jobs. Robert replied, "They play (music) better than I cook." ...Army Community Theatre could be going to the dogs. First there was Shari Lynn's Sadie, who played Chow Mein in "Gypsy." Now, director Eden-Lee Murray is bringing her 10-year-old black lab-Scottish terrier, Candy, to rehearsals so she can play Horrid King Pelinore's dog in the production of "Camelot" that opens May 13. Candy even went to lunch afterward at Dixie Grill (she ate under the table) with King Arthur (Bryan Bender), Lancelot (Matt Pennaz), Pelinore (John Hunt), choreographer Deanna Luster and photog Gene Allen ...
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Ben Wood, who sold the Star-Bulletin in the streets of downtown Honolulu during World War II, writes of people, places and things every Wednesday and Saturday. E-mail him at bwood@starbulletin.com