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Buffett takes a break
on Kauai with his sons

Yes, that was Jimmy Buffett vacationing on Kauai recently with his sons. Buffett hoped to fly his jet to Oahu for a possible surf session with Jack Johnson but was rained out. ... More employees were outside than inside Big City Diner at Ward Entertainment Center last Tuesday. All wanted to catch a glimpse of Will Smith emerging from the premiere of his film "Hitch." Alas for late arrivals, he entered on the red carpet but left through a back door. ... Also sighted in Hawaii Kai was Josh Holloway, who plays Sawyer on ABC's "Lost." From what I hear, the show's bad boy was turning a few heads at Cha-Cha-Cha Salsaria last week. ... Hallee Hirsh, who learned how to surf from "North Shore" stunt coordinator Brian Keaulana while here last year to film for the TV show "ER," hopes the expert waterman will update her and brother Greg's water skills. Hallee is here co-starring in the Discovery Channel's "29 Down," while her big brother is her escort. Hallee has been researching safe North Shore surf spots. ... For the Tom Moffatt biography being written by Thailand-based Jerry Hopkins, not only did Hawaii's legendary promoter travel to Bangkok, but paid his own way after he personally selected the author to write the book. ...

Congratulations to Gerald Yamane. The Allstate Insurance Co. agent was awarded the Agency Hands in the Community award for his community service. As part of his award, the company at which Yamane volunteers, Blood Bank of Hawaii, receives $500. ...

Bread lovers MUST stop by Vino's in Restaurant Row from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Dr. Chris Miura, an OB-GYN at Kaiser Permanente, will offer a sampling of his artisan bread. There will be five kinds to taste: sourdough; walnut gorgonzola; fig anise; chiabata, an Italian flat bread; and, for those watching their carb intake, a spelt whole-wheat bread. Dr. Miura has been baking bread for about 10 years, and his passion of bread-making has taken him through many baking classes. He said he even hangs out at bakeries and had an outdoor wood-fire brick oven built in his home. Only a limited amount of loaves will be available. Call 524-8466 for reservations. Miura and his wife Dawn will be there, too. ...