Shari Berinobis opens deli with help from husband Tito

SHARI FLOYD BERINOBIS, wife of Chart House singer-guitarist Tito Berinobis, has opened 'Io's Grindz deli downtown in the Remington College Building's Lower Arcade, diagonally across from Longs, at 111 Bishop. Shari, who serves breakfast and lunch, makes sure her food -- nothing fried -- is all fresh. Wade Berinobis, Tito's brother, is chef. He was formerly with Thalia's and Koolau Country Club. Tito often drops in with his guitar to serenade guests. The other day, Shari was shorthanded and Tito was pressed into service as a waiter. Now, that's love ...

BOB "LONGY" KAGAMIDA wants to get the word out about a reunion luncheon for former UH baseball coach Toku Tanaka, who is 82. Tanaka was coach in 1950-51 and 1955-59. The luncheon will be held Feb. 12, at the Stan Sheriff Center, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., to allow plenty of time for mingling and chewing the fat. Cost is $30. Call Kagamida at 737-7752; John Nakamura, 285-5824, or Les Matsubara, 988-3402, for more info. Besides those three, others who played for Tanaka are: Ron Amamiya, Don "Spud" Botelho, Skippy Dyer, Fausto Grado, Stan Hashimoto, Stan Himeno, Sol Kaulukukui, Hank Kibota, Joe Kuroda, Carlton Loo, Don Manalili, Joe Matsukawa, Larry Matsuo, Ken Nakakura, brothers Dermot and Gordon Ornelles, Wayne Sakamoto, Michio "Mich" Shishido, Teruo Tanji, Tsune Watanabe and Alan Yamamoto ...

Olds misses departed island 'brothers' in Iraq

RETIRED ARMY COL. Billy Olds, a contractor in Iraq, misses his Hawaii National Guard and Army Reserve "brothers" who returned home recently. In an e-mail, Billy says he will miss "the smiles only Hawaiians know; the 'Where you went to school?' introductions; and the 'You one contractor?' " inquiries. He writes he will also miss "the shaka signs when passing through checkpoints; the happy faces and Hawaiian handshakes in the mess halls; and the sudden 'You from Hawaii?' salutations in the gyms and PXs." Billy's nephew, Ikaika Olds, left with his unit but Billy's son, Mark Norman, named after Billy's dad, remains for six months. "The three of us had our farewell lunch" together shortly before Ikaika's departure, Billy said. "Mahalo and aloha, Hawaiian Warriors, you da best and I am going to miss you!"

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