Wood Craft Ben Wood

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Sakata’s play inspired Japan’s Taguchi to shoot for majors

Hawaii's Lenn Sakata, who had a 11-year baseball career, playing in the major leagues, was one of the reasons So Taguchi felt he could make it in America's majors, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Taguchi was 13 when the Baltimore Orioles toured Japan. He watched every game on TV. When he saw Sakata, a person of Japanese ancestry playing for the Orioles, he felt that he also could make it with an American big-league team. After an outstanding 10-year career in the Japanese League, Taguchi joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 2002.

Duane "Dog" Chapman

Today he plays every outfield position for the Cards. It was Sakata, a player from Hawaii, who gave him the inspiration to get there ... Kalani High grad Sakata, manager of the minor-league San Jose Giants, will manage the Waikiki Beach Boys in the Hawaii Winter Baseball League, which opens Oct. 1 ...

Duane "Dog" Chapman stepped up again for a dying child whose wish was to meet him. Thursday he met with cancer patient Tyler Oakes, 12, of Manitoba, Canada, who has been given only weeks to live. Tyler is weak but endured the long trip to meet his hero here. His mom, Jacqueline Oakes, and grandfather John Oakes accompanied him. The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada made it possible ...

Claire Heen Cameron, Miss Hawaii '51, dies

Claire Heen Cameron, 73, Miss Hawaii of 1951, died at home of lung cancer Monday night. Her husband, Sam, and boys Keone and Kimo were at her side. Claire was a beautiful lady. She was Miss Congeniality in the Miss America pageant. The Heens are a strong Democratic political family. Her dad, Ernest, uncle William and brothers Walter and Ernest Jr. all held office. Services will be held Sept. 18 at Oahu Cemetery, with visitation at 9 a.m. and services at 10 ...

Edgy Lee

Edgy Lee warmly presented a treasure chest of Hawaiian history in her talk and showed clips from her films about the islands in a comfortable living-room setting Thursday at the Halekulani. Edgy is an excellent speaker and filmmaker. In the question-and-answer session, people discussed the need for sustaining the arts and authentic storytelling, Edgy's forte. She was introduced by Halekulani GM Janis Clapoff. Pre-program music by guitar and bass, along with wine and pupu, further enhanced the evening ...