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Wood Craft
Ben Wood
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Kelly Preston adds stardom to Honolulu Design Center
K
elly Preston added Hollywood pizzazz to
Thomas Sorensen's media party Tuesday to display his new classy $52 million Honolulu Design Center.
Besides quality furniture and lighting, the second floor of the spacious three-story building on Kapiolani contains the Stage restaurant, with chef
John Matsubara and managed by
Charley Yoshida; the Crema coffee bar, Amuse wine bar and the Cupola, an events room that has a skylight that slides open. Art exhibitions, receptions and dinners can be held in the Cupola. It's a cool concept geared for adults. "It's sophistication with fun," Thomas said. "It's all about having fun. Smile to the world and it will smile back at you, always."
Michele Henry, of Tea at 1024, designed uniforms for Stage employees. Pianist
Rich Crandall's Jazz Nights and Movie Nights with
Don Brown are scheduled in the Cupola. Rich and bassist
Steve Jones enhanced the rarefied atmosphere at Tuesday's blast, working out on jazzy numbers. Kelly, Mrs.
John Travolta, will be holding an event at the center in May. I detected a slight stink eye from Kelly, a Punahou grad, when I told her I was a graduate of arch-rival Roosevelt. Joking aside, she's relaxed and easy to talk with. Kelly met John 20 years ago when they were in "Screen Test." She said they may be doing 'Old Dogs' together for Disney with their daughter,
Ella, who turns 7 Tuesday.
Kim Medeiros, a model agency owner, reminded Kelly that when she was 16 she posed for Kim's Central Island Agency -- also known as CIA -- press kit cover ...
Ruth's chris' Randy schoch gathers with pals
Ruth's Chris Steak House owner
Randy Schoch reunited with pals during a preview night last week at Ruth's Chris at Waikiki Beach Walk. Guests included: Denver Broncos' owner
Pat Bowlen, Outrigger's
Dave Carey and wife
Kathy,
Carole Kai and husband
Eddie Onouye, Myrtle Lee with her son
Terry and his wife
Dannette,
Levi Stanley and Clear Channel's
Chuck Cotton. Randy also caught up with
Peter A. Dietrich, Waikiki Yacht Club G.M., who managed the Black Orchid restaurant, which Bowlen and Randy opened in 1988. Peter said there has been confusion since his son
Peter J. Dietrich was named assistant manager of the steak house. Peter A. is still down by the water and son "PJ" is into steaks ...
Ben Wood, who sold the Star-Bulletin in the streets of downtown Honolulu during World War II, writes of people, places and things in our Hawaii. E-mail him at
bwood@starbulletin.com