Wood Craft Ben Wood

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Don't horse around at Stage, just put on the old feed bag

DAN AKAKA, JR., had lunch at Stage Saturday after giving the prayer at the Freedom Surf Contest at Queen's Beach, an event that promotes a drug-free Hawaii. Akaka, the Mauna Lani Resort's cultural affairs director, was with wife Anna, children Kaleihikina and Laakea and their friend Luke Nesmith. The family converses in Hawaiian. Akaka blessed the Honolulu Design Center, which includes Stage, when it opened. They were welcomed by Stage G.M. Charly Yoshida to the restaurant that has fun touches. The artwork includes a life-size horse sculpture with a light and lampshade over its head. That is some lamp base. And business cards for Charly and chef Jon Matsubara have little eye holes. On the cards' black backsides, Charly's has an owl (he watches things) while Jon's sports a pair of hands. He cooks delicious food with his paws. Assistant manager is Scott Armstrong. Stage is not cheap but the food and ambiance are worth the price. The service that my monthly luncheon partners Mariese Montano-Smith and Audra Stevenson received Saturday from Michael Pacheco left little to be desired. My colleague, restaurant reviewer Nadine Kam, gave Stage well-deserved high marks in Sunday's Star-Bulletin ...

Big doings in the Waikiki and Diamond Head areas this weekend. Outrigger's half-billion dollar Waikiki Beach Walk project is holding its grand opening Friday, 6 to 9 p.m., and the Diamond Head Crater Celebration, with loads of big-name entertainment, is Saturday. The Outrigger event, for invited guests, also marks the hotel chain's 60th year ... Reservation lines are open for Nobu Waikiki, which opens May 28 in the Waikiki Parc Hotel. Call 237-6999 ...

$120,000 RAISED AT DIABETES GOLF TOURNEY

THE 13TH American Diabetes Association golf tourney at the Prince Thursday was far from unlucky as it raised $120,000 to support education programs here and research to find a cure. Dr. Laurie Tom and Uli Cutter were co-chairs. Among those participating were former Green Bay Packer Joe Francis and his wife, Kuulei Alama-Francis, parents of ex-UH football star Ikaika Alama-Francis, drafted by the Detroit Lions; Nephi Hannemann; chefs Russell Siu and Hiroshi Fukui; Nalo Farms' Dean Okimoto; and Terry Lee...