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What the Heck?
John Heckathorn
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PHOTO COURTESY OF LEIGH ITO
Alan Wong does his first ice sculpture in 20 years. It's part of a "Feast for the Senses," a benefit gala for MA'O Organic Farms next Sunday at the Pineapple Room.
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Wong picks up chain saw after 20 years
Iced: Alan Wong is back at it with a chain saw. Years ago, when he was an apprentice at Greenbrier, ice carving was his hobby. But he hadn't carved a block of ice in 20 years.
Next Sunday, he's putting on a fundraiser for MA'O Organic Farms at the Pineapple Room. In for the event are a well-known Canadian floral arranger and a California chef who sculpts in chocolate.
"My guys kept egging me on to do some ice sculpture," said Wong. Last week he got a new chain saw from Sears and spent hours carving an angelfish. "Turned out pretty well," Wong said. "But the next day, I felt stiff from the effort."
The ice sculpture will reside in the freezer until next Sunday when Wong plans to surround it with seafood. Tickets for the benefit available: 945-6573.
Quick Exit: Richard Dreyfuss added some star power to the revival of Joe Moore's "Prophecy and Honor," but don't expect to see him back on a local stage soon.
Dreyfuss ran up $3,000 in incidental charges at the Kahala Resort, in addition to his agreed-on expenses, and walked on the bill -- which then came out of the benefit proceeds.
The Academy Award winner didn't bother to learn any of the local cast members' names, but hit up cast and crew for a few $25 or $50 loans, never repaid.
On the bright side, the production raised $60,000 for the Pacific Aviation Museum. A DVD of the final performance is now for sale at its gift shop, proceeds to the museum.
COURTESY OF DIANE AKO
Olivia, left, daughter of KHNL weekend anchor Diane Ako, and Kai, son of co-anchor Paul Drewes, often are thrust together.
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News Never Sleeps: It's a baby factory at KHNL. Weekend anchor Paul Drewes has a new baby boy, Kai, and co-anchor Diane Ako, a baby girl, Olivia. Like their parents, the two young ones are often thrust together. (See cute baby picture.)
In addition, KHNL weekend sports anchor Reid Shimizu departed last week for a job at KHON. Holding down the desk, at least temporarily, is Stephen Florino, who also has a month-old baby in the house, daughter Kieran.
"We may have to change our slogan," joked Ako. "Live, Local and Dead Tired."
Heard on the Street: Ran into Brickwood Galuteria in his post-radio-show office, a table outside a Bishop Street Starbucks.
What's next for the musician-DJ-cultural consultant-former Democratic Party chairman? A run for the state Senate, the district 12 seat currently held by Republican Gordon Trimble. "Time for me to take the next step," he said.
Lyrics: Vaihi's new album, "Navenave," is due out the end of month. Bruddah Sam Langi was kind enough to e-mail over some preview cuts.
Likely to attract attention is Vaihi's remake of "Hawaii 78." Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version is so famous, many people assume Iz wrote it.
No. Originally titled "Hawaii 77," it was written by Mickey Iaone. Iz, who learned the song from a concert cassette tape, got the words wrong.
The famous "cry for the gods, cry for the people" chorus was supposed to end "and bid goodbye to Hawaii." Instead Iz sang, "and in it you'll find Hawaii."
Vaihi's rendition restores the proper chorus ands adds a seldom-heard verse about Lili'uokalani.
Expect Kamakawiwo'ole's version to remain a standard. After all, Iz even got the lyrics wrong to "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," which hasn't hurt sales any.
Hot: You may not have heard of the Big Island vulcanologist and photographer Donna O'Meara.
But CitySmart, a magazine based in Coral Springs, Fla., just named her one of the "Powerful Women Changing the World," with, among others, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Melinda Gates, the president of Finland, the president of Liberia and the chancellor of Germany.
O'Meara and husband Stephen founded Volcano Watch International, and have photographed active volcanoes worldwide. They live, where else, in Volcano.
Inside Out Comes Home: Veteran ad man Richard Tillotson's dark comedy, "Inside Out," was a finalist for the Wolk Playwriting Award and had a dramatic reading in New York last fall.
This weekend it received its Honolulu debut, in a readers theater production directed by Eden Lee Murray. Repeats next weekend at Church of the Crossroads, free, though with a donation suggested.
Stars and Stripes: Jim Nabors is going up the ranks in the Marine Corps. For five years -- and forever in reruns -- Nabors played Pfc. Gomer Pyle on television.
In 2001, the Corps promoted him to lance corporal. And in a sunset ceremony at Fort DeRussy on Sept. 25, the retired actor gets one more stripe, making him a full corporal.
"I was a private for 38 years, a lance corporal for six," says Nabors. "At this rate, I'm not sure I'll ever make sergeant."