Wood Craft Ben Wood

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‘Long Story Short’ with Sevey by PBS’ Wilcox is fascinating

Leslie Wilcox's interview with Bob Sevey on her "Long Story Short" program shown by PBS Hawaii in two parts Tuesday and Nov. 20 was excellent, fascinating television. Sevey, the "Walter Cronkite of Hawaii" when he ran KGMB-TV's news department for 20 years, ending in 1986, revealed how TV news shows are now run. He also revealed he has cancer and was given 12 months to live 13 months ago. And he revealed that he did not retire. He resigned after Cec Heftel -- for whom Bob has high regard -- sold the station and new corporate owners brought in consultants and producers to run the news show that he had been given free rein to run by Cec. It was the highest-rated news show in Hawaii for many years. Except for being bald due to chemo treatments, Bob, 79, looked and sounded fine. He included humor during the interview and Leslie, now PBS Hawaii president, was at her best. She started in the news biz as a Star-Bulletin reporter and Bob hired her away from us. She was one of many people he hired who became TV "names." It was amazing Leslie didn't break down when her Captain -- that's what they called him, Captain -- discussed his mortality. Talking of wife Rosalie's Alzheimer's disease also was an emotional subject. But Bob was straightforward, clear and informative throughout both half-hour shows, as he was on his news programs. If you did not see them, do not miss Sunday's repeat of Part 2, which reviews some of Part 1, at 2:30 p.m. Part 1 will air again Christmas Day and Part 2 on New Year's Day, both at 7:30 p.m. ...

Halekulani makes Robb Report's top 100 list

The Halekulani is the only hotel in Hawaii listed in Robb Report Luxury Hotels, the Winter Issue of the upscale magazine's annual listing of what it ranks as the top accommodations in 100 cities worldwide. La Mer Chef Yves Garnier is the only member of the Halekulani team who is mentioned. Other names in the article include Vera Wang for her suite, and Duke Kahanamoku, involving surfing off Waikiki ... Pianist-singer Tennyson Stephens and sax player Rocky Holmes are now at Lewers Lounge at the Halekulani Saturday nights. The lineup has singer-bassist Bruce Hamada and pianist Jim Howard swinging it Tuesday through Friday and pianist-singer Noly Pa'a on Sundays ...