MUSEUM EXECS PREVIEW PICTURE GALLERY: Bishop Museum CEO Tim Johns, third from left, was the host of a sumptuous reception Thursday that gave guests a chance to preview the museum's restored Picture Gallery in the Hawaiian Hall complex before it opened to the public on Saturday. The collection includes watercolors by artists who came here with Capt. Cook, as well as priceless 19th-century portraits and photographs. Museum board Chairman Dr. Charman Akina, left, board member Watters Martin Jr., project manager Mike Hirokawa, archives director DeSoto Brown and exhibit designer Dave Kamble joined Johns in the gallery after the formalities were completed.

 
"BLOOD" COMPELLING AND THEN SOME! Karla Kral went home a winner Thursday after a preview screening of "There Will Be Blood" sponsored by Hawaii Public Radio at the Ward 16 theater. Kral described the film's star, Daniel Day-Lewis, as "totally fabulous in his acting," the story as "very compelling in terms of American oil (industry) development" and the screenplay as "a good adaptation of the Upton Sinclair novel, 'Oil.'" (The poster was a gift from HPR.)

 
"FRIENDS OF CIVIL RIGHTS" HONORED: Leslie Cabingcabang, left, joined Faye Kennedy in congratulating honorees U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, second from left, and Dr. Scott McCaffrey Jan. 11 at the Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights' Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Banquet at the Tapa Ballroom. McCaffrey closed his acceptance speech with a protest song about the plight of injured workers. Abercrombie, recipient of the Lifetime Friends Award, quipped that someone must have decided, "He's just about finished -- let's give him the award."

 
EXCELLENT WORK, NO "DOUBT" ABOUT IT! Jim Andrews, right, greeted cast members Russell Motter and Anette Kauahikaua Wednesday at the opening night party for Manoa Valley Theatre's production of "Doubt." Motter is excellent in the role of a young priest suspected of an "improper relationship" with a 12-year-old student, and Kauahikaua is powerful in a pivotal scene with her portrayal of the boy's mother. "Doubt" is a must-see for anyone who appreciates serious drama. Call 988-6131.

 
A DON HO SHOW REUNION: Don Ho show veterans Nathan Aweau, left, Benny Chong, Tokyo Joe, Taran Erickson, James Dela Cruz and Dennis Graue talked story as Watermark Publishing celebrated the recent publication of "Don Ho: My Music, My Life" with a late-afternoon party Wednesday at Don Ho's Island Grill. The oral history of Ho's life and times hit stores last month and was reviewed Dec. 7 at starbulletin.com.