Nordstrom benefit party draws 2,600, raises $400,000

The benefit blast at Nordstrom last Wednesday can easily be called one of the outstanding parties of the year, even at this early date. About 2,600 people streamed through the doors to the music of Puamana. Guests enjoyed beverages and food from Chai's, Elua and JJ's Pastry on the three floors of the attractive, well-designed building. Servers from Current Affairs also spread out through the store with snacks and drinks. The heavy-duty action was on the first floor, where some of the town's top singers and musicians cut loose. People were digging and dancing to the swinging sounds of musicians Matt Catingub, Jeff Peterson, Steve Jones, Dan Del Negro, Noel Okimoto and Chino Montero, and vocalists Jimmy Borges, Amy Hanaialii and Mihana Souza. It doesn't get much better than that. Keeping an eye on things was store manager Brian Tatsumura. "I feel pretty good," he said in an understatement. It's always good to see a local boy or girl make good and Brian has certainly done that. The 1970 Castle High grad started with the company 34 years ago as a shoe department stock clerk when Nordstrom had the department at Liberty House. He advanced with Nordstrom stores here, earning a UH degree in business early along the way. Asked his age, he replied: "Fifty-five I think. That's close enough." The $150-ticket sellout event raised about $400,000 to be divided among the Bishop Museum, Hawaii Theatre Center and HUGS. Gala co-chairwomen Allison Holt Gendreau, Beth Bowlen Harbottle and Jean E. Rolles, honorary chairpersons Al and Sue Landon, the hundreds of committee members and volunteers, and especially Nordstrom -- which paid for everything -- deserve high praise ...

Bali holding Sterling wine dinner tonight

hilton's Bali by the Sea is presenting Mike Westrick, a winemaker from Napa Valley's Sterling Vineyards, tonight at a wine dinner. Westrick creates wines similar to those of the Bordeaux and Burgundy regions. He will speak at 6 p.m. in the Paradise Lounge, just outside Bali. A five-course dinner, with rack of lamb as the entrée, gets under way at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $85 with wine. After tonight, Westrick won't be there but the dinner and wine will be offered at $105 through March 31 ...

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