AMONG the Hollywood contingent who holiday at the Kahala Mandarin over Christmas, and have done so since it was the Kahala Hilton, is TV writer and director Ken Levine. His name may not be familiar, but some of the shows he's worked on, such as "Cheers" and "M*A*S*H," certainly are. Last week he was riding down to the pool area on the elevator with a woman who was holding a copy of the book, "Amistad." She was telling her teen-age son that the book would make a spectacular movie. Before Levine had a chance to tell her someone had already had the same idea and had done so, the elevator stopped at the lobby and as the pair exited, there was Jeffrey Katzenberg waiting to get in. Hollywood watchers will recognize his name as the partner of "Amistad" director Steven Spielberg of Dreamworks, which produced the blockbuster film ... Buy that woman
a newspaper
SPEAKING of the Kahala Mandarin, it was revealed some months ago that G.M. Seamus McManus would be stepping down early next year and leaving the Mandarin group which brought him here from the Hong Kong Mandarin. His future plans were not revealed, but now I can assure you that not only will the genial Irishman be landing on his feet, but he's secured one of the plum positions in the hotel industry. He'll be the new General Manager of one of the greatest hotels not only in London, but the world -- one that caters to royalty and those who desire to be treated thusly. The official announcement will have to come from London, but rest assured, should you be fortunate enough to find yourself in McManus' new hostelry, you may well be greeted by him in a morning coat. That's one of the marks of elegance in this small but special hotel ...
Still a family
WHEN the late Bick Bickson started Budget Hawaii more than 35 years ago, the rent-a-car company had a real family feel and Hawaiian-style camaraderie. It's been like that ever since, and was never more in evidence than when Budget held its blessing of a new headquarters and cargo truck division near the airport. Budget region V.P. Keith Nakamura called on Pastor Herman Bishaw of Praise Chapel Christian Fellowship to do the blessing. Before joining the church, Pastor Bishaw had been with Budget for 21 years, starting out as a lot attendant and working his way up to station manager by the time he left to lead the church in 1995. He gave his personal blessing on everyone from Nakamura to Oahu G.M. Billy Ching to the founder's widow, Joan Bickson, and every department head and staff member. Truly a family affair ...AS he's done every year for the past many, adman Marty Schiller invited wife Janet's mother, Ethel Senese of L.A., over to play piano as background music for a post-Christmas, pre-New Year's Eve party at his home. This year, he proclaimed, she is 88 years old. When congratulated on reaching the number of keys on her piano, she took great umbrage with Schiller: "I'm only 86," she stated emphatically. Faced with her insistence, Schiller backtracked, "Then it must be my mother who's 88," he said apologetically in his best mollifying manner ...
Buy George
ATTORNEY Joy Hutson and husband Bill spotted a familiar face at Fiasco's in Hilo last week and sent over a drink. Comic George Carlin, who's taking a respite from promoting his hot new book, "Brain Droppings," dropped by their table to say thanks. He departed the islands Christmas day after spending a quiet nine days here ...
Contact Dave by e-mail: donnelly@kestrok.com.