Sea-worthy
performancesHIGH "C" on the high seas. That's what Princess Cruise Lines has in mind when it holds its "Sea to Sea Search for Terrific Trios." Selected to compete from Hawaii in the Thursday finals are three members of Starsational, a group of seven performers. The trio who'll be representing the show is made up of Alison Maldonado, Amber Ricci and Lady Anne Braun. They'll do a 1940s medley for the panel of judges onboard the new "Sea Princess." Judges will consist of Salt-N-Pepa, the Pointer Sisters, the Shirelles, Steve Cauthen and the casts of "My Three Sons" and "Leave It to Beaver." Strange group? All are made up of threesomes except jockey Cauthen, who won the "Triple Crown" ...
WANT to know why restaurateur Aaron Placourakis is as proud as a peacock these days? Once again, Aaron's wife, former beauty queen Tina Placourakis, and their son, Jesse, brought home the gold at the All Hawaii Karate Championship. With over 400 athletes from Japan, California and Oregon, competition was stiff, but 8-year-old Jesse won two gold and one silver medal in his age division and then moved up a notch and won three gold in the 9-year-old division. He also won the "Free Spirited" award for outstanding achievement. Meanwhile, Tina won two gold and one silver medal in her brown belt division and a bronze in the black belt. Aaron cheered from the sidelines, preferring veal or pork chops to the karate variety ...
World's best job
CAN anybody think of a better job than the one Vanna White has on "Wheel of Fortune?" Vanna was in town recently cutting some promotional spots for a series of "Wheel" shows to be taped next month at the Hilton Hawaiian Village for airing in February. Aided by about 50 crew members, Vanna taped a promo at the Polynesian Cultural Center and danced what passed for hula in a canoe on the lagoon with some PCC performers who seemed more than ready to dive in and rescue her, should she fall. But back to her cushy job. She gets to wear this lovely wardrobe provided for her while her make-up is applied and hair made perfect, then walk on stage with host Pat Sajak and basically touch glass tiles that light up and applaud. She doesn't even have to turn letters around any more -- her agent probably got her out of that ...BACK in town for a few days was Joyce Curry-Takara. The former Sheraton public relations exec is sales director for Ramada Inn in Vallejo, Calif. and helped create a Vallejo Festival of Lights based on Honolulu's City Lights ... Steven Spielberg's "The Prince of Egypt" opens across the country on Friday, and Temple Emanu-El has arranged to hold its annual Hanukkah celebration with a private screening of the film at 7 p.m. at Restaurant Row. Call the temple for limited tickets ...
Giving and getting
WHAT'S this? A Christmas tree that gives back? Ron Wright of Continental Airlines and Chef Jean-Marie Josselin of A Pacific Cafe have teamed to give away a round-trip to the West Coast for some lucky gift giver. Anyone placing a child's toy beneath the Pacific Cafe Christmas Tree now through Christmas will be entered in a drawing to win the trip. The gifts will go to Toys for Tots. Give as often as you like ... And Bruce Hale is taking time out from promoting his book, "Moki! The Gecko's Best Christmas Ever," to reprise his role as Clarence, the angel trying to earn his wings in "A Wonderful Life," being presented for the second time at Diamond Head Theatre through Dec. 20 ...
Dave Donnelly has been writing on happenings
in Hawaii for the Star-Bulletin since 1968.
His columns run Monday through Friday.Contact Dave by e-mail: donnelly@kestrok.com.