Clark’s book a
day at the beachBEST of the best: Just out from UH Press (though printed in Hong Kong) is perhaps the last book on beaches of Hawaii you'll ever need. It's called "Hawaii's Best Beaches," and not only has great color photos of each beach mentioned but addresses (where possible) and instructions on how to get there and what you'll find when you arrive. John R.K. Clark organized and wrote the book, a handy guide for local beachgoers or those coming to the islands ... Maui wins its share of "best" awards, too, such as "Best Island," "Best Hotels" etc. Now Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort G.M. Jerry Phelps has been named best manager, or "Manager of the Year," for Renaissance Hotels International. To celebrate the honor, it was arranged for Phelps to sit for a portrait with acclaimed master photographer Al Gilbert, who's taken portraits of some mighty powerful people, from Israeli prime ministers to Pope John Paul ...
SPEAKING of bests, two of the finest singers in the islands are both performing tonight: Rocky Brown will be appearing with DeShannon Higa and his band at the Honolulu Club (open to the public) at 7 p.m. And Azure McCall will be appearing just blocks away with Tennyson Stephens at the Wild Mushroom, which is in the YWCA Building on Richards St. ...
Through thick and thin
FORMER isle D.J. Kamasami Kong was working out in the fitness center of the Ritz-Carlton Osaka where he now lives -- he's a pop jock on a huge radio station there -- when in walked Akebono. The former Chad Rowan was trying to get himself in shape for the Osaka basho, but decided to sit it out with injuries. Still, he and Kong exchanged "alohas" and handshakes and talked about home in Hawaii, sumo and Hawaiian music. Kong remembered he had a tape of Frank B. Shaner's Saturday morning KINE-FM radio show in his room, sprinted up and got it, and the two enjoyed real Hawaiian radio during their Ritz workout. Incidentally, the workout consisted of Kong pumping a stationary bicycle while reading "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff," while Akebono lifted weights. The sumo star was so inspired by some of the music that he'd put down the weights and do a couple of hula moves, much to Kong's enjoyment ...AFTER former Bill Clinton aide George Stephanopoulos wrote a book attacking the president as being "stupid" and "selfish," it brought to mind the nickname bestowed on the aide by Washington wits after he suffered a somewhat humiliating demotion. They started calling him "George Stuffing-Envelopes." Maybe the book is his way of getting even ...
We're all No. 1
ALL next week, David Paul Johnson will be holding an anniversary party marking his first year in business at David Paul's Diamond Head Grill. The Grill, which tied for "Best New Restaurant" in Honolulu Magazine's annual reader's poll, will feature different events each night, and on view throughout will be three new florals by artist Jan Kasprzycki, part of his "Nightscapes" series ... David Paul is also celebrating the ninth anniversary of his Lahaina Grill on March 27 with a special dinner ... Alan Wong (winner of Honolulu's "Best Restaurant" period award) is making plans to mark his fourth birthday at his King Street restaurant on April 18 ... And March 26 through April 4 the Halekulani is presenting Chef Reed Hearon of Rose Pistola, named best Italian eatery by the San Francisco Chronicle. Rose Pistola also was named best new restaurant in the country by the James Beard Foundation and "Best New Restaurant" by Bon Appetit ...
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.