Wood Craft
MARIA FINAZZO, 36, earned her captain's stripes this month and is flying Hawaiian Airlines DC9s between the islands. "This is what I was meant to do," said Finazzo, who has been a DC10 copilot four years and has been flying Hawaiian jets for 13 years. Finazzo's dad, Paul, is a former Hawaiian Airlines president; her brother, Vince, is a United 757 captain, and her sister, Paula, is a Hawaiian flight attendant ... You can call her
Captain Finazzo
HAIL, HAIL HAIL: Larry Price had members of the Roosevelt Class of '49 laughing and singing at the Perry and Price breakfast show at the Honohano Room last Saturday. Mike Perry was in Bora Bora but Karen Keawehawaii filled in admirably. The show was packed with talent, including Loyal Garner, Forte, Lou Rawls and comic Augie Tulba. Larry, an RHS grad, had the class sing the Roosevelt alma mater ...
'Aina tourney raises $23,000
Honolulu Magazine's Hale 'Aina Celebrity Golf Tourney at the Hawaii Prince raised $23,000 for the Hale 'Aina Ohana, which supports UH Community College culinary programs. Matson's team of Merle Kelai, Paul Bunda, Shige Handa and Rep. Romy Cachola won. Chef Alan Wong and Mark Shishido of Alan Wong's Restaurant and Chef Hardy Kintscher and Benson Lau of the Hawaii Prince Hotel had top chefs and wine distributors to lay out an excellent spread after golf. Maunalua -- Bobby Moderow Jr., Kahi Kaonohiokala and Bruce Spencer -- entertained ... Kimo Kahoano was hot at the recent fourth anniversary party for Wong's restaurant, dancing "Boy from Laupahoehoe" with vigor. Pauline Wilson and Danny Akaka sang and Anna Akaka danced hula. Mahiehie -- Sam Kaina, Mark Tang and Kuulei Kidder Paleka -- performed. Wong praised his staff ...Following pops concerts starring Rosemary Clooney and Lou Rawls, the Honolulu Symphony has Dionne Warwick next Saturday at the Waikiki Shell. Danny Couch opens the show ... Playboy centerfold Kona Carmack came home from modeling in Japan to audition for "Baywatch" ... The House of Blues in L.A. became the House of Aloha last week when Cecilio and Kapono performed there. Jean Dickinson, Katie Ralston, Simone Grandmain, Kiki Hugho and John Isara were at the show ...
WAYNE HIRABAYASHI has been promoted to executive chef at the Kahala Mandarin. Hirabayashi and Hoku's manager Ivy Nagayama, both local products, are happy about Hoku's getting the Zagat Survey's certificate of distinction. The hotel's Plumeria Cafe, managed by Kenny Chee, received the same certificate. Wayne Woods has been named the hotel's assistant food and beverage manager. Pierre Barthes is F&B chief ... Owner-chef Chai Chaowasaree and Chef Rodney Uyehara are inviting guests to the grand opening of Chai's Island Bistro at Aloha Tower Friday. Hapa performs ...
DeAngelo leads Palomino chefs
Fred DeAngelo, a muscular Kamehameha grad, will head a team of five Palomino chain chefs cooking specialties at the James Beard House in New York June 11. Some of the specialties are now on the Palomino menu, said G.M. Mitch Dettloff ... Chris Keff, owner of the Flying Fish in Seattle, was here last week for the wedding of Sean Simmons and Shari Young. Sean is the son of Polynesian Plaza manager Rachel Simmons. Chris holds the best chef in the Northwest title. She'll be up for culinary awards at the Beard House Monday with Sam Choy and Jean-Marie Josselin ...
Ben Wood, who sold the Star-Bulletin in the streets
of downtown Honolulu during World War II, writes of
people, places and things every Saturday.
His columns appear online every Monday.