Hawaii
Stunned only begins to describe Hector Venegas' reaction when he was handed Jose Villa's Hispanic Hawaii business card. It read, "Hawaii's only Hispanic public relations and advertising agency." Since his own agency, Hector Venegas Enterprises, has been in business for some 20 years, Venegas, of Mexican descent, was shocked ... Also gearing up for a 20th anniversary is the Shore Bird in whatever the Outrigger Reef is calling itself these days. They'll be having a celebration June 29, and it ought to include a bikini contest, a staple of the beachfront bar since it opened ... And celebrating its 25th anniversary on the 25th of June is the Honolulu Boy Choir. A reception will take place at Washington Place ... Ignoring the competition
STILL another anniversary: Gordon Biersch is marking its five years at Aloha Tower Marketplace with a fifth anniversary mahalo "Grand Re-Opening" party today. It's free to get in and all Gordon Biersch beer costs a buck. D.J. Hudson from Star 101.9FM will be hosting prize giveaways and the band Beat Poets will be playing from 8:30 p.m. ... The California band Other Star People will play a free concert 7 p.m. Saturday at the Marketplace's Pier Bar. The band has played with such groups as Rancid, Beastie Boys, Gene Loves Jezebel, Foo Fighters, Redd Kross and Kelly Deal 2000 ...
Off-fence or on de-fence?
THE city appears to be ducking the issue of whether art sales at the Honolulu Zoo fence should be allowed to continue, and wants the courts to decide. Allow me to offer a nickel's worth of opinion. About 30 years ago I hosted a TV show for KHET about the arts called "The Green Room." One program dealt with painters, and it involved art connoisseur Arthur Murray strolling along the Honolulu Zoo fence with me, commenting on some of the artists whose works were hanging there. I recall one artist there with vividness, because Hiroshi Tagami was successful enough at selling his works that he was able to achieve a degree of fame and open his own gallery. Now he and Michael Powell and their family of artists are having an exhibit of new works not far from the Zoo at La Pietra June 11-13. So yes, give the artists a chance to be seen on the Zoo fence ...HELPING to build up Hawaii's blood supply were architects and employees of Architects Hawaii. More than 20 volunteered to contribute, and 15 were accepted as donors. Everyone was so pleased they've decided to do it regularly ...
Lots of pluck
IF you're an aficionado of guitar music, next weekend should be a full one for you. The Hawaii Guitar Festival '99 takes place June 10-12 at Orvis Auditorium. Performing on Thursday, the 10th, will be Scott Tennant, followed on Friday by Bucky Pizzarelli with Byron Yasui. Closing things out Saturday will be flamenco guitar artist Adam del Monte with the dazzling flamenco dancing of Laila del Monte ...If that's not enough, the sixth annual Bankoh Ki ho'alu slack key festival is June 13 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center in Kahului. This fest features Maui musicians, including the father and son duo of Kevin and Ikaika Brown; Pekelo Cosma, a Hana native often compared to the late Gabby Pahinui; and Jim West, a part time Hana resident. Others who'll appear are Matthew Swalinkavich, Martin Pahinui, Dennis and David Kamakahi, Ledward Kaapana, Brother Noland, Cyril Pahinui, Michael Kaawa and George Kuo ...
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.