Wood Craft
Gordon Biersch
takes the fifthTHE Makaha Sons and Chant were expected to come on strong at Gordon Biersch Thursday night and they did. But the surprise hit was six women and three male G.B. employees who danced hula for owners Dan Gordon and Dean Biersch and the crowd. Dana Henderson's Halau Hula O Kana Kapeka, made up of girls 12 to 17, also drew much applause. The party was to celebrate G.B.'s fifth year and its $500,000 renovation. "It's just an excuse to have a blowout in the true Hawaiian tradition," said the hardy Gordon, 38, shortly before the Rev. William Kaina gave the blessing. Biersch, 41, said: "Honolulu has blessed us. This is our big mahalo weekend." Restaurant G.M. Joe Glarner put the happy crowd at 1,000 ...
Sweet smell of success
THE real estate scene is heating up, according to Honolulu Board of Realtors Director and Coldwell Banker Veep Margaret Murchie. She recently sold a Waialae Iki house for $1.150 million, the highest price for a home in the area in five years and has buyers offering the full price of just under $2 million for the late Laila Twigg Smith's Diamond Head Circle home. But Margaret wasn't always on Easy Street. She came from Canada 23 years ago with a college degree and little else. "I was the first flower girl in Waikiki restaurants and bars, selling roses and leis to supplement my budding real estate career," she said. She's come a long way, despite her puns ...Gal pals tossed a birthday luncheon for Maggie Reed at Hoku's Wednesday. Voice teacher Neva Rego led the group in "Happy Birthday." Maggie's son, John Paul Reed, flew in from Texas and her "soul mate," Giorgio Yelinek, flew in from the Big Isle to help her celebrate ... Jimmy Borges joins host Seth Markow on "The Real Deal" Tuesday, 8 to 10 p.m., on KIPO 89.3 FM, in a tribute to Mel Torme. The singer died at 73 last Saturday ... George Mavrothalassitis is happy the design of his Chef Mavro restaurant won an Award of Excellence for Philpotts & Associates ... Second City's Touring Company is booked at the Hawaii Theatre Friday and next Saturday ...
Charley "Honolulu Lite" Memminger won the 1999 Star-Bulletin Golf Tourney with a net 71 at the well-kept, challenging Navy-Marine course last weekend. Lee Catterall with 72 was second and Randy Cadiente was third with 73. Wood Craft limped in fourth with 74. Catterall's 83 took low gross honors. Wes Watanabe won the guest flight with a net 70, followed by Sonny Beamer, 71, and Doug Boswell, 74 ... Dr. Laurie Tom and Richard Teruya are co-chairs for the a golf tourney to benefit the American Diabetes Association Hawaii Area, June 24, at the Hawaii Prince. Call 521-1142 ...
Heart Association gets $55,000
Nora Meijide's sizzling steps burned a hole in the Hilton Coral Ballroom dance floor and Ashraf matar was hot on the "casino" tables at the Black Tie and Blue Jeans Heart Association benefit last Saturday night. Peter Rockford Espiritu and Vicki Hossellman also put their best feet forward, dancing with various partners. The event netted $55,000, said Vanessa Van Dyken of the Heart Association. She praised Hilton Catering Manager Loreen Lynch for her help. Tani Lyn, 11, sang with the Bobby King band. She sounded like an adult, particularly when she impersonated Judy Garland. KITV's Howard Dashefsky assisted auctioneers David St. John and Joe Teipel ... Correction: Herb and Jennifer Zukerkorn have moved to Monterey, Calif., not San Diego ...
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.