Hawaii
WHEN you hear the term "icing" come up in a hotel, it's generally a discussion of desserts. Not necessarily so at the Hawaii Prince Hotel. The G.M. there is Ted McAneeley, a former defenseman in the National Hockey League, McAneeley shines on ice
where icing is a no-no. The still athletic G.M. is now 48, but still carries a big stick -- he's just back from Santa Rosa where he played for the L.A. Kings in the Snoopy Seniors Tournament. McAneeley scored the winning goal, too, and you can forgive the poor goalie if it seemed to him like he was being approached from two sides. The goal came off a pass from Ted's twin brother, Bob McAneeley, another ex-NHL player. I guess you could say that at the Prince, hockey is King ...
THOSE who attended the Hawaii State Theater Council's Po'okela Awards say this year's program went smoother than most, despite quibbles about the food. Much of that can be attributed to the selection of a single winner in many categories, in lieu of multiple "winners" as in the past. Now when they can refine it even more and have a single winner in each category, which the Oscars, Emmys, Tonys, etc., manage to do, the award will mean more ... It was nice to see David Kleist win a "best actor" award, though he had to leave town to do it. After several nominations and no Pokies, Kleist moved to the mainland and got word via e-mail that he'd won. I think he was even better in "Oliver" than in "Jake's Women," for which he won, but that's why they have apples and oranges ...
Gaspin' in Aspen
YOU can just picture the surprised and happy expression on the face of United Airlines board chairman Gerald Greenwald. The United board decided to hold a surprise party for the boss and someone suggested having one of his favorite groups brought in for a guest appearance. Never mind that the boss was at his vacation residence in Aspen, Colo., -- when you own an airline, anything is possible. And so it was that the Honolulu Boy Choir, 40 voices strong, showed up to perform for Greenwald, the United board and their families at an exclusive gathering Tuesday night. Tonight, before returning home, the Boy Choir will perform at the Disney Plaza Stage in Disneyland and, who knows, maybe even get to go on a few rides ...THE Po'okelas weren't the only awards handed out this week. The PRSA handed out its Koa Anvil Awards to public relations people, and there was much joy in the Shirai household. With 120 industry pros in attendance, Michelle Jerin Shirai of Straub walked off with four Koa Anvils and Koa Hammers for outstanding P.R. programs and also swept all competitors with "Best in Show" for the Straub Women's 10K Race. Husband Scott Shirai of HEI received the prestigious Gregg W. Perry Public Relations Professional of the Year Award ...
Bangers and VASH
AT the first Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii (VASH) fund-raiser at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, guest speaker Peter Carlisle, the city prosecutor, thanked everyone for the warm reception he received. It was especially welcomed, he said, since he didn't think he'd be greeted quite as warmly at his next appointment that afternoon -- it was at OCCC. VASH is the nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding island visitors who are victims of crime, and they're doing a wonderful job of showing island aloha, even to those who've been victimized by crime ...
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: ddonnelly@starbulletin.com