Hawaii
TWO truisms: Everyone loves Thanksgiving and their grandchildren. So Bob Turnbull was doubly blessed on Thanksgiving Day when visiting his son, Robert Kekoakalani Turnbull -- born at Kaiser Hospital when it was in Waikiki -- in Atlanta, Ga. Granddaughter
breaks spellHe was enjoying both his 9-day old granddaughter, Hannah Elizabeth, and history in the making. Turnbull, who left Hawaii and the Waikiki Beach Chaplaincy he founded in the hands of Alex McAngus more than 20 years ago, is super proud of Hannah. You see, she's the first girl born into the Turnbull family in 277 years. That's not a typo, folks. Since 1722, only males have been born into this family, and nary a twin. That's 11 generations. To put it in a historical perspective, that's since 10 years before George Washington was born. The proud grandpa and his wife, Yvonne, continue speaking on marriages and family throughout the country about 40 weekends a year, and plan a return to Hawaii in February when the Chaplaincy celebrates its 30th anniversary. One question: Why hasn't the "Today" show got hold of the remarkable turn of events in the Turnbull family? ...
Bean tree?
TIRED of paying $75 or more for a Christmas tree that's already practically dead on arrival and with needles dropping everywhere? Phil Kinnicutt thinks he's found an answer. A brochure from the L.L. Bean company featured a 6 foot 7 inch Balsam tree, cut the day they ship it, for $69 plus $15 shipping cost for the seven day journey. A smaller tree costs $10 less. He called to confirm the Hawaii details, and suggests folks can check it out on the Internet at www.llbean.com ...LOCAL Christian entertainers Randy and Gay Hongo said they prayed harder than usual for a safe journey to Israel, leaving as they did one day after the EgyptAir crash. They entertained for a week in the Holy Land, where they were fed such items as persimmons, figs, dates and "various parts of animals" they weren't sure of. So it was a treat when, on the way home, they played as a favor for a friend at a luau in San Francisco where they dined on typical Hawaiian luau fare plus sushi, Spam musubi and whatever ...
MOVE over, John Hirokawa. Mid-Pac senior Kristi Toguchi is presenting "The Magic of Kristi" on Saturday at the Aiea Public Library. She's been doing magic professionally for three years now which should come as no surprise to those who know she's the granddaughter of Tengu the Magician. Her show Saturday is free ...
THE actor who plays Greg's wealthy country club father on "Dharma and Greg," Mitchell Ryan, was dining in more modest atmosphere of Trattoria last week ... Rick Yune, star of "Snow Falling on Cedars," was spotted admiring a kaleidoscope of tropical fish while cruising aboard the Atlantis Submarine. He was in town for the Hawaii Film Festival, which premiered his film ... Having lost a bundle on the canceled CART racing event, trade-showman Mike Rossell named his Thanksgiving turkey "Super Prix." ...
Lighting up the Ritz
IT may not be a record, but 250,000 sparkling lights will illuminate the 25-foot holiday tree and the many pine and palm trees surrounding the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua on Wednesday. Santa will pay a visit at 5:15 p.m. and after a Hawaiian blessing, entertainment will be by Henry Kapono, Eddie Kamae and Owana Salazar ...
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