Wood Craft
Knowing this is the time of year when women and kids in a shelter hurt even more, five Isle women organized a fund-raiser for 26 abused women and children who now call Hale Ola home. Isle women
help shelterConne Sutherland formed a committee of Liz Perry, Michele St. John, Muffy Ohlmeyer, and Suzy Hemmings and they organized a luncheon at Suzy's home last weekend. The cash donations from some 100 of their gal pals went to Hale Ola. Good show, ladies! ...
Being very Naborly
Jim Nabors' three feel-good holiday concerts at the Hawaii Theatre last weekend were special. It's amazing how director Tom Hanson has more than 100 singers and dancers, including children, moving off and on so smoothly, even with the Honolulu Symphony on stage. Down-to-earth Jim, Emma Veary and funny Karen Keawehawaii, provided the warmth and joy of the holiday season with their vocals and stories. Jim recalled a story about when he was looking for something to eat in a small town and accidentally wound up in a homeless shelter. It was priceless. All-around good guy Jim donated his services to help the Symphony and Hawaii Theatre. No need to tell Erin Atherton, a member of La Pietra's show choir that Jim is a good guy. During rehearsal, Jim took time to sing "Happy Birthday" to Erin on her special day ...Jim attended the Kahala Mandarin's annual tree-lighting ceremony Wednesday. He posed for photos with Ashley Nakama, 4, who like Jim, has had a liver transplant. Ashley was with her grandmom, Claudia Kunisaki. Kahala G.M. Jan Goessing put on a festive program. Hotel employees sang carols before Na Leo Pilimehana took the stage. Ballet Hawaii dancers performed excerpts from "Nutcracker." Chef Wayne Hirabayashi roasted chestnuts ...
Ballet Hawaii's "Nutcracker," with stars from the American Ballet Theatre and the Honolulu Symphony, opens Friday at the Concert Hall. After the show, Golden Circle ticket-holders will go on stage for a party. Barbara Kitishima chairs the affair. Food and drink was donated by Hoku's, Indigo, 3660, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Bubbies, Natural Springs Water and Grand Crew Wine Merchants ... Emme Tomimbang's Holiday Concert, with Henry Miyamura's Hawaii Youth Symphony and guest singers, will be carried by KHON Friday and on Christmas Eve at 9 both nights ...
Party time at Neiman
Neiman Marcus was a swirl of activity Tuesday night when the store tossed its annual holiday party for customers. Entertainment included the classy trio of singer Jimmy Borges, keyboarder Betty Loo Taylor and string bassist Steve Jones; singer-guitarist Melinda Caroll and guitarist Winston Tan. Christmas carolers and tall willowy models strolled through the store. Beverages and chef Doug Lum's food were offered. Bartenders Karl Kimoto and Leslie Hong were shaking martinis at one watering hole. Wine tasting was conducted by Chuck Furuya, Steve Lorne, David Nip, Tim Factor, Rebecca Foulk and David Gochros. There was also a party within a party for Neiman's 20 millennium artists, whose work is displayed in store windows for the holidays. Artists were picked by Greg Northrop of the Artloft. Neiman's Steel Adler said the only instructions artists were given was to "incorporate red into the work and that the theme be millennium." Overall, store G.M. Al Tomonari can be proud of the evening ...
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.
E-mail him at bwood@starbulletin.com