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Wood Craft
It was a total surprise to me, said Don Ho upon being honored as "Salesman of the Year" -- upgraded to "Salesman of the Century" -- by the Sales and Marketing Executives of Hawaii Thursday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. "I don't feel like a salesman," Don said Friday. "It's kinda weird, but you go along with the play. Ho, Ho -- honor
surprises DonLike in a football game, you pick up the ball and run. Maybe they made a mistake, but I'll go along with it. I don't take praise very well but I appreciate it and I feel honored. You don't do things alone," he continued. "It's a lot of people, faceless people who promote me: bartenders, bellboys, bus and taxi drivers, flight attendants, hotel maids and the travel industry. Also, people who come to the show and sing 'Tiny Bubbles.' They go home and tell their neighbors. They are our salesmen." Getting thoughtful, Don said, "I used to joke in the show in the old days and even now, but it's true that tourists are the kind of people I like because they come, leave money and go home. The kind of people I don't like come, stay and act like they are experts about Hawaii" ...
Cherye's on the go
Cherye Pierce spends much time as a fund-raiser and was named Volunteer Fundraiser of the year last November by the national Society of Fundraising Executives -- Honolulu Chapter. Cherye is also known for her culinary expertise and her chicken soup. Publicist Lisa Josephsohn was floored recently by the flu bug, and Cherye showed up on her doorstep with chicken soup. "It sure helped," Lisa said. Cherye is chairing "A Night on the Nile," the March 11 gala at the Academy of Arts to preview a major Egyptian exhibit that runs March 16-July 30. Call 532-8737 for $100 gala tickets ...Honolulu Magazine's Hale Aina Awards celebration at Alan Wong's at Liberty House Sunday will be remembered as one of the best parties of the year. Wong's areas in both the third floor Pineapple Room and fourth floor deli and market were used to handle the crowd. Food and wine stations were set up on both floors and there were even wine stations in walkways leading to the escalators. A banquet room was used for desserts. Hawaiian music was provided by Mahiehie -- Sam Kaina, Mark Tang and Helene Woodward -- and by Elua Kane, made up of Damien Farden and Tau Greig. Wong and his King Street staff were awarded the best restaurant award for a fourth year by Honolulu's John Alves and John Heckathorn ...
Compadres is introducing Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville Tequila" with a five-course dinner Wednesday, 6 to 8 p.m. The evening will include, appropriately, Buffett-style entertainment, according to G.M. Jesse Morta. The cost is $30. That includes includes margaritas. Reservations please ... Want a little something for your honey on Valentine's Day? Neiman Marcus has just the thing, a $500,000 diamond necklace. Or they will be happy to order you a pink and white diamond bracelet with matching earrings and ring for $1,305,000 total. Don't wait too long ...
Let's not tarry, thank you
The Links at Kuilima now has Global Position System screens on carts that give golfers the yardage from holes when they stop to hit the ball. Response is good, says Kuilima sales and marketing boss Toshiko Wight. The high-tech satellite system also allows pro shop staffers to see where each cart is located. If a group plays too slowly, a message to speed up shows on the screen. Amen! ...
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