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Hawaii
HOW about starting right off with an "Awwwww" story: Sprint Hawaii each month rewards its most productive outlet manager by featuring him or her in its print ads. Tony Leming, Kamehameha Shopping Center Radio Shack manager, had already been featured in two ads and was Sprinting to the altar
slated for a third. Sprint marketing director Lee Wilson informed him the format had been changed, and the next ad would contain a quote, any he wanted. The ad ran Sunday, and Leming's quote was, "Happy Valentines Day Grace, would you marry me?" Sunday came, and try as he may, Leming couldn't get Grace to read the paper all morning. Finally, en route to church, he stopped and bought another paper and asked Grace to read an article that was next to the Sprint ad. She spotted the ad immediately and burst into tears, but not without saying, "Yes." ...
BACK in the 1970s, Bob Turnbull was known as "The Chaplain of Waikiki Beach." He founded the Waikiki Beach Chaplaincy 30 years ago and also the Church on the Beach, which has been holding Sunday services 30 years on the sands of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Turnbull no longer lives in Hawaii, but he's returning here tomorrow and will be making various appearances through Feb. 28 with wife Yvonne. The two will attend the 30th anniversary banquet of the WBC at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Feb. 26. They'll also speak at the New Hope Christian Fellowship of Oahu (Pastor Wayne Cordiero's Queen St. church) this Saturday night and Sunday morning ...
Screamin' no more
THERE was quite a lengthy obituary on blues legend Screamin' Jay Hawkins in yesterday's Star-Bulletin, but no mention was made of the fact that he lived in Hawaii in the '60s and early '70s. In fact, he fathered a daughter, Melissa, who is believed to be living here. She stands to inherit some money, as he was making lots of it performing in Paris of late. In fact, he recently called his old boss, Jack Cione, to inquire about buying a condo here and moving back. But in his early days, the colorful "larger-than-life" singer best known for his classic song, "I Put A Spell On You," recorded in 1956, was down on his luck in Hawaii. He performed here at the Dunes and even at the now closed Club Hubba Hubba on Hotel Street. He was stabbed by a girlfriend here in 1964 when he and his assailant were described as "unemployed singers." In 1972, I described how Jay was sitting with Dave Brubeck, digging the trombone artistry of Trummy Young at the Hanohano Room. One of the last items written was about a Christmas card I received from Jay, that was postmarked "New York," but came with a note that read, "Please do not reply as we are in the process of moving." Screamin' Jay is settled at last ...
A beginning and an end
APPLAUSE filled the front room at Matteo's over Valentine's Day dinner. It seems a diner fell to his knees and proposed to his date on the spot, and when she said "Yes," everyone clapped. Manager Russell Druce, who was at the podium, led the cheers, later quipping, "Only in Matteo's." At a nearby table, an attractive young lady admiring the suitor, winked to her waiter (Meg Ryan style), "I'll have what SHE'S having." ... Granny Goose points out that last week was a bad one for isle radio vets. Not only did longtime D.J. Ted Sax die, but so, too, did longtime radio newsman Bill Edwards, best known for his line, "It's a beaut-iful day in Hawaii." ...
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