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Hawaii
HAWAII got some great international publicity from Sports Illustrated this week. In its annual swimsuit issue, the theme was "Let's Get Pacific," and models were posing in all manner of skimpy swimsuits from Malaysia to Mexico to Maui, along with Kauai and Waikiki. And they didn't come hat in hand to the state like the "Baywatch" bunch. It's a given that this is the largest selling issue of S.I. of No handouts for S.I.
the year, and the exposure Hawaii receives (along with the models, many posing with husbands or male friends) is hard to measure in future revenues to the state. Some of the photos are in 3-D even, and glasses are included. One couple pictured was volleyball star and model Gabriella Reece with hubby Laird Hamilton, who live part-time on Kauai. And there was a lengthy profile of -- surprise! -- Hamilton, to go with the story. Lots of publicity for the islands in general and surfing in particular ...
WHEN Don Robbs, who does play-by-play for UH baseball games on radio, was introduced to Arlene Martinez, he said, "Should I know you?" It was then he learned she's the wife of Buck Martinez, former major league catcher and announcer for the Toronto Blue Jays, who's embarking on a weekly talk show on ESPN. Properly set in his collegiate place, Robbs then learned the son of Buck and Arlene, Casey Martinez, is a catcher with Sacramento State, the team playing the Rainbows tonight and tomorrow. Robbs redeemed himself by remembering Casey was hitting .421, and he was right on the money ...
Color me Plaid
THE Manoa Valley Theater has a certifiable hit on its hands with "Forever Plaid," and much of the credit must go to Andrew Sakaguchi. He not only reprised the role he played in a Waikiki production of the show a few years ago, but this time he directs it as well with some awfully clever touches and memorable moments. He has a strong quartet of singers -- the Four Plaids -- whose harmonies on such tunes as "Moments to Remember" are exactly those of the Four Lads, who I heard do that song and many others 40 years ago at the Top of the Biltmore, where the Hyatt Regency stands today. The identical harmonies and sharp memories held up far better than me or the Biltmore. And the 3-minute version they do of the "Ed Sullivan Show" is worth the price of admission ...THE Valet Shop at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, run by familiar Waikiki figure Bob Demello for the past 44 years, is closing on June 31. Something else will be going into the space, says Demello, and he's unaware of any plans the hotel has for a replacement dry cleaning service, though it's hard to think of a hotel that large without one ...
THE Mountain Apple Co. folks are ecstatic that four CDs by the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole have showed up on the Amazon.com Top 25 best seller list, including "Facing Future" at No. 1 and "IZ in Concert: The Man and the Music" at No. 2. The disconcerting thing about the rankings -- the chart is called "Emerging Artists International." ...
Cherry Blossom Red
ENGLISH scholars can tell you all about Ethelred the Unready, but I'm here to tell you about how ready the contestants in the 48th Cherry Blossom Festival are when they wear red dresses from Ethel's. The retailer is providing the official dresses this year and they're all red. And don't you dare say, "I demand the right of red dress." ...
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