Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Hawaii
SINCE becoming Miss Hawaii World in 1996, Julie Ann Chang has accumulated other titles. While attending school Woman of
many titlesat Creighton University, she went on to become Ms. Nebraska Achievement 1999 and Ms. Asian Achievement 2000. But the title she's the most proud of is M.D. My immediate thought was that Dr. Chang could be my physician anytime, until learning she's in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. She's now home for two weeks getting some well needed rest before starting her residency ...
IT'S not as back-breaking as it sounds, but two separate Emme Tomimbang shows will be airing in separate cities starting Saturday on KGMB, and re-runs of her "Emme's Island Moments" will be airing at least through the summer and possibly the year on KTNV in Las Vegas. The KGMB program, "Emme & Friends," will be a talk show with entertainers and chefs, with Keali'i Reichel the first guest on Saturday. The "Island Moments" repeat shows in Vegas should appeal to the large influx of former isle people now living in that desert community. And to help build an audience, the show will give away airfare on Hawaiian airlines with hotel accommodations at the Waikiki Beachcomber and tickets to the Don Ho show ...
MEANWHILE, Channel 2 news reporter Bernadette Baraquio, who is every bit as attractive as her sister, the recently named Miss Hawaii, celebrated her first wedding anniversary with the very lucky Rick Hamada, morning show host on KHVH. None of this tofu jazz for them -- the two chose to dine at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, newly expanded and refurbished in Restaurant Row. And since Randy Schoch opened his Maui Ruth's Chris two years ago, new locations have sprung up in six other states and and even Shanghai, China ...
Framed in Paradise
A TIGHT end expanding rapidly? Don't call a doctor. We're talking about Kent Untermann, former tight end for the UH Rainbow Warriors. And his growth is the good kind. Untermann's Pictures Plus, a framing firm, now has 11 stores statewide. He opened a second store on Maui in April, a new store at Ward Gateway this month and will open another new shop in Kona in July. That makes three stores on three islands in three months. And to think it all began when Untermann and wife Lori began pedaling their frames at the swap meet 13 years ago ... LOOKS like Robert Uluwehi Cazimero has this thing about initials. His new CD is simply called "RUC" and the new CD of his Halau Na Kamalei is entitled "RCHNK." It's been released to celebrate the halau's 25th anniversary ...
Hank's pranks
BACK in 1969 I visited with old friend Bette Midler when she was appearing on Broadway as the eldest daughter in "Fiddler on the Roof." She passed up her usual after-the-musical "showcasing" to have drinks with us. In my wisdom, I suggested club owners were taking advantage of her by getting her to sing for nothing in hopes she'd be "discovered." So much for my prescience. Now Hank Tafaasau has opened up his Nuuanu club, Hank's, to amateur comics to strut their stuff on Monday nights and word is some of them are even funny. Andy Bumatai, a former comedy headliner himself, was there this week to offer encouragement. Oh yes, during a "Gong Show" night in Waikiki back when Andy was 18, I clanged him off stage. Can I pick 'em or what? ...
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