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Wood Craft
SUNDAY'S lovely wedding reception for Nicole Maldonado, who comes from a family of hula dancers, and Afatia Thompson, a star UH running back, champion fire-knife dancer and singer, was something to remember. Cha Thompson, mother of the groom, will certainly never forget it. She injured her back getting a chair for Gov. Ben Cayetano and remained in what she says was a Sheraton Ballroom "closet" for two hours until a pain-killing shot made her return possible. Cha and Jack Thompson's Tihati empire employs nearly 1,000 entertainers. The newlywed's perform in Tihati's Princess Kaiulani show. Nicole's great-grandmom was the late hula instructor Rose Joshua. Tongan Princess Pilolevu Tuita came here for the wedding. So did "Grandma" Eliza Thompson from Tokelau. Show biz stars, athletes, coaches, business leaders, judges, politicians and at least three doctors who treated Cha were among the 750 guests. Mayoral candidate Mufi Hannemann shook many hands. Police Chief Lee Donohue and ex-Chief Mike Nakamura attended. Stories by the groom's sister Misty Thompson, and Kelly Kumukoa, the bride's best friend, about the couple were priceless. Maid of Honor Tasha Maldonado, the bride's sister, and best man Saafiga Foster, the groom's cousin, also got laughs talking about the pair. Clyde Pound led the house band featuring vocalist Sonya Mendez. Joe Recca emceed smoothly. Francis Kamahele sang the blessing. Martin Nievera, Melveen Leed, Karen Keawehawaii and Aaron Sala sang. Afatia sang with the group Reign. He can sing. UH football coach June Jones praised Afatia, saying, "Afa is one of the greatest kids I have ever coached." After it was all over, Cha and Jack went to Jack in the Box. She missed all the great food at the party ... Cha won’t forget
son’s wedding
VUE customers come through
VUE Hawaii at Kahala Mall celebrated its 17th year by asking customers for donations to the Food Bank. "In a five-day period we collected 1,948 pounds of food," said co-owner Judy Morita. "We have great customers who also surprise us with treats for our staff: pikakes, pastries, poi, pickled mango, boiled peanuts. In a reversal of roles, our customers pamper us!" ... Filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson ("Boogie Nights" and "Magnolia") and singer Fiona Apple were spotted in Kahala's Tower Records this week ...Hoku's chef Wayne Hirabayashi and manager Ed Hancock are gearing up for a five-course summer wine dinner offering Spanish wines, detailed by Ronn Wiegand, and Spanish cuisine Wednesday, $80. Call 739-8780 ... Sydette Sakauye fills in for Loretta Ables-Sayre tonight and Tuesday night with the Betty Loo Taylor trio at the Mandarin's Veranda. Loretta returns Wednesday to resume her Tuesday through Saturday sked ...
Shaking the night away
Belly Dancers held the spotlight Thursday at the Academy of Arts "It's Nile or Never" party. The academy's Mystery of the Nile Exhibit closes July 30. Dancing were Julie Tamayori, Renee Vea, Melveen Stevenson, Sharon Klas and attorney Maile Hirota. Attorney Christine Chun had a nifty Egyptian makeup job done by Paul Brown's experts on site. Young professionals Margaret Murchie, Jane Stubenberg, Myra Kaneshiro Brandt and Robyn Schaefer held court at a lively table ...
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
