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Wood Craft
Greeting about 400 guests at Sunday night's reception for Gucci's renovated and expanded Ala Moana store were Gucci regional Gucci gears up
in new storeboss Sharleen Perreira, Ala Moana store manager Cori Ireijo and ace salesman Greg Nakamatsu, plus Gucci officials from New York Susan Brubaker, Laura McMullin and Kate Macaluso. My new Armani leather jacket raised a few Gucci eyebrows. The store is a gem. Models displayed the latest Gucci apparel at the event, catered by Kahala Caterers. Candes Gentry and Carolyn Sapp, both Miss Hawaii winners, were among the beautiful people there. Candes wore a backless dress and an heirloom necklace that dropped all the way down her bare back. Karen Preiser was among many women wearing back-revealing attire. Amanda Abe bought sleek black leather jeans for a party she and Jany Cataldo are planning. Gina Schultz couldn't decide between a travel bag or a snazzy black leather skirt. She'll probably wind up with both. Stacy Kamano and Michael Bergin of "Baywatch" attended. Paul Brown eyed hair styles, some done by him. Life Foundation and Gregory House received 10 percent of the night's sales ...
Alice Lombardo, who plays polo against men, was tired and unhappy at the Gucci reception because her International Travel Service team lost to Hawaii Polo Inn earlier. But Alice is a winner because doctors told her last week she is cancer free. Two years ago she was given six months to live. Alice, Beachcomber Realty owner, says "Chinese herbs, proper diet, prayers and encouragement from the polo guys" saved her life ...
Ala Moana Hotel turns 30
"We feel like we're 30 years young," said Ala Moana Hotel G.M. John Cushnie at the hotel's 30th birthday party Thursday. Cushnie, born and raised on the Big Isle, praised his employees: "They don't just go with the flow. They make things happen. Their attitude is, 'I can' and 'We can.' " The event was a benefit for Aloha United Way, which received $30,000 in cash and donated services from the hotel. Restaurants in the hotel provided food for guests, who were welcomed with lei by the keiki of Hula Halau Olana. The halau also performed, as did KitSamson, Rumour's go-go dancers, Henry Kapono, and Kalo's Polynesian revue, which has performed in the Hawaiian Hut at the hotel for 30 years. Guests received an autographed CD from Henry. Kimo Kahoano emceed ...
"Rent," which closes tomorrow at the Concert Hall, is an excellent show. The singing, acting, staging, costuming and music are first rate. The energetic cast gives 100 percent. The gay, lesbian and mixed-race relationships may be a turnoff for some, but the vast majority of people at the matinee I saw enjoyed the show, judging from the enthusiastic ovation it received ...
Hula dancers wanted
In 1996, Aloha Festivals marked its 50th year with 3,500 hula dancers dancing on Waikiki Beach, making the Guinness book of records. An attempt will be made to break that mark this year with "Hawaii Hula 2000" on Sunday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m. on Waikiki Beach. Besides "Aloha Week Hula," dancers will sway to Blaine Kia's "He Makana o Na Lei Nani" (A Gift of Beautiful Lei"), composed for this year's theme. Hula dancers should call 589-1771 to take part ... Extra point: OK, enough already about the UH logo and nickname flap. It's time to unite behind Coach June Jones and cheer his team on to another great season ...
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