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Hawaii
IF you think it's been hot and humid here this summer, thank heavens you're not in Japan. Former isle D.J. Kamasami Kong, now a top jock on FM802 in Osaka, says it's been brutal at best. But Summer sizzles
in Japanlife goes on. Kong has arranged for singer Henry Kapono to jet over and play at a wedding in Tokyo this coming weekend. It's not an official visit, but Kong has arranged for Kapono to perform at a small Hawaiian-flavored venue where Hawaii's gifts to sumo are expected to show up. A good crowd is expected since Kapono had a big hit in Japan that was used in an ad campaign for a drink of the same name: Kona Winds. In a phone call this week, the singer asked the D.J. for any song suggestions, and Kong deadpanned, "Make a splash -- try covering 'Inna Gadda Da Vida' in Hawaiian!" ...
THEY don't call her "Bad Barbara" for nothing. Barbara Holm, who wrote a three-dot column about the food industry for the now discontinued Hawaii Foodservice News, got an email from Kathy Masunaga, former exec director of the Hawaii Restaurant Association the other day. Kathy now lives in Italy, and in her email said she saw Clint Eastwood and Robert DeNiro in town for the "Golden Loin Film Festival." Bad Barbara says she was already packing her bag when a correction came through that what Kathy meant to write was "Golden Lion Film Festival." Barbara became unhinged and unpacked simultaneously ... Proximity, proximity, proximity: Do you suppose there's any significance to the fact that there's a pawn shop located next to a wedding store on Kapiolani near McCully? ...
Sears to Ward Centre
NO, we're not talking about Sears Roebuck making a giant move, but Kelsey Sears is moving her consignment boutique, The Ultimate You, to Ward Centre. It'll be a battle of the swells (shopping for premier designer items at a bargain price) vs. the smells. The shop is between Keo's and the Kaka'ako Kitchen at the Ewa end of the center. Besides Sears' usual inventory of European designers like Chanel, Armani, Gucci, Escada and Louis Vuitton, her shop also showcases some top American designs by DKNY, Ralph Lauren, St. John and Ann Taylor ...I'VE no idea what kind of entertainment they have planned, but the Hawaii Opera Theater promises to make its 40th anniversary celebration something different. Hence, the title: The Elegantly Off the Wall Opera Ball. All I know is that in planning the Nov. 11 ball, HOT's Henry Akina has been meeting with Cheryl Flaharty, artistic director of the Iona Pear Dance Company ...
ALWAYS wanted to meet the Ricky Martin or Jennifer Lopez of your dreams? The "Sunday Salsa" night at Havana Cabana has proved so successful that they're moving it this week to Thursdays. Roberto Vargas Jr. provides salsa dance lessons for a modest fee, and D.J. Margarita spins the records that get people moving in ways they never have before. It's fun to watch even if you don't dance ...
Woo da guy
DESIGNER Eric Woo did corporate images for the Hawaii Forest Industry Association and they're appearing in American Corporate Identity 16, a hard-bound publication showing top identities and campaigns in the United States. Now the trade display will be on exhibit at HFIA's annual wood show Sept. 9 to 17 at Aloha Tower Marketplace. America's top woodworkers' will display their wares. Think Christmas ...
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