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Hawaii
WHILE leaving the Safeway store, I happened upon talk show host Rick Hamada and his wife, Bernadette Baraquio of Channel 2 news. They were pushing a stroller containing their No Aunt Angie
for Uncle Davetiny, two-week old son, Zachary. I was admiring both how brave the parents were in taking such an infant on a shopping trip and how tiny he was when Rick ultimately spoke to the baby, "Zachary, this is Uncle Dave." I suddenly flashed, "Does this mean I'm married to Miss America and don't even know it?" Angela Baraquio, the current title holder, is Bernadette's sister and the child's aunt ... Winning the Irish heart of Lisa Leung is Vernon Joseph Gomes Jr., and on Feb. 10 they'll commence fiddling around together. In case the name doesn't sound familiar, Lisa is the remarkably dexterous fiddle player with Irish Hearts. Guests at their wedding reception are invited to bring acoustic instruments -- no amps -- for what promises to be a joyous musical occasion ...
What's it all about, Afi
WHILE Mufi Hannemann came up a little short (odd for someone 6-7) in his quest to become Mayor Hannemann, his brother Gus now sports a title. When his father died recently, Gus felt it was time to take on the title of High Chief, which his father had suggested he hold and which he'd resisted. Now Gus has been proclaimed Chief Afimutasi, which refers to a torch forever burning. You can call him "Afi" for short ...IT was a rarity when a recent United flight to San Francisco arrived 20 minutes early, since delays are commonplace there. It was even more unusual that the flight contained an all-female crew, prompting Honolulu based flight attendant Diane VanderZanden, who was chief purser, to announce the landing thusly: "Since this is an entirely female crew, I think this illustrates the ladies know what they are doing." ...
AFTER a month in Kaiser Hospital, June Denny was finally released and her pianist/husband, Martin Denny, has placed her in a rehab center, since he's scarcely capable of caring for her around the clock. Mrs. Denny had several back fractures and developed emphysema with her weight dropping to 82 pounds. As for Martin, he's turning 90 in April, and is hoping to do a concert with the Honolulu Symphony on his birthday ... When Pro Bowl safety Blaine Bishop, who wears number 23 for the Tennessee Titans, stopped by the Hanohano Room to take in the KSSK Perry & Price show, he met another famous 23. No, not Michael Jordan. It was also the number co-host Larry Price wore at Roosevelt High ...
SINGER Hoku joined dad Don Ho in his show last night and will return tonight and tomorrow. We'll be seeing more of her on MTV and in videos than we will on local stages, so this is a rare opportunity so see Hoku live ... Artist Alan Houghton's work has been sealed for posterity -- again! His book, "Heartbeat of Hawaii," was among the items put in the "Millennium Pahu," a koa chest to be kept at the governor's office until 2025. He already has a fine art photo of his placed in a capsule and buried under the cornerstone in London's Town Hall. It's there for a century and will be un-earthed in 2054 ...
Stylish skater and resort
THE wedding of ice skater Kristi Yamaguchi last year at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows is featured in In Style magazine. An accompanying article by Beth Hedican contains a four-page spread about the resort, certainly as stylish on the sand as Kristi is on the ice ...
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