Hawaii
WANT to feel old? Who does? But when Kapiolani Lyman was in town this week to attend funeral services for veteran entertainer Al Naluai, we got together for coffee. The daughter of Arthur Lyman, original vibesman for Martin Denny and later the head of his own quartet, "Kappy," as she was called, often sang with her dad on stage, beginning when she was 13. I recalled a photo of her from those days wearing an off-the-shoulder gown and she chimed in that she filled out suddenly at 12 and a half, and wasn't averse to showing off her new-found figure. But back to the age thing. Though she still sounds like a kid, staying with "Auntie Sweetie" Moffatt and her husband, "Uncle Tom," Kappy states matter-of-factly that turning 40 is but a memory to her. You could never tell from Papa Arthur, as he's always had that eternally youthful look, one that he's apparently passed on to Kappy. ... Gentle reminder
of passage of timeBETWEEN now and March 26, the E! crew will be filming on the Big Island, led by knockout host Brooke Burke. They're headquartered at the Outrigger Waikoloa, but will be filming the "Wild On..." series all over the island. Shooting will include the "Flumin' Da Ditch Kayak Tour," HMV'ing through the rain forest, a helicopter tour, a trip through lava caves, a Kona Coast night dive, mountain boarding and playing paniolo with the cowboys at Hana Ranch. They'll also attend luau and lei-making classes. Joining Burke in the shoot will be Kona girl (and triathlete/model) Lokelani McMichael. She was on the cover of Esquire recently as one of "America's Top 10 Sexiest Athletes." Hawaii has another rep in the E! shoot -- supermodel Malia Jones, selected as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the country by People magazine. ...
Meet Farmer Lee
HE'S been in several action films, but what may have affected Jason Scott Lee the most was the role of the autocratic ruler of Siam in "The King and I." Lee, whose father last month lost his longtime bout with cancer, has bought his own fiefdom: a 25-acre Big Island spread. And he's treating it, says a good friend, as his own "Waldon Pond." Lee has taken up farming, enjoying the laid-back lifestyle. As those who've seen his moves when played Bruce Lee know, woe be to him who might think about poaching his crop. ...THE Colgate 13 has nothing to do with toothpaste, but is the name of the chorale from Colgate University, which has been singing for its supper at places like Duke's Waikiki. While there, group members suggested they become the Colgate 14, but Duke's senior G.M. Chris Colgate just couldn't be convinced to join in. ...
Death, where is thy sting?
MUCH has been written about the death of Bud Smyser. No one said it better than retired KGMB anchorman Bob Sevey: "What sad irony that as the new Star-Bulletin is born, one of the last long-time connections to the old one died." Three of us who'd worked with Bud at the "old" Star-Bulletin for more than 30 years lunched with him the day before the fall that led to his death. I recalled attending the funeral of his first wife, Betty, and while I was in tears, Bud was serene and even a bit humorous in his eulogy. I knew then and know now that the longtime editor was aware that -30- would one day be written for us all. And when it came, accept it. But it's more difficult to accept in the case of someone like Bud.
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