Hawaii
SOME members of Rotary were wondering if they were in the right place -- or even the right country -- when they met this week to hear Mike O'Neill, new chairman & CEO of Pacific Century Financial Corp. and Bank of Hawaii. He was introduced and took the microphone and his first words were in fluent French. He continued in French as Rotarians eyed one another, wondering, zut alors, what was going on. After a full two minutes of continuing in the Gallic tongue, O'Neill stopped, and in mock surprise said, "Oh, I thought I was with the other bank." The Rotarians had tears coming down their cheeks, they were laughing so heartily at O'Neill's not so subtle dig at First Hawaiian, which is about to be taken over by Paris-based BNP Paribas, formerly Banque Nationale de Paris ... Alors, Bankoh’s CEO
is vraiment humorous
Fete accompli
REMEMBER Tavana? The former emcee and host of Tavana's Polynesian Spectacular at the Waikiki Shell has been living in Tahiti for the past several years, but is flying in to appear at the Maui Polynesian Tahiti Fete in August. He's bringing along 55 people, 30 of whom will be part of the Polynesian show and the rest artisans who will demonstrate their craftsmanship. This is the fourth year of the fete and they're expecting full houses at the Maui Memorial Gym. In addition, Valley Isle promoters are hoping to be able to bring Tavana and Co. back to Honolulu, possibly for a return to the Waikiki Shell ...NONE of the food in the buffet catered by Indigo chef Glenn Chu for the "Pearl Harbor" premiere on board the USS Stennis went to waste. The morning after the star-studded festivities, drivers from Aloha Harvest picked up the leftovers and delivered them to social service agencies all over Hawaii. Others catering large affairs might keep Aloha Harvest in mind. The telephone and transportation network, which already works with restaurants, hotels and community-event planners and specializes in the proper handling of perishable food, makes its deliveries to those in need ...
Last dango in paradise
THOSE taking in the new Luce Pavilion Complex at the Academy of Arts can now enjoy the Jun Kaneko "dango" sculptures that were on display there. Frank Boas instituted the "Kaneko Dango Hui," and has now raised enough money to fund their purchase. The "Keep the Kanekos" campaign started when academy supporters agreed they were such a great complement to the John Hara architecture. Thanks to their generosity, the works of the internationally acclaimed ceramist will be on permanent view at the academy ...THE contractor who got the job to build a new home on the site of the one occupied by convicted killer Sante Kimes and her son, Kenny, in Portlock isn't taking any chances. Kimes, who had the home torched for insurance money, was the subject of a CBS TV film in which Mary Tyler Moore portrayed the frightening Kimes. After sinking a backhoe into the yard, the contractor found two flat tires on his truck, and other little oddities befell him as well. He doesn't want to be identified, but did bring in a Hawaiian kahu to bless the property and rid it of evil spirits before continuing ...
Dave Donnelly has been writing on happenings
in Hawaii for the Star-Bulletin since 1968.Contact Dave by e-mail: ddonnelly@starbulletin.com