Wood Craft
I WALKED INTO "Pearl Harbor" at Consolidated's brand new Ward theater complex feeling a little sleepy, but the picture woke me up and held my interest for the three-hour length. I was 10 years old, playing on Piikoi Street when the attack occurred. I remember Dec. 7, 1941, and the ensuing blackouts, rationing, gas masks, ID cards and martial law vividly. The picture, with its fine costuming, vintage cars and a bit of big band swing music, captured the feel of the early 1940s. The movie has two themes: a love story and the attack. Both succeed. The action scenes are fantastic. Footage of the Japanese ships steaming to Hawaii and the launch of the attack are exciting. The principals -- Ben Affleck, Kate Beckinsale and Josh Hartnett -- are excellent. The big name supporting cast is strong. Don't let bad reviews keep you away. KSSK's Perry and Price and Sweetie Pacarro fronted Wednesday night's preview showing ... ‘Pearl Harbor’ wins
with love and war
Civilians pitched in
ROY KRUSE, former isle Newspaper Guild exec now living in Vancouver, Wash., is home to help his 92-year-old mom, Olive, with house repairs. Roy said he wants recognition for civilian workers at Pearl Harbor Shipyard, where his dad, John Kruse, and uncles John and Jacinth Medeiros worked. They were called in after the attack and were told to retrieve dead bodies from a badly damaged cruiser docked near the ship before it sank. Roy said they did not see his dad for four days, adding, "We thought he was dead." In happier days, John Kruse took sailors home for dinner. He came across the bodies of some of them when he was picking up the dead, Roy said ...
Consolidated opening
THE FORMAL opening of the Consolidated's $30-million, 16-screen Ward theater complex drew 1,200 guests Thursday eve. Guests chowed down on Russell Siu's food and Ryan's provided beverages. Hot dogs and pop corn were also gobbled up. Four recently released features were shown. New Consolidated regional director Glenn Yim, 44, said former chief Phil Shimmin has been his mentor. Phil is now vice chair of Consolidated's board and leaves day to day activities to Yim, a Kamehameha grad. Linda Lingle attended the party with Mike Strada ...ONWARD: The Honolulu Symphony's concerts tomorrow and Tuesday at Blaisdell Concert Hall end the career of 80-year-old violinist Dale Bechtel. Dale joined the orchestra in 1954. Tickets to tonight's Symphony Ball at the Hilton can be purchased at the door ... Jann Carl of "Entertainment Tonight" shopped at Prosperity Corner while covering the "Pearl Harbor" premiere ... Michael and Estelle Green report their granddaughter, Anelaikalani Jennings, 13, is the youngest singer to be nominated for a Female Vocalist of the Year Hoku. She cut her "Anelaikalani" CD at 12 ...
PATCHES DAMON HOLT donated two pieces of art for the opening of the John Dominis and Patches Damon Holt Gallery at the Academy of Arts. "Sunrise Over Diamond Head," by Jules Tavernier, is positioned at the gallery entrance. The second piece is Lionel Walden's "Hawaiian Fisherman." Another Tavernier work, "Kilauea Fire Fountain," was donated by San Franciscans Paul Andrew and Barrett Wilson ...
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