WAT DAT?

Refrigerator’s tale
is a real chiller

On an upper office floor at Dole Cannery, off a little-used walkway, are two massive steel doors set into the wall. They have dial-combination locks and look like bank vaults. But they're not. They're supposedly the large walk-in refrigerator units of the old cannery, and before World War II, the largest refrigerated space in the Territory.

During the Pearl Harbor attack, the Japanese did not target any civilians except for those flying aircraft. By accident, however, U.S. gunners mis-armed the fuses of anti-aircraft shells and dozens of shells arced over Pearl Harbor and landed on Honolulu. More than 200 civilians were hit, and of these, nearly 60 were killed.

This proved to be too many for Honolulu's overcrowded morgue facility, according to legend, and so the dead -- men, women and children.-- were brought to the cannery and stacked up in these refrigerated rooms.

This was a temporary measure brought on by the pressure of war. As soon as possible, the rooms were cleared out and the dead buried. Dole got back to the business of pineapple-growing.

And so -- why should we care today?

Because the employees who work nearby, including those of a chain of radio stations, occasionally see people who don't belong in these hallways, people who seem distant and sad and quiet, and who vanish when you stare at them: Apparitions. Spooks. Ghosts. Obake.

Boo!

Burl Burlingame

Curious about something you've seen or heard? Write "Wat Dat?" 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; or e-mail watdat@starbulletin.com

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Rossellini's Manifesto

Meet Isabella Rossellini as the international actress and model introduces her new cosmetics and fragrance collection, Manifesto, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at DFS Galleria Waikiki.

She will make a red carpet entrance at the Galleria's Royal Hawaiian Avenue door, then will be signing autographs, posing for pictures and answering questions about Manifesto.

From tomorrow through Thursday, shoppers will also be able to receive free makeovers, fragrance samples and have a chance to win daily prizes valued at more than $500.

TEMARI hosts fair, classes

TEMARI, Center for Asian and Pacific Arts will host a Paper Fair 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at its site at 1329-A 10th Ave.

It'll be free to browse through offerings of traditional handmade washi paper, objects made from washi, craft kits and a selection of temari (hand woven balls). Prices are $3 to $50.

Demonstrations in card making will also be featured.

For more information on the fair or TEMARI, call 735-1860.

In addition, TEMARI's summer classes continue with a tole painting workshop by visiting artist Norico Tsuda 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 18 (beginners) and 19 (intermediate). The class fee is $45, and supply fee is about $25. To register, call 735-1860.

Also, from 9:30 am. to 3 p.m. Friday, learn to make pokketto hyogu (hanging scroll with pocket), with Ann Nakamura. Bring metal or metal-edged metric/inch ruler, craft knife, cutting surface, scissors, postcard or 4-by-6-inch photo, and squeegee. There is a class fee of $45, and supply fee of $10.

Ask about other classes.

Finale honors Balanchine

Ballet Hawaii will present "Summer Finale 2001" at 8 p.m. Aug. 17 at Leeward Community College Theatre.

The performance will feature ballets of the legendary George Balanchine, staged by former Balanchine dancers Violette Verdy and Robert Barnett. "Serenade," the first ballet Balanchine choreographed in the United States, will be included in the evening's work.

The concert marks the end of a three-week summer intensive program where dancers study technique and conditioning through mastery of classical and contemporary works.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, available by calling 521-8600.

Shriner's hosts keiki fair

The Honolulu Shriners Hospital for Children will conduct a ceremony Friday to recognize 17-year-old Theresa Tanner as the 20,000th patient treated at the hospital.

The ceremony will take place during the organization's 9th annual Keiki Fun Fair, running 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on hospital grounds.

There will be pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, 30-foot inflatable slide, distribution of keiki fingerprint identification cards, crafts, prizes and entertainment by Henry Kapono at noon and others throughout the event.

Admission is free. There will be $3 parking at Central Union Church. across the street from the hospital. For more information, call 941-4466.

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