Hawaii
YOU'D think that being a backup dancer for actress/singer Jennifer Lopez would be a pretty good gig, what with the view of her being what it is. But once J.Lo caught sight of dancer Cris Judd during the filming of a video, she liked what she saw, too. He was quickly moved up to the title "choreographer," and will be directing her next couple of videos. Oh, yes, the two have also become engaged. They celebrated her birthday last week in Hawaii, and on Saturday night dined at Alan Wong's Restaurant, and who knows, may decide Hawaii is the perfect place to get married. She sports a diamond ring engraved "JLJ" -- Jennifer Lopez Judd -- and Cris, who was a military brat, lived in the Islands before settling in Florida. Servers at Alan Wong's described her as "polite and gracious," always saying thanks when she got service ... Local waiters praise
J.Lo’s politenessIT was Middle East night at Oahu Country Club Friday night and with member/friends I enjoyed both the sumptuous buffet and the belly dancers. These two balanced sabres on their heads while dancing, no mean feat. I saw Mrs. Hawaii, the lovely Sydney Fernandez Fasi, in line with her husband, attorney David Fasi, son of the former mayor. I told him he was about the luckiest guy in town and he agreed with a big smile ... I learned that Hy's honcho and TV fishing show host Ben Wong will likely be taking over as G.M. of the Bistro at Century Center, the old Alfred's location, which business entrepreneur Cliff Laughton has acquired ...
Doling out entertainment
WHEN I was asked by STAR 101.9 D.J. Hudson to co-host one day while her partner vacationed, I didn't know what would be happening. It was actually a lot of fun. A caller was given a chance to "Win Dave Donnelly's Money," a la Ben Stein on the Comedy Channel, and when she got three of four right, running out of time before being given the fifth question, Hudson told me I was in trouble. I held up under pressure, however, and got all five of my answers right within the allotted time, impressing Hudson, if nobody else ... Comic Tommy Davidson from "In Living Color," showed up, did impressions and plugged his appearance at the Hawaii Theatre on Saturday night ... Then Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa popped in. His latest film, "Planet of the Apes," opened that night and went on to become the highest grossing film to come out on a non-holiday weekend ...
A hundred grand time
THE 2001 Murphy's Pigskin Pigout grossed a cool $108,000 for the UH football program. Highlights: Attorney Paul Cunney paid $4,000 for two tickets to the next Super Bowl -- no airfare, no hotel, just tickets. David Gerlach outbid all others forking over $3,300 for a kimono quilt hand-made by Marian Murphy. Bob Harker bought lots of items, topped by the $2,300 he paid for a modern Hawaiian luau for 20 with Sam Choy catering. Fletcher Howe bid $3,100 for a Murphy's pigout party for 40. Lots of folks paid big bucks for Neighbor Island resort stays, but one of my favorites was the $1,150 Eric Yu paid for a nine-week old AKC mini dachshund, the only dog in the goodies bought for the UH'ers ...
Dave Donnelly has been writing on happenings
in Hawaii for the Star-Bulletin since 1968.Contact Dave by e-mail: ddonnelly@starbulletin.com