Hawaii
WHEN the French explorer La Perouse became the first westerner to visit Maui in 1786, the last thought in his mind would have been that 215 years later, Hawaii would be holding a "French Festival" celebrating the best in Gallic cuisine, haute couture, theater and film. French week doesn't begin until Oct. 27, but you might start saving your francs for what is in store as organizers recreate Paris under the palms with cultural entertainment, culinary demonstrations, workshops and exhibits held in over 20 locales in Honolulu. It's rare that fashion giants in France share a runway with their competitors, but an exception will be made for the local French Festival and Chanel, Christian Dior and Christian Lacroix will be a part of the runway show, "Technique Moderne," at the black tie gala dinner ending the week-long glut of things French. And while Gov. Ben Cayetano, who's been honorary chairman of the event since it began in 1997, will be there with wife Vicky, much of the attention will be paid to a man whose pronouncements are fewer: The King of Mime, Marcel Marceau ... Marcel Marceau due
here for French FestONE of the biggest tourist attractions on Maui is "Ulalena," at the Maui Myth & Magic Theater in Lahaina. It's a terrific bit of musical theater and locals as well as tourists are enjoying the Hawaiian experience on stage. Honcho Roy Tokujo dedicated himself to seeing that every schoolchild in Maui see the show free of charge, and he's kept to his promise. Now he's being entreated to open a version of the hit show on Oahu and the Big Island ... Congrats to Mike Rosenberg of KITV. The president of the station has been re-elected a national vice president of the Muscular Dystrophy Association ...
Tough, tall and beautiful
NOT only are celebs showing up in trendy restaurants, but sometimes lending a hand in feeding others. Seen recently helping prepare a dinner for the homeless folks of the Institute for Human Services was Jason Scott Lee, who's portrayed Bruce Lee on film and the King in "The King and I" on stage in London ... Also standing tall, wherever he goes, is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who'll be at a media luncheon Aug. 20 to help promote Montego Joe's Caribbean Festival Aug. 9-26 at All Star Hawaii in the Niketown building ... I don't know how diverse Emily Lopez is, but she has no trouble demonstrating the first half of Beauty & Diversity TV. She hosts "Best of BDTV" Fridays and Saturdays at 10 p.m. on KIKU and on Sundays at 1:30 p.m. on KGMB. She'll be celebrating the second year anniversary of BDTV and sister Eloisa Lopez's birthday on Sunday night at the Ilikai's Canoes Restaurant ...
The Eyes have it
THERE was a story in the Star-Bulletin recently stating that more Japanese travelers are heading to Korea than to Hawaii these days. A visiting Korean businessman mentioned the story the other night, and said what may be contributing to that fact is that the Japanese have found that Seoul is filled with talented cosmetic surgeons and many Japanese -- women, mainly -- go to Seoul to get some "work done" and then head back home. It's less expensive and more discreet, he said, noting his doctor friends in Seoul are booked solid everyday ...
Dave Donnelly has been writing on happenings
in Hawaii for the Star-Bulletin since 1968.Contact Dave by e-mail: ddonnelly@starbulletin.com