Wood Craft
Pat Morita was in rare form Saturday night at the 10th-anniversary party of Hyatt's Ciao Mein, where Mai Tai Sing is the hostess with the mostest. Pat, a close friend of Mai Tai's, claims to be the only surviving kamikaze pilot. He kept guests in stitches talking about various subjects and people. They included: attending the Millennium Party at the White House, where he was greeted by Jack Nicholson and sang with Supreme Mary Wilson, his roles in "Happy Days" and "Karate Kid," and Jerry Waialae and the Waialae Brothers Trio of old. Pat's wife, Evelyn, is a Pia Zadora look-alike. During the reception, hotel GM Frank Lavey was asked to think about reopening Trappers, a popular club that Mai Tai managed. Frank said he thinks about it a lot. Chef Hin Lim Lee put out a fine food spread. Lee, manager Paul Matsumoto and Mai Tai, with help from Cathy Foy, had their hands full with the anniversary bash and a benefit dinner the same night ... ‘Survivor’ Pat Morita
keeps ’em laughing
A galaxy of talent
ENTERTAINERS headed by Genoa Keawe and Keali'i Reichel performed for 400 guests at the recent baby luau for Tiare Vaughan-Darval, daughter of former Miss Aloha Hula Hiwa Vaughan and Tanner Darval at the St. Louis Alumni clubhouse. Hiwa danced as her father, Palani Vaughan, sang. Hiwa's mom, Ipo Vaughan, danced hula with Puamana Crabbe, Jacelyn Winchester, Mitsuko Yoda and the Koolau Ballroom Dancers to Reichel's singing, as did Iliahi Parades, Bill Char, Haunani Pascua and Puakea Nogelmeier. This could have been a hula festival. Melia Lobenstein and Ulalia Woodside and their halau, and Amelia Bailey, Mehana Blaich and other dancers took the stage during the party. Singers and musicians included Chris Kamaka, Bab Alimoot, Stanley Nuuhiwa, Keau Costa, Na Palapalai Patch Band and Kimo Alama-Keaulana's quartet. Grandma Ipo did a great job in lining up the entertainment ...
Fondue lovers take note
Cheese fondue lovers should reserve spots for Wednesday's Cheese Culture, featuring cheeses of Switzerland and Germany with wine at Neiman's Mariposa, 6 p.m. Fondue and raclette are among the offerings ... Hawaii's Miss America, Angela Perez Baraquio, is the cover story of this month's St. Anthony Messenger, a national Catholic magazine ... Talented Larry Paxton stars in the dual title roles of "Jekyll & Hyde," playing Sept. 14-30 at Diamond Head Theatre ...Publicist Lisa Josephsohn is expanding, adding her sister, Debbie Goldberg, to her staff. Debbie is no dummy. When she and Lisa were at the beach last weekend, they got hungry but didn't want to drive to get food for fear of losing their parking spot at Kahala Beach Park. So Debbie used her cell phone to call Pizza Hut. The delivery was made on the beach ...
Maui Wowee? Not anymore. The isle has fallen flat. City fathers refuse to allow beer and barbecues in the parking lot at tonight's football game between UH and Montana. Such a pity. Go Warriors! ... Things aren't flat at Compadres. The eatery holds its Tequila Festival Monday through Saturday ... Randy Schoch doesn't speak with forked tongue. The burger he raves about at Ruth's Chris, topped with blue cheese and crisp bacon, is the best I've had in years ...
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