Wood Craft
Dave & Buster's is not a new ice cream, it's 40,000 square feet of fun and games and food and beverage for adults on two floors and a roof deck. The $10 million fun palace, with 350 employees, is located next to the Ward theaters. More than 2,000 people came to the opening Tuesday, which raised $25,000 for Honolulu Rotary. No wonder Rotary's Linda Coble, with hubby Kirk Matthews, was smiling. This is the 30th D&B. Founders of the Dallas-based chain are Dave Corriveau and Buster Corley, partners for 25 years. "Honolulu's a vibrant city with a lotta people," Buster said. "You have a lotta good outdoor stuff but you need some more good indoor stuff. That's what we are all about, indoor fun. We are delighted to be here. We are delighted about Victoria Ward Center." And how does Dave feel about being here? "I love paradise," he answered. 'Nuff said ... Dave & Buster’s gets
off to a roaring start"I think many others deserve it more than me -- but I keep it anyway," said modest chef Martin Wyss after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hawaii Chapter of the Chef de Cuisine and National Association of Catering Executives last Saturday at the Sheraton. Chef Gordy Dambach presented the award to Martin, owner of Swiss Inn for 18 years. KCCN's Billy V and Hilton's James Browne were excellent emcees as food from China, India, Japan, Italy, America, France and Hawaii was prepared by chefs Tom Wong, OnJin Kim, Kusuma Cooray, Ram Arora, Jimmy Ueda, Yosoji Kanada, Eugenio Martignago, Fred DeAngelo, Rey Dasalla, Almar Arcano, Daniel Delbrel, Shayne Kobatake, Ceferino Maduli and Klaus Sabbalus. As it was done with Martin, info was given on each chef, and their photos, some going way back, were shown on screens. OnJin was a cute kid. Billy was a hit with his accents and costumes. Ethnic entertainment was offered with each serving. Martin's friends were shown on screens, praising him. Co-chairs Bob Tom and Dianna Shitanishi worked hard on the event, with help from Kona Paradise Candies' Wendy Loh ....
Shaq meets Don Ho
Lakers' star Shaq O'Neal dined at Don Ho's Island Grill Thursday night and met Don ... Christopher Cross sings with Matt Catingub and the Honolulu Pops at the Concert Hall tonight, 7:30. Teresa Bright is the supporting act. The Honolulu Symphony chorus sings "In Memory," written by Catingub in the wee hours after the Sept. 11 attack. Symphony exec director Stephen Bloom has named Alan Rakov marketing director. Liz Olsen is the new media contact ... Oktoberfest, with plenty of German food and music, starts Tuesday and runs through Oct. 14 at the Ala Moana Hotel ... Le Bistro owner Alan Takasaki's last name was misspelled last week ...
Aloha, Irmgard
With her loving family singing her songs at her bedside, Irmgard Farden Aluli's remarkable life came to a peaceful end Thursday evening. What a beautiful way to go for one of Hawaii's best-known composers, musicians, singers and educators. Her 90th birthday party, scheduled today, had been canceled earlier. Irmgard was a giant in the Hawaiian music industry. A book could be written about this strong, talented woman, her accomplishments and her contributions to Hawaii. I am very fortunate and thankful to have known Irmgard and some of her large ohana ...
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