Hawaii
THEY were hoping to get some national publicity for Hawaii when the folks from the Old Lahaina Luau landed a slot in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade tomorrow, but they got a bonus yesterday. A large group of the entertainers, led by Maui Mayor James "Kimo" Apana got on "The Today Show" when they found a front-row position outside the studio, and the mayor was interviewed on air by Al Roker. Helping line up such an opportunity was publicist Yvonne Landavazo Biegel, who traveled with the luau group to the Big Apple. It's amazing the results a good-looking 6-foot-tall blonde can get from New Yorkers ... The luau troupe also gained access to Ground Zero, where the terrorism began, which caused thousands of deaths. Master Chanter Charles Ka'upu of Maui offered up a prayer, and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was represented in yesterday's ceremony by Lillian Fernandez, head of the Mayor's Office of Emergency. Look for the luau contingent in the 75th annual Macy's Parade tomorrow, and join 65 million other viewers nationwide ... Maui group in N.Y. cops
‘Today Show’ interviewMEANWHILE, back at the local Macy's, which remains Liberty House until Friday, Michael W. Perry & Larry Price will have an early perusal of the store when they do their morning show on KSSK Friday from the grand-opening celebration to the holiday shopping kickoff. But the two will have two hours to look over the merchandise before doors are open to the public, doing their show from the Pineapple Room from 5 to 10 a.m. One of the pair will attend the 6:30 a.m. blessing while the other will continue the broadcast. They're still jan-ken-po'ing to see who does what ...
Golllly
ENTERTAINER Jim "Gomer Pyle" Nabors and hall of fame steel guitarist Jerry Byrd both have a long history in both Nashville and Hawaii, but had never met until introduced at a party the other night. The two talked over early times in Nashville and a mutual love of Hawaii, which led them here individually ... Speaking of Nashville, that's where country singer Dita Holifield is headed, having been signed by Sony Records, which plans to record her. But Dita is also a holiday designer, having created a pink-ribboned tree showcased at the Hawaii Theater's First Noela benefit, and also the Christmas decorations for the likes of Ruth's Chris Steak House and Residential Design Concepts ...WE read where gas in Hawaii is far more expensive than on the mainland, but Chuck Frankel points out it's nothing new. In the 2001 volume of the Hawaiian Journal of History, he read that "In 1908 the average price per pound of fish in Hawaii was 15 cents compared with 3 cents in the Pacific Coast states or 2.5 cents in New England states."
Aloha plus
IN these troubled times for tourism, the Kaanapali Beach Hotel is doing all it can to make guests feel the aloha. During their stay, guests receive a complimentary phone call home during their stay. And they're presented a signature kukui nut lei as a departure gift to let them know they're part of the ohana. And when they check out, the guests are serenaded in the lobby by employees singing patriotic songs as well as local favorites. Now that's aloha ...
Dave Donnelly has been writing on happenings
in Hawaii for the Star-Bulletin since 1968.
The Week That Was recalls items from Dave's 30 years of columns.Contact Dave by e-mail: ddonnelly@starbulletin.com