Wood Craft
Jim Nabors' Christmas show has always been a family treat but this year's superior production at the Hawaii Theatre, directed by Tom Hansen, could play New York or any city and draw raves. Jim can tell folksy stories and get huge laughs and he has a powerful voice that works so well on favorite carols. Nabors does not hog the limelight and allows Emma Veary, Karen Keawehawaii, Frank DeLima and Phillip Huber and his lifelike marionettes to shine. The opening "Wooden Soldiers" number by the Diamond Head Theatre Shooting Stars and John Rampage's choreography was a smash. DeLima's Christmas tree costume with electric lights was electrifying. Scores of singers, dancers and musicians, young and old, plus Matt Catingub and the Symphony, performed. One of the kid singers, Trent Nakamura, was a knockout in a humorous number. Jimmy Borges popped in to join the principals in a fun-filled "Twelfth Day of Christmas," island style. A reception for Nabors was held after Sunday's show at Kahala Mandarin. That was also a treat ... Nabors’ holiday show brings
the house down
Mandarin lights up
The Mandarin's annual tree-lighting ceremony Tuesday was another big event. Guests walked toward the lobby entry on a red carpet with walls of ice about 4 feet high for more of a holiday feel as the Kalani High School Band performed. Emcee Carole Kai intro'd the Kahala employees choir and guests joined them in singing carols. Then hotel G.M. Jan Goessing threw the switch, lighting up the trees. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus appeared ... The Mandarin's Plumeria Cafe will be a spot to step lively on New Year's Eve with music by Picante and two dance instructors teaching salsa, merengue and cha cha. The dinner party starts at 9 and costs $175 for adults and $48 for children ...Dave and Nery Heenan have returned from Williamsburg, Va., where Dave, a Campbell Estate trustee, received an Outstanding Alumnus Medallion from William & Mary. Nery made sure they returned in time to see the Bayanihan dancers last weekend at the Concert Hall. Nery and Hana Trinidad, a former Bayanihan dancer and wife of Star-Bulletin cartoonist Corky Trinidad, attended Philippine Women's University where the dance group was formed...
A crowd of 327 was entertained by the Royal Hawaiian Band at the Academy of Arts last weekend to mark the 25th anniversary of the Austrian consulate in Hawaii. Hans Strasser has been the honorary consul since the office opened. Peter Moser, Austrian ambassador to the United States, flew in from Washington for the event ... Neiman regulars filled the store Wednesday to consume free food and drinks at a shopping party ...
Enjoy, Nina, enjoy!
Nina Kealiiwahamana, one of Hawaii's great singing voices, is retiring as Aloha Airlines regional sales manager after 25 years with the airline. Her last day at work is Friday. Nina and husband, Gordon Rapozo, will spend a month at their Vegas townhouse and then she will plunge into cataloging the music collection of her late mom, Vickie Ii Rodrigues, who was a noted Hawaiiana authority, composer and entertainer ...The end: After being sentenced Thursday, former City Councilman Andy Mirikitani and wife, Sharron Bynum, went to Ruth's Chris for lunch ...
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