Wood Craft
Carol Pregill, head of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii, was installed as Aloha Festivals' president last night at the Hilton Village. The fest starts in August. "I think we need to take a hard look at events," Carol said. "I think we really need to focus more on the parade. We need more floats. We must be more creative in what we do and increase the value of the product, the entire festival. It's not going to be easy." She also wants to help the Neighbor Isles more with their events. The festival theme this year is Ka Uhane o ka Loea, or The Spirit of the Master, showcasing Hawaii's artisans and their importance in preserving Hawaii's cultural heritage. Marylou Kekuewa and Paulette Kahalepuna, feather lei makers, are the fest's ambassadors of aloha. Hilton's Peter Schall is parade grand marshal ... Carol Pregill heads
this year’s Aloha fest
Skiing for the waters
Mel and Angie Farber are back from a skiing fund-raising event in Banff, Canada, for Robert Kennedy's Waterkeeper Alliance. The Farbers, at Ruth's Chris for the St. Francis Winery dinner as Margaret Murchie's guests Wednesday, said the alliance cleans up polluted waters all over the world but mostly in the United States. Besides Kennedy, other celebrities at the event that raised $700,000 were: Dan Akroyd, Glenn Close, Woody Harrelson, Dana Delany, Richard Dean Anderson, Lyle Lovett, Robert Davi, Farrah Fawcett, Ian Zerling and Dr. Ruth. Mel owns Creative Design Hawaii, a silk screening and embroidering biz. He's on the National Dream Foundation Board, that grants wishes for terminally ill adults. "Many of them want to come to Hawaii," Mel said ...Among those in the "Chalangalang Reunion" portion of the Genoa Keawe tribute at the Hawaii Theatre tonight are: Kealoha Kalama, Pudgy Young, Lena Motta, Leimomi Ho, Ed Collier, George Holokai, Elaine Ako Spencer and Leinaala Heine. About 25 veteran performers will be chalangalanging along, pumping out good island music. Sponsors are St. Francis Healthcare Foundation and KINE Radio ... Last chance to catch Henry Kapono and Sistah Robi Kahakalau tonight with Matt Catingub and the Symphony Pops, 7:30 at the Concert Hall ... "The Vagina Monologues" opens Tuesday at the Hawaii Theatre ... Diamond Head Theatre presents Blithe Spirit Friday through Feb. 10 ...
Tokyo Tokyo happening
A birthday for model Carolyn Bosanko was combined with a farewell party for Jeni Von Tempsky and Brittany Rupp recently at Tokyo Tokyo at the Kahala Mandarin. Prada's Anne and Herbie Titcomb threw the party. Attending were Ron Rupp, Theresa Avril and Will Eilert. Carolyn runs Benefits' cosmetic counter at Macy's Kahala. Brittany, Ron's daughter, returned to Sacramento and Jeni, formerly of Maui, flew back to Indonesia ...Deborah Sharkey has started the Makana Mother & Baby maternity fashion business, inspired by her son Ian Makana. Deborah is showing her lines of better maternity and nursing wear at Blaisdell Center's Maui Room today from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ... Pianist Jim Howard joins the Honolulu Jazz Quartet Friday at the Musicians Association, 8 p.m. ... Correction: The number to call for tickets to the Feb. 23 Heart Ball is 538-7021 Ext. 30 ...
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