Hawaii
IT'S the one time that overused and misused word "arguably" really fits. I'm referring to when you're discussing the Oscars. I've nothing against awarding an Oscar to Halle Berry after baring body and soul in the otherwise overpraised "Monsters Ball." But they should take the statue away from her after her lengthy acceptance speech, which seemed to last longer than the movie. And while she thanked everyone on earth (including her lawyer) co-star Billy Bob Thornton wasn't mentioned -- maybe she felt writhing around with him on screen was thanks enough. I saw the ceremonies at the Hawaii International Film Festival's showing at the Royal Hawaiian, and had my photo taken with a real Oscar. It only cost me $15 for a print. Mayor Jeremy Harris and wife Ramona were among those who stayed until the end and as we were walking out at the same time both agreed Russell Crowe was robbed for not winning the best actor award for "A Beautiful Mind," which won everything else but probably wouldn't have without him. Other studios spreading malicious stories about him? Dirty tricks? Mayor Harris allowed it might well be. It's a concept about which he knows a bit ... Halle Berry’s long speech
less than Oscar-caliberBest of the Oscars: Woody Allen, Nathan Lane, Sidney Poitier and Cirque du Soliel. Worsts: Whoopi Goldberg enjoying her emcee quips and giggling, even if nobody else did, every minor award winner who thanked a list of people including, usually, their agents, Gwyneth Paltrow's dress ... The hottest party in Hollywood was held in Morton's, but the new version of that restaurant here has a way to go before it is in the same league. One person who'd booked the local Morton's this year was Hawaii Film Office manager Donne Dawson, who opted for, what else, Veal Oscar, or as they cavalierly spell it, "oskar." ...
Off beat Hawaii
THE local tourism folks are always happy to see Hawaii featured in mainland papers, so this week they should be thrilled. Sunday's San Francisco Chronicle contains two stories about off-the- beaten-path trips to Molokai and Kauai. And the New York Times' Style & Entertaining magazine has a piece on cookbooks, and one of those featured was "The When You Live in Hawaii You Get Very Creative During Passover Cookbook." There are six color photos in the magazine -- which were taken at the Sof Ma'Arav Temple on the Pali Highway -- including two of the temple's treasurer, Robert J. Littman, a professor of classical languages at UH ...
The Moore the merrier
ACTRESS Demi Moore weekended at the Kahala Mandarin, making one wonder if she's here because ex-hubby Bruce Willis is in town making a movie. Or does he even know she's here? Entrepreneur Paul Klink was at the hotel working on a children's book when he spotted her, blending into the atmosphere of the beautiful people who frequent the property ... Never mind he was appearing on radio -- comic Frank DeLima still dressed up in an Easter bunny costume with floppy ears when he appeared on the Perry & Price show from the Hanohano Room. Those in the audience enjoyed the outfit, however, and sang along with him on the "Peter Cottontail" song ...
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