Hawaii
LIFE imitates art: Paige Porter, a feature writer for Coastal Living magazine, also writes a column called, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Story." Well, when she flew to Kauai from her home base in Birmingham, Ala. to present a "Best of the Coast 2002" award to Aston's Waimea Plantation Cottages, she had a column handed to her. On her way to the Kauai story, her tire blew out in Hanapepe. And when she discovered the unhurried manner of Kauai-based rental car employees gave her plenty of time to kill, she discovered life. While waiting roadside in the hot sun for aide to arrive, Paige says she got a much better story than the one she'd been assigned for that day. She met West Kauai folk, was offered food, drinks, shade and talk-story sessions and got a real taste of the aloha spirit. Can't wait to read her report on Kauai -- she allows that the Aloha Spirit is better than Southern Hospitality ... Being stranded in
Hanapepe pays offSOCIETY of 14: The Society of Seven Classic, as the group featuring original SOSers Tony Ruivivar and the irrepressible Bert Sagum are known, returns to the Outrigger Main Showroom on Aug. 6, after performing at the Golden Nugget in Vegas. Headlining the Outrigger through Aug. 4 and returning on Aug. 27 is the septet known as the Society of Seven Las Vegas. Yes, they both play here and in Vegas and they do much of the same material ...
T's at Tiki's
MAKING a major life change? Normally once a year is enough for most people, a good number of whom don't make changes easily. But check out Bill Tobin. He recently took a bride, namely attorney Tracy Tanaka of Case Bigelow and Lombardi, and returned from a honeymoon in Italy. Time to lay back and play house? Hardly. Tobin is now busy working on opening the 272-seat Tiki's Grill & Bar at the Waikiki Beach Hotel with partners Kelly McGill and Greg Montgomery. The three have more than 40 years of food and beverage experience at restaurants such as Hard Rock Cafe, Sam Choy's, Duke's and others. A grand opening for Tiki's is slated for October ...HAVE you seen Puddle of Mudd's latest music video on MTV? An Island girl plays an important role in it. The video tune is "She Hates Me," and 2001 Iolani grad Marisa Wahl, currently a USC cinema-TV student, was part of the 11-hour shoot in downtown L.A. In the video, Marisa is in front and center of the crowd jamming with the band. She landed the part thanks to her summer internship at Universal Music ...
More than Compadres
YOU wouldn't necessarily think of Compadres as a hotbed of romance, but don't tell that to Debbie Goldberg. She was helping her sister, Lisa Josephsohn mount pictures for the "Wall of Fame" luncheon honoring Jean Hankin last October, and was introduced to Aloha Rehab Chef David Koerner. One thing led to another and the other night at the Kahala Mandarin (no, not Compadres!) David brought out champagne, a dozen roses and, oh yes, a diamond ring. Needless to say, she said "Yes." And while sister Lisa is happy for Debbie, she still rolls her eyes and says, "It should only happen to me." ...
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