COURTESY PHOTO
Did Ah Yo and husband Paul.
What are friends for? When Didi Ah Yo fell ill last year, her friend Marmie Kaaihue was by her side, traveling to the City of Hope National Medical Center in California a couple of times for extended stays. Didi Ah Yo fund-raiser
is sure to be a big hitBy Nadine Kam
nkam@starbulletin.comBut Kaaihue didn't feel she was doing enough. So with the help of nephew Jesse Gamiao -- himself recovering from a heart attack -- plus her brother-in-law Henry Kapono and dozens in the community, Kaaihue decided to throw a little party for Didi ... and, oh, open the doors islandwide.
Slated to appear are Kapono, Island Band, Nina Kealiiwahamana, Boyce Rodrigues, Mahi and Gaye Beamer, PBS Band, Makaha Sons, Palani Vaughan and Hiwa Vaughan-Darval, Simplicity, Tino & the Rhythm Klub and Vaihi.
There will also be a craft fair, silent auction and no-host food and drinks. Proceeds will benefit the Didi Ah Yo Medical Fund.
"I never did this in my life," Kaaihue said of the giant production for the Creative Holidays honcho who found television celebrity with her perky pitch, "I'm Didi Ah Yo and away we go."
"I'm doing this just for Didi because No. 1. She's been my best friend for 17 years," Kaaihue said. "Plus, other people who know her wanted to help her somehow.
"A lot of travel agents, especially, suggested, 'Let's do something for Didi.' She's been a great gal for the whole community because of her energy. She's been a real icon in the business and wanted to give and continue to give travel a good name. People trust her.
"She's touched a lot of people, and this is our way of saying, 'Thanks.'"
After a bone marrow transplant at City of Hope, Ah Yo spoke about her experience to the Star-Bulletin last October, in hope that others might find encouragement in her message of keeping a positive outlook despite setbacks. But in January her white blood-cell count dropped to zero, and she has been recovering from a second operation ever since.
While her health has improved since February, she is still recuperating at home.
Her husband, Paul Ah Yo; sister Lisa Leong, who provided the bone marrow; and parents Florence and Kenneth Lum expressed gratitude for the outpouring of community support they have received.
"So many people are involved and we feel so blessed," Paul said. "It's just so, so, so nice. People have been dropping off all kinds of donations, so Marmie is preparing gift baskets for the silent auction.
"People will recommend she read this book or eat this to get better. They say, 'There's always hope, because I've been there.'"
The perpetually vivacious Didi confesses to being somewhat antsy cooped up at home, where part of her therapy involves shopping on QVC.
"If it wasn't for my back pain, I'd be jumping up and down," Didi says. "I guess that's why they tell me to slow down."
To make contributions, write Didi Ah Yo Medical Fund, P.O. Box 23330, Honolulu 96823-3330.
Medical fund-raiser for Didi Ah Yo: 'There is Always Hope'
Where: Kapono's, Aloha Tower Marketplace
When: 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday
Admission: $10 donation
Call: Marmie Kaaihue, 591-9422
Click for online
calendars and events.
