Hawaii
CROONER Engelbert Humperdinck arrived in town Monday and was met at the airport by the local distributor of his records, Hector Venegas, in a Rolls Royce. And to which swank restaurant did Hector take him? Why, La Paloma, of course, where they downed Mexican food. That night, they showed up at Duke's, and Don Ho persuaded Engelbert to sing "Please, Release Me," after which Hector warbled "Cielito Lindo" and "El Rancho Grande." Hector is just naive enough not to know he shouldn't try to follow somebody like the Hump onstage. (Aug. 5, 1970) ... 1970: Humperdinck a tough
act to follow at Duke'sSOME literate wag paraphrased "Hamlet" in an inspired graffito in the Red Noodle: "Christine Jorgensen -- A Lass, I Knew Him When." ... Christine opens Thursday at the Forbidden City Theater in Arthur Kopit's "Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feeling So Sad," a title that has absolutely nothing to do with the private lives of the star. (Aug. 9, 1971) ... State House candidate Ray Milici's "Happy Hour" at the Waialae Country Club could have been a bit happier if it weren't held on the somber day that Nixon resigned. Especially since Milici was Nixon's campaign chairman in the islands two years ago. (Aug. 9, 1974) ...
A STAR-BULLETIN photog asked a fellow seated behind "Toshi's Tower," the huge kindling structure at the Church of the Crossroads, when it was going to be knocked down. The reply: "It does have to come down, but we will have a demolition with dignity, and the media will be notified before it happens." Or, as Shakespeare might put it, "A conflagration devoutly to be wished." (Aug. 9, 1977) ...
PILOT Greg Marshall, enjoying his newfound notoriety after landing his plane in Hawaii Kai to visit his girlfriend, stopped by the Bluemax in Lahaina the other day and was bought a drink by none other than Jim "Crashdown" Ashdown, whose own aerobatic low-level stunts off Waikiki a few years ago cost him his pilot's license. And what better locale for the two to meet than an airplane-themed restaurant? (Aug. 6, 1978) ...
I WAS saddened to hear of the death yesterday of Dick Johnston, the former Time Inc. writer who for the last several years has lived in Honolulu and who was a good friend. He once expressed the desire that this passage from "Macbeth" be his epitaph: "Nothing in his life/Became him like the leaving it: he died/As one that had been studied in his death/To throw away the dearest thing he ow'd/As 'twere a careless trifle." (Aug. 5, 1981) ...
YOU just know that boxing promoter Al Souza is a dedicated golfer. While walking down the center of the 18th fairway at Waialae the other day, he was hit in the eye with an errant hook off the adjacent practice tees. Another member of his foursome, Joe Anthony, got Souza in his golf cart, drove him to the pro shop and called an ambulance, which took him away for observation. Souza was back playing the course the next day, albeit with dark glasses. One offshoot of the off-shot: Woods were banned from the driving range, at least temporarily. (Aug. 6, 1986) ...
I'LL bet when Cartier president Akira Ohtomo arrived in town to celebrate his store's first anniversary, he didn't check in all his luggage. One case carried jewels fit for a king -- or at least the Aga Khan, 48th Imam, the Shiite successor to Mohammed. On view at the first-anniversary party will be the one-of-a-kind tiara and necklace set once owned by the Aga Khan. The dazzling emerald set, dating back to 1923, tips the scales at more than 230 carats, total weight. Also on view will be some antique timepieces, appropriate since Cartier did invent the wrist watch. Tonight's black-tie party at the Halekulani to mark the first anniversary will end up with a generous donation to the University of Hawaii Foundation. How much hinges on the donations of guests, with $100 per person suggested. Cartier will then match that amount, so it should mean big bucks. (Aug. 9, 1991) ...
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