Hawaii
Hawaii people
give and give,
then give moreHAWAII and its people always seem to go that extra mile to help those in need -- a demonstration of the aloha spirit, perhaps. First came Emme Tomimbang's "Island Moments" about the terrorism that enveloped New York a year ago and how it affected islanders. She even got Jim Brickman to do the music for the show because he's good friends with and a collaborator of isle-born composer-lyricist Dean Pitchford, whose sister, Patricia Colodner, died in the World Trade Center. And Jim Simpson, son of localites Ann and Jack Simpson, also mentioned in Emme's show, is at the Toronto Film Festival promoting the film version of "The Guys," which he thinks will be shown Sept. 11 ...
MAUI'S Bonnie Friedman has been corresponding for months with men of the New York City Fire Department's Engine 33, Ladder 19, which lost 10 firefighters on Sept. 11. The firehouse will receive half the proceeds of Maui's big Sept. 11 benefit, "Here's to the Heroes," an art show and sale at Queen Ka'ahumanu Center. One of FDNY's men from that company, Danny Rowan, e-mailed Bonnie this week to tell her about the widow of Charles Franc, a man of that firehouse who gave the ultimate sacrifice many years ago. His widow stopped by to say hello and was thrilled that a plaque in his honor still stood. Rowan had tried unsuccessfully to reach Mrs. Franc and was pleased that she stopped by. With her were her two daughters who, as it turns out, live in Kailua ...
Gifts of aloha
STILL more aloha from Hawaii is heading New York's way when some 35 people travel there to mark the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 tragedy. Tim Farley organized the trip and the various gifts going out to World Trade Center heroes, victims and families. For example, 25,000 flower leis will be shipped over and distributed, and there'll be lots of Hawaiian music and hula to help counteract the grief. Among the many items being shipped (gratis) by United Airlines are the leis, pineapples from Dole, CDs from Mountain Apple and 5,000 "Live Aloha" bumper stickers provided by their creator, Paul Klink ...
AUNTY Genoa Keawe dined at the Ocean House in the Reef Hotel this week, both to enjoy the cuisine provided by new GM, David Nagaishi, and to see her daughter, Pomai, a strolling musician there who's leaving for BYU. U.S. Sen. Dan Akaka was at the next table and came over to pay his respects to Aunty Genoa, something of a musical legend in Hawaii. And the daughter of another isle music legend, the late Arthur Lyman, also popped into town. Kapiolani Lyman, who used to sing with her dad before settling in Sacramento, spent the evening with Pomai and Aunty Genoa the next night ...
'Italy Mio Amore'
PERFECT with the Italian training vessel Amerigo Vespucci in port -- the Lupus Foundation will be the recipient of money raised at "Italy Mio Amore" ("Italy My Love") Sept. 7 at the Sheraton-Waikiki. Hawaii's finest Italian chefs will prepare risotto dishes to be paired with wines at the event. One silent-auction item is a Mediterranean cruise on Seabourn/Cunard Cruise Lines ...
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