Hawaii
One pizza with all
the Vinnies, but hold
the KottersWHEN a Pizza Hut employee at Wahiawa saw the name on a phone order for a Big New York Pizza, he jumped to the conclusion that it may be from John Travolta, who's married to local actress Kelly Preston. The name on the order was "Vinnie Garbarino," and he assumed it must have really been "Vinnie Barbarino," the character played by Travolta in "Welcome Back Kotter." So all got a laugh when the order was accepted by U.S. Army Captain Vinnie Garbarino of Schofield Barracks. A further oddity -- Garbarino's home town is Mount Vernon, N.Y., just outside the Bronx, which was the setting for "Kotter." ...
IT was nice taking a day off for Labor Day and for UH for providing a series of weekend sporting events that were a joy to watch, including both UH Warrior football and Wahine Volleyball victories. I couldn't believe my ears on Sunday night when the new KHNL sportscaster, Jared something (from Subway?) said to hide your eyes if you didn't want to see the volleyball score because you intended to watch the replay later. Then he proceeded to read the scores, without the printing. The hearing impaired must have been appreciative. Then on the same sportscast (which they have all day to prepare) came a story on the UH quarterback, and on came a picture with the captain, "Timmy Chang, linebacker." Back to the drawing board, guys ...
McManus and son
DINING at the Ocean Room on the beach at the Reef turned into not just a visual but taste-treating and news-filled event. I learned bossman John McManus, who made a fortune on the next-door Shorebird, has closed up his private island in the Caribbean for the tornado season and is coming back to the warmer and more temperate climes of Hawaii. Meanwhile, I'm told, his son, John McManus Jr., quietly tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Malia Mattoch, the pretty Channel 2 newscaster.
And when two strolling musicians asked for requests, all I could come up with was the classic "He Ono La," and guitarist Preston Souza said, "Oh, my uncle recorded that." And who might that be? Sam Kapu, he said. Little Sam Kapu has a performing nephew? It was truly a night of nostalgia, presided over by ex-Nick's boss David Nagaishi ...
Tasty sermon
NEW Hope Christian Fellowship was the scene of an unusual sermon by Pastor Elwin Ahu this past weekend. While delivering the sermon, he did a live-cooking demonstration as he made an analogy about simple ingredients in one's life, season with godliness and good needs.
Some 8,000 worshippers applauded his unorthodox yet appetizing mix of the word of God and fresh sauteed shrimp in garlic oil. Alas, unlike the parable of Jesus feeding 5,000 from just a single fish, there wasn't enough shrimp to go around. Pastor Ahu left a lucrative job as a Circuit Court judge to join the ministry several years ago ...
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