Hawaii
If only Al had had a
nasty Brit on boardWHEN Hawaii resident Al Masini produced the moderately successful "Star Search" back in the '80s and early '90s, he had a good run and uncovered some people who've gone on to showbiz success. But he's probably thinking, "Why didn't I find a brutally honest Brit to be a judge, and maybe I'd have had an even bigger success?" Something along the lines of "American Idol," for example. The hosts of the show are poor and doomed for mediocrity, but judge Simon Cowell may end up even bigger than proclaimed "Idol," Kelly Clarkson. Never has so much hype been heaped on a talent show in history -- not Major Bowes, Ted Mack, Arthur Godfrey or Masini could come close. For that, they can thank Judge Cowell ...
THE Academy of Arts may have to hold a star search of its own to replace exec secretary Litheia "Li" Hall. Though she's still quite active, playing tennis every weekend, Li finally decided it was time to call it a day, and after Oct. 31, she'll no longer be at her desk, answering phones. She's entitled, however. Li has worked for three academy directors in the past 53 years, and after all, she is 82 ... Matteo's manager Russell Druce bids a fond arrivederci to the Italian naval ship "Amerigo Vespucci." He first saw the ship when it was part of the assembled fleet during Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953. It was one of 300 ships from 22 countries to attend the Spithead Review, an exercise that only takes place when a new monarch is crowned. Back then, the ship was already 21 years old ... Art photographer Kim Taylor Reece is one of five "Masters of their Trade" being highlighted on "Hawaiian Castaways" on HGTV (38) tonight at 10 p.m. ...
Today's tailgate
THE UH Warriors are playing today in Provo, Utah, but it'll take more than distance to keep Don Murphy from planning a tailgate party. In addition to the usual feeding frenzy at Murphy's Bar & Grill as fans root on the UH footballers, Murphy is also adding panache to those watching the game at the All Star Cafe in Waikiki. Fans will find valet parking and outdoor tailgate cooking going on as a mob of fans gather in front of a phalanx of TV monitors upstairs for the 1 p.m. game. Murphy says his menu will be typically tailgate -- a potluck approach with restaurant finesse ...THE All Star Cafe should do as well as Compadres did at their Aloha Stadium food booth last Saturday. Owner Rick Enos operates taco stands at both Candlestick and PacBell Park in San Francisco, so he gave words of advice to local Compadres manager John Langan, and was thrilled to hear the eatery sold out ...
Perfectly Frank
ETHNIC comic Frank DeLima gets a chance to ply his comedic trade when he portrays Lum Jong, a mischievous Mahjong player on KHON-TV's "Mahjong Party" on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. Typical example of his attempt to outwit contestants: "What is Bitor?" Choices range from "A Filipino custom of giving money to newlyweds during the wedding dance," to "What Imelda Marcos felt after being ousted from her country." So far, four contestants have won all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas...
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