Wood Craft
Choy marks 7 years
at Diamond HeadAS Sistah Robi Kahakalau was knocking out tunes during the seventh anniversary party of his Diamond Head restaurant Wednesday, Sam Choy reflected on the years. "Seven years of serving good food, seven years of making a lot of good friends and showing people from the mainland the real Hawaii, and most importantly, seven years (of taking care) of the local people who come in three or four times a month. We try to make it memorable for all of them," Sam said. Sam's partner, James Lee, said he teamed up with Sam because he wanted good food served in Honolulu. This goal "has been fulfilled," James said. Operations Manager Paul Ah Cook said, "It has been a fun seven years and I hope we can do this for another 50 years." Executive Chef Elmer Guzman said, "Seven is a lucky number. We're looking forward to many more years." The party raised $15,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii ...
Sam's been busy
More than $46,000 was raised by the Sam Choy Poke Shoot-Out Golf Tournament at the Hapuna course last weekend. Funds went to Big Isle-based Kawaihae Transitional Housing. Members of the winning team were Dane Otani, Roy Yamashita, Sam Kekuna and Alfie Neves. The tourney was part of Sam's annual poke contest at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel ... Ed Wary Restaurants is sponsoring the Koolau Challenge Golf Tourney Sept. 30 at the Koolau course as a benefit for Special Olympics Hawaii ...Before receiving the Mauka Makai Award from the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii last Saturday for his efforts to help fight cancer, Jim Schuler, with his bride, the former Bet Parish, said he was "truly honored to accept the award. But it's not about me. It's about the people who have it and who are fighting it. They are the heroes, not me. We must find a cure." Jim and his late wife Patti, a cancer victim, funded a foundation to provide financial aid to programs and organizations focusing on cancer research and programs that benefit underprivileged and abused kids. About 500 people attended the benefit dinner for the research center, well-catered by Mike Rabe's Creations in Catering. Hawaiian Host Chocolates provided favors. Nathan Minn was chairman and Don Murphy was vice chair. Kimo Kahoano was emcee and Danny Kaleikini took part. Na Kama and the Galliard String Quartet entertained. A special award was presented to center board member Gladys Brandt, the best-looking and sharpest 96-year-old around. Gladys attended with Kapiolani Kawananakoa. The Abigail K. Kawananakoa Foundation is a strong center supporter ...
Happy birthday, Del
It's band leader Del Courtney's 92nd birthday today. He will celebrate at a big band dance blast at the Royal's Monarch Room tomorrow. Jimmy Borges is host. Many singers and musicians will perform. Entry is $5 ... Lou Rawls is a good choice to open the Symphony's Pops Season at the Concert Hall Sept. 27-29 ... Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was spotted at Pipeline Cafe Tuesday night ... Correction: Judy Muncaster is the associate director of Ballet Hawaii, not the head of the organization ...
Ben Wood, who sold the Star-Bulletin in the streets
of downtown Honolulu during World War II, writes of
people, places and things every Saturday.
E-mail him at bwood@starbulletin.com