TheBuzz
TheBuzz
At least somebody
was having a good timeThe University of Hawaii Family Business Center awards luncheon honoring the 2002 family businesses of the year was not the only luncheon function at The Willows the day after the state's power structure shifted.
Event mistress of ceremonies Linda Coble opined that the banquet table of about 20 somber diners near the buffet service would not be likely to disturb the award presentations with a raucous outburst.
Seated at the table was a Democratic Party contingent.
Conversely, she said, it might be good for them to hear the larger group enjoying themselves, so they'd know that at least somebody was having a good day.
Unity opportunity
On the heels of a divisive election, organizers of the second annual "Synergy Day Hawaii" are talking up the unity aspect of the early morning Nov. 13 event.At 6:45 a.m. 15 television and 65 radio stations have agreed to play the 2002 edition of the video and song "Give Aloha," as many of them did Nov. 14 last year.
The big difference between last year's event and this year's is sponsorship that started with an evening out for Clint Arnoldus, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Central Pacific Bank.
After attending a city-funded Sunset on the Beach event and hearing the talk about doing away with it to save money, he thought about having the bank help out with underwriting expenses.
"I brought in Ann (Takiguchi, communications director), my right arm, and she grew this thing where it became this great gift to the whole state," Arnoldus said.
Takiguchi tracked down Synergy Day creator and "Give Aloha" co-writer Jesse Rivera, who happened to be sponsor-shopping for this year's effort.
Central Pacific sponsored the Sept. 8 Sunset on the Beach, which served as the video's backdrop with an audience and cast members numbering more than 10,000.
The bank's sponsorship paid for on-site and post production of the video and audio recording, thousands of leis, American flags and food.
The resulting video was shipped immediately to New York Gov. George Pataki. He sent a thank-you note, citing "the wonderful music video and lyrics to the song entitled, "Give Aloha."
Arnoldus wouldn't reveal the value of the bank's sponsorship but said, "We laid out enough for it to be a first-class production."
Synergy Hawaii co-chairwoman Kymberly Pine recommends that people record the video or radio version of the song since only limited copies of the music CD are available through Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii. The bank will also stream the video on its Web site at www.cpbi.com.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com