Wood Craft
Neiman breaks out
ancient porcelainLOCAL collectors attended the Tek Sing porcelain reception at Neiman Marcus Wednesday. The junk Tek Sing, dubbed China's Titanic, sank with 1,600 passengers and a crew of 200 in 1822. Only 136 survived. The porcelain cargo was brought up in 1999. Alan Jacob bought 5,000 pieces and is offering pieces for sale at Neiman, priced from $35 to $6,000. More is on the way. It's an interesting collection. The story of the Tek Sing voyage is fascinating. Among those at the reception reminiscing about high school days were Sherman Hee, Gene Doo, Jade Sen, Bill Won and Neiman boss Al Tomonari. Pulled into the discussion was blonde Monique Colson, who said, "I was the only haole in my classes at Castle High." That must have been interesting. Monique's dad is former Matson Navigation Prez Alexander Bolton. Former RHS basketball coach Peter Chun, who started coaching the Riders in the late 1940s, was in the crowd. He still looks as if he could shoot hoops ...
Beamers make 'em laugh
Keola Beamer and wife Moanalani had the crowd in stitches Tuesday as they read from his book "The Shimmering" at Maile Meyer's Native Books Na Mea Hawaii. They read the story "Stalking Haunani" in beautiful pidgin English, with Moana using a horn to bleep out any profanity. The story is about Honey Boy Rodrigues, who describes stalking Haunani Freitas. It was so funny. Peggy Chun, suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease, attended. She had just returned from the Orange County Immune Institute and said, "They said I'm doing just fine." Actress-filmmaker Elizabeth Lindsey was among the guests ...Al Wong took wife Trudy to celebrate her birthday with Olomana at the Hilton, just outside the Bali restaurant. The group sang a song for her. The Wongs were in Boston recently to watch daughter Shaaroni's directorial debut at Boston U. She directed Neil Simon's "London Suite." Proud mom Trudy said it was delightful. The Wongs brought leis for the cast. Ari, the Wongs' son, came up from George Washington U. to join them ...
Fine Christmas offering
Get your tickets now for "A Merry Christmas with Friends & Nabors," one of the best holiday shows to be found anywhere, playing at the Hawaii Theatre Dec. 6-8. The production stars Jim Nabors with Jimmy Borges, Emma Veary and Karen Keawehawaii and scores of singers and dancers, plus the Honolulu Symphony under the direction of Pops conductor Matt Catingub. The giant package is directed and choreographed by Tom Hansen. Burton White is executive producer. This is the sixth year Nabors has donated his services for this sparkler ... Don't forget jazz at La Pietra tomorrow with Borges, Shari Lynn, Gabe Baltazar and Fascinatin' Rhythm, 5 to 7 p.m. ...A birthday party was held at Chef Mavro's for the NATO chief last Sunday. Tracy Bradley does not head the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, but she does run Coldwell Banker's New Agent Training Office ... All the best to Coldwell Banker's Savannah Scott and the Star-Bulletin's Mark Coleman, who marry tomorrow on the beach at Portlock ...
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