Wood Craft
Early HAL hostesses
are still flying highThe Hui Koa'e Kea members, beautiful pioneer Hawaiian Airlines hostesses of 1943-'53, got dolled up in flapper outfits for a Roarin' '20s party at the Waialae Country Club Sunday. Dancing the Charleston were sisters Mara and Monica Bacon and Hale Kaohu Rowland. Roberta McFarland Wong danced hula. Attending was Nora Auna Kaaua, the only surviving pioneer hostess of '43. Costume winners were Roberta Chang and Greta Doak Hegefeldt. B.J. Johnston Feldman blessed the luncheon. HAL retirees chief Joe Kealoha attended as did Abigail Leong Chong, Carol Mae Stibbard Vanderford, Bertha Ching Kawakami, Wattie Hedemann, Bertha Kamaka Simonson, Margaret Waiwaiole Petrie, Lily Mae Atcherley, Mercy Hutchinson Bacon, Lei Ragsdale Kaniho, Moki Lum-Ho Yancy, Peaches Riley Smith and Carol Faris Bishop. Somehow, Bobby Moore, former Kamehameha and UH football star, always gets invited ...
Paloma Picasso honored
Paloma Picasso, who designs jewelry for Tiffany, was guest of honor at an elegant dinner thrown for her by the firm and the Academy of Arts Thursday at the academy. Paloma came here for last night's grand opening of Honu's 2100 Kalakaua where new Tiffany, Gucci, Chanel, Yves St. Laurent, Tod's and Boucheron stores are located. Academy guests were greeted by Tiffany Veep Edward Gerard, and models Tania deJesus and Cecilia Walther wearing pieces of fine jewelry designed by Paloma. Art by her famed father, Pablo Picasso, was on view. Singer Willow Chang and guitarist Jeff Petterson performed before dinner, catered by Beau Soleil. Paloma, intro'd by Tiffany President and CEO Mike Kowalski, spoke highly of the academy and Hawaii. Guitarist Carlos Barbosa-Lima played during dinner ...Michael DeBenedetti's bread and butter is selling hot dogs, bringing them to the isles for Miller Packing Co. He has a sideline, stemming from collecting gem stones and making jewelry for his wife, Staige. Wearing a necklace her husband made as she shopped at Neiman, Staige was stopped by the store's Precious Jewelry chief Anna Meng who asked her where she got the "fabulous" necklace. Learning it was made by her husband, Anna said, "Have him make me 10 more and I will sell them all." Michael's necklaces of pearls and semi-precious stones are in the store. He will be there Tuesday 6 to 9 p.m. Anna has a jade trunk show by T.S. Lin & Sons today and tomorrow ...
Cynthia Child dies
Sad to learn Cynthia Child died Nov. 25 in Redondo Beach, Calif., of cancer. She lived with her daughter, Trina Lagodlagod, the past year. Cynthia was the ex-wife of Aliis' member Manny Lagod and sometimes sang in the Don Ho Show at Duke Kahanamoku's. Music, golf and bridge were Cynthia's passions. Her dad, Walter Child, and brother, Dudley, were isle visitor industry powers. Cynthia's other daughter, Stephanie Lagodlagod, along with Trina, Manny and friends were with Cynthia when she died. They "formed a lei of love around her," holding each other with one hand and holding Cynthia with the other ...
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