Hawaii
Hawaii’s link to
ovoid-pigskin greatnessWHILE THE NFL playoffs are continuing, -- albeit with an admitted official boo-boo which precluded the New York Giants a final field-goal attempt that could have knocked the S.F. 49ers out of contention -- the NFL's ties to Hawaii continue. Former Hawaii Warrior standout quarterback Nick Rolovich may yet get his shot in the league next season. The Denver Broncos have signed him and is sending him off to an NFL European team for seasoning before the Broncos camp, so there's still hope for yet another Rolo-to-Lelie TD one day this year. And All Star Cafe, managed by the Warriors No. 1 supporter, Don Murphy, has been designated "Preferred Restaurant Partner of the NFL Experience in Hawaii," so expect to see a lot of Pro Bowlers in the place this month ...
DESPITE his reputation as obnoxious -- some would add unfunny -- comic Pauly Shore ("The Son-in-Law" and "Encino Man") was on his best behavior when he dined recently at Leilani's on the Beach. Shore, came to same -- the shores of Maui -- for the holidays. He can frequently be seen on MTV ...
HOT stuff
YOU'D think that by the time you reached 42, you'd have come of age, whatever that is. But at 42, the Hawaii Opera Theater's 2003 season is being called "Coming of Age" by artistic director Henry Akina. It has less to do with the local opera performers than the trio of works being produced this year: "Eugene Onegin," "The Magic Flute" and "La Boheme." The latter is currently the hottest thing on Broadway, as directed by "Moulin Rouge" creator Baz Luhrmann. The HOT season kicks off Jan. 31. For tickets, call the HOT-line at 596-7858 ...GREAT national recognition for Maui filmmaker Kenneth K. Martinez Burgmaier, whose "Quattro Noza" has been selected for the 2003 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The film's world premiere will take place Jan. 17 and be shown at the fest another four times during the week. Burgmaier and fellow filmmaker Joey Curtis have been working on the project for more than four years ...
Aloha and goodbye
IT was a rough holiday season for Ken Anderson, owner of Drop Zone Hawaii. Still wheelchair-bound from a sky-diving accident, Ken attended ceremonies honoring the life of Greg Hunter, the sky-diving instructor who was killed along with his tandem rider, 18-year old Margaret Thomas of Nebraska. Anderson, known as "Air Tugie," also air-shipped flower leis to Nebraska for the funeral. He and wife Cynthia then flew off to Maui where old football friend Jim Marshall invited them or a party at the Maui Meadows mansion of Eric Aanenson. Ken learned Aanenson had his own horror story. A concert pianist, Aanenson was in an auto crash and sheared off his left hand. A music career now behind him, the enterprising pianist turned to business and became rich, the head of Old Dutch Foods, Inc. As for Anderson, he kept a vial with some of Hunter's ashes, and if he's ever able to jump again, plans to spread it over Dillingham Field where Hunter spent so many happy times ...
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