Wood Craft
On Jin gets
’all shook up’
over Ozawa’s visitChef On Jin Kim sings opera and classics on Friday nights at her On Jin's Cafe. Little did she know that on a recent Friday famed conductor Seiji Ozawa was at a table having dinner when she was singing. "After I found out he was here I was so embarrassed," she said. "I never would have sung if I knew he was here." As for an Ozawa critique on her singing, On Jin, who is a trained singer with degrees in music, said, "He was very sweet about the whole thing and was real down to Earth. But I was so shook up I had trouble sleeping that night" ...
Changes at Morton's
Morton's G.M. Cheng Hsiao and bartender Chris Dunlap have moved to other Morton's locations. Hsiao was not here long. Maybe it's time for assistant manager Zyron Schoniwitz to be moved into the top spot. He's been on the local scene for years. Chris, from the Bay Area, is now at Morton's in San Francisco. Chris has the totally bald look. He has been replaced by Erin Offenhauser, a 6-footer with flowing blond hair. Erin, 28, is too embarrassed to talk about her modeling career of 10 years ago. She's still single, guys. The Central Michigan U. grad was brought here to help open Morton's as a corporate trainer. "Yeah, they really had to twist my arm to come here from Portland," she said, oozing sarcasm. "Everything fits for me here." Erin paddled for the Waikiki Beach boys the past season and swims like a fish. "My dream job is to be a cowgirl," she said. She loves horses and has taught riding. The thought of playing polo makes her eyes light up. Do you hear that, Alice Lombardo? Alice organizes the annual women's polo challenge at Waimanalo ...Congratulations to Duke's in the Outrigger Waikiki which celebrated its 10th anniversary yesterday ... Sergio's, the Northern Italian restaurant at the Hilton, is holding a wine dinner Wednesday. Cost is $55 ... The Chart House will feature wine from Chile at its wine dinner Feb. 5, $50 ... Vocalist Rhonda sings tonight at Sheraton's Esprit ... Donna Bebber is the new development director of the UH medical school. She formerly held the same position with the Honolulu Symphony ...
Borges is flying high
Jimmy Borges is smiling nowadays and it's not just because his Oakland Raiders are in the Super Bowl. Jimmy returned Sunday from the Bay Area where he performed for Bohemian clubbers, all professional men. UH President Evan Dobelle, a Bohemian, arranged the gig. Jimmy did a jazz show one night and a Hawaiian show on another. He's charged up over his next job at the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Golf Tourney banquet in Palm Desert Feb. 8. Jimmy said he was honored to get a call from Frank's widow, Barbara Sinatra, asking him to sing at the event which benefits the Barbara Sinatra Children Center. People donate up to $10,000 to play in the tourney. Jimmy will play with Robert Wagner and Joe Pesci along with one of the donors. Last year's celebrity winner was Jimmy MacArthur of "Hawaii Five-0" fame. Among others performing are: Suzanne Somers, Kenny Rogers, Wayne Newton, Pat Boone, Vic Damone, Buddy Greco, Jack Jones and Jerry Vale. Jimmy's wife, Vicky, is one of the invited guests ...
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