Hawaii
1970: Irish politicians
can't get any respect
in HawaiiMAYOR Frank Fasi called former Assistant DA Pete Donahoe "a professional in the tradition of Irishmen who made their marks in city hall politics across the country." Come on, Frank, can't you say anything nice about the guy? (Feb. 19, 1969) ... What happens when an Irishman such as Bob Mitchell and a Samoan named Dewey Reed team up? Well, they open a Jewish delicatessen, that's what. The pair purchased Tammy's Lounge at Hotel and Smith streets yesterday, and hope to have lox and da kine for sale in about six weeks. (Feb. 17, 1970) ...
AIEA'S Bette Midler was on TV Sunday night, preceding a 30-foot long train -- on her dress, dummy -- at the Grammy Awards. But none of what she said brought the winces that Andy Williams did when he said to blind pianist Stevie Wonder -- via satellite from Lagos, Nigeria, where they were having technical problems -- "If you can't hear us, can you see us?" Later Williams apologized, in case anybody thought (as nearly everybody must have) that he was making fun of Stevie's handicap. The awards program, top to bottom, was a total bore. (Feb. 22, 1977) ...
PETITE Sonya Mendez (known professionally by her first name only) and Anna Lea (along with the Fabulous Krush) will be performing at Wally "Famous" Amos' "Cookie-lau" Sunday at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand. And if you'd like them to prepare a free bag lunch for you, see them before Saturday at the Garden Bar of the Hilton Hawaiian Village and they'll see you get one on Sunday. (Feb. 22, 1978) ... That was Superstar Lynn Swann, of the Pittsburgh Steelers, baby-sitting Laura Blears Ching's 10-month-old Superbaby, Dillon, while grandpa Lord James "Tallyho" Blears officiated at the "Super Teams" tug of war. It was Swann who taped Laura's cracked ankle at the women's superstars competition a couple of years ago and advised her, "Now Laura, if you can walk, you can run." She did and collected some $17,000 for her efforts, crediting Swann with getting her on her feet. (Feb. 22, 1979) ...
Laurie Chinen is only 12, but she won the Junior World Golf Championship in San Diego last year and was named to an All-America team as one of the top three juniors in her age group. This summer she'll be in the 13-17 age bracket, and has been practicing daily at the Pali Course. You can see Laurie showcased in "Superkids IV," which airs tomorrow night on Channel 9. (Feb. 21, 1983) ...
LIKE mother, like son? Rick Ralston, of Crazy Shirts, thanked his mother at the luncheon where the local chapter of the American Marketing Association named him "Marketer of the Year." Rick says he inherited his creative talent from his mom, one of Walt Disney's first artists back in 1929 and at one time the voice of Minnie Mouse. (Feb. 21, 1985) ...
AND now, the "Million Dollar Windsock Lounge." That's the value of the insurance policy Blackie Gadarian took out on the old Kaanapali airstrip building housing the circular staircase and "High School Harry's" legendary saloon. Gadarian bought the place, and on Saturday he'll move it, Bloody Mary recipe and all, to Blackie's Boatyard, the Lahaina bar and, yes, boatyard he operates. (Feb. 20, 1986) ...
HAWAII was well represented on a single page in Daily Variety, the showbiz bible, the other day. At the top was an obituary on Bill Conrad, with a picture of the "Jake and the Fatman" star wearing a lei. Then there was a story on localite Jason Scott Lee, star of "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story," being signed to play the lead in Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book," a $25 million project. And then a story on Paul Mercurio, who starred in a picture partially filmed in Hawaii, "Exit to Eden," directed by Garry Marshall. And finally, on the same page, an article about local girl Tia Carrere being named NATO/ShoWest's 1994 "Female Star of Tomorrow." The model-actress is probably best known for her roles in the "Wayne's World" movies. (Feb. 22, 1994) ...
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