Hawaii
Color me green and
slip me the the cabbageWHILE "The Quiet Man" is a classic movie about Ireland, it doesn't really describe publican Don Murphy with St. Patrick's Day just around the bend, as in elbow. But Murph's Irish eyes are smiling more than usual this year. His good pal and longtime customer Eddie O'Toole has been released from Kaiser's so he can spend Paddy's Day at home, even if he isn't able to make it to the annual downtown celebration Monday. Something different this year, too --$1 for every pound of corned beef served at Murphy's from today through Monday will go to Hawaii Special Olympics to ease travel costs for athletes bound for Dublin, Ireland, for the June "Special Olympics World Games." In addition, Compadres is selling corned beef quesadillas at Murphy's Irish Festival and donating part of the income to Special Olympics. Compadres also is donating $2 from each order of Irish Quesadillas from March 17 to 31 to the fund. Nuuanu Avenue from King Street to Ala Moana Boulevard and Merchant Street from Nuuanu Avenue to Bethel Street will be closed Monday beginning at 5 p.m., so no celebrant runs the risk of being flattened other than of his own accord. The fest extends into the Bank of Hawaii parking lot at the Irish Intersection. In addition to corned beef there'll be oysters and clams galore being served. Thousands are expected ...
Dance down the Isle
AND wouldn't you expect the Hilton Hawaiian Village to be the scene of much Irish celebrating on St. Paddy's Day, what with a manager like Ireland-born Noel Trainer and a food and beverage marketing manager named Kelly O'Sullivan. The Shell Bar is being transformed into "Durty Nellie's Pub" with Irish musical entertainment by James McCarthy & Sideman. The whole celebration gets underway at 5 p.m. in the main lobby where the Celtic Pipe and Drum Corp. will perform medleys of the Emerald Isle ... And for those who like a low-key approach, pianist Don Conover will again lead sing-alongs at Chuck's Steak House on Beach Walk, much as he did at the old Columbia Inn in years past ...KHVH talk show host Mike Buck so enjoyed the "Spirit of the Dance" that he invited cast member Fran Brightey to be on the air with him the next day. She got to meet Mayor Jeremy Harris, who was Buck's guest right before her. Hopefully, she put in a plug for City support of our Irish heritage in staging the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade down Kalakaua ...
Book 'em, Danno
ACTOR Jim MacArthur will be flying in next month to do a cameo role in Joe Moore's original play, "Dirty Laundry," at the Hawaii Theatre. ... Meanwhile, I'm directing a play written by an Irishman, Conor MacPherson, and set in a rural Irish pub. "The Weir" isn't opening until April 16 at TAG, the Actors' Group at the Yellow Brick Studio on Keawe Street. But in keeping with the theme of the work, the entire cast is taking a night off from rehearsals Monday to celebrate the Patron Saint of Ireland. And perhaps practice raising a few pints of Guinness as well ...
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