Hawaii
1969: Columbia Inn’s
Irish flag draws
unusual question
THE Columbia Inn's Fred Kaneshiro had the flag of Ireland proudly flying at his establishment yesterday in honor of St. Patrick's Day. But one customer asked him, "Hey, how come you got dat Portagee flag out dere?" (March 18, 1969) ...Strictly coincidental: March 19, best known for the date the swallows return to Capistrano, is lesser known for the following: The birthday of Sirhan Sirhan, Jack Ruby and Lynda Bird Johnson -- that's the assassin of Robert Kennedy, the assassin of the assassin of John F. Kennedy, and the daughter of the man who replaced John F. Kennedy. March 19 is also the birthday of former Chief Justice Earl Warren, whose report on the shooting of John F. Kennedy is the official version, and the marriage date of Jackie Kennedy's sister, Lee Bouvier, to Prince Stanslaus Radziwill. (March 19, 1971) ...
CONGRATS to piano repairman Al Brinton, who on March 17 celebrated 54 years in the business, and at age 70 did it at a new and more expensive location. He started fixing pianos in 1919, if you can believe that. (March 20, 1973) ... Hawaiian music fans will want to put a big circle around March 23, for it is next Saturday that Genoa Keawe, Gabby Pahinui and the Sunday Manoa regroup for "Hawaiian Musical Experience II" at Andrews Amphitheater. It'll be a benefit for the Waikiki Drug Clinic and as worthwhile a $3 as you've invested lately. (March 19, 1974) ...
LOVELY Maureen Gilroy, who's been personal secretary to more GMs than she cares to count at the Holiday Inn-Makai (and before that at the Hale Makai) is getting married. Just think -- all those "Gilroy Was Here" jokes will be going by the boards. (March 21, 1977) ...
ATTORNEY Hy Greenstein, whose first love in life is not the law, but pingpong (and who is the only known lawyer whose office furniture contains a pingpong table) has met his match. The end of his reign as fastest legal paddle in the West came recently when fellow attorney Vince Esposito brought publisher George Pellegrin to Greenstein's office and said, "This guy can lick you." Greenstein took the bait and got licked, but had the last word when he told Esposito, "First time I ever heard you speak the truth." ... Personally I'd like to suggest to Greenstein that a dental supplier named Aggi Birnbaum could spot him 13 points and beat him, just as he slaughtered me last week at the Press Club. (March 20, 1979) ...
WHEN that big international soccer tourney gets under way at Kapiolani Park next week, one team, U.S. International University, will have several "fans" in attendance. Two members of the State Department and two FBI men will be accompanying the team because one of its illustrious members is a Saudi Arabian prince. (March 19, 1981) ...
SOME people fail to celebrate life on Paddy's Day, but one son of the Ould Sod, Bob Dye, isn't among them. The former mayoral candidate was told he was expected at a deposition on March 17 concerning an impending lawsuit. His comment: "You've got to be kidding." His deposition day was changed. (March 17, 1986) ...
HARD to believe, but next week marks the second anniversary of the Row Bar's opening in Restaurant Row. Manager Paul Robotti says if his bar could talk, it would have many award-winning stories to tell. Robotti is planning a week-long celebration with live entertainment and other festivities, starting Monday ... Incidentally, I take full credit for getting cushions put on the Row Bar seats. When developer Alan Beall took me on a pre-opening tour of Restaurant Row, I sat on one of the cushionless bar stools and commented. "It feels just like sitting on a John Deere tractor." Beall immediately ordered cushions. (March 22, 1991) ...
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