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Hawaii Dave Donnelly |
Diamond anniversary
for the Wright stuffWRIGHT you are! Continental Airlines exec Ron Wright just celebrated his 35th. No, not his birthday, but his anniversary with the airline. And not all airlines are going though bad financial times -- corporate bigwigs of Continental flew into town from Houston to host a surprise party in Wright's honor at the Golden Dragon and dozens of his pals watched as the longtime exec was presented with a 35-year diamond pin. My own 35th anniversary with this column takes place in December. Does this mean a diamond pin is in the offing? Yeah, right ...
AS FAR as I'm concerned, all those TV shows featuring non-professional singers are just glorified karaoke contests. "American Idol," "Star Search" the new kiddie's idol show --anyone else reminded of Jon Benet Ramsay? -- and local counterparts are pretty painful to watch. Look at Jordan Segundo. He lost "American Idol," but became a sought-after winner in Hawaii for making it as far as he did. Now there's a year-long (!) "Talent Search 2003" going on at Don Ho's Island Grill, with a winner a month selected to compete in the finals in a year. Benjamin Cross is the April finalist. The ultimate winner gets a recording contract with Mountain Apple co. and will appear with Don Ho in his holiday showcase on the mainland. Those who'd like to enter can call karaoke king Al Waterson at 947-5736 ...
Movin' out, movin' on
THE Billy Joel musical, "Movin' Out," has been nominated for a Tony Award on Broadway. Three dancers in the musical have appeared as guest artists with Ballet Hawaii in past productions of the old "Nutcracker" chestnut. Three of the local company's repeat performers, John Selya, Ashley Tuttle and Keith Roberts have been respectively nominated for Tonys as leading actor in a musical, featured actress in a musical and featured actor in a musical. This show, directed by Twyla Tharp, have received numerous nominations including best musical ...ALSO on the ballet front, Dana Stackpole, who's in "Movin' Out" on Broadway, has been invited by Ballet Hawaii to dance at their black-and-white ball, "New York, New York," Sept. 20 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. So now we have Diamond Head Theatre's fund-raiser based on "Chicago" and Ballet Hawaii saluting New York. Can "Flower Drum Song" with "Grant Avenue, San Francisco" be far behind? ...
Queen for a day
SOME 14 lucky Girl Scouts, all of whom sold more than 700 boxes of cookies -- Kysten Irion actually sold nearly twice that many -- got to spend a day with former Miss America, Angela Baraquio. The girls had a buffet lunch at Duke's, viewed Hawaiian treasures in the Outrigger Waikiki lobby, took in sites along the Waikiki Scenic Tour, and then met with Angela in a hotel suite. The biggest thrill was having their pictures taken with the beauty queen placing her crown on their head. A collector's item, especially if they make it one day. Sad note for dreamers: The beauty is now Angela Baraquio Grey ...
Dave Donnelly has been writing on happenings in Hawaii for the Star-Bulletin since 1968. The Week That Was runs Sundays and recalls items from Dave's 30 years of columns. Contact Dave by e-mail: ddonnelly@starbulletin.com