|
Wood Craft Ben Wood |
Recca creates
emotional high
at Leed’s partyA large number of entertainers turned out for singer Melveen Leed's 60th birthday party Sunday at Chai's and many performed. The emotional high occurred when Melveen called up Joe Recca, who has throat cancer. Joe, who has a very positive outlook, is down to 185 pounds from a hefty 380. "I still call him Chubby," said his cousin, Cha Thompson. Joe sang "Waikiki" as his wife, Shirley, danced. Joe also showed great hula moves as Marlene Sai sang "Kuuhoa." Joe's performance and courage brought tears to many eyes. Melveen sounds as good as ever at 60 and still keeps jokes coming at a steady pace ....
Audy 'makes' the scene
Audy Kimura was unable to get away from his base at Hy's Steak House last weekend for a special gig at Manhattan Beach, Calif., so he did the next best thing. He called on Star-Bulletin chief photographer Dean Sensui, who also operates Base 2 Productions, and Scottie Kanda of KHON. Audy did double duty as singer/recording engineer and they made a DVD that ran an hour and 15 minutes for Jan and Ray Lesser's 25th anniversary party. This was a party they never thought Jan would make. She was diagnosed with cancer of the lung, liver and brain 3 1/2 years ago. But she made a miraculous recovery. The Lessers have been coming to Hawaii to see Audy at Hy's since he started there 16 years ago ....Michelle Browne called her friend Sam Choy from Chicago and said, "We are moving to Hawaii," and Sam replied, "You're hired." Michelle was introduced Wednesday by Sam and his partner James Lee as G.M. of Sam's Diamond Head restaurant. Michelle comes from Shaw's Crab House in Chicago. She and Sam met four years ago when Sam was on a book tour and was guest chef at Michelle's eatery. "We are really fortunate to have her," Sam said. "She loves people" ...
On a recent visit to Napa Valley, I looked up former Kahala Mandarin G.M. Seamus McManus, now G.M. of Calistoga Ranch, under construction. Don't look for horses and cattle on this "ranch." It is a 157-acre upscale resort and vineyard retreat that will offer two-bedroom owner lodges as well as guest rooms. A heated outdoor pool, restaurant, wine cave and lake are part of the resort. The homes are 3,000 square feet and will be sold on a system similar to time sharing. Five buyers will pay $600,000 each for one home. Another plan has 10 people each paying $360,000 for a home. For the guest lodges, rates will range from $525 to $4,500 a night. Seamus said he hopes to open the $110 million property in January ...
Maile Room revisited
Friends of the old Kahala Hilton and others should mark down Aug. 15 and 16 because that's when chef Martin Wyss will recreate dishes he made famous at the Kahala's Maile Room in the 1970s. The dinners will be held at Bali in the Hilton Village, managed by Alicia Antonio, who was on the Kahala Hilton staff in those years. Charlie Goodness, another former Kahala hand, will take part. Maile sommelier Alan Suzuki will suggest wines. Bali chef Roberto Los Banos will work with Martin in the kitchen ...
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
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
