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Wood Craft Ben Wood |
Hilo Hattie hops
into its 40th yearForty years ago Jim Romig opened Hilo Hattie, known as Kaluna Hawaii Sportswear on Kauai. The chain has grown to eight stores in Hawaii and five on the mainland and has 500 employees. An anniversary party was held at the Royal Hawaiian's Lurline Room Tuesday. Music and hula was provided by singer Ainsley Halemanu and dancers Joanne Tyau and Larrisa Halemanu, and the singing duo of William "Baba" Alimoot and Chris Kamaka. Chairman Romig praised his retail team and company President Paul deVille threw praise right back at him ... Also 40 years ago, Frank Damon and Henry Shigekane formed the law partnership of Damon & Shigekane, now known as Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert. A celebration was held Thursday at Pauahi Tower ... Vue Hawaii, owned by sisters Betty Tsushima and Judy Morita, recently marked a 20th anniversary. Each week customers get a chance to win a UH Warriors jacket. Call Vue for info ...
Baby Faces sparkle
Isle photographer Laurie Breeden Callies of Baby Face Productions takes black-and-white photos of children and hand colors them to produce treasures for the youngsters' parents. Laurie will premiere "Once Upon a time," illustrating the journey of childhood, Friday at South Street Gallery, 6 to 8 p.m. The gallery is located at Frame Arts Hawaii. Classical guitarist Winston Tan will perform. The exhibit includes pre-natal photography, with pictures of KGMB's Kim Gennaula, her husband, Guy Hagi, and their baby, Luke, to other milestones captured during childhood ...Don Tiki's Tribute to the Exotic Sounds of Martin Denny will have The Man himself at the Hawaii Theatre next Saturday. Besides 92-year-old Denny, other guests include Augie and Lopaka Colon, Buddy Fo, Hookena, Teresa Bright, Chant and Willow Chang ... It's Oktoberfest time at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Friday and next Saturday in the Tapa Bar, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m., with German beer and food and music by the Tyroleans; call 947-7888 ...
Cheers to crooner Jimmy Borges for being named a police commissioner ... David "Brother" Espinda is running Better Brands Express at Dole Cannery, where liquor licensees can shop for beverages. Previously, the licensees had to order products that were warehoused. "It's like a wholesale supermarket for liquor licensees," David said ... "Ragtime" runs through Oct. 19 at Diamond Head Theatre ...
Sam draws a crowd
"Great one," said Sam Choy looking at the wall-to-wall happy crowd enjoying food and drink at his Diamond Head Restaurant's eighth birthday party Wednesday. "Great food, great music and lots of love in the air." Sam's partner, James Lee, G.M. Michelle Browne and chef Elmer Guzman were smiling too. The music was by Ten Feet, made up of Josia Kekoa, Nate Martin, Jojo Guzman, Ericson Carnate, Keoni Nicodemus and Darren Kaneko, and the group Koauka -- Bronson Rosa, Keahi Lau, Wes Mulivai and Ty Cabacungan. Comic Augie Tubla was in on the action. A five-course wine dinner is set for Sam's Diamond Head Tuesday, $55; call 732-8645 ...
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
