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Hawaii Dave Donnelly |
Where there’s smoke,
there are TV reportersTHAT fire in California continues to claim victims, and nearly engulfed one with local ties. KNBC reporter Chuck Henry, who worked at KHON-TV in Honolulu from 1966 to '71, appeared on the "Today" show yesterday and tearfully told how he and a crew were near the fire doing reports, when suddenly their truck was engulfed in flames. "Stupid truck," Henry said, though others might think the people who chose to park it in harm's way might be more culpable. Henry was trapped in the burning truck when an angel in an L.A. Fire Department uniform pulled him out and put him in the fire truck for safety. Henry has been with KNBC for 10 years now, and should keep his distance from future fires ...
SINGING for your voice teacher can be a frightening position to be in, but especially if 1,000 people are listening along. Longtime vocal coach Neva Rego was honored as one of Sacred hearts Academy's Distinguished Alumnae, and some of her students were on hand to honor her: Shari Lynn, fresh from "Gypsy" at the Army Community Theater, Les Cebellos, choral director at Kamehameha Schools, Nohelani Cypriano and Carole Kai. The award was presented by Gov. Linda Lingle, who quipped, "I would love to sing, but Neva gave up on me." ...
Cheesy move
REPRESENTATIVES of the Cheesecake Factory approached the podium at a Waikiki restaurant the other day and offered the hostesses there positions at their new eatery. The G.M. spotted them and headed to the podium, but was spotted by the Cheesy eatery's men, all of whom beat a hasty retreat. "These guys didn't even spend a penny," said the G.M. "They just came up front and tried to steal employees." Maybe they could advertise positions. Said the restaurant's G.M.: "These guys just gotta learn the Aloha Spirit." ...WHEN he appeared on "Inside the Actor's Studio" Sunday, Robin Williams demonstrated he could be wild and untamed, blue and yet at other times, filled with love and hope. Presumably that aspect of his eclectic persona will be heard when he narrates, "An Uncommon Kindness," the documentary about Father Damien, co-written and co-directed by former Star-Bulletin reporter Stephanie Castillo. The documentary will be on view tomorrow night at the Doris Duke Theater at the Academy of Arts ...
THERE'LL be a launch party tomorrow night for the movie, "The Ride," about the life of Duke Kahanamoku which premieres Saturday at Sunset on the Beach. Red Degree will be playing at the launch party, which should come as no surprise since the group's lead singer, Sean Kaawa plays Duke in the film ...
Poetic injustice
POET Kathleen Norris, who grew up in Hawaii being known only as the daughter of late jazz trumpeter John Norris, gained fame on her own as a poet. She married a kindred soul, David Dwyer, also a poet 30 years ago. Each has won awards for their books of poetry, but now one voice has been silenced. Dwyer has died of lung cancer, but Norris will carry on ...
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
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
