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Hawaii Dave Donnelly |
Talented islanders
who go elsewhereWE sometimes take it for granted, but there's an awful lot of fine talent coming out of the islands. Take Jon Magnussen, for example. A young composer-in-residence at Princeton University, Magnussen arranged the music for the renowned American Ballet Theatre's production of "Dorian," based on the Oscar Wilde novel. In attendance at the N.Y. premiere of the work were local author Gavan Daws and wife Carolyn, Jon's mother, Lois Magnussen, and his brother, plus Hilo's Kimo Gerald, who manages Carnegie Hall, no small accomplishment of its own. Magnussen also had the N.Y. premiere of his own composition, "Psalm," performed last year at Carnegie Hall. He's not forgotten his roots, and still composes music for a dance group in Hawaii ...
Reunion at last
It's been 30 years since Aaron Loo and Vernon Neilly played in the same band at Waipahu High. Each has gone on to musical accomplishments on his own, but they'll reunite Saturday night at Rumours and turn it into a CD release party. Neilly has come out with a CD called "G-Fire," and Loo has two CDs he's releasing. One is "L.A. Attitude," and the other is "Children of the Rainbow," with 26 songs, mostly for keiki. He does include "Kau Kau to Da Max," a comedic song featuring Michael Paulo on sax and background vocals with daughter Melissa. It's dedicated to Kent Bowman, (aka K.K. Ka'umanua) who Loo grew up listening to. There are also three patriotic songs dedicated to the victims of 9/11. Before they moved to L.A., Loo's wife used to work for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center. The versatile Loo is also a basso contante, and has appeared in many operas in N.Y. and L.A. ...THEN there's Jeff Ferrer from the band Kawaihae. He is involved with an event sponsored by G-String ukulele, which will take place in Tokyo. It will feature Herb Ohta Jr., Jon Yamasato, Canada's James Hill and Kawaihae and take place this weekend ...
IT'S almost like winning the lottery. Ad 2 Honolulu each year selects a pro bono client and provides a full campaign encompassing advertising, marketing and public relations to get its story out to the public. Past winners were Hale Kipa, Aloha United Way, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. This year's recipient is Hawaii Literacy, so when you hear about what they're up to, beginning in January, chances are it was promulgated by Ad 2 ...
Luncheon al fresco
THE luncheon prepared by Chef Roy Yamaguchi and TV's Emme Tomimbang which was won in an auction at Taste of the Stars by 24-Hour Fitness trainer Glenn Rimando finally has taken place. Yamaguchi actually whipped up the six-course feast on a hibachi propped up on hollow tile blocks at Nalo Farms. Rimando and family enjoyed steamed moi with Waialua asparagus, grilled shrimp on a sugar cane stick and lamb chops with Waimanalo sweet corn risotto. Nalo Farms' Dean Okimoto assisted in the makeshift kitchen and when Roy finished with a creme brulee he'd made, all sang "Happy Birthday" to Emme, a day early ...
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
