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Wood Craft Ben Wood |
Starlight Ball crowd
dances the night awayA young crowd flocked to the Academy of Arts last Saturday night for the Starlight Ball and danced the night away to the music of Nueva Vida -- Robert Shinoda, Aron Nelson, Arex Ikehara and Phil Bennett -- and vocalists Anita Hall and Darryl Carter. The ball was sponsored by the academy's new Art After Dark committee, a group of young professionals and artists. The event benefits children's art classes and programs at the Academy Art Center. The spectacular James and Cherye Pierce collection of photos by famed photographers was the featured exhibit. The evening was a big success with the crowd jamming the dance floor. Besides pop and rock favorites by the vocalists, guest Stefanie Smart sang bluesy "At Last." Caterers included academy Chef Mike Nevin, Sunset Grill, Superb Sushi, Kakaako Bakery and Island Epicure. Co-chairs were Natasha Roessler and Robert Lee. Waileia Roster coordinated ... Don't forget sexy Anita performs with Matt Catingub, Glenn Medeiros and Henry Kapono in the Symphony Pops salute to the Beatles tonight at the Concert Hall ...
Standing tall at the Bali
Bali by the Sea manager Alicia Antonio and hostess Sharon Garcia stood tall Monday night when retired Army four-star Gen. Tommy Franks and his wife came in for dinner at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's fine dining restaurant. Franks was the Army's top gun in the Afghan and Iraq wars. Attractive waitress Rona Reed was also standing tall because she was named best female server by readers of Honolulu magazine. The best male server award went to Rob St. Onge of Roy's Hawaii Kai. The magazine's Hale Aina restaurant awards party will be held at 6 to 8:30 p.m. tomorrow in Hilton's Coral Ballroom ...Pianist Kit Samson, who performs at the Ala Moana Hotel's Mahina Lounge Monday through Thursday nights, 7 to 10, celebrates his birthday Monday. Should be fun in the lounge ... Compadres' Rick Enos and his staff are marking their 20th year this week ... Duke's Waikiki held an 11th anniversary blast yesterday ...
The music of Puamana and Paiea, plus Chai Chaowasaree's food helped make the grand opening of Moonbow Tropics in the Moana Hotel a big success last weekend. Store G.M. is Willy Shum. Male and female models strolled through the large crowd wearing the store's island fashions. Chai was pumped about his and Hilo's Beth-Ann Nishijima's "Two Skinny Chef's" TV show, which begins next Saturday on KGMB at 6:30 p.m. It repeats at 4 p.m. on Sundays ...
Gamez likes Big Wiesy
Robert Gamez is all for Michelle Wie. Robert, who is sort of a "local boy" since he represented Ko Olina for five years on the PGA tour, said Thursday, "It's great, it's wonderful" to have The Big Wiesy play in the Sony Open. "She has a chance to make the cut." Robert relaxed with wife Lynn, caddy Bradley Whittle and others in the Halekulani Skybox after shooting an opening 67, 4 shots behind the leader and 5 shots better than Michelle's respectable 72. Wiesy teed off too late for my deadline yesterday to know if she made the cut and gets to play this weekend. I hope she made it ...
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