[ DEAR DAVE... ]
A void to be filled
You always appreciated
a good story
Aloha, Dave ... Don't know if you've got e-mail up and running where you are, but thought I'd try and send this anyway. It feels strange after all these years of sending you column items and joining you at various events about town to suddenly not have you here ... to share stories of the famous, as well as the guy or girl next door.
You've helped me as a publicist to put the spotlight on a client. You've helped me as a friend, creating awareness for charity events dear to my heart. And you've just helped me share some wonderful stories over the years that would bring a smile, chuckle or heart tug to your readers. You always appreciated the story more than anything, and that is what made you and your column special. You also never held back on your opinions, no matter whose feathers you ruffled -- and I always chuckled at and applauded that. I still have items in my e-mail draft folder, works in progress that I never got to send to you.
I just went through my "Donnelly" files and was amazed at how many clips have been crammed in there over the years -- hundreds of them. My excitement over getting something in your column never waned after all this time. Other publicists teased me about it, rolling their eyes, but I knew the value of a drop in your column and enjoyed it. I reread some of the clips, which took me back to those times with a bittersweet smile.
STAR-BULLETIN / 1999
Mona Wood helped her friend, Dave Donnelly, prepare to take the stage at his Hawaii Theatre roast in 1999.
I REMEMBER the time I told you about my assistant's dad's generosity when a motorist pulled up at the gas pump next to his, out of luck, out of money, AND out of gas. He didn't even hesitate to fill up her tank, and was more embarrassed when she bawled loudly with disbelief and gratitude. My assistant told me her dad was upset we had told you the story, not wanting any recognition. But it turned out to be a blessing when so many good things came out of it, and more people told him it made them try to do good deeds, as well. I have so many other stories like that, and others that caused us to crack up or just feel "connected" somehow. That was the magic of your column, Dave.
But what do I do with these items in my draft folder now? I was just out the other night and found myself thinking, "I've got to send this to Dave!" and stopped in midthought. Although you've left this place, I still find myself wanting to share a tidbit or laugh with you. So I thought it would be a waste not to send them anyway! So, here's my last column drops to you, Dave, in homage to you.
* * * * *Longtime radio exec and on-air personality, and still the voice of KGMB 9, Mahlon Moore, may have disappeared from our radio dials at 99.5 FM after being terminated by New Wave Broadcasting last September -- on his birthday, no less! But the amiable Moore's commitment to offering Hawaiian music to the masses has far from disappeared. He recently launched "The Breeze of Hawaii," a live Web cast at www.breezeofhawaii.com. He has already received a tremendous amount of e-mail from all over the country since word started getting out. Hula halau here and on the mainland are his best supporters, spreading the news like wildfire. ...
When Daisy Yamada, CPM and GM of Waikiki Trade Center, was recently installed as 2004 president of the Institute of Real Estate Management (or IREM) at the Honolulu Country Club, she took the light rains at the start of the evening as a blessing, as many of us do here. But this was Dec. 7, the night of the torrential rains and floods, and by the end of the night's festivities, heavy sheets of rain had caused major flooding, car stalls and drenched evening attire, causing Yamada to quip, "I guess needed more blessings than I had thought. Think this will cover me for the entire year!" ...
Harris and Jan Nakamura literally "went to the dogs" in Las Vegas, where they attended the wedding of Jan's co-worker at Synergy Design, Bonnie Taam Sakai. While the other Hawaii guests enjoyed gambling, shopping and fabulous shows on the strip, the dog-loving Nakamuras trekked way off the beaten path to catch a show called "Hypnolarious" featuring Deogee, the Hypno Pup -- a dog that hypnotizes people. Jan admitted, embarrassed, that it was the worst show they had ever seen, and walked out before it was over. But, they hope their $40-per-person ticket price at least went to take care of the dog! ...
Niki Jones, daughter of UH football coach June Jones, recently left for London for a Study Abroad semester. She was my PR intern this past semester, leaning toward a communications degree, and eager to gain the experience of crazy PR life. She shared a funny story one day after returning from the bank on an errand. She checked her balance and discovered that her usually skimpy account now had six figures! She knew "dad" had gotten a "good raise" this year but didn't think he'd be quite so generous, and started thinking about shopping! Her bubble quickly burst when the teller realized there was a mistake and that her balance might buy her -- a nice lunch, maybe. ...
We often hear about ill-fated travelers who take lava rocks from the volcanos on the Big Island; there's even a book about it called "Power Stones" that came out some years ago. Well, the superstition isn't isolated to the Big Island. KHNL reporter and weekend anchor Diane Ako found herself "cursed" after taking home a rock from Blue Pool in Hana recently. A string of "bad luck" started as soon as she returned from the trip, culminating in losing her diamond wedding ring and diving into a trash bin to look for it -- unsuccessfully. A friend advised her to return the rock, as Hana is a sacred area, so Ako made plans to return it personally as soon as she could schedule the trip. In the meantime, she put the rock on her Buddhist altar, prayed and asked forgiveness, even telling the rock it would be going home soon. The day finally came. As she ate lunch in her rented condo, her husband, Affordable Casket's Claus Hansen, went to look at the map on the wall behind her. She then felt him kiss her head affectionately, so she turned to look up at him, but he wasn't there. He was absorbed in the map a few feet away, and swears he never kissed her head. Ako asked the building manager about ghosts, and she said that the place is haunted, and proceeded to tell Ako a few tales and some hasty, middle-of-the-night checkouts by frazzled guests. But Ako took it all in stride and figured the kiss was friendly enough and that perhaps the spirit was pleased she had come to return the rock. ...
-- Aloha, Mona
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