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Hawaii Diary Michelle Ramos |
Rodeo clown Dudley hurt,
benefit scheduled SundayTalk about one tough guy. Former Star-Bulletin employee Chris Dudley left the paper a year ago to become a rodeo clown. On Feb. 15, Dudley, a k a "Jed Jed," while in his bright orange clown shirt, was gored by a 1,500-pound bull right below his right cheek and kicked by the same bull in his right temple while working at the Panaewa Pro-Am Rodeo. He was in a coma for four days but within a month was out and about -- not wrestling with bulls though. Although Dudley has had a miraculous recovery, he still has some nerve damage and skull fractures. To help Dudley with his injury related expenses, local artist Patrick Ching is putting together a "Puka Head Bash" Sunday. There will be a mountain oyster cooking contest, games, entertainment, ono food and horseback rides for the keiki. Charlie Garrett of AM 940, the radio station that is co-sponsoring the event with Correa Ranch, will host. Tickets are $20 and children 10 and under are free. The bash will be held from 3 p.m. to sunset at Correa Ranch (41-050 Kalanianaole Highway) in Waimanalo. For information call Ching at 259-5354. ... Ching owns the Naturally Hawaiian store in Waimanalo that has a sign in the window saying he accepts Visa, Mastercard, Cash, Fish or Poi. Recently, Ching's friend Lou Kamanu walked in with eight freshly caught akule. In return, Ching gave him one of his prints and a T-shirt that had the same saying that is on the sign in the window. The aloha spirit lives ...
Another person with much aloha is Elaine Ota, formerly with the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, and now with the USO office. Ota has been helping to ease the departure of approximately 200 troops every day by providing snacks for the troops while they wait at Hickam Air Base for their ride. We can share the aloha spirit too. Ota is looking for brownies, cupcakes, cookies and other snacks for the troops. Some savvy businesses have been individually wrapping the items and placing their labels on them. Drinks have been provided by Coca-Cola. Deployments could continue through June, so call Ota at 836-3351 if you can help.
One last plea for help. Jazz guitarist Robert Shinoda had his custom-made koa strat-style guitar with a "Stringman" headstock stolen on May 5 from the Kakaako area. Shinoda heads the band Nueva Vida and has had the guitar for 25 years. He is offering a "no questions" reward for information or recovery. If you have any information, call him at 282-4582.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Hawaii Diary runs every Tuesday. Send items to mramos@starbulletin.com