A movie about things
burning down for the girls

John Travolta and Joaquin Phoenix's new movie "Ladder 49" is a cleverly disguised "chick" flick, though don't worry guys, it's not at the same level as "Terms of Endearment." No doubt sparked by tales of heroism during 9/11, the film tells the touching story of Jack Morrison (Joaquin Phoenix) as he makes his transition from an inexperienced rookie to a seasoned fireman. There are several funny scenes and it's a movie the whole family can enjoy. It opens Oct. 1. ... Local filmmakers Vilsoni Hereniko and Jeannette Paulson Hereniko -- their film "The Land Has Eyes" played Friday as part of the Cinema Paradise Film Festival -- continue to jetset around the world. The couple leaves soon for New York City where their film will screen at the Smithsonian's Museum of the American Indian. Then, they are off to the Toronto Film and Media Arts Festival. The couple has had a busy year since their film's world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January. They've attended festivals in Rotterdam, Brisbane, Moscow and Montreal. It's no wonder they are planning to take a break soon. ... Another connection to Cinema Paradise -- Eric Balfour came by Indigo's Friday Night Launch Party of the film festival and stayed for an hour. That evening's big movie was "Point and Shoot," but NYC director/actor Shawn Regruto and model co-star Athena Currey were not on "the list" at the front door. A UH photographer finally found them across the street with friends and family at Hana Hou Lounge singing karaoke. ...

Mahalo to the 300 volunteers who spent their Saturday cleaning our land and water and collecting information to help preserve and protect our island. "It was such a success," said Iwalani Sato of the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers. "A lot of people don't realize that everyone has a role in the health of the watershed." Thank yous go out to volunteers from the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor Residence, Ala Wai Watershed Association, Clean Island Counsel, Dept. of Health's Clean Water Branch, Dept. of Transportation's Highways Division, Halekoa Parks & Recreation Dept., Hawaii Convention Center Employee Activities Group, Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Assn., Hawaii Yacht Club, Home Depot, Honolulu Police Academy, Junior Girl Scouts, Kaimuki High School, State Harbor Master, UH Marine Option Program, UH ROTC, UH Sea Grant Extension Program, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waikiki Aquarium, Waikiki Improvement Association, Waikiki Yacht Club and Yacht Harbor Tower Residence. Also to City & County departments: Facilities Maintenance, Road Maintenance, Refuse Division and Parks & Recreation.

Last week I gave out the wrong name of an HPD tech advisors for the show "Hawaii." My apologies to Lt. Kevin Katamoto. The other tech advisor is Det. Michael Cho. ...