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MSU grad Nicholson says
UH, state need the victory
but ...

attorney Jim Nicholson, a Michigan State grad, will be at Aloha Stadium tonight when the Spartans go up against the UH Warriors. The Warriors must beat MSU tonight to get an Aloha Bowl invite. UH needs to be in the Aloha Bowl and the state needs the Warriors in the bowl game for economic reasons, said Jim, a former National Football League offensive tackle standout, who prepped at St. Louis. "But I hate to see the Spartans lose," he added. Jim said that Hawaii's Chad Owens, with his ability and courage, has a good chance of making an NFL team as a punt return specialist. Owens has thrilled isle fans with dazzling returns, pass receptions and runs after the catch. Both he and QB Tim Chang, who owns the collegiate career pass yardage record, should receive some kind of All American team recognition ...

Starwood's P.R. stars thank the Oahu media

Starwood Hawaii's public relations stars statewide were on hand to welcome guests at a mahalo party for media reps Wednesday in the Royal Hawaiian's King Kamehameha Suite. The suite, incidentally, goes for $4,000 a night. Cynthia Rankin's voice returned in time for the party after she lost it screaming at thrilling UH football and basketball victories last weekend. She and husband, Richard, have season tickets for both teams. Other P.R. specialists attending the party who are working for Starwood or are involved with the chain were: B.J. Whitman, Napua Leong and Rika Kobayashi of the Waikiki properties, Kau'i Awai-Dickson of Kaanapali, Stephanie Reid of Princeville, Vicky Kometani from the Big Island, Starwood's Regional Communication's chief Tammy Maeda, and Sonja Swensen, Marcia George and Molly Sheehan of Stryker Weiner & Yokota. Royal Banquet Manager Coronado Aquino popped in ...

Daniel Dae Kim and Harold Perrineau play survivors on "Lost" who don't get along. But off the set they are pals and were spotted dining together at Morton's last Saturday ... Architect Doug McClaflin, Iolani '69, has returned home from California to work on the $50 million refurbishing and additions to the Lanai resorts at Koele and Manele Bay with Ann Matsunami's Pacific Asia Design Group ...

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