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Olympian Bryan Clay
gets his isle grinds
from the Shore Bird

Hawaii's Bryan Clay, Olympic decathlon silver medalist, was at the Outrigger Reef Hotel Friday for an autograph session. When asked if he wanted anything, "Haupia," was Bryan's reply. So Luana Maitland, Reef activities director, called Shore Bird kitchen manager Brenda Roberts, who brought haupia to Bryan and three other Olympians: Long-jump champ Dwight Phillips, shot-put silver medalist Adam Nelson, and fourth-place high jumper Jamie Nieto. David Nagaishi, operations manager of the Shore Bird and Ocean House restaurants, said the athletes were so pleased they took in the Shore Bird's Aloha Friday lunch buffet later and chowed down on kalua pig, lomi salmon, chicken long rice and poi. David said they also came in for dinner Saturday ...

Free drinks were flowing at all four of Aaron Placourakis' restaurants Saturday night when he called to say his wife Rhonda just gave birth to a boy. The 9-pounder was named Manoli, after Aaron's dad. Aaron's eateries are Aaron's and Sarento's on Oahu, and Sarento's and Nick's Fishmarket on Maui.

Gear up for the Academy's masquerade ball

An elegant masquerade ball celebrating the grand tradition of Venice is the theme for this year's Academy of Arts Starlight Ball Jan. 8. Guests are encouraged to wear masquerade or black-tie attire. A visit for two to the set of the hot ABC-TV show "Lost" is among silent-auction items. Dancers can kick up their heels under the stars to the music of Hard 2 Oppose and the Ned Flanders jazz group. Food, wine and martini bars will be set up. Tickets are a reasonable $75 and can be had by calling 532-6099. It's a benefit for children's art programs at the Academy Art Center at Linekona and Art to Go, an outreach program designed to help youths at risk. The ball is organized by the academy's Art After Dark committee, a group of young professionals ...

Kristin Zambucka has finished a screenplay, "The Menehune King: A Musical Fantasy for Animation." It's a story of battles and finally harmony in the menehune ranks. Kristin says Hollywood agents have expressed interest ... John Noland is host for a television shopping show, "Made in Hawaii," that brings island-made products into living rooms via OC16. The show runs daily except Friday at various times ...

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