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Academy Awards party
benefits HIFF

The Hawaii International Film Festival will roll out the red carpet at the Pacific Club tomorrow for the Academy Awards party. This HIFF benefit is Hawaii's only Oscar party sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, one of 45 official parties taking place across the nation. Dress is black-tie optional. Starting at 3 p.m., guests will watch the Oscar telecast live on several large screens. The $150 ticket ($100 for HIFF Ohana members) includes dinner and drinks. Call Andrea Notestine at the HIFF office, 528-3456 ext. 11, for ticket information. Tickets also will be sold at the Pacific Club door ... The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa will be part of the Academy Awards by providing 125 gift certificates for Ihilani six-night stays worth $9,359 each to Oscar presenters and performers ...

Thompson, Muneno hold wedding reception

Nainoa Thompson and Kathy Muneno held their much awaited wedding reception at the Thompson estate in Niu Valley last weekend. Kathy wanted it to be held on a night with a full moon as a good omen so Feb. 19 was chosen. Guests included Ben and Vicky Cayetano, John and Lynn Waihee, and Kathy's KITV co-workers Paula Akana, Paul Guanzon, Gary Sprinkle and Robert Kekaula, who was emcee. Entertainment was by Genoa Keawe, Kawika Kahiapo and Alea. Lilikala Kameeleihiwa and Kealii Gora performed chants, blessing the couple. The couple married last year ...

Quinn Kelsey, appearing in "Turandot" tomorrow (sold out), Tuesday and Thursday at Blaisdell Concert Hall, has been selected as one of two U.S. contestants in the annual BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition in Wales this summer. Kelsey joins 23 singers from around the world for the Cardiff competition. The part-Hawaiian baritone was selected from a field of hundreds. Kelsey, a UH graduate who began his career with the Hawaii Opera Theatre, is now a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The Chicago company has an acclaimed training program for young professional singers ...

Old-timers will remember the tight four-part harmony of Buddy Fo and the Invitations. Harry B. Soria Jr., "The Albino Blahlah," will feature their music on his "Territorial Airwaves" show tomorrow from 5 to 6 p.m. on Hawaiian 105 KINE-FM ...

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