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Party rocks,
that’s Life

I might have been on vacation last week, but there was no way I was going to miss "Life" at E&O Trading Co. on Friday.

That seemed to be the attitude shared by a lot of others, as the Ward Centre restaurant had reached capacity long before I got there. With room for just over 200 bodies, no cover and free drinks for the first hour of the party, this place was banging by the time I rolled through about 11:30 p.m.

You didn't even have to go inside to see some of Honolulu's heavy hitters -- I spotted the O Lounge's Roni Yurong heading back to work with Goldenchild as I walked in, while KHNL's Walter Makaula sat outside and talked story with a friend. SMART Magazine's Molly Watanabe was trying to get inside as well, making the trip to "Life" from her party at Armani Exchange earlier that night.

Power 104.3's DJ Krazy K, showed up early for the free food. The restaurant served chicken skewers, egg rolls, quesadillas and hot wings, which were devoured within 30 minutes.

And Akane Clothing's Zana Tsutakawa, was there to check out the scene. I was tripping out at the realization that I'm taller than Kala'i Miller, and was that State Rep. Maile Shimabukuro representing Waianae to the fullest on the dance floor?

My only concern about "Life" had nothing to do with the way promoters G-Dog and Giorgio Taye hosted the party. If E&O Trading decides to continue with this as a weekly, they definitely have to beef up the staff and add a satellite bar or two to deal with the crowds.

There was simply no excuse for waiting 20 minutes at the bar to get a drink. It also didn't help that the guys making cocktails would serve the hot chicks who elbowed their way to the bar first, instead of those who were patiently waiting for their turn to order.

But if that small detail can be corrected, "Life" is a winning idea that deserves a return engagement. With a classy crowd, solid music and no cover, this one is worth another visit if it happens again ...

DON'T FORGET about the "Aloha Bash" tomorrow at Andrews Amphitheatre with The Wailers. Tickets are $16, and the night will include performances by B.E.T., Ho'onu'a, Kapena, Natural Vibrations and Ooklah the Moc. Call 956-4491 for more info.

I've also been told that The Wailers have been signed to perform at Don Ho's for Cinco de Mayo on Thursday. Tickets are $25 at the door; call 528-0807 for more info ...