---

Kick Start Karate
benefit for kids’
programs tops goal

The Taste of Kick Start Karate benefit at the Bayer Estate Sunday topped its goal of $20,000 for the program that keeps youngsters, 7 to 18, on the right path. The program at the Police Academy was started in 1995 by former Police Chief Lee Donohue, a karate expert, and educator Amy Abe. Lee explained what the program was all about and a film was shown of the students taking karate classes. UH grad Tamara Agunat and Chaminade student Mayrie Aquino told how Kick Start helped get them into college. Deputy Chiefs Glen Kajiyama and Paul Putzulu attended. It was an affair full of warmth, with Kick Start kids serving food and beverages donated by Alan Wong's, Shanghai Bistro, Alonzo's, Yatai Sushi and Better Brands. Mayor Mufi Hannemann attended and sang "Honolulu I Am Coming Back Again." This mayor really gets around. The event was organized by Leanne Williams, daughter of Lee and Lucy Donohue. Her brothers, Police Sgt. Lee Jr. and Steve, assisted. Junior and his wife, Karen, are Kick Start Karate instructors. Leanne's husband, Jeff, and Lyle Hosoda, Kalono Sabedong and Isaac Akuna played island music. Visiting most every table on the beachfront grounds was a big dog wearing a lei, the pet of Bayer Estate owners Sooz and Richard Mirikitani. Call Leanne at 286-8831 for Kick Start information. It's a worthy program ...

Attorney Green involved in high-profile N.Y. case

Attorney Michael Green is representing one of several defendants in a high-profile New York case, Multicultural Radio Broadcasting vs. Radio Free America, doing business as Air America Radio. The Air America program is a talk show with political satire starring Al Franken and is carried nationally on radio stations. The basis of the case is fraud and fraudulent transfer of assets. The defendants are investors in RFA, including some with very deep pockets ...

VUE Hawaii is giving a 40 percent discount Sept. 16-18, to anyone making a donation for Katrina survivors ... Dixie Grill on Ward raised $3,300 for the Red Cross to help storm victims on Labor Day through the sale of chicken plate lunches ... Karaoke at Ige's and 19th Puka in Aiea Thursday raised $1,376 for the cause ...

---