TheBuzz Erika Engle

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A purs’nal arsenal that goes from bag to bag

Former Hawaii resident Wendy Kamahele has started a business with her almost lifelong friend, Donna Chin Dewey -- thanks to her 103-year-old grandmother, Florence Nelson.

On the 'Net: www.pursnalpal.com

The inspiration for Purs'nal Pal was Kamahele's childhood memory of Grandma Nelson's clever purse insert, which she designed and crafted.

"That's the beauty of it," Kamahele said. It has "a history so close to my heart."

It would hold all her necessities in the same place, no matter which purse she was carrying, simply by moving the insert from one to the next.

Quite handy when the little one skins a knee and needs the band-aid that mightn't have made it from yesterday's purse to the one that matches today's ensemble.

No doubt countless women realize this is yet another gold mine someone else discovered.

That it was inspired by a beloved, lefsa-making grandmother who is able to witness its success stirs emotion in Kamahele and her partner.

The two have just jumped into e-commerce with the $22.95 innovation, which is made in the U.S.A. "We love the fact that we found (a manufacturer) in Utah, so we get to support the "Made in Utah" slogan, Kamahele said.

Dave's not here, man

KPOI-FM 105.9 afternoon drive DJ Dave Lawrence has left the building. He was not on the air yesterday and his image was removed from the station Web site.

"He is no longer employed at KPOI or at Visionary Related Entertainment," said John Aeto, general manager of Visionary's Oahu stations. No employer explains "why" in personnel matters, but Aeto said, "We are very close to a replacement. An announcement will be made in a week to ten days."

Lawrence did not reply to an e-mail query.

He was the subject of an online petition drive in May when he questioned his job security on the air. The iPetitions page bears 15 signatures. There is also the Dave Lawrence Army fan site.

Lawrence's recent airing of negative comments about his now-former employer is mentioned among dozens of posts on Craigslist's Oahu rants and raves page. As of this writing, there are posts praising the station for his departure.