Wood Craft Ben Wood

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Jon Lovitz surprises crowd at Wyland Waikiki hotel party

So when Wyland Waikiki G.M. Robin Graf introduced Wyland to the crowd at Wyland's hotel Friday night, up stepped comedian Jon Lovitz, posing as Wyland, wearing a baseball cap and an aloha shirt. Wyland suggested the gag as he and Lovitz are pals. About 200 people attended the event, including Daniel Dae Kim of "Lost" and Miko Brando, Marlon's son. A silent auction raised about $7,000 for the Wyland Foundation and the Kokua Hawaii Foundation. Willie K, bass guitarist Mark Epstein and drummer Kris Thomas entertained for two hours. Later there was an impromptu jam session. Outrigger manages the hotel ...

Hawaii Public Radio is holding its "Almost New Everything-But-Vinyl Music Sale" Monday at the Atherton Performing Arts Studio, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry donation is $3. Many Latin Jazz and reggae CDs are available this year. Besides a variety of CDs, audio cassettes, laser disks, DVDs, tapes, videos, sheet music, books and "gently used audio equipment" will be offered. Everything is being sold at low, low prices ... Ukulele whiz Jake Shimabukuro performs on NBC's "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" Feb. 19 ... Veteran newspaperman Dave Feldman and his wife, Betty, are visiting Oahu and Kauai. Dave worked for the Star-Bulletin for a short time in 1957 ...

Hank Auerbach dies of cancer Jan. 9 in Seattle

Sad news for me when I heard from Mark Auerbach last week that his brother, Hank, 76, died Jan. 9 of pancreatic cancer in Seattle. Hank's daughter, Debbie Thorne, and son, John Auerbach, were with him when he died, singing Hawaiian songs, Debbie said yesterday. Hank's other children are Christina Auerbach Gassaway, and Kari and Sophie Auerbach. Hank, Mark, 74, and Shay Auerbach, who died last May at age 77, were like my brothers when we were growing up on Piikoi Street and attending Lincoln Elementary. Hank, Mark and I were spinning tops on Piikoi when Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. Hank made Seattle his home after he retired as an executive from Pan American Airways following a successful career. I would visit him in London when he ran northern Europe for the airline. He lived in a big home in an exclusive area behind Harrod's. Actress Faye Dunaway lived across the street. Deep condolences go out to Hank's family ...