The Halekulani's House Without a Key, with its beachfront views of Diamond Head, the ocean and sunset, and the Hawaiian music and hula dancing, is a special spot in Hawaii. It was even more special for me and Drea Kia Friday when Cha Thompson breezed in to join three girlfriends. Cha saw us and came right over to spread aloha. With encouragement, she danced to “;Sweet Lei Mokihana,”; played and sung by the Palahana Trio. Doug Tolentino, Pakala Fernandes and Kaipo Kukahiko make up Palahana. Cha was with Rita Riggs, Suzie Kimi and Karen Burdick. “;We left the men at home,”; Cha said. Rita followed with, “;We're looking for beachboys.”; Ho, ho, ho! All four of the attractive women are happily married so no beachboys made the scene. Cha and Suzie were celebrating their birthdays and Rita took them to dinner at Orchids after cocktails at the House Without a Key. Cha said they came to the Halekulani spot because, “;It's where you can still listen to great Hawaiian music that we used to be able to hear anywhere in Waikiki in the old days”; ...

...The Waikiki Parc Hotel tossed quite a pool party to show its redesigned “;Parc Blue”; pool deck to the public Friday night. IONA maidens in lavish floats drifted in the water and “;snowflakes”; were blown over the crowd. Nobu Waikiki and Ruth's Chris catered. Music was by DJ Mr. Nick. Artists from “;Ground Up”; painted on large canvases. Philana Bouvier's firm provided peppermint martinis and rose-nectar champagne. Parc Chic wines were also served. About 250 people attended ...

Congratulations to First Hawaiian Bank's President and CEO Don Horner, 58, who got his Christmas gift a bit early this year when it was announced that he will become the bank's chairman on Dec. 31. He replaces Walter Dods, 67. I enjoy listening to Don's stories about working under the late Johnny Bellinger, a strong former FHB boss and '41 graduate of Roosevelt. He was a schoolmate of my brother and sister. Johnny would be proud of you, Don. Walter, one of St. Louis High's finest and another of Johnny's boys who wound up running FHB, remains on the bank's board and executive committee ...

When President-elect Barack Obama arrived for his Hawaii vacation, Mayor Mufi Hannemann prepared a gift basket for him. The basket was given to the HPD motorcade to pass to the Secret Service and, ultimately, to Obama. Among the items: the Honolulu Star-Bulletin's 50th anniversary of statehood photo book ... I will be on vacation celebrating Christmas and ringing in the New Year through Jan. 4. Back to work on Monday Jan. 5. The next Woodcraft will appear Wednesday Jan. 7. Happy holidays! ...