People organizing the Hawaii Writers Conference's Writers Block Gala fundraiser Sept. 4 at the Sheraton Waikiki really know how to attract a crowd. They have landed singer-pianist Norah Jones to perform. They say it's Norah's first-ever private engagement. Call 739-5500 for tickets that start at $250 and for more info ... Kristian Lei and Honolulu Broadway Babies present “;A Broadway Fashion Rock Revue”; June 4, 5 and 6 at Leeward Community College Theatre ... The Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraising gala at the Hawai'i Convention Center May 9 raised $170,200 ... Audra Stevenson marked her birthday Tuesday at Stage with friends ...

AT The National Economics Challenge competition this month in New York, 'Iolani School students represented Hawaii and the West in both divisions of the competition. 'Iolani students won the competition last year, but this year they came in second. However, their trip was by no means a loss. A major highlight came May 15 when coaches Dick Rankin, Richie Kubota and students attended “;South Pacific.”; Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the show. Afterward, all were invited backstage to visit with Hawaii's Tony Award nominee Loretta Ables Sayre, who plays Bloody Mary. Loretta's husband, Dave Sayre, made the arrangements. Loretta attended Radford High with 'Iolani team member Mark Grozen-Smith's mom, Marcia. The students brought leis for Loretta, who showed them the production's props and costumes ...

Kapolei High School Principal Alvin Nagasako coordinated a group of 20 students, led by Fine Arts Academy and photography teacher Amanda Kim, to trek to Chanel Waikiki for the photography exhibit featuring images of Coco Chanel. The photos were taken by Douglas Kirkland in 1962 for Look magazine, when Jackie Kennedy was wearing Chanel in the White House and Kirkland was just 27 and riding a Vespa (Italian mo-ped) in Paris. Chanel, who was very private and could be difficult, must have liked him, as the photo shoot ran two weeks. Maryknoll teachers Glenn Silva (French and art appreciation) and Stephanie Conching (fine arts) brought 12 students to the exhibit on the city bus. The exhibit runs through next Saturday, with validated parking at King Kalakaua Plaza. The limited-edition photographs are for sale with prices from $3,000 to $6,500. Ten percent of the proceeds go to the Children's Cancer Foundation. Kirkland and wife Francoise attended the “;new”; Halekulani's recent 25th-anniversary party with Chanel's Joyce Okano and Tia Gaurani. Chanel held its opening party 25 years ago at the hotel. Kirkland praised Chanel.

“;I was awed and inspired by her and grew up a great deal”; on the photo shoot, he said. “;She encouraged me to move to a bigger and better world. She formed me.”; ...

SWINGING ON: The good guys at Koolau Golf Club are offering U.S. military members free golf Wednesday. Call 236-4653, ext. 1, for a tee time ... Ruth Ann Becker's vacation earlier this year took her to the prestigious Masters golf tourney in Augusta, Ga. She wore a golf top from Hoakalei Country Club and followed Ernie Els on the Augusta course. Ernie designed the Hoakalei golf course at the Haseko Hawaii Resort, a Becker Communications client ...