Pals Kika Matsumoto, writer Joan Namkoong and chef Bev Gannon shared the same big birthday earlier this year. Kika said it was their “;39th—again.”;   OK. Anyway, to mark their “;39th”; the trio and several of their friends flew to France in early June and chartered a barge that took them trough the Burgundy region. “;It is great being able to say you are an American in Europe again,”; said Kika. For example, Kika said Bev had a great experience in Paris when she caught a taxi to Notre Dame. “;The cab driver told her to give him only five euros instead of six and take the extra euro and burn a candle in the cathedral for President Obama's safety.”; Obama was in Paris when the islanders were there and they saw his motorcade. Kika said they waved to him and gave him the “;shaka”; sign. Kika's company, Kika Inc., books entertainers and shows for hotels, conventions and other events. Her birthday was July 6. She marked her day having lunch with friends at the Kahala Hotel. The following day she had lunch at Stage with Halekulani G.M. Gerald Glennon, Kahala G.M. Thomas Pauly, Trump Hotel chief Scott Ingwers and Kelly Hoen, a local girl who is G.M. of the Royal Hawaiian. Hmmm, I wonder what they were talking about ...

Ruth Lin came into this world with a bang on a Fourth of July and she celebrated this year watching the Ala Moana fireworks at a prime table at the Chart House, thanks to manager Scott Okamoto. Ruth's son, Andrew, tossed the dinner party for 16 people. Ruth said she turned 39. Sounds familiar. Ruth's daughter, Deborah, is married to actor James Gandolfini ...

Publicist Lisa Josephsohn's 60th birthday was July 7. Sally and Don Parker, Cherye and Jim Pierce, Janie and Mark Davis hosted a party for her July 10. Lisa has cancer but was feeling well enough to attend the party at the Parkers' home. About 40 of her closest friends attended. Out-of-staters included Richard Vida of New York, Charlotte and Stanley Kandel of L.A., David Hoch of North Carolina, Vicki Jones from Australia, Bob Carrington of San Francisco and former islander Jamie Hartnett of Carlsbad, Calif. Entertainment was provided by Sally's daughter, singer Leslie Goldman, and pianists Don Conover and Kit Samson. Davis' famous ribs were included in the selection of pupus and Indru Watumull provided samosas ...

Mayor Mufi Hannemann had a pre-birthday luncheon at Stage Wednesday. The mayor was with attorney Lori Stone and businessman Marc Tilker. The mayor's 55th birthday was Thursday and his main event was held that evening at Pearl. It was a gathering for about three dozen people, mostly employees who work in the mayor's and managing director's office. They paid for the party and sang happy birthday to him. The mayor thanked them and did not sing, even though a band was there ...