Hawaiian Airlines' Kao'e Kea (high-flying bird) pioneer DC-3 hostesses had one of their best annual reunions at Ala Moana Hotel last Saturday night. HAL's Lori MacKenzie surprised the crowd when she arrived with three of today's flight attendants — Robyn Kam, Jeanie Helm and Tammy Whitten — wearing replica uniforms worn in 1943, 1945 and 1956. Ka'oe cofounder Abigail Chong said, “;It was a treat to see our former uniforms. It brought back memories of how beautiful and THIN we were.”; Cofounder Carole Mae Vanderford added, “;We looked so professional, didn't we?”; Another surprise was the little book, “;The DC-3 Hostesses.”; HAL exec Brian Worth unveiled the book that was Abigail's idea and was compiled and edited by Hale Ka'ohu Rowland, who also was the night's emcee. In one of the book's stories, hostess Louise Olivieri Munoz tells how the planes' windows were blacked out so passengers could not see Pearl Harbor and military stations during World War II. Call Hale at 395-7476 for a $10 book, which benefits storm refugees in Samoa and the Philippines ...

... This year marks HAL's 80th anniversary. In 1940, the airline hired four stewards. During the war they carried guns. In 1943 the four men went to war and Hawaiian hired four women: Momi Jacobs, Leolani Blaisdell, Ulalei Frendo and Nora Auna Kaaua to replace them ...  There was much entertainment during the reunion by Pa'ahana — Doug Tolentino, Kapala Fernandes and Kaipo Kukahiko — and A Touch of Gold — Taylor Hoopii, Frank and William Makaawaawa, Keao Low and Bill Sapolu. Hula was by the retired hostesses. HAL had a film crew interview some of the former pilots and hostesses. Pilot Bob MaGuire described how his DC-3 was hit while sitting on the tarmac during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack ...

... Country music star Lee Ann Womack performed for some 3,500 25th Division soldiers and their families at Schofield Thursday eve. It was a welcome home from Iraq concert for the soldiers. While here, the singer visited with wounded soldiers during the USO-sponsored trip ...  Podiatrist Greg Morris, aka the ”;Stanford Sawbones,”; has to be a happy guy. Two weeks ago his Stanford football team knocked off Oregon and last Saturday his boys beat USC, both West Coast powerhouses. And last weekend, Hawaii's Michelle Wie, a Stanford student, won the LPGA Lorena Ochoa Invitational ...

The Academy of Arts World Art Bazaar opens next Saturday and runs through Dec. 13 at the Academy Art Center at Linekona. The World Art Bazaar is called a one-of-a-kind shopping opportunity as the Academy's gallery offers an array of selected clothing, jewelry, antiques, masks, small furnishings and more from around the globe. There is something to fit every budget and taste ...

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Ben Wood, who sold the Star-Bulletin on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things Saturdays. E-mail him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).