The Kahala Hotel's Christmas season got off to a bright start last weekend with its annual tree-lighting celebration. Nita Borick, a regular Kahala guest for decades, switched on the lights for not just one, but three big trees in the main lobby. At the Nov. 27 lighting were hotel general manager Thomas Pauly, who greeted guests; his wife, Charlotte; and their children, Benjamin, 13, Daniella, 11, Oliver, 9, and Nicolas, 11 months. The Kahala partnered with Kapiolani Medical Center to raise funds for the hospital. Kapiolani's Martha Smith and Kim Gennaula spoke. The stars of the evening were the Hula Hui o Kapunahala performers, particularly the 65 youngsters from the Nuuanu YMCA's Hawaiian-studies program. Of the 65 only two were boys: Keanu Dayton, 7, and Daniel Kam, 8. How did those two handle all those girls? There were 101 in the entire group of volunteers, ranging in age from 3 to 83. Betty Parker is senior at 83, followed by Lorraine May, 82, and Laura Kitamura, 81. Those gals are tough. Well costumed, the group sang, danced and played instruments. Their outstanding leader-vocalist-uke player is Carolee Nishi. Santa posed for photos. Keeping the event rolling was emcee Stuart Kotake. Monetary donations for the hospital were accepted at the concierge desk ...

Mayor Mufi Hannemann and City Council Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz are not what could be called bosom political buddies, but there they were, sitting at the same table at the Divito Ritmo Dance Grand Ball at the Sheraton Waikiki Ballroom Nov. 21. Rep. Joey Manahan sat with them. They were invited by dancer Maria “;Baby”; Handl. The mayor even got up to sing as some of the 360 guests danced. A guest who drew attention was Korean soap actress Kyung Hee Kim, sitting at the table of former Sony Hawaii chief Don Kim. The dinner-dance was a showcase for students of Lucas Jaime and Yanna Samkova. Philippine Consul General Jun Cardenas was at a table that included Jean Ariyoshi and Joan Bickson. Deejay was Raymond Cruz ...

Tragic: The news that Carl and Rae Lindquist of Hana apparently were swept out to sea in a vehicle accident on Thanksgiving night came as a terrible shock to me. Carl and I were close buddies at the University of Hawaii in the early 1950s. We drank beer and listened to jukebox music together at Charley's Tavern. The Lindquists moved to Hana after a successful publishing career on Oahu. He was highly regarded by the Hana community for his good works. Carl loved music and was the driving force behind the Hana Music Festival, which drew some of Hawaii's top entertainers. Carl and his late Trade Publishing Co. partner Don Over were also fun guys. They and a band of merry men were well known for their practical jokes. Some were legendary, including one that involved a surplus torpedo that was at least 12 feet long. It was disarmed, of course, but it still created damage. Just ask Franklin ”;Bamboo”; Opperman ...

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).