HEAVY, MAN

Hefty passenger won't take insult sitting down

Southwest Airlines apologized to movie director Kevin Smith for booting him off a short California flight as too fat to fly. It's doubtful the airline would have shown such remorse had the insulted passenger not been both well-known and outspoken. Smith (”;Clerks,”; “;Chasing Amy”;) raised a stink on his Twitter page, posting a picture of himself sitting on the plane (he contended he could buckle his seat belt and lower both armrests, as the airline requires). No need to feel too sorry for Smith though. Southwest gave him a $100 flight coupon. More valuable is the free publicity for his latest movie (”;Cop Out”;). That's probably worth the embarrassment.

BIG FAT FUN

Party rolls on in New Orleans

It's been quite a party in New Orleans, with the Saints winning the Super Bowl and the region steadily creeping back to stability after Hurricane Katrina's destruction. This year's good times roll to a head today, when Mardi Gras parades will close down businesses and revelers take over the French Quarter. Locally, Fat Tuesday parties are being staged around town. Malasadas, anyone?

NICE SLICE

Pizza chain's return to Hawaii feeds sense of nostalgia

Ah, to relive childhood in the present.

That's what comes to mind when long-gone icons from the past get a second coming years later.

First it was Farrell's, that cheerfully noisy ice cream parlor that hosted many trough-filled birthday parties back in the day. After a generation-long absence, it re-emerged at Pearlridge Shopping Center and Windward Mall.

Now it's Shakey's Pizza Parlors, which many will remember fondly from decades ago on Keeaumoku Street, with the distinctive neon sign at the corner. Many thin-crust pizzas, fried chickens and Mojo Potatoes were consumed.

The new Shakey's will have a soft opening Feb. 24 at Waipahu Town Center, says franchisee Brad Vandeman. On behalf of nostalgic souls, we say, “;Shaka, Shakey's!”;