ROBERT RILEY, head of the Mandarin Hotel Group, came in from Hong Kong for the Kahala Mandarin's first anniversary. "We're thrilled with the progress we've made," he said at Wednesday night's big cocktail reception. He said that from the feedback he has received "we are going in the right direction and gaining acceptance in the community." He was extremely pleased that Conde Nast Traveler in its January Gold List issue had Kahala Mandarin second in the state when it came to resorts and hotels in a people's survey. On the coming takeover of Hong Kong by China, Riley said things there are "fabulous." He added, "The transition has been going on for a number of years. Hong Kong will continue to be run by Hong Kong people" ... Supermodel Kathy Ireland, in a short, fitted dress, was at the party. The "ET," "E!" and "Access Hollywood" crews filmed Kathy here as she shot her 1998 calendar and made a video showing her swim wear line ... Chef Oliver Altherr and staff saw to it that party guests did not leave hungry. Mandarin chief
high on KahalaLINDA COBLE was a hot, hot, hot rock 'n' roll queen rocking out with Bert Sagum, and Kimo Kahoano hammed it up with a capital H doing the Elvis Presley bit as the Society of Seven unzipped its latest show at the Outrigger Main Showroom last weekend. Kimo almost made it the Society of Eight. Mark Arnold displayed a mean curled lip impersonating Elvis. Sagum and the other men of the S0S -- leader Tony Ruivivar, Gary Bautista, Hoku Low, Randy Abellar, Roy Guerzo, Wayne Wakai -- sing a variety of favorite songs and get big laughs along the way. They do many rock classics and impersonate the hit-makers. Sagum's silly stuff and costuming as a gay guy are hilarious. And master impersonator Bautista portrays a sexy wahine in "The King and I" segment with Sagum as the big stud king. It's wildly funny. There's "Evita" in this variety-filled smash production and much more. Don't miss it ...
CHARLES "Spike" Cordeiro, who died in his sleep Feb. 26 at age 72, was a great Roosevelt halfback (champs in '43) who later teamed with All-American Herman "Wedey" Wedemeyer at St. Mary's College. The team played in the Sugar Bowl in '45 and the Oil Bowl in '46. "Spike was quite the special little man that became the perfect playing companion," Wedey said this week. "He didn't say much but he expressed himself well when he did. His performance showed that. He was first class all the way." Cordeiro was small but his big play on the field earned him All Pacific Coast first-team honors ... Wedey, a former "Hawaii Five-0" regular, said he is "excited" about casting officials' contacting him about the "Five-0" pilot ... Spike was a big little man
GUESTS PAID tribute to Jimmy Borges' pianist, Betty Loo Taylor, at the Alana Waikiki Hotel last weekend as she marked a birthday. Musicians Lyle Ritz, Byron Yasui, Ken Wild and Russ Freeman sat in, and singers Rachel Gonzalez and Don Fernandes added their talents. So did hula dancer Pualani Clay. Yasuhiko Ariga has booked Borges and friends in Japan this weekend. Shari Lynn fills in at the Alana.
THE Hakone Japanese Restaurant in the Hawaii Prince Waikiki is having a Momokawa Sake Dinner March 17, St. Patrick's Day. A tasting of five sakes and a special menu by chef Masami Shimoyama is offered. It will be held at the Big isle's Hapuna Prince on March 15 and the Maui Prince on March 16 ... The Over the Hill Jass Band plays at Cisco's Cantina from 2:30 to 6 p.m. tomorrow on "I Love Kailua Day" ... Janee Starn's watercolors are on display at Ramsay Galleries through March 28 ... La Pietra-Hawaii School for Girls holds its Hoopla auction next Saturday at the Kahala Mandarin ... Don't forget the San Francisco Opera Center Singers at the Hawaii Theatre tonight ... Toasting St. Pat with sake
