ANOTHER Pearl Harbor Day looms next week, and Isle residents this year will have a great opportunity to hear some nisei veterans "talk story" about where they were on that fateful day 57 years ago, and their subsequent experiences on the battlefields of Europe and in the Pacific fighting for the U.S. Many of these normally stoic gents will be at the Japanese Cultural Center in Moiliili on Monday to share their stories in a public forum. Anyone wishing to purchase the new book containing many of their stories, "Japanese Eyes ... American Heart," may do so and get a $5 discount ... Nisei share
WWII storiesWE tweaked AutoWeek a couple of weeks ago for an item and they've now responded: "Yes, Geography Geeks, we've heard there's no island of Kona in Hawaii where we drove the Isuzu VehiCROSS. Thanks for all your notes telling us Kona is a city on the island of Hawaii." ... No wonder Mark Ellman is handling the food at the opening of Don Ho's Island Grill in the Aloha Tower Marketplace. After 11 years, he's serving his final dinner before closing Avalon in Lahaina on Dec. 13. It'll be a benefit for the Hawaiian language immersion preschools program on Maui, and Hapa will perform ...
NOW performing Tuesday even-ings at Havana Cabana on Nuuanu are Ernie Cruz Jr. and John Porlas Jr., both formerly with the Ka'au Krater Boys, and BB Shawn plans to regularly sit in with them ... Agnes Kimura, Japan slack-key guitarist and singer of Hawaiian songs, will be making just one Oahu appearance during her whirlwind Hawaii visit. On Monday night, she'll be at Barnes & Noble in Kahala Mall ...
Venerable Bridges
WHEN Waikiki resident Peggy Bridges celebrated her 100th birthday, Keith Haugen and wife Carmen were joined by a group of singers from Star of the Sea School in singing "Happy Birthday" to her. At the time, they promised to return for all her future birthday parties. Well, so far the Haugens and their kids have reprised the tune for Peggy's 101st, 102nd and on Tuesday, her 103rd birthday. They promised to be back next year, noting the birthday girl looked great and life goes on pretty much as it has for the previous 103 years with one exception -- she no longer drives a car ...EVER the promoter of her Illy Espresso, Ruth Lin was cast as a judge on "Fantasy Island," and before Malcolm McDowell, Dean Cain and the rest of the cast and crew realized it, they found she'd set up an espresso machine and her coffee for all to experience what she calls "a coffee fantasy." ... Former Punahou student Paul Henderson and wife Kay operate a gem of a country inn in Devon, England, called Gidleigh Park. I spent a memorable three days there 20 years ago. The Hendersons have to be pleased that travel guru Andrew Harper has listed it among his 20 true worldwide "hideaways." Back from a holiday there is Paul's brother, localite Bill Henderson who with his brother, Lofton, and their 87-year-old father, enjoyed a hideaway reunion of their own ...
AIDS Day Urges Change
THE fallen were remembered, and those still here celebrated life at the 11th annual AIDS Day on the KCC campus Tuesday. Who couldn't be moved by Maui's Al and Jane Nakatani? They shared their experiences of dealing with the loss of two sons to AIDS, and one to murder. Spirit-lifting music was provided by Jerry Santos, Kim Char Meredith, both the Honolulu Men's and Women's Chorus and emcee Jade Moon urged the crowd to "Be a Force for Change" in the fight against AIDS ...
Dave Donnelly has been writing on happenings
in Hawaii for the Star-Bulletin since 1968.
His columns run Monday through Friday.Contact Dave by e-mail: donnelly@kestrok.com.