Retired Army Col. Hal Okita and I went to Robert Louis Stevenson Intermediate together during World War II. When he read that I had shingles on Christmas Eve, he sent me a “hang tough” email. I thanked him and asked if he could send me some info on his daughter, Teri Okita, a former KGMB anchor and noted CBS journalist, who besides news stories worked major red-carpet events.
She sent me a letter that brings her story up to date and offers praise for her dad, who received the Aloha Section PGA’s Ho‘okuleana Lifetime Achievement Award on Feb. 11 at the Manoa Grand Ballroom. The award recognizes “exceptional contributions made from an individual to the Hawaii golf industry,” according to the group.
After a 27-year military career, Okita played a crucial role in developing the Army Golf Association and also worked to develop the Royal Kunia Golf Course. He served as general manager of Mid Pacific Country Club and executive director of the Hawaii State Golf Association.
“I am so proud as a peacock of my father. … It is so well-deserved,” Teri wrote in her letter. “I know he is too humble to ever say so himself.”
Still a CBS correspondent, she moved to London in September.
“London is truly an international city and there’s so much texture and flavor to it,” Teri said. “I am quickly learning how to act like a Brit, riding the Tube, taking afternoon tea and carrying an umbrella for the frequent rain shower. I’ve even learned how to drive on the opposite side of the road! I haven’t met the Queen yet, but it’s a goal of mine.”
Some of her recent stories include coverage of Brexit, the royal family and international reaction to Donald Trump’s White House.
Hawaii’s Bruno Mars and Kalani Pe‘a made the isles proud at last Sunday’s Grammys, and let’s hope Auli‘i Cravalho will continue the trend in next Sunday’s Academy Awards show when she sings the Oscar-nominated song from “Moana,” “How Far I’ll Go.”
Honolulu twins Jordan and Aaron Kandell of Twin Ink Inc. were writers on Disney’s “Moana” and inked a deal on their latest script “Adrift at Sea,” which will star Shailene Woodley. The Kandells will be in L.A. attending parties and events leading up to the Oscar show. Born and raised in Honolulu, they graduated from ‘Iolani School and went on to study film and creative writing at the University of Southern California.
Aaron Kandell trained on the Hokule‘a for eight months about eight years ago, giving him context for the movie about the wayfaring Moana.
They have written feature film and television projects for Disney Animation, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, Legendary and Paramount. The Kandells are two of five screenwriters who worked on “Moana.” They are credited with creating the core relationship between Moana and Maui.
Auli‘i, 16, the Kamehameha junior with a beautiful smile, will sing “How Far I’ll Go” with the tune’s composer, Lin-Manuel Miranda. He wrote and starred in the Broadway blockbuster “Hamilton.” Hollywood superstar Dwayne Johnson, who voiced Maui the demigod in “Moana,” spent some time as a teen at McKinley High.
Honolulu-born Nicole Scherzinger, of Pussycat Dolls fame, has the role as Moana’s mother, Sina.
“Moana” also received an Academy Award nomination for best animated feature.
Bruno was sensational at the Grammys. The Roosevelt High graduate and his band knocked out the crowd with his tribute to Prince as he danced, sang and played terrific solo guitar on “Let’s Go Crazy.” He shined earlier doing “That’s What I Like.” Pe‘a won a Grammy for his “E Walea” album.
Last but not least in our list of stars with Hawaii links we have Keanu Reeves, whose new film “John Wick: Chapter 2” is on local screens. Reeves has family here.
Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets during World War II, writes of people, places and things. Contact him via email at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
