Willie K plucks strings to kokua Kick Start Karate

By Ben Wood

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Sep 09, 2011

~~MORE THAN 200 people jammed the front and back lawns of the Bayer Estate Sunday for the ninth annual Taste of Kick Start. The fundraising goal of $30,000 was exceeded for Kick Start Karate, a program headed by former police Chief Lee Donohue to keep youngsters on the right path. Willie K, a former karate student who has helped in keeping Kick Start youngsters straight, entertained with his guitar and uke. He was fabulous singing Hawaiian, jazz, kachi kachi, pops and even opera. You name it and Willie can sing it. The big Hawaiian is something else. Kapakahi, with strong vocals and instrumental skills, performed during much of the afternoon. It is made up of Teneri Ma‘afala, Rory Souza, Richard Peralta and Wendell Kailihiwa. Randy Luna was emcee. Food and beverages were provided by Alan Wong’s, Roy’s, Rick Karasaki’s Firehouse Stew, Tanioka’s, Uncle Bo’s, Diamond Head Seafood, Yatai Sushi, Better Brands, Anheuser Busch and Pepsi. Kick Start youngsters brought food to guests at tables who did not hit the booths. Fundraising coordinator was Leanne Williams, Lee and Luci Donohue’s daughter. The waterfront Bayer Estate in Aina Haina is owned by Richard and “Sooz” Mirikitani. The bottom floor of the home is where Steve McGarrett of the new “Hawaii Five-0” lives in the show …
SHE’S ONE OF US NOW: Marion Murphy, originally from Canada, became an American citizen last week. Her husband, Don, owner of Murphy’s Bar & Grill, didn’t see all of the ceremony because he fell asleep. Zzz …
~~

MORE THAN 200 people jammed the front and back lawns of the Bayer Estate Sunday for the ninth annual Taste of Kick Start. The fundraising goal of $30,000 was exceeded for Kick Start Karate, a program headed by former police Chief Lee Donohue to keep youngsters on the right path. Willie K, a former karate student who has helped in keeping Kick Start youngsters straight, entertained with his guitar and uke. He was fabulous singing Hawaiian, jazz, kachi kachi, pops and even opera. You name it and Willie can sing it. The big Hawaiian is something else. Kapakahi, with strong vocals and instrumental skills, performed during much of the afternoon. It is made up of Teneri Ma‘afala, Rory Souza, Richard Peralta and Wendell Kailihiwa. Randy Luna was emcee. Food and beverages were provided by Alan Wong’s, Roy’s, Rick Karasaki’s Firehouse Stew, Tanioka’s, Uncle Bo’s, Diamond Head Seafood, Yatai Sushi, Better Brands, Anheuser Busch and Pepsi. Kick Start youngsters brought food to guests at tables who did not hit the booths. Fundraising coordinator was Leanne Williams, Lee and Luci Donohue’s daughter. The waterfront Bayer Estate in Aina Haina is owned by Richard and “Sooz” Mirikitani. The bottom floor of the home is where Steve McGarrett of the new “Hawaii Five-0” lives in the show …

SHE’S ONE OF US NOW: Marion Murphy, originally from Canada, became an American citizen last week. Her husband, Don, owner of Murphy’s Bar & Grill, didn’t see all of the ceremony because he fell asleep. Zzz … Login for more...