Clooney raves to magazine about filming in Hawaii
Actor George Clooney, star of the upcoming movie "The Descendants," raved about the "relaxed" atmosphere surrounding the set in Hawaii, according to an exclusive interview published in the current issue of HILuxury magazine, on newsstands now.
"Let’s just face it: Shooting here is far better than in Detroit," the actor said during a break in filming last year. "The place is magnificent, the locals are great. Everyone is relaxed and this allows us to do our job efficiently and at ease.
"What’s amazing is how they live above the rules: People go around on motorcycles without a helmet, they crowd up on trucks, go slow when nobody’s on the street."
Clooney told the magazine, published by Oahu Publications Inc., that he enjoyed renting a motorcycle to cruise along coastal routes and through rural neighborhoods.
HILux also interviewed "The Descendants" author Kaui Hart Hemmings, film director Alexander Payne and producer Jim Burke.
"The Descendants," an offbeat drama about a kamaaina family dealing with tragedy, will screen at the Hawaii International Film Festival Oct. 23 and will go into limited national release Nov. 18.
Neighbor islands collect pa‘u awards
Pa‘u riders from the neighbor islands made a strong showing at the Aloha Festivals’ 65th annual floral parade competition Sept. 24.
In the equestrian unit division, the island of Kahoolawe was named most outstanding pa‘u unit.
Under individual pa‘u unit awards, Kahoolawe also won the Mo‘i Award, while Molokai won the Governor’s Award and Hawaii island earned the President’s Award. Oahu won the Ambassador’s Award.
Kehau Pe‘a from the Kahoolawe unit was picked most outstanding pa‘u princess, while Johnnell Lei-anuenue Kelley won for outstanding pa‘u page. The Molokai unit swept the manure "scooper" awards for most original, most comical and aloha spirit.
In the floral float division, Hawaiian Airlines flew off with the Grand Sweepstakes Award, while the Partners in Development Foundation took home the Governor’s Award. The President’s Award went to Ke Ali‘i Ka‘apuni Honua Ke‘ena A‘o Hula, and Halau Hula o Ku‘uleilanimekealohamau won the Mayor’s Award.
Moanalua High School took first place in the band division, followed by Waipahu and Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama.
Roy Gandy was pa‘u marshall and Ann "Bunny" Leong was pa‘u queen this year.
Learn about rare hula instruments
While hula performances abound in Waikiki, hula using rare implements such as the nose flute, a spinning gourd and treadle board is at risk of disappearing.
The Hula Preservation Society, a nonprofit group based in Kaneohe, is making an effort to keep those rare forms of hula alive with a series of "Honoring the Ancients" workshops developed under the guidance of the late hula masters Auntie Nona Beamer and Uncle George Naope.
The workshops will allow participants to experience dancing with ohe hano ihu (nose flute), ulili (spinning gourd rattle) and papa hehi (treadle board), and learn how the instruments are made.
Participants also will watch footage of Beamer dancing with the implements and a live presentation by two experienced dancers.
Kumu hula Maile Beamer Loo and master craftsman Uncle Calvin Hoe will lead the workshops. The workshops will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon Friday and on Nov. 11 and Dec. 10 at the society’s Hale Pulelehua dance studio at the Windward Business Center, 46-020 Alaloa St. The fee is $50, with kamaaina and group rates available. Call 247-9440 or email workshops@hulapreservation.org for more information.
Your spookiest tale could win $200
Spin your most haunting tale of horror and the supernatural in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s annual Halloween Fiction Contest. Entries are limited to 750 words and must be original work never before published. The winner will receive a $200 cash prize, and the story will appear in the Today section on Oct. 30. The second-place story will win $100. The contest is open to Hawaii residents; Oahu Publications contributors, employees and their family members are not eligible. The deadline for entries is today.
Email stories to features@staradvertiser.com.
