HAWAII ACTRESS Christie Brooke (“Soul Surfer” and “The Descendants”) was a celebrity judge when Hallmark’s “Hero Dog Awards,” was taped last month in Beverly Hills. The Castle High grad was alongside celeb judges and presenters Betty White, Whoopi Goldberg, Ewan McGregor, Peter Fonda, Faith Ford, Kristin Chenoweth and others. Hosted by Carson Kressley and taped before a live audience at the Beverly Hilton, the “Hero Dog Awards” paid tribute to eight remarkable dogs and their handlers. The show airs tonight at 6 on the Hallmark Channel. …
MORE THAN $250,000 was raised by Saturday’s Opera Ball at the Sheraton Waikiki for the Hawaii Opera Theatre. Entertainment staged by HOT’s General and Artistic Director Henry Akina offered a preview of the 2012 season: “The Pearl Fishers,” “Don Pasquale” and “Aida.” Singers Erik Haines, Leon Williams, Kristin Stone, Blythe Kelsey-Takemasa, Mary Chestnut-Hicks and Kip Wilborn were accompanied by pianist Beebe Freitas. Music by Rocky Brown and Nueva Vida kept the dance floor crowded. The filet mignon dinner, with wine, was a winner. Guests were also allowed to buy donated wines on the spot and take them to their tables to suck ’em up or take ’em home. …
“MALAMA PALAMA: Festival of 100 Voices” will celebrate the centennial of Palama Settlement’s incorporation from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 20, on the settlement campus. Honorary chairpersons are Steven Ai, president of City Mill, and Sen. Donna Mercado Kim. The senator is a “Palama girl” who as a child and teen took advantage of the programs Palama Settlement offers. It will be a family day with entertainment for all ages. There will be food trucks, a firetruck, bounce houses, plant and bake sales, educational opportunities, free books, sports and dance demonstrations and other activities. For information contact Palama Settlement Executive Director Jean Evans at jevans@palamasettlement.org or 848-2518, or centennial chairwoman Paula Rath at paula@paularath.com or 391-3978. …
FOR THREE years the mother-daughter team of Christina Laney-Wycheck and Yumi Laney has been collecting canned goods for the Hawaii Foodbank. This year the team set a record, collecting 1,114 pounds of food from Pearl City homes on Saturday. Their goal was to top 1,000 pounds. Christina and Yumi work for the Oahu-based real estate firm Kahala Associates. Myra Brandt, Kahala Associates co-founder and owner, said, “Kahala Associates wholly support Yumi and Christina’s champion efforts with the Hawaii Foodbank. What they have accomplished and the lives they have impacted truly represent what Kahala Associates’ core principle of caring service and selfless giving is all about.” …
ZYRON SCHONIWITZ, a Mililani High grad, is back in town as general manager of Morton’s steakhouse at Ala Moana Center. In 2001 Zyron was part of the team that opened Morton’s here, and in 2003 was promoted to G.M. in Singapore. … Two top hotels, the Halekulani and the Kahala, are offering food specials. Orchids at the Halekulani is participating in Restaurant Week Monday through Nov. 19 with $30 three-course lunches, and Monday to Nov. 20 with $40 three-course dinners. Restaurant Week supports the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Diamond Head. The Kahala’s “Thanksgiving at Home” takeout offering for four people is scheduled for Thanksgiving eve and day, $160 plus tax. It includes a turkey with all the trimmings and bread, green salad and pumpkin pie, my favorite with Häagen-Dazs vanilla. Call 739-8760. …
Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
