Kick Start benefit tops goal, thanks to plenty of support

A CROWD of 230 turned out to support Lee Donohue and the 10th annual Taste of Kick Start Sunday in the sprawling outdoor area of Hawaii Kai Towne Center behind Maile’s Thai Bistro. Former Police Chief Donohue’s Kick Start Karate program prevents juvenile delinquency and youth gang membership. The fundraiser topped the target goal of $30,000.

Two excellent singer-instrumental groups entertained. Manao Company, made up of Sean Naauao, Danny Kennedy, Kaulana Pakele and Jean-Denis St. Onge; and Par 5, comprising police officer Rory Souza, Kevin Lapenia, Richard Peralta, Jansen Richards and St. Onge, a conga drummer for both groups, provided enjoyable music throughout the late afternoon and evening. Danny Kaleikini sang briefly with both groups and also called up Linda Wong to dance hula to one of his numbers. Roblin Hardy danced a beautiful hula backed by Manao Company. A surprise guest who knocked the crowd out was Kristian Lei, who sang two songs and finished with a duet with her husband, Gavin Vinta. Singer Denzel Malapit and his guitar wound things up.

Speakers supporting Donohue’s programs included Mayor Peter Carlisle, City Council Chairman Ernie Martin and Sen. Michelle Kidani. Emcee Randy Luna did a good job, as usual.

Providing food were Alan Wong’s, Roy’s, Tiki’s, Superb Sushi, Diamond Head Seafood Bar, Maile’s and Ricky’s Firehouse Stew. Anheuser Busch, Young’s Market and Pepsi supplied drinks. Wine aficionado Robin Yoshimura donated fine wine for the silent auction and also poured more of the good grape at Dr. Edison Miyawaki’s table, where he sat with his wife, Lillian Yoshimura. Miyawaki is a part owner of the Cincinnati Bengals. Other guests at the doc’s table included Bill Villa, Chaminade athletic director; Grissel Benitez-Hodge, Chaminade’s dean of students, and her hubby, Vince; Drea Kia, co-owner of Home Quest Realtors; and Danny Kaleikini and Linda Wong. …

I DIDN’T KNOW what to expect when I walked in the theater to see "You May Not Kiss the Bride," but when I walked out, I felt good about the picture. The Hawaii Film Partners’ romantic adventure-comedy, filmed in Hawaii except for a bit of footage shot in Chicago, is good for laughs. Thank Rob Schneider and Mena Suvari for most of the laughs. The romance is between Dave Annable and Katharine McPhee. Annable plays Bryan, a pet photographer. The beautiful McPhee portrays Masha, daughter of a Croatian crime boss. She needs a green card to prevent deportation. Bryan is forced to marry Masha, who is nothing like her dad, and love blooms. Bryan’s mom, Kathy Bates, on house arrest in Chicago, adds to the fun.

The madcap adventures start on the newlyweds’ "Tahiti" honeymoon when Masha is kidnapped. That’s when Schneider, as a helicopter pilot and tour guide, and his cousin, played by Hawaii’s Tia Carrere, a cocktail waitress with "street smarts," enter the picture. Suvari, who is stalking Bryan, follows him and Masha to Tahiti. They all team up to hunt for Masha and her kidnappers. …

SINGER Melveen Leed’s last dinner concert at the Ala Moana Hotel’s Hibiscus Ballroom was a sellout so she has scheduled another on Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. Pianist Betty Loo Taylor, bassist John Kolivas and drummer Stacy Tangonan will back her. Tickets are $65 and include dinner, tax and tip; call 542-7299. …

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Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.