Annie Kaaa marks century milestone with 250 guests

IT WAS joyous at Annie Leihulu Ikuwa Kaaa‘s 100th birthday party Sept. 16 at Masa’s Cafeteria. She is also called Ane, Tutu and Mrs. Clean. Some 250 people showed up to wish Annie well.

Annie danced hula to "Lovely Hula Hands." Her niece Marlene Sai sang "I Love You" to her. Lehua Kalima sang "You’ve Got a Friend" and guests sang along to their dear friend. Other performers included LowDown with Dennis Wong, John "Doza" Enos and Alika Watts; Ekolu Makou, made up of sisters Francine Gora, Nohea Gora Leopoldo and Imiola Gora-Aina; Shawn Pimental; Kawika Trask; and the "Hawaiian Girls Golf Club" singers and dancers.

Granddaughter Denise Kaaa said Annie always says, "Work hard and clean, clean, clean. (That’s where the "Mrs. Clean" comes in.) Don’t sit around and do nothing. No idling."

Denise said she, her mom Karlotta Kaaa and Tutu live on a four-story hillside house in Kalawahine Streamside, below Papakolea. Up until a few months ago they stopped Annie from walking down the stair levels to the yard. "She’s very independent and never wants help," Denise said. "She’ll say, ‘I can do it myself.’ She can never sit still. If you are eating she may grab your plate and wash it before you even realize it." What a gal! …

THIS YEAR’S Medal of Honor convention gets under way here Tuesday and runs through Oct. 6. Medal recipients have received the nation’s highest award for valor in action against an enemy force. Some 50 of the 81 living Medal of Honor recipients are expected to attend.

One of the major events scheduled is a downtown block party, "Freedom Fest," 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 5 outside Murphy’s Bar & Grill. It’s free and open to the public. Patriotic "CSI: NY" star Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band will perform; Sinise plays bass. He was nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar in 1994 for his role as Lt. Dan Taylor in "Forrest Gump." Tom Hanks in the title role won the best-actor Oscar. The Gump character received a Medal of Honor for heroics in Vietnam. …

HIGHLIGHTS in the Hawaii Opera Theatre’s Halekulani fundraising brunch Sunday were numbers by "Die Fledermaus" artists Nancy Allen Lundy, Barbara Shirvis, Richard Troxell and Jamie Offenbach, accompanied by pianist Jan Croonenbroeck, and Anne Namba‘s fashions, many flowing in striking colors. Also garnering much applause were Richard and Jamie moving to Sally Parker‘s table and singing "Happy Birthday" to her. A nice gesture. Sally’s husband, Don Parker, died in July. …

HAWAII’S FIRST Balenciaga boutique, opening Oct. 21 at Ala Moana Center, has named Sharleen Perreira as general manager. Balenciaga is owned by the Gucci group. The Ala Moana shop will be near Gucci, next to Hermes, in the former Reyn’s location. Sharleen, well known in Honolulu’s retail clothing circles, is a former regional chief for Gucci in Hawaii. …

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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.