A RECEPTION with Gov. Neil Abercrombie and promoter Tom Moffatt was held at Washington Place Sunday to recognize the people from Elvis Presley‘s Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tenn., and those involved in the 40th anniversary celebration of the "Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii" concert screening. Some guests were musicians who worked with Elvis. One of his drivers attended. Others attending included Jim Nabors, Jimmy Borges and local, West Coast and Australian media. Borges sang impromptu numbers, "E Maliu Mai" and "Nanakuli," with the Hawaiian trio Art Kalahiki and Friends. By request, Jimmy also tossed in "Fly Me to the Moon." Elvis Presley Enterprises CEO Jack Soden presented the Gov with a replica of a double-platinum Elvis album, an Elvis aloha shirt and sunglasses like those the singer wore …
At Monday’s "Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii" screening at the Blaisdell, Moffatt took time to introduce to the crowd three ushers who were working the night of 1973 concert — Ralph Vares, Dennis Ling and Walter Figueira — when it was held at what was then known as the Honolulu International Center …
THE INCOMPARABLE duo of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were fabulous hosts for Sunday night’s fun-filled Golden Globe Awards show. The Academy Awards should be so lucky. Bootzie Oil from Maui was included in the Hollywood Swag Bag that Golden Globe nominees received … People magazine’s Jan. 14 issue sports two photos of Sen. Mazie Hirono in a feature on the 20 women in the U.S. Senate. Mazie is quoted as saying she is the first Asian female senator …
FORMER BASEBALL star Barry Bonds dined at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Wailea, Maui, on Feb. 9, the day after he failed to get enough votes to enter the Hall of Fame. Owner Randy Schoch was there during Barry’s visit and welcomed him. Barry obviously enjoyed the restaurant because he was there the following night, again with his two guests …
CHEERLEADERS will arrive with the official Pro Bowl MVP Trophy Tuesday at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse at the Royal Hawaiian Center. The public is invited to stop by and take pictures with the trophy and cheerleaders at 1 p.m. The cheerleaders will leave at 3 p.m., but the trophy will be there for photos until 10 p.m. From Wednesday through Jan. 26, trophy photo hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cheerleaders will appear sporadically. A food purchase is not required, but $10 luncheon specials will be available. Those wanting photos must bring their own cameras. Security personnel will guard the trophy 24/7. They even take it to bed with them. The 2013 Pro Bowl is Jan. 27 at Aloha Stadium …
THE NFL and Kraft Foods in Hawaii are giving one lucky kid between the ages of 9 and 14 the chance to be the 2013 Pro Bowl Tee Kid, who will run on the field and retrieve the kicking tee. Between now and Tuesday, adults can enter a child to win this opportunity. To enter, go to www.staradvertiser.com … Jayla Medeiros, 9, of Kona, was honored for winning the NFL’s Punt, Pass & Kick national championship in the 8-to-9 age group during the telecast of Sunday’s Atlanta-Seattle playoff game. Jayla and other age-group winners were shown with their trophies …
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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.
