Honolulu Theatre for Youth presents "Nothing is the Same," about the Dec. 7, 1941, bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan, opening Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Tenney Theatre.
The drama by Y York, presented in partnership with Pacific Historic Parks, is about four Wahiawa children whose lives are forever changed when they experience the bombing. The play is in honor of the 72nd anniversary of the attack, with two performances staged on Dec. 7. The serious yet humorous drama examines the lives and relationships of a handful of kids at the time of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and Wheeler Army Airfield; it follows the youngsters through March 1942, exploring what it means to be a child during wartime — and what it means to be a hero, a friend and an American.
Actors are Kala’i Stern as Daniel, Junior Tesoro as George, Alvin Chan as Mits and Maile Holck as Bobi. Besides Nov. 29, the show plays Nov. 30 at 4:30 p.m., Dec. 7 at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 4:30 p.m. Go to www.htyweb.org or call 839-9885 for tickets. HTY and Pacific Historic Parks have invited Pearl Harbor survivors to attend, share their stories and sign autographs after select performances.
Playwright York was formerly in residence at HTY. Her plays have been produced nationally. I will be interested to see how she handles the Dec. 7 story as I was a boy of 10 playing on Makiki’s Piikoi Street with best friends Mark and Hank Auerbach when the attack happened …
A GROUP of Honolulu Star-Bulletin retirees got together for a 100th birthday party Nov. 8 at Happy Days in Kaimuki in honor of the late Bill Gee. Bill’s widow, Harriet Gee, a former Bulletin reporter, hosted the celebration to honor her husband, a former associate sports editor, who would have been 100 on Nov. 7. He died in 1990.
"Palama Settlement was Bill’s second home," Harriet said. He grew up in the district and was a standout athlete, playing barefoot football and basketball and participating in track for Palama Settlement, also known as the Winged P. Harriet said he learned to swim at Palama’s pool. The Gees’ three daughters — Pat, Linda and the late Debbie — also learned to swim there. Pat is the Star-Advertiser’s religion editor.
Bill loved reading books from the settlement’s small library. The McKinley High and University of Hawaii graduate went on to become director of athletics at Palama and coached the basketball team. Bill’s close friend and colleague, former sports editor Bill Kwon, was among party guests. Others were Tomi Knaefler, Lois Taylor Clarke, Lyle Nelson, Dee Smyser, Jim Becker and Helen Altonn …
ISLAND SOLE and Cobian invite the public to meet pro surfer Bethany Hamilton at the Hawaii debut of Bethany Hamilton Limited Edition Signature Sandals by Cobian on Monday from 5 to 6 p.m. at Island Sole’s Ala Moana Center store. Hamilton lost her left arm in a shark attack Oct. 31, 2003, at the age of 13, in waters off a Kauai beach. She became a worldwide inspiration by battling her way back to competitive surfing. …
CHEERS: Murphy’s Bar & Grill is celebrating its 26th year today from 6 to 10 p.m. with a street festival at Merchant Street and Nuuanu Avenue. Murphy’s has teamed with Sierra Nevada brewers to present "26 Beers for 26 Years" for the anniversary. Profits go the Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation …
Kerri Walsh Jennings, three-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist, will be competing in the second annual Hilton HHonors Beach Volleyball Challenge, Saturday and Sunday, on Duke Kahana•moku Beach. Also playing will be U.S. Olympic silver medalist April Ross, U.S. Olympic gold medalist Phil Dalhausser and 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympian Sean Rosenthal …
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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.
