Hawaii’s Kim Williams, 31, came through like a champ, dropping 136 pounds in a year and was cheered on ABC’s "Extreme Weight Loss" program Sept. 1. Kim, began a fashion line, Bella Beauty, after graduating from Parsons School of Design in New York in 2010. But she felt she wasn’t making the gains in fashion she should be because of her weight. The 5-foot-1 Kamehameha and University of Hawaii grad weighed 279 pounds a year ago when she wrote to Chris and Heidi Powell, trainers for "Extreme Weight Loss." She was given a goal to lose half her body fat. She wound up losing more than half her body fat working her way down to 143 pounds. What’s more, she wore a gown on the weight loss show finale that she designed a year ago, with hopes she would lose enough weight to wear it. She looked great in the size 4 gown, down from size 24/26 that she had to wear a year ago. Congratulations, Kim!
The final show also included "Project Runway’s" Tim Gunn, who had her design the inspirational gown; Michael Costello, also of "Runway;" and celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito. Kim is the granddaughter of former Honolulu Police Chief Lee and Lucy Donohue. Her mom is Leanne Donohue Williams. They all attended the final show in Los Angeles along with Kim’s brother, Jeffrey, and sisters, Karlee and Jaymee Williams. …
In an email Tuesday, Kim wrote about her current endeavors: "I have launched my image consulting business which focuses on fashion, beauty and fitness. It’s called Bella Beauty (iambellabeauty.com) and I offer custom design. If you want me to design an outfit for you, we will work together to create a design and I make it. That can be found under my label’s name Melenani (melenani.com). I’ve launched a blog that gives fitness workouts, stories about my journey and recipes. That can be found under iamkimwilliams.com." …
Driving on: A reunion of Tropical Rent A Car former employees will be held Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at ONE Ala Moana condominium, 1555 Kapiolani Blvd. The condo is above the Nordstrom parking lot, adjacent to Macy’s Ala Moana. The event will be held on the Terrace Deck. A barbecue and celebration of the late Tropical founder Don Hillis’ life will be held. Don and his wife, Virginia Kawauchi, were owners of Tropical. On Monday, Virginia said Tropical goes back to 1968 and was shut down about 20 years ago.
Although Don was in a wheelchair ever since he was 16 because of a car accident, Tropical Rent A Car was way up there as Hawaii’s tourist industry grew. People are asked to bring a favorite dish to share at the reunion. Families are invited and kids can swim in the pool. Call Naomi Book at 952-4213 or 286-0734 for more info. …
This year’s 14th annual Cop on Top raised more than $181,000 statewide for Special Olympics Hawaii athletes. The event took place Aug. 27-29 at Walmart stores statewide, Oahu Sam’s Club stores, and Aikahi Park, Kaneohe Bay and Hawaii Kai shopping centers. Volunteer law enforcement personnel were positioned atop 14-foot scaffolds where they worked to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Hawaii athletes. …
Let’s get cooking: Sheraton Waikiki Resort’s Daniel Delbrel has been promoted from executive chef to culinary director, overseeing some 90 employees. Matthew Naula has returned to the resort as executive chef after a yearlong stint at Sheraton Kona as its executive chef. Prior to that, he was executive banquet chef at the Sheraton Waikiki. Blake Kajiwara joins Sheraton Waikiki as executive sous chef after 13 years at the Kahala Hotel & Resort. Colin Hazama is new executive chef at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. … Local boy Huy Vo has recently been named public relations manager at the Kahala Hotel & Resort. The McKinley High and Oregon University grad has held positions at Hawaiian Airlines, Communications Pacific and Bright Light Marketing. …
Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
