Two high-profile community figures — Emme Tomimbang, the prolific TV producer and former TV journalist, and Francis Keala, ex-chief of the Honolulu Police Department — will be honorees at the “Malama Palama Gala 2015” Oct. 17 at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s Monarch Room.
Palama Settlement is presenting the event, featuring a reception and silent auction at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Tomimbang is the producer of her trademark “Emme’s Island Moments” TV specials; Keala is the retired HPD chief who served from 1969 to ’83. They are being saluted for their longtime support of Palama Settlement. Tomimbang grew up in the Palama area and acquired social and athletic skills there; Keala served as a Palama board member in the 1980s (as did Tomimbang) and has continued to support the organization.
“I was raised by a single dad, and we lived at the corner of Hotel and River Street,” Tomimbang reflected about her formative years. “Palama Settlement seemed like someone’s mansion, a place we were able to go to swim, have fun and learn to dance on Friday nights. I might have been street smart but acquired social skills and danced with a boy for the first time at Palama. I never knew I was part of an underserved community, going to school at Central Intermediate and Farrington, but Palama was the epitome of acceptance.”
Tomimbang helped lure singers Kristian Lei, Little Albert Maligmat and Jimmy Borges for the fundraiser. Because of health issues, Chief Keala will be represented by his son, Mark Keala.
Call 848-2502 for tickets. …
CRIME BUSTER: David “Kawika” Talisman, a Hawaii private investigator, has earned the 2015 Linda Franklin Award from the FBI. “Kawiks,” as his buddies call him, is a state-licensed and bonded PI who founded the Hawaii chapter of the FBI InfraGard program in 2000.
The award, named for the FBI employee killed in 2002 by snipers terrorizing the Washington, D.C., area, will be presented in the nation’s capital by FBI Director James B. Comey. InfraGard is a partnership between the FBI and businesses, academic institutions, state and local law enforcement agencies and others to share information to prevent acts of terrorism. “It’s the first time anyone from Hawaii has won,” said Talisman, who joined the HPD in the mid-’90s to upgrade the department’s IT resources under late Chief Michael Nakamura. He is president of Hawaii P.I. and a member of several security and investigative organizations.
Talisman also has creds as a singer, composer, scriptwriter and musician. I first met him when he was in rock bands (Talisman, Good & Plenty), and he scripted an episode for CBS’ “The Jeffersons” that filmed here in the 1980s. He’s since worked with numerous local entertainers, including Frank De Lima and Glenn Medeiros. He and wife Kyoko reside on Hawaii Loa Ridge. …
DATEBOOK: With Grandparents Day here, comedian De Lima will do his brunch show honoring local tutu kane Sunday at the Pagoda’s International Ballroom. Doors open at 10 a.m., meal served from 11:45 a.m. and show is at noon. Call 948-8370 for reservations. …
The Sheraton Maui resort will host the 2015-16 season of New York Seltzer’s Maui Celebrity Series, beginning at 8 p.m. Sept. 27 with comic Bob Saget and Brian Evans. Coming up: Carrot Top, William Shatner and John Cleese. …
THE PARTY LINE: Kailuan Judy Dancer, longtime fan of Waikiki show bands, recently hosted members of Don Ho’s band, the Aliis, at her Kailua home. In attendance: Joe Mundo (visiting from Seattle) along with Bobby King, Benny Chong and Carlos Barboza. The gang headed to the Pagoda’s La Salle room, where Augie Rey performs most Saturdays, and Mundo took the stage. King also joined Rey and shared news that he’s been diagnosed with a form of cancer that has robbed him of his voice. “So many people came to see him and wish him well,” said Rey. …
AND THAT’S “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his “Show and Tell Hawaii” blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
