Hawaii’s Auli‘i Cravalho, 16, sang beautifully in the Oscar spotlight Feb. 26 and displayed youthful spark and brightness in her red-carpet interview leading up to the big show, which will go down in the history books thanks to the incredible best-picture blunder at the finale. “You’ve had a Cinderella year,” ABC’s George Pennacchio told her on the red carpet. “I’ve had a ‘Moana’ year,” the Kamehameha student said. He asked if she had the jitters leading up to her evening performance of the nominated tune “How Far I’ll Go.” She did not appear jittery but said she was nervous. “I’m so honored to be performing with Lin-Manuel Miranda,” she emphasized.
Auli‘i won kudos across social media and in news reports for her composure when she was bumped on the head with a banner carried by one of the background dancers. The “oops” didn’t bother her a bit and she kept singing her way to Oscar stardom. The next morning she received high praise from anchors on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and “CBS This Morning” when a clip of the incident was replayed.
When talking about the musical number in a red-carpet interview, “Hamilton” superstar Miranda, who rapped an intro to the song, said, “I don’t want to over-hype it, but she’s going to be so incredible tonight. I’m thrilled to share the stage with her.” In his red-carpet appearance, Dwayne Johnson was still pumped up about being able to sing in the animated “Moana” picture in which Auli‘i had the title voice role …
KOA‘E KEA, the club made up of past Hawaiian Airlines hostesses, stewardesses and flight attendants, will hold a luncheon at the Waialae Country Club April 30 from 10:30 a.m until 2:30 p.m. Entertainment will be by Mihana Souza of the group Puamana. Attendees are encouraged to bring fundraiser items, price-labeled. The luncheon is $32. Send checks to Koa‘e Kea, in care of Trudy de La Fontaine, 225 Kaiulani St., Unit 201, Honolulu, HI 96815. Club members should also submit their $20 membership dues by separate check. There are only 60 seats for the luncheon …
CONDOLENCES go to the family of businessman, basketball coach and standout player Clarence Pacarro, 88, who died Feb. 2. Pacarro Store, located near Puunui Park, was owned by Frank and Julia Pacarro. They had seven children: Clarence, a Farrington grad, and his brothers Rudy (St. Louis), Franklin (St. Louis), Ernest (Roosevelt), Samuel (Farrington) and Harry (Punahou), and a sister, Elsie (Farrington). “The Boys” were a force on the park’s basketball court. I was not in their class when it came to the sport but I had the opportunity to play basketball with some of them in the 1940s when they needed someone to fill out pickup teams and I was there waiting for the Alewa Heights bus. Clarence went on to be a head coach at Mid-Pacific and an assistant at Farrington and Punahou. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Teddi, and children Gary, Charles, Julie Stout and Cole, all former Punahou athletes. Clarence loved to sing. His sons Gary and Charles became professional singers and Gary and Cole have held basketball coaching positions. Among those attending Clarence’s celebration of life at Punahou School’s chapel Feb. 18 were his pals Al Harrington, Danny Kaleikini, Albert Maligmat and Kimo Kahoano …
Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets during World War II, writes of people, places and things. Contact him via email at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
