KICKING HIGH: Amy Hanaiali’i added more star power to the Taste of Kick Start Fundraiser at the Bayer Estate. Danny Kaleikini sang the prayer and shared the stage with the Kapakahi Band, made up of Teneri Ma’afala, Kaipo Fajardo, Wendell Kailihiwa and Richard Peralta. Kick Start student Denzel Malapit sang and played guitar and HPD Lt. James Anderson also crooned. Randy Luna emceed. More than 200 people attended the Sept. 11 event that raised more than $50,000 to keep youngsters on the right path and out of trouble. It is sponsored by councilman and former Police Chief Lee Donohue. Recently retired Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald Moon, a Kick Start director, was honored. Police Chief Louis Kealoha, Deputy Chief Delbert Tatsuyama and many other law enforcement people attended. Peter Carlisle and Colleen Hanabusa were also spotted in the crowd. Guests chowed down on food provided by Sam Choy, Tanioka’s, Uncle Bo’s, Alan Wong’s, Roy’s and Yatai, with desserts made by Kick Start parents. Beverages were provided by Anheuser-Busch and Better Brands. Leanne Williams, Lee and Lucy Donohue‘s daughter, was event coordinator. The Donohues’ son, HPD Sgt. Lee Donohue Jr., his wife, Karen, and many Kick Start students were among those working on the successful event. Bayer Estates’ Sooz and Richard Mirikitani were the gracious hosts. Incidentally, the beachfront estate has a role in the new "Hawaii Five-0" as the home of top cop Steve McGarrett, played by Alex O’Loughlin. Leanne attended a "Five-0" TV premiere party the Mirikitanis threw at their home. …

…ILH MEMORIES: Rick Ornellas called the other day to say a gathering of ILH varsity football players of the 1960s will be held Oct. 2 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the St. Louis Alumni Clubhouse. The cost is $40. There will be plenty of Hawaiian food and no doubt plenty of stories from the former players. It’s a no-host cocktails affair. The ILH in the 1960s was made up of high school teams from Farrington, Roosevelt, ‘Iolani, Kamehameha, Saint Louis, Punahou, Kaimuki, McKinley, Damien and Kalani. Call Buddy Los Banos at 293-9885 for more information. …

…BUON GIORNO: The Italian Film Festival is off and running at the Kahala Theatre through Sunday. Celebrity jurors include Bonnie Lee, Hawaii filmmaker and former president of Geffen Pictures and former vice president of Warner Bros.; Jim Burke, producer of "The Descendants"; Neal Israel, creator of the "Police Academy" films; Edgy Lee, Hawaii filmmaker and producer; and Bobbi Thompson, who represents artists. Margherita Balbo Parrent is "Cinema Italiano in Hawaii" founder and director. …

…COCKTAIL makers and shakers got to enjoy the Bloody Mary Brunch that wound up the Halekulani’s Art of the Cocktail events Sunday on the Hau Terrace. They included Dale DeGroff and his artist wife, Jill, Tony Abou-Ganim, Simon Ford and Julie Reiner, all of whom the Halekulani brought in for the event, plus Chandra Lam of Southern Wine and Spirits and Lewers Lounge bartender Tim Rita. Julie is an islander now living in New York. Jill DeGroff calls herself a saloon artist. Her "Lush Life" book, featuring caricatures of bartenders, proves that. Brunch guests included Hilton Hawaii chief Jerry Gibson, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse G.M. Bill Nickerson, Hawaii International Film Festival’s Chuck Boller and Marcus Bender of Kai Vodka. …

…Anita Hall and Jason Segundo will perform at next Friday’s Sacred Hearts Academy Scholarship Fund Gala at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Alumnae to be honored are: Dr. Tina Chun Chang, class of ’85; Patricia Cortez Eason, ’55; Theresa Kong Kee, ’82; Sister Brenda Lau, ’61; Cathy Rodrigues Lee, ’83, and Lisa-Anne Lung Tsuruda, ’86. Call 734-5058 ext. 229 for $125 tickets and more info. …

—— Ben Wood, who sold the Star-Bulletin on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things Fridays. E-mail him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.