HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY: There are pluses to turning 90, as Kieko "Sally" Matsukawa Kendig found out Saturday night. Her niece, Sooz Mirikitani and her husband, Richard Mirikitani, owners of the beachfront Bayer Estate in Aina Haina, threw a surprise bash in her honor that saluted her longevity and her volunteer work with the USO during World War II. Sally chaperoned USO dances, where she met and befriended many young soldiers. On Saturday, Sally thought she would be attending a small dinner. She was surprised when a vintage jeep occupied by Dr. Jeff Wang and daughter Kaila, dressed in WWII uniforms, picked her up. On arrival at Bayer Estate she saw nine soldiers from Schofield’s 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, gathered by Vietnam War vet Allen Hoe and former Marine James Putt, lining the walkway.
They escorted her into the home, where nearly 100 people, including her nephew and party emcee, Kona attorney Michael Matsukawa, welcomed her. There were USO-themed banners, and speakers played ’40s music. Period apparel was worn by guests. Soon vocalist Shari Lynn performed, backed by the 12-piece PBS Little Big Band with pianist Ray Kaneyama, Sally’s nephew and one of Shari’s longtime accompanists. Dancers from Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association in ’40s attire danced to WWII tunes. Each of the soldiers danced with Sally to her favorite Glenn Miller song, "Moonlight Serenade." Dinner was prepared by chefs Andreas Knapp and Cyrus Goo. Before the party ended, Shari and Hawaii Opera Theatre’s Dan Barnett led the guests in singing "God Bless America" …The Bayer Estate has a "Hawaii Five-0" role as the home of Steve McGarrett …
BALI STEAK and Seafood’s new chef is Joseph "JJ" Reinhart, who left what most male chefs should consider a dream job, at Hugh Hefner‘s Playboy Mansion West in Los Angeles, where he worked for seven years. JJ says his only problem at the mansion was that he suffered from whiplash from whipping his head from side to side to view gorgeous women. Ho, ho, very funny. But JJ, a former professional trumpet player, managed to tough it out and whip up delicious steaks and seafood dishes, among other entrees. The Hilton Hawaiian Village oceanview restaurant recently underwent total renovation and held a media reception Monday. It was formerly a fine dining eatery but now has a relaxed look with new tables, chairs and wood flooring …
LITTLE DID Shirley Temple know that while on vacation in Hawaii in 1950 she would meet Charles A. Black, an executive with Hawaiian Pineapple Co., and marry him the same year. She was 22, Charles was 31. The wedding was held at his wealthy parents’ Monterey, Calif., home. Shirley, the legendary child actor, died Monday in Woodside, Calif., at age 85. Charles, her husband of almost 55 years, died in 2005 at age 86 …
ALOHA DI: Halekulani Public Relations Director Diane "Di" Ako is resigning from her position at the hotel effective Tuesday …
Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
