After reading poor "Aloha" reviews, I was pleasantly surprised to find I liked the picture that was filmed here and has big-name stars in the cast. I’ll give it 2 1⁄2 stars out of 4. The main thing I disliked about this romantic-comedy-drama was the role played by Emma Stone, who I usually enjoy. The beautiful blond, blue-eyed, very fair-skinned Stone did not make it as Capt. Allison Ng, an Air Force pilot assigned to escort and keep an eye on contractor Bradley Cooper. She is supposed to be Hawaiian, Caucasian and Asian. There are people in Hawaii who have that ethnicity and don’t look it and Stone’s character is one of them. She looks more like a Scandinavian tourist. She keeps pointing out she is one-quarter Hawaiian but she doesn’t even know how to act local. Right off I thought how much different and smoother George Clooney was at playing a part-Hawaiian in "The Descendants." What’s more, she tries to teach a young girl, portrayed by Danielle Rose Russell, who stands out in the film, a little hula. Not good. Ng even tries to sit in and play guitar with top musician-singers Ledward Kaapana, Mike Kaawa and others who shine on "Waimanalo Blues." She doesn’t fit. Cameron Crowe, the movie’s producer, directer and writer, released a public letter of apology to those who felt Stone was miscast. By the way, the Hawaiian musicians filmed were having a session at sovereignty activist Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele‘s Waimanalo Nation of Hawaii compound. Bumpy, playing himself, did quite well on screen. Local scenes and isle music are plentiful in "Aloha" and there are good laughs. How could there not be with Bill Murray and Alec Baldwin in the cast? …
MOVING ON: Singer Jimmy Borges celebrated his 80th birthday with about 40 people at a delicious Hawaiian food luncheon with prime rib at the Willows June 3. Borges introduced each of his guests and spent a bit of time talking about each one. His daughter and son-in-law, Steffanie and Randy Juergenson, snapped pictures throughout the party, which Steffanie helped Jimmy’s wife, Vicki, organize. Jim Nabors, who celebrates his 85th birthday Friday, arrived after being honored earlier by the City Council. On Tuesday Nabors was at Camp Smith, where a conference room was named after him. Remember Marine Gomer Pyle? That was Jim’s character on "The Andy Griffith Show" and in the spinoff, "Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C." …
Local girl Gina Haverly has been named vice president and general manager of Neiman Marcus here, replacing recently retired Al Tomonari. Haverly is a graduate of the University of Hawaii and Roosevelt High. Haverly says the GM position at Neiman Honolulu is her dream job. "If you’re in retail in Hawaii, to obtain this position is the hallmark of your career," she said. Haverly has more than 25 years of experience in the retail industry.She joins Neiman from her most recent position as the district team leader of Target Hawaii, a position that entailed the opening and overseeing of all six locations in the state. Haverly also held positions at Banana Republic as GM and store director in Hawaii and ultimately as district manager in Hawaii and San Francisco …
It’s the last weekend to dance on up to Diamond Head Theatre and catch "42nd Street," starring Leiney Rigg. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday. Cast member Erin McFadden is a hostess at Murphy’s Bar & Grill when she’s not kicking up her heels on stage … Elaine Lewis‘ first name was misspelled in my column May 29 …
Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
