Emme Tomimbang, veteran “Island Moments” TV host and producer, had a “New York Moment” recently as a survivor of a brain aneurysm.
Tomimbang, summoned by the Lisa Colagrossi Foundation, facilitated a “Breakfast of Survivors,” which she described as “compelling, emotional and epic.” Lisa Colagrossi was a popular WABC anchor who died in 2015 of an aneurysm.
The event, hosted by ABC’s Bill Ritter and former Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson, included a tribute to Bernadette Hernandez, mother of singer Bruno Mars, who lost her life to an aneurysm in 2013. A message from Pete Hernandez, Bruno’s dad, was read by Tomimbang. Among the survivors present: ex-NFL player Albert Haynesworth.
Tomimbang has been asked to join Whoopi Goldberg, the Oscar-winning actress and TV talk show star whose brother died of an aneurysm, in a planned public service announcement that would put her on the national stage.
“It’s a privilege to have a voice for those who died — and help save lives,” said Tomimbang. “My work is just beginning.” …
GOLDEN OP: Speaking of Mars, he took to Instagram and Twitter to announce the arrival Friday of his latest single, “24K Magic.” Mars utilized a collage of images — him donning a white baseball cap emblazoned with “XXIV k” — which translates to “24 Karat Magic,” the new single. An album follows, date still uncertain. …
TRAVEL LOG: Kevin Iwamoto, senior consultant with Gold Spring Consulting, an independent corporate travel consultancy, addressed the visitor industry gathering at the Hawai‘i Convention Center last month. A travel industry management grad from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a former entertainer, Iwamoto has been a popular speaker/voice throughout his business career. He discussed “Where Aloha Stretched the World,” with Roque Calvo, about bringing Hawaii to the forefront of the global marketplace. …
While semiretired, Iwamoto’s sought-after business blog has been tapped by Meetings & Conventions magazine. This summer he was awarded the Meeting Professionals International RISE Award for Meeting Industry Leadership at the organization’s 2016 World Education Conference, and the 2016 MeetingsNet Changemaker Award for his business professional strategies. …
While here, Iwamoto took in Manoa Valley Theatre’s “It Shoulda Been You” musical, to catch up with longtime ally Shari Lynn, of whom he said, “She was terrific as a Jewish mother (in the show).” …
TRADEWINDS: Joy Abbott, who splits her time living here and in Florida, is off to New York shortly to catch a revival of her late husband George Abbott’s “Fiorello!” off-Broadway. She’ll share memories and music of “Mr. Abbott” (as he’s called), and from his luminous and popular shows like “Damn Yankees” and “Pajama Game,” in “Broadway the George Abbott Way” on Friday at the St. Regis in New York. Conductor Bob Billig, a Broadway vet, and narrator Kim Kowalski, a professor of musicology at the Eastman School of Music, are aboard. The University of Rochester is hosting the event; Abbott was a Class of 1911 member. …
RANDOM NOTES: Eaton “Bob” Magoon Jr., the real estate developer and creator of the “13 Daughters” musical, is recuperating from a stroke, according to longtime friend Jack Law, who visited Magoon in California. Magoon, 94, broke his ankle a month ago, and while in rehab in Sacramento, suffered a stroke and transferred to a hospital. “We all thought he was a goner, as he also had pneumonia,” said Law, who missed one flight and re-booked another to see Magoon at his Middleton home. “He has an amazing constitution. I am sure it’s (because) of his part-Chinese DNA,” he said. Magoon partnered with Law in operating Hula’s Bar & Lei Stand and the defunct Wave Waikiki. Magoon also co-wrote the lyrics to “Numbah One Day of Christmas,” the local parody of “Twelve Days of Christmas.”…
And that’s “Show Biz.”…
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
