HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2011 wound down on a high note for University of Hawaii fans when local boy Norm Chow, who has sterling coaching credentials, was named UH head football coach. "CHOW TIME" in large type was spread cross Page One of the Star-Advertiser Dec. 21. T-shirts saying that sold fast around town. … Melveen Leed warmed up for her Hilton Hawaiian Village New Year’s Eve Local Divas concert by singing at Maluhia Adult Day Health Center Dec. 21. Melveen reunites with Carole Kai and Nohelani Cypriano at the Hilton. The late Loyal Garner, the fourth original Diva, will be there in spirit. …

John Michael White announced his engagement to Qi Marie at his annual Christmas Eve party in his large penthouse apartment. It was quite a musical evening, with Aaron Aranita at the piano and many of the 150 guests who streamed in and out singing Christmas carols. John sang a duet of "Silent Night" with Cathy Foy. Mayor Peter Carlisle led everyone in singing "Jingle Bells" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Richard Turbin was born on Christmas Day, but he’s Jewish; so Jimmy Borges sang "Hava Nagila" to him and Rich danced to it as guests sang along. …

EVENTS IN WOOD CRAFT IN 2011: Singer-musician Bill Tapia, who would have turned 104 on New Year’s Day, died Dec. 2. …

IN NOVEMBER, "The Descendants," starring George Clooney and based on Kaui Hart Hemmings‘ book, had its public opening to rave reviews. It was shown earlier on Oct. 23 to close out the Hawaii International Film Festival. The Hawaii-filmed picture garnered five Golden Globes nominations; the Globes show is Jan. 15. … Hawaii’s Bruno Mars was nominated for six Grammys. The awards show is scheduled for Feb. 12. … Diane von Furstenberg came to town for the Nov. 22 grand opening of her DVF shop at Ala Moana Center. She donated $10,000 to EuroCinema Hawaii, the group that organized the opening party. EuroCinema official Princess Dialta Alliata di Montereale is a longtime friend of the fashion queen …

I TURNED 80 on Oct. 26 at an entertainment-filled blast organized by Drea Kia, "Skinny" Lynnie Crawley, Mihana Souza and Neiman Marcus’ Duane Kawamoto. Geezers can still have fun. … Danny Kaleikini sang the national anthem Oct. 2 at the Cincinnati Bengals-Buffalo Bills football game. … P.F. Chang’s near Ala Moana Center invited friends to its fifth-anniversary dinner Oct. 5. Co-founder Philip Chiang greeted guests. …

SOME 200 people jammed the Bayer Estate Sept. 4 for the Taste of Kick Start. The fundraising goal of $30,000 was exceeded for Kick Start Karate, a program headed by former Police Chief Lee Donohue to keep youngsters on the right path. Willie K entertained. … Marion Murphy, originally from Canada, became an American citizen. Her husband, Don, owner of Murphy’s Bar & Grill, didn’t see all of the ceremony because he fell asleep. Zzzzzzzz …

DUKE’S WAIKIKI held its Beachboy Tribute Aug. 26. The event honored Hawaii’s beachboys and celebrated the 121st birthday of legendary Duke Paoa Kahanamoku. Duke’s birthday was Aug. 24. Attending were Buffalo Keaulana, Rabbit Kekai, Richard "Chief" Ka‘u and members of the Kahanamoku ohana. … EthelKukea, Nainoa Thompson, Aileen Soule and Peter Cole were inducted into the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame Aug. 21. … Loretta Ables Sayre reprised her Broadway Lincoln Center Tony-nominated performance of Bloody Mary in "South Pacific" when the musical’s European tour opened in London Aug. 15 … The Royal Hawaiian partnered with Matson Navigation Co. to present "Hollywood’s Golden Age in Waikiki" exhibit on Aug. 4, showcasing photos of stars from the late 1920s to the late 1940s who came to the Royal …

JIMMY BORGES‘ liver cancer surgery July 18 to remove a large tumor was a success. The surgeon removed all of the tumor in the seven-hour operation, his elated wife, Vicki, said after the surgery at Kaiser … Ruth Lin‘s daughter, Deborah, and son-in-law, James Gandolfini, surprised her at her birthday party at the Chart House on the Fourth of July … Events in Wood Craft during the first half of 2011 will be covered next week …