Hawaii’s Bruno Mars captained an all-star team in a tribute to Mr. Reggae Bob Marley in one of the brightest segments of the Grammy Awards Sunday night. Bruno and his band started things and were joined by Sting. The two supported each other vocally and played guitar. Then Rihanna came on with the late Marley’s sons Ziggy and Damian. Everyone on stage took part in Marley’s classic "Could You Be Loved." Bruno named the stars following the tribute. …
I COULDN’T believe CBS slapped a dress code on the Grammys, something Jennifer Lopez and Katy Perry thankfully overlooked. J.Lo, the first award presenter, wore a beautiful off-the-shoulder black gown by Anthony Vaccarello with a slit that went up and up and up, baring a lovely leg. She even made a wisecrack about the code. Perry came on later and took care of things topside. She wore a skintight, mint-green Gucci gown that had a very revealing window in the chest area. OK, so I’m a dirty old man. But come on CBS, this is the Grammys, not the Grannys. …
NEXT UP, the Oscars. I hope "Silver Linings Playbook" wins for best picture and its stars Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro win for best actress and best supporting actor. I liked this romantic comedy so well I saw it twice. It’s a feel-good movie. Bradley Cooper also is outstanding in "Linings" but I think the best actor award will go to Daniel Day-Lewis for "Lincoln," which may also grab the best picture Oscar. Ben Affleck‘s "Argo" and "Zero Dark Thirty" with Jessica Chastain could also be in the thick of the awards. ABC will air the Academy Awards Feb. 24 from L.A. …
CONGRATULATIONS to Chris Naeole, whom University of Hawaii football coach Norm Chow has named to be one of his assistant coaches. Chris is a Kahuku High and University of Colorado grad. The huge offensive lineman played 12 years in the National Football league, six at New Orleans and six with Jacksonville. I met Chris last year at physical therapist Pat Ariki‘s SportsMedicine Hawaii. Chris and Pat, also a Colorado grad, are longtime friends. "I treated him for a couple of dings he received during his pro career when he’d come home after the season," Pat said. "He’s going to be a great addition for Norm beyond coaching. One of the intangibles Norm gets is the whole North Shore for recruitment." Chris is held highly on the North Shore, fertile turf for outstanding football players. "Chris came to Colorado 20 years after I left," said Pat, a former wrestler for the Buffaloes …
PBS HAWAII needs a new home and is calling on the Brothers Cazimero to help it raise funds. Robert and Roland will make their PBS Hawaii performance debut in “Na Mele: Pure Caz” Thursday at 8 p.m. “Pure Caz” features the brothers performing in a recording session at PBS Hawaii’s studio. The pledge program will support the station’s New Home campaign, a capital fund for building and equipping a new PBS Hawaii-owned facility on Nimitz Highway. Guests lined up so far are: Amy Hanaiali‘i Gilliom, Mihana Souza, John Cruz, Sky Gora, Leina‘ala Heine, Haumea Ho, Harry Soria, Jon de Mello and Leah Bernstein. Billy V will co-host with PBS Hawaii President and CEO Leslie Wilcox. Robert Pennybacker is executive producer …
———
Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
