Honorary India Consul General Sheila Watumull rushed to see "Jurassic World" as soon as it was released because she has a special connection to the Steven Spielberg movie starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard,daughter of filmmaker Ron Howard. Sheila donated the Chief’s Hut, a gazebo fronting the Honolulu Zoo’s elephant exhibit, to the zoo to honor her late husband, David Watumull, a key figure in establishing the elephant exhibit. David was called "Chief." On April 7, 2014, Sheila held a luncheon for India’s Ambassador to the U.S. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and his entourage at the Chief’s Hut. The luncheon was followed by three days of filming for "Jurassic World" at the elephant exhibit. The elephant zookeepers were used in the filming. The hut was morphed to picture the huge templelike building seen at the opening and end of the movie. The elephant feet were morphed into huge dinosaur feet that trampled everything, including people. It was an exciting, thrilling movie with exceptional cinematography.
Besides the zoo, filming was done at other spots on Oahu, on Kauai and in New Orleans. Pratt’s animal trainer character was the big hero and Howard, as the theme park manager, was right there with him helping out. She looked feminine and stylish in her white dress and high heels, even when running for her life. She did roll up her sleeves for action. The film has topped $1 billion worldwide. Pratt is on top of the movie world right now because of his bankability. His "Guardians of the Galaxy" was also a huge box-office success. He is booked for "Passengers" with Jennifer Lawrence later this year. Not bad for a guy who was homeless on Maui at 19 and slept in a van and tent. Pratt, who turned 36 on Sunday, was discovered while working at Bubba Gump’s in Lahaina by actress-director Rae Dawn Chong …
Farrington High and Michigan State University football great Bob Apisa marked his 70th birthday Saturday at 3660 On The Rise. Injury kept Bob from playing in the NFL but he found work in TV and movies. Among those attending the birthday party was another Michigan State football star, attorney and St. Louis High grad Jim Nicholson; Al Harrington, a gridiron standout at Punahou and Stanford who became a regular on "Hawaii Five-0"; and former Mayor Mufi Hannemann, an ‘Iolani athlete in younger days and a Harvard basketball player. Many of Bob and wife Arlena’s family members attended, as did several of Bob’s Michigan State teammates. Bob is putting finishing touches on a documentary about racial issues in the ’60s, and how his college football team all considered each other brothers despite the turmoil of the time. It is called "Men of Sparta," appropriate as Michigan State players are called the Spartans …
Triplets to Howard Kruse and his ex-wife Dorothy Tam almost 61 years ago sadly were unable to celebrate Father’s Day with their dad this year because Howard, 86, died June 16. The triplets — Howard Kruse Jr., John Kruse and Kalei Kruse Kimhan — were born Aug. 15, 1954, at St. Francis Hospital. They were the first set of triplets born at St. Francis and the fourth set on Oahu. They attracted much attention on outings because triplets were so rare in Hawaii at the time. Howard was a Roosevelt athlete and one of the best trumpet players in school. He went on to play his horn professionally. His first wife was the late Lani Rodrigues Custino, a noted hula dancer and also a vocalist. Lani’s sister is Nina Kealiiwahamana, a remarkable singer. His brother Roy Kruse was the Hawaii Newspaper Guild’s administrative officer for many years before retiring. Condolences to Howard’s wife, Sylvia, and the rest of the Kruse family. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday at St. John Vianney Church in Kailua. Mass will be at 11:30, followed byburial at 3 p.m. at Hawaiian Memorial in Kaneohe …
Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets during World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
