BARKEEPS Don and Marion Murphy, a well-liked couple, celebrated the 25th anniversary of their Murphy’s Bar & Grill Nov. 16. The popular downtown spot on the corner of Merchant and Nuuanu has held some of the state’s biggest block parties.
Their annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration is always special, and fundraisers have pulled in more than $2.5 million for charitable causes over the years. Birthday parties, wakes, baby luau, graduation parties, wedding receptions and even a few weddings have been held there. Don is a strong supporter of University of Hawaii sports, and "Meet the Coach" radio shows have been broadcast live from Murphy’s.
Buses to and from Aloha Stadium for key UH games and NFL Pro Bowls have been chartered by Murphy’s. Local and national sports events are shown on the several TV screens. In 1992, a horse was brought in for the Kentucky Derby and mint juleps were served. For the 2004 World Series, won by Boston, a wall in Murphy’s was painted green to honor the 37-foot "Green Monster" in left field at Boston’s Fenway Park.
In a letter recognizing the milestone, Don and Marion call the 25 years an "incredible journey filled with lots of love and laughter, joy and tears. We raise our glass to you all and thank you immensely for your continued support. Let’s keep the party rolling!" …
CAMPBELL Estate Trustee David Heenan‘s ninth book, "Leaving on Top," subtitled "Graceful Exits for Leaders," has been released. Dave is again a visiting professor at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., teaching global strategy. He emailed that he invited Citigroup Chairman Michael O’Neill, former Bank of Hawaii CEO and chairman, to class Nov. 29. "He gave a rave performance and also wanted to send his best to those back home." Orders for Dave’s book can be placed at leavingontop.com, amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com. …
THREE-TIME Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist Misty May Treanor, who is part Hawaiian, appeared on the Nov. 27 episode of the NBC sitcom "Go On," starring Matthew Perry. Misty invited Perry’s character to play volleyball with some of her girlfriends to help him get back into the dating game. "Go On" plays Tuesday nights on KHNL at 8. … "NBC Nightly News" on Nov. 28 showed Hawaii island’s Kamilo Beach covered with debris, including some from the Japan tsunami. The beach is on the southwest coast of the island and waves of ocean garbage, heavy on plastic, wash in there. …
Latin music entertainer and recording artist Rolando Sanchez has made a deal with iMusica S.A. from Rio De Janeiro for the release of his 2010 CD, "Vamonos de Fiesta," in South and Central America and Mexico.
The agreement includes licensing and sublicensing the CD for mobile phone carriers, corporate commercials, cable, satellite radio, ringtones and more, Rolando emails. The CD has a new cover designed by local artist and author Tammy Yee.…
HAWAII’S Manti Te‘o is the heart and soul of the No. 1-ranked Notre Dame football team and deserves the Heisman Trophy, to be awarded Saturday in Manhattan for the most outstanding player in collegiate football.
Let’s hope the voters break from the custom of giving the trophy to an offensive star and give it to Te‘o, the best collegiate linebacker in the nation. …
Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
