The New England Patriots’ thrilling 28-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks Sunday was one of the best Super Bowls ever played. Despite the Pats being accused of deflating footballs in the game against Indianapolis Jan. 18,Tom Brady played like a champion, passing for four touchdowns. Behind 24-14, he brought his team back to lead 28-24 with 2 minutes and 2 seconds to go.
The Hawks fought back and Jermaine Kearse made a freak, juggling catch on his back and got the ball to the 5. Marshawn Lynch drove to the 1 and it looked like a sure Hawk win was coming up. But an incredibly bad call to pass by coach Pete Carroll instead of giving the pigskin to powerhouse Lynch, who had gained 102 yards, resulted in an interception on the 1 by rookie Malcolm Butler to seal the win for the Pats. Overly frustrated Hawk Bruce Irvin started a mass brawl seconds before the game ended to mess things up and got ejected.
My pal Frank Steinmiller called the game "unreal." How true. The Pats have the trophy but are now facing an investigation over charges of deflating footballs so Brady could grip them better to pass. If this really happened it may wind up being a dumber call than the Hawks’ game-losing pass …
BOW WOW: A Kaneohe resident will be competing in the 139th Annual Westminster Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show in New York City Feb. 16-17. Teresa Bell and her Yorkshire terriers, Paris and Pierre, will be among the more than 3,000 mutts competing in the events of Westminster Week, which includes the iconic all-breed dog show and its 2nd Annual Masters Agility Championship …
EuroCinema Hawai‘i has namedPatrick Gey, a debonair Frenchman, president of the Sixth Annual EuroCinema Hawai‘i Film Festival. As a founding board member, Gey is credited with the red carpet arrival fronting the Westin Moana Surfrider Waikiki at the fall EuroCinema Awards Gala. Gey is the G.M. of Versace Hawaii …SERVICES FOR Gus Hannemann, 78, Jan. 19 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hawaii Kai drew an overflow crowd. Gus’ wife, Lydia, said she was overwhelmed by the huge crowd and the many people there who told her how much he had helped them. I’ve known Gus for some 40 years and he always looked good. He was a "people person," a guy with a good sense of humor, who you could always see around town.
His son T.K. is the director of human resources for Oahu Transit Services, Honolulu’s bus company. My niece Kaina Awaa works in T.K.’s department. She happened to be in my apartment when she got a call about Gus’ death the day after he died Jan 2. We were shocked. The tall, well-built Samoan was a marvelous speaker and a fine emcee, and was loaded with good jokes.
I once covered a meeting he attended to raise funds for an upcoming Samoan Flag Day. He made it clear to non-Samoan officials involved in funding that the Flag Day events would be held even if the funds needed were not approved by them. When Gus finished speaking with his golden tongue, he wound up getting thousands of dollars more than was requested.
I also dealt with him when I was Star-Bulletin entertainment editor and he was managing his younger brother Nephi, who was singing in Waikiki. Nephi sang at Gus’ service. His brother Mufi, the former mayor, gave the eulogy. Condolences to members of the family …
CONDOLENCES also go out to families of these friends: Mike Vasconcellos, 69, former athletic director of Chaminade University, who died Dec. 30. Mike was the son of the late head UH and Roosevelt football coach Hank Vasconcellos. Mike’s mom, Marion "Buddy" Aiu Vasconcellos, 96, died Jan. 10. Another Samoan community leader, Lee Afuvai, 75, died Oct. 25. He was former G.M. of the Point After disco, worked at Duke Kahanamoku’s and served in the administrations of Govs. John Waihee, Ben Cayetano and Linda Lingle …
Don’t forget the fundraiser for writer Lynn Cook, 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Lotus Hotel. Her husband, Richard Hardy, 78, died of cancer Dec. 30. Money raised will pay for medical bills. Good music will be provided by Henry Kapono, Kuana Torres Kahele, Sonny Silva and Duane Padilla.
Hula will be by the dancers of Mapuana de Silva’s Halau Mohala ‘Ilima. Lynn dances with the halau. KITV’s Paula Akana will emcee. Admission is $20, pupu are free. Richard was a descendant of author Edgar Allan Poe and he wound up marrying Lynn, another fine writer. Quite appropriate …
Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
