Question: The Saturday edition featured a photo of Justin Thomas’ approach on the 16th at Waialae. In the background are four coconut trees that appear to form a W. Is this coincidence or were the trees cultivated for that purpose? Either way, Dennis Oda’s photo is fantastic.
Answer: The memorable sight was cultivated, thanks to the vision of Waialae Country Club member Ethan Abbott. The W formation is at the seventh hole, which is played as the 16th during the Sony Open, the golf tournament referenced in your question.
Abbott was inspired by the 1963 movie, “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” which he had enjoyed as a child. The madcap comedy features an all-star cast racing to find an illicit fortune buried under “the big W,” or “dubya,” as Jimmy Durante utters the line, portraying a dying ex-convict who buried it there. High jinks ensue as competing characters rush to locate the site, which turns out to be four palm trees growing in the shape of a W.
“I saw the movie when I was 10 or 11 years old and as an adult every time I walked down that fairway, I would think, ‘We really should have a W here. It’s perfect for Waialae,’” Abbott said Wednesday, recalling the old view of four coconut palms in a row, growing straight up.
Abbott shared his idea, and while a few members of the private country club took some convincing, approval eventually was granted.
The four straight trees were replaced by four others from elsewhere on the property that were dug up and replanted at angles, which “sort of tricked them into thinking they were growing straight,” said Abbott, who credited Waialae staff members and a hired arborist for the transformation. “I had the idea but they did the moving and planting and so forth — the cultivation.”
The new trees were planted in spring 2008, buttressed at first, and the W formation was standing on its own in time for the 2009 Sony Open, he said.
Over the years, several publications have written about what is now considered an iconic view in the golf world, and a symbol of Waialae Country Club. A 2012 story in Golf Digest (808ne.ws/palmW) includes before-and-after photos, as well as a shot of the in-between stage, with two straight trees bolstering the angled ones.
Q: Is it true that acne can keep me from joining the Army?
A: Yes, but generally only in severe cases. Numerous skin conditions, including acne pustules on your neck, shoulders, chest or back, can be disqualifying for military enlistment if the condition would interfere with the proper wearing of military equipment, or be aggravated by that equipment, according to a U.S. Department of Defense directive.
Waivers are granted in some cases. You may wish to speak to a military recruiter for specific information about your potential for enlistment.
Auwe
I was jogging against the flow of traffic on Beretania Street. I came to the Kalakaua Avenue intersection and waited for the red light to change. When the walk light came on, I continued my run. A yellow Mazda 323 sped through the intersection cutting me off as I was more than halfway across the road. I had to stop to let him pass. Of all the nerve! This driver couldn’t give me three seconds to clear the roadway. I wasn’t walking. I was running! What a dangerous creep. — R.S.
