People We Love

Okay, the annoying post was really fun, but lest I (or we) should come across as a community of grouches, how about our list of people in the public eye who really appeal to us?

I'm sure, as is always the case, that some of my favorite people are some of your most annoying, but that's because I'm right and you're . . . entitled to be wrong!

Okay, I'm going to start off with Lois Ann Yamanaka, who is that rarest of local literary figures: someone who's as good as her hype.

I don't enjoy her Advertiser column very much, but Nora Okja Keller is another local writer who kicks major butt, and although the picture appearing above her column is fine, it doesn't do her justice--this woman is a total babe.

Lee Cataluna too often goes for poignancy and the easy joke, but when she's not indulging her less-intelligent readers, she's genuinely funny and talented. This column, about how she's frequently mistaken for Kim Gennaula, had me laughing out loud.

Riley Wallace, the UH-Men's basketball coach, can be abrasive as heck, but he's real, and I think local sports fans appreciate that. I'll always remember how he stood up for his friend, Bob Wagner, the day that Wagner was fired by the University.

I could listen to Robi Kahakalau's voice sing ANYTHING, even a Schuler Homes jingle, forever.

I've mentioned her here before, but Carol Chee Tsutsumi, who has had regular pieces in the Travel section of the Star-Bulletin, can really write.

The guys in Ho`okena always, always, always put on a great show. I also love Makana, the Ki Hoalu Kid, Matt Swalinkavich.

Just about any female wearing an Anna Miller's maroon waitress uniform.

And I'm going to end today's list with someone who most people find unspeakably annoying, Lillian Hong. I admire Lillian, even though watching her show is often not quite as painful as scratching my nails on a chalkboard. Lillian's got something to say, and she says it, albeit in as roundabout a fashion as one could imagine. Lillian doesn't fire off angry letters to the local papers or simply complain to her neighbors. She tries, in her own often-misguided way, to influence others simply by putting on a little television show, whether anyone watches it or not. I'm watching, Lillian. Call me if you need someone to edit your text graphics before you broadcast your show!

Comments

I should have more, but off the top of my head, I'd say Jake Shimabukuro. Talented, to be sure, a superstar on the `ukulele, and if you think he's big here, you should see his fan club in Japan. But what I really like about him, having met him in person, is his humility as well as his showmanship... and the fact that he contributes regularly to his alma mater, Kaimuki High School, particularly to boost the music program and music education in general.

Up until recently I was a big fan of Lilian Hong, by the way, albeit in the "strange yet somehow endearing grandma" vein... but stars crossed somewhere and I bumped into several people a while back who gave me an entirely different perspective of her motives. (However, I'd still take her over Jeremy Harris as mayor any day...)

Genoa Keawe and Willie K top my list.

But then almost all local musicians are on it. I won't specifically mention the exceptions so as not to turn this into another annoying thread. :)

C & K back in the day...they seemed to embody the sound of Hawaii's soul during their heyday. My image of them will always be with the long hair, hippie beards and open aloha shirts on one of their albums.

And I used dig General John Rogers when he stood on the corner of Kapiolani and Kalakaua waving the American flag. Mind you this was pre-9/11 so he wasn't jumping on anyone's bandwagon, rather just expressing the love he had in his heart. Kinda wish someone else would take up the cause again.

Let's see...I was going to add a name from the local media but can't think of any right now. Although Paula Akana has always been a rock in an everchanging sea of tv anchors...and I hear she knows how to do her own body and fender work on her car. I miss all the great investigative reporters that used to do quality news stories like Matt Levi back at the old KGMB. Ah well...

I absolutely LOVE the television broadcast baseball commentary by Jim Leahy and Pal Eldredge. The combination of those two just oozes of Crackerjack, a hot dog, a cold beer and a baseball game on a hot summer day. This, even though the 'Bows play mostly evening games in the spring! Their play-by-play, knowledgeable trivia and playful commentary remind me of baseball when I was a kid in the early '60s, listening to Hawaii Islanders' games on the A.M. radio.

Without them, Rainbow Baseball just wouldn't be the same. Many fans in the stands at the games bring small televisions just to listen to Pal and Jim while watching the live game. (Also handy for the occasional replay on a disputed call by the umpire!)

If you don't venture occasionally into the OpEd section of the Star-Bulletin, you'll likely have missed one of Cynthia Oi's "Under The Sun" weekly columns. Cynthia can write with the best of them. The writing in her columns oozes quality worthy of a novel. I don't always agree with her POV, but I love to read her writing just the same. I keep begging her to write a book!

I must add Konishiki. Even if I hadn't already admired him in his difficult but so successful career choice, I'd have to because of that poster he did about reading to children.

Except for brief glimpses, I haven't seen local television in more than five years, so have no teevee personalities on my list (and when I did watch it, afraid most of those would be on the "annoying" list).

And there's not a single local politician there.

I'll go with Leahey and Eldridge, but I really wish Blangiardi was doing baseball with Jim, just because he wouldn't then be managing two television stations under an exemption from the FCC rules! ;)

I think Tina Shelton and Leslie Wilcox are both "hard news" people who do good jobs. Dan Boylan asks good questions (on Island Insights).

The Brothers Cazimero, for the talent and the loyalty to their various venues over the years, despite the economic losses they must have taken (Christmas shows at Bishop Museum, specifically).

Aloha.. Thank you for the kind comments and words. Please visit my website at www.geocities.com/lillyhong02

Hi! I am learning computer. I was surfing the items from "lillian hong" This is what I found. Just wish to clarify one thing: www.geocities.com/lillyhong02 posted by Lillian Hong on August 30, 2003 12:34 p.m. is not mine. I read some of your correspondences: you are, and they are "Tell it like it is" I respect your opions. This is a free country. Thank you for watching my programs on Olelo 54. Love, Lillian Hong

dis one wacky world or wot? yeah, lee cataluna even tho' i no agree wit' her politics, she one bamboo ridge babe so...

My name is Lillian Hong. I am running for Honolulu Mayor. Do you have any question that you wish to ask me? Love, Lillian Hong P.S. If you have time, my programs are on Olelo channel 54.

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