Kudos and maile leis aplenty to Kumu Hula Tracie Farias and partner in Kumu-ship husband Keawe Lopes, (pictured below) for steering their Kaneohe-based Ka La ‘Onohi Mai o Ha‘eha‘e halau to the pinnacle of huladom at Saturday’s 60th anniversary of the Merrie Monarch Festival finale at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium in Hilo.
Victory was just a slender edge (one point) over the second place finisher, William Kahakuleilehua Haunu‘u “Sonny” Ching’s and Lopaka Igarta-De Vera’s Halau Na Mamo Pu‘uanahulu.
A yellow ginger lei, too, for Agnes Renee Leilhiwahiwaikapolionamakua Thronas Brown, who was named Miss Aloha Hula, representing the Farias-Lopes halau.
Ka La ‘Onohi Mai o Ha‘eha‘e also placed first in wahine kahiko, fourth in wahine ‘auana and third in kane kahiko….
Had to ask entertainer Karen Keawehawaii (pictured), who is mom to Tracie and mother-in-law to Keawe, when she learned about the family-related halau’s Merrie Monarch Festival, since she was on a work-related trip to Las Vegas, with a Perry & The Posse group of travelers.
She was alone, in her California Hotel room, ”crying happy tears,” said Keawehawaii. “But I was not alone,” clearly referring to the presence of her late husband, Jackie Farias. …
Local girl wins ‘Wheel’ fortune
Malia Dunaway, (pictured), a former Honolulan now a sophomore at Villanova University, was a “Wheel of Fortune” winner in the show that aired here April 7.
She was part of a spring break week of contestants on the syndicated TV game show, and though she missed solving the show-ending puzzle of $40,000 – the answer was HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR — she nonetheless picked up $25,850 in prize money….
And speaking of “Wheel:” Pat Sajak, longtime “Wheel” host and lifelong pal of newsman Joe Moore, will finally be joining forces to star in Neil Simon’s comedy, “The Sunshine Boys,” at the Hawaii Theatre. Playdates are June 15 to 25.
Sajak did a splendid pitch for the production, mentioning his Army buddy, who is the veteran KHON2 news anchor. Because a Hawaiian scenic was displayed at the ending of the show, Sajak suggested to his mammoth syndicated audience to get away from the sunshine and beaches of Honolulu, and come attend the play. Priceless promo that brought a smile to Moore. It’s been a while since the duo committed to do the play, which was postponed thrice because of the pandemic. …
And that’s Show Biz. …
Great to hear that Pat and Joe will be working together again. And congrats yo the Villanova girl from Hawaii. I saw her win.
Aloha Dolores Treffeisen