wayneharada.com

Police everywhere, here and on the mainland, are either loved or loathed.

Like facemask-wearing and vaccination shots, they cause people to take sides, notably if and where there are good deeds or bad deeds.

With happenings within the Honolulu Police Department in recent days/weeks, I felt compelled to post an observation and perhaps spur a discussion about actions and behaviors of our local cops.

Thus, this is a moment of Good Cops … Bad Cops.

On the good side, three HPD members – prior to the 9/11 anniversary on Sept. 11 – released a ‘swonderful version of Lee Greenwood’s patriotic anthem, “God Bless the U.S.A.” And God bless them, indeed.

The video, launched on YouTube, incorporated local places of significance to the mix, making this version by and for the locals.

So bravo, to Officer Taylor Hoopii , Officer Bill Sapolu, and  Officer Cameron Tuitele. You might remember them from the Touch of Gold group, specializing in nostalgic music of the recent past, and harmonies that tug the heart. The musical accompaniment was by Clarke Tuitele. You can view the clip here:   

It’s such an emotional, enterprising video, and many folks call it a keeper, because the joy and pride never stop, when you replay and replay.

On the Bad Cops side, a trio of Honolulu officers on duty in Makaha are facing potential criminal charges for allegedly fleeing the scene of a critical accident, following a high-speed auto chase by the men in blue a few nights back.

A hit-and-run implication possibly exists, since the three officers in District 8  – as yet, not identified – were apparently the ones pursuing a car of youths partying at Maili Beach Park. The vehicle carried a boy, 14, and five others, and the boy is paralyzed from the neck down and is incapable of speaking, with the young driver of the car, one of the five in the vehicle, also hospitalized and on life support. They have not been identified either, but some are being represented by attorney Eric A. Seitz, overseeing legal matters.

Obviously, this was a case of a speeding vehicle (which careened into two properties) chased by three officers, who apparently didn’t stop to give aid … until someone called 911, according to one area witness on Hawaii News Now.

This clearly smells a court case in the making, and surely a black eye for HPD. …

Happy talk

Actress Vanessa Lachey, who makes her debut as Jane Tennant, agent-in-charge of “NCIS: Hawai‘i,” when it premieres Monday (Sept. 20 on CBS), has posted an Instagram video, sharing an emotion-charge response the moment she learned she landed the role several months back.

“I’m in the car and I just found out I got the job,” Lachey says through her sobbing tears. “I couldn’t take a video because I was on the phone. I don’t know what to do; I don’t know what to do. Thank you. I’m so happy.”

Phoenix, her 4-year-old son with husband Nick Lachey, was in the back seat. “He doesn’t know what we’re happy about.” …

Also happy news: CBS has finally included the ‘okina in its “NCIS: Hawai’i” logos. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

After 20 years of top-tier service, a prominent hospitality executive with Hawaii ties will retire as CEO of BWH Hotel Group. His departure means a huge void in AAPI presence in the realm of hotel management leadership.

David Kong, a graduate of the TIM school at the University of Hawaii, will retire at the end of 2021. His successor will be named at the BWH convention Oct. 7 in Las Vegas.

BWH is the acronym of Best Western Hotels & Resorts, where Kong had served since 2001 and became CEO in 2004. 

He has been the hotel industry’s longest tenured CEO, an indication of his leadership and savvy in shaping the Best Western brand into a major global competitor and player in travel and hospitality. Under his watch, Best Western has expanded from one to 18 brands in a spectrum of service that taps a range of accommodations in all price brackets.

“What (Kong) has been able to do with Best Western is really create the consistency of the highest level of performance,” said American Hotel & Lodging Association president and CEO Chip Rogers in a statement. “David has created an environment at Best Western that encourages its owners to be their best and to create the best products.”

Kong’s bio often mentions that he entered the hotel business as a dishwasher and busboy and is leaving a legacy of caring atop the peak of an industry. His dedication and reputation of serving and mentoring his colleagues and staff teams and delivering on his promises makes him a one-of-a-kind.

Kevin Iwamoto, a colleague at TIM and also a key player in hospitality trade, said of Kong, “I have so much respect for him; he’s achieved so much but is so humble, soft spoken and a nice human being. He has risen to the highest ranks of the industry and is a role model for Asians and Pacific Islanders (API) who aspire to lead the industry in senior executive positions of influence.  His retirement and departure from full time work will leave a tremendous void for API diversity in the executive ranks of the hospitality industry.” 

Iwamoto, who is chief strategy officer and head of Bizly Inc., a leading meetings technology company, himself is planning on retiring sometime soon.

“The story of me and David Kong is connected forever because we both graduated from UH’s Travel Industry Management School – David in 1971 and me in 1977—and we both were inducted into the 2013 UH TIM Hall of Honors,” said Iwamoto.

Though Hong Kong-born, Kong was educated at UH.  “Our careers intersected in both the business travel and meetings/events worlds of the industry,” said Iwamoto. “We currently both serve as UH TIM Alumni Association Board members”…

Name-dropping

Kudos to Tom Holowach, former honcho at Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College. His first screenplay, “The Kaliikak Crusade,” is a finalist in the UK Page Turner Awards. …

Drew Bright, son of Michael and Jade Bright and grandson of Ron and Mo Bright, will be portraying the role of Dimitri in Castle Performing Arts Company’s “Anastasia,” a Broadway music filled with rich tunes that resonate. Could this be the Hawaii premiere of this jewel, at the Ronald K. Bright Theatre on the Castle High School camps? Performance times and ticket details will be forthcoming. Surely, Poppo (what his family calls Ron Bright) also must be anticipating the rise of the curtain from his orchestra seat in heaven. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

The Makaha Sons, led by Jerome Koko, will be joined by island songbird Robi Kahakalau, in performances at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Friday (Sept. 17) at Blue Note Hawaii at the Outrigger Waikiki resort.

The concerts are emblematic of these pandemic times; folks want to periodically go out for a night of island music, but cost might be a factor. So if there’s an option to attend without the customary admission, it might be easier to take in a show.

Here’s the rub: residents who are fully vaccinated, with proper validation of the vaxx card along with a photo ID, may attend the shows at no cost.

The hope is that with free admission, fans and other show-goers will make donations to the Makaha Sons Foundation to help raise funds for the organization.

Along with  Koko on vocals and 12-string guitar, the group now features Kimo Artis on vocals and electric bass and Hanale Kaʻanapu on vocals and 6-string guitar. 

Saks Fifth Avenue Hawaii and One Community are presenting the Blue Note shows with a win-win prospect for all involved.

Admission normally is in the $25 range; drinks and meals are extra. Still, with free admission, it’s a bargain – for attendees and sponsors.

Doors open at 4:30 and 8 p.m.  For information and reservations, visit www.bluenotehawaii.com

The Makaha Sons Foundation is a Waipahu-based arts and cultural organization supported by the Makaha Sons. It supports Hawaii police officers and families afflicted with illness, and awards scholarships to high school seniors.

One Community is a consulting company that assists their clients in presenting their business objectives to key officials and decision-makers in Hawaii’s government and community.

‘Superstars’ reunited

Teddy Neeley (who played Jesus) and Yvonne Elliman (who was Mary Magdalene) in the film version of “Jesus Christ Superstar” are reuniting this weekend in Boston for a reunion concert as well as a screening of the film.

Neeley and Elliman also had music careers outside of the film and they’ll share their repertoire of faves, backed by an all-star band. Elliman, of course, is the Roosevelt grad who became a global sensation when she recorded the “concept” LP of the rock opera aka “Superstar” that also resulted in a Broadway stage musical in 1971 and a Hollywood film in 1973. Elliman is the lone lead who did the original recording (earning a Grammy) and the subsequent stage and movie versions.

If you’re in the vicinity, the concerts will be at the Regent Theatre in Arlington at 8 p.m. Friday (Sept. 17) and Saturday (Sept. 18).

The two stars will host a screening of a new digitally remastered version of the 1973 film at 6 p.m. Sunday (Sept. 19) at the same venue, with both Neeley and Elliman participating in a meet-and-greet after the showing. Elliman’s husband, Allen Alexander, posted this adjoining pic of Elliman on Facebook. …

Kokua with prayers

Al Harrington, veteran entertainer, has been hospitalized with multiple medical issues. Fans and friends may want to send prayers of support.

You know him as “The South Pacific Man,” a Waikiki singer and star of his own Polynesian show, back in the day when most hotels had showrooms, and as Det. Ben Kokua, in the CBS-Jack Lord original of “Hawaii Five-0,” and Mamo Kahike in the Alex O’Loughlin  “Five-0” reboot.
Some may know him as a former football player at Punahou, from where he graduated in 1954, and later became a Punahou school teacher. …

And that’s Show Biz. …