Letters: 01-05-17

Debbie Reynolds made lasting Hawaii impression

I first met Debbie Reynolds when she was the owner of a hotel night club called The Paddlewheel in Las Vegas, when I went to see her show. It was a two-hour, one-woman show that was so full of energy, laughs, music and much more, that I put it on the top of my list as the best Las Vegas show I had ever seen.

But after the show, I had the opportunity to meet Debbie Reynolds and tell her that I operated the Akebono Theater in Pahoa, which was the oldest theater, and planned to show an entire week of her best movies.

She asked me where I would find the prints of movies and I told her that I had Hollywood connections in the industry and I could make it work. She said she loved the idea and that she would cooperate in any way possible. I said a date, and she more than just cooperated, she sent me enough original posters from her movies to decorate the entire theater lobby and autographed them all. She also sent autographed photos to give to everyone who attended the shows.

Words cannot describe the kind of person that is Debbie Reynolds. Imagine the 80-seat Akebono Theater graced personally by the enthusiasm of Debbie Reynolds. Pahoa turned out for that special film festival and I’ll never forget her phone calls that followed through the years.

Now, we’ve lost that very special person, but I know that all who attended that very special week in Pahoa will never forget her gracious cooperation for our people of Pahoa and many fond remembrance.

Here’s to remembering a great lady and a great performer.

Pat Rocco

Former Akebono Theater manager, Pahoa

Here’s what happy Hilo needs

Being named the fourth “Happiest Seaside Town in America,” Hilo in my heart and soul has much potential socio-economically. If an amphitheater large enough to house and seat hula halaus and a big audience can be built in Hilo, you have the possibility of having Merry Monarch like conditions 365 days of the year in the happy town. This would bring a boost to Hilo’s economy, which could use a little help at the present time.

In addition to the above mentioned, if Hilo can lure a prestigious mainland higher institution of education like a Harvard or Yale, you could have a Harvard Hilo campus or Yale Hilo campus. This would further boost Hilo’s economy, making it an even happier town.

Having spent New Years in Hilo, I found it to be a rather happy experience. The people there have a lot of aloha and are great people. If the above mentioned hula halau amphitheater and prestigious institution of higher education can be a reality in Hilo, the town would attain even higher levels of happiness.

Dean Nagasako

Honokaa