The Left Lane
How whisper about Waikiki resounded

Book: Former Hawai'i resi-dent living in Pasco

The answer: It was the doing of John Book, 30, a former Hawai'i resident living in Pasco, Wash., since 1984. He was aided by the power of e-mail, of course, but Book bought the Sept. 23 Herald and read the column. He typed it, posted it on Internet discussion groups frequented by Hawai'i residents and e-mailed it here and there, including to news media and the governor's office.

What motivated him? Probably the phrase about "fat men strumming ukuleles," he said. To Book, who runs Web sites on Hawaiian music (hawnmusiccorner.com is one), those were fighting words.

Morning news shows huddle behind glass

One sign that things are normal in America again will be when the major morning TV shows begin chatting with people gathered at their streetside studios in New York City. But since the Sept. 11 attacks, the anchors of NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and CBS' "The Early Show" have remained behind glass in their studios. And the concept that made those shows more popular than ever — the ability to mingle on the street with their fans on live television — has been nowhere in sight.

Producers say there's no telling when things might get back to anything resembling normal. "We've been asking the same question every day. We're going to take it day by day," says "Today" chief Jonathan Wald. "I don't want to do it until security feels good about it, our producers feel good about it and the viewers feel good about it. And so far we're 0 for 3."

Twelve acts will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Oct. 4: Bill Anderson, Sam Phillips, the Delmore Brothers, the Everly Brothers, Don Gibson, Homer and Jethro, Waylon Jennings, the Jordanaires, Don Law, the Louvin Brothers, Ken Nelson and Webb Pierce. The inductees also will be recognized during "The 35th Annual CMA Awards" show on Nov. 7, which is scheduled to air on CBS from the Grand Ole Opry House.

Psychologist offers post-attack session

A free 90-minute workshop tomorrow to help heal those suffering emotionally in the aftermath of Sept. 11, "From Crisis to Opportunity: A Forum for Strength and Healing in Hawai'i," is being offered from 10-11:30 a.m. at Manoa Valley Theatre by psychologist Sunny Massad, owner of the Hawai'i Wellness Institute.

The workshop will offer practical skills "for turning crises into opportunities for personal reflection, turning fear into power, aligning your lifestyle with your highest values, and taking time out to experience a sense of community with others," Massad said.

Additional private counseling sessions will also be offered immediately afterward, at no charge, Massad said. Call 734-3887 for more information.