THE LEFT LANE
Giants of cable

CHENG: Punahou grad cited to work for Disney

A 31-year-old Punahou graduate born and reared here, Cheng was cited for nearly tripling the distribution of parent company Disney's SoapNet and for brokering a major deal with cable giant Comcast to distribute the Disney Channel. Cheng is vice president of distribution strategy and national accounts for the group.

Also on the list were Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, News Corp. chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch.

In lieu of bouquets, Cheng jokingly suggested that Honolulu friends wishing to congratulate him send "spam musubi, Zippy's chili, or Portuguese sausage and rice." He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Dori.

What it takes to be royalty

You don't need royal blood to be treated like royalty on the Aloha Festivals court. Celebrating the event's 55th anniversary this year, organizers are looking for people of Hawaiian ancestry to serve on this year's court. Requirements:

• King: Must be at least 30 years old; 5-foot-11 or taller; hair must be neatly styled; any facial hair neatly trimmed and groomed.
• Queen: At least 30 years old; 5-foot-5 or taller; neatly styled hair.
• Prince: Ages 16 to 20; 5-foot-9 or taller; hair neatly styled; clean-shaven.
• Princess: Ages 16 to 20; 5-foot-2 or taller; hair neatly styled.

The prince and princess must be unmarried and remain so throughout the year in which they serve. Court members devote at least 150 hours to appearances during the year. The deadline to apply is March 1. For applications, call 589-1771.

KEALOHA: Readers sent donations to help her son

Marvalee Kealoha wants to say thanks. She is the mother of Roland Jose, 15, whose story of living with a brain tumor appeared in The Advertiser on Dec. 30. Kealoha also told her own story: She gave up a job of 18 years to care for her son, and though she also lost a home of her own, did not lose faith.

Readers, touched by the family's plight, responded. They sent cards, prayers, herbal remedies, encouragement and about $700.

"I would like to thank all the people for the generosity and the sympathy that they have shown," Kealoha said. "Words cannot express the feeling that I have."

Roland is recovering from a leg infection and hopes to return to Kailua High School.