THE LEFT LANE
A gem of an award

A Maui jeweler has been awarded first prize at the prestigious Jewelers of America national competition in New York. It's only the second time in the 50-year history of Hawai'i's participation that a Hawai'i jeweler has received the award.

Cathleen Bunt, of Cathleen Bunt Fine Art Jewelry, earlier had been named designer of the year 2001-2002 by the Hawaii Jewelers Association, which subsequently chose her piece, "Nefertiti Pendant," to represent the organization at the national contest.

"Nefertiti" is an 18-karat yellow gold pendant with a drop-shaped red tourmaline, 0.90 carats of diamonds and a 12.5 mm South Seas pearl.

Rock 'n' roll heroes

The stately Waldorf Astoria rang with the strains of "Teenage Lobotomy" Monday night as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame welcomed its first inductees from the mid-'70s punk rock generation. Leather jackets and mohawk haircuts mixed with tuxedos.

The Ramones and the Talking Heads, bands that began life in more modest New York spots like CBGB, joined Isaac Hayes, Brenda Lee, Gene Pitney, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Chet Atkins and Stax Records co-founder Jim Stewart as the Class of 2002.

But while all these rockers had their fans, it was the punks who gave a different aura to the 17th annual induction evening, with its black ties and $1,500-a-plate dinners.

"The Ramones said, 'We created rock 'n' roll, and we're gonna take it back,'" said Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, who inducted the Ramones with a world record 20-minute speech. "And," warned Vedder, "it may have to happen again."

Musical highlights of the show included a fine full-dress rendition of "Shaft" by Hayes, and a show-stopping version of "When Something is Wrong with My Baby," by Sam Moore. Talking Heads lead singer David Byrne and his three bandmates, bitterly estranged, put their differences aside for a performance at the induction.

" 'Rock 'n' roll star' is probably the purest manifestation of the American dream," Petty said. "It's a blessing beyond belief."

The ceremony was filmed by the cable channel VH1, which will show a two-hour version at 4 and 6 p.m. today.

Top local baby names

What are the most popular baby names in Hawai'i?

Last week we told you the most popular names nationwide, based on data from Social Security card applications. To refresh your memory, Jacob, Michael, Nicholas, Matthew and Joshua topped the charts for boys. Emily, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Madison and Sarah were hit names for girls.

Turns out tastes in Hawai'i aren't that different. These were the most popular baby names in Hawai'i in 2000: