LEADERSHIP CORNER
Retired actor helps build arts center in Mililani
Interviewed by Debbie Sokei
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Age: 71
Title: Retired actor, board member
Organization: Oahu Arts Center, which is in the process of building a $20 million performing arts center in Mililani Mauka
Personal profile
• High school: Kamehameha Schools
• College: University of Hawai'i and Pasadena Playhouse College of Theater Arts
• Breakthrough job: "That was when I worked as a busboy at the North Woods Inn Restaurant (in Pasadena, Calif.) after I graduated from college.
"A lot of would-be actors used to work there. I wanted a job as a waiter, but there wasn't an opening. Dustin Hoffman, who was my classmate and friend at the time, went with me to apply for a job. There were three other guys who wanted the same job. So, I suggested we jan-ken-po for it. I lost the first hand and suggested to do it two out of three times. I won. Dustin left for New York. The job allowed me to stay in Hollywood. I worked during the nights and was able to audition during the day. My first audition was in 1959 for 'Hawaiian Eye,' a television series about two detectives in Hawai'i. After I auditioned, they told me they would call me. At that time, I knew I was going to make it. I went home and quit my job as a busboy. Well, they didn't call. Two weeks went by and I didn't hear from them.
"Finally, they called and asked me to audition again. I landed the part of a security guard and was also hired as the technical adviser for the series. Suddenly, not only did I get a series but I also got an office at Warner Bros. Studio. I was just a punk kid right out of college."
• Little-known fact: "I replaced Al Michaels, the ABC sports commentator, as the co-host of the nightly television show 'Hawaii PM.' This was during the 1970s. One day after watching the show, I called the owner of the station and gave him some suggestions on how he could improve the show. He liked my ideas and invited me to be a guest.
"We had no idea what I would talk about. He just told me to show up. I ended up talking about stopping at Kentucky Fried Chicken while I was on my way to do the show. For 15 minutes I talked about chicken wings and how I don't like them. The owner of the station liked what he saw. He called me the next day and hired me to replace Al Michaels as the co-host. I was a little surprised, but I replaced Al Michaels."
• Life-changing event: "It was when I first started doing telethons during the late 1960s.The telethons got me started in doing charity work. The first telethon I did was for the Cancer Society and it aired on KHON. It aired from midnight to 6 a.m. and we raised $25,000. Then I did another one on KITV for the Aloha Association and raised $100,000. Later, we did a telethon on KGMB and raised $1 million for the Variety Club. We used the money to build the Variety School on Diamond Head, and we got the state to donate the land."
• • •
Q. Why did you decide to help build a performing arts center in Mililani?
A. When I heard there was a community group focusing on doing something for the performing arts, I thought it was a natural fit for me. I don't play golf. It bores me to death. I don't like to hang out at McDonald's. Why not get involved?
It's really appropriate and rewarding for me to have the opportunity to give back to the community. It's also rewarding to work with people who are committed to providing a venue for young people interested in the performing arts.
Q. What is your role with the organization?
A. My role is to acquaint my colleagues about the performing arts and let the community know about our efforts. I'm also advising the group on the kinds of facilities, lighting and sound, that will be needed for a first-rate facility that will be used to teach drama, music, dance and visual arts. I'm also talking to several performing arts teachers around the island to find out what they think the center should have.
Q. What is the biggest challenge of being involved in a nonprofit organization? Is it raising capital or raising awareness?
A. It's creating awareness. Making people aware of the group and our mission. We are still in the embryonic stage. With anything new, you have to explain it over and over. Raising awareness is especially difficult for a nonprofit because you don't have money to begin with. It's not like a political campaign where you have money to buy ads. You have to spend more time in the community talking to people.
When I was the general manager for the IMAX theater it was difficult to fill the seats in the beginning. We were introducing a new idea. We had to explain what IMAX was about. We had to create a reason and need for people to go there. It was tough going because we were new and competing with other activities. I decided we should go after the visitors and schools, and it worked.
Q. Is that what you're doing with the arts center, creating a need?
A. Oh, yeah. If we build the right facility, we will be able to attract a diverse and interesting curriculum.
Q. How does the group plan to raise the $20 million needed to build the facility?
A. We hired a professional to fund-raise the capital. It's a local company. We have done smaller fund-raising things like golf tournaments, but we realized that this is a major project. We plan to appeal to foundations, corporations, individuals and the Legislature. We've already got $100,000 from the city to create a business and conceptual plan for the center.
Q. Why do we need a new $20 million performing arts center?
A. There are a lot of athletic venues for kids but hardly any for the performing arts. It's important to have a first-rate facility for young people to display their talents and develop their skills. I went to see a play at Mililani High School, and it was done in the cafeteria. The show was great. The kids had tremendous talent and had a lot of energy. Except, it had inadequate sound and lighting. They had to bring in bleachers for the audience. Why not build a first-class center where the children can perform?
Q. You've built your career in entertainment and provided for your family. Do you think it's easier these days for aspiring young actors and actresses to do the same?
A. One thing I noticed is there are more opportunities today in television, movie and stage acting. When I started acting in the 1950s, television itself was just starting. It wasn't a viable industry. Today, there are more than 500 stations and more opportunities. In the early years we had only ABC, CBS and NBC. That was it.
But we are still suffering from the distance. The fact we are 2,500 miles away from Hollywood is why so many of the kids will have to go to the Mainland to succeed. I think for ("American Idol" finalist) Jasmine Trias, if she (wants) to succeed she'll have to move to the Mainland. She has to go where the action is.
