Kristi Yamaguchi’s PASSAGE TO PARADISE

Friday, June 27, 2003

Report courtesy of Sonia

The Kristi Yamuguchi Passage to Paradise was fabulous, to say the least. I decided to go after researching the beneficiaries of her Always Dream Foundation, primarily disadvantaged children. I went in convinced that the money is well spent, and any time with the Ohno boys would be icing on the cake. And icing we got!

From 5:30 –7, we just mingled in a mezzanine area, with chic Pacific Rim Hor d”Oeuvres and a Hawaiian music duo, while the guest atheletes were upstairs mingling with the gold and silver sponsors. It was really festive, with smiling, brightly tropical attired people, and fresh orchid leis for everyone. With the mostly Asian mix, it really felt like I was back in Hawaii. It was getting pretty crowded around 7, when we noticed a few atheletes trickling downstairs to mingle a little. Got a great pic with a very pretty Michelle Kwan (another icing item fulfilled.) There were a few impossibly tall NFL or NBA folks. Apolo however went quickly into the dining area for some reason.

Shortly after 7, we got to our tables. Apolo was already being mildly mobbed at his table. He wore a baby blue silk shirt, and a thin lei. Looking very handsome and ready to take on the expected mobs. During a lull, we went over to say a quick Hi. Apolo and Yuki greeted us warmly. The ever proactive Kimo got Apolo to agree to come over after dinner.

Our table was quite far from Apolo’s. One way to locate him in the sea of seated people was the occasional hair swipe! There were introductions by name of the celebrity guests, and while everyone got cheered, Apolo got some of the biggest (with some help from our table 12) But even without our involvement, Apolo was clearly the biggest draw of the night. He was the only one with a circle six people deep around him at his table. Half a dozen cameras pointing at him and endless stream of adoring women (some men, but mostly accompanied also by women.) J) Apolo looked very happy and unfailingly gracious at all times.

Kristi looked very beautiful pregnant (baby due Oct .) She presented a film that showed her foundation’s work. Another kick-butt Olympic medallist well deserving our respect for her dedication to children

At one point, Jan Yanehiro (a veteran newscaster) mentioned Apolo’s name again, and got a huge reaction from table 12 next to the stage. She totally spun around to us with her jaw dropped and laughing. It was pretty funny. I bet the Ohno boys had a kick. But then they are used to it by now (for ex. Bay City, lol)

After dinner, the singing group Na Leo came on (program was a little too ‘Mainland’, more Hawaiian would be nice, but they were good.) Apolo was still attracting a large crowd at his table. When he was able to break free, he relocated to our corner! And OUR party started!

I said to Apolo that our group is the only one that watched all 4 World Cups and he belongs with us (j/k). He really appreciated us coming out for the event. For the next 45 minutes or so, we watched him pose with more admirers, and got to chat with him whenever he was not busy. It was pretty relaxing and low-key and time allowed him to be more talkative. It was great!

A hysterical moment came when the Na Leo ladies finished singing. The lead lady, in her creamy island voice said something like “we have something to say to Apolo Ohno. You know ono means delicious in Hawaiian. Ono, delicious, yuuuummmyyyy.” And it seemed like she repeated it several times. Apolo was standing with Yuki and developed this huge cheesy grin (I got a pic!!) She was speaking the minds of hordes of adoring females in the room, lol.

When it was time for Apolo to leave, we said our individual goodbyes and gathered our stuff. Before he left, he looked back and said another big Bye to the group, which struck me as special, as opposed to the ‘switch mode’ that we sometimes saw after a long appearance. Hopefully, that means he had a great time. It was a great time really. So that’s an overview of the evening. A class act done with a lot of heart. And Apolo-wise, a lot more than we had hoped for.

More details to come later…