I’ve been fortunate to work for the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau for the past 12 years. In my job, I’ve been challenged with some very difficult situations, and I’ve had the opportunity to experience some great moments too. This year, despite
I’ve been fortunate to work for the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau for the past 12 years. In my job, I’ve been challenged with some very difficult situations, and I’ve had the opportunity to experience some great moments too.
This year, despite our economic challenges, Kaua‘i has reached some great moments, such as the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Award for Best Hawaiian Island, Dr. Beach naming Hanalei Bay the No. 1 beach in the United States, WestJet announcing their new non-stop flight from Vancouver, Canada beginning in December, and now the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s movie “South Pacific” that was filmed on Kaua‘i back in 1958.
When we found out that actress Mitzi Gaynor, who played Nellie Forbush, in the movie “South Pacific,” was interested in our invitation to return to Kaua‘i, we were very excited. It should be noted, this “South Pacific” 50th Anniversary Celebration is a direct result of the county’s support of the economic stimulus plan.
When KVB ran just one press release early in September, announcing Gaynor’s return to Kaua‘i, we were pleasantly surprised at how many media outlets picked up the story; and even more surprised at how quickly our phones began ringing immediately following the many stories that ran nationwide. We have received phone calls from the Mainland asking for tickets to the Oct. 4 event, and have heard that some visitors will be coming to Kaua‘i just to see her in person.
Most of my memories of Gaynor come from her performance in the movie South Pacific. I recently had the chance to review some of Ms. Gaynor’s video clips from her DVD “Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years” and was amazed at who she was back in the ‘50s and early ‘60s. Besides her talent of singing and dancing, she truly was “something” in those incredibly designed Bob Mackie gowns!
Although, she won’t be singing at the event, “An Afternoon with Mitzi Gaynor,” I can’t wait to hear her talk-story about her experiences in filming “South Pacific,” as well as her other television and film roles.
Gaynor is a true Hollywood legend who will be coming full circle when she returns to Kaua‘i. This is our chance to show our aloha and say mahalo nui loa to a Hollywood icon who has given us so much from just one movie filmed here 50 years ago.
For those interested in attending “An Afternoon with Mitzi Gaynor” you may purchase tickets at KVB or at the Kaua‘i Museum.
For more information call KVB at 245-3971 or visit www.www.kauaidiscovery.com/mitzigaynor.
• Sue Kanoho is the executive director for the Kaua‘i Visitors Buruea and can be reached at skanoho@hvcb.org.
