It started with a kiss. Now nearly...

It started with a kiss. Now nearly 30 years later, Peter Fithian is doing weddings, luaus, flightseeing trips, dinner cruises, limousine outings and passing out gifts ranging from fruit baskets to birthday cakes.

In the beginning, Fithian marketed the aloha spirit by handing out leis to passengers arriving by ship and plane. Until Fithian came along, only VIPs got that sort of treatment. It seemed unfair, Fithian reasoned, and so he began meeting vacationers with armfuls of leis and kisses for the ladies.

When word spread that a tall, blond, leading man-type was earning his living kissing women, his business grew. Fithian hired other “greeters.” Now besides passing out leis at the airport, Fithian and his wife Bobi deliver baskets of fruit, candy and liquor to guests at their hotels and put together parties and weddings. All that’s necessary is for the bride and groom to show up. The Fithians take care of everything else. Announcements, flowers, license, minister, priest, rabbi, guru. Whatever.

Fithian productions have been performed beside waterfalls, aboard yachts, on beaches at sunset and on boats chugging up remote rivers. They’ll even do marriages in the air (aboard helicopters) or underwater with the scuba gear supplied.

Fithian promises the sweetest ceremony this side of Bali Hai.

The kissing game that led to all this also led to private parties that Peter and Bobi Fithian arrange for groups and individuals. Fithian & Co. operate on all the islands. You can contact him c/o Greeters of Hawaii (also known as Honolulu Hosts), P.O. Box 29638, Honolulu 96820 or telephone toll-free (800) 367-2669.

Reader Recommendations

Connecticut--Mrs. Catherine Beardsley, Los Angeles: Praise for Stonecroft Inn, 17 Main St., East Haddam, Conn. 06423. “Paid $80.63 for two persons, a full breakfast included. The inn is a converted Federal home built about 1830. Lovely yard, antique furnishings. Recommend it heartily.”

Badger, Calif.--Richard and Pamela Hertz, Los Angeles: “Just spent a glorious week with our two children at M Bar J Guest Ranch, P.O. Box 67, Badger, Calif. 93603 (in the foothills of the Sequoias). Riding every day, a creek minutes away, a Jacuzzi, swimming pool. Rates, $420 per person per week. Includes meals. Special children’s rates.”

England--Sarah Crawley, Los Angeles: Kenfield House, Petham, near Canterbury, England. Set in a valley four miles from the center of Canterbury. A large family house on five acres with a variety of animal life. Rates: 9/11 single, 18/20 double.

England--Marjorie W. Callier, Los Angeles: “The Fowey Hotel, Fowey, Cornwall PL23 1HX, England. Bed and breakfast, 26 per person. Also, Tanyard Hotel (farmhouse circa 1350), Wierton Hill, Broughton Monchelsea, Nr. Maidstone, Kent ME17 4JT, England. Bed and breakfast, 36 a night. Another: Front House Guest House, East Street, Bovey Tracey, Devon TO1 39EL, England. Bed and breakfast, 18 per person.”

England--Mrs. Albert J. Josselson, Pasadena: “Loreto Guest House, Bowness-on-Windermere, England. Small, friendly. About $12 per person.”

New Zealand--Lois C. Riddle, Long Beach: “A delightful stay at Waiere Downs Deer Farm, No. 1 R.D., Ashburton, Staveley, N.Z. Around U.S.$25 per person. A lovely home with two guest rooms with shower and bath facilities. Congenial host and hostess. Gourmet cook.”

France--Olivier and Janet Soges, Laguna Hills: “Hotel/Restaurant de Bourgogne, Place de l’Abbaye, 71250 Cluny, France. Approximately $40 for a double. Meals, $20/$50 per person. Only 3 1/2 hours by car from Paris, 1 hour 45 minutes by TGV train. Family-run. Jean-Claude and Michele Gosse greet you warmly and make you feel right at home in this elegant country-style inn. Chef Patrice Gosse well-known throughout France for his innovative techniques. Restaurant has already one coveted Michelin star.”

Spain--Martha McEwan, Orange: “The all-time best bargain of the country, Hostal Alfaro, Ventura de la Vega 16, Madrid. A small, squeaky-clean inn on a side street. We were charged $10 double per night and when we were ready to leave, the senor insisted on driving us to the bus depot. Completely safe for a single woman. Cleanest accommodations I’ve had anywhere in the world.”

Austria--Mr. and Mrs. William G. Drulias, Whittier: “Enjoyed a small restaurant outside Vienna, the Sailer, 1180 Wien, Gerthofer Strabe 14.”

Mackinac Island, Mich.--Mrs. C. Riddle, Canoga Park: Enjoyed the Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Mich. 49757. “A luxurious hotel. Ask about the $79 special (double occupancy).”

Ojai, Calif.--Dave Johnson, Ontario: “Have stayed at B&Bs; in Britain and Europe but have never seen one as nice as Casa de La Luna, 710 S. La Luna in Ojai. For $55 had a beautiful room with a separate bath, a gourmet breakfast.”

Canada--Robert and Raye Yaller, Laguna Hills: A B&B;, 1756 Grand Blvd., North Vancouver, B.C. V7L 3Y4. “Only $45 a day for two. Transportation nearby to Expo, a 15-minute ride. “

Canada--Esther Goddin, Canoga Park: “For those heading to Expo in Vancouver, this B&B; is a must, 7520 Bridge St., Richmond, B.C. V6V 257. With a full breakfast paid $35 per night. Owners go that extra mile to make you feel at home.”

Canada--Mr. and Mrs. E. Kjellbergh, Los Angeles: “A very pleasant stay in a small apartment with kitchen, 1585 East 14th Ave., Vancouver V5N 2C9. Only U.S.$38 per night.”

Hawaii--Jeanne G. Holmes, Balboa Island: “What a find! Big Island B&B; called Hamakua Hideaway, P.O. Box 5104, Kukuihaele, Hawaii 96727. Rate: $35 single, double.”

Hawaii--Nita Neel, Hollywood: Lorraine’s Rainbow Bed & Breakfast, 2302 Pacific Heights Road, Honolulu 96813. Rates $35/$50 per day. “Ever-changing panoramic view of rainbows, the harbor, mountains.”

Nepal--Teresa Donovan, Santa Barbara: Enjoyed Adventure Nepal Trekking, 6 P.O. Box 915, Thamel, Katmandu, Nepal. “Very personalized service.”

New Mexico--Lenore and Maury Shapiro, Rancho Mirage: “Spent several days in New Mexico. Enjoyed meals at the Compound, 653 Canyon Road, Santa Fe; Comme Chez Vous, 133 W. Water St., Santa Fe; the Shed, 113 1/2 E. Palace Ave., Santa Fe, and Casa Viejo, Corrales Road, Corrales, N.M.”

Vallejo, Calif.--Mr. and Mrs. John Dixon, Palos Verdes Estates: “The Wharf restaurant, Georgia Street Wharf, Vallejo. On the waterfront. Fresh fish and shell fish. A family-run restaurant.”

Virginia--Betty Matzinger, Studio City: “Impressed with the food at Maple Hall, 11 N. Main St., Lexington, Va. Southern hospitality. Rooms with lovely antiques, quilts. Rates, $55/$77.”

Canada--Sandy Forman, Palos Verdes Estates: “For a peaceful retreat after the hustle and bustle of Expo 86, I recommend Gingerbread House, a fully restored Victorian bed and breakfast establishment at Campbell Bay on lovely Mayne Island, one of the Canadian Gulf Islands, population 600. Ken and Karen Sommerville are gracious hosts and marvelous cooks. One hour west of the mainland by Tsawwasen Ferry. Rooms with shared bath rent for $45, $48 and $60 Canadian for two. Gourmet breakfast is included. Elegant dinners available.”

Canada--Beverly King, Playa del Rey: “Furnished self-contained cottage with cooking facilities, swimming pool, private yard. Only 20 minutes from the Expo site. Only $35 a night (U.S.) for a double. For reservations call (604) 926-6094 after 6 p.m.”

Canada--Henry Lennarz and Richard Ortega, Fillmore: “Mama Rosa restaurant, 1961 Harvey Ave., Kelowna in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Exceptional homemade meals, Italian ice cream. The best we’ve come across in years.”

Fiji--Mrs. James M. Wade, Wenatchee, Wash.: “Spent 10 days sailing in Fiji. Recommend this sailboat cruise. Write to Seax of Legra, P.O. Box 1, Waiyevo, Taveuni, Fiji. Snorkeling is superb.”

Fiji--Kay Kunzler, Thousand Oaks: “A very fine hotel on the Coral Coast. About an hour’s drive from Nadi Airport. It’s the Casablanca, Box 164, Sigatoka, Fiji. Approximately $60 a night for a lovely suite with kitchen facilities. Also, excellent restaurant.”

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