Jonelle Layfield of Kane'ohe was crowned Miss Hawai'i USA 2008 last night at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

Layfield, 23, is the daughter of Judy and Michael Layfield and a graduate of Kailua High School. She said her goal is to become a physical therapist, and her hobby is dancing. Her sister, Ashley Layfield, is the reigning Miss Hawai'i.

Also last night, Emma Wo of Manoa was crowned Miss Hawai'i Teen USA 2008. Emma, 17, is the daughter of Kathleen and Ronald Wo. She attends Punahou School. Her hobbies include the Girl Scouts, community service and playing volleyball.

WATERSTON NO FAN OF PARTISANSHIP

NEW YORK — Sam Waterston, whose character Jack McCoy recently became district attorney on the long-running NBC crime drama "Law & Order," says he has no interest in following Fred Thompson's lead and running for office — but he is dipping his toe into the political waters.

He has become the spokesman for Unity08, a centrist effort for political change that is trying to put a bipartisan ticket picked over the Internet on the presidential ballot in all 50 states.

Waterston, 67, told Newsweek for the edition hitting newsstands today that he is not registered with any party, although he remembers being a Democrat "many, many years ago." He said he grew disenchanted with partisan scare tactics.

"I found myself doing things like voting for Barry Goldwater in New York because I was so appalled by the 'Be afraid, be very afraid' (Lyndon) Johnson ad," he told the magazine. "I was trying to send a message, but of course that got lost. Then I started voting independent because I was under the impression that if you left the parties, they would miss you. They don't miss you."

COPPOLA SATISFIED WITH HIS LIFE

NEW YORK — Francis Ford Coppola says little would change if he were given a chance to do his life over, like the central character in his new movie, "Youth Without Youth."

"It would be the same life," the Oscar-winning director says in an interview in yesterday's The New York Times Magazine. "When I die, I am not going to be there saying 'Oh, I wish I had done this, and I wish I had done that.' Because I did it."

The director of "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now" says that goes for his movies, too.

"Movie-wise, there is nothing I wouldn't do again. It's not possible to make one perfect movie every time. I don't know of anyone who has done it. I guess (Japanese director Akira) Kurosawa has come the closest."

SMITH CEMENTS BOX OFFICE STATUS

HOLLYWOOD — This weekend, box-office results for "I Am Legend" across the U.S. cemented Will Smith's status as one of Hollywood's biggest draws.

His science-fiction thriller set a December opening-weekend record by taking in an estimated $76.5 million in North American ticket sales.

The mark had been held by "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," the trilogy finale that opened to $72.6 million in 2003.

"Alvin and the Chipmunks," starring Jason Lee in a big-screen take on the cartoon critters, opened a strong No. 2 with $45 million.

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