HILuxury Magazine: February - March 2012

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NEWSSTAND PRICE $3.95 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012 FASHION FOLLIES A Bright Future EQUESTRIAN WINTER Ride, Show & Tell MAJOR LEAGUE Philanthropists PURR-FECTLY Porsche SCOTT CAAN THE SCOOP ON SAUVIGNON CUSTOM CRAFTSMEN TEE IT UP HALF MOON BAY FOOD ARTS ZEN DINING Dressed to the nines, he talks about his “James Dean moment” and the calming effect of Aloha

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HILuxury Magazine: February - March 2012 featuring Scott Caan

Transcript of HILuxury Magazine: February - March 2012

Page 1: HILuxury Magazine: February - March 2012

NEWSSTAND PRICE $3.95

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012

FASHIONFOLLIESA Bright Future

EQUESTRIANWINTERRide, Show & Tell

MAJORLEAGUEPhilanthropists

PURR-FECTLY Porsche

SCOTT CAAN

THE SCOOP ONSAUVIGNON

CUSTOM CRAFTSMEN

TEE IT UPHALF MOON BAY

FOOD ARTSZEN DINING

Dressed to the nines, hetalks about his “James Dean moment” and the calming

effect of Aloha

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Pure As SunlightRARE IS A YELLOW DIAMOND

RARER STILL ONE PURE AS SUNLIGHT

A TIFFANY YELLOW DIAMOND

RARE IS THE WOMAN WHO WEARS ONE

OAHU ALA MOANA CENTER 808 943 6677 LUXURY ROW AT 2100 KALAKAUA AVENUE 808 926 2600

MAUI THE SHOPS AT WAILEA 808 891 9226 BIG ISLAND KINGS’ SHOPS AT WAIKOLOA BEACH RESORT 808 886 1931

TIFFANY.COM

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Pure As SunlightRARE IS A YELLOW DIAMOND

RARER STILL ONE PURE AS SUNLIGHT

A TIFFANY YELLOW DIAMOND

RARE IS THE WOMAN WHO WEARS ONE

OAHU ALA MOANA CENTER 808 943 6677 LUXURY ROW AT 2100 KALAKAUA AVENUE 808 926 2600

MAUI THE SHOPS AT WAILEA 808 891 9226 BIG ISLAND KINGS’ SHOPS AT WAIKOLOA BEACH RESORT 808 886 1931

TIFFANY.COM

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editor’s letter

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editor’s letter

Something about the onSet of a new year gets me all philosophical. Not so much outwardly, like the type to raise existential subject matter at cocktail parties. (What really is a cocktail party?) But more during my leisurely drives home from the

office, at a massage or in the shower—the few moments of solace allotted someone directing 14 magazines (who also has a very active 2-year-old daughter). Regardless, I will spend a good amount of time in my own head this month.

One such weighty concept that has taken up much of this precious time is the importance of our choice of words. This simple notion crosses into everything that we do. Yet I have the unique perspective of spending all day, every day, mixing and assessing and crafting strings of words. This, of course, got me thinking…

Turn on any TV and you’ll hear blunder after blunder by everyone from politicians to actors and athletes. Time and again I think—or sometimes shout—”JUST STOP TALKING!” And yet, I understand why they don’t. In what I like to call this “Age of WTMI (Way Too Much Information)” people feel the need to fill the blank (read: quiet) space with whatever words they can find, in order to make sure others won’t forget about them. No one wants to lose their place, let alone their significance.

It’s astonishing how seemingly intelligent, well-dressed and esteemed people can utter (and do) the stupidest things just to be heard.

So I’m taking my little time on this pedestal to share what my monthlong musings have deduced: We only have a limited number of words to share with our fellow man every day. Choose them wisely. Try to use words of

encouragement and positivity that reflect earnest, genuine intentions. By not only dressing like a lady or gentleman, but sounding like one, we do the general community a heap of good.

Speaking of ladies and gentleman who truly understand the value of words, the team here at HILuxury has become truly adept in finding the most luxurious (and attainable!) goods as well as stories to share with you, dear reader. In this issue, you’ll hear the conversation our On Trend correspondent, Molly Watanabe, had with legendary fashionista Diane von Furstenberg; hop on a flight to Cuba with our managing editor (Lianne Bidal Thompson) as she documents ‘Iolani teacher Cheri Keefer’s student art exchange with that other “forbidden” island; get in the passenger seat with local attorney, TV producer and our own “car guy,” Ed Kemper, as he whips you down the Pali in the new 2012 Porsche 911.

We got dusty at the workshop of a master woodworker; spoke to professional athletes with roots in Hawai‘i about their philanthropic efforts around the globe; I get my Mojo on (with a straight-razor shave) in Chinatown, and our local Brit experts share what’s new and fashionable in London.

Finally, don’t miss our exclusive feature story and photo shoot with Hawaii Five-0’s Scott Caan, who donned the latest threads for a stroll through ‘Iolani Palace—in a respectful nod to the location of “Danno’s” HQ in the original series.

In a word… enjoy 2012 to its fullest.

Aloha,

Brian BeruschEditorial Director

Feel free to “friend” our HILuxury Facebook page to find out about events and news throughout the luxury community as they are happening. Also, electronic versions of issues past can be read at www.hiluxury.com.

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contributors

Cheri KeeferArT LOVerKeefer arrived in Hawai‘i in the summer of 1971 to house-sit. When she jokingly told her parents, “I might get a teaching job over here and never return to the farm!” well, that’s exactly what happened. Keefer has been teaching art at ‘Iolani School for 26 years. Her recent trip to Cuba inspired new approaches to her classroom art projects. Next up on her travel agenda: The London Olympics.

MegAn eVAns And WhiTney BACOnWriTersEvans has lived in the United Kingdom her whole life, only recently spending time in America—most of which was here in Hawai‘i—which she finds most special. When not shopping, having tea or cruising the South Bank of London, she resides in Windsor, where the Queen’s Castle can be found.

Kentucky-born Bacon swapped seasons for sun to study at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. She first visited London on a study abroad program and fell in love with the culture, tea and vibrant city life.

KACy ByxBeesTyLisTKacy Byxbee juggled a tight production schedule as costume buyer on Hawaii Five-0 while providing important guidance for styling one of the show’s stars, Scott Caan, for this issue’s ‘Iolani Palace cover shoot. Based in Los Angeles, Byxbee is a costume designer, stylist and co-owner of online retail boutique bungalow twenty-four.www.bungalowtwentyfour.com

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BUSINESS PROFILE42 Diane von Furstenberg

The designer discusses the secret to her success, and how she empowers women along the way.

THE ARTS44 Arc of Aloha: Hawai‘i to Cuba

‘Iolani School art teacher Cheri Keefer shares the colors, textures and experiences of her art exchangetrip to Cuba.

FEATURESCOVER STORY

72 Scott CaanHe may be following in his father’s acting footsteps, but this Hawaii Five-0 star is making it his own way.

FASHION80 Fast Resort

We have fun with all that the Mysterious Season has to off erin women’s wear.

PHILANTHROPY88 All-Star Givers

We catch up with pro athletes from Hawai‘i who arecontributing to their communities in a Major League way.

HI SOCIETYLuxury in the community

26 RSVPWe recap the events and happenings that draw the who’swho of Hawai‘i: from an Opera Ball to an event to celebrate a charity that helps kids in need of medical help.

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February/March 2012 | contents

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TOD’SAGJ Shopping mini handbag in magenta, $1,200Photo by Leah Friel

SALVATORE FERRAGAMOtri-fold keycase with gancini clasp with eight interior keyclips, $275Photo by Leah Friel

INDULGEThe lastest splurges

SHOPPING FINDS22 Go Neon/Sole Mate

Everything’s bright for the women as accessories of the season get a high-voltage dose of neon. For the men, it’s all about the shoes and socks to keep them looking dapper as ever.

WATCHES50 Diamonds and the Rough

We honor St. Valentine with these choice timepieces for the ladies(diamonds galore) and the gents (rugged elegance).

FINE AUTOS52 Porsche 911

For the 2012 incarnation of this speedster, Porsche went with a combination of new technologies and good old common sense.

GOLF56 Half Moon Bay

With its seaside setting, the Old Course’s No. 18 brings out the dardevil in everyone.

GROOMING & BEAUTY62 A Beauty-full Find

Burberry Beauty fi nds a homeat DFS Galleria Waikiki’s Beauty World.

64 Get Your Mojo OnThe owners of this new full-service barbershop—complete with straight shaves and a “detailing room”—aim to up the stylequotient for Honolulu men.

CONTENTS

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TIFFANY & CO.Tiffany pink spinel and

diamond earrings in platinum; $50,000.

TIFFANY & CO.Tiffany Hearts® lockets with “I Love You” inscription and diamonds in sterling silver on sterling silver pendant chain;

$400, $625, $50.Photo courtesy Tiffany & Co.

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CONTENTS

EXPERIENCEElite Escapes

TRAVEL94 London Calling

With the distinction of being the fi rst cityto host the modern Olympics three times,we delve into what makes this hautemetropolis so cool.

A-LIST ADVENTURES100 Horse Tales

The grace and elegance of the equestrian competition can be experienced at schools here in Hawai‘i and throughout the U.S.

SAVORFood and Wine

DINING OUT104 Nanzan Giro Giro

This tucked-away eatery, replete with its fi xed menu and colorful china, is a gem of a fi nd.

FINE FOOD108 Sweet Somethings

Out of this world and outof the way (some a bit morethan others) desserts that you’llwant to seek out.

WINES110 Fill in the Blanc

Master Sommelier RobertoViernes discusses the fi nepoints of Sauvignon Blanc.

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Contents

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DENNIS E. FRANCISCEO

J. DAVID KENNEDYPresident

LINDA WOOPublisher

JAY HIgAAssociate Publisher

BRIAN BERuSCHEditorial Director

LIANNE BIDAL THOMPSONManaging Editor

Yu SHINg TINgFashion & Content Stylist

gINA LAMBERTCreative Director

XENIA INgAssociate Art Director

LEAH FRIELChief Photographer

JENNIFER SOJOTMOLLY WATANABE

Sales

ALISON AKAuOperations Manager – Magazine Division

KIMI MATAR Events Director

Cover photo by Mark ArbeitOn Scott Caan: Burberry suit, John Varvatos shirt in lilac $90

from Nordstrom. Shot on location at ‘Iolani Palace.

CONTRIBuTORSWriters: Whitney Bacon, Silvia Bizio, Sarah Blanchard, Jason Black,

Megan Evans, Jefferson Finney, Terri Hefner, Nadine Kam, Cheri Keefer,Ed Kemper, Robert McGee, Josh Sens, Roberto Viernes

Photographers: Mark Arbeit, Anthony Consillio, Sisto Domingo,Marco Garcia, Lacy Matsumoto, Lester Tabucbuc,

Lawrence Tabudlo, Nathalie Walker

HILuxury is a bi-monthly magazine with an annual subscription price of $18. Our offices are located at 500 Ala Moana Blvd. Suite 7-500, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Rate is Pending at the Honolulu Post Office.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to HILuxury, 500 Ala Moana Blvd. Suite 7-500,

Honolulu, HI 96813. © 2011 Oahu Publications Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the written consent of the publisher.

For advertising information:

Jennifer Sojot, Sales Manager [email protected] | 808-218-6712

For subscription inquiries:

www.hiluxury.com | 808-628-3792

For editorial submissions: Lianne Bidal Thompson | [email protected]

FONT: BLISS REGULAR & BOLD

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INDULGE | SHOPPING FINDS

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©2011 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Pacific PropertiesOffice Is Owned And Operated by NRT LLC.

Ask any woman what her favorite item to shop for is, and you’ll likely get the same answer. That response won’t be dresses or shirts (and certainly not jeans or swimsuits). It’s shoes.

Followed closely by makeup and handbags, shoes are the accessory that all women adore. Not only are they practically guaranteed to be universally flattering, but the astonishing array of shoe styles is capable of making a very significant statement about the wearer. So let us discuss—The Statement Shoe.

A statement shoe, you might wonder, is one (or two, or three…) pair of shoes that speaks for itself, stands out and dictates the direction of your entire look. There are women who wear statement shoes every day of the week, and there are women who save them for special occasions. The beauty is that it’s the star of the show; the rest of your look can— and typically should be—simple by comparison.

Each season, the world’s top designers showcase amazing, over-the-top shoe styles, often just for the runway, but also for their customers in Neiman Marcus, Saks and Barneys stores from coast to coast. The Italians arguably do the statement shoe best—to see this, you only need to utter the names Prada, Miu Miu, Gucci, Ferragamo… the story tells itself. The British brand Jimmy Choo and Spain’s Manolo Blahnik have certainly carved out a place for themselves in the statement shoe style lexicon and popular culture, as has the famed red sole of the French brand Christian Louboutin. American designers such as Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs and Brian Atwood are known for their amazing designs coveted by women all over the world.

Add a fantastic pair of shoes to inject instant glamour to your outfit. Suddenly your posture becomes better and your composure shifts. I would argue that a fabulous pair of shoes does more for you than other, more fleeting, indulgences. Let’s call them a necessary luxury; one that your closet should hold as many pairs as possible. Ask any woman—I’m sure you’ll get no argument.

Each season, the world’s top designers showcase amazing, over-the-top shoe styles,

shoe best—to see this, you only need to utter the names Prada, Miu Miu, Gucci, Ferragamo… the story tells itself. The British brand Jimmy Choo and Spain’s Manolo Blahnik have certainly carved out a place for themselves in the statement shoe style lexicon and popular

Photo courtesy Miu Miu

with Molly WatanabeTREND…ON

Photo courtesy Prada

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Photo courtesy Prada

Next year, have the beach to yourself.

TahitiTourism.com 1-877-GO-TAHITI Islands the way they used to be.

Only 8 hours from Los Angeles but seemingly a world away.

Visit our websiteto request your freeTahiti Vacation Guide.

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(Clockwise): MARC BY MARC JACOBS satchels in fresh grass $378 and fluorolime $378 from Neiman Marcus; MIU MIU glitter belt with piped suede trim $275; JIMMY CHOO ‘Filipa’ large wallet with star studs $695; OSCAR DE LA RENTA jeweled brooch/pendant necklace on chain $650 from Neiman Marcus; SALVATORE FERRAGAMO ‘Fancy’ clutch in purple $795; FENDI ‘Carioca’ strappy wedge sandal $490.

SENTI pink and turquoise stingray bracelets $195 each from Neiman Marcus.

DIOR Anselm Reyle for Dior ‘Dior Lady Lady’ sunglasses $400.

MIU MIU bag charms with kiss lock closure in matelasse leather $550.

Go NeonIt’s the Season to be Bright and BeautifulBY YU SHING TING | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEAH FRIEL

INDULGE | SHOPPING FINDS

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PRADA capretto gaufrerosso clutch $1,350.

FENDI baguette in neon yellow colubro snake with regimental stripe interior lining $1,940.

MICHAEL KORS ‘GIA’ leather satchel in neon pink $895, from Nordstrom.

DIOR Anselm Reyle for Dior ‘Camouflage’ bangle, $410 (top). Camouflage silk twill is inserted into this resin bangle, making each bangle a one-of-a-kind piece because each swatch of twill is different. ‘Metallic Cannage’ bangle, $310 (bottom). Lacquered metal pieces are laser-sculpted with the ‘Cannage’ pattern.

TOD’S Signature Collection Pochette in yellow patent with gray trim $1,165 and Signature Collection Porta Foglio Mini Wallet in yellow patent $395.

JIMMY CHOO ‘Noel’ floral print denim purse $395 and ‘Polar’ wedge sandal in multicolor floral print $395.

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Sole MateSelecting the Right Shoe for the Right OccasionBy yu Shing Ting | PhoTograPhy By Leah FrieL

Indulge | Shopping FindS

(Clockwise): Alden ‘Plaza’ mugstrap in shell cordovan leather in burgundy $615 from Leather Soul; PAnTHeRellA fine English socks $25.50 from nORdSTROM; SAlVATORe FeRRAgAMO ‘Carmelo’ wingtip derby lace-up in asfalto $895; neIMAn MARCuS Hosiery stripe socks $17; CAR SHOe navy suede driving shoe $395 from Neiman Marcus; MePHISTO ‘Felix’ boat shoe with soft-air technology in chestnut $298 from Nordstrom; BOSS ORAnge fashion soft cotton socks $12.50 from Nordstrom.

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TOD’S Polacco Nuovo Laurent ankle boot in tan suede $525.

ROBERT GRAHAM dropstitch diamond socks with banded cuffs and striped toes and ankles $75 (three-pack) from Neiman Marcus.

NEIMAN MARCUS cashmere-blend multicolor argyle socks with ribbed cuffs, made in Italy $115 (three-pack).

DIOR dark brown suede loafer with compartmentalized rubber sole making this elegantand contemporary shoe supple and comfortable $610.

BALLY‘Caudry’ leather boot with inner zip closure and rubber sole $475 from Neiman Marcus.

Catalina Twill by Tommy Bahama; $98 (blue solid shirt) Diamond Parkby Tommy Bahama; $128.

Corporate ChicIn Hawai‘i, an aloha shirt is often an acceptable office dress code even

for top executives. It’s comfortable, fashionable and with the right pants

and shoes can be professional. Year-round sunshine and an Island lifestyle

allows for this business casual attire, but be careful on how you wear it—you

want to look like you’re working and not on vacation.

“Elevating a casual work environment can be a tricky proposition,” says

Terry Pillow, CEO of Tommy Bahama. “When it comes to the classic camp

shirt, we think solid colors are a guy’s best bet. Solid colors take the uncer-

tainty out pairing your shirt with the right pair of pants. Try to stay away

from colors that are too close to each other, select colors in the same family

but don’t necessarily match.”

Sneakers, sandals and slippers obviously aren’t the right footwear, and

shorts and jeans are usually not acceptable either, unless your office is

outdoors. As for floral print aloha shirts, Pillow says they are great for fes-

tive occasions and Aloha Friday, but consider what’s on the calendar for

that day and make adjustments so you arrive appropriately dressed. More

importantly, whether you’re in a suit or aloha shirt, make sure you’re relaxed

and comfortable. Clothes should fit nicely, not too tight or baggy.

“There’s no doubt that the aloha shirt is an essential wardrobe staple

at the office in Hawai‘i,” adds Pillow. “What’s interesting is to see how that

genre of clothing has impacted fashion in the work place outside of the

Islands. At Tommy Bahama we’ve seen how the spirit of the aloha shirt can

translate to an unfussy, original look for guys trying to navigate the casual

dress office environment.”

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HI SOCIETY | RSVP

It was a foodie dream come true on the Great Lawn of the Hilton Hawaiian Village with celebrity chefs posing for pictures in between handing out their own farm-to-table creations. Joining island chefs Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong were

John Besh, Michael Cimarusti, Celestino Drago, Dean Fearing, Michael Ginor.

1. Kathy Carey, David Carey, Shelly Wilson, Kelvin Bloom • 2. Bobby Ichikawa, Grace Ichikawa, Tim Johns, Monica Ng Pack, Nick Ng Pack, Akemi Kurokawa • 3. Wes Chong, Toni Chong, Michelle Uchiyama, David Uchiyama (Photos by Lawrence Tabudlo)

FrOM MAUKA TO MAKAI

1. Thomas Pauly, Major Patty and Major Fred rasmussen, Linda rich • 2. Emily Pick, Monika Nabarrete, Kiana Ohuchi • 3. Steve Shropshire, Candes Meijide-Gentry, Sherry Harper Wong, Kevin Wong (photos by Anthony Consillio)

Guests got into the holiday spirit at Kahala Resort & Spa’s Tree Lighting Ceremony. The festive event, which featured a performance by the Hono-lulu Boys Choir, was a benefit for HUGS, a non-profit organization that’s

been helping Hawai‘i’s seriously ill children for a quarter century.

KAHALA rESOrT & SPA TrEE LIGHTING CErEMONY

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1. Keani Tarnay, Sara Uemura, Linh Tran, Kaimi Ahu • 2. Barry Morrison, Elisa Johnston, Marc Siah • 3. Dennis Rademacher, Joan Rademacher, Kelly Shreve, John Shreve • 4. Cheryl Dickerson, Kelly Sanders, Vittorio Alliata di Montreale, Condeza Azria Nora Meijide-Gentry, Liz Kawananakoa, Elanor Kawananakoa • 5. Hiro Soma, Princess Regina Kawananakoa, Alice Robinson, Watters Martin • 6. Heidi and Aaron MacCulloch, Wendy and Chris Hostrander, Quang Huynh, Kanoe Robinson • 7. Princess Dialta Alliata di Montereale, Patrick Gey, Molly Watanabe, Alice Robinson, Cliff Colvin, Elizabeth Kawananakoa, Jefferson Finney, Terry Hubbard, Guido Pigliasco, Kelly Sanders, Wanda Watumull, Chris Lee, Carmen Di Amore-Siah (EuroCinema Starlets are at the rear). (Photos by Nathalie Walker and Lawrence Tabudlo)

EuroCinema Hawai‘i feted its very successful second season with a VIP party at a private residence and an Awards Gala the following night at the Moana Sur-frider. The evening, presented by Luxury Row, featured delicacies from The Beach House at The Moana, Kai Market, SALT, Hoku’s and Plumeria Beach House. Guests (including Kelly Hu, Terry O’Quinn, Daniel Zacapa and Peter Lenkov) applauded as The Princess Dialta Alliata di Montereale Award for Best Film was

awarded to We Need to Talk About Kevin. Actor Gregg Sulkin was given the Rising Star Award and Lana Dang’s Pa‘ahana won for Best Student Film.

EUROCINEMA HAWAI‘I

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HI SOCIETY | RSVP

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HIFF OpEnIng nIgHT

1. Corey Tong, Ann Misawa, Keahi Chun • 2. Kelly Hoen, Donne Dawson, Scott and Sasha Settle • 3. Leroy Jenkins, Doug Chin, Walea Constantinau, Ric galindez • 4. Dean Fujitani, phuong pham, Chuck Boller, Mari Kam, Rick Kinsel • 5. Dick Oshima, Chris Oshima, Charles and pauline Lindberg, ginger Waters • 6. Kristen Chan, Chuck Boller, Indru Watumull, pat Takemoto • 7. Kristi Komeya, Robin Boolukos, Kim Yoshino, Janie Davis (photos by Leah Friel)

The sweet strains of Hawaiian music floating up to Halekulani’s Hau Terrace, sun setting in the background, set a beautiful scene as Hawai‘i film buffs gathered for the Hawaii International Film Festival’s Opening Night Gala. Mingling and nibbling on treats such as boneless short rib katsu and bo sam (a delectable raw oyster wrapped in kimchee and pork, topped with miso)—and sipping a killer Disaronno cocktail—

guests were shuttled to the opening night feature, The Front Line.

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1. Susan and Frank Haas, Damaris Kirchhofer, Mary Bergier, Mike and Kathy Carroll • 2. Sandra Gibson, Myra Kent, Ron Kent, Marilyn Bornhorst, Sandra Albano, Andres Albano • 3. Sandy Fong, Marvin Fong, Jason Silva, Jennifer Chiu, Charlyn Masini, John Henry Felix • 4. Sandra Fong, Gae Bergquist-Trommald, Jill Arnold, Mary Marasovich, Sandra Gibson, Mary Bergier • 5. Christian Ganne, Barbara Saromines-Ganne, Sam Cooke, Mary Cooke, Charlotte Chow, Len Chow • 6. John Oki, Joy Miyasaki, Sandra Fong, Jay Suemori, Jenny Fujimoto, Wesly Fujimoto • 7. Judy Murata, Sandra Albano, Cherye Pierce, Kirk Caldwell, Donna Tanoue, Nelly Wilson (Photography by Lester Tabucbuc)

1. Rev. Monsignor Terrence Watanabe, Linda Mae Chang, Edith Leong, John and Sue Ferandin, Gailene Wong • 2. Gerald Glennon, Kimi and Ash Matar, Susan and Sid Lee • 3. Susan Kosasa, Laurie Tom, Geen Doo, Ernest Lee, Lisa Kosasa • 4. Sitting: Marjorie Francis, Susan Kurisu, Cynthia Wo, Gail Haruki, Gemie Arakawa; Standing: Dennis Francis, Duane Kurisu, Michael Wo, Warren Haruki, Ken Arakawa • 5. Harriet Pien, William and Margaret Won, Gulab Watumull, Cecilia and Gene Doo • 6. Dennis and Brenda Teranishi, Joanie and Mark Teruya, Cyn and Val Iwashita • 7. Stanford and Kathy Carr, Kathryn and Terry O’Toole, Jan Luke Loo and Judge Wilson Loo (Photos by Leah Friel)

It was an evening filled with beauty at the Hawai‘i State Art Museum’s “Imagine a Night of Art.” Guests were treated to evening viewings of the galleries, dinner—catered by Ed Kenny of Downtown @ the HiSAM—in the Sculpture Lobby and music by Hapa. Proceeds from the

gala benefit The Friends of Hawai‘i State Art Museum and its programs.

HAWAI‘I STATE ART MuSEuM

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1. Sharon McPhee, Pat Kwiecinski, Al Swiecinski • 2. John McGrath, Mary Philpotts, Sandy Philpotts, MCD Philpotts • 3. Herb Conley, Nancy Conley, Susan Kowen, Elizabeth Ishii • 4. Burta Hatherton, Betty Perry, Nancy Walker • 5. Kula Abiva, Judy Pietsch, Michael Pietsch, Jill MacMillan, Merilyn Gray, Poki‘i Vaughan • 6. Bonnie Fong, Kai McDurmin, Tracy Allen, Margaret Murchie, Fannie Cline • 7. Shaunagh Robbins, Donna Vuchinich, Lori Ad-miral, Ken Robbins (Photos by Sisto Domingo)

HIDA

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The Hawai‘i branch of the International Dyslexia Association’s annual fundraiser was held recently at the Nu‘uanu home of Herb and Nancy Conley.

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1. Susan and Kevin Murray, Sharon and Jim Thomson • 2. Shawn Ripley, Jason Hall, Kelly Joseph, Alex Tornow • 3. Ed and Joleen Kemper • 4. Cliff and Noel Tamura, Anne and Allen Young • 5. Sasha and Scott Settle, Misty Kent, Allison Chan • 6. Sydney and Dave Fasi, Cappy Fasi and Grant Fasi-Allison • 7. Ruthann Quitiquit, Donald Brown, Norma Spierings, David Shibata (Photos by Anthony Consillio)

It was a 007-themed night when Parents and Children Together (PACT) hosted its Casino Royale fundraiser at The Pacific Club. Guests tried their luck at casino games, and attempted to out-bid each other during the silent and celebrity auctions. Proceeds benefitted PACT’s mission

to prevent child abuse and neglect.

PACT’S “CASiNo RoYAlE”

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Honolulu THeaTre for YouTH

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1. Dorna robinson, Megan Buck • 2. Courtney Takai, Patty Mccarthy, nancy Wo • 3. Phil Kimi, Veronica Kimi, Sherri Statler, Clayton Statler • 4. Kim Hehir, Sam Haaganson, Daniel Haaganson, Becky Dunning, Stephanie Phillips, rick Piper • 5. Gino Soqueno, Jamie Yoshimura, Jim Tam, linda Tam • 6. Kirk Matthews, linda Coble, Jennifer Corrales, Travis Corrales • 7. Jennifer Kilpatrick, Cory Beall, Joanna Beall, Deke Kilpatrick, Bill Markevitch, Doug rigg, Suzanne Sato, natalie aczon (Photos by lester Tabucbuc)

Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s (HTY) annual fundraiser was a vibrant crowd-pleaser, as usual. This year’s theme, “Masquerade,” had guests putting their best “faces” forward.

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HI SoCIeTY | RSVP

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Art aficionados gathered at Luxury Row for the unveiling of the annual Hawaii’s Modern Masters exhibits. Each boutique hosted installations by contemporary Hawai‘i artists, including Licia McDonald, Sally French and George Wollard.

1. Christine Feldmann, Vicky Chock, Dietra Cordea • 2. Khen Golan, Diana Novoselic • 3. Kris Unten, Kumiko Shimabuku, Vicky Chock, Joey Chiarello, Yaya Watson, Ivy Lewis • 4. Anthony Gambino, Tomiko Suzuki, Maiko Nakano, Masako Nashimoto, Laurie Akau, Kahu Bruce Leong, Miles Kinoshita (photos by Lester Tabucbuc)

HAWAII’S MoDerN MASTerS

1. Norman Gentry, Jackie Takeshita, Chi Cao, Anna Meng, Cheri Gentry • 2. Marion Philpotts, Anne Namba, Chi Cao, Kaui Philpotts, Charles St. Sure • 3. Lori Komer, Patti Kasanow, Larry Kasanow, Pam Taylor-Tongg (photos by Lawrence Tabudlo)

Ballet Hawaii welcomed internationally acclaimed dancer, Chi Cao (Mao’s Last Dancer) with a reception at Moanalua Gardens’ Chinese Hall when he was in

town for the ballet company’s annual production of the Nutcracker.

WeLCoMe reCePTIoN For CHI CAo

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1. Vivian Aiona, Duke Aiona, Ben Cayetano, Vicky Cayetano • 2. Chris Benjamin, Karen Sumner, Melissa Benjamin, George Sumner • 3. Blaine and Corine Watanabe, Sisi and Donn Takaki • 4. Rick Blangiardi, Karen Chang, Sharon Nagasawa, Ron Nagasawa • 5. Patrick Kobayashi, Len Higashi, Bennett Loui, Chris Tokumaru, Reed Kishinami • 6. Richanne Lam, Jojo Watumull, Gulab Watumull, Indru Watumull • 7. Guy Morala, Barett Hoover, Maya Hoover, Mark Wong, Dean Shibuya (Photos by Lawrence Tabudlo)

Things got HOT again at the annual Hawaii Opera Theatre Opera Ball. Held at the Sheraton Waikiki, this year’s theme was Splendor of the Nile. The black-tie affair had guests browsing one-of-a-kind items at the silent auction and sipping Kai Vodka martinis while being treated

to a taste of operas from past and future seasons.

HOT OPERA BALL

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Home for tHe Holidays at C.s. Wo

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1. dave and sheri rolf, Will J. Henderson • 2. Ken arakawa, stan Cadwallader, Jemie arakawa, Jim Nabors • 3. Buzz and Kitty Wo, leilani and ed Keough • 4. al and Joyce tomonari, Carolyn and Warren luke • 5. daniella abe, eva avery, ashley Casper, angela Byrd • 6. Coralie matayoshi, donna Vuchinich, sharon Brown, linda Wong, tina lum • 7. michelle and francis Van rafelghem, Bertie lee, letah lee (Photos anthony Consillio)

Guests gathered at the C.S. Wo Gallery for a preview of holiday tabletop décor and entertaining ideas presented by Neiman Marcus. As they browsed the festive areas, partygoers were treated to specialty tasting stations complete with champagne and wine.

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Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii (RMHCH) held their annual Share a Night Annual Gala on November 20, 2011. Supporters of RMHCH gathered at the Sheraton Waikiki to honor the Honolulu Star-Advertiser President

and Publisher Dennis Francis for his contributions to RMHCH.

Through a strategic plan established by Francis more than 20 years ago that placed newspapers in every Hawai‘i McDonald’s restaurant, the charity has benefitted to the tune of $2 million. For a non-profit that’s dealing with dwindling donations from the private and government sectors, the steady stream of revenue from those newspaper sales helps tremendously. As a result

of this successful partnership, the program has been instituted for Ronald McDonald Houses across the nation.

ROnald MCdOnald HOuSE CHaRITIES Of HawaI‘I

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The Ronald McDonald House helps Hawai‘i families with children who are seriously ill. Many of these families are fromthe neighbor islands and have nowhere to stay while their child is receiving critical care at Honolulu hospitals. For O‘ahu-

based families, the Ronald McDonald House Family Room at Kapi‘olani Medical Center is a home away from home.All told, 300-400 families stay at the Ronald McDonald Houses in Manoa each year, and the Family Room

services more than 10,000 people annually.

At the gala event that raised $413,000 for RMHCH, guests included dignitaries and families who’ve benefitted from the Ronald McDonald House.

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HI SOCIETY | RSVP

1. Thurston and Sharon Twigg-Smith • 2. Dale Ruff, Karen Tiller, Kelly Sueda, Mark Polivka • 3. Mana‘o Kaluhiokalani, George Kaluhiokalani, Stephan Jost, Val-erie Saracco, Robert Saracco, Kimi Matar, Ash Matar • 4. Roy Yamaguchi, Denise Hayashi • 5. Lori Eldridge, Kenton Eldridge, Lynne Johnson • 6. Alexa Sueda, Debbie Lim, Jennifer Kilpatrick, Sean Hehir (Photos by Lawrence Tabudlo and Shuzo Uemoto)

The Honolulu Academy of Arts’ gala fundraiser, Kama‘aina Christmas, continues to be one of the hottest tickets of the social season. The black-tie affair, “Merry and Bright,” was catered by Chai’s Island Bistro and featured music by the Honolulu Jazz Quartet with

vocals by Starr Kalahiki.

KAMA‘AInA CHRISTMAS

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Home for THe Holidays

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1. marivic dar, Barbra Pleadwell, Julie Watarai lovett, lisa oyster • 2. debbie Berger, Kimberly miyazawa frank, Judy Pietsch • 3. st. andrew’s Priory students and Head of school sandra Theunick and Priory Board member and event chairwoman Nancy Conley welcome guests • 4. Tammy yonemitsu rooke, sandy Theunick, Kimberly miyazawa frank, Judy Pietsch, Nancy Conley, Herb Conley • 5. emalia Pietsch, ann Pietsch, Jamie Churchill, Natalie Parker, sally Parker • 6. Candy Taylor, Pat Buckman, sharon fairbanks, Chula Harrison • 7. Jamie Churchill, megan a. Joswick, Jean abbot, Jenny Kelley, Kathy Carey, Nancy Pace, sue matthews, Colleen Heyer (Photos by lawrence Tabudlo)

St. Andrew’s Priory School for Girls supporters gathered at a grand private residence for “Home for the Holidays.” This festive evening featured elegant holiday décor, wine tasting, pupus and boutique holiday shopping. Students provided the evening’s musical entertainment;

and Priory Dads got involved with setup, cleanup and serving.

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Indulge | Shopping FindS

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Made In Hawai‘i FashionBrowse our entire collection of local fashionin our retail store located at 1234 Kona St. (2nd floor of the IOLANI building, one blockwest of Ala Moana Center).

For More InformationVisit IOLANI.COM

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(808) 593-4520

Made In Hawai‘i FashionBrowse our entire collection of local fashionin our retail store located at 1234 Kona St. (2nd floor of the IOLANI building, one blockwest of Ala Moana Center).

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(808) 593-4520

Made In Hawai‘i FashionBrowse our entire collection of local fashionin our retail store located at 1234 Kona St. (2nd floor of the IOLANI building, one blockwest of Ala Moana Center).

For More InformationVisit IOLANI.COM

374447-01 Iolani Sportwear FPB 2-6-12_374447-01 12/23/11 10:35 AM Page 1

(808) 593-4520

Made In Hawai‘i FashionBrowse our entire collection of local fashionin our retail store located at 1234 Kona St. (2nd floor of the IOLANI building, one blockwest of Ala Moana Center).

For More InformationVisit IOLANI.COM

374447-01 Iolani Sportwear FPB 2-6-12_374447-01 12/23/11 10:35 AM Page 1

(808) 593-4520

Made In Hawai‘i FashionBrowse our entire collection of local fashionin our retail store located at 1234 Kona St. (2nd floor of the IOLANI building, one blockwest of Ala Moana Center).

For More InformationVisit IOLANI.COM

374447-01 Iolani Sportwear FPB 2-6-12_374447-01 12/23/11 10:35 AM Page 1

2199 Kalia Road Honolulu, Hawaii 96815phone: 923-2311 www.halekulani.com

T h e g i f t o f H A L E KU L A N ILa Mer | Orchids | House Without A Key | Lewers Lounge | SpaHalekulani

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H ILU X U RY FEBRUARY/MARCH 201242

Perchance to Dream Diane von Furstenberg Makes it HappenBY MOLLY WATANABE & JEFFERSON FINNEY

HI SOCIETY | BUSINESS PROFILE

CELEBRATED FASHION ROYALTY and top American designer Diane von Furstenberg has carved a spectacular career that spans more than 30 years. An international fashion and lifestyle brand phenomenon, it takes only a few moments in von Furstenberg’s presence to observe that it takes what can best be described as a hands-on approach to her business—which has been rapidly growing and expanding to become one of the most successful fashion brands in the country. With boutiques all over the world, from Asia to Europe to Australia, Honolulu is the latest location for a brand-new DVF boutique, and von Furstenberg herself arrived in the Islands to celebrate the store’s opening. We sat down with her at Halekulani’s Orchid Suite to chat about her knack for empowering women.

For those wondering about the amount of personal commitment a successful businesswoman should have—especially when it comes to running a fashion empire that bears her name—their questions would be answered simply by observing von Furstenberg at her Honolulu boutique’s grand opening party. She happily posed for countless pictures with guests, signed autographs and even gave fashion advice to those trying on dresses.

A recipient of the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America Lifetime Achievement Award, von Furstenberg has graced the cover of numerous magazines, including Newsweek, which described her as “the most marketable female in fashion since Coco Chanel.” She has gained iconic status not only for her

business acumen and aesthetic savoir faire, but—and probably most importantly—for her unusual connection to, and understanding of, the fashion and style sensibilities of women on both a sartorial and intuitive level.

Her brainchild, the wrap dress—a simple jersey dress she introduced in 1973—became one of the more prominent fashion symbols of the mid-’70s, when more than 5 million were sold (and continues to remain vibrantly pertinent). While patterns, colors and styles have evolved from season to season, the basic style and sentiment of the wrap dress (comfortable yet sexy, easy to wear and universally flattering) has captivated a whole new generation of women. von Furstenberg draws inspiration for the prints of her dresses both from the limitless palette found in nature—such as the motion of leaves and rippling of water—as well as from architectural designs and patterns incidental to everyday life. Asked if she might consider a print that evokes Hawai‘i, she responded, “Absolutely. It is extraordinarily beautiful here, how could I not be inspired? I am really excited to have a shop here. Hawai‘i is an important international place.”

The Honolulu DVF boutique features a sleek, gallery-like design, all the better to showcase the colorful pieces in her recent collection, along with accessories like shoes, handbags, sunglasses and more. A recent DVF addition is her new fragrance, called simply Diane, which features frangipani, known here in the Islands as plumeria.

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When asked about her own beauty regimen and secret to staying vibrant, von Furstenberg’s response is relaxed and warm, much like her demeanor. “My vitality?” she asked laughingly, “I think it’s the love of life and curiosity. It gives me energy. I have so much to see, to do.”

While DVF has grown to become a global lifestyle brand that produces a broad range of trendy products including cosmetics, a home décor line and various accessories, von Furstenberg continues to connect to customers through her designs. Explaining the thought that goes into them, she points to the connection she feels with the women who wear them.

“When I was a young girl, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I knew what I wanted to become. I became that woman through fashion, and by doing so, was helping women to feel that way too. So there was immediately this incredible dialogue. I think the most flattering thing you can wear is confidence. If you feel confident, you feel beautiful,” she says.

Always hands-on, von Furstenberg actively courts social media to further her dialogue with the new generation of DVF patrons. She uses Twitter to inspire and captivate (yes, she actually does this herself, signing off with a genuine “Love, Diane”). One recent tweet—Dream your future, make it happen. Love Diane—supports her confidence-themed dialogue with women, and those who patronize her products.

While in town, she attended a dinner party hosted by her

friend, Princess Dialta Alliata di Montereale. Princess Dialta met her husband, SRI Prince Vittorio, in Rome at the home of Prince Egon von Furstenberg (von Furstenberg’s first husband); the two women later became good friends while living in Manhattan during what Princess Dialta fondly refers to as the “Studio 54 era.”

In addition to all that running the DVF conglomerate entails, von Furstenberg serves as president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CDFA)—an organization that aims to raise the status of fashion as a branch of American art and culture. She explains its mission this way: “We are a family of designers, about 400, and we have people every stage of the way. We work with students, give scholarships—we work with young designers, giving them mentorship exposure.”

von Furstenberg embodies European elegance: Her eyes sparkle, her smile can aptly be described as languid, and her sculpted posture evidencing a sound yoga practice. Following her short stint in Honolulu, she was off to Kaua‘i for a quick holiday with her husband, Barry Diller (himself a movie and media mogul and owner of one of the largest sailing yachts in the world), followed by China, where her book, Diane: A Signature Life, was recently translated into Mandarin (and where the DVF brand is extremely popular). Said von Furstenberg, “China is very interesting to me because it is so vibrant—it moves so fast and is exciting.” Smiling, she added, “and of course, now I am enamored with Hawai‘i. I will be back.” u

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Opposite page: Diane von Furstenberg during her recent stay at halekulani’s Orchid Suite. This page: The DVF boutique shines with the designer’s personal style.

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HI SOCIETY | The ArTs

I’ve Been Both A world trAveler And An Art teAcher for 34 yeArs; so when the occasion arose to visit Cuba through an arts education exchange, I pounced upon the opportunity to bridge cultures through an appreciation of the visual arts.

Once there, I found myself in an island paradise not unlike Hawai‘i. Surrounded by azure waters and sun-drenched skies where even the plants were similar, I had to remind myself I was a foreigner.

The group of teachers traveling with me included the current and past presidents of the National Art Education Association. We were there to learn how the teachers of Cuba educated their arts students, as well as to share our own strategies and techniques that have proven successful.

We were thrilled to find a culture where the arts are not only thriving, yet accessible to all. Performances (dance, plays, music, etc.) are free for everyone. On our very first day, a delightful display of enthusiastic teens gave a ballroom dancing performance—replete with a touch of samba music—which was not only infectious, but refreshing.

Quite different from headlines (in America) that have become all-too-familiar, touting cutbacks of school arts programs, we learned that Cuba’s government places significant importance on arts in order to develop national pride.

Visits to various art galleries as well as the Havana Museum of Fine Arts were a highlight. Each was teeming with exuberant, colorful works full of expression. To note the varying perspectives an array of artists took on similar subjects—such as a shoe,

Arc of Aloha: Hawai‘i to CubaA Unique Exchange Opens Hearts and MindsBy Cheri Keefer and Lianne BidaL Thompson | phoTography By Cheri Keefer

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Arc of Aloha: Hawai‘i to CubaA Unique Exchange Opens Hearts and MindsBy Cheri Keefer and Lianne BidaL Thompson | phoTography By Cheri Keefer

art abounds everywhere in cuba, from public areas filled with statuary and mosaicsto galleries filled with the works of professional artistswho’ve been training their entire lives.

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or flowers—revealing styles that ranged from the traditional to contemporary.

However, you needn’t head to a gallery to see local art: One restaurant we patronized for lunch featured a garden filled with sculptures covered in coral and seashells. Even the graffiti was beautiful and evocative. Statues could be found in most all parks and on street corners. One school prominently featured a statue of a deceased cleaning lady, while a statue of John Lennon sat on a nearby park bench. (A comical aside: To deter people from stealing the eyeglasses off the statue, a guard was positioned nearby with a pair at the ready for people who wish to have their picture taken with the peace activist-music legend.)

All levels of schooling in Cuba are free. Elementary-level students begin studying and engaging in the visual and performing arts before they are screened (in middle school) for their aptitude, and then a course is set to propel them through high school and onto college. Cuba boasts more than 50 schools (with a total enrollment in excess of 10,000 students) that specialize in fine arts, including a circus school that teaches acrobatics.

Perhaps most unique is the notion that following graduation, all students are guaranteed a job. Again, this was astonishing to everyone traveling with us, as so many of our schools are constantly fighting to keep their programs. Here, it’s an integral part of the fabric of the educational system.

HI SOCIETY | The ArTs

This page, from above: Sharing books and supplies with students; a building covered in mosaics. Opposite page: high school art students were eager to share their work; Visits to various art galleries were a highlight of the trip; a crocheted purse made of cassette tape.

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Another creative aspect that stuck with me was how some artists—not to be suppressed by a lack of materials—would take wood, colorful tiles and glass from pre-revolution buildings long vacated and now crumbling, to use for their artwork. I saw crochet pieces, such as doilies and handbags, made from cassette tape. There was jewelry made from silverware. The list goes on.

One professor I met showed me striking portraits composed by his students, all of whom were hearing-impaired. He developed a technique with them that uses aspects of “pointillism,” or hundreds of tiny, squiggly lines to create a “bigger” picture. The results, which ranged from portraits to still-lifes and landscapes, were amazing. And all he needed to unleash the students’ creativity was a ballpoint pen and paper. I brought both this technique, as well as the use of old building materials to make mosaics, back to my students at ‘Iolani.

Hawai‘i and Cuba are alike in the sense that they are both islands with rich artistic cultures and lessons to share. My experience confirmed the notion that art teachers everywhere merely hope to bring out a student’s potential—and that artists will continue to express themselves wherever they dwell. u

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HI SOCIETY | The ArTs

The Martha Graham Dance Company, the oldest dance company in America, brings Prelude and Revolt, a montage of Graham’s work, to Hawai‘i. The show explores the legendary dancer/choreographer’s decades-long career that shaped contemporary dance as we know it. Feb. 2, Kahilu Theatre, 885-6868; Feb. 4, Hawai‘i Theatre, 528-0506; and Feb. 7, Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC), 242-7469 Get set for a classic “whodunit” filled with twists and mayhem. One thing’s for sure, The Butler Did It, as all of the characters in this play are named Butler. Feb. 3-19, Diamond Head Theatre, 733-0274

Seven Guitars by August Wilson is a drama about friends in 1948 Pittsburgh who gather to mourn Floyd, a blues guitarist who died just as his career was about to take off. Winner of the 1996 New York Drama Crit-ics’ Circle Award for Best Play, nominated for the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, 1996 Drama Desk Award for Best Play and 1996 Tony Award for Best Play. Feb. 3-26, The Actors’ Group (TAG), 722-6941

The Genteel Sabai, an Indonesian Randai featuring traditional music, singing, martial arts, dance and acting. Feb. 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12 at Kennedy Theatre, 956-7655.

The Szymanoski Quartet was founded in Warsaw in 1995 and is known for its commitment to contempo-rary music. It performs the music of Magnus Lindberg, Elena Kats-Chernin, Philip Cashian, Thomas Larcher and Andrew Toowey. Feb. 9, MACC, 242-7469; Feb. 10, Kahilu Theatre, 885-6868

Hawaii Opera Theatre’s season continues with Italian opera, Don Pasquale. Feb. 10, 12 & 14, Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, 596-7858

Über-popular dance troupe, Rasta Thomas’ Bad Boys of Dance, bring their high-energy show to Hawai‘i. Feb. 14, Kahilu Theatre, 885-6868; Feb. 16, MACC, 242-7469; Feb. 18 Hawaii Theatre, 528-0506

Unlike other dance companies that choose a bustling metropolis as their home base, the Trey McIntyre Project hails from Boise, Idaho. See their Ma Maison, a dance collaboration that blends street styles and ballet. Feb. 19, Leeward Community College (LCC) Theatre, 944-2697; Feb. 23, MACC, 242-7469; Feb. 25, Kahilu Theatre, 885-6868

Childhood rivalries emerge anew in Ceylon during Hawaii Opera Theatre’s presentation of The Pearl Fishers. Feb. 24, 26 & 28, Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, 596-7858

Lois-Ann Yamanaka’s classic prose comes to life in the world premiere of Saturday Night at the Pahala Theatre. Through Feb. 26, Kumu Kahua Theatre, 536-4441

Award-winning pianist Soyeon Lee takes the stage Mar. 2, Kahilu Theatre, 885-6868; Feb. 4, MACC, 242-7469

Spring Awakening, the Tony Award-winning rock musical features music by Duncan Sheik and was a career-launcher for everyone’s favorite Gleek, Lea Michele (as well as her sometime-co-star, Jonathan

Groff). See its Hawai‘i premiere, Mar. 8-25, Manoa Valley Theatre, 988-6131

Wilcox’s Shot, a world-premiere play by Sean T. C. O’Malley, tells the story of Rober Kalanihiapo Wilcox, the revolutionary-turned-politician, as he grapples with his own role with shaping Hawai‘i’s future. Mar. 29-Apr. 29, Kumu Kahua Theatre, 536-4441

Much like the mood probably was as that fated ship left the docks on April 12, 1912, Titanic The Musical begins with hopeful, joyous songs. The mood changes as the musical goes on, until the final, heart-wrenching scenes. Presented in honor of the 100th anniversary of the ship’s sinking. Mar. 30-Apr. 15, Diamond Head Theatre, 733-0274

Spend An Evening with W. S. Merwin, the Library of Congress’ 17th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry and a force in the poetry world for 60 years. Mar. 31, MACC, 242-7469

To The StageTheater Listings

Above: evelyn Pollock, seen here as “Musetta” from La Boheme, returns to the hOT stage as “Norina” in Don Pasquale. Top, right: red-hot dance troupe rasa Thomas’ bad boys of Dance make their hawai‘i debut. Bottom: Pianist Soyeon Lee.

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H ILU X U RY FEBRUARY/MARCH 201250

OMEGASeamaster Planet Ocean 600M37.5mm18kt red gold caseOmega co-axial caliber 8521 movementBlack alligator bracelet$31,300

RADOWhite D-Star38mmThe D-Star collection is made of a Rado-developed material called Ceramos®, which is a titanium carbide and metallic alloy-infused compound. The result is a bold, lustrous finish combined with strength even greater than that of ceramic.Quartz movement$2,895

TISSOTDressport35mmStainless steel caseQuartz movementWater resistant to 30MLeather bracelet$1,975

HARRY WINSTONAvenue C Large18kt white gold Dial set in a sunray pattern with a total of 34.7 carats of diamonds.

Diamondsthe ROUGHBY HILUXURY TEAM

&Diamonds&DiamondsROUGH&ROUGH

AS WITH MANY OF OUR CELEBRATORY HOLIDAYS, Valentine’s Day is steeped in centuries-old lore, albeit one that began with a single person of true flesh and bone. A little digging found that Saint Valentine (sometime in the 1st or 2nd centuries) was a Roman priest that a pope of that era described as one “... whose names are justly reverenced among men, but whose acts are known only to God.”

Little is actually known about Valentine’s life, outside of his burial on February 14th, which indicates a day of great feasting, as it has for nearly 2,000 years.

And while a fine meal comes and goes (we concede that the rare culinary experience can approach “religious” enlightenment), a classic timepiece transcends gifts of sweet or a scented bouquet.

The gift of time proved great for Saint Valentine: With any luck, bestowing one of these ultra-masculine or feminine pieces of functional jewelry upon your loved one will have equal results.

INDULGE | WATCHES

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BREITLINGBentley Supersports Light Body Carbon Dial49mmTitanium caseRoyal Ebony carbon fiber dial with red inner bezelThe “dashboard-style” dial features three ringed counters with a Bentley-style raised knurled motif.Water resistant to 100MRubber strap braceletLimited to 1,000 pieces

FRANC VILAFVi No 9 Chrono IntrepidoCase made of exclusively developed NanoTube Titanium (NTT) or NanoTube Titanium Carbon-Graphene Composite.Water resistant to 100MBlack rubber sport straps and black crocodile leather strapsLimited to 88 pieces

CUERVO Y SOBRINOSTorpedo Pirata Chronograph45mmValjoux 7750 movementWater resistant to 5 atmLimited edition, 25 piecesin steel, titaniumand 18kt gold$18,900 (Also available:125 pieces in titanium, burnished steel and bronze, $9,500

OMEGASeamaster Planet Ocean 600M Chronograph45.5mmGrade 5 titanium case with ceramic and “Liquidmetal” bezelBlue dialOMEGA co-axial caliber 9300 movementWater resistant to 600M$10,600

HAMILTON Hamilton Khaki UTC42mmStainless steel caseTime zones(24) are set manuallyand use the International Air Transport Association (IATA)three-letter airport codesas reference points. Swiss GMT movementWater resistant to 30MLeather strap$1,345

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INDULGE | FINE AUTOS

Something Borrowed,Something New2012 Porsche 911 By Ed KEmpEr

The newly issued sevenTh ediTion of the 911 combines both new technologies and some good old common sense. In regard to the latter, Porsche took the straightest route attainable in order to gain fuel economy as well as performance—by reducing vehicle weight. Aluminum and magnesium have replaced steel in some parts, while a higher-tech (and lighter grade of) steel was substituted in others. The result is a loss of nearly 200 pounds that, ironically (and quite happily) actually makes for even more interior room. The overall length has been bolstered 2 inches, while the wheelbase was extended a substantial 3.9 inches. The new 911’s track width has been extended by 2 inches.

Following suit with practicality, the base model engine has been reduced in size from 3.8 liters to 3.4 liters, yet with more horsepower—350, to be exact. For the S model, the 3.8-liter motor stays the same size as the previous model, but with a bolstered stable of horsepower, in the 400 pony range.

On the more technical side, two new transmissions are being introduced, both of the seven speed varietal. On the standard stick-shift model, the first six gears are much like the last model, with the addition of a seventh, super low ratio gear for economical fuel-sipping cruises. Likewise, the automatic (a gear-driven, double clutch affair) has the same.

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Porsche911carrera Engine: 3.4liter,6cylinderwith350horsepoweror 3.8liter,6cylinderwith400horsepowerwiththeCarreraS Acceleration: 0-60:4.6secondsto3.9seconds Brakes: 4wheeldiscbrakes,4pistoncaliphers,ventedandcross–drilleddiscs. Soundsystem: AM/FM/CDsystemwith235wattsand9speakers. Price: Carrera$82,100,Smodel$96,400

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Something Borrowed,Something New2012 Porsche 911 By Ed KEmpEr

Styling clearly shouts 911, but every surface has been refined. With the stretched wheelbase, the overhangs have been shortened. Further, the tire and wheel sizes have been upped to 19 inches on the standard model and 20 inches on the S. Big exhaust pipes extend out of the rear area, and the spoiler has been widened for increased downward force.

Inside, classic Porsche tradition is mixed with the ultra-modern. The tachometer remains in the center of the dash pod, along with multiple real gauges, and the ignition key is still inserted on the left side of the steering wheel. Everything else is both modern and updated.

A large video screen dominates the middle of the dash to show off literally every type of function and feature. Metal accents are placed elegantly throughout the leather-lined interior. Tall seat backs with highly bolstered (and ultra comfortable) seats hold the driver and passenger in place, with small jump seats found in the back. However, most owners will likely make use of the latter for storage, since trunk space is rather limited.

Transmission shifts can be handled by tapping the gearshift knob in the manual position or hitting paddles on the steering wheel.

Acceleration is in the throw-you-in-the-back-of-the-seat range with 0 to 60 mph in the under 5 second range (under 4 seconds

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INDULGE | FINE AUTOS

depending on the model). The larger tire and wheels packages add to the G forces in the corners.

The new model is indeed an entirely tactile driving experience; steering, road sense and cornering all feel like an extension of the driver’s natural movements. To adjust these settings, there is an array of buttons to activate the tightening or loosening of the suspension, or to speed up-shifts and throttle response. To keep the car planted, the rear spoiler rises with speed, or it can be raised manually with the push of a knob.

The final example of old-meets-new in this latest 911 is the flat six-cylinder powerplant. Over the years, it has been considerably expanded in size, with power moving from air- to water-cooled. (This seemingly has had no effect in the purr during both starting and running.)

If seven is indeed a lucky number—and by all accounts, we certainly felt a familiar thrill behind the wheel—this iteration of the 911 that uses prior sensibility with new size, shape and features makes for a promising wager. u

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Luxury Asides HIGH-END MEEts HybrID

Hybrid technology is not a

phrase often heard in the same

breath as “luxury” and “high per-

formance” autos. However, the new

top-end Infiniti four-door M hybrid

is bridging fuel economy with speed

in a luxury vehicle.

The 3.5-liter V-6 coupled with

an electric motor produces 360 net

horsepower and is tied to a seven-

speed automatic. With the push of

a button, the driver can cause the

transmission to shift quicker and the

throttle response to increase (or the

opposite for better fuel economy).

Zero-to-60 time is a racecar-like 5.2

seconds.

The mileage is a city rating of

25 mpg and 32 mpg on the highway,

resulting in a combined average of

29 mpg.

Leather interior and the usual ar-

ray of the luxury appointments come

standard, as does plenty of room in

the back seat and trunk. In essence,

this is gentle, gas sipping four-cylin-

der ride with the heart of a V-8.

Not QUItE MINIMaLIst No one can accuse Mini of not

bringing out new models. Starting

with the two-door sedan with four

seats, Mini has added a four-seat

convertible, a three-door coupe and

more recently a four-door small SUV

with four-wheel drive.

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Luxury Asides

This time around, there’s a return to

focus on performance—with the introduc-

tion of a two-seat coupe, to be followed-

up with a two-seat convertible.

As with most Minis, there are multiple

choices in engine and options. Check the

box for the “John Cooper Works” model

( just over $30,000), and you’ll find a tur-

bocharged 208-horsepower, four-cylinder

powerplant tied to a six-speed stick shift.

Seventeen-inch wheels and high perfor-

mance tires with huge brakes, plus instant

steering inputs results in rapid response

for shooting in and out of (the quickly

deteriorating Honolulu) traffic. Even with a

zero-to-60 time of 6 seconds, fuel economy

is 25 in the city and 33 on the highway. As

the Mini folk like to say, “Let’s motor!”

The SecreT’S OUTEcosse Moto Works might be the most

significant, specialized motorcycle maker

in the U.S. that you’ve never heard of. But

that’s all about to change…

These custom, limited-run bikes are cast

in premium materials like titanium, and

when they sell out, they’re gone for good;

adding not only prestige of ownership but

exponential value to your two-wheeled

investment.

Most recently, the Denver-based Ecosse has

released its “FE XX Ti” line, a limited number of

10 bikes (one of which was designed specifically

for the company’s founder/designer); from

$125,000 to $300,000.

Bikes start at $79,000. ecossemoto.com

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Whole-Heartedat Half Moon BayOld Course, Golf Links, No. 18By Josh sens | photography By Blake Marvin

Indulge | Golf

half Moon bay’s storied past is only trumped by its breathtaking beauty.

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Before my recent round at Half Moon Bay Golf Links, a seaside sanctuary just south of San Francisco, I wandered down a corridor just beyond the pro shop that doubles as an in-house hall of fame.

Its walls were given over to photos of the legends who have taken on the Old Course, the first of the property’s two championship layouts, which opened for play in 1973. Scanning the displays, I paused at the profiles of Joe DiMaggio, the baseball giant (who was buddies with the course’s head pro at the time), and another of a boyish-looking Arnold Palmer, who designed the coastal routing nearly 40 years ago.

But the shot that held my gaze and lasting interest was an understated portrait of my childhood idol, the death-defying motorcyclist, Evel Knieval. In the picture, he was sussing out a putter, a strangely serene pose for a man who’d earned his keep careening over canyons. Little known to me, Knieval was a golf nut, and Half Moon Bay ranked among his favorite places.

Really, who could blame him? The course brings out the dare-devil in everyone.

It had been more than a decade since I’d last tackled the Old

Course, but as I ambled to the first tee, recollections from that round remained imprinted in my mind. I remembered pristine greens and tight, serpentine fairways: a classic test of golf, stout but free of gimmicks, that asked for solid strikes, not shot-making stunts. In the course of my 18, I’d suffered some disasters: balls that kerplunked into ponds or caromed off of trees and vanished in the rough.

But what stuck with me most clearly was the exhilaration, especially the thrill that filled me at day’s end, when I came to the scintillating par-four closing hole.

Even in a region with more than its fair share of stunning coastal settings, the 18th at the Old Course deserves its own brochure. Perched atop a bluff overlooking the Pacific, it plunges from the tee box toward a slender landing area before turning up, once more, over a craggy inlet to a green cut so hard along the cliffs you fear that it might slough into the sea.

And in fact, over the years, concerns over erosion have prompted management to shift the green’s location, moving it just slightly from the rocky precipice, although it still can evoke a sense of vertigo for those prone. Play the hole today, and you feel like an explorer arriving at land’s end. Just over a steep drop off to the right of the fairway,

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Indulge | Golf

the ocean foams and hisses. Surveying your approach shot, you’re torn between the urge to prove yourself a hero, and the knowledge that a misfire will mean certain doom.

In the years since the Links opened, a few other things have changed along this curling stretch of shoreline, the crescent moon-shaped coast from which the resort takes its name. A hotel has been built—the elegant Ritz-Carlton. So has a second 18, the Ocean Course, a links-style layout that runs beside the sea.

But the Old Course remains the more compelling challenge. To put it in a manner familiar to Knieval, it’s like jumping thirteen buses instead of three.

Despite the laws of physics, my first drive found the fairway of the opening par-five, a daunting double-dogleg and, walking after it, I was struck by a sudden, pleasant sense of deja vu. Here I was again, confronted with the challenge of a smartly designed layout, attempting to thread shots between the outstretched limbs of pines and eucalyptus while trying to gauge the impact of shifting coastal breezes, which work their fickle influence on almost every hole.

Though much of the Old Course meanders inland, the ocean seems to trail you throughout your round. You smell it in the salt air. You feel it in the gusts. Every now and then, you see glimpse it through the tree line.

And then, it confronts you, face-to-face.The wind was puffing gently when I showed up on the tee,

nature’s subtle offering to counteract my slice. With its aiding

influence, my ball skipped into the fairway, settling on a flat spot just in front of the intruding ravine. By that point in the round, I was no longer in the race to shatter the course record. And my swing was leaking oil. But the drama of the setting, with the wave-battered bluffs and the world’s largest water hazard yawning just beyond, inspired to me to rev up for one final well-struck shot.

When the 18th green was moved just inward from the bluff, its back right tier was flattened in a resort-friendly gesture, but the putting surface remains severely rumpled, sloping steadily from back to front. The pin was in the middle, a mid-iron away, though from my perspective, given all the danger that lurked around it, it looked about as proximate as Alcatraz.

Geared up for the moment, I waggled, swung, and watched the ball take off, up, up, up, crossing the chasm like a crazy cyclist. Just beyond the green, a few Ritz-Carlton guests were watching the action from an outdoor patio. As far as I could tell, none of them gasped audibly at my derring-do.

Nor did they applaud, a few beats later, when my shot landed safely, ten feet from the flag.

Unheralded, unrecognized, I strode up the inclined fairway, soaking in the salt air and the sweeping vistas, enchanted by the setting but also deeply gratified by my feat.

“Nice shot!” one of the hotel guests called out.I waved and smiled. Maybe not heroic stuff, but I like to think it might have made Knieval proud. u

1 7 7 5 a l a m o a n a b l v dh o n o l u l u h a w a i i 9 6 8 1 5

8 0 8 . 9 4 3 . 5 9 0 0

f e a t u r i n g e x p r e s s l u n c h s e r v i c e f o r y o u r

m o s t i m p o r t a n t e x e c u t i v e d e c i s i o n s

convenient ly located

on the edge of waik ik i , wi th

compl imentary valet parkingserving kona rainforest coffee, served exclusively at morimoto waikiki and the white house

half Moon bay has seen the development of a ritz-carlton plus a second 18-hole course.

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59h iLu x u ry February/March 2012

1 7 7 5 a l a m o a n a b l v dh o n o l u l u h a w a i i 9 6 8 1 5

8 0 8 . 9 4 3 . 5 9 0 0

f e a t u r i n g e x p r e s s l u n c h s e r v i c e f o r y o u r

m o s t i m p o r t a n t e x e c u t i v e d e c i s i o n s

convenient ly located

on the edge of waik ik i , wi th

compl imentary valet parkingserving kona rainforest coffee, served exclusively at morimoto waikiki and the white house

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H ILU X U RY FEBRUARY/MARCH 201260

INDULGE | GOLF

FEBRUARY/MARCH FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012

Tee-off TreatsNew Gear for a New YearBY HILUXURY TEAM

FILA GOLF MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GLOVES Crafted from 100 percent genuine leather, the Fila Golf Glove (for men and women) features fine detailing that includes Velcro tab closure, pearlized removable ball marker button and perforation for ventilation. www.shopfilagolf.com

QUAGMIRE The brand continues to add its own distinctive style to golf apparel. Many styles (including the Any1SeeIt, pictured) feature Quagmire’s signature Gud N’ Dri moisture-wicking fabric that also offers UV protection. $69, www.quagmirestyles.com

DAWGS GOLF WOMEN’S CROSSOVER This ultra-comfortable canvas golf shoe features a rubber outsole with traction nubs, extra-thick extreme-comfort insole and chic canvas upper that makes it ideal for both the course and the clubhouse. $50, www.dawgsgolf.com

INFIAMMEInfiamme’s custom-designed golf shirts (above) are constructed by hand in Italy using only small lots of 100 percent double-mercerized Egyptian cotton yarn that has been certified by the Filoscozia® Council of Italy. www.infiamme.net

CHAMP ZARMA CLEAT These cleats (inset, above),used by pros on the PGA Tour, are designed using patented Lotus Technology that softens the impact of walking through compression. Also, the abrasion-resistant urethane provides traction and de-clogging of debris. $14.99,www.champsports.com

BOCCIERI GOLF HEAVY PUTTER TOUR These premium putters feature CNC-milled blades (Q2-MT) or half-mallet (R#-MT) offers feel and feedback associated with high-end millings. Boccieri’s Heavy Putter models are trusted by pros on the PGA, European, Nationwide Champions and Asian tours. $199, standard length, $259 belly and long. www.boccierigolf.com

visit: www.anneoliver.com

1002 Mokulua Drive BEST location on Lanikai Beach Superb construction 7 brms / 6 baths

1600A1 Mokulua Drive Embracing the entire Lanikai coastline Access to a secluded beach

76/78 Kalaheo Ave. A rare find. Avenue to Ocean parcel Magnificent sandy beach

120/128 Hanapepe Loop 2 homes side by side on 2 parcels 195 linear ft frontage

©2011 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Pacifi c Properties Office Is Owned And Operated by NRT LLC.

Where Dreams Come Home . . . . at the Beach

COLDWELL BANKER PACIFIC PROPERTIES4211 Waialae Ave., Kahala Mall, Ste. 9000

Honolulu, HI 96816

Anne Oliver (R) – Vice PresidentColdwell Banker Pacific Properties

(808) 292-2800www.anneoliver.com • [email protected]

374276-01 Coldwell Banker_Anne Oliver FP 2-6-11_374276-01 12/23/11 10:37 AM Page 1

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HI SOCIETY | Business Profile

visit: www.anneoliver.com

1002 Mokulua Drive BEST location on Lanikai Beach Superb construction 7 brms / 6 baths

1600A1 Mokulua Drive Embracing the entire Lanikai coastline Access to a secluded beach

76/78 Kalaheo Ave. A rare find. Avenue to Ocean parcel Magnificent sandy beach

120/128 Hanapepe Loop 2 homes side by side on 2 parcels 195 linear ft frontage

©2011 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties Office Is Owned And Operated by NRT LLC.

Where Dreams Come Home . . . . at the Beach

COLDWELL BANKER PACIFIC PROPERTIES4211 Waialae Ave., Kahala Mall, Ste. 9000

Honolulu, HI 96816

Anne Oliver (R) – Vice PresidentColdwell Banker Pacific Properties

(808) 292-2800www.anneoliver.com • [email protected]

374276-01 Coldwell Banker_Anne Oliver FP 2-6-11_374276-01 1/10/12 4:21 PM Page 1

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120/128 Hanapepe Loop 2 homes side by side on 2 parcels 195 linear ft frontage

©2011 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties Office Is Owned And Operated by NRT LLC.

Where Dreams Come Home . . . . at the Beach

COLDWELL BANKER PACIFIC PROPERTIES4211 Waialae Ave., Kahala Mall, Ste. 9000

Honolulu, HI 96816

Anne Oliver (R) – Vice PresidentColdwell Banker Pacific Properties

(808) 292-2800www.anneoliver.com • [email protected]

374276-01 Coldwell Banker_Anne Oliver FP 2-6-11_374276-01 1/10/12 4:21 PM Page 1

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Indulge | GROOMING & BEAUTY

DFS Galleria Waikiki’S Beauty World recently welcomed Burberry as one of the 60-plus beauty lines carried on level two of the luxury emporium—one of the hidden gems for Hawaii residents—not just for international travelers.

Much like the luxury British fashion label, Burberry Beauty aims for effortless elegance, with a sense of design that graces product and packaging, both stylishly etched with the brand’s signature check. Gunmetal color cases also have magnetic closures to ensure a strong seal.

With Burberry’s classic trenchcoat as an inspiration, chief creative officer Christopher Bailey started with a palette of natural hues, accented with mysterious and stormy grays and blues (that pay homage to London’s often dramatic skies), with lighter tones to highlight and add warmth or glow.

The line has already become an international sensation, with notable recommendations from the likes of beauty

icons such as Asia’s Ikko.The Burberry line starts with the

lightweight Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base ($48) to deliver a sheer dewy finish, with hydrating and UV-filtering Sheer Luminous Fluid Foundation ($52) bearing the names Trench Nos. 01 through 09.

Sheer, creamy eye shadows ($29) go on smooth and maintain their flawless appearance throughout the day, and Soft Satin Lip Cover lipsticks ($30) are proving popular, with their anti-aging, hydrating formula and second-skin texture in a natural-looking range of nude tones to sophisticated reds.

Like its parent, Burberry Beauty is available in a handful of exclusive locations worldwide. At DFS Galleria in Waikiki, shoppers have the added bonus of shopping duty-free. u

DFS Galleria is at 330 Royal Hawaiian Ave. Call 931-2700.

A Beauty-full FindBurberry Beauty makes its Home at DFS Galleria WaikikiBy NadiNe Kam

fp

MARGRET MURchI

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63h iLu x u ry February/March 2012©2011 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal OpportunityCompany. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties Office Is Owned And Operated by NRT LLC.

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Indulge | GROOMING & BEAUTY

Get

You

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65h iLu x u ry February/March 2012

Sometime in the bluStery autumn of my youth, I managed to convince my parents to let me hop a southbound train to the urban climes of New York City. Leaving the sleepy hamlet in which I was raised was more an undertaking than one (from elsewhere) would imagine. We were sheltered, indeed; surrounded by oak and pine forests, as well as a watchful community that knew all our comings and goings.

Which, you might have guessed, is why—at the ripe old age of 14—an escape to Manhattan, with its cultural blending, cement and glass towers, throngs of people with style far different than our own (to learn there was anything outside of JCrew was astonishing) was a thrill unto itself.

Where does one go, you might have asked, to experience such things in 1987?

The answer—and I’m pretty sure this was universal to all suburban kids who were glued to the upstart MTV—was Astor Place in the East Village. At the crux of this strip of boutiques, army-surplus-as-fashion-wear stores and so on, was Astor Hair.

It was rumored that all the rock ‘n’ rollers got their hair cut here. The windows were lined with snapshots of ’dos that range from blue Mohawks

to high-and-tight fades, as well as the “new wave” of shaved sides and long, floppy tops (of which this writer was prone).

We’d sit and watch the people come and go for hours, admiring their bravery (it was also rumored that you didn’t “tell” the barbers inside what you wanted; they just “did” what they thought worked for you).

At that same time, a young man named Taliq, who hailed from Brooklyn, was studying with the masters who ran Astor Hair. He would soon go on to “Master Barber” status, something akin to a master sommelier in the wine world. He had to prove to a board of barbers his adeptness in a number of hairstyles, as well as the classic straight-razor shave.

I probably saw Taliq walk in and out of Astor Hair then, almost 25 years ago. Little did I know that our paths would cross again here, in downtown Honolulu—Chinatown, to be exact.

Taliq is a partner in the new Mojo Barber Shop on Bethel Street that is reinvigorating the storied barbershop experience in this, our year, the Renaissance of all things retro and cool. OK, maybe the renaissance has been going on longer than a year. But here in Hawai‘i, it’s hitting hard.

The barbers at Mojo barber Shop, including Taliq (pictured, left) are bringing back the storied barbershop experience.

A Downtown Barber Shop Strives to Up Your StyleBy Brian Berusch | PhotograPhy By Leah FrieL

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The goal, according to Taliq—and the tattooed, pinup-style manager who greeted me on my designated appointment day—is to offer refuge to manly men who truly care about their tresses, as well as the manner in which the transformation occurs.

This is not, I should add, to knock my grooming story in the last issue, which detailed a man’s experience getting a manicure/pedicure that unfolded in a rather feminine-geared setting. (In fact, Mojo has a semi-private “room” with a single lounger, flat screen T.V. and a mini-fridge stocked with beers where “detailing”—aka, manicure and pedicure—goes down while ESPN rolls SportsCenter.)

But I was here today not for nail details, nor a haircut; I came for that iconic, Rockwellian experience that is a straight razor shave.

Seated beneath a poster that touted some of Taliq’s more complex hair accomplishments (a nod to his Astor Place training), the conversation turned to a myriad of things, including the refinement of gentleman in Honolulu, the high school and university ball players who come, en masse, for touch ups before big games, and how Mojo is truly offering a unique experience on isle. In fact, talking with Taliq is probably what bartenders and hairstylists of yore endured, before we all were glued to smartphones and the networks that link them. You know, when people used to talk to each other.

Taliq trimmed my weeklong stubble with a seemingly industrial-strength electric razor, before applying a serum to my face. I was then expertly wrapped in mint-scented hot towels, where I would remain for a full two minutes, in order for my pores to open, the hair follicles relax and the skin to soften. I was now ripe for the razor.

Taliq maneuvered his way around my facial hairline like a craftsman honing his medium. Strokes were long and graceful—exactly what you’ll want when someone is holding a surgically sharp object against your skin. Yet conversation never broke. Taliq waxed poetic about the need (“especially in Hawai‘i,” he adds) for men to “up their game,” both for the good of the city’s image as well as their own libido. We conversed freely on the subjects of good grooming, how it has evolved, and the doors Mojo could open for savvy men around the island.

In the end, I was left supple-skinned and crisp (thanks to some camphor in the finishing balm Taliq slathered on my face), eager to greet the afternoon. I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it here: There are some things that we, as men, don’t necessarily need others to do for us in order to feel any more like a man. But on occasion, the opportunity to sit back and contemplate life while an expert tends to your person is an essential experience for the civilized, confident gentleman looking to exude an aura of the same. u

taste • see • relax • betaste innovative Italian dishes, infused with California flavorssee the brilliant blue Pacific Ocean from the al fresco lounge

relax at the place to chill, dress code optional be in the moment, be there, be yourself

For reservations contact Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Concierge at 808-325-8000

A shave and a haircut will get you half-

way to handsome, but maintenance starts

at home. Fortunately, Mojo Barbershop

carries a handful of exclusive-to-Hawai‘i

products formulated just for guys.

Mojo owner Marian Lee prescribes

starting with an easy-to-follow regimen

that includes cleansing and following a

shave with their after-shave balm, then

moisturizing. She also suggests starting off

each morning with an SPF formula to stave

off sun damage.

While it may be tempting to add clay

masks, scrubs, and an array of skin calamity

solvents to your countertop, Lee recom-

mends starting with these few basics…

Baxter of CaliforniaMen’s skin is thicker and oilier than

women’s, which has its pluses. While this

can protect skin and serve as a natural

wrinkle reducer, pores can become

clogged, which leads to breakouts.

Since the 1960s, Baxter of California

has offered grooming products including

vitamin-enriched soaps, toners, exfolia-

tors and shaving creams to nourish and

hydrate men’s skin—all while keeping

excess oil at bay.

Malin + GoetzFace it: Men don’t have the reputa-

tion for multi-tasking the way women

do. This Chelsea-based apothecary and

lab came up with a streamlined “Skincare

Made Easy” system of daily cleanser plus a

moisturizer for specific skin types.

Founders Matthew Malin and Andrew

Goetz started with their own skin needs—

ranging from oily skin to rosacea, eczema

and fragrance allergies—to come up with

formulas designed to be effective and

non-irritating, no matter the climate.

Grant’s Golden Brand Pomade For generations of men, styling hair

often meant slathering on products that

left your mane stiff and spiky (much to the

chagrin of your significant other).

With the belief that “style is every-

thing,” former local boy Grant Fukuda

developed his pomade with a water-

based formula that washes out easily in

the shower, leaving no waxy buildup.

Throw in a light almond scent, and

you’re locks are something anyone would

be thrilled to get close to.

– By Nadine Kam

Mojo Upkeep

IndulGe | GROOMING & BEAUTY

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67h iLu x u ry February/March 2012

taste • see • relax • betaste innovative Italian dishes, infused with California flavorssee the brilliant blue Pacific Ocean from the al fresco lounge

relax at the place to chill, dress code optional be in the moment, be there, be yourself

For reservations contact Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Concierge at 808-325-8000

HILux 5.5 FebMar 112+4_Jan09Liv3.indd 67 1/9/12 12:45 PM

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h iLu x u ry February/March 201268

In speakIng wIth a handful of the most highly skilled woodworkers in Hawai‘i, there was one common thread that bound all: None of these custom creators would even consider taking on a job that didn’t inspire them, one way or another. On a fairly regular basis, each of these “masters” turns down requests that number in the tens of thousands of dollars—per piece.

“I’ve built everything I’ve wanted to build,” says James Ferla, from his sizeable Honolulu workshop. “People don’t come to me for a piece of furniture until someone else has told them ‘It can’t be

done.’ I’ve become the totally custom guy.” Ferla, who attained official “master woodworker” status in 1990,

comes from a long line of craftsmen who originate from Connecticut, and Italy before that. After stints crafting new-build furniture and some refurbishing for Yale University, Ferla came to Hawai‘i and fell in love with the culture.

Surrounded by pieces—bed frames, formal dining chairs, blanket chests and so on—that once belonged to Hawai‘i’s reigning kings and queens, Ferla speaks about each piece with astonishing clarity.

Keep It KoaMasterful Woodworkers of Hawai‘iBy HILuxury Team | PHOTOGraPHy By LeaH FrIeL

Indulge | HOME & GARDEN

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69h iLu x u ry February/March 2012

“When I was proposed with the opportunity to work on this stuff, I realized all the pain and suffering and training I’d done my whole life was getting me ready for the culturally significant and importance of this work,” he says, adding that taking 100-plus-year-old works of art and breathing “another few hundred years of life into them” was akin to something of a spiritual awakening.

Among his top pieces is a set of office furniture constructed entirely by his hands for Outrigger Hotels’ corporate offices.

“I didn’t really consider myself a ‘master’ until the completion of that project,” Ferla admits, pointing to the ten, 18-hour days in which he drafted and completed every piece, including the turning

of every knob (on a lathe) and Roman column, carved every relief and mixed every stain from scratch.

A conversation about detail work revealed just how exacting some of Ferla’s work can be: He recently had to make a model of the elevator at Yacht Harbor Tower to ensure a custom piece he was hired to build would fit into the building. The client, an electrical engineer, has spent nearly $100,000 on pieces from Ferla.

Blending both his custom design work with conservation pieces is what seems to keep him sharp. That, and sharing his skills with the future master carvers of the world. Ferla has taken on 37 apprentices to date; lately, it’s been mostly women who come to him wanting to immerse themselves in the craft. When asked if there’s anything that distinguishes his pieces from others in Hawai‘i, he points to a technique called “book matching,” which involves wood veneers or surfaces perfectly mirroring each other at corners or in parallel sections. “I can get so mind-numbingly myopic about it, but it makes the piece so much more pleasing to the eye in the end. It’s incredibly gratifying, and it’s what I’m known for,” he concludes.

KEEP IT IN THE BEDROOMPearl City-based Alan Wilkinson calls himself a “journeyman

furniture maker,” and his unique, original designs certainly reflect that of someone that has been around the wood block. His koa furniture has been revered in Hawai‘i for decades, always with a lean toward contemporary style.

“I consider my pieces modern,” Wilkinson says. “But the past has a lot to do with where today’s styles came from. From what we found in Egyptian tombs, to Asian artifacts—I’ll forever be a student of design.”

Wilkinson came to Hawai‘i in the early 1960s as a surfer, and wound up studying sculpture and Asian art history at UH under Moe Sato, a legendary woodworker.

A trip through a catalog of Wilkinson’s work reveals astonishing bed frames, dressers and end tables, most of which feature gorgeous veneers of koa and curly ‘ohi‘a. A rather unique aspect to these works are the finishings; custom stars and turned posts, all of which he crafts from scratch.

A recent “distraction” has been utilizing scrap wood (from bigger bedroom sets) to make luxurious jewelry boxes—his nod to the “green” movement of utilizing as much material as he can (these begin at $1,400 and head north of $4,000).

BEHIND EVERY DOOR…Robb Young has been crafting koa in Hawai‘i for more than 31

years, from custom rocking chairs to conference tables, kitchens and doors. His entire client base has come from word-of-mouth recommendations—a testament to his substantial quality of work.

Young’s forte is the cutting and applying of razor-thin veneers. That, and some pretty special clientele.

“We were commissioned to do all 11 pieces of furniture for the

From turning koa bowl lids to mixing stains on restoration work, Ferla had a hand in it all.

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new Father Damien Saint Damien Church on Moloka‘i. All from koa, we built an altar, pulpit, six chairs, credence table, Bible stand and holy oils cabinet,” he shares.

Yet it isn’t all the “Lord’s work” for this craftsman; Young is famous for making Tom Selleck’s office desk and chair during the actor’s stint on O‘ahu while he filmed Magnum, P.I.

“It was such a thrill for me, both to do the piece for Tom, and the fact that he took the same office that was formerly Jack Lord’s, when Five-O wrapped,” Young says, adding he constructed more than a dozen props for both shows, in addition to a custom bed for basketball star Kareem Abdul Jabar.

Young recently came into some contracts for the military, where he constructed a custom 21-foot table that had to have 15 computer stations and a monitor that popped out of the center, for a command room at Camp Smith. This led to some naval work, including onboard officer’s quarters, which then leads to work on the officer’s homes.

Yet ask Young about one of the projects that he is most proud of, and you’ll hear about a rather astonishing feat. Young made 108 doors for a single home in Diamond Head, each of which features black walnut.

Camaraderie among all three of these wood workers is surprisingly harmonious. Each might recommend one another—or various other specialists—for jobs such as picture framing and the like. u

Kent and Lori Untermann, owners of Pictures Plus, know that a picture-perfect family

dinner starts with fresh ingredients and quality appliances from Sub-Zero and Wolf.

Their love of good food and appreciation for distinct kitchen design inspired the Un-

termanns to become the newest Sub-Zero and Wolf retail dealer in Hawaii. Their new

Design Studio, located at the Sub-Zero and Wolf showroom, welcomes past visitors

and new food enthusiasts alike.

D E S I G N S T U D I O F E A T U R I N G S U B - Z E R O A N D W O L F O N T H E C O R N E R O F K I N G A N D P I I K O I S T R E E T S

9 3 8 P I I K O I S T R E E T • P H O N E 8 0 8 . 5 9 9 - 9 1 2 0 • S U B Z E R O H I . C O M

H O U R S : M O N - S A T 9 : 3 0 A M T O 5 P M

VISIT THE NEW DESIGN STUDIO RETAIL STORE AT HAWAII’S PREMIER SHOWROOM

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visit MINIhawaii.com

© 2011 MINI USA, a division of BMW of North America, LLC. The MINI name, model names and logo are registered trademarks.

Wilkinson’s furniture and jewelry boxes are instant treasures.

Indulge | HOME & GARDEN

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al L

um ©

2009

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71h iLu x u ry February/March 2012

Kent and Lori Untermann, owners of Pictures Plus, know that a picture-perfect family

dinner starts with fresh ingredients and quality appliances from Sub-Zero and Wolf.

Their love of good food and appreciation for distinct kitchen design inspired the Un-

termanns to become the newest Sub-Zero and Wolf retail dealer in Hawaii. Their new

Design Studio, located at the Sub-Zero and Wolf showroom, welcomes past visitors

and new food enthusiasts alike.

D E S I G N S T U D I O F E A T U R I N G S U B - Z E R O A N D W O L F O N T H E C O R N E R O F K I N G A N D P I I K O I S T R E E T S

9 3 8 P I I K O I S T R E E T • P H O N E 8 0 8 . 5 9 9 - 9 1 2 0 • S U B Z E R O H I . C O M

H O U R S : M O N - S A T 9 : 3 0 A M T O 5 P M

VISIT THE NEW DESIGN STUDIO RETAIL STORE AT HAWAII’S PREMIER SHOWROOM

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Features | Cover Story

BurBerry suit John Varvatos shirt in lilac $90 from NorDStroM.

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73H ILU X U RY FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012

SECOND-GENERATION ACTOR SCOTT CAAN is not the typical Hollywood product. That is, unlike the “trend” today, he hasn’t risen to the tabloids by tarnishing the reputation and legacy of his famous father (James Caan of The Godfather, etc.). Rather, he’s living up to it. At 35 years of age he’s the star of a weekly television show shot entirely on O‘ahu. He surfs, rides motorcycles and has a girlfriend—and a dog named Dot.

The only thing he doesn’t have is a lack of charisma. Lounging on the lanai of his two-story, Mediterranean-style house

nestled on the slopes of Diamond Head, we’re chatting about his role on the final season of Entourage—the HBO show about making it big in Hollywood.

Caan’s personal Entourage moment came in 1995, after landing the lead role in a film titled A Boy Called Hate, which centered on a kid recently released from juvenile hall before shooting someone. The character embarks on a cross-country motorcycle escapade with a girl, running from the law, and eventually saving her life. It was his “James Dean moment,” he shares. (He casually mentions beating out Joaquin Phoenix for the role.)

“I didn’t know if I wanted to be an actor, the guy holding a light, if I wanted to push the dolly, if I wanted to shoot or if I wanted to write. I was just like, ‘This is home. Whatever this is, whoever these people are, this group of misfits, from the grips to the writers.’ They seemed like my kind of people. I knew that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” Caan professes.

And while this might echo a likely Hollywood story, the action leading up to his foray on stage was not from any familiar playbook.

Caan was just one year old when his parents divorced (his mother, Sheila Ryan, was also an actress). His father—whose macho persona and sharp-tongued wit certainly found their way into Scott Caan’s genetic makeup—though already famous, was a very present father to Scott and his younger siblings. In fact, from the time Caan was 5 to 15 years of age, the elder Caan endured a potentially career-killing hiatus, solely to raise his kids. He certainly wasn’t above coaching Little League, by any stretch.

While his father was always supportive, it wasn’t enough to keep him from the more subversive trends of the ’80s.

At 13, he connected with local California kids he wanted to emulate.

“I hung out with kids that I thought were interesting, and they just happened to be hoodlums, B-boys, criminals, skaters and surfers,” Caan admits, even delving into all facets of the “pakalolo” lifestyle. Before long, he traded football, baseball and basketball for skating, dancing and surfing. The elder Caan wasn’t understanding.

“’What are you doing?’ he would say to me. ‘You don’t skateboard, there’s no team. You don’t surf!’ But I was instantly drawn in. It was something you did in your own way. It was creative self-expression,” Caan says, adding: “Back then, it was punk to surf and skate. It was its own little culture. Today, 6-year-old girls from Brentwood get surfboards for their birthdays. It’s not like it used to be.”

Perhaps identifying with kids from broken homes in search of belonging to something, anything, Caan was hooked. Soon, he was hanging tough with Alan Maman (aka The Alchemist, who currently works as a DJ for Eminem). The duo began writing rap lyrics, even putting together a demo album. Before long (and thanks to a connection with legendary music producer Quincy Jones Jr.) the pair was sitting in Ice Cube’s office.

“I was like, ‘This is the coolest thing ever,’” Caan says, however, admitting that things “didn’t quite go according to plan” shortly thereafter. Caan and Maman, dubbed The Whooliganz (a YouTube search will reveal a very interesting few minutes of video footage), set out on tour with Cypress Hill and House of Pain. Caan was 16 years old.

“It’s still the best time of my life.”Here on the set of Hawaii Five-0—where Caan plays the lead

role of Danny “Danno” Williams along with special agent Steve McGarrett (Aussie actor Alex O’Loughlin)—Caan is thrilled to talk about the film Mercy, which he wrote and appeared in alongside his father.

Yet again, the development process wasn’t something that fell in

Get After ItScott Caan Rises to the OccasionREPORTED BY SILVIA BIZIO AND JASON BLACK | EDITED BY BRIAN BERUSCH

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK ARBEITSTYLING BY: KACY BYXBEE AND YU SHING TINGMAKE-UP BY: KECIA LITTMANN OF WWW.KECIABELLA.COMON LOCATION AT ‘IOLANI PALACE

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Caan’s lap, as most might presume. Following the lack of success with The Whooliganz, then a few roles in early ’90s films like Last Resort and Nowhere, Caan signed up with Playhouse West, a theatre group in North Hollywood where his mom had studied years earlier. He immersed himself alongside rising stars such as James Franco and Ashley Judd, who would write scenes on a weekly basis, and perform them on the weekend.

Around this time something became clear to him; that the sharp-tongued, macho persona so eloquently exemplified by his father was also a nice fit for himself. He sold a few scripts, one of which—2003’s Dallas 363—he completed in only three weeks.

A “guys’ actor” with a soft core, Caan is involved in charity work with various organizations to help children, mainly through sports. Here, on set, he remains focused and intense, yet very polite and somehow offbeat. Off-set, he’s an admitted chain-smoker, and never parts company from “my only inseparable companion,” he states with a wink, nodding toward his trusty dog, Dot.

“I still don’t know if I want to be an actor forever,” he waxes. “There are a lot of other things I want to do, and it never feels like it’s enough.”

But acting is in his blood. He’s received commendations for his work in the Ocean’s trilogy, and cites George Clooney as one someone he greatly respects.

Back at his Diamond Head pad, we notice no shortage of cameras around. It turns out, photography—another creative outlet inspired by a gift from his dad—is another passion of Caan’s. In 2004, he decided to do a one-man show of his work, on his birthday, at a friend’s clothing store called Kingsbury, in L.A. He showed 10 prints; the next year, he returned with 20. In 2009, he collected his best images and released the coffee table book, Scott Caan Photographs Vol. 1.

“Photography is one of my favorite things because I don’t care about what it’s supposed to look like,” he says emphatically. “When you write something, 30 people are going to give you their opinions, and then you have to rewrite it. You direct something and everybody has an opinion. You produce something, it’s even worse. As an actor, you have a director telling you how to do it. Me and that thing [the camera], we’re just out there doing it. If I see a photo, and I like the way it looks, I’m going to print it.”

Following this thread of effortless rebellion, can’t-cage-me recklessness (albeit controlled), Caan is even more fanatical about surfing and motorcycles.

“There’s something about the show-off side of surfing—it’s not as fun if someone didn’t see you do it,” he smirks, walking us down to see his cherished 1960 Panhead motorcycle, as well as Alaia, a traditional wooden surfboard that is no stranger to South Shore breaks, with Caan on top of it.

“When you surf, nobody is on your back, nobody is telling you what to do. Now, I have changed—but my love for surfing is still there. That’s what I love about being in this series, living in Honolulu,” Caan says, readying to take Alaia for a paddle. “Working with a wonderful guy like Alex O’ Loughlin, life is good. We get along very well, we’re similar in a lot of ways. We have a lot to talk about off camera.”

Features | Cover Story

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For this issue’s cover story, we

went with a bit of a vintage feel.

It helped that actor Scott caan’s

own personal style is a dapper

mix of swagger and retro. When

HILuxury was offered the rare

chance to photograph on ‘Iolani

Palace grounds, we jumped at

the opportunity. here, we were

able to showcase this historic

property in a new light, with

“Danno” of the Hawaii Five-0

redux running down the steps

of the building that served as

the Five-O headquarters in the

original series. Of course, caan is

familiar with the area, since the

current Five-0 headquarters is just

across the street, at ali‘iolani hale;

and production itself is down the

road at 605 Kapi‘olani blvd.

About theSetting

Dolce & gabbana black velvet jacket $1,375 and thomas Pink black skinny tie $105, both from neiMAn MARCuS.

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John W. Nordstrom linen resort collection vest $95 and pants $125Theory light blue multibutton-up shirt $135all from NORDSTROM

Features | COveR STORy

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Steven Alan cPO shirt jacketwool blend, slightly heavier weight. Two button-down breast pockets. Straight, square hem. www.stevenalan.com

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Warm, Welcoming, Fresh and FunExperience dinner at the ocean’s edge,

at Zagat’s #1 Hawai‘i island restaurant.

Bringing farm to table to a whole new level, 90% of the menu features

local farm and ocean fresh tastes. Enjoy variety thru shared plates

or dine a la carte. Prepare to be inspired

Dinner 5:30 to 8:30 pm (Sunday-Friday)

On Saturdays, our signature Surf, Sand and Stars

beach barbecue features a live band, hula and astronomy.

For reservations contact Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Concierge at 808-325-8000 or just drop in

321519-02_Pahu i'a_final_Layout 1 7/7/11 12:53 PM Page 1

Life in Hawai‘i seems to appeal to him beyond the break, so to speak.

“There’s such a calming element, you rarely meet people who are walking around frustrated. For me, it is a completely new sensation. In the beginning, it was almost uncomfortable,” he adds, sounding a bit like his New Jersey Five-0 character, who insists on wearing dress shirts and ties on duty. “I’m used to being stressed out all the time, and feeling OK with it. But here you start to see life in a different perspective … in a relaxed way. The second I come off the plane and breathe this air I get immediately calm. This is good,” he says, almost as if he’s still trying to convince himself of the notion.

Feeling as though we’ve made significant headway during our conversation, we ventured to ask Caan how his father feels about Hawaii Five-0.

“At first he told me not to do it. He’s always honest with me,” Caan confesses. “Today, he watches an episode and says, ‘It was great,’ and then he sees another episode and says, ‘That really

sucked!’ My father always taught me to do something in the best possible way, or don’t do it at all.”

Caan still misses his life in Los Angeles. “The hustling in L.A., that energy, the feeling I have when

I’m home and I just go, ‘What’s next, what’s the next job?’ I miss that. But commuting between O‘ahu and L.A., I think this is a great balance for me.”

Regarding his longevity in the series, an earlier conversation resonates: “I hate simple, the same (stuff) every day. I can’t imagine how I ended up on a TV show. You know? Talk about repetitive,” Caan says.

However, as he walks across Kapi‘olani Park toward Tongs surf break with Alaia in hand, a car full of young people slows down just enough to snap photos and offer words of praise to the young actor (“You’re one of us now, buddy—a local!” one says, before the car careens out of site).

If he does in fact aim to live up to the bar his father set, it’s easy to see that Scott Caan is well on his way. u

Features | Cover Story

Powerplant motorcycle company washed out welding jacketand flat tracker shirtwww.powerplantclothing.com

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Warm, Welcoming, Fresh and FunExperience dinner at the ocean’s edge,

at Zagat’s #1 Hawai‘i island restaurant.

Bringing farm to table to a whole new level, 90% of the menu features

local farm and ocean fresh tastes. Enjoy variety thru shared plates

or dine a la carte. Prepare to be inspired

Dinner 5:30 to 8:30 pm (Sunday-Friday)

On Saturdays, our signature Surf, Sand and Stars

beach barbecue features a live band, hula and astronomy.

For reservations contact Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Concierge at 808-325-8000 or just drop in

321519-02_Pahu i'a_final_Layout 1 7/7/11 12:53 PM Page 1

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H ILU X U RY FEBRUARY/MARCH 201280

FEATURES | WOMEN’S FASHION

While much of the nation is still huddled in wool, bulky sweaters and overcoats, spring always comes early to Hawai‘i, where warm winter sun and blue skies are an invitation to color your world.

Color experts at Pantone have singled out the citrusy Tangerine Tango as 2012’s Color of the Year, but that’s not the only bright jewel tone on the horizon. Think of your closet as a 96-count box of Crayolas.

Where once a single splash color sufficed in bringing life to one’s wardrobe, this season the basics have gone wild with flashes of fluorescent green, neon pink, royal purple and desert turquoise, for boundless, uninhibited expression.

PHOTOGRAPHER: LEAH FRIEL

FASHION WRITER: NADINE KAM

MODEL: JOHNELLE ANDERSON

MAKEUP BY: KECIA LITTMAN OF WWW.KECIABELLA.COM

HAIR STYLING BY: ANOU SITHAMMALAT

SHOT ON LOCATION AT THE HYATT REGENCY WAIKIKI BEACH RESORT AND

SPA AND KING’S VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER

FUTURE SO BRIGHT

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a Marni cardigan from Neiman Marcus ($645) is paired with Fendi shorts ($1,280), a pair of Badgley Mischka Couture floral earrings from NM ($65), Fendi gold chain necklace ($1,280) and Tory Burch “Amanda” clutch/purse; all from Neiman Marcus ($325).

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FEATURES | WOMEN’S FASHION

A Diane Von Furstenberg neon Mara sequin top ($385) is paired with a Vince leather skirt ($495), worn with Senti stingray bangles ($195 each), and Alexis Bittar gunmetal mesh bangle with bow ($295); all from Neiman Marcus.

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Ralph Lauren’s silk and cashmere Easy Pant ($855) is pairedwith Ralph Lauren’s Vivia top ($455), Ralph Lauren suede link bracelet ($195) and black opaland morganite necklace ($24,500) from Opal Fields.

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Features | WOMEN’S FASHION

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Johnelle wears a twist-front, coral-print maxi dress ($495) from Issa London,a favorite of Kate Middleton, with an Alexis Bittar gold-and-gemstone necklace ($395), both from Neiman Marcus; and Tiffany Chou “My Fair Coral” cuff ($240), available at The Butik and Drift Boutique.

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FEATURES | WOMEN’S FASHION

ABOUT THE SETTING

With the sunny shades and striking silhouettes of the season, we headed to the place where the sun never stops shining—Waikiki—specifically, the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach for this issue’s fashion feature. Our team enjoyed shooting in the blue-hued SWIM, part of the property’s recent $13 million renovation that also introduced Japengo Restaurant, SHOR Ameri-can Seafood Grill and the private Regency Club Lounge.

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Salvatore Ferragamo twist-front dress, $1,790, is worn with Badgley Mischka Couture drop earrings, $95 from Neiman Marcus; and a Fendi logo cuff ($340) and Fendi leather-wrap wide bangle ($480).

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Their lives are The sTuff of fanTasy—no strangers to the roar of the crowds and fans clamoring for an autograph. However, for these athletes, success in the field of play comes from dedication, hard work and a commitment to giving back to the community.

Davone Bess“The inner city kids are the ones who don’t always have the role

models ... I feel I’m in a position to help,” says Miami Dolphins wide receiver and former UH Warrior Davone Bess.

With motivation deeply rooted in his own upbringing and experiences, the receiver’s Bess Route Foundation “is committed to making a difference in the lives of underprivileged youth in the communities.”

Bess credits his family for keeping him focused during his childhood; it is that type of support that he wants to pass on to other kids in order to maximize their potential.

One of the initiatives that the non-profit organization sponsors is the Bess Friends program that partners high school-aged students with younger, at-risk students in a mentoring program. It’s a two-pronged approach that empowers the kids while providing guidance.

Bess points out that the program was developed “pretty much to guide kids so they wouldn’t make the same mistakes that I did ... that may lead them to going to jail or potentially losing their lives. That’s what we don’t want.”

Bess Route Foundation also provides other outreach programs such as sports camps, scholarship funds and team-building activities.

Bess recalls his time as a Warrior when the special needs of one little girl captured his attention. Hilina‘i Heffernan (the daughter of Bess’ strength coach at UH) attends Variety School in order to receive developmental help. During Pro Bowl Week, he hosted The Bess Route Foundation’s Pro Bowl All-Star Basketball Jam. A team of NFL players, helmed by Bess and former quarterback Colt Brennan, took to the courts against a team of HPD and HFD players in a game that helped foster community spirit and goodwill.

“We knew how expensive her schooling was and how important

it is for her,” Bess says. “It was definitely a cause we wanted to get involved in and try to make a difference.”

Bryan ClayA gold medalist—who happens to be looking for a repeat

decathalon triumph at this summer’s Olympic Games in London—Bryan Clay has found time to give back. In fact, his efforts earned Clay Visa’s Humanitarian of the Year award for 2011.

“Receiving this award is an honor and a source of encouragement for me to continue doing what we set out to do at the Bryan Clay Foundation starting in 2005,” Clay said upon receiving the award. “Like my coach once said to me, ‘To whom much is given, much is expected.’”

The mission of the foundation is to provide a platform for success to youths who would otherwise not have the opportunity. It also strives to build self-confidence in those youths and provide them with the tools to maximize their potential.

To that end, the foundation has sponsored several events such as Fit4all, KidFit Clinics and Walks for Wellness, which target two key issues: national budget cuts on education and unhealthy living. KidFit Clinics help young athletes develop their skills in agility, power, speed and more with celebrity athletes. Kids come away from the experience empowered and equipped with tools for the future.

An All-Star Wayof LifeBy yu Shing Ting and Lianne BidaL ThompSon

Through his bess route Foundation, Miami Dolphin Davone bess strives to provide youths with positive role models.

Features | PHILANTHROPY

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In addition to these sports-related events, the foundation also awards Legacy Scholarships to deserving students and hosts Wine Walks (in partnership with local sponsors and vendors).

Kurt SuzuKiFor his efforts, Oakland Athletics catcher Kurt Suzuki was

named co-recipient of the 2009 Dave Stewart Community Service Award presented annually to an A’s player for outstanding work in the community.

Last month, he hosted his first youth baseball clinic at the Iron Maehara Stadium on Maui in partnership with All Pono. The free clinic welcomed 220 youths between 8 and 18 years old, who practiced the fundamentals— hitting, throwing, base-running and catching—alongside Suzuki. Participants also received refreshments, prizes and a Nike gift bag.

“To be blessed to do what I do for a living and to give back to the community that supports you and that you grew up in, it’s definitely something that was always No. 1 on my priority list,” says Suzuki, a 2001 graduate of Baldwin High School. “The importance of community service is something my parents taught me at an early age. They brought me up to appreciate everything that is given to you.”

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Suzuki and wife Renee, who live in Torrance, Calif., also are in the process of starting a foundation focusing on kidney disease.

“My sister-in-law grew up with kidney disease, my brother-in-law had kidney complications and my dad had kidney cancer, so it’s something that hits home,” explains Suzuki.

“It affected her family and my family, and we just want to try to do whatever we can to help out.”

Brian ChingAfter being left open for trade during

the MLS expansion draft, Houston Dynamo soccer star—and Hale‘iwa native—Brian Ching found himself a member of the Montreal Impact. While he may be leaving the city where he made a name for himself, there’s no denying the impact he made off the field in Houston as well, namely for Teresa Urbano and her family.

“The House that Ching Built” is a project that the soccer star founded by partnering with Habitat for Humanity. After appearing in a PSA for the group,

Ching decided to help in a more hands-on manner.

“I was amazed at how much the homes really helped these families,” he says. “That’s when I decided that I wanted to try to help a family by raising $75,000 to build a house. I received lots of help from the Dynamo, the MLS, corporate support and individual donations.”

In true Habitat for Humanity fashion, Ching put in sweat equity to help build the house alongside other volunteers.

“Being able to actually cut the lumber and hammer the nails on the house was very fulfilling to me,” he explains. “I felt like I was really part of it. Lots of people got on board and we had more than 100 volunteers involved in the build, including several of my teammates … They’re just good guys who saw a opportunity to help.”

For Ching, the payoff came when he handed over the keys to the house to Urbano.

“It was amazing,” he says. “She was so happy to moving into a house for the first time in her life. He kids were thrilled to each have their own room for the first time. It was a very rewarding experience.”

bryan clay preps for Olympic Gold in London this summer. yet, not before devoting time to his foundation.

Features | PHILANTHROPY

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Working with habitat for humanity, MLS player brian ching was able to build a new home for a houston-area family; The Oakland athletics’ Kurt Suzuki’s charitable works include conducting baseball clinics.

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Kukui ula Realty Group LLC. Obtain a property report or its equivalent as required by Federal or State Law and read it before signing anything. No Federal or State Agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This is not an offer or solicitation in CT, NJ, or NY or in any state in which the legal requirements for such offering have not been met. Warning: CA Dept. of Real Estate has not inspected, examined or qualifi ed this offering. Fees, memberships and restrictions may apply for certain amenities. Details available. Price and availability subject to change. © January, 2012. Kukui ula Development Company (Hawai i), LLC. All rights reserved.

Kukui‘ula is an uncommon Hawaiian community – a luxurious private club with a casual, open heart that connects you and your family to a clubhouse of authentic pleasures, a dramatic spa, a village of artful provisioners, a postcard-perfect Weiskopf

golf course, a working farm and fi shing lake and a team of island adventurers. Here, on the sunny south shore of Kaua‘i, Kukui‘ula connects you to one another and to the profound peace of this lush land. Kukui‘ula. Hawai‘i as it once was. Hawai‘i forever.

®

HOM E SI T E S F ROM $1 M I L L ION. COT TAGE S F ROM $2 . 2 M I L L ION. K U K U I U L A .COM 1 855 74 2 023 4

A HAWAI‘I OF TR ADITIONAL SPIRITA LUXURY LE SS TR AVELEDA COMMUNIT Y TRUE TO PAR ADISEA LUXURY LE SS TR AVELEDA COMMUNIT Y TRUE TO PAR ADISE

A HAWAI‘I OF TR ADITIONAL SPIRITA HAWAI‘I OF TR ADITIONAL SPIRITA HAWAI‘I OF TR ADITIONAL SPIRITA LUXURY LE SS TR AVELEDA COMMUNIT Y TRUE TO PAR ADISEA COMMUNIT Y TRUE TO PAR ADISE

A HAWAI‘I OF TR ADITIONAL SPIRITA LUXURY LE SS TR AVELEDA COMMUNIT Y TRUE TO PAR ADISEA COMMUNIT Y TRUE TO PAR ADISEA LUXURY LE SS TR AVELEDA COMMUNIT Y TRUE TO PAR ADISEA LUXURY LE SS TR AVELEDA HAWAI‘I OF TR ADITIONAL SPIRIT

Ching told us that he hopes to get involved with a Hawai‘i charity this year.

Shane VictorinoIn recent months, it seems that Shane Victorino has been

receiving just as much attention for his generosity as he does for his job on the ball field.

The Wailuku, Maui, native, a two-time MLB All-Star and three-time Gold Glove-winning center fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies, was recently presented the Branch Rickey Award and inducted as the 20th member of the Baseball Humanitarian’s Hall of Fame. In 2011, Victorino was named one of the “Top 10 Young Americans” by the U.S. Jaycees, and “Humanitarian of the Year” by the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association.

“(Giving back) is something that I think was embedded in me as a kid,” says Victorino, a 1999 graduate of St. Anthony High School. “I remember watching my parents be involved in the community. When I was in elementary school, my dad was coaching soccer and sports, and my mom would help out at church. As a kid, it’s just something I saw.”

In 2010, Victorino and wife Melissa established the Shane Victorino Foundation to promote opportunities for underprivileged youth in Hawai‘i and Philadelphia. For its first major project, the foundation pledged nearly $1 million to renovate the 105-year-old Nicetown Boys & Girls Club. The project was completed and

opened in September in Philadelphia. The Foundation also sponsors the Flyin’ Hawaiian All-Stars

charity ticket program, which offers children’s groups hosted days at the ballpark.

“Kids are our future,” explains Victorino. “We all know that we’re not going to be on this earth someday, and if you can instill certain things in life in these kids and youth, hopefully they’ll follow in your footsteps and look up to you as a role model … For myself, it’s being able to not only give but being able to connect with the kids and the community.”

Back home, the foundation has supported after-school programming at the Boys & Girls Club of Maui, funded improvements to a public park in Waipio often used by Little League teams and created a tuition-assistance fund for students with financial need at St. Anthony Junior-Senior High School.

The foundation also supports Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike, Palama Settlement, Hawaii Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, Best Buddies Hawaii and Maui Family Support Services.

Victorino hosts an annual celebrity dinner and golf tournament at Wailea Golf Club, and for the last two years has organized an all-star celebrity fashion show in Philadelphia.

As for his next big project, Victorino hopes to open baseball fields in Hawai‘i, starting with a complex on Maui.

“Nothing is in the works yet,” he says. “But it’s a dream of mine.” u

Maui native Shane Victorino grew up watching his parents contribute to their community. The Phildelphia Phillies star now promotes opportunities for underpriviledged youth in hawai‘i and Philadelphia.

FeatureS | PHILANTHROPY

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Kukui ula Realty Group LLC. Obtain a property report or its equivalent as required by Federal or State Law and read it before signing anything. No Federal or State Agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This is not an offer or solicitation in CT, NJ, or NY or in any state in which the legal requirements for such offering have not been met. Warning: CA Dept. of Real Estate has not inspected, examined or qualifi ed this offering. Fees, memberships and restrictions may apply for certain amenities. Details available. Price and availability subject to change. © January, 2012. Kukui ula Development Company (Hawai i), LLC. All rights reserved.

Kukui‘ula is an uncommon Hawaiian community – a luxurious private club with a casual, open heart that connects you and your family to a clubhouse of authentic pleasures, a dramatic spa, a village of artful provisioners, a postcard-perfect Weiskopf

golf course, a working farm and fi shing lake and a team of island adventurers. Here, on the sunny south shore of Kaua‘i, Kukui‘ula connects you to one another and to the profound peace of this lush land. Kukui‘ula. Hawai‘i as it once was. Hawai‘i forever.

®

HOM E SI T E S F ROM $1 M I L L ION. COT TAGE S F ROM $2 . 2 M I L L ION. K U K U I U L A .COM 1 855 74 2 023 4

A HAWAI‘I OF TR ADITIONAL SPIRITA LUXURY LE SS TR AVELEDA COMMUNIT Y TRUE TO PAR ADISEA LUXURY LE SS TR AVELEDA COMMUNIT Y TRUE TO PAR ADISE

A HAWAI‘I OF TR ADITIONAL SPIRITA HAWAI‘I OF TR ADITIONAL SPIRITA HAWAI‘I OF TR ADITIONAL SPIRITA LUXURY LE SS TR AVELEDA COMMUNIT Y TRUE TO PAR ADISEA COMMUNIT Y TRUE TO PAR ADISE

A HAWAI‘I OF TR ADITIONAL SPIRITA LUXURY LE SS TR AVELEDA COMMUNIT Y TRUE TO PAR ADISEA COMMUNIT Y TRUE TO PAR ADISEA LUXURY LE SS TR AVELEDA COMMUNIT Y TRUE TO PAR ADISEA LUXURY LE SS TR AVELEDA HAWAI‘I OF TR ADITIONAL SPIRIT

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EXPERIENCE | Travel

London is one of the most desirabLe and exciting cities in the world. It thrives on a multitude of diversions—from fashion, food and the arts—to name just a few. With the Olympic buzz in the air, Britain is a burgeoning destination this year. Here are some of our favorite locales.

ShoPPINgSavile Row in Mayfair is famously known the world over

for bespoke men’s tailoring. These days you’ll find a mix of both traditional and modern stores. Since 1906, Anderson and Sheppard have tailored some of the world’s most famous men. We’ve previewed their spring line, and it’s awe-inspiring.

Based at the heart of the district, The Savile Row Company has been making tailored suits since 1938. Initially providing suits solely for top London department stores, it now produces clothing and accessories for both men and women.

Taking a more modern approach to classic tailoring is cult London label B store. Most recently they have collaborated with British heritage brand Baracuta, home of the original G9 Harrington jacket, first made in 1937. This jacket has adorned many famous men, from Elvis Presley, to Frank Sinatra and even

Daniel Craig as “James Bond.”If you are seeking a bit of quintessential English, then head to

Cath Kidston. Seeing a gap in the market, Kidston opened her first store in 1993 hoping to bring a fun side to vintage products. Now she designs her own famously floral prints and products in a wide range of accessories, bags, fashion, home, fabric and wallpaper. The store is heralded as one of the most prominent and influential stores to rise from the U.K.—she was awarded an MBE from the Queen in 2010.

Westfield London Shopping Centre is the perfect combination of luxury and shopping. Under one roof you will find 400 luxury brands, including Burberry, Dior, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. After a hard day of shopping, you can take a well-earned break and toast to your new threads at the Champagne Bar. On top of this, Westfield offers up posh perks for the serious shopper: chauffeurs, hands-free shopping and personal stylists. Just last fall, the second Westfield’s opened in the heart of the Olympic Park—it is the largest urban shopping center in Europe.

Covent Garden is a very popular shopping attraction and the oldest inhabited part of London. It is a unique place where you can marvel at street performers as you meander through the many

London CallingBy Megan evans and Whitney Bacon

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Views to Tower bridge from the south side of the river Thames at night; View from the top of the Victoria Tower, the lesser-known of the two towers of the houses of Parliament, towards big ben, the river Thames and the London eye; The aquatics centre for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

different stores and stalls. It is also home to historic theaters and provides hundreds of place to eat and have a cocktail.

Notting Hill, made famous by the film starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, is one of London’s most fashionable areas. Based in the West End of London, it is well known for Portobello Market and the Notting Hill Carnival, which is staged every August. The 1-mile-long Portobello Market is world-famous, selling a variety of products. It is notoriously known for being crowded on a Saturday because of its great selection of clothing stalls and antiques. Portobello Road also boasts the Electric Cinema, London’s most lavish movie theater.

Art ScenceThe National Gallery—which contains a collection

of European paintings from 13th to the 16th centuries—is currently exhibiting works by Leonardo Da Vinci, one of the most in-demand tickets in all of London. Although the exhibition has completely

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sold out, a “golden ticket” hype has hundreds queuing for a chance to snap up one of the 500 tickets released daily. The gallery is located in Trafalgar Square, one of the most vibrant areas of the city.

The National Portrait Gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. Opened in 1956, its aim is to showcase those who have made, or are making, British culture and history. The current exhibition features 60 portraits that range from Dolly Parton to Keira Knightley.

The Victoria and Albert Museum is proclaimed the world’s greatest art and design museum. It features a plethora of design throughout time and subjects, including architecture, fashion and theatre. Future exhibitions in 2012 will feature portraits of Queen Elizabeth II. There also will be an exhibition on British Design from 1948 to 2012, which will include post-war art to the design of the Olympics 2012.

Rivalling Broadway is The West End, which features plays and musicals such as Les Miserables, as well as contemporaries including We Will Rock You by Queen/Ben Elton, and the acclaimed adaptation of British film Billy Elliot.

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This page, clockwise from top left: The scene at Westfield Stratford city; Style and tradition blend at Savile row, here a Prince of Wales check suit by Savile row Tailors anderson & Sheppard; Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton is just one of the upcoming exhibits at the Victoria and albert Museum. Pictured here: Queen Elizabeth II in Coronation Robes, June 1953.

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Good eatsThe Fat Duck, founded by self-taught chef Heston Blumenthal,

puts a very unconventional spin on cuisine. His use of molecular compounds and experimenting with foods in the most scientific and fascinating ways incorporates the elements of sound and smell sensory perception to bolster touch and taste. For the tasting menu, allot yourself three or more hours and come with an open mind and an excited palate. You might receive “salmon poached in a liquorice gel with artichokes, vanilla mayonnaise and golden trout roe” or “red cabbage gazpacho and snail porridge,” to name a few. Receiving numerous awards and recognition around the globe, The Fat Duck is an unparalleled dining experience.

If you are looking for a trendy and rather contemporary bistro, Pollen Street Social is the place to go. Opened by renowned British Chef Jason Atherton in April 2011, its vibrant atmosphere is the perfect place to “see and be seen” whilst enjoying a drink from the 40-seat bar and fine cuisine.

Hakkasan Mayfair is modern Chinese cuisine at its finest. It’s no wonder that, as you will experience dining among ice-cool glamour décor, Hakkasan Mayfair won multiple awards for “Best It Restaurant” at the Tatler Restaurant Awards 2011.

A tradition in England since the 1840s, Afternoon Tea is a must. Traditionally, this consists of tea with finger sandwiches and scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam. For an afternoon of pure indulgence and grandeur, opt for the experience at The Ritz Hotel (which has been awarded multiple times by the U.K. Tea Council). For a modern take on Afternoon Tea, look no

This page, clockwise from above: Portobello road at Notting hill; Women selling food at Leadenhall market; The National Portrait Gallery.

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above: The hotspot McQueen, like the actor it’s named for, is masculine and cool. right: Meanwhile, the decidedly feminine décor of the Soho hotel makes for a special afternoon Tea.

further than the unique Firmdale Hotels. Located in five areas of London, each hotel is individually decorated with an English flair by owner Kit Kemp. The ambience lends to the glamour; Kemp recommends starting off your “tea” with a glass of rose champagne.

If you want an all-encompassing experience, then The Howard Swissôtel’s “TLSee” (Tea, London and Sightseeing) is for you. The iconic sights of London have been transformed into pastries and chocolate—you will literally get a taste of London. For an even quirkier experience, take a trip down the rabbit hole into the “Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson.” Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, you will find brightly colored finger sandwiches, lollipops that turn your tongue from cold to hot and ice cream that explodes in the mouth.

NIghts OutA venue called McQueen pays homage to movie star

Steve McQueen, in the form of a trendy restaurant and club located in Shoreditch. The sleek decor oozes vintage Hollywood glamour. The Lounge Bar is the perfect place to unwind after work, where you also will find a lavish mannequin sculpture

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brenda edwards as ‘Killer Queen’ in the West end production of We Will Rock You; alexander McQueen will be one of the featured designers in Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950, showing May 19 2012-January 2013 at the Victoria and albert Museum.

Olympic Gold Star

The summer of 2012 will see millions descend upon

London for the 2012 Olympics—the first city to have

hosted three times. Preparations for the Games are on

track with new venues and infrastructures. The Olym-

pic Stadium is the most sustainable ever built in line

with London’s 2012’s “reduce, reuse, recycle” approach.

London will be transformed like never before in 2012,

the benefits of which will be felt and seen long after.

in tribute to Alexander McQueen. The restaurant serves up fine foods and wine whilst McQueen movies play in the background. Downstairs, find boutique clubbing at its best, transforming your night into 1960s rock ‘n’ roll glamour with live acts and DJs. Circus, located in the popular Covent Garden, is the unique innovation of a perfectly paired West End cocktail bar and a chic cabaret restaurant.

For a completely different night out, experience the extreme at the Ice Bar London. The walls, tables, bar and even your glass are made from the purest ice. The club is kept at 41 degrees Fahrenheit year round. It is your chance to be a snow bunny as designer thermal capes with hoods keep you warm.

FashionIf you want to know where the future of fashion is heading,

then attending London Fashion Week is a must. Each year, the most up-and-coming British designers are honoured here by the British Fashion Council New Generation Scheme (NEWGEN). Recommended by LFW in 2011 were the top five shops in London to get the latest trends: Christian Louboutin, Dover Street Market, Matches Marylebone, Selfridges and Start. u

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An Equestrian WinterFinding a Passion for HorsesBy Sarah Blanchard | PhotograPhy By leah Friel

EXPERIENCE | A-LIST ADVENTURES

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It’s early mornIng, late wInter. Before you see them, you hear them. The muffled, rhythmic sound of hooves in the sand. A few soft snorts and snickers, the muted voices of the riders. Then the horses loom large and lovely in the mist, their manes tossing in the light breeze, tails pluming gracefully behind and their coats glistening in the sun. They trot and canter in calm, stately groups of two and three, their riders sitting lightly in the saddles.

Occasionally, a rider leans ever-so-gracefully forward as his horse accelerates and soars over an obstacle. The action is measured, disciplined, precise. There’s no mad rushing, no racing, no wild sprint to a finish line. These horses are elite athletes: jumpers, hunters, dressage horses and three-phase eventers. Many hail from Europe or South America. They represent breeds that most people have never heard of: Hannoverians, Trakehners, Westphalians, Dutch Warmbloods, Selle Français, Irish Sport Horses. Most of them are very tall and very powerful, and all of them are beautiful.

In a few hours they will be groomed and polished. Their manes and tails will be braided. Impeccably dressed riders will take up the reins, and each horse will soar over impossibly high obstacles, or dance with intricate steps choreographed to crowd-pleasing music, or showcase their classical beauty and elegant movement.

Welcome to the winter horse show circuit.

Florida: Wellington/Palm Beach, ocala and tallahassee

From winter to early spring, this is the center of the universe for equestrians. The annual Winter Equestrian Fair (WEF) runs nearly three full months, Wednesday through Sunday every week, from mid-January into April. This mammoth event hosts more than 5,000 horses and 2,800 riders from 30 countries, competing in jumpers, hunters and dressage. International competition takes on a special excitement this year because many of these events are “qualifiers” for the 2012 London Summer Olympics.

The season starts out with lower-level competitions for new riders and young horses. Even little kids have a shot at the limelight, riding in the pony hunter, junior jumper and hunt seat equitation classes. “Going to Wellington” is a rite of passage for this 13-and-under set.

Then the action amps up and you’re rubbing shoulders with the big-name riders and horses from around the world. The last week of the WEF features a half-million dollar purse for the FTI Consulting Grand Prix, an international event for the world’s best show jumpers. Another major jumping event is the $75,000 Nations Cup. Last year, 10 countries fielded teams to vie for that prize.

Learn to RideThere’s a lot more to horse-

manship than just clinging to

a saddle while wearing stylish

clothes. And while many ac-

quire the skills in their youth,

there are plenty of people

who become avid equestrians

in adulthood.

One way to begin the process

is to ask around for a coach

when you’re at a show.

Perhaps the easiest route to

finding quality English riding

instruction is on newhorse.

com, where thousands of

stables, trail ride programs and

camps (for adults as well as

kids) are listed by region.

You’ll want to ask prospective

coaches about their safety

record, as well as whether the

stable specializes in showing.

Look for a coach who will

truly teach you about horses—

not one who merely repeats

the “heels down, shoulders

back” mantra. Learning equine

personalities and horse-

human communication is key,

which is best absorbed on the

ground, learning to groom,

saddle and lead.

The Palm Beach Equestrian

Academy offers a series of

one-hour introductory lessons

to acquire basic skills and

good balance; although the

lovely Circle C Equestrian

Center in Waimanalo doesn’t

provide lessons, a few top

isle trainers and their affili-

ated horses that board there

do (http://www.circlece-

questriancenter.net/Train-

ers_and_Lessons.html).

Don’t be surprised if your

instructor requires you to

ride without reins or stirrups

at first. To the horse, every

move you make with your

legs, hands and weight will

mean something, so you

must learn to control all

those wayward body parts

to stay safe and avoid con-

fusing your equine partner.

To reach the level where you

can comfortably trot, canter,

gallop and perhaps ride over

a small jump without losing

your balance or annoying

the horse, you’ll need to

invest at least 20 hours in

the saddle under the eyes of

a competent instructor.

You won’t be ready to hit

the show circuit for a while

yet, but at least at that

point you’ll begin to realize

how much more there is

to learn—one of the most

fascinating aspects of this

sport.

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The horses are mega- stars. They fly in overseas, or they arrive in huge, climate-controlled semi-trailers, traveling with their trainers, grooms, veterinarians and masseurs. Top horses have Facebook pages and fan clubs.

While the jumpers seek glory in the arenas at the WEF, the dressage riders are competing with equal intensity at the Wellington Classic Dressage series, held in Palm Beach County. In years past, dressage competitions didn’t come close to matching the jumpers in big money prizes, but they’re catching up. The World Dressage Masters competition, held in Wellington in January, offered prize money of 100,000 euros—nothing for the winners to sneeze at.

From mid-January to mid-March, Ocala vies with Wellington for the title of best winter circuit for hunters and jumpers. The nine-week HITS (Horse Shows in the Sun) winter circuit is intergral for point-building and earnings for circuit horses.

The season also gets rolling in early spring in the south, gradually moving north for more rugged cross-country courses that includes water obstacles, banks and hills.

If you can manage the trip to northern Florida, catch the Olympic-level competition at the Red Hills event near Tallahassee. To get up close and personal with the thrills and perhaps a few spills, go for cross-country day. If you stake out a spot near the water complex and watch the riders closely—you’ll see the fire in their eyes and the urgency in their voices as they urge their equine partners to go faster, jump higher and land cleanly.

For these riders and owners, the reward is the prestige of the win,

the chance for a spot on a national or international team, and the acknowledgement that they’ve excelled in a highly demanding sport.

California: Thermal and del marIf you know where Thermal is, you’re already a horse person, or

you live somewhere near this dusty crossroads. Originally a railroad construction camp, in summer it is one of the hottest places on the continent. Come winter, its mild, dry climate makes it an excellent home for the HITS Desert Circuit. As with most venues, every Sunday is Grand Prix jumper day. Top horses and riders contend for their share of the day’s $25,000 to $50,000 cash prizes, and hope to qualify for the million-dollar HITS Grand Prix finale held in Saugerties, N.Y., in the fall. If you prefer more variety in your landscape, head for the coast. The venerable Del Mar National Horse Show is held every winter at the fairgrounds an hour north of San Diego. It also hosts the weeklong Del Mar Dressage Affaire in late April and a hunter/jumper week in early May.

arizona: TuCson and sCoTTsdaleThe Pima County Fairground in Tucson plays host to the six-week-

long HITS Arizona winter series for hunters and jumpers, running from March through mid-April, just as the orange blossoms take to the Tucson air. It’s lovely—and there’s always golf, hiking, and baseball’s spring training nearby.

For something a little different, the Scottsdale Arabian Horse

Jumpers make for an exciting show.

eXPerienCe | A-LIST ADVENTURES

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Show takes place each year in mid-February. This show is restricted to Arabians and half-Arabians; however, you’ll also see western-style events, carriage driving and the always-glamorous Arabian costume classes.

In case you haven’t seen enough horses yet, you can stay on for the Scottsdale Spring Classic and Spring Festival hunter/jumper shows in March.

For equestrians, these are the places to see and be seen. If you’re not in the game as an owner or rider, but want to get a little closer to the experience, book some riding lessons or a trail ride while you’re visiting. There are always people ready to introduce you to their horses and share their love of the sport.

Many visitors just love attending the shows as horse- and people-watchers, shoppers and partygoers. There’s enticing cuisine and always a busy shopping avenue, with unique wares ranging from high-end equestrian gear to fine jewelry, fashion apparel, antiques and art.

And don’t forget the parties, of which there are many. Some are very toney, some are egalitarian; some are carefully planned, some are spontaneous. There are exhibitors’ parties, golf tournaments, barn parties, theme parties, charity benefits. Sponsors such as Fidelity Investments, Rolex and Lamborghini compete to host the best parties, while owners or sponsors of the winning horses are pretty much expected to host parties on Sunday evenings.

In early April, the action in the south winds down, as riders and horses travel north to cooler climes. Then, the big outdoor shows take center stage in Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, New England, Northern California and up into Canada.

Home in Hawai‘iThe English-riding scene is fairly modest in this

corner of paradise, where most horseback riding is geared toward ranch and rodeo. But a small number of dressage and jumping enthusiasts can be found on each island.

On O‘ahu, Hilltop Equestrian Center in Waimanalo is an important venue for dressage training and shows; the Maui Dressage Academy offers dressage lessons, while Nancy Townsend, a nationally accredited hunter/jumper judge, teaches hunt-seat riding and jumping at Ke‘e Road Stable in Makawao. On the Kona side of Hawai‘i Island, Horseplay Equestrian Center offers both dressage and jumping lessons, and also sponsors a few shows each year. u

Understanding dressage, jumpers, hunters and eventing

Dressage, French for “train-

ing,” dressage is a systematic,

structured method of classi-

cal riding, originally designed

to produce highly responsive

cavalry horses that could charge,

stop, turn and leap at the rider’s

slightest signal. Modern dressage

challenges horse and rider to

reach high levels of balance,

precision and harmony. In

competition, horses and riders

perform a pattern of prescribed

movements (called tests) in an

arena; points for each movement

are awarded on a scale of 0 to

10. Horses and riders begin with

simple tests, then move “up the

levels.” The best ride at the inter-

national Grand Prix level, which

requires pirouettes, piaffe (trot

in place), half-pass (simultane-

ously forward and sideways), and

flying changes of lead (the horse

appears to skip from one leading

leg to the other at a canter).

These dance-like movements are

also choreographed and set to

music in crowd-pleasing musical

freestyles, called kurs.

Jumpers clear high obstacles,

at speed. The judging in show

jumping is objective: The winner

is the fastest horse that incurs

the fewest faults (knocking down

an obstacle, failing to jump

obstacles in the correct order,

or exceeding the time allowed).

Look for Grand Prix events and

speed derbies: exciting to watch,

even more exciting to ride if you

have a bold horse and a healthy

dose of intestinal fortitude.

Hunter competitions are

based in the traditions of English

fox-hunting. Different divisions

present obstacles at different

heights, based on the size of the

horses or ponies and the age or

experience of the competitors.

The judging is subjective: steadi-

ness, moderate speed, safe

jumping and a graceful, powerful

stride are rewarded; excessive

speed, unsafe jumping style and

disobediences are penalized. Look

for the Hunter Prix and hunter

derbies for high-level competi-

tion. This is largely a North

American sport; there’s no hunter

competition at the Olympic level.

tHree-pHase eventing (combined training) is a triathlon

in which rider and horse compete

first in dressage, then on a thrill-

ing cross-country jumping course,

and then over jumps in an arena.

Originally created by cavalries to

train and test the best horses and

riders, eventing requires precision,

fitness, stamina, boldness, and a

strong partnership between horse

and rider.

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There are many reasons To eaT. For some, it’s about the need to satiate. Others look for something more, be it an escape from boredom, a vehicle to learn about a particular culture or a crazy need to test the boundary of our palate. I went to Nanzan GiroGiro to taste.

Walking by, you might mistake it for a tiny art gallery (which it also is) or a boutique. Nanzan is tucked away on a part of Pensacola Street that is as industrial as any here in Honolulu, where pool supplies and car repair shops are the norm. Nothing in the area screams “Kyoto-style kaiseki dining—here,” which only adds to the pleasant surprise once you cross that plane inside.

On the “other side,” you are removed. It’s different—quiet, clean, simple—nothing to distract you from your company and the matter at hand.

The small and square open kitchen is flanked on three sides by dining counters. You actually sit at the height that the chef is standing, bringing you to eye level with those crafting your food. The most striking design element resides on one side of the dining room, where Nanzan ceramic pottery is placed on narrow podiums, under glass.

Adjacent to the kitchen, a small lounge is separated by long, lime green curtains that somehow (and masterfully) fail to distract from the plates that arrive in steady succession.

Chef Yoshihiro Matsumoto dreamt of moving to Hawai‘i so much that it happened shortly after a get-together with the GiroGiro restaurant group owners, in Japan, who decided that Matsumoto would helm the third outpost of their group. (The first is in Kyoto, the second in Paris.)

SAVOR | Dining out

An Industrial Take on Zen DiningNanzan Giro GiroBy Chef RoBeRt MCGee | PhotoGRaPhy By LaCy MatsuMoto

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105h iLu x u ry February/March 2012

Opposite: a golden disc holds sliced Kobe beef, grilled eggplant and shimeji mushrooms. This page: custom plates are designed and painted to complement the items they hold.

Matsumoto-san is learning more and more English every day. In an effort to show respect for the language, he tells me, he thinks about every word before it comes out. Kind enough to sit with me before dinner service—the madcap hour before a restaurant opens—Yoshi, as he preferred I call him, was cool as a cucumber. His manner of responding to my questions was, quite honestly, relaxing. Zen-like.

He waxed poetic about the importance of local ingredients, although there are some that he cannot bear to be without, most of which are Kyoto-specific.

“In kaiseki…which is about the relationship between me and the dinner…” he starts, “the quality of the ingredients must never be doubted.”

So what happens is this. You walk in and sit down. If you are in the mood for the wine pairings or a sake, you say “yes.” Otherwise, you’re off the hook as far as decision-making. You talk to your date, people/chef watch, and before you know it, someone is putting a seven-course dinner in front of you.

One thing I enjoyed about “over the counter” service here is that there’s no dodging of sizzling plates; you always see your dishes coming. Over there, chef is cooking your Wagyu over an open flame. On that side, someone is meticulously hand-washing every piece of art that your food will be served on. Another person is hand-whisking hot matcha tea. The kitchen is spotless, everything is in its place.

The team works in a fluid manner, not quite choreographed, but very aware of their surroundings. There are five cooks behind the counter in addition to Matsumoto-san, yet it never seems crowded. All of the staff are very willing to engage, all of them able to explain ingredients and dishes very effectively.

My first plate is Chawanmushi, which translates to “steamed in a tea cup,” typically a custard of eggs and dashi stock with soy. At Nanzan GiroGiro, you’re not going to get something that pedestrian. This one is delivered in a chilled teacup, yellow with a bold, red fish on the side. Looking from above, there is a dollop of chive puree floating on the custard. Inside I mine for small, poached oysters

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and chestnuts, which majestically seem to have the same texture. Biting into either starts the same, only giving way to explosions of flavor as their distinct nature is revealed. The dish is comforting—something you’ll feel with frequency at this eatery. It’s a gentle yet thoughtful way to begin a meal.

In silence, a lidded, black lacquer bowl exuding a bit of steam appears. I’m smelling miso soup, as Matsumoto explains that this dish is all about the croquette—a Japanese version of matzo ball soup. This croquette is made with crab and a Japanese root that chef says is akin to taro. It has a dense, but giving texture. The white miso broth is lightly spiked with mustard powder, which works to heighten the flavor of the baby tatsoi nestled inside.

When he starts slicing raw scallops, my excitement piques. Slivers of pristine ‘ahi tuna are placed on a pastel blue square plate—it’s the ocean as a backdrop. Two sauces—one a red beet purée, the other, a “new season” rice sauce—arrive. But wait, there’s more: With a white china soup spoon, chef doles a nori sauce. It is sticky and thick, like toasted ocean.

In a corner of the plate he places a little yellow bowl with dashi gelee sitting atop a few leaves of steamed mizuna, a palate cleanser.

The dish works on so many levels. There is audience participation, you have the ability to mix and match flavors, and they all work. (It helps that the ‘ahi was alive and swimming yesterday.)

Another plate arrives as swiftly as the last. This one is hot, and by comparison, much more simple. That is to say, fewer components. It’s steamed ‘opakapaka served in a little black box with a gilded night sky scene painted within. Chef braises monkfish liver into red miso, creating an earthy, tangy zeal. A piece of dashi-braised daikon gives the dish some dense resistance, which is garnished with thinly sliced scallion and chicory. Again, comfort. My mouth knew that I was eating seafood in Hawai‘i, but my brain was feeling beef stew

on a cold day back in western New York.Next up is the Kobe course. Chef Matsumoto stands over a jet

engine-like burner with meat on nothing more than a stick. As the meat rests, he shapes a piece of grilled eggplant, placing it on a chilled, slightly concave, golden disk. Next to that he places a 1-inch cube of crispy fried kabocha squash. Slicing five slivers of the beef, he drapes them around the vegetables then sauces it with a kudzu starch-thickened dashi broth. This all gets garnished with a few shimeji mushrooms and, for crunch, little arare crackers. The dish comes together with different levels of grilled and smoky flavors that complement each other.

Soon, a little chilled ceramic turtle arrives. It has a lid. Inside, an artistic display of uni (sea urchin) served in a purée of shingiku stem, with steamed shingiku leaves all atop a tiny daikon “vermicelli.” Like a good amuse, it did what it was supposed to do—but I wished that I had more!

Time for the rice course, in which Chef stirs gingko nuts and salmon into the rice, and tops with ikura (salmon roe) that he marinates himself. A few slivers of mitsuba leaf finish the dish. The rice sits beside a bowl of shiro miso broth garnished with fried tofu, and a tiny bowl of pickled vegetables. Simple, the way it should be. All perfectly balanced and perfectly seasoned.

Dessert courses can be all over the place with kaiseki. Chef Matsumoto does not underestimate the importance of a pleasant finish. Tonight, it’s a small plate with three bite-size treats: A cube of strawberry panna cotta topped with strawberry and mint; a tiny azuki bean “mochi” wrapped in sesame seed leaf; and a sweet potato and citrus macaroon.

The matcha tea, hot and freshly whisked, was a sublime way to leave the dinner table. Slightly smoky and very earthy it, too, served its purpose in returning me back to earth. u

chef plates up masterful works of art; a dessert includes bite-sized strawberry panna cotta and azuki bean “mochi.”

SAVOR | Dining out

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Fashion | MENSWEAR

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LIKE MANY GOOD THINGS IN HAWAI‘I, this dessert was a mash-up of ideas between an executive chef, a general manager and a pastry chef. First, the obvious: “I wanted a traditional strawberry shortcake on the menu. Period. But as conversation evolved, it became clear that everyone’s idea of ‘traditional’ was a bit different,” says Chef Charles Charbonneau of Kamuela Provision Company at Hilton Waikoloa Village.

First, the hotel’s manager wanted to evoke the desserts from her Midwestern upbringing, which is how the sweet biscuit evolved. When the pastry chef scoffed at traditional whipped cream, he replaced it with a delicate white chocolate mousse. Chef Charbonneau insisted on the dish solely because of “the most astonishing berries I’ve tasted—anywhere” that come from nearby Rincon Farms in Waimea. Finally, the dish gets a tropical spin with slices of fresh mango layered under the top biscuit.

Just down the road at Mauna Lani Resort, Chef Sandy Tuason may have studied in N.Y. with star chef Daniel Boulud as well as Albert and Michel Roux in London, but his signature dish at Canoe House is all Hawai‘i. The centerpiece of this plate is his ultra-refined, homemade mango sorbet. Surrounding the orb of perfect frozen delight is a compote of Hawai‘i Island-grown fruit, which rotates on an in-season basis; one month it may include pineapple, strawberry and mango while another it could be starfruit, longan, lychee and dragonfruit. The compote is finished with a white wine reduction (that’s been chilled), lime zest and a mint leaf chiffonade. A crisp pineapple chip finishes the dish, adding dimension and an artistic flare.

“This dish is essentially a taste of Hawai‘i Island,” chef Tuason proclaims.

Sweet DelightsWhat May Be Considered Out-of-the-Wayfor Some Might Be Out-of-this-World for OthersBY HILUXURY TEAM

H ILU X U RY FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012108

SAVOR | FINE FOOD

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Clockwise, from above: Sweet treats from Canoe House, Morimoto Waikiki, Kamuela Provision Co., Travaasa Hana and The Lodge at Koele.

Over on the North Shore of Maui, Travaasa Hana executive chef Barry Villiarimo (who was born and raised in Hana) has a bit of self-proclaimed a sweet tooth. Hence his “Chocolate Decadence” dessert—a sliver of über-rich chocolate that packs a big “wow” into a small serving.

He begins with Hawaiian-grown vintage chocolate, and crafts a gluten-free pie. Skirting the sliver is a delicate crème anglaise. The dish is finished with powdered sugar.

“Something this rich only requires a few, sumptuous bights,” says Villiarimo.

Morimoto Waikiki’s debut pastry chef Daniel Skurnick has seen his share of top kitchens. While studying anthropology and sculpture in college, he worked at Gramercy Tavern and next to legendary pastry master Johnny Iuzzini at Jean-Georges. So when Morimoto asked him to craft a signature dish at his Waikiki outpost, this is what ended up on the plate: an art gallery worthy study of texture and flavor.

Centered is a chocolate caramel tart, which counts among its neighbors a silken dollop of Kona coffee ice cream and crumbled Kailua “chocolate nibs.” The dish is then artistically painted with caramel sauce and sprinkled with Hawaiian red sea salt.

“Moving towards a less-structured, more natural and organic style, I like to use different areas of the island to inspire the plates. The chocolate tart reminds me of some of the beaches near Pupukea, where sand and volcanic rock and coral all meet in a jagged landscape,” Skurnick shares. “Flavor-wise, I utilized classic French confection using some of the best local ingredients around—Madre cocoa nibs, Naked Cow butter and ‘alaea sea salt.”

Over in the highland climes of Lana‘i, Four Seasons Resorts Lodge at Koele executive pastry chef Rabii Saber concocted his “R&R Symphony” after some divine inspiration, clearly. This dessert features a raspberry rose verrine (raspberry gelee, rose foam, candied rose petal) that holds Greek yogurt sorbet.

A pistachio air cake accompanies—made with almond-oatmeal streusel, yogurt honey sauce, hibiscus reduction and edible Hawaiian flowers—and topped with a raspberry macaroon (raspberry jam and vanilla butter cream). In true Four Seasons style, the glass (verrine) is wrapped in rose petals to create an over-the-top effect. ◆

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In the world of the SommelIer—where blind tasting becomes an art form—there is one wine that is most recognizable. To me, this varietal has an unforgettable aroma of grapefruit, kiwi, Poha berry and tart green apples that mingle with minerality, while unobstructed by and absent of new wood aromas. Some cite notes of grass, as other say gooseberry, white flowers or even some strawberry guava and nectar, depending on where the taster was raised. Yet, it is always light bodied and crisp with a special zing of acidity that leaves you smacking your lips wanting either another sip or a bite of food. This grape is none other than Sauvignon Blanc.

With its roots firmly entrenched in France’s Loire Valley (more specifically in the Central Vineyards, succinctly named because it resides in the center of the county), the river valley boasts two appellations that have produced the finest Sauvignon Blancs known to the world. The two sister AOCs of Sancerre and Pouilly Fume lie just across the river and face each other. The prior lies on the East side and the latter on the West. What makes these two regions so special for Sauvignon Blanc is a unique combination of soil and climate. Although they are on opposite sides of France’s longest river, their soils are similar: limestone and some clay mixed with gravel give more amplitude to the wines, where trace sand and flint (locally known as “silex”) lend minerality and finesse.

The climate can be severe with short, hot summers and longer, cold winters. This combination gives Sauvignon Blanc its ripeness and fruitiness yet allows it to retain the signature acidity that it is known and loved for. Stylistically the two areas overlap quite a bit. Even the finest palate could be fooled into identifying one as the other. One of my all-time favorites is the Hippolyte Reverdy Sancerre. The winemakers here use a simpler philosophy: Let the vineyard speak and don’t get in the way. They strive to grow the perfect

Fill In The BlancA Tale of Two Sauvignons By RoBeRto VieRnes, MasteR soMMelieR

SAVOR | wines

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fruit and to express it in its simplest and most beautiful form. It is perhaps the purest undecorated version of Sauvignon Blanc in the world. It is ethereal from start to finish with piercing aromas of fruit and stone gained from the flinty, chalky soils. It gains nerve on the palate with pinpoint acidity, but never lacks for flavor or deliciousness. It is like a cool breeze on an early morning hike: vibrant and refreshing. There are other famous names: Dageneau, Jolivet, Vatan, but to me, none is as drinkable and satisfying.

For decades France’s Sancerre and Pouilly Fume have been the King and Queen of the Sauvignon Blanc drinking world. But now there is another area of the world vying for the throne: Marlborough, New Zealand. Located on the northeastern point of South Island, Marlborough is home to the not-so-new “gold rush” (as locals refer to it) of Sauvignon Blanc. First planted in the ’70s, Sauvignon Blanc has exploded onto the NZ wine scene with a flurry. Cloudy Bay may not have been the first one produced from Marlborough, but it is certainly the first to get international recognition from critics and magazines—the region has become synonymous with the production of Sauvignon Blanc.

What sets the region apart is the confluence of soil and location. With the Southern Alps acting as a barrier to the southerly winds and inclement weather, the valley enjoys some of the world’s finest growing climate. It gets more sunshine hours than any other region in New Zealand. Combine this with the well drained stony soils along the Wairau River that extend further south toward the Awatere Valley with increasingly

rich fertile soils, Marlborough is a virtual “heaven” for Sauvignon Blanc. In light of the Old World versions, Sauvignon Blanc from here can be almost as mineral, but it plays its own tune when it leans toward the more tropical essences and honeyed nectars. It can be plumper than Sancerre and Pouilly Fume, but still no flab on this baby—it retains plenty of acidity.

What also makes Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc so renowned is its accessibility and value. You can find delicious labels at almost any price range. There are a few top-end examples alongside Cloudy Bay, such as Isabel, Kumeu River and Seresin Estate, that are remarkably refined and pedigreed. But you can also find extreme values, like Villa Maria and Brancott.

With food, Sauvignon Blanc acts almost just like a squeeze of citrus. Have it with seafood, shellfish and salads. Don’t be afraid to use it with high-acid vinaigrettes, ceviche and of course, it is essential when pairing with goat cheese. I can recall a dinner with steamed Dungeness crab and a bottle of Reverdy Sancerre making an utterly unforgettable pair.

Sure, there are other pockets of Sauvignon Blanc in the world that on occasion can be exceptional. Graves in Bordeaux, Santa Ynez in California as well as Walker Bay, South Africa, come to front of mind, as does Adelaide Hills of South Australia. But Sauvignon Blanc’s mark is truly made in the triumvirate of Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume and Marlborough. If you were to try to pick one up blindly without knowing any of the players, even for a master sommelier, it would be best to stick to these. u ph

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