By Ela Sathern By Ela Sathern | July 6, 2023 | Food & Drink, Eat, Relax and Renew, Hotel Lobby, Stay, Hotel Spas, Drink, Shop, culture, Art, Community, Apple News, Adventures,
Go ahead, and unleash your inner goddess with these new summer activities in Hawai‘i.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF HALEKULANI
Halekulani’s legendary Sunday brunch at Orchids just got a whole lot more memorable. The luxury hotel has upgraded its award-winning offering with delectable additions to its standout buffet lineup, including another carving station, housemade ice cream and sorbet bar, and a weekly seafood creation. Orchids offers classic brunch dishes, but it is really the buffet—helmed by executive chef Christian Testa—that draws O‘ahu’s in-the-know crowd. Carving stations of prime rib, roasted turkey, and crispy skin Waimanalo raised suckling pig are next to the ramen station for those looking for heartier fare, while the impressive seafood section offers freshly-shucked oysters, crab legs, fresh poke, and a made-to-order sushi bar. To top it off, two glasses of prosecco, mimosas with fresh tropical juices, Kir cocktail, or sparkling cider are included. Cheers to that! halekulani.com —IJfke Ridgley
Inspired by their culture and generations of beloved inscribed gold pieces, renowned lei-maker, stylist, author and curator of aloha, Meleana Estes and acclaimed luxury real-estate agent Noël Pietsch Shaw launched HIE Heirloom Collection. Each of the nine meticulously-craft ed designs, cast in solid 14K and 18K gold or rose gold, are rooted in tradition and pay tribute to Queen Lili‘uokalani. The dynamic duo also created the HIE Heirlooms of Hawaii Charitable Fund, which will provide a percentage of proceeds to various nonprofit organizations rooted in supporting the community and Hawaiian traditions. “HIE provides wearers with an opportunity to honor the legacy of their loved ones,” says Estes, “and uplift our growing community no matter where they are.” hiehawaii.com
PHOTO: BY JENN ELLENBURG & SURFPLEASE
Drip Hawaii, the only IV lounge in Honolulu offering a premium wellness service in a luxury lounge setting, celebrates its first anniversary in the ‘Alohilani Resort. To kick off the second year, founder and wellness/lifestyle coordinator Tamara Shaffer—a medspa industry veteran for over 20 years—launched the Love Your Body campaign that highlights Drip’s new services focused on noninvasive body contouring, lipo fat injections and safe diet programs such as the newly hyped semaglutide to help with appetite, blood sugar and weight management. “Incorporating these treatments with our micronutrient therapy options, such as the IV Diet & Detox Drip, is a perfect marriage in helping individuals feel and look better from the inside out,” says Shaffer. “We pride ourselves in our customers leaving feeling better than when they walked in the door.” driphawaii.com
PHOTO: COURTESY OF DRIP HAWAII
Hawai‘i first fell for artist Ruben Aira Jr. with his recycled surfboard art carvings. Now, the sculptor and painter launched his first fine art collection, Vision of Venus, on HDU board. “My latest art collection is inspired by my daydream of a woman floating in a stream of hibiscus petals, fully surrendering herself to the gentle current. The piece represents one of the first goddesses from a series of intricately carved sculptural reliefs,” says Aira. “In all my art, I incorporate an ocean element. Its flora, fauna and mystical deities that may dwell in its vast and profound waters inspire me. It is from this vision that the sea goddesses were born. I’m constantly drawn to venerate these remarkable beings who wield their magic beneath the surface.” On view July 15-Sept. 9 at Pauahi Tower, or stop by his new private art gallery in Hawaii Kai, rubenairajr.com
Ruben Aira Jr., “Whisper to the Moon” (2019, mixed media, resin, mounted on exotic Hawaiian wood) 48 inches by 36 inches. PHOTO: BY SONYA SERENE AIRA
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