THE PARTY Guests gathered for an extraordinary evening celebrating Turkish culinary traditions, infused with Hawaiian ingredients at Istanbul Hawai‘i in O‘ahu for the Friends of James Beard event, An Enchanted Night in Istanbul dinner. Owners and chefs, Ahu Hettema and Nili Yildirim presented a five-course tasting menu with wine pairings and a cocktail reception, creating a unique blend of flavors and cultures.
THE PEOPLE The event brought together an array of culinary enthusiasts and community leaders who mingled with chef Ahu and chef Nili throughout the evening. Notable attendees included the mayor of Honolulu, Mayor Rick Blangiardi, and his wife, who all enjoyed a celebration of gastronomy and culture.
THE PINNACLE Beyond the exceptional dining experience, the event supported the James Beard Foundation’s mission to promote sustainability, talent, and equity within the culinary world. A portion of ticket sales contributed to the foundation’s initiatives.
Emerald Yeh, Emmy-Award winning journalist and television anchor PHOTO COURTESY OF ISTANBUL HAWAI‘I
Guests toasting the night PHOTO COURTESY OF ISTANBUL HAWAI‘I
Istanbul Hawai‘i owner and chef Ahu Hettema and chef Mark Noguchi PHOTO COURTESY OF ISTANBUL HAWAI‘I
Denise Yamaguchi, Aya Leslie, Kristen Lau-Grover and guest PHOTO COURTESY OF ISTANBUL HAWAI‘I
The night’s menu items including a take-home Mignardises PHOTO COURTESY OF ISTANBUL HAWAI‘I
Brittni Friedlander PHOTO COURTESY OF ISTANBUL HAWAI‘I
THE PARTY C.S. Wo & Sons dazzled guests at their Summer Soiree, unveiling their newly redesigned showroom and the exclusive launch of Natuzzi Italia.
THE PEOPLE Design enthusiasts and tastemakers gathered to explore the refreshed gallery space, marveling at the exquisite Italian furnishings now available.
THE PINNACLE The evening reached new heights as attendees indulged in a sneak peek tasting from chef Chris Kajioka and chef Mourad’s upcoming Kaimuki hot spot, Leila. The fusion of high-end home decor and gourmet cuisine created an unforgettable experience, setting the stage for C.S. Wo & Sons’ continued reign as a premier destination for luxury living.
Evelyn Beckwith and Shari Hooks PHOTO BY TRAVIS K. OKIMOTO
Courtney Mau and Christina Ho PHOTO BY TRAVIS K. OKIMOTO
Chef Mourad and chef Chris Kajioka PHOTO BY TRAVIS K. OKIMOTO
Kyle Mitsumori, Kazumi Fukumuro and Lisa Fukumuro PHOTO BY TRAVIS K. OKIMOTO
Damian Pherigo, Daniel Ramos, Larry Campman and Jon Rosen PHOTO BY TRAVIS K. OKIMOTO
Breea Yamat and Alicia Michioka PHOTO BY TRAVIS K. OKIMOTO
THE PARTYModern Luxury Hawai‘i celebrated this year’s four Women of Style at an exclusive gathering hosted by renowned designer Breeze Giannasio at her stunning Hale Makani Nahenae and interior studio.
THE PEOPLE The kama’aina interior designer, herself one of this year’s Women of Style honorees, made a triumphant return to the islands, welcoming a who’s who of Hawai’i’s most stylish to her elegant interior space. Guests, including Woman of Style 2024 Meg Adolph and Woman of Style 2023 Meleana Estes, enjoyed the evening, with attendees savoring a delectable spread from Pili Catering.
THE PINNACLE This chic soirée treated guests with live entertainment under the stars.
Daniel Uyemura and Kenia DaSilva PHOTO BY BROCK JONES
Passed savory bites by Pili Catering PHOTO BY BROCK JONES
Meleana Estes, Breeze Giannasio and Megan Adolph PHOTO BY BROCK JONES
Lena Ohlson, Autumn Tokijkla, Adolph and Christian Lindqvist PHOTO BY BROCK JONES
Carlo Liquido, Kaleo Schneider and Mike Dilks PHOTO BY BROCK JONES
Pool design PHOTO BY BROCK JONES
THE PARTY Velocity Honolulu presents Modern Luxury Hawai‘i’s 2024 Dynamic Women Celebration, an event dedicated to honoring the remarkable women making waves in the community.
THE PEOPLE VIPs gathered at Velocity Honolulu to celebrate this year’s honorees, Amanda Corby Noguchi, Carrie Nicholson, Jenn Boneza, Jessica Munoz, Kajo Chen, Karen Ferrara, Kashmira Gandhi, Lailan Bento, Laura Nguyen, Lillian Cumic, Malia Siu, Lisa Camacho, Maria Kawananakoa, Sherry Menor-MacNamara, and Tamara Shaffer.
THE PINNACLE Unveiled at the event was the brand-new all-electric Porsche Macan. Guests enjoyed delicious bites served by MW and cocktails from Beam Suntory amid the lounge vibes of DJ KK and a live canvas painting by artist Marina Staubus.
Jeffrey Maehara, Dialta Alliata di Montereale, Maria Kawananakoa and Vittorio di Montereale PHOTO BY TRAVIS K. OKIMOTO
Alan Hornstein, Sherry Menor-MacNamara, Lisa Kracher and Rusty Komori PHOTO BY TRAVIS K. OKIMOTO
Cindy Teng, Kajo Chen and Benjamin Xu PHOTO BY TRAVIS K. OKIMOTO
Dave Molinaro, Lindsay Myers, Tamara Durant-Bailey and Avis Bailey PHOTO BY TRAVIS K. OKIMOTO
Alicia Michioka, Tiarah Golliday-Murry and Jenna Weissman PHOTO BY TRAVIS K. OKIMOTO
Laura Nguyen, Lailan Bento, Karen Ferrara, Lillian Cumic, Jenn Boneza, Tamara Shaffer, Kashmira Gandhi, Maria Kawananakoa, Malia Siu and Amanda Corby Noguchi PHOTO BY TRAVIS K. OKIMOTO
Brent Anbe and Gerald Cruz PHOTO BY TRAVIS K. OKIMOTO
THE PARTY Over 600 attendees united in support of Ho’ōla Nā Pua’s mission and vision to shine a light on the dark criminal enterprise of child sex trafficking. The evening at Lanikuhonua captured the Paniolo spirit, as nearly everyone arrived in their finest Western attire. Roy Yamaguchi and his team provided an outstanding culinary experience, and the live entertainment provided by painting artist Jared Emerson and music by Jared Ming brought an energy that carried throughout the night.
THE PEOPLE The event drew an impressive roster of supporters, including Kelly Knox, Mayor Derek Kawakami, Feleai Tau, Mileka Lincoln, Kainoa Carlson, Leilani Kūpahu-Marino, Kahoʻāno and Kimo Kahoʻāno.
THE PINNACLE A deeply moving video, which told the firsthand accounts shared by Liz and her mother. They spoke about the profound impact Pearl Haven had on their lives. The donations raised demonstrate this community’s dedication and support to creating brighter futures for our community’s most vulnerable youth.
Jared Ming PHOTO BY OPEN WATER PRODUCTIONS
Kainoa Carlson and Mileka Lincoln PHOTO BY OPEN WATER PRODUCTIONS
S’mores in the VIP section PHOTO BY OPEN WATER PRODUCTIONS
Erin Evans, Renee Watkins, Maeghan Pocock and Ian Wheeler PHOTO BY OPEN WATER PRODUCTIONS
Jared Emerson PHOTO BY OPEN WATER PRODUCTIONS
The scene at Lanikuhonua PHOTO BY OPEN WATER PRODUCTIONS
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