HILuxury Magazine: February - March 2012

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012

THE SCOOP ON SAUVIGNON CUSTOM CRAFTSMEN TEE IT UP HALF MOON BAY FOOD ARTS ZEN DINING

FASHION FOLLIES

A Bright Future

EQUESTRIAN WINTER

Ride, Show & Tell

MAJOR LEAGUE

Philanthropists

PURR-FECTLY Porsche

SCOTT CAAN Dressed to the nines, he talks about his “James Dean moment” and the calming effect of Aloha

NEWSSTAND PRICE $3.95

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©T&CO. 2012

Pure As Sunlight RARE IS A YELLOW DIAMOND RARER STILL ONE PURE AS SUNLIGHT A TIFFANY YELLOW DIAMOND RARE IS THE WOMAN WHO WEARS ONE

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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

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 Berusch Editorial 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 Keefer ArT LOVer Keefer 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 BACOn WriTers Evans 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 ByxBee sTyLisT Kacy 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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ALA MOANA CENTER 808-973-6101 SHOP FERRAGAMO.COM

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012 | CONTENTS

80 FEATURES 72

COVER STORY Scott Caan

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FASHION Fast Resort

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PHILANTHROPY All-Star Givers

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

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

photo by Mark Arbiet

48 photo courtesy Courtesy Bad Boys of Dance

photo by Leah Friel

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BUSINESS PROFILE Diane von Furstenberg

HI SOCIETY

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

RSVP

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THE ARTS Arc of Aloha: Hawai‘i to Cuba

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

Luxury in the community

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

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

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CONTENTS 52 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 Porsche

Photo courtesy Tiffany & Co.

TIFFANY & CO.

photo by Blake Marvin

Tiffany pink spinel and diamond earrings in platinum; $50,000.

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INDULGE

The lastest splurges

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SHOPPING FINDS 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.

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WATCHES Diamonds and the Rough

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FINE AUTOS Porsche 911

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SALVATORE FERRAGAMO

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

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

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

GOLF Half Moon Bay

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

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GROOMING & BEAUTY A Beauty-full Find

Burberry Beauty finds a home at DFS Galleria Waikiki’s Beauty World.

Get Your Mojo On

The owners of this new full-service barbershop—complete with straight shaves and a “detailing room”—aim to up the style quotient for Honolulu men.

TOD’S

AGJ Shopping mini handbag in magenta, $1,200 Photo by Leah Friel

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Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images, courtesy Victoria and Albert Museum

CONTENTS

photo by Leah Friel

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photo courtesy Mauna Lani Resort

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EXPERIENCE Elite Escapes

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TRAVEL London Calling

With the distinction of being the first city to host the modern Olympics three times, we delve into what makes this haute metropolis so cool.

A-LIST ADVENTURES

100 Horse Tales

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

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FINE FOOD Sweet Somethings

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WINES Fill in the Blanc

Out of this world and out of the way (some a bit more than others) desserts that you’ll want to seek out.

Master Sommelier Roberto Viernes discusses the fine points of Sauvignon Blanc.

SAVOR

Food and Wine

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DINING OUT Nanzan Giro Giro

This tucked-away eatery, replete with its fixed menu and colorful china, is a gem of a find.

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DENNIS E. FRANCIS CEO

indulgence is closer than you think

J. DAVID KENNEDY President

LINDA WOO Publisher

JAY HIgA

Associate Publisher

BRIAN BERuSCH Editorial Director

LIANNE BIDAL THOMPSON Managing Editor

Yu SHINg TINg

Fashion & Content Stylist

gINA LAMBERT Creative Director

XENIA INg

Associate Art Director

LEAH FRIEL

Chief Photographer

JENNIFER SOJOT MOLLY WATANABE Sales

ALISON AKAu

Sizzlin’ Prime Time Menu

Operations Manager – Magazine Division

3 course menu for $39.95 available 5pm - 6pm

Events Director

Happy Hour nightly in our lounge 5pm - 7pm

Wine Wednesdays 25% off bottles of wines

Restaurant Row, Oahu | 808.599.3860 | 500 Ala Moana Blvd.

Waikiki Beach Walk, Oahu | 808.440.7910 | 226 Lewers Street The Shops at Mauna Lani, Big Island 808.887.0800 | 68-1330 Mauna Lani Drive #121 Lahaina Center, Maui | 808.661.8815 | 900 Front Street The Shops at Wailea, Maui | 808.874.8880 | 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr.

www.ruthschrishawaii.com

KIMI MATAR

CONTRIBuTORS

Writers: 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

Cover photo by Mark Arbeit On Scott Caan: Burberry suit, John Varvatos shirt in lilac $90 from Nordstrom.

Shot on location at ‘Iolani Palace.

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 jsojot@staradvertiser.com | 808-218-6712 For subscription inquiries: www.hiluxury.com | 808-628-3792 For editorial submissions: Lianne Bidal Thompson | lthompson@staradvertiser.com

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HUGO BOSS FASHIONS INC. Phone +1 212 940 0600 www.hugoboss.com BOSS Black

BOSS Store Honolulu 2124

Kalakaua Avenue

808.923.7300

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INDULGE | SHOPPING FINDS

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.

Come home and unwind with your own special viewpoint.

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.

Photo courtesy Miu Miu

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.

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Give me a call to discuss how I can help you with your real estate goals.

JOHN PETERSON Realtor CRS CHMS International President’s Elite Previews Property Specialist

808.220.5555 john@residencehawaii.com facebook.com/johnpetersonrealtor twitter.com/johnrealtor

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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 Properties Office Is Owned And Operated by NRT LLC.

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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 Photo courtesy Prada 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.

ON

TREND…

with Molly Watanabe

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Next year, have the beach to yourself.

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

Visit our website to request your free Tahiti Vacation Guide.

TahitiTourism.com 1- 877- GO -TAHITI

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Islandshthe way they used to be. i L u x u ry February/M a rch 20 1 2 21

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INDULGE | SHOPPING FINDS

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

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

Go Neon It’s the Season to be Bright and Beautiful

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

BY YU SHING TING | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEAH FRIEL

(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.

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PRADA capretto gaufre rosso clutch $1,350.

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

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

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.

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

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Indulge | Shopping FindS

Sole Mate Selecting the Right Shoe for the Right Occasion By yu Shing Ting | PhoTograPhy By Leah FrieL (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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ROBERT GRAHAM dropstitch diamond socks with banded cuffs and striped toes and ankles $75 (three-pack) from Neiman Marcus.

TOD’S Polacco Nuovo courtesy Tommy Bahama

Laurent ankle boot in tan suede $525.

Catalina Twill by Tommy Bahama; $98 (blue solid shirt) Diamond Park

by Tommy Bahama; $128.

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

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

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

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Corporate Chic In 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 uncertainty 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 festive 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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FrOM MAUKA TO MAKAI 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)

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KAHALA rESOrT & SPA TrEE LIGHTING CErEMONY Guests got into the holiday spirit at Kahala Resort & Spa’s Tree Lighting Ceremony. The festive event, which featured a performance by the Honolulu 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.

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)

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EUROCINEMA HAWAI‘I 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 Surfrider. 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.

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) h i L u x u ry February/M a rch 20 1 2

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HIFF OpEnIng nIgHT 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.

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)

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HAWAI‘I STATE ART MuSEuM 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.

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) h i L u x u ry February/M a rch 20 1 2

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HIDA 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.

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 Admiral, Ken Robbins (Photos by Sisto Domingo)

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PACT’S “CASiNo RoYAlE” 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.

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)

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Honolulu THeaTre for YouTH 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.

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)

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HAWAII’S MoDerN MASTerS 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)

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WeLCoMe reCePTIoN For CHI CAo 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.

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) h i L u x u ry February/M a rch 20 1 2

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HOT OPERA BALL 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.

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)

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Home for tHe Holidays at C.s. Wo 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.

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)

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ROnald MCdOnald HOuSE CHaRITIES Of HawaI‘I 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.

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

1. Thurston and Sharon Twigg-Smith • 2. Dale Ruff, Karen Tiller, Kelly Sueda, Mark Polivka • 3. Mana‘o Kaluhiokalani, George Kaluhiokalani, Stephan Jost, Valerie 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)

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Home for THe Holidays 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.

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) h i L u x u ry February/M a rch 20 1 2

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HI SOCIETY | BUSINESS PROFILE

Perchance to Dream Diane von Furstenberg Makes it Happen

photo by Marco Garcia

BY MOLLY WATANABE & JEFFERSON FINNEY

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

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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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© 2011, David Franzen

© 2011, David Franzen

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.

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 confidencethemed 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 h i L u x u ry February/M a rch 20 1 2

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HI SOCIETY | The ArTs

Arc of Aloha: Hawai‘i to Cuba A Unique Exchange Opens Hearts and Minds

By Cheri Keefer and Lianne BidaL Thompson | phoTography By Cheri Keefer

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.

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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,

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

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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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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.

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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 hearingimpaired. 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 h i L u x u ry February/M a rch 20 1 2

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photo courtesy hawaii Opera Theatre

photo courtesy bad boys of Dance

HI SOCIETY | The ArTs

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.

To The Stage Theater Listings

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 Critics’ 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 contemporary 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

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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

photo courtesy Soyeon Lee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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photo courtesy bad boys of Dance

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INDULGE | WATCHES

&

TISSOT Dressport 35mm Stainless steel case Quartz movement Water resistant to 30M Leather bracelet $1,975

Diamonds the ROUGH

BY HILUXURY TEAM

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.

RADO White D-Star 38mm The 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

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OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M 37.5mm 18kt red gold case Omega co-axial caliber 8521 movement Black alligator bracelet $31,300

HARRY WINSTON Avenue C Large 18kt white gold Dial set in a sunray pattern with a total of 34.7 carats of diamonds.

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OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Chronograph 45.5mm Grade 5 titanium case with ceramic and “Liquidmetal” bezel Blue dial OMEGA co-axial caliber 9300 movement Water resistant to 600M $10,600

CUERVO Y SOBRINOS Torpedo Pirata Chronograph 45mm Valjoux 7750 movement Water resistant to 5 atm Limited edition, 25 pieces in steel, titanium and 18kt gold $18,900 (Also available: 125 pieces in titanium, burnished steel and bronze, $9,500

HAMILTON

BREITLING Bentley Supersports Light Body Carbon Dial 49mm Titanium case Royal Ebony carbon fiber dial with red inner bezel The “dashboard-style” dial features three ringed counters with a Bentleystyle raised knurled motif.

Water resistant to 100M Rubber strap bracelet Limited to 1,000 pieces

Hamilton Khaki UTC 42mm Stainless steel case Time zones (24) are set manually and use the International Air Transport Association (IATA) three-letter airport codes as reference points.

Swiss GMT movement Water resistant to 30M Leather strap $1,345

FRANC VILA FVi No 9 Chrono Intrepido Case made of exclusively developed NanoTube Titanium (NTT) or NanoTube Titanium Carbon-Graphene Composite.

Water resistant to 100M Black rubber sport straps and black crocodile leather straps Limited to 88 pieces H I L U X U RY FEBRUARY/M A RCH 20 1 2

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INDULGE | FINE AUTOS

Something Borrowed, Something New 2012 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.

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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 stickshift 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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photo courtesy Porsche

Porsche 911 carrera

Engine: 3.4 liter, 6 cylinder with 350 horsepower or 3.8 liter, 6 cylinder with 400 horsepower with the Carrera S Acceleration: 0-60: 4.6 seconds to 3.9 seconds Brakes: 4 wheel disc brakes, 4 piston caliphers, vented and cross窶電rilled discs.

Sound system: AM/FM/CD system with 235 watts and 9 speakers.

Price: Carrera $82,100, S model $96,400

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

photos courtesy Porsche

Luxury Asides

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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HIGH-END MEEts HybrID Hybrid technology is not a phrase often heard in the same breath as “luxury” and “high performance” 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 sevenspeed 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 array 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-cylinder 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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photo courtesy Infiniti photo courtesy (c) bMW aG

The SecreT’S OUT Ecosse 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

photo by ron reeves

This time around, there’s a return to focus on performance—with the introduction of a two-seat coupe, to be followedup 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 turbocharged 208-horsepower, four-cylinder powerplant tied to a six-speed stick shift.

Seventeen-inch wheels and high performance 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!”

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Indulge | Golf

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

Whole-Hearted at Half Moon Bay Old Course, Golf Links, No. 18

By Josh sens | photography By Blake Marvin

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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 daredevil 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, h i L u x u ry February/M a rch 20 1 2

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photo by Joann Dost

Indulge | Golf

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

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 moonshaped 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

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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

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featuring express lunch service for your most important executive decisions

1775 ala moana blvd honolulu hawaii 96815 808.943.5900

conveniently located serving kona rainforest coffee, served exclusively at morimoto waikiki and the white house

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on the edge of waikiki, with

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complimentar y valet parking

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INDULGE | GOLF

Tee-off Treats New Gear for a New Year

BY HILUXURY TEAM

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

FILA GOLF MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GLOVES

INFIAMME Infiamme’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

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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

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

HI SOCIETY | Business Profile

Where Dreams Dreams Come Come Home Home .. .. .. .. at at the the Beach Beach Where visit: www.anneoliver.com www.anneoliver.com visit:

1002 Mokulua Drive 1002 Mokulua Drive

BEST location on Lanikai Beach BEST location on Lanikai Beach

Superb construction 7 brms / 6 baths Superb construction 7 brms / 6 baths

1600A1 Mokulua Drive 1600A1 Mokulua Drive

Embracing the entire Lanikai coastline Embracing the entire Lanikai coastline

Access to a secluded beach Access to a secluded beach

76/78 Kalaheo Ave. 76/78 Kalaheo Ave.

A rare find. Avenue to Ocean parcel A rare find. Avenue to Ocean parcel

Magnificent sandy beach Magnificent sandy beach

120/128 Hanapepe Loop 120/128 Hanapepe Loop

2 homes side by side on 2 parcels 2 homes side by side on 2 parcels

Anne Oliver Oliver (R) (R) –– Vice Vice President President Anne Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties

195 linear ft frontage 195 linear ft frontage

Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties (808) 292-2800 (808) 292-2800 www.anneoliver.com • oliver@cbpacific.com www.anneoliver.com • oliver@cbpacific.com COLDWELL BANKER PACIFIC PROPERTIES COLDWELL BANKER PACIFIC PROPERTIES 4211 Waialae Ave., Kahala Mall, Ste. 9000 4211 Waialae Ave., Kahala Mall, Honolulu, HI 96816 Ste. 9000 Honolulu, HI 96816 h i L u x u ry

February/M a rch 20 1 2

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

Real EstateEqual LLC. Housing All RightsOpportunity.

Reserved. Coldwell Banker®Banker is a registered trademarkOffice licensed to Coldwell Banker Real LLC. An Equal Opportunity Each Coldwell Pacific Properties Is Owned And Operated

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

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A Beauty-full Find

Photos courtesy DFS Galleria Waikiki

Indulge | GROOMING & BEAUTY

Burberry Beauty makes its Home at DFS Galleria Waikiki

By NadiNe Kam

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

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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.

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THE POWER OF MARKET KNOWLEDGE! NUUANU AREA: $875,000 - 12,332 SF level one story Nicely maintained 4 bdrm

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

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photo by brandon Shigeta

photo by brandon Shigeta

Get Your Mojo On

Indulge | GROOMING & BEAUTY

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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 Style

By Brian Berusch | PhotograPhy By Leah FrieL

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-surplusas-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. h i L u x u ry February/M a rch 20 1 2

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IndulGe | GROOMING & BEAUTY

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

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Mojo Upkeep A shave and a haircut will get you halfway 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 recommends starting with these few basics…

Baxter of California Men’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, exfoliators and shaving creams to nourish and hydrate men’s skin—all while keeping excess oil at bay.

Malin + Goetz Face it: Men don’t have the reputation 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 everything,” former local boy Grant Fukuda developed his pomade with a waterbased 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

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taste • see • relax • be taste innovative Italian dishes, infused with California flavors see 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

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Indulge | HOME & GARDEN

Keep It Koa Masterful Woodworkers of Hawai‘i

By HILuxury Team | PHOTOGraPHy By LeaH FrIeL

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

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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.

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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 BEDROOM

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

“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

Pearl 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 h i L u x u ry February/M a rch 20 1 2

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Indulge | HOME & GARDEN

Wilkinson’s furniture and jewelry boxes are instant treasures.

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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

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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 Untermanns 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.

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

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MON-SAT 9:30 AM TO 5 PM

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Features | Cover Story

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

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Get After It

Scott Caan Rises to the Occasion REPORTED BY SILVIA BIZIO AND JASON BLACK | EDITED BY BRIAN BERUSCH PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK ARBEIT STYLING BY: KACY BYXBEE AND YU SHING TING MAKE-UP BY: KECIA LITTMANN OF WWW.KECIABELLA.COM ON LOCATION AT ‘IOLANI PALACE

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 H I L U X U RY FEBRUARY/M A RCH 20 1 2

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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.”

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About the Setting 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.

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

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Features | COveR STORy

John W. Nordstrom linen resort collection vest $95 and pants $125 Theory light blue multi button-up shirt $135 all from NORDSTROM 76 h i L u x u ry F e br ua ry/Ma rch 2 012

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

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Features | Cover Story

Powerplant motorcycle company washed out welding jacket and flat tracker shirt www.powerplantclothing.com

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

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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

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Warm, Welcoming, Fresh and Fun Experience 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 h i L u x u ry February/M a rch 20 1 2

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FEATURES | WOMEN’S FASHION

FUTURE SO BRIGHT 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

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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� all from a rch 20 1 2 h i L uclutch/purse; x u ry February/M Neiman Marcus ($325).

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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 paired with Ralph Lauren’s Vivia top ($455), Ralph Lauren suede link bracelet ($195) and black opal and morganite necklace ($24,500) from Opal Fields.

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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. h i L u x u ry February/M a rch 20 1 2

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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 American Seafood Grill and the private Regency Club Lounge.

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Salvatore Ferragamo twistfront dress, $1,790, is worn with Badgley Mischka Couture drop earrings, $95 from Neiman Marcus; and a Fendi logo cuff h i L u x u($340) ry February/M a rch 20 1 2 and Fendi leather-wrap wide bangle ($480).

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Features | PHILANTHROPY

An All-Star Way of Life By yu Shing Ting and Lianne BidaL ThompSon

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 schoolaged 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

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

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

Bryan Clay A 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.

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© 2011 Michael chen

photo by Marc Serota/aP

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).

For 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.”

© 2010 Michael chen

Kurt SuzuKi

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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 Ching After 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,

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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.”

amanda burks Photography

amanda burks Photography

Features | PHILANTHROPY

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

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photo by Michael Zagaris

Photo courtesy houston Dynamo

Photo courtesy houston Dynamo photo by Michael Zagaris

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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photos by Miles Kennedy

FeatureS | PHILANTHROPY

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.

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

Shane Victorino In 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-yearold Nicetown Boys & Girls Club. The project was completed and

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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

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EXPERIENCE | Travel

London Calling

By Megan evans and Whitney Bacon

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.

ShoPPINg Savile 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

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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

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Art Scence The 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

visitlondonimages/ britainonview/ Mccormick-Mcadam

visitlondonimages/ britainonview/ Mccormick-Mcadam courtesy Victoria & albert Museum/Zaha hadid architects

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 worldfamous, 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.

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. h i L u x u ry February/M a rch 20 1 2

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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.

G-FONNe PhOTOGraPhy

North Lake Tahoe/Jeff Dow

EXPERIENCE | Travel

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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VisitLondonImages/Pawel Libera

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

visitlondonimages/ britainonview/ Pawel Libera

© The National Gallery, London

Good eats

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The 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 h i L u x u ry February/M a rch 20 1 2

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photo by andy reynaga courtesy McQueen

EXPERIENCE | Travel

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.

NIghts Out A 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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photo courtesy Firmdale hotels

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.

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Image courtesy of christopher Moore, catwalking

copyright: brinkhoff/Moegenburg, Germany

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.

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.

Fashion If 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

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 Olympic 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.

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EXPERIENCE | A-LIST ADVENTURES

An Equestrian Winter Finding a Passion for Horses

By Sarah Blanchard | PhotograPhy By leah Friel

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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 Ride There’s a lot more to horsemanship than just clinging to a saddle while wearing stylish clothes. And while many acquire the skills in their youth, there are plenty of people who become avid equestrians in adulthood.

lovely Circle C Equestrian Center in Waimanalo doesn’t provide lessons, a few top isle trainers and their affiliated horses that board there do (http://www.circlecequestriancenter.net/Trainers_and_Lessons.html).

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 horsehuman communication is key, which is best absorbed on the ground, learning to groom, saddle and lead.

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 confusing your equine partner.

The Palm Beach Equestrian Academy offers a series of one-hour introductory lessons to acquire basic skills and good balance; although the

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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© eSI Photography.

eXPerienCe | A-LIST ADVENTURES

Jumpers make for an exciting show.

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 nineweek 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 Olympiclevel 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,

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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 mar If 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 sCoTTsdale The Pima County Fairground in Tucson plays host to the six-weeklong 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

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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 horseand 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‘i The 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 “training,” dressage is a systematic, structured method of classical 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 international Grand Prix level, which requires pirouettes, piaffe (trot in place), half-pass (simultaneously 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: steadiness, 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 competition. 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 thrilling 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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SAVOR | Dining out

An Industrial Take on Zen Dining Nanzan Giro Giro

By Chef RoBeRt MCGee | PhotoGRaPhy By LaCy MatsuMoto

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.

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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.)

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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.

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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 handwashing 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 h i L u x u ry February/M a rch 20 1 2

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SAVOR | Dining out

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

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

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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

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Fashion | MENSWEAR

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SAVOR | FINE FOOD

Sweet Delights What May Be Considered Out-of-the-Way for Some Might Be Out-of-this-World for Others

BY HILUXURY TEAM

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 ultrarefined, 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.

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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. ◆

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

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SAVOR | wines

Fill In The Blanc A Tale of Two Sauvignons

By RoBeRto VieRnes, MasteR soMMelieR

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

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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

photo courtesy Villa Maira estate Ltd.

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-sonew “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

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