By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photo
Guy Kawasaki on camera during Saturday’s Tweetup. He says that when he’s a billionaire he’ll throw a proper party by renting a room and springing for pupu and drinks.

Headed for Hawaii Prince Hotel Saturday for an impromptu “Twitter-fueled meetup with local geeks and ubergeek Guy Kawasaki,” as the gathering was billed.

The guerilla meetup came together poolside, in about 24 hours, just to take advantage of the fact that Kawasaki was in town and open to answering all our questions about technology, the future of Twitter and to confirm from his now outsider’s perspective, that Hawaii state government is indeed dysfunctional. If rail is to be built, for instance, we all agreed it should — like all major cities — connect the major destinations of airport, downtown, university and Waikiki. What I feel is once this major segment is completed, operational AND breaking even, then add in the ‘burbs. What we don’t need is a train that starts in Kapolei and goes nowhere. Just as with the Aloha Stadium, I just don’t trust our government and their contractors (cronies) to get it right the first time. We don’t need a $4 billion albatross, any more than we need a vanity convention center that doesn’t appear to be booking conventions.

Sorry, just had to get that out. Anyway, some of you may remember the Kalihi kid became famous 20 years ago as an Apple evangelist, went on to found the venture capital firm Garage Technology Ventures, Truemors and now Alltop.com. So, it’s enlightening to hear him asking the same questions as the rest of us, as to where Twitter and the Internet is taking us. Twitter’s architecture is not all that stable, so it was kind of funny that he’s worried it’ll implode one day and leave us all without our networks. He has 14,000 to 15,000 followers and said it’s hard to get that many from any other of the social networking sites.

Before going, I was trying to talk one of my friends into going, and trying to explain the world of Twitter. It’s as weird for those on Twitter to meet people who haven’t heard of it, as it is for someone outside the Twitter universe to comprehend its utility. She ended up saying something like, “Omigod, it’s this whole underworld that people don’t even know about,” before deciding to pass. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
From left, going for the long look, were Spa Hawai’i Magazine & Directory editor Kapua Inglis, Modern Pacific Weddings and Events Regan Schultz, and SHMD creative director Tiare Friedman. Kapua and Tiare wear Maui designer Tamara Catz designs from Persimmon on the Big Island. Schultz is in Nicole Miller, which she carries at her 3620 Waialae Ave. showroom.

A little much-needed rain didn’t spoil the July 3 premiere party for Spa Hawai’i Magazine & Directory. It’s one of those great ideas, where, considering all the spas that have sprung up in the last decade, you go, why didn’t I think of that?

The party on the lawn of the fabulous Moana was presented by Regan Schultz’s Modern Pacific Events, an extension of her Modern Pacific Weddings for those who want a party without that nuptial component.

Roxanne Vogelgesang and Bo Alexander. Roxanne said she likes the long look, but says the extra fabric does make it harder to walk.

When I arrived, I couldn’t help but notice the fashion statement being made. If there was any doubt before that the maxi, or currently, patio dress is back, it seems that women are indeed willing to go long. I wanted to take photos of lots of them, but at about 7 p.m. it started to get dark really fast. When the rain started, the party simply scooted over a couple yards indoors and under cover of the lanai.

While there, spa specialists were also introduced to products and services offered by Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy, Malie Organics from Kauai, the online beauty and skincare company Artistry, and a sneak preview of soon-to-launch Pure & True Organic Beauty. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

It’s kind of sad that in the wisdom of our current presidential administration, their only solution to the country’s economic woe is to tell us that it’s our patriotic duty to shop, and BTW, here’s $600 to do it.

In more prudent times, presidents have sent the opposite message, that this would be a fine time for sacrifice and getting our financial houses in order. But, since then, the market has become a colossal arrangement of dominos, and when one falls, well, you know what happens. We’re already seeing business closures and layoffs. It seems like a Catch-22 situation, where we need to clear our debts, but it is spending that is staving off the prospect of more companies sinking.

After 9/11, when it was revealed that the terrorists’ aim was to destroy the American economy, that we said we would not let it happen. Our spirit was strong and we would rebuild. So, it’s strange how the current turmoil has been the result of our own government’s war and monetary policies over the past five years. And now it’s up to consumers to bail them out.

This being the 4th of July, the sales are in full swing, and retailers are hoping you still have that $600 on you. If the idea of helping your country makes you feel good about picking up a new purse or pair of jeans, go to it. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Doubled up on assignments Monday with a fashion shoot with the soon-to-open Club Monaco at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, and since I was there, shot some video of New York-based artist Mika Tajima talking about her work, “Extruded Plaid (Suicidal Desires),” part of the art exhibition “One Way or Another: Asian American Art Now,” on view through Aug. 31, 2008.There’s also a small peek at the concurrent exhibition, “Shu: ReinventingJoleen Oshiro does the voice over on the video, one for the art geeks with a Modernist bent.Here’s a link to her “One Way” story and “Shu” story.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
At So Good Jewelry, from left, are Alen Kaneshiro, Reid Higashi, Kris Muranaka, Christopher Otto, Kristin Imose and Jonah Nakaza-Koizumi. Kris and Kristin wear jewelry off the racks.

So Good Jewelry celebrated its one-year anniversary June 27 with a friends and family party at its Waikiki Trade Center location. Guests were greeted with champagne and strawberries, and all the girls received Alen Kaneshiro and Christopher Otto’s version of the lei, clear necklaces to match what they were wearing! I went home with a lovely clear heart on a long gold-tone chain.

Their costume jewelry, in every style imaginable, is affordably priced and makes sense for those who want to accessorize without paying the high price of gold, and these days, even silver.

They’ve done well in Waikiki, where the concept also makes sense for visitors who can’t bring all the right jewelry with them. They can easily pick up something at the store if it helps them feel more complete.

Happy 1st b-day!

Check it out at 2255 Kuhio Ave., ground floor. Call 926-9588.

Maggie Li and Julie Ann Aragaki try on matching rhinestone headbands. Both wear the necklaces given to them at the door.

The headbands are not only for women, Jerrell Kaeo tries one as a hatband.

Kalie Hoang kept busy ringing up sales.