By Nadine Kam

Note to new readers: If you found me through InsideTheTents.com, my New York Fashion Week coverage starts Sept. 10. Until then, I am in sunny Honolulu.

Nancy Arcayna photo
Tag the World founder Robert Parks-Valleta and actress Hannah Cornett pose for a photo at the start of Sunday’s event. She’s wearing Escada.

Robert Parks-Valletta, known for his roles on “Young and the Restless” and “Days of Our Lives,” has a new role as the founder of the Tag the World Charity that supports cancer research, child and animal welfare, global green efforts and water initiatives in Africa.

Some of the funds are raised through the sales of sterling silver “tag” necklaces designed by Michael Barin, each representing support for one of the five causes. The tags are $80 and you can find out more at www.tagtheworld.com

On Aug. 23, he brought his fund-raising effort to Hawaii with a triathlon earlier in the day and evening party on the lawn of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, with some of young Hollywood in attendance, so young that the kind of guests who could afford to pay $175 for tickets would not have recognized them if not for the purple orchid leis around their necks.

Dinner was supposed to be served in the Monarch Room, but people preferred to be outdoors on the lawn and in the open air, catching the last light of the day. There was a relaxed vibe to the party and the food was great, which no doubt fueled Robert’s determination to bring the event back annually.

I couldn’t stay long because I had a friend’s B-day party to get to, but long enough to snap some photos:

Nadine Kam photos
It was great to catch up with Maui designer Maggie Coulombe and stylist Arid Chappell, doing a little island hopping before heading to New York, where they’ll be setting up a showroom during Fashion Week. I’ll be sure to stop by. I already had plans to pair one of her cocoon wraps with 3.1 Phillip Lim. Also ran into makeup artist Jessica Hoffman, who’ll also be at NYFW.

Sean Faris is working on several films, including “Ghost Machine,” in which he has the lead role. Definitely someone to watch. He’s with Breanne Racano, who’s been in “CSI: NY.”

Jeremy Jackson, left, and Elijah Sanchez.

“True Blood” star Mehcad Brooks posed for a photo with Patricia Ramos. He’s in G-Star.

Models Brigitte Patton, left, and Giselle Pineda.

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By Nadine Kam

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Emeril Lagasse addresses diners during The Essence of Emeril dinner June 12, during The Kahala Food & Wine Classic.

The foodies were out at The Kahala Hotel & Resort, where chef Emeril Lagasse was in the house Friday and Saturday for a series of demonstrations and food showcases. I was there for a Friday night dinner that included the kiawe-smoked salmon, below, served atop a Kahuku corn pancake and topped with Osetra caviar. My favorite dish of the evening was a crabmeat-stuffed moi roulade served with Kauai shrimp and a charred tomato butter sauce.

Kiawe-smoked salmon. At left is the centerpiece of roses and feathers arranged to look like a pineapple.

All this was detailed in our food editor Joleen Oshiro’s story here so I feel no need to elaborate more about food, but I did note that many of the women planned ahead so tended to wear cute and roomy sack or trapeze dresses that leave plenty of room for hiding the aftermath of a dinner like this, especially given the chef’s penchant for hearty ingredients. Two of the entrees were boudin sausage-stuffed whole quail and macadamia nut-crusted veal with white cheddar grits and andouille sausage ragout!

I thought about it when getting dressed in a pencil skirt and femme blouse that morning to meet a family of European artists. For a minute I considered changing into a dinner-friendly dress, but then decided just to eat less. I always think those bubbles, sacks and swing dresses, in being so forgiving, allow people to expand into them the way work expands to fill whatever time you have. (Given a day you’ll take all day; given two weeks, the same task will take two weeks.) Trying to stick to slim shapes can be so difficult and uncomfortable, but the alternative feels like giving in to the doesn’t-have-to-be-inevitable middle-age spread.

While there Jo McGarry also pointed out the Hermès SilkyCity tote on Lisa Higashigushi’s shoulder, that pays homage to Hermès’ scarf tradition. Her friend Allison Lohfeld, left, also has the same bag but wasn’t carrying it that evening. You can see more of the design details on the Hermès site here.

After dinner, men and women gathered around Michael Herklots, left, for a cigar tasting.

Special guests at the dinner were Fred Schrader, proprietor of Schrader Cellars, Napa Valley, and Schrader Cellars winemaker Thomas Brown, proprietor of Rivers-Marie, plus Michael Herklots, general manager of Davidoff of Geneva, New York. He laughed when I said I couldn’t remember if I smoked cigars before. I think I did when the craze began here about 14 years ago, but there are, unfortunately, many parts of my life I’ve forgotten. A while ago I was talking to a friend about not remembering if I ever saw the Foo Fighters in concert, and he said, “Yeah you did, you saw it with me!”

This car was parked up front when I arrived and when I left. Is that a Corvette?

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
When in Vegas, look for me at the nearest craps table. This one, however, was at Bonsai Restaurantat Restaurant Row Sunday night, part of the Dental Samaritans “Denim & Diamonds” fundraiser. I don’t think they’d allow a photo like this in Vegas.

Bonsai restaurant was transformed into a casino for the Denim & Diamonds fundraiser, Casino Heaven, on Sunday night. The annual event benefits the Hawaii Dental Association Dental Samaritans, a group that aims to fill unmet dental needs through outreach programs such as Give Kids a Smile, and educational and dental clinics like the Aloha Medical Mission Dental facility.

Thanks to Flash and Matty Productions and countless sponsors and supporters, there was plenty going on, from a silent auction to music by Anita Hall and the New Jass Quartet, to a little burlesque by Violetta Baretta of the Cherry Blossom Cabaret, to a fashion show by Bamboo Sky, and boutiques featuring Jade by Nikolai, Bamboo Sky and So Good Jewelry.

And of course there was food. Bonsai’s Luscious Bites menu lived up to the bill with pupu-style spicy tempura sushi, ichimi scallops, chicken karaage, garlic shrimp and teppanyaki sirloin with onions, bell peppers and mushrooms. Those who purchased VIP tickets also enjoyed crab cakes and ahi carpaccio.\

Casino bucks!

Guests paid $100 to a high-roller $400 for the privilege of gambling in Hawaii for one night. Don’t worry, it was all play money. I’d wager that most of the people at the gamling tables upstairs had no idea most of the other activities were going on. Just as in Vegas, the games were all-engrossing and there was just as much enthusiasm tossing the play money here as the real thing in Vegas.

Well, I’m kind of addicted to craps, so when I saw an open space at a table upstairs, I figured I’d slip in and practice various theories of hedging. But, it didn’t really work out. By the time I got there, the table was fairly unlucky, with everyone crapping out after about three rolls of the dice.

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By Nadine Kam

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The Broadway Babies special guests, from left, Brian Caplan, Marc Dalio, Jay Pierce, and Christina Caplan, front, were welcomed by show organizer Kristian Lei, Eric Chandler, Takeo and singer Anita Hall.

Designers Takeo and Eric Chandler and Kristian Lei’s Broadway Babies hosted a fundraiser at the designers’ 2Couture studio May 30. The event brought together local performers, as well as visiting guest stars Brian and Christina Caplan, Marc Dalio and Jay Pierce for a night of food, wine and song.

The event offered a preview of costumes and music the Broadway Fashion Rock Revue taking place 7:30 p.m. June 4 to 6 at the Leeward Community College Theatre. The events will raise funds to construct a school for the developmentally disabled, a project Kristian undertook with inspiration from her brother Joshua Earl T. Hegwood, who, on party day had won three medals at the Special Olympics.

Here are videos of the Broadway Babies performing “Season of Love” from “Rent,” and Kristian singing “A New Life” from “Jekyll and Hyde.” If you want to catch the shows, tickets are $26, $36, $46 and $56 general, and $15 for ages 12 and younger. Call the box office at 953-5788 or visit www.honolulubroadwaybabies.com

Party guests were able to examine some of the show’s costumes.

Kristian Lei with Aureana Tseu, who’ll be performing a hula with her mom Iwalani Tseu.

Pamela Young will be dancing in this costume.

Iwalani Tseu accessorized with an abalone shell. It can’t be pinned so it’s held in place with combs inside the shell.

Don Brown, left, with Edgy Lee and Johann Bouit.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
This is where I ended up Friday night, admiring the photographs of Harold Julian at Honolulu Design Center, the setting for the launch of the GroundUP Agency’s Model Division. Also exhibiting photos were Willy Branland, Aaron Yoshino, John Hook and Aaron Rideout.

Friday was the live equivalent of a variety show, that started at the Halekulani, followed by Dave & Buster’s, then the Honolulu Design Center.

The ballroom of Halekulani was packed with guests celebrating the 25th anniversary since the hotel’s 1984 renovation and reopening. (Halekulani’s legacy actually dates to 1917, when the hotel comprised a few modest bungalows on Gray’s Beach.) Coincidentally, Halekulani Corp. announced a new partnership alliance with Japan’s luxury Imperial Hotel group, adding another reason to celebrate, with Imperial president Tetsuya Kobayashi also in town for the occasion.

The room was so full that it was hard to back up for photos. One person back for the event, from Las Vegas, was the hotel’s former head of public relations, Joyce Matsumoto, who said she would not have missed it for the world. Nobu had not opened when she left, so she planted herself in front of the chef’s station to enjoy his sushi. Guests also raved about the shrimp ravioli with mushroom sauce and the foie gras paté at other stations.

Matt Catingub and his musical friends entertained guests at Halekulani’s 25th anniversary celebration May 8.

Amity Street introduced their CD with a performance in the Dave & Buster’s Showroom. From left are Jason Everett, Eli Oguma, Jhon Lynch and John Gonzalez Del Solar.

After Halekulani, I made a stop to check out Amity Street in Dave & Buster’s Showroom. I heard them playing live on KTUH one night and was compelled to check out the band in person. You can hear them on their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/amitystreet or check out my video here to listen to them perform “Chameleon.”

Then it was on to Honolulu Design Center where GroundUP artists were busy with a couple of live paintings in the Cupola Theatre.

The event was held to launch the GroundUP Agency’s new model division, bringing a fashion element to the agency’s growing arts and entertainment empire. Models stepped onto the runway in basic white tank tops, jeans, black attire and bikinis to demonstrate their walk for event planners, stylists, photographers and young designers in the crowd.

GroundUP crew members take a break from their work to strike a pose with Boss Noa Laporga (front, second from right).

The event introduced models from the GroundUP Agency’s new model division.

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By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Shari Saiki and Bryan Kitashima in the midst of their photogenic home furnishings store, Mesh.

Shari Saiki and Bryan Kitashima hosted a TEN/3 anniversary party March 27, the dual numbers marking the respective 10th year for the Shari Saiki Design Studio and third year of their home-oriented retail shop, Mesh.

The event, held at Mesh at Dole Cannery, was a way to thank clients, customers and friends, who seemed to make themselves at home, sinking into comfy sofas amidst beautiful lamps and decor.

The party flowed from the shop into outdoor corridors where wine was served under hanging lanterns reminiscent of bird cages, and there was plenty of pupu, including samosas deemed too spicy by Kim Gennaula and Guy Hagi’s daughter Alia. At this point, she’s evidently more into fashion than food (see photo).

HIFF Special Events Coordinator Sean Shodahl with Wei Fang.

It’s a good selling point when guests feel as comfortable with the furnishings as being at home. From left, Scott and Sylvia Farley, and Michelle and Dave Gordon.

Kim Gennaula with her photogenic progeny Luke and Alia Hagi.

Candace Kelly, left, with Ken and Debbie Sorenson and their daughter Tai.

From left, home stager Karla Timon, Fran Terry and Tonya Lee.

Sonny Silva and David Chiorini, part of the Hot Club of Hulaville, performed as a duo. Give a listen to the full band here. Somehow we got on the subject of celebs they resemble and Chiorini was sad to admit he hears Joe Jonas and Joey Lawrence a lot.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photo
Almost walking on water, clockwise from left, Eric Kamakahia’ai Chandler, Aureana Tseu, Pamela Young and Takeo.

Before The Counter party Saturday night, I was at the sendoff party for 2009 Miss Hawaii USA Aureana Tseu, held at the home of Dr. Lawrence Tseu. She leaves April 1 for the national competition April 19 at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas, and the party was an opportunity to thank the many who have supported her throughout the years, with food provided by 3660 on the Rise, drinks, and a mini fashion show of all the ensembles she’ll be wearing through judges interviews, and yes, lunch with The Donald, of Trump and “Celebrity Apprentice” fame.

It’s scary to think I’ve known Aureana since she was too young to be in pageants. Even at something like 14, she was always poised, outgoing, articulate and positive, so I always knew this day would come, as I’m sure those closest to her felt as well.

Good luck, Aureana!

2 Couture photo
Evening gown designed by Eric Chandler and Takeo, and made from multicolor silk with Austrian yellow and gold crystals. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

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The owners, from left, Ed Robles, Daniel Dae Kam, Pablo Buckingham and DK Kodama.

The Counter celebrated its grand opening with a party Saturday night that included the red-carpet (that was actually blue) arrivals of “Lost” castmates of Daniel Dae Kim, a co-owner in the endeavor with DK Kodama, Ed Robles and Pablo Buckingham, all there to make sure guests had their fill of mini Counter burgers plus sushi and more grinds from DK’s other restaurant, Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar.

Currently the most buzzed-about restaurant in town, The Counter has been open a month and is already the top-performing franchise in the country. Popularity still has its drawbacks as I keep hearing about hourlong waits, but, like I said in my review, the solution is to go at off-peak hours, like 3 p.m., making it one of those rare places where people are willing to make accomodations rather than be accommodated. When does that ever happen?

From left, Beth Shady, Jorge Garcia, Hannah Cornett and pro surfer turned actress Keala Kennelly.

The space is rather small for a party of the magnitude of Saturday’s event, so people flowed in and out for air. It was probably just as much fun outside with the paparazzi as inside, because the celebs were in a good mood and willing to do just about anything for the cameras, whether stuff their faces or ham it up with mock interviews.

Oh, and the burgers were truly yummy!

I left before Josh Holloway got there, but you can see photos of him at photographer Jeannemarie Viggiano’s Web site blog. She’s in many of the photos, and yours truly is in one of them. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Prada area manager Joe Incao with stylist Crystal Pancipanci, left, and makeup artist Jessica Hoffman.

Prada Corp. celebrated the grand opening of its Miu Miu store last night with a well-attended party of some of Honolulu’s most stylish, as well as a handful of celebs, including “Lost’s” Michael Emerson, dressed in crisp white linen, homegrown actress/singer Tia Carrere and “American Idol” season five finalist Katharine McPhee, who’s also working on her acting skills.

Of course dozens came dressed in Prada or Miu Miu, but the person drawing circles of interrogators all night was Ronald Cheung, dressed in a black Commes de Garcons kilt worn over Louis Vuitton neon leggings, with white shirt and very cool cinched buckled top that had an edgy bondage-meets-straitjacket vibe.

Tia Carrere and Katharine McPhee, both dressed in Miu Miu and in town filming “You May Not Kiss the Bride,” produced by Hawaii Film Partners and also starring Mena Suvari. It’s said to about an American pet photographer who gets caught up with Croatian gangsters while on honeymoon with one of the mobster’s daughters.

It was a great party and the floor was so packed that if you saw someone you knew, you had to grab them right away, before they got swallowed up by the crowd, never to be seen again.

From left, party-goers Denise Nakano, Chanel Wong, Candace Konievic, Rod Iasuda and Lesli-Ann Yano.

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By Nadine Kam

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Hayden Panettiere flashes a shaka sign at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel grand opening gala Saturday night.

Guests had a date with history when The Royal Hawaiian Hotel celebrated its grand reopening with a fundraising gala Saturday night for The Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific Foundation in partnership with Louis Vuitton Hawai‘i.

Recalling the days of the Pink Palace’s original opening on Feb. 1, 1927, there was a King’s Guard posted at the driveway gate, along with conch shell blowers and female greeters whose topless figures were draped with veils of long hair and lei. Inside, a poi pounder was also at work performing a demonstration on the Ocean Lawn.

Royal guests in 1928.

Echoing the hotel’s Hollywood connection as the location for films from the 1930s through the present, as well as resting spot for vacationing celebrities, the guest list included “Heroes” star Hayden Panettiere, actor Justin Long and Heather Graham. Much is being said about Hayden telling one reporter, “Don’t touch me,” but it can be justified. Put yourself in her shoes. People have boundaries and when you’re always surrounded by crowds and paparazzi, it must get old. I remember feeling that way when I was singing and guys would grab my arm coming off stage and talk/yell in my ear. Even if it was to say the show was great, I wanted to say, “Don’t touch me, boy.” At the time I just said, “Thanks.” Most people are well-intentioned and don’t know they might have been hurting my ear or arm or spitting beer.

I missed Heather’s red-carpet appearance while talking story outside, where it was pretty quiet so I had no idea about the commotion just beyond the entry. Madness. Oh well. I saw her later having dinner in the new Azure restaurant, but it’s just wrong to bother people when they’re eating, so I think everyone gave the celebs their space.

Celebrity event planner David Beahm was called in for his expertise for the $350 to $1,250 per person event. It was sad that it was raining that night, so many of the guests stuck to walkways and roofed areas rather than allow their heels to sink into the lawn. Pink and white hotel umbrellas were offered to guests who did want to make forays out to the food tents, where there were shrimp and crab cocktails, poke, crabcakes and grilled shortribs.At different times during the evening, there was music by Ginai, Bill Tapia and Makana, dressed fabulously as usual. Sorry, I don’t have a photo. I was biting into a piece of hamachi sushi when I ran into him and could not be deterred.Fireworks started about 9 p.m., and those in the Monarch Room were entertained by Grammy-nominated trumpeter Chris Botti, whose short set ranged from the romantic to jazzy, funk-driven rock.It was a party worthy of the grand dame of Waikiki.

Mac guy and actor Justin Long posed for a photo on the red carpet with Jasmine Trias. Don’t start any rumors about Drew Barrymore’s ex.

Pink is the new fabulous and the color of the evening for many of the guests. I was going to wear pink, but I only had sheer, pale pinks which I didn’t feel would hold up to rain, so I opted for black with a touch of magenta lace at the waist and shoulders. I felt that satin might hold up to the rain, and a lot of guests did opt for the shiny fabric:

At the Escada table, from left, Hawaii store manager Mariese Montano-Smith, Audra Stevenson and Lisa Higaki looked pretty in pink.

Pink hair and rosy cheeks worked, too.

Tai Busk chose a dramatic, unapologetic pink.

I didn’t notice the pink dragonfly attached to Aureana Tseu’s dress until late in the evening. She was talking story with Zeina Jafar.

Philpotts and Associates were involved in the hotel’s interior design. Representing the company, at center, with their paper umbrellas, were Marion Philpotts-Miller and Jon Staub. They’re surrounded by men with pink roses, from left, Terry Hubbard, Mike Cordeiro, Roycen Dehmer and Alvin Chung. (more…)