B on Hawaii

One might think that the person responsible for redesigning a Gold Coast penthouse top-to-bottom might be the least awe-struck of a the space—especially months after it has been completed.Yet Los Angeles-based architect and designer Jeff Vance, who has designed luxury homes for the who's who in Beverly Hills, Kobe, Japan and downtown Honolulu, still has to pause for a moment each time he enters

Jim Moffat has been quietly upping the ante on Kaua`i's food scene for nearly two years. Garden Isle residents, who have been forced to content with overpriced plate lunches, poor retail food outlets and semi-tolerable eateries, have been poised for a culinary boost—and Moffat is leading the charge.

The Halekulani has relentlessly rolled out a number of culinary gems this week, reminding those bound for (or residing in) O`ahu that Kalia Road is the place to be for top-tier dining.

It isn't every day that a swanky new boutique hotel opens on the islands. Heck, it isn't often that anything new opens in this economic climate. But it certainly isn't every day both these occur on the sleepy and reclusive isle of Kaua`i. We were eager to visit the Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort in Poipu since writing about its architect last winter.

We've all heard the phrase "A Little Aloha Goes a Long Way". But "Aloha" isn't the first sentiment that comes to mind when you hear about big, corporate groups that descend upon large-scale resorts across Hawai`i for meetings or incentive travel. One small company is making a run to change all that.

On Saturday, July 25, Southern Wine and Spirits of Hawaii's Director of Mixology Francesco LaFranconi will do his best Tom Cruise (in Cocktail, not Risky Business) impersonation as he pours with a heavy hand at Lewers Lounge in Waikiki. Between 7:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m., the Halekulani hot spot will feature "live soul jazz" from the likes of Tennyson Stephens.

It has been confirmed: Jean-Georges Vongerichten will helm the Kaua`i Grill at the newly re-branded and revamped St. Regis Princeville Resort on Kaua`i when it opens this October. The resort will feature 251 newly designed rooms, including 52 suites, 3 additional restaurants, the 10,000 square foot Halele'a Spa and transformed banquet space for private affairs.

There's a new buzz brewing in the underground art scene here on O`ahu; and it's called "Interisland Terminal". Founded this past January by a group of like-minded individuals looking to to shed light on "the intersections of creativity, innovation and leadership" throughout Hawai`i by exhibiting independent work across multiple genres, says the group's web site. 

With so many loyal readers hailing from the mainland, we thought we'd toss a Hawaiian-inspired item your way that might help keep a little "aloha" in your summer.

Robert Parks-Valletta may just be Hollywood's most unassuming philanthropist. During the actor's strike of 2008, Valletta took his time away from the bright lights and silver screen to formulate a non-profit outfit that puts A-list celebrities on basketball courts and race tracks with everyday citizens—all to raise money for global organizations in dire need of assistance.