(From FrolicHawaii.com 11/14/2016) – Amanda Stevens

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With days and weeks of preparation, a well choreographed fashion show is supposed to look easy, seamless and natural–and then it’s over in 15 minutes. HONOLULU Fashion Week made it look easy, seamless and natural 12 times over three days at the Hawaii Convention Center, November 10-12.

For the third year in a row, Lynne O’Neil, one of the most prolific fashion show producers in the industry, brought her dream team from New York City, including fellow Hawaii-born colleagues Don Sumada, Roman Young, and Bobby Gutierrez, plus Damon Rutland and Bernhard Link Theatrical put on the largest HONOLULU Fashion Week yet with local and international designers setting the tone for the upcoming season.

In addition to the well attended runway shows, the event included a bustling marketplace and pitch panel where local designers had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to investors and retailers. This kind of international buzz about fashion isn’t normally associated with Hawaii, but it’s the events like this that aim to change that notion.

Here’s a look at some of my favorite “local” looks hot off the runway:

Local Luxe

Photos by Travis Okimoto

Local Luxe featured some of Hawaii’s top contemporary designers; Malia Jones, Allison Izu, Ari South, Ten Tomorrow and Kojo Couture.

Live Aloha

Photos by Travis Okimoto

Live Aloha showcased traditional and updated aloha print looks with contemporary silhouettes and styling. Designers included Manuhealii, NoaNoa, Iolani and Manaola.

Manaola

Photos by Lyle Amine

A rising star in the industry, Manaola Yap, who hails from Hawaii island, brings to life his vision of melding Hawaiian culture and its natural elements with a modern and avant garde vibe.

Kini Zamora – Reach the Runway Benefit

Photos by Lyle Amine

For the third time in a row, Kini Zamora showcased a full collection during HONOLULU Fashion Week. This year, look for rich plum tones and graphic prints to complement his new high fashion silhouettes.

Ward Village

Photos by Lyle Amine

This fashion show featured looks ranging from kids streetwear to super posh fashions from local shops at Ward Village; Kealopiko, The Collective, Big Bad Wolf, Mori by Art + Flea, and POSHd.

Other fashion shows with international and local talent included Asaf Ganot, Neiman Marcus, Reyn Spooner, Hawaiian Airlines Uniform Reveal, Runway to Runway, LeaLea presents RINKAgram and Hawaii Pacific Health Beautiful Survivors.

(From FrolicHawaii.com 9/30/2016) – Amanda Stevens

About three years ago, I was part of a project that supported the opening of the new hospital in West Oahu, and it was then I learned about the huge population boom expected on that side of the island. With the build-out of 80,000 new homes by 2025, more than half of the island’s population will reside in West Oahu.

Rendering of Ka Makana Alii.

Ka Makana Alii is expected to accommodate the retail needs of West Oahu residents, create more jobs in the region and provide an affordable hotel option. Sitting on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, this partnership between DeBartolo Development and DHHL is projected to financially support Native Hawaiian programs statewide for decades to come. The unveiling of the 1.4 million-square-foot mall is happening in two phases.

Phase one includes 150 shopping, dining and entertainment offerings, a hotel, and office space. Macy’s, Ka Makana Alii’s anchor store and Hampton Inn and Suites held their soft openings this week while California Pizza Kitchen opens today. Parts of the mall are still under construction, but the official opening of the entire site is scheduled for October 21.

We had first look at what’s to come:

California Pizza Kitchen, take-out wall built of recycled skate boards.

Macy’s mannequin has a tattoo.

The Macy’s store manager shows us a touch of island flair in the home decor section.

A dining area. The hotel offers a free daily hot breakfast, free parking, and no hotel service fee.

Indoor/outdoor pool.

Indoor/outdoor pool.

Rooms range from $160-$250. This is a King Studio. Other rooms are Queen double and King single.

A list of confirmed tenants

Macy’s
California Pizza Kitchen
H&M
Forever 21
Victoria’s Secret
Bath & Body Works
Old Navy
Skechers
Foot Locker
Kay Jewelers
24 Hour Fitness
Hoala Salon and Spa
Applebee’s
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Luibueno’s
AT&T
Zales
Zumies
Rix Island Wear
Town & Country Surf Designs
Famous Footwear
PetSmart
Reyn Spooner
Plus Interiors
Bonchon
Sura Hawaii
Jollibee
Da Cove
Magnolia Ice Cream
Papa John’s Pizza
Infinitea
Yummy Korean BBQ
Nagoya Ramen
Kickin Kajun
Koa Pancake House
Wendy’s
L&L Hawaiian Barbeque
Panda Express
Subway
Auntie Anne’s
Cinnabon
Moena Cafe

(From FrolicHawaii.com 9/16/2016) – Amanda Stevens

In 1999, I remember leaving the Cinerama theater after seeing “The Blair Witch Project” with some of my classmates thinking, “I’m not sleeping tonight, this freaked me out!” The movie played like a documentary so we seriously thought the found-footage flick was a creepy and sad story about three students; Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard and Michael Williams. They hiked into Maryland’s Black Hills Forest in 1994 to shoot a documentary film on a local legend, the Blair Witch, and were never heard from again. One year later, their video footage was found.

Much like the first “Paranormal Activity,” after it was obvious that the so-called found footage was actually a movie, the accolades began to roll in. “The Blair Witch Project” was produced on a $60,000 budget and grossed over $200,000,000. A year later, “Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2” was released. It tried too hard to top the first flick and totally missed the mark – it was panned by critics and fans of the original.

Fast forward two decades. I had high hopes for “Blair Witch,” directed by Adam Wingard, a sequel to the original, and no relation (thank goodness) to “Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2.”

James Donahue (James Allen McCune) sees a YouTube video and catches a glimpse of his sister Heather (from “The Blair Witch Project”) and believes it proves she’s still alive. Intent on finding her, he heads to the Black Hills Woods in Maryland – the site of his sister’s disappearance 22 years prior, that is rumored to be inhabited by the Blair Witch. James is accompanied by his best friend Peter (Brandon Scott), Peter’s girlfriend Ashley (Corbin Reid), and Lisa (Callie Hernandez), a film student hoping to document James’ journey.

The team is equipped with ear-mounted cameras that look more like bluetooth earbuds, walkie-talkies and an aerial drone to aid in their search process. Before heading into the woods, they meet with the duo that uploaded the video to YouTube, Lane (Wes Robinson), and Talia (Valorie Curry). Lane tells the group that he uploaded the footage from a video tape he found by a tree in the woods, and that he will only reveal the location if the four friends agree to take the two locals with them on their search.

The use of technology gave the story line a fresh component. The drone flying over the woods made for great imagery, and the ear-mounted cameras were definitely not as shaky as those from the original flick. The suspenseful subtle scenes from the first night in the forest worked well.

The original film was filled with inferred violence — it kept you literally on the edge of your seat. It didn’t spoon-feed the plot and the pacing was perfect. Unfortunately, the last 30 minutes of “Blair Witch” was rushed and in-your-face. It really needed breaks in the action. It was so constant, it got a bit redundant.

I expected a lot more, especially from Wingard, who directed the cult classic horror “V/H/S.” Although it falls short of “The Blair Witch Project,” there’s enough cover-your-eyes moments that it might be worth seeing at the matinee price or on Tuesday $6 movie day.

(FromFrolicHawaii.com 7/21/2016) – Amanda Stevens

In 2012, Goodwill Hawaii made a bold move to drop its dime store image by revamping into a vintage-glam treasure hunting destination with a large-scale fashion show and shopping event at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Well it worked, Goodwill Goes GLAM! has major fashion cred!

Kini Zamora and Uakea Egami admire the workmanship of this garment embellished with feathers from a down pillow purchased at Goodwill that will be showcased on the runway.

Tonight, “Project Runway” all-star Kini Zamora will return again to produce a fashion show on the opening night. The theme this year is “Doll Me Up,” and local aspiring designers, including students from the UH Manoa, Maui College, Honolulu Community College and Kaimuki’s ME+U Sewing auditioned to work under Zamora’s guidance.

Uakea Egami, instructor from Me + U Sewing worked with the junior designers who were selected as designers for the show.

Adult designers created three looks, while the junior designers designed one look each to be showcased on tonight’s runway. Each designer had a budget of $200 per look to purchase the Goodwill merchandise and create upcycled doll-inspired designs. Following the show, Zamora will award $1,500 in scholarships sponsored by Goodwill Hawaii to the most promising designers he feels has the most industry potential in the years to come.

“Each year the fashion show was about styling items from Goodwill, but this year, I wanted to take it to the next level and add a design element,” said Zamora. “It was so meaningful to mentor designers, especially the kids, it reinvigorated my creativity and gave me great satisfaction to know that the future of design and sewing is strong here in the islands.”

I had a sneak peek at each of the runway show designs, here’s one of my favorite looks:

Adult designer, Matt making some finishing touches on his Kachina doll-inspired ensemble. This look will be showcased on the runway. I love the deconstructed/utilitarian meets Native American inspired look.

A look at the back of the blazer that was reconstructed after being turned inside-out, with embellishments from rugs and shirt remnants. I love the searsucker fabric on the shoulders.

Here’s a look at some of the looks that Kini and his team put together that will be sold during the GLAM! Retail Sales Days following the fashion show.

White button up with black letters, lack and white cheerleader top, grey pants with black side stripe, long pearl/silver necklace, white Chinese Laundry heels.

Mesh zip up top with colored squares, black jeans, black with white specks trench coat, green Nike sneakers.

Graphic multi colored tank top, white mesh tank top, red and brown flannel (worn as skirt), Nine West peep toe heels.

GLAM! fashion show and Preview sale, Thursday, July 21 – 6:30 p.m. $25

GLAM! Retail Sales Days: $2 at Goodwill stores, $4 at the Blaisdell box office

Friday, July 22 – 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 23 – 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 24  – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
Free parking at McKinley High School
www.higoodwill.org