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Paul Brown’s first
Maui salon draws talent
from the Big Apple

PAUL Brown is expanding his salon business to Maui with high-profile talent from New York City.

The newest Paul Brown Salon will open in Kahului's Queen Kaahumanu Center near Starbucks and Jamba Juice.

Husband-and-wife team Alex and Sabine Dellaria have styled models for Fashion Week, an apex event of the fashion industry, and have groomed celebrities on publicity tours. They are equity partners in the new 1,988-square-foot, full-service salon, which is equipped with 10 hair styling stations, two facial rooms and two stations for makeup applications and lessons as well as waxing.

"We couldn't have been any luckier," Brown said. "To get talent of that caliber in Hawaii is almost not heard of. We've created talent like that, but to have it actually come here ..."

The Dellarias moved to Hawaii from New York after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Brown met Alex years ago, through a long friendship with his father, John Dellaria, a luminary in the salon industry.

"It is the most fabulous location we've ever had, because of the demographics and the traffic," and the fact that the salon is at the entrance to the mall, Brown said.

The salon will open Friday morning with a staff of 20 hairdressers, aestheticians, makeup artists and support.

Maui had enough talent on the island to fill Brown's staffing needs. "They needed some updates and some training, but Catherine Acena is a wizard trainer," he said. A sign offering free modeling haircuts to the public to train Acena's new staff drew long lines.

Acena, the company art director and an equity partner, will visit the salon quarterly to demonstrate new trends.

Angela Howard, vice president for operations and an equity partner, trained the reception, administrative and management staff.

Brown is confident the investment to start the salon up will be paid off in a year and a half. The salon is a draw, will handle walk-in customers and will carry hair care and other products, Brown said.

Brown's other salons are in Ward Centre, Waikele, Kailua and Waikiki on Oahu and in the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on the Big Island.

"We earn profit everywhere," Brown said.

Bankers in the classroom

American Savings Bank is launching a "Careers in Banking" program, timed to coincide with the national Financial Literacy Month in April.

Branch managers will be available to give classroom presentations on banking and to discuss career opportunities and the importance of money management. Tours of the branches also are being offered.

A bank contest that public and private schools can enter offers two $1,000 prizes and bank tours for winners. Contest entries will be accepted through April 22.

"This program will help Hawaii's youth to understand the role of money management in achieving future goals," said Anna Marie Springer, an ASB senior vice president and community liaison.