---

Buntin gallery reopens

Robyn Buntin of Honolulu will host its grand re-opening and exhibition from 5 to 8:30 p.m. today.To celebrate, the gallery will be staging an exhibition of works by three of Hawaii's leading contemporary artists, Masami Teraoka, Hiroki Morinoue and Mark Kadota, whose works are in major museums and private collections around the world.

The gallery is at 848 S. Beretania St. For more information, call 523-5913.

Get ready to write

Novice and seasoned writers are welcome to attend Hawai'i Pacific University 8th Annual Ko'olau Writing Workshops taking place 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at HPU's windward campus.

Albert Wendt, author of novels "Sons for the Return Home," "Leaves of the Banyan Tree" and "The Mango's Kiss," will be the featured speaker.

The event, sponsored in part by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts through the Hawai'i Literary Arts Council, will feature workshop sessions in non-fiction, poetry, fiction, and scriptwriting.

Participants will receive a free breakfast from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. and free drinks with lunch (bring your brown bag). A $10 donation is requested; $5 for students. Parking is free.

To reserve a seat, call 544-9340 or 544-1108. HPU's windward campus is at 45-045 Kamehameha Highway, in Kaneohe.

Hawaii, then universe

The search is on for the 2006 Miss Hawaii USA and 2005 Miss Hawaii Teen USA. Applications are being accepted for the pageants to be held May 20 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. The deadline to enter is March 20.

The Miss Hawaii USA pageant is open to young women, between the ages of 18 and 26, and the Miss Hawaii Teen USA is open to girls ages 15 to 18. The pageants are the official preliminary to the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants. The Miss USA winner will then move on to compete for the Miss Universe crown.

Contestants will compete in interview, swimsuit and evening gown phases. There is no talent competition.

Committee members are working with Miss Hawaii USA Jennifer Fairbank for the national pageant taking place April 11 in Baltimore, Md., for broadcast on KHNL/NBC.

Miss Hawaii Teen USA Sonya Balmores was first runner-up at her national pageant last August.

Brook Lee, the 1997 Miss Hawaii USA, went on to win the Miss Universe title.

For more information or for an application, call 538-6690 or email 2couture@lava.net.

St. Paddy's prep

Don't be pinched, punched or slapped around on St. Patrick's Day. Kahuku Public & School Library will host an hourlong after-school craft program from 2:15 p.m. Wednesday for those who want to make a shamrock mouse magnet. If someone starts coming at you, just pull out your mouse.

All supplies will be provided and admission is free and open for children of all ages.

The library is on the Kahuku High and Intermediate School campus, at 56-490 Kamehameha Highway. Call 293-8935.

---

BACK TO TOP
|

---

Pliner at Sandal Tree

Donald J Pliner will be making his first trip to Hawaii for a special appearance at the new Sandal Tree store at Ala Moana Center, on the mall level, across from Macy's.

He'll be at the store from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday to show his spring and summer 2005, made in Italy of buttery nappa leathers in the candy colors of the season or crisp white.

Pliner, internationally known for giving his customers the best of fashion, quality and comfort, works and plays by his own motto, which is to "live the luxury of comfortable fashion."

Call the store at 957-0300 for more information, or go to www.donaldjpliner.com.

---

DONALD J PLINER PHOTO Shown clockwise from left are Donald J Pliner's Gen, Aryn, Genuine and Nikki sandals with silver inlaid studs, $165 to $210.

---

St. John at Neiman Marcus

St. John paints a pretty picture with its colorful spring collection, including tweed suits in the hottest shades of the season, or St. John Sport floral prints and feminine silhouettes, on view during a Neiman Marcus "Snapshot" event, with models and staffers showing individuals how to put their personal look together. In Fine Apparel, Level Two, today through Saturday.

Beading it at Ward

Crafters and jewelry enthusiasts will be flocking to Ward Warehouse this weekend for the "Best Bead Show." Exhibitors will be showing the little treasures in glass, bone, clay, wood and more, with demonstrations as well in the second-floor exhibition room. Show times are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Put sparkle into your complexion

Abhasa Spa at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel is now offering a "Diamond Experience Facial" using Natura Bisse products.

The products used are from the Diamond line by Natura Bisse, based in Barcelona, Spain, and recognized as an international leader in skin-care research. The company's products contain anti-aging and bio-regenerative ingredients and range in price from $137 to $300.

The Abhasa facial lasts a rejuvenating 80 minutes and is priced at $250. Call 922-8200 for more information.

'Spring Palette' on view

Ad 2 Honolulu presents its fund-raising fashion show event "Spring Palette 2005" from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa's Regency Ballroom.

The event, themed "A Journey to Timbuktu," will feature a fashion show by DKNY and Sergio Rossi with heavy pupus, a silent auction, a display of work by local artists and wine tastings, plus samples of scotch, sake and martinis from Vintage Wine Cellars.

Tickets at $50 pre-sale are available at the DKNY store at Ala Moana Center, Vintage Wine Cellars at 1249 Wilder Ave. or by e-mailing rsvp@ad2honolulu.org. Tickets will be $60 at the door.

A portion of proceeds will help fund Ad 2 Honolulu's marketing campaign for Hawaii Meals on Wheels, which delivers meals to homebound seniors and disabled residents on Oahu. Ad 2 Honolulu is part of a nationwide network whose members are age 32 or younger, employed or affiliated with advertising and its related fields. The organization's mission is to serve the community through charitable events and activities.

---