2005 HAWAII'S BEST AWARDS
AT WAIALAE COUNTRY CLUB

"CONGRATULATIONS, ALAN!": Jan Hori, marketing director for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and MidWeek, talked with Alan Yoshioka of Harry's Music Thursday night at the 2005 Hawaii's Best Awards . Honolulu Star-Bulletin and MidWeek readers voted Harry's Music "Hawaii's Best Place to Buy Musical Instruments," but Yoshioka's many years of experience selling Hawaiian music -- from old time vinyl albums to modern CDs and DVDs -- is another important asset.

ANOTHER HONOR FOR DHT: Dennis Francis, president and publisher of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and Midweek, congratulated Diamond Head Theatre managing director Deena Dray on DHT's selection as "Hawaii's Best Place to See Live Theatre." DHT's summer production of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" opens on July 15, and ticket sales have been so strong that the run has been extended twice to meet Honolulu's demand for wholesome G-rated musical theater.

MORE THAN A GREAT COCKTAIL LOUNGE!: Kunani Blake, general manager of Palomino, enjoyed the festivities with his wife Debbie. Palomino took top honors in the "Business Lunch" category.

PARTY WITH THE ASAMS!: Don Asam and his wife, Ruth, far right, shared their table with Star-Bulletin/MidWeek account executives Julie Loreg, left, and Shannon Okinishi. Asam is the general manager of Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, which was voted "Hawaii's Best Steakhouse" for the third year in a row.

EATING RESPONSIBLY: Sweetie Pacarro of KSSK, center, joined Lititia Thomas, left, and Armida Morales in taking small servings from the dessert table. Thomas and Morales represented Aveda Salon & Spa, which won the "Hawaii's Best Massage" title. Pacarro attended on behalf of Perry & Price, voted "Hawaii's Best Radio Personalities," because the 6 p.m. event "was past their bedtime."

THEY STAYED FOR NOEL: Tricia Masaski, left, and Jada Li represented the "Star of Honolulu" and Paradise Cruise Ltd. -- the winner in the Hawaii's Best poll's "Best Dinner/Sunset Cruise" category. The two stayed after the awards presentation to enjoy a great set of mainstream jazz by Noel Okimoto with Dan Del Negro (piano), Dean Taba (bass) and Todd Yukumoto (sax). If there were a "Hawaii's Best" category for jazz drummers, Okimoto would win it. Jasmine Trias performed earlier but didn't stick around for the rest of the party.