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Aveda Salon at Ala Moana
will hold fund-raiser,
but not for Katrina

KATRINA fund-raiser fever is at fever pitch in Hawaii, so a fund-raising event planned this weekend by Aveda Salon & Spa at Ala Moana Center -- for its own stylists -- was a bit of a curiosity for TheBuzz.

From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, $35 in cash will get an appointment-holder's hair shampooed, conditioned and cut. Haircuts are usually $46 for men and $65 for women.

"We've only done it for (charities) before," publicist Mona Wood said. Nonprofits that have benefited from Aveda's earlier cut-a-thons are Hawaii Foodbank, Hawaii Nature Center and the American Cancer Society.

This time, local salon management decided to help employees meet the company's expectation of professional development by raising funds for them to attend Aveda's upcoming Salon Congress on the mainland in October. Aveda sponsors the educational expenses and other costs, but staff must pay for some of the travel expenses, said Lititia Thomas, site manager.

Aveda's cut-a-thon is usually sold out, so that was the method of fund raising chosen to help staffers raise money. The salon hopes to raise $5,000 at the event.

Stylists attending the Salon Congress will learn the latest in hair care, styling, color and trends using the company's plant-based products.

"The Salon Congress is the biggest thing of the year," Wood said. "In the past we've sent two people ... and it's not paid time, so when they go, it's hard for them to go and give up (income)."

The stylists' travel will be easier, but it won't be easy to get an appointment from Oct. 13 to 20, when a dozen of them are off island for the Salon Congress. Appointments can be made at 947-6141.