Sunday, November 14th
Checked into the Bradley Airport Hotel to stay overnight and park car for 'free' because of early morning flight tomorrow. Little bit of a room mix-up; given room 724 but 724 on computer so at 11:30pm someone tried to get into the room. Front desk called and asked who I was and said the didn't have me checked in. Did fix it and got to sleep and made it to my flight the next morning.
Monday, November 15th
Delta first class flight to Atlanta, two hours. No big deal. Flight from Atlanta to Honolulu non-stop was on an A330 and that is one gorgeous plane. Seats recline almost flat and you are given a real pillow and a quilt instead of a blanket. All the services you would expect. For dinner review
click here. Flight was just over nine hours. When we were just reaching San Diego [you could tell by the interactive map], they announced 'any medical personnel, please report to the rear galley' and several minutes later 'does anyone have extra anti-anxiety medication?' When most of the plane responded 'yes' they immediately said 'thank you, we have the situation under control'. Thought we would be landing in San Diego!
Met at airport by my host and proceeded to Aiea Heights where I would be staying at their home. I was quickly ensconced in the tea house guest quarters.
 |
| Door Illustrations by John Young |
Tuesday, November 16th
 |
| reflecting pool |
Visited the Contemporary Museum of Honolulu in a beautiful old manse reborn into the only museum dedicated to contemporary art in Hawai'i. Enjoyed Klöe Kang's video installation of 'Chinatown' the best and was able to purchase a signed fan of hers.
 |
| Fan by Klöe Kang |
We had lunch at the Contemporary Café there. For review
click here. I also enjoyed the Horse sculpture at the entrance.
Had dinner that evening at L&L BBQ. For review
click here.
Wednesday, November 17th
Lunch at Elena's Filipino Food and for review
click here.
 |
| banana lumpia |
Then for the reason of this trip: Preview of the Kobashi show. Wine and Hors d'Oeuvres in the Chinese Garden prior to the viewing of the artwork. There were fifty invited guests including the Japanese Consul General. We met at 5:30 and socialized while anxiously awaiting entry into Gallery 14 to view 'Self Construction: The Art of Kobashi Yasuhide'.
'Kobashi Yasuhide (1931-2003) was a diverse artist, active in woodblock prints, painting, sculpture and stage design. In 1959 he moved to New York, where his art took on a decidedly international perspective. His work attracted the attention of Nelson Rockefeller, then Governor of New York. Rockefeller collected works by Kobashi, and even helped him obtain permanent residency in the United States. Rockefeller acquired a sculpture similar to
Plumbob in this exhibition for the Governor's Mansion in Albany. Under Rockefeller's patronage, Kobashi began to design monumental sculptures, an activity that he continued when he returned to Japan.' [taken from informational material produced by Honolulu Academy of Arts]
 |
| Plumbob |
Shawn Eichman, Curator of the Honolulu Academy of Art, spoke briefly on Kobashi's background and introduced the exhibit. Then were left to view, photo and discuss the works. The exhibit was expertly hung and the two sculpture centerpieces were amazing. I was intimately connected to both and had manipulated them many times. Seeing them in this museum context was intriguing. Many of the 30+ prints were new to me and some were old friends. The large piece 'Queen Ann's Lace' was striking and is the big brother to the piece I own, gifted to me by the collector three years ago on my birthday.
After the preview of the exhibit, we were hosted for dinner at the private Pacific Club. For a review of dinner
click here.
Thursday, November 18th
Today we went to Chinatown to do some shopping. Saw some delicious produce and visited several art galleries with Louis Pohl's gallery on Nuuanu Street at the top of the list.
Had lunch at the EAT Café in a Design Center where we wandered around after lunch looking at furniture and decor from around the Pacific. For review of our Pitza,
click here.
Friday, November 19th
Went to the famous Zippy's for lunch. For review
click here.
Revisited the Kobashi exhibit to more fully photograph it with special permission to do so. Got pictures of every piece!
Private Party at night up in the Kahala hills. Beautiful house, beautiful people and a beautiful view that night.
 |
| Honolulu at night! |
 |
| persimmons |
 |
| interior foyer |
We had appetizers and wine. Dinner was Beef Burgundy and a salad with leeks and persimmons. Dessert was apple crisp and coffee/green tea gelatin 'petit fours' [waiting for the recipe].
Got a chance to talk to many of the people that had attended the Kobashi show. Met artists and art lovers and had a wonderful time. Music, fun, conversation, laughter, cup-stacking demo and a great time.
Saturday, November 20th
 |
| 'Goldfish Song' by Deb Young |
Shopped at the Gallery at Ward Center. I bought 'Goldfish Song' by Deb Young. It reminds me of her and our conversation last night.
Lunch at Kako'ako Kitchen where you order and then eat outside. Had a great 'bento box' lunch; review
click here.
Sunday, November 21st
 |
monorail
@ pearlridge mall |
Shopping at Pearlridge Shopping Center and Long's [famous] Pharmacy for 'pasalubong' gifts. I got the requisite macadamia nuts!
 |
Javanese Gamelan
|
Concert at East West Center UHawai'i @Manoa. 'Dance and Music from Bali and Java' with two gamelan orchestras and two famous dancers, one Javanese and the other Balinese. Both were fantastic. Of the two gamelan orchestras, I liked the Balinese the best.
 |
| Balinese Gamelan |
