Crazy for 'Sacs'

K

Nadine Kam photos
From left are Junior League of Honolulu's Jennifer Dotson, Marcie Uehara Herring and Lisa Haeringer. They are, respectively, president-elect elect, president, and president-elect of the organization that annually stages the "Sacs in the City" event, this year themed "Rodeo Drive in Paradise."

The Junior League of Honolulu hosted its annual "Sacs in the City" fundraising fashion show/luncheon on March 5, which never fails to bring out claws in woman who are otherwise seem so calm and collect.

The battle is for designer handbags and other silent auction items, which often has tiny women trying to body block would-be snipers from swooping in at the auction's end.

I always try to go late, so I don't have time for temptation, but that never really works. You just sort of stroll casually by until something calls to you. The one that did this time was a cute little "vintage" Shanghai Tang silk-embroidered purse, below. I try not to do little and cute anymore because there's never a time that I go out without lugging a video camera, regular camera, cell phone, etc., etc. But hey, it was for a good cause, so I bid on it, then other people I knew put more bids on it, and one of the original bidders came back for two more rounds of bidding, and I'm just not into the fight.

One of the people who bid on the purse and won it was Susan Todani, Director, Special Projects for Kamehameha Schools Endowment Group. She kept asking me, "Are you sure I can't get it in the store anymore?" after bidding went over its listed retail value. I said "Yeah," but that's not to say they're not going to come up with something similar soon. They always have new designs with their signature brocade and jewel touches. She's lucky I didn't scratch out her eyeballs. (Just kidding Susan!)

Harry Winston's salon director James Schaefer always manages to surround himself with beauty. From left are Ashley Wang, KHON's Kathy Muneno and Trini Kaopuiki, and Dan Yuan. Kathy and Trini, along with their KHON colleague Tammy Mori, also modeled in the Tory Burch fashion show that was part of the event, while stationmate Olena Heu served as emcee.

The day's other highlight was a Tory Burch fashion show, and a Tory Burch popup shop of purses, footwear and accessories was set up in a corner of the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Tapa Ballroom to accommodate women who saw something they liked on stage. I believe a lot of women went home with Tory Burch flip flops, a dressier upgrade from our rubber slippers. Tory Burch also offers tumbled leather and patent slipper-style sandals, at about $115 and $225, respectively.

At the end of the afternoon, I was waiting to find out whether I'd won on my other bid, on a green Anteprima Stella wirebag. One of the JLH volunteers came to our table, but the paperwork was for Noreen Kam, who was just leaving. So that was a surprise to her. We figured out that the person who checked us in at the door, probably overlooked that there were two N. Kams at the same table and had given me Noreen's bidding number. But it all worked out since we know each other and have run into this problem before with errant emails. People also confuse me with Nathan Kam and I have received some email directed to him over the years.

Kathy Muneno on the runway. Click here to view the fashion show.



Other items up for grabs that day included ballet classes with Queen Emma Ballet, branding and social networking workshops with Stephanie Chang Design Ink, rejuvenating bodywork with The Pain Relief Center and Yumi Fuji, restaurant meals, Vegas and neighbor island getaways, and much more.

Proceeds from the day will help fund JLH community projects, including "My Story," aimed at empowering adolescent girls; "Kids in the Kitchen," raising nutrition awareness; "Wahine Forum" leadership conference; and "Impact Honolulu," a series of short-term projects responding to immediate community crises and needs.

Michelle Stofle, right, designed her outfit for the event and says she has plans to launch a line. She's with Melissa Ambler.

From left are Sandy Fong, Sara Grimes and Charlene Lo Chan. Kerry outbid me on a vintage Shanghai Tang purse.

Susan Todani, of Kamehameha Schools, with Colleen Wong, who was bidding on the Tiffany tote bag in the foreground.

Midweek Style Editor Yu Shing Ting with Jennifer Dotson.

Kerry Lum with her daughter Sydney, dressed in Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.

I was seated next to Jill Eckart for lunch and had to photograph her food after I dug in too fast. The entree of roast shortribs with tomato Romesco and polenta was heavier than most of these lunches, but everyone at my table finished it.

Smooth, creamy and light mocha cheesecake was the dessert.

After the party's over, guests at my table, including Groupon Honolulu's Ryan Chang, took time to Tweet and Facebook all about it. Noreen Kam, at right, received notification that she had won something, which was a surprise to her since I was the N. Kam that bid on a green Anteprima Stella wirebag!