J Salon celebrates move to Ward Plaza

Nadine Kam photos
Aubrey Hawk with J Salon co-owners Joe Randazzo, center, and Gary Casupang, at the opening of the salon's new location at Ward Plaza, 210 Ward Ave., which also houses Bank of Hawaii.

J Salon co-owners Joe Randazzo and Gary Casupang celebrated the relocation of the salon from the IBM Building to Ward Plaza with a grand opening party April 21.

At 3,800 square feet, the gleaming new space is 60 percent larger than the previous space, which is being used as an information center for the Howard Hughes Corp.'s Kakaako redevelopment project.

In addition to a color bar—which that night was transformed into a cocktail bar—the salon now has a spacious patio where clients can sit and relax before or after appointments, or while waiting for hair to dry.

It speaks volumes that clients have followed J Salon through moves from Chinatown, where the salon opened on Nuuanu Avenue in 2003, to the IBM Building in 2008, and now, to Ward Plaza. That's every five years. You have to wonder where the next leap might be in in 2018 ...

One of Joe's sisters, Martha Randazzo Rioux, in town for the event, left, and Joanne Roa.

From left, Dennis Guillermo, Anjie Jacobs and Jeffrey Gaspar.

Son Caribe performed on the outside deck while guests danced to the band's Latin rhythms.

Guests posed for pictures.

Top row, from left, Queny Rios, Michiko Shimizu and Jovan Artiko. Seated from left, Joshua Manion, Dylan Linkner and Keli'i Bukoski.

Dylan Linkner and Ashley Kirk.

Adam Borchardt and Carmen Cruz.

Joe samples one of the cocktails.