Pretty in pink on Girls Day

Nadine Kam photos
Guests at the Kahala Hotel Veranda's Girls Day Tea showed up in their Sunday best.

By Nadine Kam

It was all about the young and fashionable set when the Kahala Hotel's Veranda hosted a Girls Day Tea and informal fashion show featuring designs from its keiki boutique L'ill Nell's, styled by Cora Spearman, creator of Coradorables. True to her diva style, she delivered a picture-perfect finale, with all the girl models dressed in hot pink wigs and frothy tutus that had some of them twirling like prima ballerina.

Little girls in the crowd came dressed to impress, causing one adult to remark, "I feel so shame, kids today dress better than I do."

Guests were greeted by a buffet of tea sandwiches and sweets, lots of sweets, so much so that the children in the audience were bouncing off the walls, and it took a while to corral some of them for a group photo. In between shots they were running around, dancing, and yes, fighting when one of the girls popped in front of the others for a diva-like turn front and center, was called out and duly outcast, before the swirling began again seconds later.

Ah, Girl World. So glad I was never part of it, choosing instead to observe from a safe distance while doing my own thing.

Boys were given equal opportunity in the show, showing up in crisp aloha shirts by Coradorables and grownup-quality knits from Masala Baby.

The event also marked the launch of HI Tea Shop's Keiki Haute Tea for Coradorables, a fruity caffeine-free blend of lilikoi, mango, orange and marigold in green Rooibos.

For those of us merely enjoying the show and setting, it was a pleasant and relaxing way to spend an afternoon. I do enjoy being a girl!

Event coordinator and Coradorables creator Cora Spearman with her family, hubby Chris Chang and daughter Izzabelle.

Raspberry truffle pops were among the sweet treats awaiting kids of all ages.

There was also pink mochi to mark Girls Day.

A very pink finale with wigs and candy colored crinoline pettiskirts.

Kiyomi liked her Coradorables dress so much, she danced her way around the Veranda.

Dozens of Coradorables dresses and separates are available at the Kahala's L'ill Nell's boutique, which opened last fall to make it convenient for vacationing parents to shop for resort apparel for their kids.

Two more Hawaii-style looks from Coradorables.

More styles reflecting Cora's vision.

Kiyomi in a Juicy Couture swimsuit, with mom Tracie Asayama.

This Juicy Couture swimsuit was so adorable, but the model was actually having a meltdown. Which I don't really understand. When you're a kid, life is all fun, new and carefree. I never had meltdowns or threw tantrums until I became an adult.

Courtesy photo
Brandon Maxwell in a Masala Baby ensemble.

Watching the show was Chloe with mom Thea Schwartz Johnson. Chloe is in her own Twills and Twigs jumpsuit with leopard flats. Mom is in Trina Turk.

L'ill Nell's puts wee ones on path to style

Nadine Kam photos
Joe Bock gravitated to one of Nemo's pals at L'ill Nell's: Clothes for the Curious Kid, which just opened at The Kahala Hotel & Resort. Read on to find out how to win a $100 gift certificate to the kidwear boutique.

If you've got little ones at home, you might want to check out L’il Nell’s: Clothes for the Curious Kid, an upscale children’s boutique that opened earlier this month at The Kahala Hotel & Resort.

During a tour of the store Dec. 19, the Kahala's general manager Roseann Grippo said they noticed vacationers were leaving the premises to shop for beachwear, resort attire and fashionable play togs. After all, why should adults have all the fun in dressing up in breezy, casual local style?

With that in mind, L’il Nell’s was created, managed by Melissa Rocha, who also manages The Kahala Boutique. With resort buyer Barbara Cipro, they've stocked the store with apparel by a mix of local and national brands, swimwear, pool and bathtub toys, mermaide dolls and other toys, plus age-appropriate and beach-inspired jewelry.

Aloha shirts in miniature from Coradorables.

One of the mainstay brands is local kidswear designer Cora Spearman's Coradorables. Other brands include Juicy Couture Baby, Jannuzzi, Kissy Kissy, Neptune Zoo, Makena Surfwear, Hula Star, Island Heritage, Hurley, Diesel, and Roxy.

L’il Nell’s is open daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., just off the grand main lobby and front desk area, across from The Kahala’s famous Celebrity Wall. For more information, call (808) 739-8709.

To win a weekend stay in a Kahala family suite and a $100 gift certificate at Li’l Nell’s, join The Kahala’s Facebook page at at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahala-Hotel-Resort/24225416915 and submit a photo and brief description of your greatest Kahala family memory for the resort's "Oh What Fun Favorite Family Photo Moments" contest. If you're too bashful to sign up for Facebook, you also have the option of emailing your entry to marketing@kahalaresort.com. The entry deadline is 5 p.m. Jan. 7, 2013.

Photos of the finalists will be posted for all The Kahala’s Facebook fans to vote for their favorite from Jan. 7 through Jan. 20, 2013. (Voters must “Like” The Kahala Hotel & Resort Facebook page prior to voting.)

The winner will receive a complimentary two-night stay in a family suite (partial ocean view) with breakfast for four at The Kahala Hotel & Resort (subject to availability and black out dates), and a $100 gift certificate for a shopping spree at the newly opened Li’l Nell’s: Clothes for the Curious Kid. The winner will be announced on Jan. 21, 2013 on The Kahala’s Facebook page.

If you don't have photos to back your Kahala memories, there's still time to snap away. For instance, while still in holiday mode and welcoming family and friends from out of town, you might want to get together over afternoon tea at The Veranda. Check out the tea service here.

The store entry, complete with mini shopping carts for the kids.

 I wanted one of these hand-embellished, vintage fabric T-shirts for myself. Alas, these are in keiki sizes only.

A penguin backpack.

The Kahala rashguard for little girls, bracketed by resort tunics and tops.

These mermaid dolls are $16 each.

A little play area keeps keiki occupied while parents shop.

There's still time to visit a lobby tree, dressed in candy colors for little ones.

Coradorables live on Zulily

A pink-and-green version of Coradorables kimono dress for toddlers and girls, is $44.99 at Zulily.com.

Local kidswear designer Cora Spearman's Coradorables line is now available on www.zulily.com today through Friday.

Zulily offers daily deals for moms, infants and kids, with prices up to 70 percent off boutique brands encompassing unique apparel, baby gear, toys, accessories, and more. The sales are temporary, but reach more than 5 million people in 90 countries.

Among Cora's adorable creations are kimono tops, jumpsuits and ribbon dresses that often have moms requesting adult versions.

You'll have to join to shop, at http://www.zulily.com/invite/cspearman428

Coradorables Oahu tunic for toddlers and girls, originally $70, now $25.99 at Zulily.com.

Coradorables black and hot pink flower crochet beanie for infants, toddlers and girls, $10.99 at Zulily.

And let's not forget the boys, a sea life button-up shirt for $27.99.