N AT I O N A L
HAWAII/PACIFIC ISLANDS REGIONAL ASSEMBLAGE
FROM
By Judith Kellogg, Hawaii/Pacific Islands Chargée de Presse Provinciale
(Above)
Children’s hula halau.
1 Hawaii Island Bailli Hon. Adi Kohler and Bailli
Provincial Hon. Robert Lee. 2 Kauai/Oahu Bailli Mark
Monoscalco, Chargée de Presse Provinciale Hon. Julie
Honda and Bailli Provincial Hon. Fred Honda.
3 Chargée de Presse Provinciale Hon. Julie Honda
and Chargée de Presse Provinciale Judith Kellogg.
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Gunfights TO Goddesses
GASTRONOME
FROM A WILD WEST GUNFIGHT TO A BLACK-TIE GALA OVERSEEN
by Hawaiian goddesses, we had it all during the Hawaii/Pacific Islands
Regional Assemblage from September 21 to 23. With mist-draped Mauna
Loa in the background and the striking Kohala coast of Hawaii Island in
the foreground, the Hilton Waikoloa Village provided a magical setting
for this event. The weekend was superbly orchestrated by Hawaii Island
officers Bailli Wilhelm Pirngruber and Vice Chargé de Presse Michael
Blaksteen, supported by event chair Bailli Provincial Honoraire Fred Honda.
Hawaii Island Bailli Honoraire Dieter Seeger, director general of the Hilton
Waikoloa Village, also deserves our special thanks.
We were honored to share this glorious gathering with Bailli Délégué
National Joe Caruso, Cape Canaveral Space Coast Officier/Dame de la Chaîne
Joan Caruso, Bailli Délégué National Honoraire Burt Hobson, Bergen County
Officier Maxine Hobson, Chargée de Presse Nationale Sandi Miller, and South
Central Chambellan Provincial John Miller.
One enters the Hilton Waikoloa Village through a magnificent grand foyer.
As a lively parrot chatters in the background, one can gaze beyond the monumental cloisonné vases to a large lagoon, sculpture-filled gardens, dolphin pools, and
swimming pools. One can begin to take in the vast expanse of this impressive
property by riding in one of the water taxis that meander along the beautifully
landscaped canals.
One can also take a leisurely stroll down the long corridors featuring
museum-quality art from the Asia/Pacific region. Some early Chaîne arrivals
toured Volcanoes National Park or joined an off-road mountain adventure group,
but the official celebration kicked off with a seaside paniolo night.
The smell of the open campfire lured Chaîne cowfolk to the “Waikoloa
Corral,” where they donned western hats, bandanas, and sheriff’s badges to get
them in the mood. The chuck wagon gang was busy cooking up the grub, and the
fully stocked saloon was soon swamped. On tables ablaze with sunflowers,
“Wanted” posters alerted us to watch out for that ol’ varmint, Joe Caruso. We
greeted old friends and made new ones while enjoying a stunning sunset over the
Pacific. But doggone it if some ornery baillis didn’t stir things up.
Since their chapters share much of the same territory, Honolulu Bailli Garrett
Saikley and Kauai/Oahu Bailli Mark Monoscalco exchanged some fightin’ words
about member rustling. In the ensuing shootout, Bailli Monoscalco bit the dust,
his last words ringing out: “If only I coulda seen the Boston Chapitre!” Western
justice again prevailed as Maui Bailli Honoraire Mitch Kysar snagged and handcuffed the fugitive Joe Caruso, who just hadn’t been able to resist another great
party.
Outlaw Caruso barely escaped the noose as he was traded to the highest bidder in an auction supporting the local Jeunes Commis competition. He owes his
life to San Francisco Peninsula Bailli Martha Melton for her generous thousanddollar bid. Tributes were then paid to Hawaii Island Bailli Honoraire Adi Kohler
for his twenty-five years of service as bailli and to new Conseil d’Honneur mem-
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4 Three dancers.
5 Bergen County Officier Maxine
Hobson and Bailli Délégué National Hon. Burt
Hobson. 6 Chevalier Sid Lee, Kauai/Oahu Vice
Conseiller Gastronomique Diana Nicholson, Dame Susan Lee, Emily Nicholson, Kauai/Oahu Vice
Conseiller Gastronomique Mirella Monoscalco and Kauai/Oahu Bailli Hon. Bruce Liebert. 7 Chargée
de Presse Nationale Sandi Miller and Cape Canaveral Space Coast Officier/Dame Joan Caruso.
8 Hawaii Island Bailli Wilhelm Pirngruber, Bailli Délégué National Joe Caruso and Kauai/Oahu Vice
Chargée de Presse Christel Yount.
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ber Far West Chargée de Presse Provinciale Honoraire Marie Addario.
Chow time commenced with rattlesnake corn chowder, accompanied by
King Estate Pinot Gris Oregon 2006. This was followed by Kamuela garden
“weeds,” Nopales cactus salad, mixed bean salad, and grilled vegetables, paired
with Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay Russian River Ranches Sonoma Coast 2004. As
Etude Pinot Noir Carneros 2005 was poured, we headed to the chuck wagon to
load up on steak, herb-marinated chicken, catfish, and venison stew along with
truffled apple wedges, corn on the cob, and garden vegetables. For dessert, fruit
pie à la mode was enhanced by Kona Kea Reserve Riesling from Hawaii. To top off
the night, the coals of the still-burning campfire were perfect for roasting marshmallows to make s’mores.
After that mighty fine evening, most confrères slept in, headed for the spa, or
indulged in other resort delights. However, regional and national officers assembled early for a productive business meeting, chaired by Bailli Provincial
Honoraire Honda. The review of the year’s activities attested to the vitality of our
region. Although we were up to date on national news as our region had an excellent showing at the Chicago Chapitre, Bailli Délégué National Caruso and
Chargée de Presse Nationale Miller provided additional invaluable insights. We
thanked outgoing Bailli Provincial Honoraire Robert Lee for his many years of
tireless service, and we are confident that Bailli Provincial Laurence Vogel will
continue to lead us admirably. Next year’s assemblage will be hosted by the
Honolulu Chapter.
From a down-home Friday evening, we moved to a downright elegant
Saturday gala. At the outdoor reception, Chaîne banners displayed on a bridge
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Ginger
crème brûlée.
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GASTRONOME
across the lagoon proudly
announced our presence.
We sipped Veuve Clicquot
and sampled caviar served
from a table made from a
gigantic ice sculpture. We were
charmed by a children’s hula troop,
after which escorts dressed in traditional
Hawaiian garb led us to dinner.
The Water’s Edge Ballroom was dazzling.
Red, black, and white draperies cascaded
from the Hawaiian goddesses looming before
us: Pele, goddess of fire; Poli’ahu, goddess of
snow; and Hina, goddess of the moon.
Dancers stood on the tables like graceful statues, coming alive after we were seated.
Rhythmic Hawaiian chanting began, and as
dinner progressed, these dramatically costumed dancers moved to the stage. There,
they evoked Hawaii’s mythic and legendary
history.
It was a Hawaiian feast for all the senses.
The menu showcased many local delicacies,
beginning with a Big Island trio of poke,
opihi, and ahi, matched with St. Supéry
Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2006. Arriving
next was vichyssoise of sweet sea urchin with
Waimea pipinola sprouts, complemented by
Grgich Hills Chardonnay Napa Valley Estate
Grown 2004. We were then offered Kona
kampachi with ginger dressing and shiso chiffonade, married with a 2005 Conundrum
blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc,
Viognier, and Muscat.
After Big Island guava sorbet, we savored
prime beef filet with sautéed ali’i mushrooms
and foie gras as well as a salad of fresh
Hamakua heart of palm with cilantromacadamia pesto, oven-dried tomato, and
truffled Pecorino. Both dishes were partnered
with a luscious Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon.
The finale was ginger crème brûlée with
hibiscus hippenmasse on Hawaiian quilt,
served with Roccolo Grassi Recioto della
Valpolicella DOC Vigneto 2000.
The assemblage ended with a sumptuous
ocean-side champagne brunch on Sunday. We
all agreed that we could get used to this
Chaîne-inspired luxury, and a few lucky
members had extended their stay. However,
most of us had to return to the real world,
sustained by memories from our spectacular
weekend together. !
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