A recap of our Lei Issue 5 Release Party at Da Shop in Kaimuki.
Images by Kainoa Reponte
In celebration of our fifth issue of Lei, we held an intimate soirée at Da Shop: Books + Curiosities in Kaimuki with our Lei ʻOhana. Friends and family gathered in the warehouse back area of the bookstore where they mingled, enjoyed treats from Otto Cake and coffee from The Curb. Contributing photographer Marie Eriel Hobro shared photo prints from her photo essay about Honolulu Pride, while good friends from The Contingency sold recent merchandise right beside her. Kaimana Chock and Micah Akau made lei with those who dropped by, stringing plumeria flowers and filling the entire warehouse with its fragrant scent. Izik and Lina were also in attendance and graced the crowd with a live performance of their song “Wildflower”, featured in their article from this issue. Behind them danced gold strands of streamers that were sent all the way from Confetti System in New York City to be a part of the celebration.
A big mahalo goes out to Da Shop for sharing there space with us and to all of the contributors who helped to make the event and this issue. We hope that you get to enjoy the incredible artists, musicians, and creatives from Hawai’i that are featured in this issue. It was also such a treat to see familiar faces and those who have been supporting Lei from the beginning, in addition to the new friends as our Lei ʻOhana continues to grow.
