Shidler Alumni Association hosts Executive Vineyards in-person

This year's check presentation of $38,000
This year's check presentation of $38,000. Photo courtesy of TokiFoto.

First large scale in-person alumni event in two years raises $38,000
By Dani Douglass

The excitement permeated through the halls of The Royal Hawaiian hotel as guests checked in to the Shidler Alumni Association’s Executive Vineyards event. The gala marked the first in-person alumni event since March 2020. The laughter could be heard throughout the hotel’s lawn and the picturesque backdrop of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head glowed as the sun set into the horizon. Old friends caught up and new connections were made as the crowd enjoyed each other’s company while sipping on premier wines and spirits from around the world and dining on tasty dishes from some of Honolulu’s hottest restaurants.­­­­

“It was so wonderful to see everyone back in person and having a good time while raising critical funds for Shidler and its students and alumni,” Shidler Dean Vance Roley said. “This event involves many hands, and we are appreciative to the Shidler Alumni Association, our sponsors and all our college supporters. It’s truly remarkable to see the community coming together and showing its support.”

Guest enjoying Executive Vineyards

Guests enjoying this year's Executive Vineyards event. Photo courtesy of TokiFoto.

More than 350 attendees were a part of this year’s celebration. Executive Vineyards is the Shidler Alumni Association’s signature event and its largest fundraiser. Funds raised from sponsorships and the event’s silent auction will go toward supporting the college, including its student programming and alumni outreach. The event was emceed by Kelly Simek and featured a check presentation by Shidler Alumni Association board members to Roley on behalf of Shidler College. 

“For the past twenty-two years, and starting from very humble beginnings, this has been our premier event for alumni and friends to gather, while supporting the Shidler College,” Lance Higa, president of the Shidler Alumni Association, said. “We are grateful for the enormous support it receives each year and were beyond delighted to see everyone in attendance.”

 Executive Vineyards 2022 platinum sponsors were EMBA 12, Infinium Interiors, Mahi Pono, and Par Hawaii; gold sponsors were Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Deloitte, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawai‘i Pacific Health, Hawaii State Federal Credit Union, Hawaiian Airlines, HMSA, Pacific Pipe, Property Investment Partners, ProTeam Hawaii, PURE Insurance, Servco and Times Coffee Shop; the virtual gold neighbor island sponsor was Carlsmith Ball LLP; and silver sponsors were Alexander & Baldwin, Aloha Poi Factory, American Savings Bank, Automated HealthCare Solutions, Cades Schutte, Century 21 Island Homes, Pacific Edge Magazine, InConceivable, Kaimuki Youth Development Organization, Kumabe HR, Northwestern Mutual, Nubratori RX, Ohana Pacific Health, Ross K. Shimokawa - Ameriprise Financial and Takitani Agaran Jorgensen & Wildman, LLLP.

Guest enjoying Executive Vineyards

This year's crowd included more than 350 attendees. Photo courtesy of TokiFoto.

Restaurant partners at this year’s event were Asato Family Shop, Azure Restaurant, Basalt, Beachhouse at the Moana, Dean & Deluca, Hy’s Steakhouse, MW Restaurant and Roy’s. The wines and spirits were graciously provided by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and Beverage Marketing & More. Rising Tide served as the event partner and Edward Enterprises as its print sponsor. Kelly Simek of KHON2 emceed the event once again.

This year’s silent auction and lucky draw brought in just over $6,000 from a wide variety of items including hotel stays, restaurant gift cards and artisan food items, family activities and stylish jewelry. The Miss Chinatown queen and her court volunteered to sell Lucky Draw tickets to guests, which included a two-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach and two round trip tickets to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies. Nearly $5,000 was raised from the Lucky Draw ticket sales.

The Shidler Alumni Association looks forward to planning and executing the next Executive Vineyards in March 2023 at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel. For more information, or to learn how your organization can get involved, please contact Bianca Mordasini, senior director of alumni & external relations at bianca.mordasini@uhfoundation.org or 808-956-3263.

Event photo album.