The Japanese Women’s Society Foundation presented its Second Women’s Leadership Summit and 36th Fashion Show on March 27 and 28 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. “Health, Beauty & Well-Being” was the theme of the March 27 summit. First lady Dawn Amano-Ige was the keynote speaker. She shared her experiences as a wife, mother, educator and businesswoman.
Other speakers included endocrinologist Dr. Laurie Tom; fashion designer and hairstylist Kensei Takeda; Sulwhasoo Cosmetic representatives, who shared information on skincare basics; and Dr. Irene Arakaki of Reneux Med Spa.
A lunch-time panel titled “Food, Diet and Health” included participants Dean Okimoto (Nalo Farms), Paul Uyehara (Aloha Tofu) and Melanie Kosaka (First Daughter Mediaworks, Inc. and Cookspace Hawaii), who discussed overall well-being and trending health issues and concerns.
The JWSF summit weekend continued on Saturday, the 28th, with JWSF’s 36th Fashion Show. “East Meets West Fashion” was the theme of the show. Representing the “East” were designers from Incheon and Seoul, South Korea.
The “West” designer was Hawai‘i-based ‘Iolani Sportswear, which was started in 1953 by Keiji and Edith Kawakami, both of whom have since passed on. The company is now led by their son Lloyd Kawakami and his family. Another highlight of the fashion show was the informal modeling by CAbi (Carol Anderson by invitation), a direct sales clothing company, during lunch.
