• 30 Mar 2024
    • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Kapiolani Park
    Register


    Let's celebrate an early Easter (Pasqua)--eating, playing, and relaxing at Kapiolani Park. Bring yummy food or drinks to share. Also bring along bocce set, ball, blanket or chair, and your instruments to jam together if you'd like. We'll have an Italian table for friends who would like to speak Italian for a little while. Come and meet some of our new members as well as our long-time friends!

    Location: Kapiolani Park. Registered guests will receive an email with exact location and directions. 

    Required: RSVP by March 25. 

    Note: The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii is not responsible for any liability, cost, and damages which could arise from the programs; and does not provide any refunds, except if it cannot deliver the program, for instance in the case of insufficient enrollment.

    Questions: Please contact info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.

    • 4 Apr 2024
    • 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • Honolulu
    Register


    Join our Caffe' Letterario for a discussion of another Italian favorite: Tiziano Terzani's memoirs, "A Fortune-Teller Told Me: Earthbound Travels in the Far East."

    “An utterly charming and engaging travel book that offers vivid portraits of unusual corners of Asia, told by a skilled raconteur whose eyes were open wide.” — Los Angeles Times Book Review

    Warned by a Hong Kong fortune-teller not to risk flying for an entire year, Tiziano Terzani—a vastly experienced Asia correspondent—took what he called “the first step into an unknown world. . . . It turned out to be one of the most extraordinary years I have ever spent: I was marked for death, and instead I was reborn.”

    Traveling by foot, boat, bus, car, and train, he visited Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. Geography expanded under his feet. He consulted soothsayers, sorcerers, and shamans and received much advice—some wise, some otherwise—about his future. With time to think, he learned to understand, respect, and fear for older ways of life and beliefs now threatened by the crasser forms of Western modernity. He rediscovered a place he had been reporting on for decades. And reinvigorated himself in the process.

    Author: Born in Florence, Tiziano Terzani studied law at the prestigious Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa. After graduating, he worked for Olivetti and a business trip to Japan changed his life. He moved to New York to study at Columbia University at the School of International and Public Affairs, with a specialization on Chinese language and culture. He later became a prominent journalist and writer who covered Asia for Italian and German newspapers between the 1970s and the early 2000s.

    Location: In person in Honolulu. R
    egistered guests will receive an email with address prior to the event. You must have read the book to participate, grazie :-).

    RSVP: A week prior to program.

    Note: The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii is not responsible for any liability, cost, and damages which could arise from the programs; and does not provide any refunds, except if it cannot deliver the program, for instance in the case of insufficient enrollment.

    Questions: Email us at info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.

    • 11 Apr 2024
    • 4:30 PM
    • 30 May 2024
    • 7:30 PM
    • First Unitarian Church of Honolulu 2500 Pali Highway, Honolulu
    • 27
    Register

    Join our membership so you can attend our language courses! All Italy lovers are welcome!

    This Spring Course is "Conversazione con Libro di Ricette" (conversation with a cookbook). Sharpen your conversation skills and your reading comprehension with readings from a cookbook, restaurant menu, and activities. Each recipe will inspire a lively discussion, bring up new vocabulary words, and touch on grammatical issues. Each week prior to class, you will review assigned sections and exercises from the textbook Prego!, and prepare some talking points on a selected Italian recipe. We will use the class time to clarify questions, do a couple of exercises and especially read and speak together using the recipe and cultural contents.

    INSTRUCTOR, Level 1 & 2: Iolanda Marinelli grew up in Italy where she received her Laurea Magistrale (M.A.) in Foreign Languages and Literatures from the University of Naples “L’Orientale”, and a Teaching Certification in English Secondary Education from Italy Department of Education. In 2006 she made Hawai’i her home. Here she began to teach Italian at Saint Anthony School in 2016, and in 2017 she completed her Hawai'i Certification as Substitute Teacher K-12. She continued to teach Italian and Spanish for the After School Malama Program at Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School, and Spanish at Kailua Elementary School. Iolanda also served three terms on the Board of Directors of the Hawai’i Association of Language Teachers as Italian Representative. In 2023 she left the Hawai'i Department of Education and started a new job in Contracts with the Naval Base, Pacific Command. She brings her experience working with children and adds fun to the Italian classes.

    INSTRUCTOR, Level 3: Daniela Rocco Minerbi pursued classic studies at the Liceo Classico Berchet, earned a Fifth Year Piano Diploma at the Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi, and obtained her Doctoral Degree in Architecture at the Polytechnical University in Milano. She taught Italian language and culture at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa (UHM) and Kapiolani Community College outreach programs. At UHM, she also taught Painting in Italian and co-taught in Psychology, Architecture, and Peace studies. Daniela has organized peace seminars and is the co-author of the book “Macrohistory and Macrohistorians: Perspectives on Individual, Social, and Civilizational Change” (Galtung et al., 1997). As an artist, she has won prizes and awards, has had art exhibitions, and has been curator of several art shows in both Italy and Hawaii. She loves to perform piano four hands and two pianos. Daniela provides consulting services in Architectural Design.

    LEVELS: Sign up for the class that you think fits you best. On the first day of class, you can try other levels and change class if you wish. In addition to your level, you can also audit other levels throughout the whole course (listening only, no talking :-).

    • Beginner Level 1 (6-7:30pm): For students who have no or minimal grasp of the Italian language—we’ll cover up to chapter 3 of the book Prego (half chapter per week).
    • Intermediate Level 2 (4:30-6pm): For students who have mastered all grammar and vocabulary of Level 1—we’ll cover chapters 4-9 of the book Prego (a chapter per week).
    • Advanced Level 3 (6-7:30pm): For students who have mastered all grammar and vocabulary of Level 2—we’ll cover from chapter 10 to the end of the book Prego (a chapter per week) but mainly focus on conversation.

    DATES: Every Thursday, April 11- May 30 (8 weeks). Pizza party optional on Tuesday June 4 at Brick Fire Tavern.

    BOOK: "Prego!" 6th Edition, available online for $5 and up (make sure to buy the used version, stay away from the expensive new copies). Other editions are fine to use as well, but you may have a hard time finding correspondent pages.

    PARKING: 
    First Unitarian Church of Honolulu, 2500 Pali Highway, Honolulu. Abundant free parking on site. 

    NOTE: *All students must be members, no guests are allowed, not even for Dual members.* The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii is not responsible for any liability, cost, and damages which could arise from the programs; and does not provide any refunds, credits, swaps, except if it cannot deliver the program, for instance in the case of insufficient enrollment.

    QUESTIONS: Please contact info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.

    • 27 Apr 2024
    • 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    • Private residence (Honolulu)
    • 16
    Register


    Become a member so you can attend this event aa discounted rate! All Italy lovers are welcome!

    Join Iolanda Marinelli for a demonstration on limoncello making, followed by limoncello tasting and Italian lemon delicacies.

    Limoncello is a popular liqueur made with the peel of citrus fruits from the Campania region, traditionally lemons from the Amalfi Coast: Sfusato Amalfitano or Ovale di Sorrento. The history of limoncello is steeped in many legends and its invention is disputed by Sorrento, Amalfi, and Capri. The entrepreneur Massimo Canale was the first to register the "Limoncello" trademark in 1988 in Capri, claiming that the liqueur originated from his grandmother's recipe. Initially a homemade preparation, limoncello has gained great popularity and today is commercially produced on a large scale. So much so that it has become a traditional festive gift for Christmas and Easter, perhaps accompanied by colorful Easter cookies. The recipe for limoncello is simple, but it must be followed closely, and in just over a couple of months this fragrant yellow liqueur with a strong flavor can be enjoyed, most often as a digestive drink, but also to flavor desserts or fruit salads.

    Bring: A dish to share for our potluck and wine if you drink.

    Address: Event will take place aa private home in Honolulu. Registered guests will receive an email with address and directions prior to the event.

    Parking: Abundant free parking in the vicinity.

    Members: Login in order to receive discounted pricing (directions for Logging In).

    Note: The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii is not responsible for any liability, cost, and damages which could arise from the programs; and does not provide any refunds, credits, ticket swap except if it cannot deliver the program, for instance in the case of insufficient enrollment.

    Questions: Email us at info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.

    • 23 Aug 2024
    • 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Liljestrand House, 3300 Tantalus Dr, Honolulu, HI 96822
    • 16

    Become a member so you can attend this event at a discounted rate! All Italy lovers are welcome! 

    We are thrilled to extend an exclusive invitation to join us for a truly unforgettable experience—a sunset picnic at the iconic Liljestrand House on Tantalus. As avid admirers of architecture and aficionados of fine dining, we welcome you to experience the timeless beauty of this Ossipoff architectural masterpiece.

    We will embark on a captivating journey through history with an hour guided tour of the Liljestrand House, a cherished gem listed on both the Hawaii State and United States National Registers of Historic Places. Following the tour, we invite you to indulge in a delectable "aperitivo" paired with exquisite Italian wines, all while relishing the panoramic sunset vistas that only Tantalus and the Liljestrand House can offer.

    Join us as we celebrate culture, history, and the beauty of Hawaii in the company of cherished friends and fellow admirers of architecture and fine Italian cuisine. We eagerly anticipate your presence at this memorable event.

    Dress code: Elegant cocktail attire to honor the beautiful art site.

    Parking:
     On sight.

    Important tour information

    • Detailed driving and parking information will be emailed to attendees the day prior to the event.
    • Smoking and vaping are not permitted on Liljestrand Foundation property. 
    • Photography is permitted at Liljestrand House for private noncommercial use only. Permission to publish, reproduce, exhibit or distribute images must be obtained by separate agreement.
    • Because of the fragile nature of the wood floors, we ask guests to remove their shoes.
    • Pets, backpacks, large bags, tripods, extension poles and selfie-sticks are not permitted.
    • For the safety and comfort of all guests, children younger than ten years old are not permitted on tours.
    • The house is not air-conditioned and can sometimes be quite hot during summer and fall months. Guests are welcome to bring water provided it is in a securely lidded container.

    Members: Login in order to receive discounted pricing (directions for Logging In).

    Note: The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii is not responsible for any liability, cost, and damages which could arise from the programs; and does not provide any refunds, credit, ticket swaps--except if it cannot deliver the program, for instance in the case of insufficient enrollment.

    Questions: Email us at info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.

    • 5 Dec 2024
    • 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • Honolulu
    Register


    Join our Caffe' Letterario for a discussion of award winning Dacia Maraini's latest novel “Chiara di Assisi: Elogio della disobbedienza” (In Praise of Disobedience: Clare of Assisi). You can read the Italian original edition or the English translation by Jane Tylus.

    Novel: An author receives a mysterious e-mail begging her to tell the story of Clare of Assisi, the thirteenth-century Italian saint. At first annoyed by the request, the author begins to research Saint Clare and becomes captivated by her life. We too are transported into the strange and beautiful world of medieval Italy, witnessing the daily rituals of convent life. At the center of that life is Saint Clare, a subversive and compelling figure full of contradictions: a physically disabled woman who travels widely in her imagination, someone unforgivingly harsh to herself yet infinitely generous to the women she supervises, a practitioner of self-abnegation who nevertheless knows her own worth. A visionary who liberated herself from the chains of materialism and patriarchy, Saint Clare here becomes an inspirational figure for a new generation of readers. 

    Author: Dacia Maraini is one of Italy’s most prominent contemporary authors. Her books have been translated into twenty-two languages and she has won the most prestigious Italian literature awards: the Formentor Prize for L'età del malessere (1963); the Premio Fregene for Isolina (1985); the Premio Campiello and Book of the Year Award for La lunga vita di Marianna Ucrìa (1990); and the Premio Strega for Buio (1999). In 2013, the documentary I Was Born Travelling about her life portrayed the story of her imprisonment in a concentration camp in Japan, to the legendary journeys around the world with her partner Alberto Moravia, her close friends Pier Paolo Pasolini and opera singer Maria Callas.

    Location: In person in Honolulu. Registered guests will receive an email with address prior to the event. You must have read the book to participate, grazie :-).

    RSVP: A week prior to program.

    Note: The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii is not responsible for any liability, cost, and damages which could arise from the programs; and does not provide any refunds, except if it cannot deliver the program, for instance in the case of insufficient enrollment.

    Questions: Email us at info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.

Past events

14 Mar 2024 Lecture: Beauty beyond fear (free and open to all)
13 Feb 2024 Mardi Gras & Carnevale
1 Feb 2024 Dance class: Pizzica from Puglia
27 Jan 2024 Cooking class: Pasta a mano (Hand-made pasta)
13 Jan 2024 HoMA courtyards & aperitivo 1/13 (Members Only)
9 Jan 2024 Language class: Learning Italian through our dream travel destinations (Winter 2024, Members only)
6 Jan 2024 HoMA courtyards & aperitivo (Members Only)
10 Dec 2023 Planning Travel to Sicily - (Zoom Event)
9 Dec 2023 Cin Cin: Brindisi di Natale (Christmas Toast) at The Kahala Hotel & Resort
5 Dec 2023 Caffe' letterario: The Eight Mountains (free and open to all)
18 Nov 2023 Arte & Vino | Paint & Sip
12 Nov 2023 Planning Travel to Venice - (Zoom Event)
2 Nov 2023 Lecture: Dynamics of Hawaiian and Strombolian eruptions (free and open to all)
21 Oct 2023 HoMA tour & aperitivo (Members Only)
17 Oct 2023 Try It Out Language Class (Free and open to all)
14 Oct 2023 HoMA tour & aperitivo (Members Only)
12 Sep 2023 Language class: Learning Italian through documentaries (Fall 2023, Members only)
7 Sep 2023 Lecture: Search for habitable worlds--How molecules transform into planets (free and open to all)
27 Aug 2023 Ferragosto
20 Aug 2023 Planning Travel to Cinque Terre - (Zoom Event)
15 Jun 2023 Language class: Italian for adults but through children's books! Ageless fun! (Members only*)
17 May 2023 Planning Travel to Rome and Piemonte - (Zoom Events)
8 May 2023 Annual Meeting at Mezzo Bistro and Bar (Members only)
4 May 2023 Caffe' letterario: Artemisia (free for all)
18 Apr 2023 Language class: Learning Italian chapter by chapter (Members only)
8 Apr 2023 Picnic al parco: Bocce, calcio, potluck at the park
4 Mar 2023 Hawaii’s 100th Battalion: Italy Campaign WWII
24 Feb 2023 I canti della sera: An evening of Italian art song
16 Feb 2023 Caffe' letterario: I’m staying here (resto qui) by Marco Balzano (Free for all)
8 Feb 2023 Planning Travel to Italy - (Zoom Events)
14 Jan 2023 Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA) Guided Tour (Members Only)
10 Jan 2023 Language class: Learning Italian through book-to-movie adaptations (Winter 2023, Members only)
16 Dec 2022 La cena di Natale
16 Nov 2022 Week of Italian Cuisine in the World: French vs. Italy Wine Tasting, a joint event by the Alliance Française of Hawaii and the Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii
20 Oct 2022 Week of Italian Language in the World, October: Italian Language Night: A Taste of Italian (presentation) OPEN TO ALL
18 Oct 2022 Try It Out Language Class (FREE FOR ALL)
30 Sep 2022 Wine Bottling Event: Bottle Your Own Italian Wine at Oeno Winery in Kailua
20 Sep 2022 Language class: Learning Italian through films and movie soundtracks (Fall 2022, Members only)
28 Aug 2022 Special Event: Celebrating Traditional Recipes with Nonna Live at Da Shop
27 Aug 2022 DINNER ON MAUI: Italian Midsummer Night with Chef Rosa Mariotti of Molto Ono
20 Aug 2022 "Sgroppino" pool party
5 Jul 2022 Language class: Italian for adults but through children's books! Ageless fun! (Members only*)
26 May 2022 Money talk: Investing in Italy--Living, renting, buying property
14 May 2022 Friends of Italy Volunteer Day at Hoa ′Āina O Mākaha Farm
12 May 2022 Lecture & cello performance with Italian artist-in-residence: Altea Narici (free event, open to all)
11 May 2022 Annual meeting (Members only, online)
30 Apr 2022 30(+) Anniversary party: Finalmente festeggiamo! (Members only)
27 Apr 2022 Talk: Italian living--Become an Italian citizen, resident, or visitor for a little while (free & open to all)
12 Apr 2022 Language class: Learning Italian through conversation (Members only*)
6 Apr 2022 Caffe' letterario--The Stolen Lady: A Novel of World War II and the Mona Lisa by Laura Morelli (Free for all)
12 Mar 2022 Pasta-making and dinner: Tagliatelle al salmone
10 Mar 2022 Talk--Father to daughter, Italy to Hawaii: A conversation about family, music and dance
26 Feb 2022 Ricotta workshop and dinner: Crostini, pasta, and dessert
24 Feb 2022 Talk: Italian citizenship: I got it on my own! (Free event!)
5 Feb 2022 Cooking Class and Dinner: Nothing says "Amore" like Pasta (members only)
2 Feb 2022 Caffe' letterario: Trust (Confidenza) by Starnone (free event!)
30 Jan 2022 Cooking demonstration: Italian resolution for the new year!
27 Jan 2022 Talk: Dream House--Buying a property in Italy (free event!)
18 Jan 2022 Language class: Adults (Winter 2022, members only)
16 Jan 2022 A night in Capri: Wine tasting at Brick Fire Tavern
18 Dec 2021 Cooking class and dinner: Buon Natale! (members only)
12 Dec 2021 Picnic al parco: Bocce, calcio, potluck (postponed to 12/12)
20 Nov 2021 Gusto di Mare: Wine pairing dinner at Arancino di Mare
18 Nov 2021 Lecture: Muslims in Dante’s Divina Commedia and in Western Art (Free for all! Online)
28 Oct 2021 Lecture: The beauty, value and comfort of a city at human scale (Free for all! Online)
17 Oct 2021 Wine Tasting: A Tuscan Night, but in Kailua (Bottleheads)
11 Oct 2021 Caffe' Letterario: "Atlantis: A journey in search of beauty" by Carlo and Renzo Piano (Members only)
30 Sep 2021 Lecture: A museum in the city-museum (Free for all! Online)
28 Sep 2021 Language class: Adults (Fall 2021, members only)
26 Sep 2021 The Cuisine of Emilia-Romagna: Tasting menu with wine pairing at Quiora
13 Sep 2021 Caffe' Letterario: "The Garden of the Finzi-Continis" by Giorgio Bassani (Members only)
5 Aug 2021 Live from Italy: Virtual wine presentation with Tenuta Sant’ Antonio winery
20 May 2021 Talk: Paths to Italian citizenship (online, members only)
15 May 2021 A taste of Sicily II: Tasting menu with wine pairing
11 May 2021 Language class: Adults (Summer 2021, members only)
4 May 2021 Annual meeting (online, members only)
29 Apr 2021 Lecture: Seeing clearly: What if stars twinkle too much? (Free for all! Online)
12 Apr 2021 Caffe' Letterario: "The Baron in the Trees" by Italo Calvino (Members only)
10 Apr 2021 A taste of Sicily: Tasting menu with wine pairing
25 Mar 2021 Lecture: Italian opera (Free for all! Online)
24 Mar 2021 FOI Welcomes and Congratulates Mayor Rick Blangiardi (Members Only)*
9 Mar 2021 Language class: Adults (Spring 2021, members only)
8 Mar 2021 Caffe' Letterario: Borgo Sud by Donatella Di Pietrantonio (Free for all! Italian language only)
25 Feb 2021 Lecture: The long shadow cast by Dante (Free for all! Online)
20 Feb 2021 Wine tasting: A night in Venice (Appetito)
23 Jan 2021 Wine tasting: A night in Amalfi (Brick Fire Tavern)
18 Jan 2021 Caffe' Letterario: "A girl returned" by Donatella Di Pietrantonio (Members only)
5 Jan 2021 Language class: Adults (Winter 2021, members only)
18 Dec 2020 Wine tasting: Virtual with Dalla Terra
12 Dec 2020 Wine tasting: A night in Amalfi (Brick Fire Tavern)
10 Dec 2020 Lecture: Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520)--A humble homage on the 500th anniversary of his death (Free for all! Online)
7 Dec 2020 December Food Drive for Hoa Aina O Makaha
21 Nov 2020 Wine tasting with appetizers: Il Tappo
19 Nov 2020 Lecture: Italian opera, UNESCO heritage (Free for all! Online)
15 Nov 2020 Contribute to our 30th anniversary cookbook! (members only)
9 Nov 2020 Caffe' Letterario: The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante
3 Nov 2020 Language Class: Adults, Level 1 (online, members only)
29 Oct 2020 Lecture: Living on the Moon and Mars (Free for all! Online)
18 Oct 2020 Aperitivo: Happy Hour (online)
23 Sep 2020 Annual meeting (online, members only)
20 Sep 2020 Game Night: Italian!
8 Sep 2020 Language class: Adults (members only)
1 Aug 2020 Aperitivo
11 Jul 2020 Dinner: Chef Testa's Gourmet Mediterranean Dining Experience
27 Jun 2020 Cooking class: Pizza
7 Mar 2020 Cooking class: Pasta cuts
27 Feb 2020 Lecture: Are there mermaids in Hawaiʻi and Sicily?
22 Feb 2020 Bocce and potluck: Carnevale!
30 Jan 2020 Dance class: Tarantella
25 Jan 2020 Lecture and tour: Dante's Divina Commedia
7 Jan 2020 Language Class: Adults
14 Dec 2019 Cena di Natale: Appetito (by Chef Hiro, Executive Chef of Taormina Sicilian Cuisine)
7 Dec 2019 Cooking class: Canederli (meat balls)
9 Nov 2019 Cooking class: Tiramisu'
9 Nov 2019 Language class: Children
9 Nov 2019 Art class: Painting in Italian
24 Oct 2019 Lecture: Marine explorations
19 Oct 2019 Bocce and potluck
5 Oct 2019 Cooking class: Risotto
28 Sep 2019 Lecture and tour: Firenze and its dome
10 Sep 2019 Language Class: Adults
7 Sep 2019 Cooking class: Limoncello
29 Aug 2019 Lecture: Learn from rocks how to defeat cancer
3 Aug 2019 Cooking class: Lasagne
17 Jul 2019 Party: Maserati Yacht--Benvenuti!
6 Jul 2019 Cooking class: Ravioli
8 Jun 2019 Cooking class: Ravioli
30 May 2019 Lecture: Cinematic connections
20 May 2019 Annual meeting and dinner: Outrigger Canoe Club
1 May 2019 Film and panel: Leonardo 500
20 Apr 2019 Community service: Hoa ʻĀina O Mākaha with Gigi
20 Apr 2019 Language class: Children
11 Apr 2019 Wine tasting: Flavors of Italy and Mediterraneo
6 Apr 2019 Cooking class: Biscotti
2 Apr 2019 Language class: Adults
28 Mar 2019 Lecture: Climate change--Hurricanes in the Mediterranean and Pacific
9 Mar 2019 Community service: Hoa ʻĀina O Mākaha with Gigi
23 Feb 2019 Cooking class: Gnocchi
31 Jan 2019 Lecture: Land that connects hearts
26 Jan 2019 Cooking class: Pizza
22 Jan 2019 Language class: Adults

Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii is a 501(c)7 non-profit organization | P.O. Box 1376, Honolulu, HI 96807 | info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org

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