Join our membership so you can attend this special event! All Italy lovers are welcome!

INSTRUCTOR: Chiara Logli is originally from Bologna (Italy) and holds a Ph.D. in international/cross-cultural education from the University of Hawaii and East-West Center. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor and Institutional Assessment Specialist for the Honolulu Community College. In the past, she worked for the University of California Berkeley's International House, University of California Santa Barbara's Multicultural Center, Arts Council for Monterey County, and USAID in Indonesia. She also received the Peace Fellowship from Rotary International in Thailand and collaborated with UNICEF, UNDP, as well as International Baccalaureate Schools. She started teaching Italian language when she was 23 years old and never stopped, including for the Dante Alighieri Society in Santa Cruz and the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco. In her free time, she dances hula with Halau Kaulakahi, loves the ocean, and enjoys traveling by boat around small islands or by foot on high mountains.

LEVELS: Learn Italian language through documentaries! Every week prior to class, you will review assigned textbook sections as well as an Italian documentaries. In class, we will do some book exercises, practice conversation, and use the documentary to further apply grammar.     

• Beginner Level 1 (4:30-6pm): 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 (6-7:30pm): 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 (7:30-9pm): 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: Eight Tuesdays, September 12 to October 31, 2023 (pizza party optional on November 7)

BOOK: "Prego!" 6th Edition, available online for $5 and up (used). 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, except if it cannot deliver the program, for instance in the case of insufficient enrollment.

QUESTIONS: Please contact info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.

Join us for a private tour of the Honolulu Museum of Art by our FOISOH member and HoMa docent Nancy Miwa. Dr. Miwa will take us through selected galleries and introduce us to featured Italian masterpieces.

The tour will start at 4:30pm punctual and will continue at 5:30pm in the museum café where we will enjoy pupus and drinks (self-paid).

ABOUT: After spending several years in the nonprofit arena, Dr. Miwa returned to graduate school to study the history, theology, iconography, and literature of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. She moved to Honolulu eight years ago and immediately trained as a docent at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Her travels have taken her all over the world, but she particularly enjoys her visits “home” to Italy.

RSVP: A week prior to the program. A week prior to the program. Because of demand, this program is offered on two dates--October 14 and 21--please register for one date only because the content is the same.

COST: Registrants will pay the museum’s entrance fee directly to the museum at the time of the event: Museum members (free); age 18 years and under (free); Hawai‘i residents ($10 with ID), others ($20). 

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.

Come and celebrate the Week of Italian Language in the World with our "Try It Out Language Class." Sit in and observe a level of the language classes, and see if it's something you might want to do. Attendance is free for all, and guests must register by Monday 10/16. 

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INSTRUCTOR: Chiara Logli is originally from Bologna (Italy) and holds a Ph.D. in international/cross-cultural education from the University of Hawaii and East-West Center. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor and Institutional Assessment Specialist for the Honolulu Community College. In the past, she worked for the University of California Berkeley's International House, University of California Santa Barbara's Multicultural Center, Arts Council for Monterey County, and USAID in Indonesia. She also received the Peace Fellowship from Rotary International in Thailand and collaborated with UNICEF, UNDP, as well as International Baccalaureate Schools. She started teaching Italian language when she was 23 years old and never stopped, including for the Dante Alighieri Society in Santa Cruz and the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco. In her free time, she dances hula with Halau Kaulakahi, loves the ocean, and enjoys traveling by boat around small islands or by foot on high mountains.

LEVELS: Learn Italian language through documentaries! Every week prior to class, you will review assigned textbook sections as well as an Italian documentaries. In class, we will do some book exercises, practice conversation, and use the documentary to further apply grammar.     

• Beginner Level 1 (4:30-6pm): 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 (6-7:30pm): 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 (7:30-9pm): 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.

BOOK: "Prego!" 6th Edition, available online for $9 and up (used). 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: 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.

Join us for a private tour of the Honolulu Museum of Art by our FOISOH member and HoMa docent Nancy Miwa. Dr. Miwa will take us through selected galleries and introduce us to featured Italian masterpieces.

The tour will start at 4:30pm punctual and will continue at 5:30pm in the museum café where we will enjoy pupus and drinks (self-paid).

ABOUT: After spending several years in the nonprofit arena, Dr. Miwa returned to graduate school to study the history, theology, iconography, and literature of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. She moved to Honolulu eight years ago and immediately trained as a docent at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Her travels have taken her all over the world, but she particularly enjoys her visits “home” to Italy.

RSVP: A week prior to the program. Because of demand, this program is offered on two dates--October 14 and 21--please register for one date only because the content is the same.

COST: Registrants will pay the museum’s entrance fee directly to the museum at the time of the event: Museum members (free); age 18 years and under (free); Hawai‘i residents ($10 with ID), others ($20). 

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.

Basaltic explosive eruptions are the most frequent manifestations of subaerial explosive volcanism on Earth and compose highly dynamic systems, with shifts in style and intensity on timescales of minutes to hours. These low intensity explosive eruptions were firstly identified in volcanoes in Hawaii and Italy, grouped into two main styles: Hawaiian and Strombolian. Despite their relatively low explosivity, these weak to mild basaltic eruptions pose a substantial hazard to people and infrastructure because of their frequent eruptions and occurrence near human populations. This talk will focus on the characteristics of Hawaiian and Strombolian eruptions, and the research tools used to better understand their behavior, forecast activity, and mitigate hazards.

Presenter: MSc. Natália Gauer Pasqualon was born in the south of Brazil, and has also an Italian citizenship, having family originally from Enego in the province of Vicenza, northern Italy. She took her undergraduate in Geology and then her Masters in Volcanology, both in Brazil, in which she described the evolution history of the last erupted Brazilian volcano. Natália is currently a Ph.D. candidate and Research Assistant at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, with focus on the volcanology and geochemistry of volcanoes in Hawaii and in other ocean islands around the world.

Parking:  Across the street in two municipal lots, as well as street parking throughout the Kaimuki area. Please do not park in front of the store, it's reserved for quick store pickups.

5:00pm: Pre-concert reception with complimentary wine | 5:30pm: Start time

RSVP: Required by October 30.

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.

Join our Caffe' Letterario for a discussion of "Le Otto Montagne" ("The Eight Mountains") by Paolo Cognetti, one of Italian favorites this past year. The novel has regained international attention with the release of its film adaptation in 2022: VUDU, APPLETV, or AMAZON. Read the book first and then spot the differences with the movie so we can discuss them together!

A modern Italian masterpiece, The Eight Mountains is a lyrical coming-of-age story about the love for the Italian alps, the power of friendships, and the enduring bond between fathers and sons. “There are no more universal themes than those of the landscape, friendship, and becoming adults, and Cognetti’s writing becomes classical (and elegant) to best tell this story…a true novel by a great writer" (Rolling Stone).

“The Eight Mountains is an old-fashioned novel in the best sense of the word. With gorgeously understated, unhurried prose, Cognetti crafts the story of an unlikely friendship between a city boy named Pietro and a young cow herder, Bruno, who lives in the Alpine mountains where the members of Pietro’s family spend their vacations. Even though Pietro is solitary and remote, one can’t help caring for him. The brilliant writing helps, but there’s something more: His love for nature is profound, a sign that deep currents swirl beneath his crotchety surface, pulling the reader into the vortex of his emotions” (New York Times Book Review).

Paolo Cognetti is an Italian writer, novelist, and editor from Milan. He divides his time between the city and his cabin in the Italian Alps. He is the author of The Wild Boy and The Eight Mountains, an international sensation that won Italy's Strega Prize and the French Prix Médicis étranger.

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.

Join our membership so you can attend this special event! All Italy lovers are welcome!

The Friends of Italy Society of Hawai'i is excited to invite you to our annual Christmas party! This year, we'll celebrate the holidays at The Kahala Hotel in the beautiful Waialae Ballroom. Join us for this memorable event and enjoy delectable Italian food, drinks, live music, and Christmas cheer (complete with a few gifts), all in a beautiful venue perfect for connecting with those near and dear.

In Italy, “Cin Cin” is used to make a toast when raising a glass, and expresses gratitude and joy to those around us. This year we return to our roots, The Kahala Hotel & Resort, where one of our founders and former Italian Honorary Consul in Honolulu, Louis Finamore, served as the General Manager in 1990.

Menu. Although there will be plenty of seating, the focus of this event will be on the flow of the party as opposed to a sit-down meal. Guests will enjoy a chance to visit with everyone and move around as they like with this Made for Mingling Menu:

• Bruschetta bar: Roasted Tomatoes, Balsamic Shallots, Tomato Coulis, Tomato Confit, Pesto, Prosciutto, Smoked Turkey, Mortadella, Manchego, Brie, Goat Cheese, Olive Oil, Assorted Grilled Breads
• Lobster Medallion with Roasted Tomato on Crostini
• Big Island Goat Cheese, Honey Pear, Roasted Macadamia Nut on Baguette
• Wild Mushrooms, Feta Cheese, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Olives in Mini Turnover
• Crab Meat Salad with Avocado on Endive Leaf
• BBQ Chicken Skewers with Honey Mustard Aioli
• Crispy Fried Truffle Corn Croquette
• Kalua Pig Quesadillas with Guacamole and Tomato Salsa
• Pizzette
• Salad (Mixed Greens, Kawamata Tomatoes, Shallot Red Wine Vinaigrette)
• Dessert: Amaretto Baba Espresso Tiramisu, Chocolate Budino, Fromage Blanc Cheese Panna Cotta, Chocolate Raspberry Torta, Biscotti
• Fruit platter

Cash bar. A bar of wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic cold drinks will be available for purchase. The venue does not allow outside alcohol:

• Wine (Ballard Lane white, red, blush)
• Mimosa
• Martini
• Cocktails – Epitome (Gray Goose Vodka, Kohana Rum, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Basil Hayden’s Bourbon, Crown Royal Reserve Whiskey, The Macallan 12-year Scotch)
• Beer (domestic, imported)
• Non-alcoholic beverages (beer, soft drinks, mineral water, fruit juice)

Live music: Holiday and Italian music by some of our local favorites, featuring soprano Jaime Blu Craycroft and Gustavo D’Amico's trio.

Sweepstakes: We'll give away five awesome gifts:

• Complimentary Two-Night Stay at The Kahala Hotel & Resort (scenic view room, subject to availability and blackout dates)
• Complimentary Sunday Brunch for Two at Hoku’s
• Complimentary Dinner Buffet for Two at Plumeria Beach House
• Complimentary Breakfast for Two at Plumeria Beach House
• Complimentary Afternoon Tea Service for Two at The Veranda

Suggested attire: Cocktail attire.

Bring: Valid ID and cash for drink orders, sweepstakes, tips for valet. ATM available by the ballroom.

Parking: Complimentary valet parking (please tip); always consider catching a Lyft or Uber.

Price includes: Meal, valet parking, and all gratuity for wait staff.

Register: As early as you can to reserve your seats and help us organize—By November 1^st and no later than November 20th or when sold out.

No ticket swaps & no refunds, except if Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii cannot deliver this program.

For questions: Please email info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.

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.

We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with you!

Join our membership so you can attend this special event! All Italy lovers are welcome!

INSTRUCTOR: Chiara Logli is originally from Bologna (Italy) and holds a Ph.D. in international/cross-cultural education from the University of Hawaii and East-West Center. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor and Institutional Assessment Specialist for the Honolulu Community College. In the past, she worked for the University of California Berkeley's International House, University of California Santa Barbara's Multicultural Center, Arts Council for Monterey County, and USAID in Indonesia. She also received the Peace Fellowship from Rotary International in Thailand and collaborated with UNICEF, UNDP, as well as International Baccalaureate Schools. She started teaching Italian language when she was 23 years old and never stopped, including for the Dante Alighieri Society in Santa Cruz and the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco. In her free time, she dances hula with Halau Kaulakahi, loves the ocean, and enjoys traveling by boat around small islands or by foot on high mountains.

LEVELS: Each week prior to class, we’ll review assigned textbook sections and prepare some talking points on a selected destination in Italy. In class, we’ll explore book exercises and practice conversation skills focusing on travel to our chosen destination. Whether sailing the islands, trekking the Dolomites, exploring art cities, or enjoying small villages, we are sure to savor our fondest Italian travel memories, discover new secret destinations, and plan our next trip!

• Beginner Level 1 (4:30-6pm): 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 (6-7:30pm): 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 (7:30-9pm): 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: Eight Tuesdays, January 9 to February 27, 2024 (pizza party optional on March 5)

BOOK: "Prego!" 6th Edition, available online for $5 and up (used). 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, except if it cannot deliver the program, for instance in the case of insufficient enrollment.

QUESTIONS: Please contact info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.