• The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii, venues, and participants comply with the latest guidance for group gatherings.
  • Registration for events that have been confirmed is open  (you will see an option to register next to the event if it is open). 
  • In order to ensure compliance with the latest guidelines for group gatherings, registration will open for all other events closer to the date of the event. 
Grazie di cuore!

    • 17 May 2023
    • 14 Jun 2023
    • 2 sessions
    • Zoom
    Register


    Planning Travel to Italy Zoom events

    Announcing our ongoing series of free talks about travel in Italy.  Locations and topics will change, but there will always be a focus on providing information about cities, regions, cultural events and traditions in Italy.


    May 17 (Wednesday) 6:30pm HST - Rome

    Multi-layered Rome can be complex and exhausting but it can also be visited and appreciated in a more relaxed and thoughtful way.  Join Trina and her guide colleague Rainer Metzger as they discuss their recommendations for planning travel to the Eternal City.  They'll provide recommendations for off-the-beaten-track sites as well as strategies for visiting those most likely on everyone's list. Whether you've been to Rome before, or are planning a first-time visit, join them to hear their recommendations for maximizing your time and experiences in the city once referred to as the Caput Mundi (the head of the world).

    June 14 (Wednesday) 6:30pm HST - Piemonte

    This region should be on every food and wine lovers list of places to visit.  Abutting the Alps (Piemonte literally means "foot of the mountains"), this region features wines like Barolo, Barbaresco, and Asti Spumante.  While Alba, famous for white truffles, is the birthplace of the Slow Food Movement.  Perhaps best known for its shroud, Torino (Turin), was the seat of the Kings of Italy and served as the capitol of the newly unified country.  Join Trina as she takes us on a tour of this beautiful, historic and less-traveled region in the far northwest of Italy

    Trina Kudlacek

    Trina Kudlacek has been a professional tour guide in Italy for the 15 years.  Working primarily in northern Italy, she has also lived and traveled in Sicily.  Trina has guided for Rick Steves Europe since 2006 and recently began organizing her own small group tours through Guided By.  

    Zoom sessions will include a 30 minute prepared talk with time for questions after.

    Zoom link will be provided after registration.

    Questions: Please contact info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.

    • 15 Jun 2023
    • 5:00 PM
    • 3 Aug 2023
    • 8:00 PM
    • First Unitarian Church of Honolulu 2500 Pali Highway, Honolulu
    Join waitlist


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

    INSTRUCTOR: 
    Iolanda Marinelli is originally from Naples, Italy and holds a 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 Hawaii Certification as Substitute Teacher K-12. She continued to teach Italian for the After School Malama Program at Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School, and Kailua Elementary School. Iolanda also served three terms on the Board of Directors of the Hawai’i Association of Language Teachers as Italian Representative. She has recently resigned from the Hawaii 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.

    OVERVIEW:
    Learn Italian through children's books! We are all children when we learn a language. Every week prior to class, you will review assigned textbook sections from Prego as well as a passage from a children's book. In class, we will do some book exercises and use the children's book passage to converse while applying grammar.

    LEARNING APPROACH: 
    These courses focus on conversation. Students review assigned grammar and exercises at home ahead of time, so class time is used to clarify questions, do a couple of exercises, and especially read and speak together. 

    LEVELS:

      • Level 1, Beginner: For students who have no or minimal grasp of the Italian language—we’ll cover up to chapter 3 of the textbook Prego (half chapter per week).
      • Level 2, Intermediate: 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).

      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.

    Past 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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