War on Ugliness February 1, 2008

We have a much more casual way of being formal than you do on the mainland.” Vladimir Ossipoff summed up our Island style succinctly. In my resolve ‘To have more Fun’ this year I wandered through an intriguing exhibit Hawaiian Modern which recently ended at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.  I have a particular fascination with Ossipoff’s architecture and my husband and I once discussed that we should have him draw up plans immediately for a future maybe house. Dreams perhaps but his design firm continues his legacy. Years ago, my Uncle David related a story as to how he and my Aunty hired a young up and coming fellow new to Hawaii back in the 1930’s to build their house in Waikiki. Vladimir Ossipoff was that architect, the future standard bearer of classic Hawaiian styling integrating the blend of outdoors and  interiors  for both homes and public buildings . He thought, much as I do, that air conditioning was a bane to Hawaii and that the Tradewinds should be utilized  by situating and designing structures to take advantage of this unique gift of cooling breezes. I have always had a special place in my heart for our old house on Kanekapolei St. alas, torn down many years ago. One of my favorite columnist Lee Cataluna wrote of the exhibit and Ossipoff’s War on Ugliness here“.
We met my great friend Kiyo there and despite the sold out reservations at the adjoining Pavilion Cafe, with her extensive connections in the restaurant trade and thanks to her associate the hostess and a no-show party, we continued on to a lively lunch at the Cafe. A wonderful exhibit and… Fun was had by all.