The Thurston Memorial Chapel Courtyard came alive on Saturday, September 20, as alumni and friends gathered for Dinner in the Buff (’n Blue) — Punahou Alumni Association’s signature culinary event and the kickoff to a year-long centennial celebration of Alumni Lū‘au.
Guests enjoyed an evening under the stars featuring delectable tastings from an impressive lineup of alumni chefs and restaurateurs, including Ed Kenney ’86 (Mud Hen Water), Mark “Gooch” Noguchi ’93 (Pili Group), Jason Chow ’05 (Local General Store), Jennie Wyss ’93 (Swiss Hibiscus), Kellie Kong ’02 Taguchi and Kailey Onizuka ’08 Wong (Beer Lab HI), and Louis D’Avanzo ’84, Keno ’02 and Dawn Hunt ’05 Knieriem (The Boardroom).
From locally sourced bites to inventive craft brews and cocktails, the evening highlighted the culinary talents of Punahou alumni while celebrating food as a way to connect community. Guests dressed in vintage aloha and buff ʻn blue attire filled the courtyard as alumni reconnected and toasted to 100 years of Alumni Lū‘au.
Photos by Kathleen Connelly