Hawaiipetphotos.com was very proud to be part of “Ports of Call,” the 12th Annual Symphony Ball held on Saturday 21 March 2009, in the Kalakaua Ballroom, Hawaii Convention Center.  Rick Blangiardi, the General Manager at KGMB9, was the chairman of the event.  KGMB9′s Keahi Tucker served as the emcee. 

Hawaiipetphotos.com’s own Deb McGuire was a donor to the silent auction.  She and her husband, Tim,  attended the Ball and actually claimed a couple of very nice items in the silent auction.  Of course, the real winner is Hawaii.  Remember, Hawaii, these folks went weeks last year without pay; they worked for the love of the music.  At some point, an anonymous benefactor donated $1 million to keep our symphony afloat.  And still, we owe our Symphony about 6 weeks pay! 

Hopefully this event will go along way toward keeping our Symphony here. 

Here are the highlights for hawaiipetphotos.com…in no particular order: 

1) The video featuring Hawaii’s own Jimmy Borges and showing our Symphony’s musicians working with Hawaiian children.  The kids were totally enthralled.  Music is such a transcendent language.  KUDOS to the musicians and to Jimmy. 

2) The Symphony’s musical presentation was just the right selection and the right tempo for the after dinner kicker prior to the main auction. 

3) Bev Gannon was the chef for the event.  Hawaiipetphotos.com is a HUGE fan.  Whenever we are on Maui, we make a point of eating at least one meal at the Hali’imaile General Store.  We love it.  We recommend her restaurant to all our friends and family.  From start to finish, Bev’s menu at the Ports of Call did not disappoint. 

4) The people…the folks who attended this event were truly lovers of Hawaii and our Symphony.  Hawaiipetphotos.com was honored to be part of such an esteemed group. 

The Honolulu Symphony is a treasure.  Hawaiipetphotos.com hopes that our Symphony will continue forever. 

Ports of Call, Honolulu Symphony Ball (click photo to donate)