Hawaii Edition
This newsletter is brought to you by Hawaii, the unofficial AE hotspot of the moment. Between a full wedding weekend buyout at Kona Village on the Big Island and a beautiful 60th birthday celebration in Kauai, we’ve become frequent flyers to paradise these past few months.
Naturally, we had to share a little peek into both celebrations, along with a few of our current Hawaii obsessions, favorite finds, and AE5-approved island staples we’ve picked up along the way. Consider this your tropical edition of the newsletter, equal parts event inspiration, travel envy, and reasons to book the flight.
Puzzle Pieces, Paradise & the Ultimate 60th in Kauai
When E came to us to plan his 60th in Kauai, we built the entire weekend around the things he loves most: puzzles, martinis, music, improv comedy, and Hawaii — one of his happy places. The celebration started before guests even landed, with E taking the mic on the flight to host “guest bingo” for the 50 attendees flying in from every chapter of his life. Upon arrival, everyone was greeted with leis and Brennecke’s Tai Chis (their must-have first cocktail in Kauai), followed by a sunset dinner that felt practically on top of the waves (The Beach House is THE sunset spot on the South Shore!).
Every morning, guests woke up to a custom “The Daily” slipped under their doors featuring the daily itinerary along with a personalized New York Times-style puzzles created by created by games editor Wyna Liu — including a diagramless puzzle, E’s ultimate love language. Days were spent golfing, paddleboarding, painting, hiking, and lounging poolside before nights filled with poke bowls, martini bars, roaming caviar service, and one wildly unforgettable improv performance by Baby Wants Candy retelling E’s life story entirely through the soundtrack of Hamilton.
The weekend ended exactly how it should have: on the dance floor with the house band from E’s company, surrounded by the people who helped shape 60 very joyful years.
Island Time, Elevated: A Wedding Weekend at Kona Village
Recently, guests were whisked off to Hawaii’s Big Island for K + C’s wedding weekend at Kona Village, and it was island magic from start to finish. Guests arrived to locally inspired welcome bags before settling in for sunset cocktails, passed poke bowls, and the kind of ocean views that make you immediately consider extending your flight home.
The weekend leaned fully into island time with sunrise outrigger canoe paddles, spa breathwork sessions, and a luau complete with a Mai Tai bar, traditional dancers, and shave ice served in coconut shells.
On the wedding day, guests sipped lilikoi Arnold Palmers on the lawn before sitting down to the ceremony and then feasted on ahi crudo and a family-style dinner under the stars. Cafe Wha? kept the dance floor kept the dance floor packed while guests bounced between malasadas, carajillos, and trays of Swedish candy favorites. In a sweet nod to the bride’s heritage, the couple cut into a live-assembled Swedish Midsummer cake before ending the night around the IMU pit with the groom’s all time fave late night food - a legendary Crunchwrap Supreme.
TL;DR: the dreamiest mix of barefoot luxury, incredible food, and one very happy dance floor.
Hawaii, According to Us, The AE5
Our AE5 short list: where to stay, what to pack, what’s actually worth doing, and the little things we’re still thinking about long after we got home.
On the Big Island, the magic starts at Kona Village, which is equal parts barefoot luxury and summer camp for grown-ups. For dinner, book sushi at Shipwreck at Kona Village, sunset cocktails and sashimi at CanoeHouse at Mauna Lai, or go full splurge mode at Miller & Lux inside Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. And don’t go back home without this INSANE toffee the whole team became obsessed with — sold at local shops all over the island and absolutely worth bringing home (they ship too!).
On Kauai, we’re calling for sunset drinks at The Beach House Restaurant, poke runs to Hanalei Fish Market, and morning acai bowls from Kauai Acai. And a non-negotiable stop: The Fresh Shave for shave ice — order the Caterpillar, trust us. If you’re hiking the Nā Pali Coast, leave very early — worth it, but the secret is officially out.
And because we take packing as seriously as dinner reservations:
Alison swears by Havaianas flip flops and just stocked up on these fun, oversized beach towels.
Lauren is crushing on these beach hats.
Amy is loving these Johanna Ortiz pareos and the Hermanos Gutierrez radio on Spotify.
Sara packs this Parker Thatch shopper which is foldable and lightweight, making it the perfect travel companion. Pack with this shimmer (SPF included!) and a breezy beach read, and you're set for a day under the palm trees.
Danielle is into this reef-safe sunscreen and this cute bucket hat for her little.
Brooke is obsessed with these Jimmy Fairly sunglasses, so many fun styles, and somehow every pair works in Hawaii.
Alison + Brooke fully support twinning in these one-size-fits-all swimsuits in every color imaginable.
From milestone birthdays to executive retreats and everything in between, we’re loving celebrations of all kinds these days. So if you’ve got something worth gathering for, keep us in mind — we’d love to dream it up with you.