The Tradition Continues!

(Honolulu, HI – July 14, 2016) For the third consecutive year, Honolulu will host Le Dîner en Blanc on August 27th, 2016. The annual secret affair promises another unforgettable evening of elegance and merriment as it takes over an undisclosed public space whose location is only revealed minutes prior to the commencement of the event. Over 1,000 foodies, fashion and cultural enthusiasts attended last year and more than 1,500 are expected to attend this year.
 
In previous years, Le Dîner en Blanc – Honolulu was held on the grounds of cultural landmark Iolani Palace, and under a stunning beachside sunset at Ko Olina lagoon. This year’s secret location promises to be equally as spectacular. Additionally, Chef Zach Sato of Hotel Wailea, Hawaii’s only Relais & Châteaux property, will create a special dinner menu as well as design picnic baskets that guests may pre-order to enjoy at the event.  Guests may also pre-order bottles of Apothic Wine or Taittinger champagne to pick up onsite as well.
 
Just before the event, bystanders will witness groups of guests all dressed in white gathering at specific rallying points all across the city. Guided by Dîner en Blanc volunteers, these groups will then converge on one of the city’s most beautiful settings, travelling by organized bus to the secret location. Every guest brings their own gourmet feast, table, chairs and table setting. Over the course of the evening, they eat and celebrate amid music, entertainment and dancing.
 
The evening is filled with visually breathtaking moments including the waving of a cloth napkin to mark the beginning of the dinner. Following dinner, guests will mingle and dance to music from DJ Soundsex (LA/Honolulu) under the stars. When at the end of the evening the trumpet sounds, guests pack up all of their belongings, pick up all their litter and, head back into the night, leaving behind no sign of their elegant revelry.
 
To maintain the uniqueness of Le Dîner en Blanc as well as staying true to tradition, guests must observe certain requirements and follow a few key rules:

• Registration to participate happens in three stages: Phase 1 is for members who attended the previous year; Phase 2 is for new members who are referred by Phase I attendees; Phase 3 is for people who signed up on the waiting list via the official website: honolulu.dinerenblanc.info/register, by August 4th.
• Once confirmed, each guest’s participation becomes mandatory, regardless of weather conditions.  This is a rain or shine event.
• Dress code:  elegant and white only.  Originality is encouraged as long as it is stylish and tasteful.
• Table setting:  all white!
• To ensure that the location secret is kept undisclosed until last minute, guests meet at assigned departure location and are escorted by a Dîner en Blanc volunteer.
• In order to leave the event location as clean as when they arrived, guests are required to leave with all their belongings, leftovers and litter.

Guests must bring

• A table, two white chairs, white tablecloth.

• A picnic basket comprising fine food and proper stemware and white dinnerware...

• A catered 3-course dinner or picnic basket option, designed by consulting Chef Zach Sato and which can be picked up on site, will be available for those who do not wish to pack their own. Guests must reserve dinner or picnic baskets online through Dîner en Blanc website during the initial ticket registration.

• Champagne and/or wine. Beer and hard liquor are prohibited.

• Guests who would prefer not having to pack their own wine or champagne may reserve online through the Dîner en Blanc’s e-store to pick up onsite. Guests are also welcome to bring their own non-alcoholic beverages.  

 
For full details on the event’s rules and regulations, please visit the official website: honolulu.dinerenblanc.info/about.
 
Apothic Wine is proud to be the official wine partner of the 2016 U.S. Diner en Blanc series. Le Dîner en Blanc – Honolulu gratefully acknowledges List Sotheby’s, Taittinger and Paiko as official local partners of the 2016 edition of Le Dîner en Blanc.
 
About Dîner en Blanc
Launched in Paris in 1988 by François Pasquier and a handful of friends, Le Dîner en Blanc has become a worldwide epicurean phenomenon. Dîner en Blanc - Paris now attracts over 10,000 people each year. What was a “friends and word-of-mouth only” event has grown into an international sensation celebrated on five continents. While the technology behind the event may have changed over the years, the principles fuelling this fantastic event have not: guests continue to gather at a secret location for the sole purpose of sharing a gourmet meal with good friends in one of their city’s most beautiful public spaces. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Dîner en Blanc International is responsible for developing this secret posh picnic in over 70 cities in more than 25 countries around the world. Each event is headed by passionate local organizers who fell in love with the concept and wanted to bring it to their city, giving this rendezvous a local flair.
 
About the Hosts of Dîner en Blanc - Honolulu
Maleko McDonnell is the morning news anchor for a KITV's Good Morning Hawaii and the afternoon drive radio host of "Maleko's Room" on iHeartMedia-Honolulu's Star 101.9-FM. Aubrey Akana is the owner of Savoir Faire Events, which has specialized in wedding experiences and events since 2003. Malie Moran specializes in public relations and event consulting.
 
About Apothic
Embrace the intrigue of the unexpected. Apothic® White, the official wine of Dîner en Blanc, blends Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Grigio to create a refreshing, medium-bodied wine with flavors of peach and apricot, that leads to a crisp, balanced finish. Named from the 13^th century European Apotheca, where wine was blended and stored, the wines of Apothic fuse Old World intrigue with modern sophistication. Our winemaker, Debbie Juergenson, crafts unique, captivating blends that create layers of complexity.  Taste a White with Darker Motives and revel in the intrigue of Dîner en Blanc.
 
To keep up to date on event announcements:
 Diner en Blanc - Honolulu          @DinerEnBlancHON       @dinerenblanchon        Hashtag: #DEBHNL
 
For all official videos of Dîner en Blanc around the world, visit YouTube Le Dîner en Blanc