When Halekulani's general manager, Gerald Gannon, began planning the luxury hotel's 25th anniversary, he wanted everything to be exquisite, including the floral arrangements. So who did he call? Jun Pinon, a San Francisco floral designer who, at 16, began his colorful career in the back of a delivery truck. His first floral design job was with Aunty Nani in the Halekulani flower shop in 1995.

Now Pinon is well known in the Bay Area for the floral designs he creates for the Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, and special events for organizations such as the San Francisco Ballet. Having also established himself as a floral design teacher and mentor, Pinon gives classes in floral design to Bay Area groups and he created a floral kit for Williams-Sonoma.

Pinon's style is creative and unexpected, dramatic and eclectic. The arrangements he did for the Halekulani were show-stoppers that still have the guests talking. "I find that when I am at Halekulani, it clears my mind and gives me clarity," Pinon explained in a phone interview from San Francisco. "So I wanted clarity in my arrangements. I translated this idea into flowers that looked like floating clouds, pure and divine."

He also wanted to use flowers that are not usually seen in Hawai'i. White hydrangeas, paired with phalaeonopsis orchids, were among the standouts. Many of his arrangements look like living sculptures.

His passion for flowers is evident. "Flowers are very personal and hold a direct emotional connection," he said. "There is nothing better than seeing someone's reaction to a flower arrangement. Flowers are meant to be shared.

"When I am working with flowers I feel that I am arranging happiness."

To see more of Pinon's designs, go to www.pinondesign.com.

BLAINE ASHLEY SITE ADDS LINE

The locally based fashion Web site www.shopblaineashley.com has just added Sola2 to the mix. Designed by Honolulu resident Marie Noelle-Pouliot, Sola2 is made in Indonesia but has Pouliot's chic French aesthetic. From tube dresses to sassy jumpsuits, Sola2 is a line worth looking for.