Asian Hall of Fame Launches Honolulu Expansion

Mar 3

Benefits Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Sex Trafficking Rescue

LOS ANGELES AND HONOLULU/March 3, 2026 – Global platform Asian Hall of Fame (AHOF) commemorated America's 250th anniversary with a lively Destination Hawai’i ribbon-cutting, bringing its positive message of interracial synergy, Asian legacy, and timeless elegance to Honolulu. The red carpet event was hosted at Ben Bridge Jeweler, a long-standing partner of AHOF.

Annalisa Burgos, Anchor of Hawai’i News Now, was Master of Ceremonies. Guests from Hawai’i, California, Washington, Oregon, and New York were greeted with leis, raffle tickets, and souvenir AHOF stampbooks. Energetic guests raised funds for sex trafficking rescue and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in honor of America 250.

Representative Jeanné Kapela was honored with the America 250 Award that recognizes distinguished Americans for outstanding civic service, courage, and character. Luminaries attending were Sir William Rogers, Charlyn Honda-Masini, Jerry and Charlene Lee, Craig Grossi, Howard Dashefsy, Dr. Jennifer Camota Luebke, Merryl Hamasaki, Larry Nakano, and Tony Alcoisa.

AHOF Chairwoman Melinda Rogers officiated the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Ben Bridge Jeweler SVP & General Manager Lynnette Frank, Mary Knell, and Board of Governors members Keith Hamasaki, John Nicholas, Patty Soldo, Yi Zhang, Kimberly Vodang, and Jay Kim.

Team USA Olympian Sakura Kokumai, 2026 Miss Hawaii Volunteer Lesina Matatumua-Vermeulen, and 2026 Miss Hawaii Teen Volunteer Aria Chock awarded enthusiastic raffle winners with a dozen prizes including a Ben Bridge diamond pendant and a signed Billie Eilish guitar. Maki Mae, Camilla Shae, and DJ Compose provided live music throughout the evening.

Sapphire Award 5-year anniversary honorees were Ada Chan Wong, Jeff and Leah Long, Mary Knell, Mario Noble Taylor and Sue Ying Taylor, and Patty Soldo. Influencers Kaena Gilman-Moeai, Brian Madamba (Brevenchym), Karlee Oyama, Kristen Somera, and Kylee Yoshikawa also joined the festivities.

Hawaii-based and Polynesian AHOF Inductees include Kristi Yamaguchi, Manu Tuiasosopo, Ren Hanami, Daniel Pak, Tia Carrere, and Daniel Ho, among others. Since 2022, AHOF has advanced $3.7 million, 1,870 jobs and 210 grant partners across the country.

Photo Credit: Mark Salondaka / (from left to right) Asian Hall of Fame Board of Governors Chairwoman Melinda Rogers, Master of Ceremonies & Hawaii News Now Anchor Annalisa Burgos, Rep. Jeanné Kapela, and Ben Bridge Senior Vice President & General Manager Lynnette Frank

Photo Credit: Mark Salondaka / Asian Hall of Fame Sapphire Award Honorees (from left to right) Asian Hall of Fame Global Council Founder Ada Chan Wong, Asian Hall of Fame Global Council Founders Jeff (back) and Leah Long, Wells Fargo Commercial Banking Pacific Northwest CEO Mary Knell, Asian Hall of Fame Global Council Founders Mario Noble Taylor (back) and Sue Ying Taylor, and Asian Hall of Fame Board of Governor Patty Soldo

About Asian Hall of Fame

HONOR LEGACY. ADVANCE PROSPERITY.
Established in 2004, Asian Hall of Fame is a cultural, educational, and research institution dedicated to advancing Asian and Indigenous legacy in the United States and globally.

For more information, contact press@asianhalloffame.org | (626) 600-9418

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