All posts by Mark Carson

2023 – 2024 Officers

We are pleased to announce your 2023 - 2024 Hawaii Jewelers Association Officers:

Marco Salem, President
Joshua Edelstein, Vice President
Carol Moore, Secretary
Andrew Taylor, Treasurer

And Mahalo Nui Loa to outgoing President, Sharon Gilbert who served the HJA as President for 3 years (2020 - 2023). She was our first neighbor island President and guided the Association through the difficult pandemic years. Sharon continues to serve the HJA as a Board Member.

Sharon Gilbert

2022 Silent Auction

HJA will once again be hosting a Silent Auction at our Annual Banquet on October 22, 2022. Do you have any items you would like to feature? You may donate items or request for a reserved price to be placed. All proceeds will fund HJA's educational programs and seminars.

For more information or if you are interested in participating, please contact our Executive Director@ or Auction Chair & Board Member, Carol Moore 808-258-5431 or by email at mooreideas65@gmail.com.

Pieces will need to dropped off no later than Wednesday,October 12, 2022 at Estate Liquidators Hawaii - 1126 12th Avenue Suite 105. Please contact our executive director, Chivon if you would like your items picked up.

2022 Annual Banquet and Design Contest

The HJA 2022 Annual Banquet was held on October 22nd. Design Contest winners were announced at the banquet. Attendees also voted for the People's Choice awards for the Design Contest pieces. Click here to see the Design Contest winning pieces.

The Designer of the Year 2022 is Eiko Dunster - Opal Fields for her piece Bluer Blue.

Bluer Blue by Eiko Dunster

The Hawaii Jewelers Association Annual Banquet was again held at the beautiful Oahu Country Club in Nuuanu Valley on Oahu. Located at 150 Country Club Road, Honolulu, HI 96817. Click to view location on a map.

Our featured speaker was Mr. David Bonaparte, CEO & President of Jewelers of America.

The Banquet was October 22nd, 2022 from 5:30 to 9:30 P.M.

Look at how much fun we all had at previous Banquets:

2021 Design Contest Winners

The Judges and People have spoken, the HJA 2021 Design Contest results are in and the winners are:

Under $3500:

1st Place: Kaimana by David Johnson, Honolulu Jewelry Co.

2nd Place: Festive by Donna Wong, Keoni Collection

3rd Place: Kananaka by Maui Divers Design Team, Maui Divers

People's Choice: Kaimana by David Johnson, Honolulu Jewelry Co.

$3500 and over:

1st Place: Merry-Go-Round by Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields

2nd Place: Harmony by Donna Wong, Keoni Collection

3rd Place: Malie Kai by Carrie Nottage-Smith, Na Hoku

People's Choice: Cocotail by David Johnson, Honolulu Jewelry Co.

Hawaiian Themed:

1st Place: Green Flash by Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields

2nd Place: Maua Makai by Carrie Nottage-Smith, Na Hoku

3rd Place: Aloalo by David Johnson, Honolulu Jewelry Co.

People's Choice: Aloalo by David Johnson, Honolulu Jewelry Co.

Designer of the Year 2021: Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields for

"Merry-Go-Round"

Security Tips

There have been a number of recent jewelry related break-ins, robberies and burglaries in Hawaii.

The most recent being on Feb. 7th, 2021 just outside Aloha Stadium: https://www.khon2.com/local-news/police-search-for-suspect-in-connection-to-aiea-carjacking/

Here are some security tip from HJA Board Member Dale Cripps:

The situation is critical for all stores & all Islands, Day & Night. No one is immuneto this and we encourage owners everywhere to do the following:           

1) Place signs at the front entrance and in the store, saying that you have Camera Surveillance in the shop. 

2) If you don't have Cameras.....Get them installed ASAP.      

3) At the very least buy a fake camera with a light, that is on, placed at the front entrance, with signage.   

4) If you have business neighbors, have a meeting for everyone to be watchful of people coming & going in the area who could be "casing" a store.

5) Remember that removing temptation is a great strategy.  Lock everything into your safes and remove inexpensive items from sight.  Leave your empty cases uncovered so the message is “Nothing available here, not worth your effort”.

Stay watchful and safe!