Nadine Kam photos
Kristen Chan, in Isaac Mizrahi, was my pick for best dressed at Oscar Night America 2012, hosted by the Hawaii International Film Festival at the Halekulani Hotel. She's with her husband Michael.

Not that it's a competition or anything, but just like Hollywood's red carpet, one does tend to pick favorites. So it wouldn't be a red carpet without a best dressed and a wardrobe malfunction (among the men) to liven things up.

Richard Turbin walked down the red carpet at Oscar Night America 2012, hosted by the Hawaii International Film Festival at the Halekulani Hotel, arm in arm with Rai Saint Chu and looking as dapper as usual, but as he came closer to the photographers, he was a little reluctant to be photographed because his new cummerbund had come undone. It was Honolulu Pulse photographer Kat Wade who came to his rescue, getting down on her knees to cinch him up.

Richard Turbin gets a cummerbund adjustment.

My favorite gown of the evening was worn by Kristen Chan, who said that during Mariska Hargitay's Joyful Heart appearance here in fall 2010, the actress invited her to the 2011 SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards, for which Mariska had been nominated in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for her role on "Law & Order: SVU." (The award went to Julianna Margulies for "The Good Wife.)

Mariska was being dressed by Isaac Mizrahi, who offered to dress Kristen as well.

"He sent me three beautiful couture gowns," she said, but she ended up picking the one that reminded her of vintage kimono fabric, streaked with gold. "It fit perfectly, but you know I'm not too tall and these gowns are made to fit models."

She was able to call a friend and have the dress hemmed overnight, forming a little train, to wear to the awards ceremony in L.A. a year ago, and the Oscar Night red carpet provided the perfect excuse to wear it in Hawaii.

I loved the combination of color, drama, sophistication, fabrication and the element of exclusivity.

Feb. 26 was a rainy day, but that didn't put a damper on red-carpet dressing thanks to valet service under roof at the Halekulani, where the event was held. Women didn't have to worry one bit about the hems of their gowns getting dragged in puddles.

Once inside the Halekulani Ballroom, guests enjoyed a film-inspired menu created by Halekulani executive chef Vikram Garg, with photos posted on my other blog, Take a Bite.

Of course everyone in the room was rooting for multiple wins for "The Descendants," and guests cheered when director Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon won the award for Best Adpated Screenplay based on Kaui Hemmings' book. Even if it wasn't meant to be as far as a Best Picture Award, it was a great party and Hawaii got a lot of good mileage out of the publicity that has surrounded the film for months.

Representing "Hawaii Five-0" were Erika Kauffman, Steve Boyum, guest director Jerry Levine, Kona Carmack, Angie Laprete and producer Peter Lenkov.

Celia Kenney, who played Reina, the friend of Matt King's (George Clooney) daughter Scottie in "The Descendants," arrived with parents Ed and Kristen Kenney. The entertainment gene may have skipped one generation with Ed pursuing his passion for food, but now Celia may follow in the tradition set by her grandfather Ed Kenney and grandmother Beverly Noa.

Also in the film was Kim Gennaula, who played Scottie's school counselor. She's with hubby Guy Hagi.

HIFF executive director Chuck Boller, right, with actor Ed Asner and his wife Nancy Asner. Ed was in town as a special guest in an episode of "Hawaii Five-0."

Richard Turbin and Rai Saint Chu before cummerbund incident.

Susie Fried, with Rick Fried, wore one of the most striking gowns of the evening, by Gucci, with dramatic cutouts at the side and somewhat sinister metal hardware.

Jeanette Paulson Hereniko, founder of the Honolulu International Film Festival.

Banners bearing the Oscar silhouette lined the Halekulani Ballroom, where a film-inspired menu awaited. Food details at my Take a Bite blog.

Halekulani COO Peter Shaindlin and his daughter Lana.

Oahu Publications Vice-President David Kennedy with wife Fiona and Oscar.

Yoshi Yoshikawa, in Louis Vuitton, was among many to pose with a cardboard cutout of George Clooney.

A jacket by Andy South was among the many items available in the HIFF fundraising silent auction.

John Michael White with Qi Marie, in a Marquesa gown.

Adriane Flower in a Tadashi gown.

Man in black John Berger with Taylor Wily.

Event chair Umma Berkelman, with Jason Kim, center and Kaleo del Sol, who sang during an intermission from the Oscar broadcast.

In Louis Vuitton at left and right.

Photographer Jeannemarie Viggiano took a break from the red carpet for a photograph with designer Steven Boyle.

Mayor Peter Carlisle.

Lloyd and Sherri Kandell and their entourage.

From left, Noriega Moriya in Calvin Klein, Masako Nashimoto in Issey Miyake, Anthony Gambino and his wife Erina.

Michael and Kristen Chan with Joey Caldarone, back for a while, from New York. Joey's high-low ensemble included an Esprit jacket and Etro shirt worn with denim. (more...)