Last month when I gathered a group of close friends togeter to attend David Paul’s Island Grill’s Diva Club I had no idea I was heading to one of the best themed parties I’ve attended on the island. We really took the Hollywood Glam theme to the next level with mandatory wigs and pearls for the girls in our group but as we arrived and paparazzi followed us down the red carpet, and handsome men in suits escorted us in we knew we were in the right place at the right time.

March Divas by Tim Smith

The Diva Club was created by Chef David Paul as a network for women in business to mingle, self-promote, and get pampered while raising funds for charity. At $15 membership per year and a members only party every third saturday of the month the value is unbelievable, but the real clencher is that money goes directly to Women Helping Women of Maui. Once inside there are lots of other perks, participating vendors offering goods and services like updos and makeup by Hina Mana Salon at last March’s party. There is live entertainment that changes with the theme. For Hollywood Glam it was Pio Marasco spinning backup to the sweet vocals of Gretchen Rhodes, who have just released a new ep called Paia. Their electronic house music were the perfect touch to the Glam vibe of the party. For those who want to keep it going after 8pm when the party is over, Quinn Ross Director of Operations of Timba has partnered in offering all Diva’s no cover and no wait at the 505 Front St. Club.

Chef David Paul always goes all out on the food at the party. He will switch it up to suit the theme, and for Hollywood Glam it was a sushi bar. David Paul was behind the bar creating the hand rolled sensations at your request, with spicy tuna, fresh unagi, and truffled salmon. There were exotic shoyu mixes from spicy to sweet to season your sushi, all top notch. Our be-wigged foodie divas were in heaven. They had Cupcake Love there offering an assortment of cupcakes that looked so pretty we almost didn’t want to eat them. Chocolate dipped strawberries, baked brie, bruschetta, mini cheese breads, summer rolls were just a few of things that rounded out the hors d’ oeuvres that evening. On the cocktail menu there is kai vodka sponsored cocktails, wines, and a fabulous champagne bellini bar with fresh fruit purees. We couldn’t get enough of the lilikoi bellini’s. The drinks are just $5.

When I asked Chef David Paul about putting this party on he said, “Giving back to the community is always at the forefront of our mission statement. I have always been involved with the community as a benefit to the industry and individual charities. In economic hard times it’s that much more important to give than to cut back. Women helping Women is a charity close to my heart. As a child, I witnessed abuse and vowed to do something about it when I could. DIVA is a fun and exciting venue to do just that. An evening of pampering, camaraderie and indulgence!” His vision is coming to fruition as their membership has grown to over 300 since the inception in December 2009. Their goal is to have 800 by their one year anniversary, and raise over $12,000 for Women Helping Women.

This Saturday, April 18th is the next Diva Club featuring a Spring Fashion Show with Pakaloha Bikinis, Maggie Coulombe, and Tamara Catz spring lines. The menu is all Spring with lavendar cookies and lemon bars, strawberry romanoff, brie with walnuts and port reduction, antipasti platters, thai summer rolls and much more. Fresh produce from Oluwalu Farms, Wines by Clos du Val and vodka cocktails by Kai Vodka and their fabulous bellini bar with purees of rasberry and lilikoi are divine. Diva Club will also be launching their own line of Diva wear with the Diva logo as another way to earn funds for Women Helping Women. Trunk shows with be all the rage at this fashion party and special discounts will be offered for the Divas. Its not hard to get into the exclusive David Paul’s Island Grill party, with $15 a year and all of that donated to charity and a tax write off for you its money well spent.