Awakening the Hero In All Of Us
Monday, March 13
Tuesday, March 14
1 pm to 7 pm
Istanbul Hawaii Restaurant
1108 Auahi St STE 152, Honolulu, HI 96814
(Across from WholeFoods Kakaako)
Free Entrance to the Public
Chef Nili Yildirim and Chef Ahu Hettema of Istanbul Hawaii Restaurant and Hawaii-based international artist Leni Acosta Knight present a Fine Art Exhibition and Turkish Culinary Experience as a fundraising event for those who are impacted by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey.
As of the date of this newsletter, the death toll in Turkey is 41,000 and still climbing. The earthquakes that struck the morning of February 6, 2023, registered at magnitude 7.8 and the second at magnitude 7.5, are the deadliest earthquakes to hit the region in 100 years.
“Our restaurant is grateful to be able to present this event as part of our outreach to help the Turkish people affected by the earthquakes. We still have a lot of friends and families there and we would like to ask everyone here to join us on our efforts to assist those who are displaced, homeless, and survivors who are losing hope. At this fundraising event, we will present a special menu and drinks. 100% of sale proceeds from certain food items served that day will be donated directly to reputable charities”, says Chef Ahu Hettema, co-owner of Istanbul Hawaii.
“I am humbled and thankful for being invited by Chef Ahu. In times of despair, we are given the opportunity to awaken the hero within us and come together as a community to give to those who are less fortunate. Regardless of how small the gift is, it is the sum of everyone’s giving that counts. We will be auctioning some of my original paintings as well as selling limited and open edition prints. 30% of net proceeds will be donated to UNICEF or the customer’s choice of organization that is providing disaster relief to Turkey”, says Leni Acosta Knight, artist.
Istanbul Restaurant is owned and operated by the dynamic mother-daughter duo, Chef Nili and Chef Ahu, and they have been recognized as the "Woman-Owned Business of the Year 2022 for the State of Hawaii" by the Small Business Administration, City and County of Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, and Hawaii State Senator Glenn Wakai. At the event, guests will have the opportunity to indulge in Chef Nili and Chef Ahu's delicious cuisine, inspired by the rich history of Anatolia, Turkey. Their focus on farm-to-table and 100% women, family, and immigrant ownership truly showcases the impact women can have in their communities.
As a breast cancer survivor and an advocate against domestic and sexual violence, local artist Leni Acosta Knight dedicates her artwork to helping worthwhile humanitarian projects. Her thought-provoking pieces are predominantly inspired by her love of philosophy, science, mythology, and poetry. She combines classical realism and abstract expressionism, specializing in painting with oil, acrylic, and watercolor, as well as drawing with graphite and charcoal. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions worldwide, including events at the Honolulu Museum of Art, the International Contemporary Digital Art Exhibition presented by M.A.D.S Milano Gallery in Italy, the World of Crete Contemporary Art Exhibition in Greece, the Paris International Contemporary Arts Trade Show in France, International Art Fair in Austria and Spain. She is represented by Van Gogh Art Gallery in Madrid, Spain, and Wy’s Gallery in Haleiwa, Hawaii.
For questions regarding the event, contact Leni Acosta Knight at (808) 859-3859 or Adriel Bencosme at (978) 771-4276 or Ahu Hettema of Istanbul Hawaii at (808) 772-4440
For more information on Istanbul Hawaii, visit www.istanbulhawaii.com
For more information on Leni Acosta Knight, visit www.leniknight.com
