June marks the official start of summer (June 21 if you want to be precise), and I can already hear Seals & Crofts playing in my head: Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowin’ through the jasmine in my mind…

While jasmine was intended to be a California reference, I think it’s safe to say that we have our share of the sweet scent wafting through the air. For some, summer is a time to kick back, travel to some exotic locale, (We’re so spoiled, aren’t we? For the rest of the world, Hawai‘i is the destination not the origin.) and perhaps go with the downtempo flow that comes with the season.

But “downtempo” compared to what? Ask any of the three athletes featured in this issue, and their version of first gear is likely what one would consider “ludicrous speed.” Waterman Kai Lenny, wingsuiter Niccolo Porcella and fixed-gear bike rider Patrick Seabase dominate in their respective fields. And after learning about what a typical summer for them might entail — case in point: one of these three is likely jumping off a peak in the Alps right now since “flying season” for him started in May — I know the definition of slowing down is different for everyone. Kevin Allen (our new managing editor) chats with the trio to find out what makes them tick. Read “To the Extreme” on page 80 and find out more.

It’s hard to believe that 15 years has gone by since HILuxury published its inaugural issue. Going through our archives, more than a few memories came back — the personalities we’ve featured; the venues that were once mere renderings and have become thriving places to live and work; even the plan B fashion shoot locations, which often turned out even better than plan A sparked a wistful smile. HILuxury has come a long way since 2007 and I’m happy to report that there are even better things to come in the near future, so do stay tuned. Better yet, scan the QR code below and sign up for our newsletter set to launch in fall!

Aloha and enjoy the issue,
Margie Jacinto, Publisher