Honolulu Weekly

More than two months after photographer, artist and entrepreneur Sergio Goes’ death in July, one still hears talk of his inspiring embrace of life and art, and of his ability to share those passions with everyone from friends to the most casual acquaintances to his beloved son, Gabriel.

The community that loved and appreciated Goes turned out in force Sunday night at Aloha Tower Marketplace, both to celebrate his life and legacy in the presence of his Brazilian family, and to honor him with a show of support for his son. The evening featured dance and musical offerings from Paula Fuga, Samadhi Hawai’i, IONA and Giino, the Girlas and others under a sparkling September evening along the waterfront.

Local fashion designer Roberta Oaks, who donated gift certificates to the evening’s silent auction, said she was moved to do so despite not having spent a great amount of time with Goes during his life. “I only met him two or three times,” Oaks said, echoing comments by many others present Sunday. “His energy was just so great and inspiring, and I wanted to do something.”

Organizer Yayoi Hara said Goes’ mother, Maria Teresa, was moved by the outpouring of aloha. “So many people had approached her to share how much her son had meant to them,” Hara said. “It’s what any mother would want to know.”

An exhibit featured dozens of examples of Goes’ photography, most of them donated for sale by magazines for which he had worked. Trisha Lagaso Goldberg, who curated the show, said the art directors of Hana Hou!, Hawai’i Business, The Kahala and Honolulu leapt at the chance to participate out of appreciation for Goes’ spirit. “They selected the work themselves, based on their personal relationships with Sergio.” Collectors and friends moved quickly on the photographs; one series featuring Hawaiians shot in the 1990s was nearly sold out by 8pm. Goldberg said several of the magazines had pitched in to buy back their own donations.

Organizers said the evening, billed as “Pura Vida,” raised more than $20,000 for the Gabriel Kapuni Goes Irrevocable Trust.