A live Microsoft Mobile Post post coming at you. Microsoft is graciously sponsoring Hawaiirama in exchange for some relevant posts (none of which are about software). So I am blogging at you from Kapahulu, sitting on the bench outside Waiola Shave Ice in the late afternoon. My selection today? Coconut and pineapple syrup, on scoop of ice cream, sweetened condensed milk, and, of course, adzuki beans on the bottom. Shave ice is a not-so-uniquely Hawaii-centric dessert (halo-halo in the Philippines is essentially the same thing) but it sure tastes better in paradise. The basic gist: finely shave ice in a manner similar to a sno cone. Pour on multiple syrup flavors. Garnish with other goodies, such as sweetened condensed milk or ice cream. Traditionally eaten over top of Japanese adzuki beans, the purple sweet bean treat from Japan. Alas, most guide books tell hapless visitors the best shave ice found on Oahu is at Matsumoto's on the North Shore. Not to say the Matsumoto clan does not know their stuff but...I prefer to drive a mere 10 minutes from my home (which is roughly equidistant from Waikiki proper) to cool off with some of this goodness on a warm afternoon. Kids love shave ice, too, and it cleans up nicely. Again, thanks to Microsoft for sponsoring this mobile post and try not to drip on your laptop, y'all.

—Alex, 04/02/08