Entries tagged 'Honolulu'
Mango Season Begins and Alan Wong's Goes Mad
Local super chef Alan Wong has long been known as a serious mango maniac. But like all good locals, he's also a mango snob. That means mangoes must be in season, must be from Hawaii, and must be insanely luscious...
Hawaii Shopping: Slow art in Chinatown with Roberta Oaks
First Fridays are officially too nutty and too drunk. Art lovers and shopaholics who could give a rip about the booze and the booty, rejoice. Slow Art is now the third Friday of the month, destination Chinatown. Auntie Roberta...
Local Design, Modern Vibe: Free! UH Students Make Cool Chairs
And other types of furniture. From HNLNow. At the University of Hawai‘i School of Architecture free exhibit: 'Furniture Design at UH: an Exhibition of Furniture Designed by Students in the School of Architecture.' Displays 39 pieces created by students...
Hawaii Vacations: Travel Pink to the Islands, Support Breast Cancer Research
A message from the Oahu Visitors Bureau that I like -- come to Hawaii this fall and support Susan Komen breast cancer research efforts. Here's a deal from Aqua Resorts....
Things to Do in Hawaii: Fish Auction at Pier 38
This is the only Japanese style fish auction in the U.S. It's also the premier national market for ahi (most of what you eat in NYC and LA comes from here) as well as swordfish. You can even bid...
New Hawaii Food Blogger: Eatizen Jane
Wish she would post more often. Monthly is not enough as the reviews are better than most and often off-beat. Check out this piece on the nouveau Indian cuisine of the Halekulani Hotel's Vikram Garg....
Hawaii Hotels; Royal Hawaiian Opens after Renovations to Mixed Reviews
The grand dame of Waikiki hotels, the iconic Royal Hawaiian, reopened after extensive renovations roughly two weeks ago. Upgrades included renovations of the old rooms and decor, revamped restaurants and dining menus, and a new super pool for kids and...
Hawaii Foodie Alert: Side Street Inn Opening New Spot
Fans of the Side Street Inn near Ala Moana Shopping Center have long bemoaned the lack of parking and cruddy location. Thankfully, chef-owner Colin Nishida is opening a second location with better parking (and probably better decor) in the bustling...
My (Long Lost) Friend SuperCW at the Waikiki Parc: Uber, Uber
I don't know how to do umlauts on the keyboard. SuperCW knows how to do everything else. Sigh. I wish I had her nightlife stamina. At any rate, she stayed at the Waikiki Parc, the hipper but cheaper version...
Hawaii Restaurants: Alan Wong's Gets Even More Tasty on Feb. 4
Here's a look at the latest special menu from the reigning master of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, Alan Wong. The theme is learning the difference between locally grown foods and local food styles and...non-local things. Am sure the grinds will be...
Hawaii Hotels: Ilikai Hotel Shutting Down in Feb, Bankrupt
The Ilikai is one of the older hotels in Waikiki and never one of my favorites -- no easy beach access, set on a busy street, very boxy architecture, low ceilinged rooms. But it seemed destined for brighter times with...
Hawaii Hotels: W Diamond Head Reflags to Castle Resorts -- Room Downgrade?
Word came out yesterday that the W Diamond Head will be reflagged as a Castle Resort property called the Lotus. It's a lovely little hotel that has slid since a big renovation and great expectations. The club downstairs is among...
Hawaii Weather Report Part II: Obama? Who's That? Nice Beach, Eh?
This Hawaii beach is on the most populous island, Oahu, a stones toss from urban Honolulu. Located on the Windward Side of Oahu near Kailua (where Barack Obama is supposedly vacationing right now) is considered crowded by some locals...
Hawaii Eats: WOWGrinds Best Kim Chee
The happy hungry people over at WOW Grinds Hawaii have done another of their blind tests and come up with a Kim Chee winner -- Fort Street Sundries and Snacks, on Oahu. Says the crew: "We did weighted scoring again...
Honolulu City DatesL How to Make a Pink Tiki Drink in Hawaii
The dynamic duo over at Honolulu City Dates have posted another adventure, this time to the fine confines of Tiki's Bar and Grill, the faux tiki bar in Waikiki that is over-the-top and totally fun -- big frou frou...
Honolulu Saturday Night Special: Hawaii Nightlife Diaries in Da Flesh
My friend, uber nightlife diva Miss CW, is throwing a bashorama in honor of her budding affiliation with MyOpenBar.com. THAT'S TOMORROW NIGHT, FOLKS, SATURDAY. She runs the Honolulu flavor of this growing Website. So CW and MOB are throwing down...
Hawaii's Top Chef Loves His Mama: Alan Wong's Special Dinner
Alan Wong loves his Mama. No better way to show it than a special Next Generation Dinner at his King Street restaurant. Each NGD menu is unique and specially crafted for the occasion. In this case, the dishes echo the...
Tasty Island Blogs Bunmeido Japanese-style Baked Treats
Love the "Tasty Island" almost as much as I love sweet treats. Pomai's blog is chock full of great pics and good advice on where to eat local. Her post on Bunmeido is awesome, with many pics like these. Of...
Hawaii Nightlife: Ichiriki Loft: New Nightspot in Honolulu That Looks Good
The gradual appearance of nifty new nightlife spots worth of the NYLON orbit continues apace in Honolulu. Latest entry is the Ichiriki Loft, an offshoot of the fun Japanese restaurant of same name (loft is upstairs). Valet parking is...
More Obama Madness in Hawaii: Goes to Magic Island for Beach with Fam
Local media is reporting that Barack Obama took his family to Magic Island today for a dip and some sun. This is a pretty nice urban beach, also called Ala Moana Beach Park. Formerly overrun by homeless (the park, not...
Controversial Beach Restoration in Waikiki: Will Three's, Populars Get Sandbagged?
The owners of several large Sheraton-flagged resorts in Waikiki has decided to push ahead with a highly controversial plan to recreate a beach in front of the massive Sheraton Waikiki hotel. Formerly called Grey's Beach, this stretch of sand has...
Passing of the Last Tiki Bar in Hawaii? Owner of La Mariana Passes On, Future Uncertain
I've blogged about La Mariana before and noted that it was up for sale. A week or so ago the owner, Annette Nahinu, passed away before she could pass the property on. It's now owned by the La Mariana...
Hawaii Surf Spot Tour: Diamond Head Cliffs on Oahu
This is a crowd favorite. Picks up a bit of surf all the time. Blows out with true trades. Best in early mornings or late afternoons -- good for windsurfing when its blown. Rarely gets super scary and is...
Hawaii Surf Spot Tour: Diamond Head Cliffs on Oahu
This is a crowd favorite. Picks up a bit of surf all the time. Blows out with true trades. Best in early mornings or late afternoons -- good for windsurfing when its blown. Rarely gets super scary and is...
Inside the Academy: Asian Sensation
Hey, Lesa Griffith from the Honolulu Academy of Arts checking in. You haven't seen an Academy post in a while because, well, we started our own blog, aloHAA. Curators and other staffers documented the run-up to our big summer program,...
Room with a View: ResortQuest Waikiki - Partial Ocean View in Hawaii Beats Most Views
Turn down the sound (painful commentary) and check out the views from the ResortQuest Waikiki on this video. This is a partial ocean view. Doh! You'll get this room for a pittance compared to far less tasty fare in...
Local Cocktail Mavens X 4: The Taste of Hawaii Summer
Honolulu Star-Bulletin (props to local barfly Jason Gengabus) has the 411 on what local mixologists are tossing into the blender this hot summer in paradise. Hint -- lots of retro drinks with Cuban origins. Go figure, like rum in the...
Final Honolulu Poetry Slam: We Missed It and Will Miss It
I attended a few of these at the Hawaiian Hut, a truly great venue. The rhymes were fresh, the perspectives varied, the crowd quite diverse. It was really all you could ask for in a slam. Sorry to see it...
Waikiki Nei - Las Vegas Style Show done Hawaiian Style
As the readers of this blog know, I've always been a big fan of Waikiki. I've become an even bigger fan since its resurgence. The place was tired but now it looks a lot less so. Which is why I...
Where the Barflies Are in Honolulu: MyOpenBar.com Rocks Honolulu
So my friend, fellow blogger, and Hawaiirama poster Super CW has asked me a coupla times to do a post on her new venture. I did not want to put it up before because I wanted to make sure...
Bag This! -- The New Manuheali'i Bag Is Aloha Design Awesomeness
A hat tip to Hapa Hale for pointing me towards the new season of offerings from Manuheali'i, a low key design and clothing shop based on Oahu that is truly cutting edge in taking tropical style to the next...
Honolulu Crime Stats Down -- Less Danger in Paradise
Nice to read that crime in Hawaii declined last year for the fourth year running. I hope this holds up to the economic stresses now coming into play in Hawaii due to airline closures, cruise ship departures, and other sundry...
Surfer Magazine seeks out Bhutanese monks
>Surfer Magazine associate editor Jeff Mull is in town and yesterday he stopped at the Honolulu Academy of Arts to interview our resident Bhutanese monks, who have been learning how to surf thanks to Cynthia Derosier, author of The Surfer...
Microsoft Mobile Post: Arts at Marks - Nuuanu Gallery
Posting from the Nuuanu Gallery at Marks Garage. This post is sponsored by Microsoft. When you see the Microsoft Mobile logo, you know I'm posting on the go. Or something like that. So, back to the subject matter at...
Honolulu Dates: Rum Fire Video
I've blogged about the new bar at the Sheraton Waikiki, Rum Fire. It's a very literal place. You drunk rum. You sit next to fire pits. Got it? Very sleek, very chic. But don't take my word for it. The...
Inside the Academy: Security Guard Calvin Collins’ Fabulous Show
There is a joke at the Honolulu Academy of Arts that the security guards are the most interesting people on staff. And like all jokes, there’s a lot of truth to it. The men and women who make sure the...
Honolulu Restaurants: Shokudo Review, New Wave Japanese
I'm posting from Shokudo, a Japanese restaurant right next to Ala Moana Shopping Center and five minutes from Waikiki. This mobile post, typed on the go from my laptop whilst I polish off a platter of ahi tatami atop...
Side Street Inn: Still Delish, Not so Nutrish
I'm mobile posting from the Side Street Inn, a favorite sports bar / dive bar that is the closest thing to Momofuku Noodle Bar that Honolulu has. Food. Reminder -- this post is sponsored by Microsoft and I put...
Nightlife Report from SuperCW.com
A short report from Honolulu's Nightlife Diaries this time. I just had to reveal the best new thing from Chinatown... Thirtyninehotel has revamped their Happy Hour!...
Ono Kine Goes to Downtown at HiSAM - Euro-Island Cuisine
Ono Kine visits Downtown @ HiSAM, Ed Kenney's latest venture. Great pics. Gives you a real flavor of the place....
Live Audio from Kaimana Beach -- Not That It's Any Different Than Any Other Day Here
Another hearty mahalo to Mister Softee (Microsoft) for sponsoring Hawaiirama for a bit and funding my outrageous restaurant habit. Thanks, Bill! I got your back in Hawaii! Check out a brief audio post covering one of my favorite beaches...
Inside the Academy: Opening of 'The Dragon’s Gift' a royal event
class="right" />After five years of research and conservation (and two concentrated months of whirlwind construction, signmaking, writing, planning) the Honolulu Academy of Arts’ landmark exhibition The Dragon’s Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan opened with a special weekend of members-only...
LA Times Honolulu Chinatown Roundup: Nice Piece, Lots More to See
LAT visits Chinatown and declares it now hip. A decent read with decent coverage. They missed, however, the newer restaurants and many of the good hangouts. No reference to Mei Sum for Dim Sum or Hank's for piano bar's or...
Inside the Academy: Prayer Flags Are Go!
In the run-up to the opening of The Dragon’s Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan, an upcoming and highly anticipated exibition at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, staff—and visiting monk Sonam Tshering—put up a grove of Bhutanese prayer flags in...
Food & Wine Reccomends Tsukiji Fishmarket: Hawaii Local Media Beg to Differ
This is why I never trust the big travel magazines, particularly for shorter articles. In "100 Tastes to Try in '07", foodie Bible Food & Wine posts the Tsukiji Fish Market at Ala Moana as Number 59 and has this...
Happy Valentine's Day -- Bucatini Bolognese at Town in Kaimuki
(Note to readers: Microsoft has generously agreed to sponsor Hawaiirama and as part of the deal I am doing a few mobile posts for our friends in Redmond. You will begin to see the occasional “live on location” audios,...
Winez and Grindz Returns to Pineapple Room: Hawaii Foodies Rejoice
After some chef turnover and menu instability, Alan Wong's slightly more casual offshoot The Pineapple Room is returning to its signature monthly tasting events. This one looks extremely intriguing, with a chef I do not know, Robert Urquidi. Here's the...
Inside the Academy: FFF a hit
You recall we mentioned the recent launch of Film Friday by the Honolulu Academy? Well, flick fans and cognoscenti turned out for the launch of Friends of Film Friday at the Doris Duke Theatre in droves this past week. Honolulu...
Have You Had Your Malasada Today? Gotta Eat, Cuz!
I managed to stop at Leonard's in Kapahulu this weekend for a quick malasada fix and was greeted with a poster proclaiming Feb. 5 as Malasada Day (related to Mardi Gras, of course). We've blogged on these greasy goodie native...
Real Italian Food in Waikiki from a Japanese Chef:
Two of my good foodie friends, Lesa Griffith (who blogs here for the Honolulu Academy of Arts) and Dave Choo, have recommended Taormina as solid. Dave said it was good and I trust his judgement. Lesa used to work as...
Hawaii Hotels: Scoop on the Renovated Rooms at the Kahala Hotel & Resort
Family crashed as the Kahala for a 4-night stay two weeks ago and got lucky enough to snag one of the newly renovated rooms at the classic resort which had been struggling of late, according to many online posters. A...
Honolulu Nightlife + Coolspotting Hawaii Report: SuperCW Productions
Hello hello. Christa from SuperCW reporting from the world of nightlife diaries. I'm going to be doing some nightlife posting on Hawaiirama. Here's a few photos highlights. Last week I checked back in on the new Rum Fire bar at...
Gorgeous, Wacky Glass - Kyle Ino, Hawaii Glassman
Cruising through Ward Warehouse and Ward Center today, noted SO MANY killer shops with local wares. Nohea Gallery, Jeff Chang Pottery, the Gallery at Ward, Kicks HI, and a host of others. First time I've seen the eye-catching works of...
Inside the Academy: Hawaii's Last Art House Theater, Friends of Film Friday
When Varsity Theater closed last year, that left Doris Duke Theatre as the last art house standing. Honolulu Academy of Arts film curator Gina Caruso (pictured here) is going full steam with innovative programming. On Feb. 8 she launches Friends...
Hawaii Real Estate: Oahu Flood Report, Global Warming
Thinking of buying a second home on Oahu or moving to the island? Might want to check this site first, courtesy of scientists at University of Hawaii. Beachfront is getting a whole lot cheaper -- if you're time horizon...
Latest Review from John Heckathorn -- Some Promising New Japanese Joints, Some Real Duds
John reviewed five places for this issue (whew!), all Japanese. The buffets (no, John, no!) he kinda sorta liked. Thankfully, he was into Kaiwa, a restaurant I'd been hearing very good things about. The other place he likes, Shigezo, is...
Christmas in Hawaii: Kam Schools Xmas Concert
The vocal tradition a the Kamehameha Schools runs over a century deep and is rightfully a significant source of Hawaiian pride. The school's vocal and performing arts ensembles are among the best in the country and a heartening continuation of...
Xmas Lights in Downtown Honolulu
While it's not as bright or as big as the massive light displays in other major metros, the Honolulu version is quite respectable. We make a pilgrimage down each year with the little ones in tow. I'll be posting...
Honolulu By Foot: Nice Roundup Feature
Honolulu Weekly has a nice roundup of Honolulu's handful of walking tours, through Chinatown, graveyards, and other places. It's a nice read and made me want to break out the Tevas and Camelpaks (kidding, sort of). Caveat sunburn. Midday tours...
Hawaii Cupcakes: Hokulani Bakery, All Butter, No Bad
Yes, the upscale cupcake madness has landed in Hawaii, too. Fortunately, I should say. My pal Tushar Dubey is one of the purveyors of the sweet, kine stuff. Two years ago he and his lovely wife Anna opened Hokulani Bake...
Tropical Cocktails: Alan Wong's Pome-Kazi
Most foodies around the country know that Alan Wong's has some of the best fusion food on the planet. But few recognize that Wong's cocktails are also some of the most interesting around. Here's a nice recipe for an original,...
Hawaii Hotels: Kahala Resort Renovations Alert
It was no surprise when the Kahala Resort announced a major renovation. The rooms, while stylish, were getting tired. Parquet floors in the tropics may not have been the best idea. The Trip Advisor masses were calling the Kahala a...
Hawaii Restaurants: Next Gen Dinner at Alan Wong's King Street on May 17
Better grab those tables fast. Wade Uekoa, who has helmed a number of these prix fixe tasting extravaganzas, is back at the toque. Menu highlights include Seared Furikake Crusted Ahi with Ma’o Farms Ruby Streak Greens, Fresh Myoga, Soy Mustard...
Hawaii Clubs: 39Hotel Reloads, Renovates
The Honolulu Advertiser takes a walk through of the newly redone 39Hotel, one of the coolest clubs in Honolulu and a key player in the hopping downtown / Chinatown bar scene. A gallery by day, 39Hotel morphs into an airy...
Waikiki Hotels: The Secret Pyramid - the Diamond Head Beach Hotel
I had been meaning to write up this wonderful condotel set at the far side of Waikiki close to Diamond Head and the uncrowded shoreline on the eastern side of this resort town. Here's an image of the view...
Hawaii Restaurants: Choo's Chews Book Review: Sliced Pig Stomach! Yum!
I've long envied the life of my good friend Dave Choo. A multi-talented writer and editor who works at local magazine shop Pacific Basin Communications, Choo is an encyclopedia of local food insights. Dave has just published a bunch of...
Hawaii Signature Drink of the Week: Morton Heavenly Palm Beach Infusion
Getting this drink of the week thing going again, this week I have a excellent, refreshing recipe from the good folks at Honolulu branch of Morton's The Steakhouse. The drink is one of a slew of new signature mixed cocktails...
Hawaiirama Foodie Roundup
More edibles for the masses, courtesy of the roving food monkeys at Hawaiirama. Honolulu Weekly happily sails into the Holokai Grill, the new Tiki's Bar & Grill clone in the also new Waikiki Beachwalk. The word? Order mixed drinks. Lots...
To Do Tonite: Hops & Grindz
Suds fiends, take note. Chef Jay Matsukawa at the Wiilows is mixing up another bodacious pupu menu for his monthly "Suds & Grindz" shindigs tonite (Marcy 30). It's a beergasm bargain -- $25 gets you a tasting flight of six...
Honolulu Picnic Paradise: Waahila Ridge
One of the great things about Honolulu is that from virtually any place in the city you are only 15 to 20 minutes away from a relatively pristine, uncrowded hiking trail or spot of breathtaking scenic beauty. Witness Waahila Ridge...
Hawaii Restaurant News Flash: Chef Mavro Kicks It Up A Notch
Well, I guess it had to happen. After successfully running his posh, pint-sized eatery in Moiliili for a number of years, James Beard Award Winner Chef George Mavrothalassitis finally took the big step up and announced today that he'll soon...
Foodie Alert: Ono Kine Grindz Back Blogging
After a long hiatus, Ono Kine Grindz is posting again. Recently reviewed -- Tokyo Tokyo at the Kahala Hotel and Bombay, the new Indian eaterie (Hawaii could use A LOT more Indian) in Discovery Bay in Waikiki. This blog takes...
Eddie Kamae at the Elk's Club: Hana Hou!
We had heard a rumor that Eddie Kamae, the phenomenal Hawaiian musician who was a sidekick of Gabby Pahinui, was playing a semi-regular guest gig at the Honolulu Elks Lodge in Waikiki. It was true. So we went down yesterday...
Hawaii Restaurants: Roy's Hawaii Kai, Still Ono After All These Years
In 1989, Roy Yamaguchi opened his flagship eatery in Hawaii Kai, then a solidly middle-class newish neighborhood in East Honolulu. Roy was from California and so was his restaurant. It had a big display kitchen with flashy flames and pots...
Civilized Fireworks Venues for New Year's Eve in Hawaii
Where to watch the pyrotechnics and croon "Auld Lang Syne" in paradise? The fireworks displays in Hawaii aren't as impressive as those found in bigger metropolises. But the setting tends to make up for that, thank you very much. Here...
Hawaii Nightlife: Pipeline Cafe -- Your View May Be Limited
A word to the wise. This bar bills itself as a concert venue. Don’t be fooled. The concert part is an afterthought due to the confines of the space and the crazy crowd factor. The Pipe is long and very...
Hawaiiian Christmas -- Honolulu City Lights
The biggest light display in the islands is thrown up by the elves at Honolulu Hale, seat of the City and County of Honolulu. It's an impressive display including trains sets, a crech, a santa flashing a shaka sign, and,...
Hawaii Hotels: Embassy Suites Opens In Waikiki w/$199 Ka'amaaina Deal
Call it Hawaii's own version of the Big Dig in Boston. The $625 million Waikiki Beach Walk Project has disrupted traffic, made a handful of Waikiki hotels far less habitable, kicked up dust and turned up the volume so loud...
Hawaii Restaurants: Du Vin -- Bring Me a Bucket
So I managed sufficient escape velocity to make it down to Du Vin for a few glasses of fine grapes this past weekend. I do like the restaurant a lot, if for no other reason than its ambience is wonderful....
Helemano Plantation: Xmas Tree Farm on Oahu -- Green Alternative
We drove out to Wahiawa this Christmas to get our tree because we decided we wanted a Norfolk pine in a pot. Throwing away dead Christmas trees made my wife sad. Also, we had read plenty about imported Christmas trees...
Fares to Honolulu from Newark International -- January Snapshot
My favorite way to travel to and from New York is on the non-stop Continental flight from Newark International to Honolulu. It's a daily departure. In fact, I've found Newark to be the most convenient way in and out of...
YouTube Hawaii Video: Ryan Takes Us to Taste of Honolulu Fest!
My online pal Ryan Senaga, who is a prolific creator of Web content, posted this video he shot at the Taste of Honolulu fest this past summer. It's a fun view on the event. I've yet to go but intend...
Kicks/HI: Cool Local Gifts for the Young Men on Your Christmas List
Young guys can be notoriously difficult to shop for come Christmastime, but Kicks/HI has made this task downright easy! Both Hawaii locations specialize in rare, covetable Nikes, but they also stock a line of witty, pop culture-inspired t-shirts, featuring the...
Cool Bars: Indigo
Of all the downtown bars, Indigo is the chic, versatile star, the one that can play trendy or alternative, affected or young-professional. There’s no doubting its proverbial hipness—especially in relation to velvety imitators—but the question remains: is it really a...
Matthew Gray Food Tours: Cheap(er) Eats Than Usual
Former Honolulu Adverttiser food reviewer and all around bon vivant Matthew Gray shifted from writing to tour guide a few years back when he opened his own foodie tour biz. I have not been on one of his sojourns around...
A Piece of Paradise More Affordable?
So it looks like the long, crazy real estate run is over in Hawaii. The median price of homes sold on Oahu fell nearly 5% in November as compared to the same month in 2005. This is the first time...
Cool Hawaii Shops: MaHaLo Water Boutique
First it was gourmet coffee. Then it was gourmet tea. Now its...gourmet water? Well, Japanese visitors swear by the stuff. And for sheer gimmick value, its hard to beat. The water comes from the Kona Coast of the Big Island,...
Hawaii Bars: Uncle Bo's
I finally got down to Uncle Bo's last night for a sniff and a few small plates. This place is run by a bunch of 20-somethings with good taste and they make the place fun. The chef is Laotian and...
Advertiser Blogger Catherine Toth: Good Stuff
When Honolulu Advertiser staff writer (and former Cherry Blossom Beauty Queen), Catherine Toth started her blog for the paper a few months ago, I anticipated gossipy pop-culture Oprah Winfrey pap. Toth writes great stories on surfing and food. Her columns...
Taylor Steele in the House: Sipping Jetstreams Drops in on Honolulu
Noted surf filmmaker -- and best friend of the old-school surf pros -- Taylor Steele teamed up with hot surf photographer Dustin Humphrey for “Sipping Jetstreams.” This double-barreled effort is both a movie and a coffee-table book of the duo’s...
Hawaii Airfares on the Down Low
Here's a graphic from Kayak.com tracking airfares from San Francisco to Honolulu over the past few months. As you can see, all this talk of higher airfares across the country seems to be a bit overdone, at least with regard...
Department of Relentless Commercialism: Waikiki Land Grab
It's really a tiny pocket beach between the Sheraton Waikiki and the Halekulani. I guess they call it Grey's Beach and its a nice spot. There's a beautiful shady hau tree that's nice to sit under when the homeless haven't...
Hawaii XMas Shopping: Spring for Vera Wang
Who doesn't like Vera Wang? Her designs are timeless, clean, and classy. Her color selection is subtle. The fabrics and materials she uses are sublime. I was in the Vera Wang Boutique at the plush Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki this...
Hawaii Hotel Reviews: Hilton Hawaiian Village
Pros: The Hilton sits on a stretch of rather nice beach, one of the widest in Waikiki. While its rarely empty, this beach tends to feel less crowded than the other primary Waikiki beaches. There is a great swimming channel...
Get an Insanely Early Start on Your Holiday Shopping at Ala Moana Center
As I’m sure most of you savvy shoppers are aware of, the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year, and this holiday season, Hawaii shopping behemoth Ala Moana Center is taking full advantage of this fact...
Fantastic Two-Hour After Thanksgiving Sale at Ward Centers
So you’re all pau with the turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie for this year, but there’s no reason to despair. Some of the best deals of the year happen the day after Thanksgiving, especially at Ward Centers. The shopping complex...
Holiday Fun for Both Kids and Grown-Ups at Kahala Mall
Anyone who’s been stuck at home on a rainy day with an antsy toddler knows what a wonderful, climate-controlled, family-friendly oasis Kahala Mall is. In lieu of the shopping center’s usual Toddler Time activities, there’s a whole slate of children’s...
YouTube Hawaii Video of the Day: Bellows Beach
I've written about Bellows Beach in past posts. It's one of our favorite in all the islands and is seriously underappreciated by the travel press. Which is actually fine -- more beach for those willing to make the drive....
Lily Lotus Trunk Show: Get it First, Get it Fast
Attention Lily Lotus fans, the lovely, laid-back label will premiere its newest collection this coming Sunday, November 19 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Coffee Talk. You’ll be able to get your hands on local girl Laurie Momi Chee’s...
Hawaii Restaurants: Uncle Bos, Latest Honolulu Neighborhood Joint
Honoluiu Star-Bulletin Weekly Eater Nadine Kam gives a big thumbs up to new Kapahulu electic eatery Uncle Bo's. My friend Bob knows the owners, which converted the spot from a past joint into an Asian Pacific pupus and casual plates...
Hawaii Condos: The Donald Does Waikiki Quite Nicely
UPDATE: THE ENTIRE TRUMP TOWER PROJECT SOLD OUT IN A DAY. THAT'S RIGHT, ONE DAY. THIS IS NUTS! The Donald is apparently a perfect fit for Waikiki. So far, according to this article in the Honolulu Advertiser, Trump's planned 462-unit...
Cool Bars: Hula Grill
The Hula Grill, located on the second floor of the Outrigger Waikiki, really shouldn’t be a cool bar—at least not the type most Honolulu aficionados would enjoy. But on a Halloween evening, as Kalakaua Avenue flared with devils and pirates,...
Don Ho: Waikiki's Original Donald
If anyone of you out there reading hasn't hummed along to "Tiny Bubbles" at some point in you life, then, well, your probably lying! This anthem to cheap champagne entered the musical anthology of America courtesy of Don Ho, the...
Downhill Alert: Jimbo's Noodle Shop
We love Jimbo's as do a lot of other folks. It used to be our favorite place to get udon and other Japanese comfort foods. I was partial to the yakiudon with shrimp. But over the past six months the...
Georgia O'Keefe in Hawaii: Bridges and Waterfalls
Georgia O'Keeffe came to Hawaii in the late 1930s to escape a nasty divorce resulting from the infidelity of her husband and longtime mentor, an affair that caused O'Keeffe to have a nervous breakdown. The Dole Pineapple corporation underwrote her...
It Rained for 40 Days.....
It seems as if Mother Nature has a conspiracy against Hawaii tourists. Within the past year, Oahu and Kauai suffered massive sewage spills resulting from 40 days of torrential rains, an earthquake caused closures of national parks, beaches and trails...
Hawaii Hotels: Kahala Hotel & Resort Loses AAA 5-Star Status
It's still a really nice place to stay with a great beach in a quiet setting. But we had noticed the Kahala had been slipping a bit since the management turnover there in the past year -- just little...
Cool Shops: Cina Cina Hawaii
Asiaphile shopaholics tend to lose their minds in Honolulu. You can buy hard-to-find purple chinese clay teapots from Taiwan, rare antique Japanese tansu chests, and jade of all shapes and shades. There's also a ton of nifty east-meets-west fusion...
Cool Bars: Murphy's
There are plenty of sports bars on this island, and most have one thing in common: they are adequate hangouts to watch football. But as the baseball season winds down, there is really only one place to experience the World...
Hawaii Beach Guides: Oahu's Best Beginner Surf Spots -- Canoes
Here's the latests in our series of beach lists from John Clark, the noted Hawaii beach expert and all around beach nut, will be feeding us his extremely informed take on beaches around Hawaii. You can buy his books...
Chef's Choice: Daryl Fujita, Orchid's at the Halekulani
Chef Darryl Fujita started out washing dishes at the Halekulani and quickly rose under the tutelage of Chef George Mavrothalassitis at La Mer. Fujita is now the chef of Orchid's and gaining considerable acclaim on his own right. Gourmet...
The Next Generation Part 3: Whither HRC or Wither HRC?
This is a piece that was killed by the new online food publication, Chow. Bummer for me but hey, it happens. And more fodder for Hawaiirama! This is part 3. Here is part 1. and part 2. That hasn't...
Obscenely Delicious: Mochi Ice Cream from Bubbie's
If you are a member of the Moral Majority, you may want to put a blindfold on junior before you take him to Bubbie's. This homegrown ice cream company makes obscenely great ice cream, rich and dreamy, and tags its...
The Next Generation Part 2: Whither HRC or Wither HRC?
This is a piece that was killed by the new online food publication, Chow. Bummer for me but hey, it happens. And more fodder for Hawaiirama! This is part 2. If you want to read part 1, click here....
Hawaii Museums: Dream of Speech at TCMH
Sculptor H.C. Westerman passed through the islands as a gunner serving aboard the USS Enterprise at Pearl Harbor during World War II. Noted collectors bought his early works during the post-war period, even though Westerman studiously avoided hot trends...
Hawaii Beach Guides: Oahu Beginner Surf Spots - White Plains
Here's the latests in our series of beach lists from John Clark, the noted Hawaii beach expert and all around beach nut, will be feeding us his extremely informed take on best beaches around the Aloha State. At any...
Cool Shops: Chemistry Bath and Body
Chemistry Bath and Body is the ingenious idea of three local professionals (and gym buddies): Garrett Goo, Todd Taba, and Howard Tang. As frequent travelers to the mainland, they realized that Bath & Body Works products were the most requested...
The Next Generation: Whither HRC or Wither HRC?
This is a piece that was killed by the new online food publication, Chow. Bummer for me but hey, it happens. And more fodder for Hawaiirama! This is part 1. In September 2006, Alan Wong threw a luau. And it...
Hawaii Spa Reviews: Waikiki Planatation Spa -- Big, Nice, Loud?
Note from editor: I am going to be publishing a series of spa reviews here on Hawaiirama. These are based on first-hand experiences and are not complimentary or reduced rate treatments. I personally know nothing about spas. So I'm sending...
Tropical Drinks: "Tales of the Mai Tai"
It's a question much pondered amongst mixologists. Who created the first Mai Tai and what was the original recipe? Was it really Victor "Trader Vic" Bergeron? Or someone else. Tom Chapman, a friend and fabulous writer, revisits this question yet...
Won Ju Lim: In Many Things to Come
The Honolulu Academy of Arts selected South Korean artist Won Ju Lim for a commission. Lim is known for creating shapes and forms that she lights up with still or moving images. Not surprisingly, Lim chose to focus on Hawaii....
Honolulu Hotels: Film Fest Room Deal, Cocktails, Tix
Movie buffs -- no, it's not too late. The Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival (you can call it the HIFF if you want as the LVHIFF doesn't roll off the tongue) has a total deal with Starwood's four Waikiki...
Earthquake Update: ER Comm Breakdown?
We're still all sorting out what went wrong with Oahu's emergency response during the quake and it appears there was plenty (even though the quake did no real damage on Oahu). On that day, someone in my family was ill...
Cupcake Boutique: The Destination for Hip Mamas and Babies
Cupcake Boutique--one of my all-time favorite places to shop in Hawaii--began as an online webstore several years ago when owner Jodi Mizumoto noticed the lack of fashionable baby and mommy gear in Hawaii. The website became so successful that Mizumoto...
LVHIFF: The Best in the West
One of the best things about living in Hawaii is being in close proximity to the fabulous Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival (or LVHIFF). Of course, even for those who don't live nearby, it's a terrific reason to come...
Honolulu Hotels: Trip Advisor Rankings Takedown
Very often when I go to look up a property on Trip Advisor I scratch my head at its ranking. Why? I have lived in Hawaii for over a decade. I know virtually all the hotels in Waikiki. And while...
Honolulu Hotels: Hyatt Regency Waikiki -- Boxy But Safe
Pros: Like most Hyatt properties, this hotel is extremely clean and well maintained. Service is strong. Rooms comfortable. The pool deck is a great place to hang out and watch the waves but avoid the hoi polloi on Kuhio Beach....
Fighting Eel Fashionista Alert
A heads up to fashion fiends who follow the little Honolulu couture shop with a big following, Fighting Eel. The two ladies behind this machine are holding a special retail event at Fighting Eel HQ on Saturday from 2-6 pm...
Cake Couture: Hawaii Wedding Delight
The cake makes the wedding. Not really, but having a stunning cake is certainliy something every bride hopes for on her perfect day. Cake Couture, based in Aina Haina on Oahu, is a standout. Owner Carrie Emerson-Bass was raised...
Honolulu Weekly Bar Guide Online
The Honolulu Weekly published its annual (first?) Bar Guide for Oahu a week ago. Now you can view it online (which is a good thing because its always there and because the nifty graphics in the print version were illegibly...
Cool Bars: Tiki's
Tiki’s Bar & Grill, located on the eastern edge of the Waikiki strip, is the kind of breezy, ocean-view experience you would expect find amid the array of Honolulu nightlife—an experience that is more unique than you’d think....
Don't Get "Lost" for the Season Premiere Today at Sunset on the Beach:
So I know that far too many of you (estimated crowd: 15,000) are thinking about heading down to Waikiki to check out the open-air season premiere of teevee phenom "Lost" at 7 pm tonite at Kuhio Beach (map). Well, I'm...
Indigo Poke Recipe
At least once a week I get a request from someone for more poke recipes. So I am going to try to keep adding them up there, ideally pushing my readers into some sort of poke paralysis. Heh. This one...
Drink of the Week: Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Mai Tai
At Hawaiirama the good life is the liquid life. Not that I advocate excessive consumption but a little bit of libation sampling is a wonderful thing. In the islands, every hotel bar, restaurant and club has a signature cocktail. Starting...
Cool Shops: Native Books / Na Mea Hawaii
Locals simply refer to these two stores as Native Books or Na Mea. Proprietor Maile Meyer runs what might be the most Hawaiian store in the islands with a full Hawaiiana book section, Ni'ihau shell jewelry, fine furniture and bowls...
Honeymoon Helper:
We're getting a few queries in for this feature and hopefully we'll get a lot more. Again, we want to save your honeymoon. Don't trust a travel agent who doesn't live here. Don't trust a magazine that drops a writer...
Museums: Overlooked Gem, the Madge Tennent Gallery
The highly stylized charcoal sketches and oil paintings of Madge Tennent are often compared to those of that other painter of Polynesia, Gaugin as well as those of Vincent Van Gogh. They are a bit clunkier and chunkier, to be...
Food Reviews and News Roundup
* Catharine Lo at Honolulu Weekly slurps 'awa, gets numb, eats kalua quesadilla at Kapahulu Kafe * Star-Bulletin reccomends Wong's "New Wave Luau: II" party * Honolulu Advertiser's Wanda Adams eats more Filipino food, whole fried akule, pancit and lechon...
Top 3 Walking Beaches: Oahu
Here's the second in this series.. John Clark, the noted Hawaii beach expert and all around beach nut, will be feeding us his extremely informed take on best beaches around the Aloha State. We're breaking them down into all different...
Alan Wong's Opihi Shooter Off the Menu
A sad development. Due to the state ban on commercial sales of opihi, Alan Wong's Restaurant on King Street has converted its famed opihi shooter into an oyster shooter. We ate there last night. I had an oyster shooter. It...
Last Real Tiki Bar in Hawaii For Sale: $3 Million
Long after the other classic Hawaii bars turned off their taps and put away their blenders, the La Mariana Yacht Club has served as the louche outpost for tiki culture mavens and those craving a sense of old Hawaii. In...
Cool Shops: In4Mation
Triple 5 Soul meets the beach. This two-store chain, run by four partners with deep roots in the surf/skate set (including sponsored pro surfer Jun Jo) brings urban design ethos and fresh threads to the aloha shirtless masses. Stussy,...
Foodie Deal Alert: Sam Choy's Diamond Head 20% Off
Cruising Costco Hawaii Kai the other day I spotted a nifty gift card bonusorama from Sam Choy's Diamond Head. Cough up $80 at Costco and get two $50 giftcards good for all meals at Sam's! I personally am a big...
Best Steaks on Oahu
I often read the Chowhound bulletin boards to learn what people are saying about eating in Hawaii and what they are asking about the state's food scene. Every now and then I'll crib one of these queries and answer it...
Honolulu Weekly Annual "Best Of 2006 Issue" Online
This year's edition is finally online. I disagree with a lot of it. In a city of great ethnic and Asian restaurants, its laughable to say that middling Italian spot Auntie Pasto's is the best place to eat on...
Top 5 Aloha Festivals Picks
It's almost September and that means time for the annual Aloha Festivals. The biggest cultural festival in Hawaii spanning all the major islands puts on 300-plus events from small-town Hana to big city Honolulu. It started 60 year ago,...
Deal of the Week: AA Cheap Flights
Getting to Hawaii from smaller cities is usually a costly affair. The extra leg of travel from a non-hub city can really ding you on the trip. American Airlines has some great fares running for out-of-the-way places. Chattanooga to Honolulu...
Book Excerpt: "Food Lover's Guide to Honolulu"
Hawaii food writer Joan Namkoong has been documenting the foods, ingredients and cooking styles of the islands for several decades. She is the consummate Honolulu foodie. Joan (and her publisher Bess Press) graciously agreed to allow Hawaiirama to post...
KFEST 2: Hip, Edgy Films from the Land of Seoul
This weekend, the Hawaii International Film Festival -- the best film fest you should have heard of by nowi -- holds its second KFEST, putting on eight contemporary Korean films at the Dole Cannery Theaters in Honolulu (in the...
Book Excerpt: "Food Lover's Guide to Honolulu"
Hawaii food writer Joan Namkoong has been documenting the foods, ingredients and cooking styles of the islands for several decades. She is the consummate Honolulu foodie. Joan (and her publisher Bess Press) graciously agreed to allow Hawaiirama to post...
