An amazing HIFF comes to an end
Another awesome HIFF has come to an end, and it was truly a marathon 11 days for me. The thing that really wore me out this year were the number of events. There was an event virtually every night of…
Author: Ed Morita
HIFF: ‘The Descendants’ screening
During the past few weeks, the most sought after ticket in town has been for the HIFF premiere of “The Descendants,” starring George Clooney. Although I came to Sunday’s screening simply to take photos outside the theater, I was fortunate…
Pics: HIFF Awards Ceremony
Cinema fans gathered at Washington Place Tuesday night for the Hawaii International Film Festival awards ceremony. Voting for the audience choice awards for best narrative, documentary and short film will continue through the rest of the festival. Results will be…
An Afternoon with ‘Hawaii Five-0’ Part 2
As promised, here is the second part of the panel discussion, An Afternoon with “Hawaii Five-0,” that look place Sunday afternoon at the Halekulani Hotel, as part of the Hawaii International Film Festival.Here’s Part 1 of the discussion, in case…
HIFF: An Afternoon with ‘Hawaii Five-O’
The Hawaii International Film Festival sidestepped into the television industry Sunday afternoon with its panel discussion, An Afternoon with “Hawaii Five-0,” at the Halekulani Hotel.The panel — moderated by HIFF programing director Anderson Le — featured executive producer Peter Lenkov,…
Party pics: EuroCinema Hawaii awards
The cast of “Hawaii Five-O” and “The River” were among the stars who attended EuroCinema Hawaii’s 2011 Awards Gala Saturday evening at the Moana Surfrider. The award for Best Film at this annual soiree went to the British film, “We…
Party pics: HIFF Music Showcase with 9th Wonder
HIFF Music Showcase with 9th Wonder ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 20 Photo by Tracy Chan jQuery(function($) { new NggPaginatedGallery('828af393c4734ee9b89bf019e776184a', '.ngg-imagebrowser'); });
HIFF review: ‘Jiro Dreams of Sushi’
I had the privilege of attending Thursday night’s Yelp screening of the fantastic documentary, “Jiro Dreams of Sushi,” one of the films at this year’s Hawaii International Film Festival.The film tells the story of 85-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono, who…
Sweet dreams
When it comes to recipe development, my creative process has always included a series of problem-solving steps. Often, the end result will be completely different from what I set out to solve. It always starts with a round of “What…
Party pics: October’s First Friday
We hit the streets, art galleries and boutiques of Chinatown for October’s First Friday. Some of the marquee events this month featured Jordann Baker and the Nomadic Alchemy Aerial dancers at Soho, the First Friday debut of the Blank Canvas…
First Thursday October highlights
Fresh Cafe was decked out all in white for October’s First Thursday poetry slam. The new white interior was in preparation for artist Aaron De La Cruz, who was next door painting a car as part of his new exhibit,…
Party pics: Liquid Aloha beer pairing
It was a hot and humid night at the Outrigger Waikiki, which made it a great night to gather around the pool to enjoy some beer and food. Duke’s Waikiki teamed up with Kona Brewing Co, Wednesday night to host…
Did this: Mauka to Makai
Some 1,100 people converged on Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Great Lawn Saturday for the final night of the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival. The event, Mauka to Makai, focused on the farm-to-table movement, emphasizing the use of fresh, locally grown ingredients.Local…
Party pics: Octoberfest
Party pics Octoberfest ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 38 Photo by Ed Morita jQuery(function($) { new NggPaginatedGallery('34c8eac6ca53efb8cc96a81605dfbf41', '.ngg-imagebrowser'); });Taimane Gardner performing
Did this: Streets of Asia
Hundreds of people braved Waikiki construction traffic Thursday evening and paid $200 a head to attend the first night of the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival. The first event of the three-day festival was Streets of Asia: Morimoto and Friends.…
Portland eats: Andina
It’s always a pleasant surprise when you encounter a restaurant that evokes an emotional reaction. Sometimes it’s excitement, sometimes it’s glee. Occasionally, you’ll find a place that so overwhelms your senses that it literally takes a few days to process…
Seattle eats: No ordinary food here
The foodie culture in Seattle had effected every type of food you can think of. During my trip, Mark and Gypsy was determined to share with me all the great eateries that they had discovered in the city and I…
Seattle eats: Woodinville tour
Although California’s Napa Valley and Sonoma County get a lot of attention for their wineries, the Pacific Northwest has its own wine country in Woodinville, located just outside Seattle. A foodie tour of the Northwest would not be complete without…
Seattle eats: Tilth
During my trip to Seattle, my friend Mark Mizuno did a phenomenal job of exposing me to some of the best food in and around the Seattle area. Yet, prior to my trip, I decided Tilth — owned and operated…
Seattle eats: Pike Place Market
Located along the waterfront in downtown Seattle is a fantastic gourmet food district called Pike Place Market. The market itself consists of a strip of shops and booths at the end of Pike Street, but the congruence of foodie shops and…
Seattle eats: Cafe Juanita
From one extreme to the other, I went from the minimalist emphasis on clean flavors of Bisato to the complex and multilayered approach of chef Holly Smith at Cafe Juanita. The multiple component plates with bold and contrasting flavors showcased…
Seattle eats: Bisato
Last night, I had a rare treat with friends and Seattle residents Mark Mizuno and Gypsy Raven. At their recommendation, we went into Seattle’s Belltown district to a phenomenal restaurant called Bisato. The brain child of James Beard Award-winning chef…
Video: ‘Hawaii Five-O’ premiere
Photo by Tracy ChanWhich former cast mate would Terry O’Quinn like to see on “Hawaii Five-0?” Which “NCIS: Los Angeles” character will make a crossover appearance this season? What Hawaii Public Radio show does Daniel Dae Kim tune into? These…
Kaka’ako mural by Estria and Prime
In an effort to support Kamehameha Schools’ movement to raise art awareness in Kaka’ako, graffiti artists Estria Miyashiro and John “Prime” Hina began working on a new mural Friday near the former Pipeline Cafe.The pair, part of 808 Urban, drew…
Estria Battle
Estria Battle ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 17 Photo by Ed Morita jQuery(function($) { new NggPaginatedGallery('12c81aeaafdb53ff0ce5c3bc2f8ec07a', '.ngg-imagebrowser'); });
The next step
First of all, I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of support and well wishes. All of your comments helped me keep it together while getting ready for my audition to be “The Next Food Network Star.”My bad hand…
First Thursday September highlights
September marked the beginning of the official slam poetry season, with the first qualifying round of the First Thursday poetry slam taking place last night at Fresh Cafe.Every month, the top two finishers of the monthly slam competition qualify for…
Things just got real!
My hands are literally shaking as I write this. I just got a call back from the Food Network!When I was at the casting call on Tuesday, I was nowhere as nervous as some of the other people in the…
Does Hawaii have the next Food Network Star?
Do you have what it takes to be the next Food Network Star? That was on the minds of the more than 100 people who showed up Tuesday at the Food Network’s casting call at the Sheraton Waikiki.I’ve never had…
Crab and lobster, oh how I miss thee…
Last December, while vacationing in Las Vegas with my friend Melissa Chang, I had a very bad allergic reaction at a seafood buffet. Since then, Melissa, who left me unconscious in the back of a rental car to go shopping,…
Party pics: Incubus
Minus the Bear ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 37 Opening act, Minus the Bear, performing at Kaka'ako Amphitheatre.Photo by Ed Morita jQuery(function($) { new NggPaginatedGallery('566f27ef04fc6067d41ff228758563bd', '.ngg-imagebrowser'); });
First Thursday August highlights
The “Summer of No Rules” came to an end last night at Fresh Cafe with the biggest turnout of poets and musicians yet. Over the last few months, poets were allowed to perform team pieces, cover poems, as well as use musical…
Grab your notepads!
During a recent visit to Kochi Restaurant & Lounge, I encountered one of my pet peeves of the food service industry, which is the practice of servers not using notepads to take down orders. I was with a group of…
13th Annual Pauahi Awards
Pauahi Awards ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 36 Photo by Ed Morita jQuery(function($) { new NggPaginatedGallery('e3932ee8e85a8a8bcd545530bd2dd688', '.ngg-imagebrowser'); });
A buzz about bees
Recently, I’ve been noticing a lot of “buzz” about honeybees. Many know I’m a big fan of locally produced Ohia Lehua Blossom Honey, but it goes a lot further than my peanut butter and honey sandwiches.We all learn in grade…
Party pics: ‘Deathly Hallows Part 2’ premiere
'Deathly Hallows part 2' premiere ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 21 Photo by Ed Morita jQuery(function($) { new NggPaginatedGallery('822bc44c9bcde976a969e6c93a1f96f9', '.ngg-imagebrowser'); });
First Thursday July Highlights
Poets put on some of the best performances of the summer at July’s “No Rules” First Thursday poetry slam at Fresh Cafe.Headlining the night was featured poet and North Carolina native, Carlos Robson, a National Poetry Slam champion. A writer,…
Live art by Estria and ‘Prime’
This month, Eat the Street featured live art by two renowned street artists Estria Miyashiro, founder of the Estria International Graffiti Battle and John “Prime” Hina of 808 Urban.Many people lingered to watch the progress of the two artists. As…
Super-sized Jenga
One of the popular attractions at this month’s Eat the Street was a super-sized Jenga game brought in by the local Yelp chapter. Crowds gathered as people took on the challenge to try to stack the tower as high as…
Party pics: MMA Hawaii ‘Big Boy Toys’ expo
The big boys came to play Saturday at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. The “Big Boy Toys” expo, organized by MMA Hawaii, featured cars, custom motorcycles, tattoos, mixed martial arts, a Jiu-Jitsu tournament, a “bully” dog show. and fitness competitions. MMA Hawaii…
First Annual Republik Music Festival
BAMP’s new annual traveling music fest hosted an amazing lineup of rock, hip hop and reggae artists at Kakaako Waterfront Park on Saturday night. Steel Pulse, Matisyahu, Rebelution, The Dirty Heads, The Green and The Throwdowns all took the stage…
Video: First Thursday June Poetry Slam
The summer of “No Rules” continued at last night’s First Thursday poetry slam at Fresh Cafe. Among the many talented performers was featured poet Jason Carney, who has appeared on HBO’s “Def Poetry.” Carney is a former skinhead who had…
Eat the Street-Foodspotting scavenger hunt
This month’s Eat the Street food truck rally takes place this Friday, May 27, from 4-9 p.m. at 555 South St. in Kaka’ako. To add another level of fun to this event, Nonstop Honolulu has teamed up with Foodspotting.com to…
Did this: Hawaii Wine and Food
Food and wine lovers made the trip out to Ko Olina Resort Friday evening to take part in the first night of the Hawaii Wine and Food at Ko Olina, a two-day benefit for the Kapolei Foundation.Friday’s festivities including a…
UFC event coming to Hawaii
Photo by Ricky Li, Office of the GovernorIn what was intended to be just a photo op between Gov. Neil Abercrombie and BJ Penn, the groundwork was laid for possibly bringing a UFC event to Hawaii. All local fighters, including…
Party pics: Speakeasy Party at Apartment3
Speakeasy Party at Apartment3 ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 21 Photo by Ed Morita jQuery(function($) { new NggPaginatedGallery('ca46259c85370c42b6df143af569eac5', '.ngg-imagebrowser'); });
Party pics: Pacific Edge Magazine awards
Pacific Edge Magazine celebrated its fifth anniversary Thursday evening with an awards gala at The Waterfront at Aloha Tower Marketplace, which recognized innovative business leaders in Hawaii. Here are the winners:John Yamamoto — Lifetime Achievement AwardRevolusun — Best New Business…
My Top 5: Best bakeries on the island
Top bakeries ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 18 By Ed MoritaNonstopI'm going to be brutally honest. Honolulu has some crappy bakeries. Some of the items sold at grocery stores, discount superstores and even gourmet markets are appalling. People…
L’ulu food porn
While at the L’ulu fundraiser at Leeward Community College on Saturday, I couldn’t resist the various opportunities to photograph some of the beautiful produce displays that were featured throughout the event. Virtually every station presented an opportunity for food porn.The…
Video: First Thursday Poetry Slam
First Thursday kicked off its summer of “no rules” on a festive, yet slightly soggy, Cinco de Mayo. This summer, performers are allowed to do team pieces, use musical instruments, props and even perform cover works. A first for First…
