Best of Honolulu 2015: Services
The 41 editorial and readers’ pick for the most helpful services from our Best of Honolulu 2015 issue.
Best of Services Editor’s Pick
Best One-Stop Shop for Film Photography
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Photo: David Croxford
Whether you’re a novice looking to get started or a seasoned pro, Treehouse has the best selection of film, analog cameras and darkroom supplies on O‘ahu, plus helpful workshops, film swap meets, walkabouts and exhibitions of local talent. If you’re a film enthusiast, this is the place to be. You can also drop off your undeveloped film at Treehouse, which sends the rolls out to one of three local photo labs (including Rainbow Photo Video) or The FIND Lab, a Utah company that specializes in film, founded by local photographer Jonathan Canlas. Owner Bobby Asato says Treehouse even supplies schools to “keep the art alive” through education, as more and more people turn to digital. But, as Treehouse proves, film is certainly not dead.
250 Ward Ave ., Suite 233, 597-8733, treehouse-shop.com
Best place to get your film developed
As Longs Drugs phases out its photo film-development services, it’s time to look for a local alternative that won’t ship your precious rolls to the Mainland. At Rainbow Photo Video’s photo lab, you can develop regular 35mm as well as 120 and 220 medium-format color film, plus 135mm and 120 black-and-white film, all within one day (or one hour, if needed). Manager Eric Phillips says they use a chemical process—not dry, as many labs do—to develop film because the prints last longer that way. He also says Rainbow is the only photo lab on the island that does E-6 processing for color reversal film such as Fujichrome. Plus, prices start at $5 to process a roll, 24 cents a print. It pays to shop local.
661 Ke‘eaumoku St., Suite 101A, 943-0276, rainbowphotovideo.com
Best chinese herb shop
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Photo: Thinkstock
Chinatown can be an intimidating and confusing place to navigate if you’re not sure what you want, but Gary and Nancy Lin make you feel right at home in their shop, Hou Ren Tong. Glass cases filled with prepackaged medicines and supplements make up the counter, behind which are dozens of drawers filled with loose herbs ready to be weighed out and combined in personalized treatments. The Lins are both licensed acupuncturists, as well, so go for the full traditional Chinese medicine experience.
183 N. King St., 521-7623
Best Watch Repair
Stopped watches run in our family, so thank goodness we happened to pass by the fourth-floor counter at Macy’s at Ala Moana to find loyal customers from back when it was located at Sears. Four repairs later—two sports, two treasures inherited—we’re hooked. Doesn’t matter if it’s crowded, manager Jason Billand (who was manager at Sears) and associate Mason McWayne are never less than charming. Not running, soaked in the bath, new band or battery—Billand will whisk Grandma’s sparkler into the back room and work
magic. “People come from Maui and (other) Neighbor Islands now,” says McWayne. “Nobody else can do what Jason does with repairs.” Plus, they don’t even try to upsell you a Rolex, as happens everywhere else.
On the fourth floor, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., 955-1059, macys.com
Best Tattoo Artist
Photo: David Croxford
Tattoo art is subjective—so how to find the best local artist? We posed a single question to more than a dozen local tattoo shops and artists: “Who, on O‘ahu, excluding yourself (or anyone in your shop), would you want to tattoo you?” Billy Whitney rose to the top. A founder of 808 Tattoo Studio, Okinawan-born Whitney came to Hawai‘i when he was 15, graduated from Mililani High, apprenticed with Jesse Perrin and, in 2000, started working at Gunpoint in Kailua. From quiet beginnings, he pushed himself artistically, going back to Okinawa to study Asian art and tattoos. He opened 808 Tattoo with Brian Takishita on his return; today, the studio has nine artists. “I do Japanese-style tattooing, but more traditional Japanese than you see now—I borrow lots from the 1930s and 1940s,” he says. “The old style was meant to last a lifetime; nowadays you see a lot of crazy detail, but it goes bad in four or five years, especially with the sun here in Hawai‘i.” With a wait time for appointments running three to four months, a Whitney tattoo isn’t an impulse decision. But, since tattoos are for life, there’s no need to rush.
46-018 Kamehameha Highway, #211, Kāne‘ohe, 234-1501, 808tattoo.com
Best old-house whisperer
For an older house, a handyman like Jeff Jersets is a craftsman who time travels. Making old things work in the present—like those beautiful but tricky 1930-era sash windows—he isn’t stymied by hardware selections and screen sizes City Mill and Home Depot have never heard of. His immaculate mobile workshop, an ark of ingenuity, is one reason his praises are sung by clients, including regular hosannas in Japanese on KZOO. Another secret to his success? “I always return phone calls.” (Just not when he’s on the job.)
Professional Home Repairs, 396-1697
Best of Services Readers’ Pick
Best Landscaper
Photo: David Croxford |
Mulkern Landscaping & Nursery, our readers’ top pick for the best landscapers in Honolulu, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Over those four decades, Kevin and Susan Mulkern have cultivated a purposely small, devoted clientele base. “It’s a family business, and my dad has wanted to keep things on a small, personal scale,” says daughter and assistant vice president Dorothy Mulkern. “He knows all his customers by name.” The company offers a full range of services, from garden maintenance to ponds and waterfalls, and Dorothy says one of the biggest benefits they provide is their network of related experts. “Our customers usually value their gardens and want someone they can trust,” she says. “Someone who can spot problems before they get worse. You need somebody who knows when to call a mason because a wall next to the garden is breaking down. Or when to call an arborist. It’s not just about the landscape itself, but about paying attention to the surroundings.” Remember, the nursery is only open on Saturdays.
41-639 Kaulukanu St., Waimānalo, 396-6595, mulkernlandscaping.com
Best Eyelash Extensions
Photo: Courtesy of Luxe Lashes |
“What sets us apart? We’re more of a beauty boutique,” says Leann Kirk of Luxe Lashes. “We customize the different looks for each customer after an initial consultation to find out about their lifestyle, what look best suits them.” Kirk’s technicians go through a six-month training and apprenticeship. “We are known for excellent service and highest-quality products, which includes the assurance that all of our technicians are licensed and certified,” adds Kirk. “We also provide a different ambiance. Husbands and boyfriends are welcome to come and wait.” Customers choose between Prime Silk, Faux Mink and Authentic Siberian Mink, but also between levels of technicans and price points: $250/senior, $150/junior, $100/apprentice and $300 for Kirk herself.
Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., 2-E; 566-0929, luxelasheshawaii.com
Best Laser Hair Removal
With some of the most advanced technology on the market, treatments that last a mere 15 to 30 minutes and a sparkling, luxe facility that puts guests at ease, Honolulu MedSpa has a bevy of devoted followers who are smitten with their smooth new skins. Not to mention that it emphasizes absolutely painless procedures in its laser hair removal. (Honolulu MedSpa was the first laser hair removal facility to introduce the painless Soprano ICE technology to Hawai‘i.) All procedures come with a free consultation in order to discern how to best and most comfortably tackle a client’s skin tone and hair texture within a schedule that fits the client’s needs. Treatment areas range from upper lips and chins to legs and bikini areas.
1650 Liliha St., Suite 102, 528-0888, honolulumedspa.com
Best Car Rental
For O‘ahu residents, renting a car isn’t just a vacation thing—it’s a real-life thing. Sometimes we’re moving and need extra space, or our own car is in the shop for a few days—either way, we usually are in no mood to make a long side trip to the airport. That Enterprise has locations not just at the airport but spread through town and even in Kailua makes it much easier to rent a car without throwing off our hectic schedules. No wonder HONOLULU’s readers voted Enterprise as their favorite car rental option.
Best Veterinarian
Since opening in 2010, the Kaka‘ako Pet Hospital has impressed pet lovers with its full range of services, from medical to alternative treatments to grooming and boarding. But readers really gush about Dr. Pauline Koreyasu, a DVM who also specializes in veterinarian dentistry, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, citing her openness and creative approach to treatment and rehabilitation. Born and raised on the Windward Side, she is joined by Big Island native Dr. Warren Sakamoto, DVM, who recently returned to Hawai‘i after 30 years in practice in Long Beach, California. Reflecting his passion for continuing education in best practices, Sakamoto is the only Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in the state.
815 Queen St., 592-9999, kakaakopethospital.com
Best Auto Detailer
Capone’s Ultimate Detailing
844 Queen St., 457-1519, caponesultimatedetail.com
Best Auto-Insurance Company
Geico
711 Kapi‘olani Blvd., Suite 300, 593-1010, geico.com
Best Automotive Repair
Lex Brodie’s Tire, Brake and Service Co.
Multiple locations, lexbrodies.com
Best Bank
Bank of Hawai‘i
Multiple locations, boh.com
Best Catering & Event Planning
Gourmet Events Hawai‘i
1917 Colburn St., 735-7788, gourmeteventshawaii.com
Best Cell Phone Service
AT&T
Multiple locations, att.com
Best Chiropractor
Global Health Chiropractic
677 Ala Moana Boulevard, Suite 914, (808) 521-9686, globalhealthchiropractic.com
Best Cleaning Service
Maid in O‘ahu
333 Saratoga Road, #89602, 664-0036, maidinoahu.com
Best Cosmetic Surgery
Asia Pacific Plastic Surgery
1401 S. Beretania St., Suite 888, 585-8855
Best Dry Cleaner
Hakuyosha Clean Living
Multiple locations, hakuyosha.com
Best Financial Advisors
Edward Jones
1001 Bishop St., #1080, edwardjones.com
Best General Contractor
Atlas Construction
1302 N. School St., 951-9500, atlasconstruction808.com
Best Hair Salon
W Salon
401 Kamakee St. Suite 104, 943-2700, wsalonhawaii.com
Best Handyman Service
ABC Handyman Hawai‘i
430 Lewers St., 722-1120, abchandymanhawaii.net
Best Home Appliance Store
Sears
Multiple locations, sears.com
Best Home-Insurance Company
State Farm
Best Home Painters
Bernardo’s Painting
94-716 Lanikūhana Ave., Mililani, 384-0864, bernardospainting.com
Best Home Security Service
Alert Alarm of Hawai‘i
2668 Waiwai Loop, 521-5000, alertalarmhawaii.com
Best Internet Service Provider
Oceanic Time Warner Cable Road Runner
Best Luxury Car Dealer
Servco Lexus-Honolulu
650 Kapi‘olani Blvd., 545-3987, servcolexus.com
Best Mani/Pedi Spa
Heaven on Earth Salon and Day Spa
1050 Alakea St., 599-5501, heavenonearthhawaii.com
Best Pest Control Company
Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions
96-1385 Waihona St., Building A, Pearl City, 456-7716, sandwichisle.com
Best Plumbing Service
Diamond Head Plumbing
1039 11th Ave., 734-4344, diamondheadplumbinginc.com
Best Pool Service
O‘ahu Pool & Spa
4218 Wai‘alae Ave., 735-4548, oahupoolandspa.org
Best Real Estate Firm
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty
4211 Wai‘alae Ave., Box 9050, 738-3600, betterhawaii.com
Best Retirement Community
Kāhala Nui
4389 Malia St., 218-7200, kahalanui.com
Best Roofing Company
David’s Custom Roofing & Painting
96-1217 Waihona St., Second Floor, Pearl City, 833-1633, davidsroofinghi.com
Best Solar Company
RevoluSun
210 Ward Ave., Suite 140, 748-8888, revolusun.com
Best Storage Company
Hawai‘i Self Storage
Multiple locations, hawaiiselfstorage.com
Best Waxing Salon
Aimee French Waxing
1272 S. King St., Suite 203, 226-0686
