A Chinatown Chocolate Factory Whose Entire Profits Help the Homeless
Chocolate on a Mission even has some Easter treats—but you need to preorder today.
Eric Baranda
Articles
This Waikele Pop-Up Specializes in Seriously Loaded Steak Fries
Hella ‘Ono Grindz tops cheesy steak fries with beef birria, carne asada, longanisa and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
This Monthly Food Truck Rally Attracts Eaters from Across O‘ahu to Waikele
What The Truck?! brings 30+ local vendors together for a popular monthly food truck rally like we haven’t seen since Eat the Street.
What Happens When Cheesy Pizza Meets Salty, Tangy Filipino Adobo?
We headed to Shay’s Filipino Cafe to try this Italian-Filipino mashup.
Two-Minute Takeout in Waikīkī: TsuruTonTan Udon Noodle Brasserie
We check out the serious discounts at this popular chain.
More butter beer: Holiday Bar pops up at Ala Moana Center
It's that time of the year again: The Holiday Bar has returned to Ala Moana! Brought to you by the same people that hosted the spooky Ghost Bar in October, the festive Christmas-themed pop-up can be found nestled in the…
Honolulu’s Newest Poke Shop Makes it Fresh by the Pound
Poke by the Pound opened in 2019 in the heart of Kalihi Kai.
Harry Potter cocktails to charm the adults at Comic Con Honolulu
Today, Comic Con Honolulu 2019 kicks off a three-day family-friendly celebration of comics, costumes, fantasy, sci-fi and all things nerdom at the Hawaii Convention Center. As a lifelong fan of comic books and geek culture, anime and comic cons hold a special place…
Finally! Hawaii’s getting a Filipino Food Week
After moving to Hawaii during my freshman year of high school, I learned that Filipinos were viewed in different ways. Some saw us as unfashionable FOBs that dressed in loud colors. Others saw us as potential troublemakers with an affinity…
This is kamayan: Filipino-style benefit feast coming 4/27
When I first came to Hawaii, it was a reverse culture shock. I grew up on the mainland, so moving to a place where I was no longer a minority took a bit of getting used to. A part of…
What I found at Target: Frozen poke meal kit
What I found at ... is a series that tests and vets intriguing store-bought food finds. It’s the mainland and global parallel to KaSnack attack!, our series reviewing made-in-Hawaii snacks. What: Authentic Hawaiian Poke, Shoyu Ahi Mix & Serve…
Legit flavors at the cutest poke shop in Manoa
It's worth a drive into Manoa for a new poke shop with shave ice in an old-time Hawaii storefront. Off the Hook grand-opened this past weekend in between Starbucks and Andy's Sandwiches on East Manoa Road across from Manoa Marketplace.…
Is this poke? Poke Bar at Waikiki Beach Walk
The mainland poke craze has morphed Hawaii's iconic dish into a DIY salad bar creation — that's now boomeranged back to the islands. Mainland poke chains have opened on Oahu with customizable choices that go well beyond shoyu ahi and…
This quirky Waikiki izakaya has cheap eats and a DIY dessert ending
Down a lantern-lined alley in the heart of Waikiki, a quaint izakaya full of charm and quirk serves up some of the best Japanese bar food around town. The prices aren't too shabby either with most dishes under $10 and a happy…
Ramen alert: Gomaichi’s bowls live on at Menchanko-Tei
It's the end of an era, as longtime ramen shop Gomaichi closed its doors for good at the beginning of 2018. A high-rise condominium is scheduled to be built on their location. In addition, the shopowners' son had graduated high…
Brilliant! New gastropub opens at Ala Moana
Brilliant Ox, a new gastropub, soft-opened last week in the former Pearl Ultra Lounge space at Ala Moana Center. Here's your sneak peek at dishes by chef Brian Gremillion, formerly of Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop in New York City. Brilliant…
Do you know this cocktail speakeasy?
In the heart of Kakaako, on top of a brewpub, is a speakeasy only open on Thursday to Saturday. It's not at street level, it's a little higher up: The Hi Brau Room. The Hi Brau Room 700 Queen St.…
Before you shop, fuel up at Ala Moana’s Christmas Bar pop-up
The Christmas Bar is a new pop-up at Ala Moana Center serving festive and holiday-themed drinks – the most popular being a sweet, cream soda-based Hogwarts Butterbeer, finished with a marshmallow fluff foam. They don't have food, however, you're welcome…
Purple alert: There’s a new ube bakeshop in town
This new spot in Kalihi's all about the brilliant purple yam. Ube Before Anything Else, aka Ubae Hawaii, is in the City Square Shopping Center on Dillingham Boulevard. Ubae Hawaii 1284 Kalani St. 439-3224 Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday 9…
Droolworthy: Steak & Fish Company scallops
Do you ever not expect much from a place, so you get yourself ready for the worst? That’s what we did. Expect the worst from Steak & Fish Company, because it was a tiny place we’d never heard of, in…
Your guide to Comic Con Honolulu 2017
Someone told me recently that I was their best source for the latest news on the nerd stuff they like. That caught me by surprise, so thanks for the encouragement! Why was I surprised? Lately I’ve been feeling my attention…
Our Top 5: Ramen in Hawai‘i
I owe my addiction to ramen to Yotteko-Ya. The small shop at McCully Shopping Center was my initiation into the world of true ramen, and it left me hungry to try more. But as I tried bowl after bowl at…
Sayonara, Yotteko-Ya
The last bowl. Savoring every drop of the steaming paitan broth. Memorizing the creamy texture on my tongue. Chewing slowly the tender, juicy kakuni meat. Enjoying this meal to its fullest, because it will be my last. Goodbye, Yotteko-ya. The…
Our Top 5: Old-school comfort cheeseburgers
If you haven’t already filed your federal taxes, today’s the deadline. We at Frolic Hawaii would like to do our part to ease the pain. We’ve rounded up our favorite old-school cheeseburgers at local diners, drive-ins and yes, dives —…
Video & pics: Cosplay madness at Kawaii Kon 2017
I spent the weekend at Kawaii Kon 2017, the largest anime convention in Hawaii. It was good to be among my people. Anime, manga, video games and cosplay as far as the eye could see. I witnessed a lightsaber…
Anime fans, ‘Your Name’ is coming to the big screen
A lucky few got to see the hit anime film “Your Name” when it screened at the closing night gala of last fall’s Hawaii International Film Festival. Now’s your chance to catch it. It premieres in Hawaii theaters on April…
Guide to Kawaii Kon 2017
Thirteen years and 15,000 otaku after it began, it’s back. Kawaii Kon 2017 happens at the Hawaii Convention Center this weekend, April 7 to 9. So to help you navigate this world of anime, manga, gaming and cosplay — and…
This Thursday: Tchin Tchin’s Filipino feast to help keiki
I haven’t done this in a while. It’s in my blood, it’s in my culture. The last time I ate with my hands was two years ago, at the Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce kamayan picnic. Kamayan, you see, is…
An haute cuisine chef is dishing up tacos at Pow Wow
What do starving artists and art lovers at Pow Wow Hawaii eat? Tacos! After stints at Chef Mavro, Vintage Cave and Avenue’s Bar & Eatery, award-winning chef Robert Paik has set up a taco truck in the middle of the…
On the Street with the Toyota 86
Sponsored A street legend is reborn. Janae takes the track-proven, street-ready 2017 Toyota 86 out for a spin. Successor to the celebrated Toyota AE86, the 2017 Toyota 86 comes with a 6-speed transmission, a Boxer-Four engine, revised differential, and paddle…
Where to party on New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is just around the corner. Not sure where to go? Here’s our guide of all kinds of parties happening around town. 7th Annual Bud Light New Year’s Eve Party of the Year 7 p.m. – 2…
Party pics: Super CW Retirement and Birthday Party
Who can bring out the nightlife crew while the sun is still up? None other than Honolulu’s leading lady for parties, promotions and entertainment: Christa Wittmier, aka Super CW. Her retirement and birthday party last night at Pure Nightclub featured…
Hidden gem: Cafe Fusion
I had promised babes that I would take her to a cafe for breakfast. Someplace she’s never been before. I like surprises, so on a random weekday morning, I took her to church. Sort of. Cafe Fusion is located inside…
Breakfast in Taiwan
A flight across the Pacific, a ride into the city and 12 hours later, here we were: Taiwan. Babes and I immediately got down to business: breakfast. I had my first taste of Taiwan at Jiang Yellow Beef Noodle Shop.…
Hidden gem: Teishoku
Tucked in a corner of Kam Shopping Center. I haven’t felt this young in a while. That was my first thought the first time I ate at Teishoku, a Japanese restaurant that opened in July at the Kamehameha Shopping Center…
Coming soon: Amazing Hawaii Comic Con 2016, Part 2
A cosplayer from the first Amazing Hawaii Comic Con in 2015. Once again, it’s back: the incredible Amazing Hawaii Comic Con 2016 … Part 2. Amid the universe of cosplay, panels, workshops, exhibitors and Pokemon Go challenges coming to the…
Bevy: New chef, new pupu menu, lunch coming soon
My first date with the woman who is now my girlfriend was at Bevy. So it’s fitting that as we close in on our one-year anniversary, I swing by Bevy to celebrate its third. And what an anniversary. Bevy has…
Something new: Yacchaba
What does a Japanese fisherman say to get attention? “Yacchaba!” That’s according to the owners of the newest Japanese izakaya in town, Yacchaba. And get my attention, Yacchaba did. What secrets do you hold? Besides sake and beer. I’m a…
