The 30th annual Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau invitational surf competition starts today on Oahu’s north shore — or at least, the waiting for wave conditions to make the contest.The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau is a one-day big…
Another nice day trip (or two) would be to the tiny town of Obuse, just outside of Nagano. It’s cute. It’s quiet. It’s known for sake. What else do you need? In all seriousness, the town is noted because the famous…
Y. Hata & Co. has been making strides in the foodservice industry in recent years. To celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2013, they did a huge renovation of their Sand Island facility to create a more vibrant environment to work and shop.…
Although the big city is fun, it’s nice to get away and see what kinds of rural escapes are nearby. One of those spots is Niigata, an area north of Tokyo. We caught the JR Express (just a couple of…
Remember Hiromi Go? I had a couple of very OMG moments on this trip, one of them being at our visit to a spot called Yoyogi Milk Hall. I don’t know why it’s called a Milk Hall — although there…
Versatile Makiki townhouse feels like a large home.
Ross Mihara (left) and Genei Wagan’s Hideki Irie.This Japan trip was different in that I met up with a lot of Hawaii ex-pats who now call this destination, home. One of them is Ross Mihara, whom you may remember as a…
Shopping for uni at Tsukiji. No trip to Tokyo is complete without a visit to the famous Tsukiji Fish Market, the oldest and largest of its kind in the world. In fact, if you’re headed there soon, it’s a must, because…
My childhood friend Melissa Wong Kamakawiwoole now lives in Japan, and she came all the way out from Kakegawa to hang out with me in the big city. Since we only had a couple of days, we did some whirlwind touring…
It’s always fun to meet up with a friend or two from Hawaii, living in a destination you visit. You get to hear about how they live and work, and eat food that is very local to the area —…
Chihiro and Sean Shinshiro at Sean’s Kitchen. If you follow me on social media, you’ve already seen shots of my trip to Tokyo. Why am I here, anyway? My classmate, Deb Aoki, always takes fantastic trips and finds the quirkiest…
(Sponsored) Everyone knows about Big Island Candies’ chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies, given as gifts or passed around the office. But the Hilo-based company actually creates a lot of other plain and chocolate-dipped confections. On Oahu, you can find a good range…
Brand new home is ideal for extended families.
Classic architecture with updated luxury.
If you’re From the Big Island (FBI), you’re either reading this in disgust because I’m so late to the party, or getting a hankering for one of your favorite meals (or snacks, depending on how much you eat). Yes, I…
Stephanie Nomura with her ice cream sandwiches at Fresh Cafe. Who doesn’t love ice cream sandwiches? Two Punahou grads, Angela Shiraki and Stephanie Nomura, have kicked up our childhood favorite a notch with some unique flavors at their new company,…
Jimmy Buffett’s Beachcomber Burger, using as many local ingredients as possible. As you know, Jimmy Buffett’s at the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort recently went through some changes — and actually, since I first blogged about it, the menu has…
iichiko kicked off its month-long launch of its Bar FRUITS YUZU and UME line at The Modern Monday night, serving the spirit in various fruity cocktails to show its versatility. During November, you can try the new flavors at various…
Editor's note: Libby's and Char Hut Sut have closed. Oh, how times have changed. Several years ago, I did a piece for Metromix Honolulu on my top 10 manapua spots, and to my surprise, people out there have some very…
After 35 years in Kailua, Hungry Ear records moved to metro Honolulu and had its grand opening this weekend. I had never been to the original store, although it is well known with people my age and has a loyal…
Hawaii Fashion Month 2014 officially got underway Saturday evening, with a VIP soiree at the IBM Building that kicked off the month-long series of events and celebrated the launch of the Hawaii Fashion Exchange (HFX). Presented by HIFI, Ward Village…
Buho Cantina celebrated its first Halloween with a rooftop masquerade party, high above the massive crowds in Waikiki. In addition to a costume contest hosted by KreyZ Oshiro, the venue featured music by DJ Osnizzle, Pacquimania and Super CW. Buho rooftop…
Here’s your chance to live in one of the nicest neighborhoods in East Honolulu.
Honolulu has its share of ramen restaurants, but a new one opens today where another once stood. Ramen Man-Ichi, part of a company that has about 22 shops throughout Asia, has opened on Kona Street next to Ailana Shave Ice…
A local supernatural expert gives some tips for dealing with a haunted home in Hawai‘i.
When you talk about cooking healthy — especially for seniors — it doesn’t usually conjure up thoughts of tasty food. But for at least the last four years, the Kahala Nui Senior Living Community has challenged Kapiolani Community College (KCC)…
Hawaii’s first Summit Fest — a weekend celebration of arts, culture and ideas — kicked off last night on the rooftop of the IBM Building on Ala Moana Boulevard. Attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception with a “post modern luau” created by Christina…
The inaugural Summit Fest — a celebration of fashion, music, culinary arts, and ideas — happens this weekend. Presented by Summit Magazine and Ward Village, the three-day event highlights Hawaii as an innovation hub with networking events and speakers that will…
Ossipoff home has modern touches on classic design.
The Hawaii Bowl held its annual fundraiser last night in the Sheraton Waikiki main ballroom, featuring wines and spirits from Youngs Market Co., as well as a variety of upscale food stations by chef Colin Hazama. The event also had…
Ward Warehouse architect Steve Au designed this custom Kailua home.
Chef Mavro with his new chef de cuisine Jeremy Shigekane. Throughout the year, Chef Mavro changes his menu to match the season’s freshest ingredients. I got to try his latest fall menu offerings recently, which are always spectacular (with or…
Space in Hawai‘i is scarce. Interior designer Lauren Makk gives some easy tips for keeping the clutter out.
Although “eating local” is a popular catch phrase these days, it’s actually not easy to find a lot of Waikiki restaurants that really offer a locavore menu. We were excited to try Heavenly — located in the Shoreline Hotel — which…
Kalākaua Gardens breaks ground.
The HASR team. —Photo by Laura Kay Rand Starting today, Oct. 13, HASR Bistro is opening a section of its second floor to offer a deli in Chinatown with Mama’Nita Scones. The new venue-within-a-venue will be open from 7:30 a.m.…
I got an invitation this week from Hue Oldham, the public relations manager at the Kahala Resort, to check out their annual fall harvest dinner at Hoku’s — which was great, since I had not dined at Hoku’s in years.…
We’ve talked a lot about Hawaii’s sustainability and the evolution of our local, grass-fed beef on this site — it’s great to see how far the industry has come, and how it’s grown on all of our islands. Recently, we got…
This custom-designed home is a modern oasis, featuring a koi pond, a natural waterfall and some fruit trees.
You’ve already come with me on my last trip to Sapporo, so I don’t have to rattle off my favorite things. You already know Hokkaido is my favorite island, and from what I’ve seen so far, you can’t go wrong…
