After 15 years at Aloha Tower, chef Chai Chaowasaree has reinvented himself with a new restaurant, a new(ish) menu, and a new look, adding to the upscale healthy choices along Kapiolani Boulevard. Chef Chai, now open in the Pacifica, is…
The drama continues as the Pachecos try to close
Kapiolani Community College’s (KCC) Culinary Institute of the Pacific held their 16th annual Ho’okipa at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel last night, showcasing the talents of more than 300 students in their program. The sold-out fundraising gala featured stations with food from…
This convenient condo allows pudgy pets
Condo sales rise, home sales drop
The silver lining for home ownership costs
Today’s IRL blog is actually twofold: One, to talk about Whole Ox Deli (@WholeOxDeli), and two, to talk about the upcoming Great Chefs Fight Hunger event put on by the Hawaii Foodbank (@HawaiiFoodbank) on March 23. Click here to see…
The Honolulu Festival (@honfestival) kicked off its 19th year with its annual Friendship Gala, an event showcasing entertainment from Hawaii and Japan, and food from a dozen renowned Oahu restaurants. This weekend, there will be cultural activities and entertainment at…
As you know, I love Genius Lounge in Waikiki, but it’s hard to get there. You have to fight Waikiki traffic and find parking, which can be problematic when you spontaneously want to go somewhere different for a drink. I…
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As you saw from Ed Morita’s blog, Doraku Sushi recently opened their second Hawaii location on Kapiolani Blvd. I knew that owner Kevin Aoki was the son of Benihana chain founder Rocky Aoki, but if you met him, you’d never…
Living large in a private windward retreat
I’d been dying to go on another eating adventure with my friends who like to seek out off-menu items in restaurants. The secret menu, or “ura menu,” tends to be a selection of several items that are known only to…
An escrow roller coaster
This sold-out event Wednesday was a favorite with foodies at their favorite foodie spot: town. Ed Kenney created a unique menu reminiscent of his wine down events, and bartender Jordan Edwards came up with some wild (okay, and a couple…
Last week, when I interviewed Colin Field, he said he asks bartenders to consider the message they are trying to convey with the drinks they make, as one would with a traditional work of art. His creations were beautiful and…
One of the largest lots in Mililani Mauka
Online tools can help you research criminal activity in a neighborhood
Have you heard of the Harlem Shake? Now that Gangnam Style has played itself out (and PSY is galloping all the way to the bank), a new video meme craze has taken over the YouTube channels. It’s kind of a…
A rarely available Hokulani district home
Luxury in West Oahu
Maemae School is just minutes away
It’s not every day you get to taste a cocktail made by a man labeled “the best bartender in the world” by Forbes Magazine. The Halekulani has brought Colin Field, that bartender of distinction, to work with their bartenders on…
Sharing real estate with Vine
It’s Valentine’s Eve, and you don’t have anything planned. Maybe you’re last minute, or just waiting to find something different. Whatever the case, we have a couple of ideas for you to help keep you out of trouble but still…
About a year ago, chef Chris Kajioka (@CKCuisine) tweeted to me, “What was the best meal you ever had?” It was probably the omakase at Morimoto’s in Philadelphia, which took me through a range of emotions with each course, or…
For the last three years, I’ve gone to the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust’s (HILT) big fundraiser on Maui called Buy Back The Beach. You’ve seen the blog posts about it; it’s a great event that generates awareness for protected lands…
A hot, new listing in Nauru Tower
Sales increase, median prices dip
A new food truck hit the streets two weeks ago with a cute name and interesting offerings: Whatchafillin.’ No, there shouldn’t be a question mark there; it’s their statement of a name. If you’ve ever had the Japanese obanyaki/dorayaki, or…
The Pachecos go back west and are in escrow
You’ve seen the usual party, food, and parade pics from the annual Night in Chinatown on Maunakea St., so we didn’t want to post more of the same. Instead, Tracy Chan and Melissa Chang wandered the streets to show you…
As you know, Mari Taketa and I recently did a video review of the newly-opened Monkeypod Kitchen in Ko Olina. Last night was their official grand opening, with about 250 people filling their second floor. Chef/owner Peter Merriman was on…
Chinese New Year is on February 10, but Honolulu starts celebrating this weekend with lion dances, the big Choy Cheng event, Night in Chinatown, and the big Cultural Plaza festival. It is the one time of year that I eat…
A brand-new home in town with a view
Sharing real estate just got easier
I first met Isaac Bancaco in 2010, after he had just returned home to Maui to become the chef de cuisine at the Grand Wailea’s Humuhumunukunukuapua’a. He was on Oahu for the day to met as many media as possible,…
Luxury deal on Puuikena
Expansive yard makes this house a home
Oahu home prices predicted to rise significantly in 2013
