Quick bites in Hilo
Yesterday, I flew to Hilo with my business partner, Russ Sumida, to conduct some training for our client. While there for one quick day, we figured we’d try to squeeze in a quick taste of this side of the Big…
Melissa Chang
Articles
Lessons learned from Social Wahines
Photo by Krystalle Li. From left: Linda Chiem, me, Alyson Helwagen, Paula Rath, and Linda Fulgenzi.Last night, I was a panelist at Social Wahines‘ “Strictly Business” event. It’s a series of professional development workshops geared toward women (although men are…
Hawaii: In Real Life ~ Beatboxing with Jason Tom
Ever since the first time I saw Jason Tom perform at [re]think: Hawaii, I’ve been intrigued with his talent. He bills himself as “the human beatbox,” producing a variety of sounds — creating entire songs, sometimes while he dances —…
The wonderful new world of weddings
Sandra Williams, left, with Nathan Kam of McNeil Wilson, who does her PR.A while back, Catherine Toth sat with Sandra Williams of Finishing Touch to learn about etiquette at special events. Yesterday, Sandra held a workshop for brides (and grooms)-to-be…
Did this: Ala Moana’s Passport to Luxury
For the third year, Ala Moana capped off its annual, weeklong Shop A Le’a spring fashion event with a fabulous finale. Modern Luxury Hawai’i magazine coordinated an interactive event where attendees were given a “passport” to participating high-end stores to…
Join us at the Twestival
Photo by Ryan OzawaThe Nonstop crew is headed to the Twestival at The Venue tonight, an annual pau hana party put on by Twitter communities worldwide to benefit charity. This year, the featured local nonprofit is the Blood Bank of…
Party pics: Ala Moana Center’s Posh Pau Hana
Ala Moana Center kicked off its annual Shop A Le’a spring shopping event with a cocktail reception in their Nordstrom Wing. They featured pupu from Romano’s Macaroni Grill, sounds from DJ Eskae, and of course, swag bags. Stylists were also…
Hawaii: In Real Life ~ the Threading Lounge
Have you ever heard of “threading?” It’s an ancient form of hair removal that’s popular in Middle Eastern countries and India (although many claim it originated in Turkey), whereas we have waxing and electrolysis here in Western countries. Crossover India…
Did this: The Empty Bowl Project
Photo by Burt LumLast night, as part of Slow Art Friday, thousands of people flocked to Chinatown to support The Empty Bowl Project, a fundraiser for Hawaii Meals on Wheels and the River of Life Mission.Twenty A-list restaurants were asked…
Ono for Grandma G’s
Whenever I go to the Saturday KCC farmer’s market, I like to try new food booths to see what’s being served. One of the newer booths, which is now a staple at the farmer’s markets around Oahu, is Grandma G’s.Run…
Dinner with Memoirs
I was fortunate to get an invitation to a party at the Bayer Estate last night (thanks to Pam Davis!) to meet chefs Peter Foster and Kanani Lincoln of Memoirs, a private chef and catering company. Both men have extensive…
Choon Chun Chicken BBQ
After the party for The Cocktail Handbook, my neighbors Dawn and Derek Paiva wanted to get some real food. Honolulu Magazine Dining Editor John Heckathorn suggested Choon Chun Chicken BBQ, since it was centrally located and was a spot off…
New eats: 4Kings Kitchen
4Kings Kitchen ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 14 By Melissa ChangNonstopA new little restaurant recently opened in Moiliili near Kokua Market and Spices, and it's already a hotspot for lunch and dinner. Don't be fooled by the name;…
Hawaii: In Real Life ~ ‘The Cocktail Handbook’
Last week, I attended the launch of “The Cocktail Handbook,” which was written by longtime Duke’s Waikiki bartenders Aimee Fujiwara and Jesse Greenleaf (with bonus recipes from notable bartenders around town). I was so smitten by their cocktails that I…
Did this: Off-Premise dinner at Oasis
After seeing the edgy Off-Premise dinner that Mari Taketa attended in November, I was intrigued. This month’s dinner was less gritty and more glam, set at Oasis World Estates by Kathy Ireland in Aina Haina. Did This: Off Premise at…
Amazing ways we exchange crisis information
Like many of you, I’m still reeling in shock at the swift and horrific destruction from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I also have friends and family there, which makes this disaster hit closer to home — not to…
Party pics: ‘The Cocktail Handbook’ launch party
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Hawaii: In Real Life ~ Ono Pops
In this month’s InsideOut Hawaii magazine, Stacy Yuen Hernandez visited Joe and Josh Lanthier-Welch of Ono Pops at their kitchen in Hawaii Kai. For those of you who have yet to try these amazing frozen treats, they are made with…
Grillin’ and chillin’ at Sikdorak
I had seen Sikdorak, a Korean yakiniku place, open near Sushi ii in Samsung Plaza but was always too intimidated to poke my head in. Thanks to foodie Twitter friend Kyle Higa, I got to try it the other night…
Hawaii Red Cross’ online auction
People are increasingly busy nowadays, and no one knows that better than the people at the Hawaii Red Cross. With just 42 staffers to run nine offices statewide, plus an army of volunteers, they have to work on a pretty…
Hawaii: In Real Life ~ Honolulu Festival Preview
The Honolulu Festival, now in its 17th year, returns to Waikiki from March 11-13. The weekend is filled with free Japanese cultural activities, from music and dance to food sampling to hands-on craft demonstrations, culminating with a huge parade down…
Hawaii Chocolate Festival
Photo by Ed MoritaFebruary is “Hawaii-grown cacao month,” which was capped off with Hawaii’s first chocolate festival at Dole Cannery Square in Iwilei on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. What could be better than sampling chocolate and chocolate products made…
On the radio
Some of you may know my friend, Alan Okami, for his “Ka Leo o Kalihi” blog, his presence in the music industry as a principal of KoAloha Ukulele, or his various community activities. Yesterday, he added another dimension to his…
M&M eats: Jin Din Rou
A new, Japanese-owned Taiwanese restaurant has opened on South King Street with lots of buzz and lines out the door. Does it live up to the hype? Our tasting team, Mari Taketa and Melissa Chang (aka M&M), go to find…
Lady, watch your kids
Today’s blog is a little off my usual theme to bring you a public service announcement.As you know, I’m big into social media tools. I teach people how to use them for themselves and for their businesses. But I often…
New eats: Jade Dynasty
Jade Dynasty ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 18 By Melissa ChangNonstopJade Dynasty, the latest big Chinese restaurant to hit Honolulu, had its soft opening after Christmas and its grand opening last month. Now that the menu has been…
Hawaii: In Real Life ~ Caffeine Addict
A new coffee shop/video game store has opened in Pearl City, claiming to give you everything you need to get your blood pumping. On one hand, you can choose from a nice menu of coffee or energy drinks; on the…
Tips for dining solo
I’ll admit, even after all these years of sneaking in to do food reviews or just having no other single friends to eat with, I still sometimes flinch at the thought of eating alone. Depending on the restaurant, there’s a…
Inside Mandara Spa, Wailea
I almost forgot to post one last activity from my Maui trip: A visit to the Mandara Spa in the Wailea Marriott. Something about Wailea makes it conducive to spa treatments, whether it’s the views, the properties, or the way…
Party pics: Sacs in the City kickoff at Tory Burch
The Junior League of Honolulu had a kickoff party for their Sacs in the City event at Tory Burch, who is this year’s sponsor of their fashion show coming up on March 5. The in-store party featured networking, champagne, pupu,…
Roundup: Maui eats
Ululani's shave ice ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 23 Ululani's shave ice, with locations in Kahului and Lahaina, is famous for their super-fine shave ice and unique, homemade flavors. Choose from an overwhelming menu of about 40 flavors,…
Kaanapali Beach Hotel ~ The most Hawaiian hotel
I stayed one extra night on Maui because Julie Yoneyama said I had to see the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, which is the only hotel in the state to have the distinction of being named “the most Hawaiian” by the Waiaha…
Maui eats: Bistro Casanova
My friend Michi had told me to go to Bistro Casanova in Kahului, but I didn’t know what to expect. Whenever I told someone I planned to go there, they would say, “Oh, I hear that place is good!” But…
Hawaii: In Real Life ~ Honolulu’s best margarita
Did you know that National Margarita Day is Feb. 22? Pablo’s Cantina in Ward Center is celebrating with a mix-off to find out which bartender makes the best margarita in Honolulu.Ten of Hawaii’s biggest names in mixology will face off…
Maui eats: Mala Ocean Tavern
While on Maui, my friend Julie Yoneyama took me to her favorite restaurant: Mala Ocean Tavern. Many of you who know Maui’s restaurant scene will remember Mark Ellman, who previously owned Avalon. He opened his latest restaurant on the water…
Spa-aaah day at the Grand Wailea
I wouldn’t normally tell you about my spa experiences, but this is one of two on Maui that was so good, I have to share. I finished my stay at the Grand Wailea with a treatment at their Spa Grande. This…
Maui dining: Humu at the Grand Wailea
Simplicio Paragas of InsideOut Hawaii magazine recently did a profile on Maui boy Isaac Bancaco, who had been away from Hawaii for more than a decade. He completed his culinary degree in Portland, OR, and had worked at Ming Tsai’s…
Maui on my mind: the Grand Wailea
As you know, I went to Maui to help blog and tweet about the fundraiser for the Maui Coastal Land Trust (now known as the Hawaii Islands Land Trust) but I did need to find lodging. As luck and timing…
Hawaii: In Real Life ~ taking better food pictures
More people are taking photos of their food nowadays. Are you one of them? Do you wish you could take better food pictures, even with a point-and-shoot?I’ve been at it for years, and I always strive to take better pictures…
The social side of social media: Fundraising events
Roasted beet risotto from I'o Pacific'OAs you know, I’m a big advocate for the use of social media for raising awareness of businesses, non-profits, and yes, even yourself. But more than that, it’s imperative that we interact with each other…
