You can’t go to Dubai without visiting the souks (old markets), at least for the experience. They’re full of stimulation for all the senses, to be sure, even if you’re not looking to buy anything. Here’s my warning, though: You know how,…
With just four full days in Dubai — two of which were on tour — there wasn’t a lot of opportunity to try everything people recommended. Nonetheless, the flavors on this side of the world were as intense and wonderful as we…
Dubai skyline at dawn by Jan Michael Pfeiffer. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building there. One of the most striking things about the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Dubai in particular is the grand scale upon which they build…
Aloha from Dubai! Here’s a look at my quick vacation in the fabulous man-made oasis in middle of the vast desert of the United Arab Emirates. My friend Val texted me a few months ago, saying she and her boyfriend Kyle…
This restaurant has since closed. This blog post on Million Pocha has taken a long time to come to fruition … so long, in fact, that it’s not quite something new, but enough people know about it that it’s not…
We love our happy hours in Hawaii! Dining out can be expensive, and sometimes eating a little earlier can save us money while we have things that we might not normally make at home. One of the new happy hour…
With Wing Lam, the founder of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos. Many of us in Hawaii know about Wahoo’s Fish Tacos on Ward Avenue and … not much else about it, right? If you’re like me, you’ve probably eaten there and thought it…
It’s been a few months in the making, but 12th Avenue Grill’s Kevin Hanney is ready to unveil his new bar and dining concept tomorrow in the former Salt-turned-Hale-Ohuna space on Waialae Avenue. He refers to it as “12th Avenue…
On my recent trip to Maui for the annual Ag Fest, the Maui Visitor’s Bureau put me up in the Napili Kai Resort out in Kapalua. I didn’t think anything of it until my friend, Maui writer Shannon Wianecki found…
Taverna, one of Maui’s newest restaurants, opened at Kapalua Resort a few weeks ago and like many hotspots, hit the ground running. Located in the former Vino space adjacent to the Kapalua Visitor Center, it benefits from daily visitor traffic,…
I don’t understand Hawaii’s obsession with hotpot. Okay, I like it and I think the whole communal cooking experience is fun. I especially enjoy the places that let you make your own dipping sauces, as I’ll go to town and…
Evonouk Farms sold out of their herb packs, but had all of this for free! Every year on the first Saturday in April, Maui has its big agricultural festival — a celebration of the amazing and abundant products from the Valley…
I’d been hearing a lot of buzz about Hana Ranch Provisions in Paia from my Maui friends over the last few months. They weren’t just raving about it; they were claiming it was their favorite Maui restaurant. That’s a pretty…
Presented by Diane Ito (R) at Keller Williams Honolulu: A custom mid-century-modern dwelling that's both spacious and private.
Open house pick of the week: Each unit in Keala o Wailea will have panoramic ocean views.
Mill House Maui in Waikapu finally had its grand opening this past weekend … Wait, wasn’t the Mill House Maui already open? Well, sort of. Maui Tropical Plantation, upon which the restaurant sits, has played a big part in the…
Hula Grill in the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is always having special events that highlight local products and benefitting local organizations, and this Wednesday’s paniolo-themed dinner is looking like a unique, meaty experience. They’ll be featuring Makaweli Meat Co. from…
Hundreds of people turned out to support the Hawaii Foodbank’s 10th annual Great Chefs Fight Hunger fundraiser, featuring about 20 Oahu restaurants and 13 beverage companies at the main warehouse in Mapunapuna. This year’s crowd was even larger, as the…
Open house pick of the week: This Wilhelmina Rise home has a huge lot that gives you room to expand.
Melissa (M): Well, it’s finally feeling like winter in Hawaii, and as sure as people reach for that second blanket at night, they are looking for a bowl of steaming hot ramen to keep them warm. March is also National Noodle Month,…
Open house pick of the week: This Kapi‘olani Condo is a hidden gem.
From left: Delilah, Jacob, Pauline, me, Lars and Rodson at Moanalua High School. The Mālama Learning Center is putting keiki in the kitchen for their annual Calabash & Cooks fundraiser! This Saturday, March 12, professional chefs from Roy’s at Ko Olina, Pono…
Kimmy Harbin with one of her platters. It’s First Friday! You’re probably headed to Chinatown tonight for the big monthly street party, so here’s a civilized option for you as you weave through the crowds and art galleries looking for…
Open house pick of the week: a custom home in Kaimukī with a yard.
Axis deer in Hawaii. Photo provided by Maui Nui Venison. In recent years, more local companies and chefs have been coming up with new ways to bring invasive species to the table in a delicious way, so we all can…
Open house pick of the week: Appreciate nature in a sophisticated environment.
It’s not every day you get to taste what a Michelin-star chef can do, especially in Hawaii. The Halekulani Hotel brought in Michelin star chef Nicola Damiani and his sous chef Nearco Boninsegni from Osteria Di Passignano, a restaurant just outside Florence,…
I recently got invited to the grand opening of a new boutique in Waikiki, right on Saratoga Road, and it was cute enough that I thought I should talk about it. It’s mostly aimed at the visitor market, and is…
Open house pick of the week: a custom built home with panoramic views of the Waikīkī skyline.
Open house pick of the week: A Wai‘alae Nui Ridge home owned by a KITV news anchor.
From left: Baba Alimoot, Jody Kamisato, me and Chris Kamaka. This weekend is the eighth annual Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii, full of musical events featuring some of the biggest ukulele stars in the world (most of whom hail from Hawaii,…
Now that a new year has begun on the Gregorian and lunar calendars, it’s time to get your life in gear for the coming months, right? My social media feeds are full of people talking about decluttering, setting goals, and making…
We got up close and personal last weekend with some of our favorite celebs from Top Chef as they got cooking at the Grand Wailea for the annual James Beard Foundation Celebrity Chef Tour. Grand Wailea chefs Ryan Urig and…
This luxurious unit has views of the ocean, city and mountains.
When you come to our event in Kakaako tonight, it may be the first time in a long time that many of you even set foot in the area, and you’ll find quite a few new things. Arvo, the new…
My one-bedroom suite at Westin KOR Villas. I recently visited The Valley Isle for Maui Chef’s Table and Buy Back The Beach, and had the opportunity to stay at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort (KOR) Villas for one night. (Alas, actor Jeff…
Usually the best discoveries happen on the fly. I had gone to the big festival in Chinatown last Saturday with our Will Chen, Wang Chungs owner Danny Chang and good Chinee girl Jennifer Lieu to see if I could find things that…
The Mill House in Waikapu. A few months ago, fellow blogger Olena Heu went to The Mill House at Maui Tropical Plantation to experience Executive Chef Jeff Scheer’s intimate Chef’s Table dinner. Jeff had taken over the restaurant six months…
A nice two-bedroom condo near Kaka‘ako.
The Year of the Monkey starts on February 8, as Chinese people around the world celebrate a new lunar new year. Here in Hawaii, we get a head start; this Saturday, January 30, Maunakea Street will shut down for a…
