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“Dining: New Releases,” December 2011
John Heckathorn reviewed three new restaurants—his favorite being Prima, a little Kailua spot he said was “built on youthful ambition, sweat equity and nerve.”
Tried it once, doubt very much if we’ll go back. First to arrive on a Friday evening. Met by some guy whose arms were nothing but tattoos. Not very inviting. Seated inside. Construction décor, open ceilings, kitchen exposed to dinner patrons. Waited over 30 minutes for our food. Small-size wine (in an overly large glass). My food quality was OK, but not worth $21 for one piece of fish. Would have been a push for $14. The waiters were wearing T-shirts. Come on, now. I will be strongly surprised if Prima lasts.
Aloha,
—RON MACPHERSON; KAILUA, HI
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“Think Pink,” December 2011
Managing editor Michael Keany wondered why Honolulu doesn’t have more colorful buildings.
So glad someone else has noticed! But check out Hauula for color. Our house is blue (see photo), but our neighbors have trumped us with day-glow green, and on Kam Highway there’s apple green, deep red, the traditional, fading, almost-gone pink Ching Long Leong Store, some not-so-great tangerines, a fine range of blues—sky-blue, sapphire—no good yellows, though. Yes, also, to the Bows! No other state would dare use the word “Rainbow.” Any university anywhere is free to field “the Warriors.” We gave up unique for commonplace and ordinary.
Warm aloha,
—ALICE ANNE PARKER; HAUULA, HI
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“The Bed and Breakfast Battle,” September 2011
Associate editor Tiffany Hill took a look at the issue of illegal vacation rentals, and the city’s inability to enforce the current regulations. The story continues to generate reader mail.
In his recent letter to HONOLULU Magazine, Ken Johnson from Sunnyvale, Calif., proudly boasts that he “facilitates” about 220 visitors per year and contributes $300,000 to the local economy. What a laugh!
I would love to know just how he arrives at that calculation. Does that sum include taxes he may or may not pay to our state and local government? Does it include fees to the real estate agents who knowingly participate in illegal rentals?
He insists that this controversy exists ONLY because of labor forces that see illegal B&B’s as competition. Well, Mr. Johnson, I beg to differ with you.
We are tired of people like you who come into our communities and change the face of our neighborhoods.
We are tired of the inability of the local government to enforce the law.
We are tired of having strangers who come and go, who party at all hours while we try to get some sleep so we can wake up and go to work to provide for our families while you live off the profits of your investment and do little to contribute to the well-being of our area.
—EUGENE AND SUSANNE CHIN; SUNSET BEACH/HALEIWA, HI
