TWO big Hollywood films shot in Hawaii are at your multiplex this weekend. So which movie should you spend your hard-earned money on? Let’s look at the contenders. While the trailer for “Aloha” gave me high hopes, this star-studded film has taken a beating by critics and activists. And that’s a shame. While the first half is a narrative mess,…
Whenever I see master sommelier Chuck Furuya, he imparts a little tidbit (or two, or three) of wine knowledge so that I can better appreciate the glass I’m drinking. He describes the hills that the grapes are grown on, the wind conditions, the soil, the style of the winemaker. For the moment that I’m drinking a glass of wine with…
We’re giving away five sets of four tickets (got that? 20 tickets total) to an advance screening of Disney Pixar’s new animated film “Inside Out.” The screening is on Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m. at Ward Theatres — two days before the official opening. To enter, just fill out the form below to sign up for our Frolic Hawaii…
She’s been called a “vocal powerhouse,” a “fashion ambassador of rock & roll” and compared to Gwen Stefani more times than she can count. Now Erin Smith, former frontwoman of Maui band The Throwdowns, is making a splash with her new solo album, “American Boy.” We got a chance to hang out with Erin at the Oceanic VIP Music Hall…
Ed Kenney’s Mud Hen Water opened this week, the locavore chef’s third restaurant in Kaimuki. It’s next to Kaimuki Superette, his casual lunch spot where orders are served on cafeteria-style trays, and across the street from Town restaurant. “The name comes from the translation of Waialae, the watering hole where the mudhen gathers. We want Mud Hen Water to be…
Kerry Kakazu has Hawaii’s first urban/vertical farm.Tucked away in the heart of Kaka’ako lives a little urban vertical farm. You would never know it unless you enter a second floor door and turn a corner. Smiling and eager to share his passion for plants is Kerry Kakazu. Not only does he have a degree in biology from UH Manoa and…
I’ve never been a fan of “Entourage.” Early in the series I found the characters insipid and annoying. Vincent Chase, played by Adrian Grenier, was the worst one of them all. Vince’s aloofness to his success and “everything will work out fine” attitude was even more annoying when things always did work out fine. Things always came easy for him…
The Hawaiian Airlines featured chefs with Chai Chaowasaree (center), from left: Jon Matsubara, Andrew Le, Lee Anne Wong, Wade Ueoka, and Sheldon Simeon. Photo by Rae Huo. Hawaiian Airlines kicked off its new featured chef program yesterday, where inflight meals created by five of Hawaii’s top culinary talents will be on domestic first class flights. Japengo’s Jon Matsubara is the first…
With two of my buddies, Lisa Kaneshiro and Karen Fujimoto. (Missing: Wendy Sato and Denise Mizumoto. Who has that photo of all of us at the end of the night?) It’s graduation season in Hawaii! We are the only place in the world where entire communities come to see someone graduate from high school and college, and that piles on congratulatory…
Filmmaker Cameron Crowe is known for classic films like “Jerry Maguire” and “Say Anything.” So when he gathers an awesome A-list cast and sets his latest film right here in our backyard, of course interest will be high, so let’s just jump right into it. Here are five questions for “Aloha.” What’s it about? Brian Gilcrest (Bradley Cooper) is a…
If it were any good, Cameron Crowe’s film “Aloha” could’ve made us wonder if Hawaiian culture is too hot for Hollywood to handle.
Several months ago, I blogged about Holoholo Bar & Grill, a neighborhood bar with ultimate local grinds. As of today, they have separated their lunch and dinner menus and have started a new breakfast menu — meaning they’ll be open from 7 a.m. daily.You can get mimosas or, um, any cocktails during any meal of the day. They won’t judge…
(Sponsored) By Steve T. Yeti, ambassador of Real Jobs Hawaii Selfies. Everyone’s doing it. But be selective with which photo you choose for a professional site like LinkedIn. Post one of these profile pictures and watch the red flags fly from your potential employers. The Kardashian. We get it. You’re in shape and active, but put some clothes on! Employers…
Los Dos Vatos Chances are you’ve never heard of Gilbert Arangure or Eddie Lopez … unless you’re in the restaurant business or a frequent guest at Vintage Cave. Let me tell you a little bit about these two amazingly talented chefs. Gilbert is from California and has been in Hawaii for eight years. Classically trained, he just finished a stint…
Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto at his Waikiki venue. If you owned a chain of restaurants in foodie destinations around the world, where would you want to celebrate your birthday? For “Iron Chef” Masaharu Morimoto, the obvious choice is Honolulu. Actually, Morimoto has namesake restaurants in nine other cities (New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Wailea, Boca Raton, Mexico City, Napa, South Beach and…
Photo by Ricky Li The stars came out to shine last night at the 38th annual Nā Hoku Hanohano Awards, held again at the Hawaii Convention Center. The big highlight of the night was longtime singer and kumu hula Keali’i Reichel winning eight awards, marking 35 Nā Hoku awards in his career. With his latest album, “Kawaiokalena,” Reichel won all three…
The classic ’80s action flick “Big Trouble in Little China” screens Wednesday, May 27 as part of Consolidated Theatres’ 4th anniversary celebration of the Hana Hou Picture Show, and we’re giving away six pairs of tickets! Three lucky winners will each receive a pair of tickets for the 7 p.m. show, and three more winners will get two tickets for…
Next Wednesday’s Consolidated Theatres Hana Hou Picture Show promises to be one hell of a dinner and movie night with “Big Trouble in Little China” and a special “Pork Chop Express” pop-up by the Pig & the Lady. That’s fitting, given that this is the fourth anniversary of Consolidated’s monthly screening of classic films voted on by fans. While Frolic…
Between director Brad Bird’s creativity and Disney’s proven track record for family-friendly films (not to mention deep pockets), I had high expectations for “Tomorrowland,” especially after watching its amazing trailer. I went in wanting to become entranced by an amazing fantasy world where anything was possible. Instead, I came out of the theater perhaps more cynical than ever. Here are…
White gloves at Crackin’ Kitchen — where the gloves are for the guests. At this writing, there are only five crab boil restaurants in Honolulu (and a sixth in Aiea). The newest to hit the scene is Crackin’ Kitchen, which is in the spot formerly known as Blue Marlin. Not familiar with Blue Marlin? It had operated for less than…
Kuana Torres Kahele When I think of Kuana Torres Kahele, I think there is nothing this Hilo man can’t do. Hula dancer, composer, songwriter, master lei maker, educator, award-winning musician… you get the gist, right? Now he can add Disney/Pixar star to his list of accomplishments. That’s right, the multiple Na Hoku Hanohano award-winner who won for solo album of…
The 2012 a cappella surprise hit, “Pitch Perfect,” was true to its title, literally pitch perfect. So needless to say, I knew going into the sequel that it would be hard to live up to the first flick, but the previews seemed “aca-hopeful.” In the first scene, you’ll see that the Barden Bellas have been on top of their game…
To paraphrase my favorite line from “Mad Max: Fury Road” – “Oh what a film! What a lovely film!” Recently I’ve started to bemoan the death of the classic action flick. The intricacies of a mind-blowing action scene have been rendered simplistic by nerds with a mouse. CGI and green screens have replaced jaw-dropping stunt work and brilliant choreography. But…
By Lance Tominaga She’s performed at West Hollywood’s famed Whisky A Go Go. She’s jammed onstage in front of thousands of fans. And now she’s releasing her very own EP, “Ascend.” Oh, yeah. Kalliyan Davis is just 14. We recently sat down with Davis, a 9th-grader at Punahou and the lead guitarist and vocalist for Hawaii’s youngest classic rock band,…
