I spent the weekend at Kawaii Kon 2017, the largest anime convention in Hawaii. It was good to be among my people. Anime, manga, video games and cosplay as far as the eye could see. I witnessed a lightsaber…
A lucky few got to see the hit anime film “Your Name” when it screened at the closing night gala of last fall’s Hawaii International Film Festival. Now’s your chance to catch it. It premieres in Hawaii theaters on April…
Thirteen years and 15,000 otaku after it began, it’s back. Kawaii Kon 2017 happens at the Hawaii Convention Center this weekend, April 7 to 9. So to help you navigate this world of anime, manga, gaming and cosplay — and…
I haven’t done this in a while. It’s in my blood, it’s in my culture. The last time I ate with my hands was two years ago, at the Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce kamayan picnic. Kamayan, you see, is…
What do starving artists and art lovers at Pow Wow Hawaii eat? Tacos! After stints at Chef Mavro, Vintage Cave and Avenue’s Bar & Eatery, award-winning chef Robert Paik has set up a taco truck in the middle of the…
New Year’s Eve is just around the corner. Not sure where to go? Here’s our guide of all kinds of parties happening around town. 7th Annual Bud Light New Year’s Eve Party of the Year 7 p.m. – 2…
Who can bring out the nightlife crew while the sun is still up? None other than Honolulu’s leading lady for parties, promotions and entertainment: Christa Wittmier, aka Super CW. Her retirement and birthday party last night at Pure Nightclub featured…
I had promised babes that I would take her to a cafe for breakfast. Someplace she’s never been before. I like surprises, so on a random weekday morning, I took her to church. Sort of. Cafe Fusion is located inside…
A flight across the Pacific, a ride into the city and 12 hours later, here we were: Taiwan. Babes and I immediately got down to business: breakfast. I had my first taste of Taiwan at Jiang Yellow Beef Noodle Shop.…
A cosplayer from the first Amazing Hawaii Comic Con in 2015. Once again, it’s back: the incredible Amazing Hawaii Comic Con 2016 … Part 2. Amid the universe of cosplay, panels, workshops, exhibitors and Pokemon Go challenges coming to the…
My first date with the woman who is now my girlfriend was at Bevy. So it’s fitting that as we close in on our one-year anniversary, I swing by Bevy to celebrate its third. And what an anniversary. Bevy has…
What does a Japanese fisherman say to get attention? “Yacchaba!” That’s according to the owners of the newest Japanese izakaya in town, Yacchaba. And get my attention, Yacchaba did. What secrets do you hold? Besides sake and beer. I’m a…
We checked out belly dance showcase Goddess Zone on Saturday evening at Doris Duke Theater, hosted by Mistress of Ceremonies Cocoa Chandelier as “The Lady of Wahiahole.” Dances performed in Goddess Zone are inspired from paintings of Hawaiian goddesses by artist Rochelle…
Harley Quinn and the Joker from the upcoming “Suicide Squad” film were friendlier than expected, considering their suicidal tendencies. And Katana from “Arrow” apparently gave birth to a Hogwart’s wizard, Jedi knight, and a tiny barbarian. Where did I encounter…
I have to be honest. As a child, I wasn’t a fan of Batman. Although I had read Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns” at my local library and recognized the masterpiece for what it was, my young mind couldn’t…
Didn’t we just have another convention? Well, you can never have too much of a good thing, can you? While some fans in the local geek community may be feeling the burnout, I welcome our new convention overlords. I’d rather…
Hayao Miyazaki’s critically acclaimed “My Neighbor Totoro” screens on Sunday, July 10 at 3 p.m. Have you heard the rumor about “My Neighbor Totoro”? The one where Totoro is actually a death god? And everyone dies? Totoro comes to bring…
I tilted the menu because the pig is tipsy. The nightlife scene may be gentrifying along a notorious strip of Kapiolani Boulevard. Open since early June between a nest of buy-me-drinky bars and the adult entertainment store Suzie’s, Tipsy Pig…
Kamehameha. The name evokes strength, power and nobility. A fitting description of the man who united the islands of Hawaii and became its first king. It’s a great way to describe the signature attack of martial artist Son Goku, hero…
Local designers and artists gathered at Kaka’ako Agora Thursday night to share their visions of a contemporary Hawaii, one free of the cliched coconut bras and tiki torches the world knows us by. The idea involved giving participants a white…
My first job was at the 50th State Fair, over twenty years ago. The summer before my sophomore year in high school was spent working as a carnie. Actually more of a glorified balloon inflator and games operator. My first…
Driving from Sandy Beach to the top to Hanauma Bay takes your breath away. So does running from Sandy Beach to the top of Hanauma Bay. Well, running and walking, in my case. But not for the views. I’m talking…
Avengers assemble! Day one of the Amazing Hawaii Comic Con 2016, was noticeably slower than last year, probably due to all the high school graduations happening Friday night. Still, we saw tons of comic book artists, vendors, crafts and…
Abandon all hope, ye who enter here. $3 movie tickets at an actual movie theater? Granted it was only for the soft opening, but I figured it would be a good excuse to check out Regal Kapolei Commons 12, the…
The home base for the 2022 Hale ‘Aina Restaurateurs of the Year is a hidden paradise that serves up the best Lao and Thai food in Honolulu.
