I was a little surprised “The Descendants” won Best Motion Picture in the drama category in Sunday’s 69th annual Golden Globes.The movie, based on the novel written by Kaui Hart Hemmings, beat out “Hugo,” “The Ides of March,” “The Help,”…
It sounded like a bad idea.We wanted to see if our dogs, Sunny and Indy, could travel. So we booked our flight to Kona to visit family — and made reservations for the dogs, too.It was the first time either…
I was really sad when HK Restaurant closed in September after more than 30 years.No more teri hamburgers, fried noodles or its popular Yum Yum Chicken.HK’s was one of my go-to spots before UH volleyball games or after the beach.…
I love stationery.Yes, I’m one of those.I write letters, I send thank-you notes, I even have a pen pal from second grade.So of course I was thrilled to hear a new stationery boutique opened in October in Kapahulu. South Shore…
Every New Year’s, our family always eats two things: Hawaiian food and ozoni.The Hawaiian food tradition started with our neighbors, a Hawaiian family, would kill and imu a pig and make a feast of foods including poi, lau lau, chicken…
One of my favorite things to eat — at drive-ins and anywhere — is beef teriyaki.But ever since the Kandas closed their lunch wagon at Kewalo Basin, I couldn’t find one that compared.Until yesterday.I had heard rave reviews about the beef teriyaki…
I was meaning to get that recipe for peppermint bark John Heckathorn, beloved food critic and longtime friend, posted on his Facebook wall on Dec. 23.He was making it for his daughter, Mallory, who excited commented, “You made this?! YAY!”(She…
I’ve been invited to participate in cookie swaps before.But until this year, I had always bowed out. I didn’t have time, I didn’t know these people, I didn’t know what to bake.But when fellow food bloggers Lindsay of Love and…
The other day I was in the restroom at a restaurant and heard the woman in the next stall talking.And not to me.She was, I figured out, talking on her cell phone.It was such a strange experience — even for…
You can’t have too many burger joints.Especially of these eateries feature 100 percent grass-fed Big Island beef, local produce and milkshakes so thick you’ll hyperventilate trying to drink them.That’s on the menu at Papa’s Burgers, a new family-owned burger spot…
Last night I was reading the blog for the James Beard Foundation — a New York-based national professional nonprofit that serves to promote the culinary arts — and read its predictions for 2012.Here’s what it suspects will be trending next year:•…
I had an interesting discussion about greeting cards the other day in, of all places, Twitter.One friend tweeted that she wasn’t going to send Christmas cards. Another responded she wasn’t, either. Instead, they were going to send e-cards — or…
Traveling is tiring.You wait in airports, you stand in security lines, you drive for miles. There’s nothing more miserable.But there’s also nothing more inspiring and exciting and completely exhilarating, either. Which is why we endure the pain and suffering and…
I have a list.And I’m sure you have one, too.It’s a list of all the things I want to see and do before I get to an age where I just want people to push me around in a wheelchair.Seeing…
I love Chicago.I lived in the area about 10 years ago — and have always considered it to be one of my favorite cities in the world.It’s home to about 3 million people — the most populous city in the Midwest…
Christmas isn’t just for humans.If you’re looking for a gift for your pooch — or your dog-owning friend — consider a local-style kimono or yukata from Hawaii-based Inu Inu Hawaii, an Asian-inspired dog apparel and accessories line created by Sasha Dominy.She…
It’s cold in Wisconsin.I’m talking 30-degrees-in-the sun cold. And it’s not even winter yet.People in Madison, the state capital, are walking around in T-shirts and sweatshirts. Not me. I’ve got at least three layers on, two of which are made…
I arrived in Madison, Wisc. with a wool coat, a cowl neck top, a scarf and jeans.And that wasn’t enough.It was 34 degrees when I landed — 50 degrees colder than when I left Honolulu on Thursday night. And the temperature…
I made it to Madison!And it wasn’t without some worry.See, I booked this flight on United Airlines — before my well-documented debacle involving said airlines and Continental Airlines, which got us to Las Vegas from Honolulu in 24 hours — so…
Guys, need a shave?But secretly want a manicure, too?The new Mojo Barbershop in Chinatown on Oahu takes the retro barbershop and gives it a modern twist.Open this month, this 960-square-foot barbershop on Bethel Street — complete with an old-fashioned barber…
There’s always been a restaurant on the corner of Kapahulu Avenue and Kanaina Street, right across the street from Rainbow Drive-In.For a long time, it was Harpo’s. Then it was ZenShu. And for months, it stood empty, waiting for the…
I dropped into Cake Works yesterday to pick up some cupcakes, and I ran into the owner Abigail Langlas.She said business was good. And Friday — today — would be particularly busy.“Why?” I asked her, thinking she would be busy…
Believe it or not, I’ve never had the McRib sandwich from McDonald’s.It’s been on the fast-food giant’s menu off and on since 1981 — and every time it’s made an appearance, I’ve never been that interested in trying it.And my interest…
People in Hawaii love their ramen.Ask anyone who’s fond of the Japanese noodle dish and you’ll get strong opinions about which ramenya is better.And most often the debate centers around two boutique ramen shops: Gomaichi and Goma Tei.Here’s the story:…
