Posts Tagged ‘Celebrations’

Many locals are rediscovering and many more military personnel and visitors are discovering the wonders of downtown Honolulu. The Honolulu Arts District AKA Chinatown plays host to more than sixteen/16 art galleries, more than a dozen bars & restaurants, about a dozen specialty shops, and is an easy walk to the Fort Street Mall and Bishop Square each with its own array of shops & eateries. The Arts District is a truly magical place well worth a visit most any day of the week.

The First Friday of each & every Month in the Arts District has become a favorite activity for many a terrific excuse to circulate through Chinatown checking out the assorted galleries & shops as well as congenial watering holes many of them serving great food getting everyone in the mood for the weekend. Officially First Friday kicks off at 5PM and runs to 10PM but in truth the parties go on into the night.

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of ‘The Summer of Love’ and the 51st Birthday of ‘The Peace Sign’ the Honolulu Arts District will play host to a Hippie Holliday on Friday June 19 2009, “A celebration of Love & Peace,” from 5PM to 10PM though once again the bars & nightclubs will stay open on into the night.

What should one expect?

• Vintage VWs (vans, beetles, and more, maybe even a classy Karman Ghia) lining the Streets.
• Art Galleries filled with symbols of Peace.
• Psychedelic Rock DJS and Free Musical Performances at Galleries, Bars, Street Corners and Parks.
• Twirling Hippies selling flower for Your Hair.
• Thousands of Hawai’i Hippies with Stars in their Eyes.

There is also a promise, “Heaps of Cash & Prizes awarded.”

So wear Hippie Attire and Visit Galleries & Bars for your chance to Win.

First Fridays and events such as the upcoming ‘Hippie Holiday’ provide a terrific excuse to visit various galleries where one can find that certain something missing from your home’s décor, among the galleries well worth exploring are Pacific Traditions Gallery at 19th North Pauahi Street which often has music playing just outside its door on First Fridays as well as a Tarot Card Reader and other neat stuff (check out the cool & fashionable T-Shirts benefitting the Chinatown Protective Association!), the madly eccentric Studio of Roy Venters at 1160 Nuuanu Avenue or a few doors further down at 1164 the Peggy Hopper Gallery, rRed Elephant at 1144 Bethel Street, the Louis Pohl Gallery at 1111 Nuuanu Avenue, 1159 Nuuanu is home to The Arts at Marks Garage, while next door at 1161 is The Nuuanu Gallery at Marks Garage, and many more.

Dining is never a problem in Chinatown aka the Honolulu Arts District with close by Ruby’s, Mei Sum Dim Sum (both reviewed on this site), the ever popular My Village, the World famous Indigo, the delightful Soul de Cuba, the double Irish whammy of O’Toole’s Irish Pub and Murphy’s Bar & Grill, the incredible Epic, too name but a few eateries. Oh, how could I not mention HASR Wine Company with its quaint courtyard location at 31 North Pauahi, readers encouraged to scope out their website via http://www.hasrwineco.com/home.

So mark your calendar for Friday June 19th and make every First Friday a day to visit Chinatown aka The Honolulu Arts District. More terrific info can be found via http://www.hawaiiartsalliance.org/index.php/marks and via http://artsdistricthonolulu.com/index.html

Luke 15:24 The Christian Testament of the Bible, “Bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate!” Not all Koreans are Christians but a majority of Koreans are religious about celebrating all aspects of their lives therefore they have a wonderful habit of eating dinner in a joyfully noisy fashion quite publicly in restaurants such as Choi’s Garden at 1303 Rycroft St, in the heart of Honolulu behind the mega Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club on Keaumoku Street.

A majority of the tables & booths insides Choi’s Garden are large enough to accommodate eight to twelve people with ease and on those occasions when this writer has dined at Choi’s all of them were filled with people celebrating life’s everyday joys; birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, or simply the fact that a friend was back on O’ahu after an absence of a few weeks. Choi’s is noisy in a joyful way; laughter, boisterous conversation amidst the sizzle of meat, the clicking of chopsticks on bowls & plates, the clatter of plates of delicious treats landing on tables. Choi’s is a delightful place, clean and comfortable with terrific painting adorning the walls amongst historic photographs chronicling the history of Koreans in Hawai’i.

Naturally a restaurant has to have more than ambience to be popular and so when it comes to food the folks at Choi’s Garden Restaurant come through with traditional Korean food well prepared and plentiful. Among the delights to be found on the Chef’s Special Menu: Sang Kal Bi (Garlic seasoned prime ‘short’ rib), Gha Dol Bae Ki (seasoned brisket of beef), Yang Goo-E (Seasoned Tripe), Gop Chang Goo-E (Seasoned Beef Small Intestine) and Hong Chang Goo-E (Seasoned Beef Big Intestine), along with variations of traditional Kal Bi and Spicy Marinated Chicken.

Choi’s Garden is famous for stews and soups such delights as Dobu Chi Ke (Tofu Pot Stew), Oh Jing-O Chi Ke (Squid Stew), Jo Ki Chi Ke (Yellow Corvina Stew),Kal Bi Tang (Short Rib Soup) and many more. There is much to be found on the menu, traditional favorites such as Yuk Hae Dol Sot Bap (rice mixed with vegetables and raw beef in hot stone pot) and Bi Bim Naeng Myon (cold noodles mixed with beef & vegetables and a spicy sauce) while those with an adventuresome tongue can enjoy delectables such as Nack Gop Jun Kol (Octopus with Small Beef Intestines) and Hae Naeng Myon (cold noodles with raw fish & vegetables & spicy sauce).

One can explore the menu via http://choisgarden.com/index_eng.html as for pricing, though not inexpensive, for the quality and quantity Choi’s Garden has a comfortable array ranging from $11 to $32 per entrée and most entrees easily serve two to four people plus every meal is served with a selection of cold vegetable plates; the ever welcome kim-chee, seaweed salad, spicy cucumbers, other delights.

Choi’s Garden is open from 10AM to 10PM and reservations are strongly suggested, one can call them via 808-596-7555. There is ample parking and a friendly valet, and once inside the staff if exceptionally courteous and mindful of their customers needs. And after a fantastic meal one gets an unexpected treat, a cup of chilled cinnamon tea that is quite simply fantastic!

January 26^th marks the start of Lunar Year 4077 and many wonder how best to celebrate. First a disclaimer, this writer is not an expert merely inquisitive & frequently exposed to the rich variety of culture here in Hawai’i and willing to share information. When can, I will cite sources; otherwise, readers are encouraged to make up their own minds.

First up, go fly a kite. Seriously. Kites are Spirit Catchers, they capture and toss aside Bad Spirits while gathering good spirits.  If you have flown a kite you will note that there are two definite motions. Those moments when the kite fights, seemingly caught in a spasm of indecision, jerking here & there, this means the kite has captured something bad and is tossing it away.

Then there is a smooth motion sending a delicious jolt & joy pulsing through your body, you have snagged good spirits and they are infusing your soul with goodness. When flying a kite one is encouraged to fly one representing your Asian Astrological Sign, or at the very least the colors of your sign as well as a symbol of your trade or skill. Here is a link to one of several sites that I like. http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Ox.htm.

Second, eat! There are two distinct schools of thought when it comes to celebrating the Year of the Ox with food. Carnivores suggest devouring all parts of the Ox recommending OX-Tail Soup, Ox Blood Sausages, and braised Ox Shanks, the more adventuresome suggest a stew featuring an Ox heart. Then there are the Herbivores who suggest an affinity with the Ox, encouraging items an Ox naturally consumes; sort of, high on their list is Somen/Buckwheat Noodles, preferably served in a light vegetable broth plain or with mushrooms & onions. See http://vegkitchen.com/recipes/asian-noodles.htm for some terrific ideas.

Regardless of whether you are a Carnivore, Herbivore or Omnivore, Eat! Hawai’i has an awesome array of Asian eateries many of them reviewed here on AlohaUpdate.Com; see Friendly Pho, Mei Sum Dim Sum, Boulangerie, Tardus Financial Plaza, and A Rough Cut Gem, for a few suggestions.

Make some noise! Noise serves a two fold purpose, driving away Bad Spirits while welcoming Good Sprits. Music & Song always a joyful noise, a few suggestions for celebrating the Year of the Ox 4077: Darren Benites at the Ala Wai Concert on Sunday January 25 2009 from 11:30AM to 1:30 PM at the Ala Wai Playground, see http://www.mountainapplecompany.com/Content41.aspx?EventID=2415 for more details. Mike Ka’a’wa & Friends at Honey’s at Ko’o’lau Golf Club Windward O’ahu 3PM ish to 7PM on January 25. On Maui one can enjoy the sounds of Ahumanu while savoring the Jazz brunch from 9:30 AM to 1PM at the Grand Wailea Hotel, or catch Kai’o’laia Smith at the Hotel Hana Maui at 6PM to 8PM, or the always popular Hula Honeys at The Grand Wailea Resort from 5PM to 8PM on Sunday, January 25.

On News Year Day (the 26^th) you can welcome the Year of the Ox with the always fantastic Ka’ala Boys at the Princess Kaiulani Hotel from 6:15PM to 9:30PM in Waikiki, or stay on Maui and experience Gypsy Pacific performing from 7 to 9PM at Mulligans on the Blue in Wailea, or Ahumanu at the Grand Wailea from 5 to 9PM, or reconnect with the hard working Hula Honeys at the Hana Hou Café in Haiku at 6PM and again at 10PM. Once more check out Mountain Apple Records, give a shout out to Noealni or Lisa via 808-597-1888.

A final word: when word trickles in this writer will convey word of New Year Celebrations across O’ahu, see Part One for Downtown & Market City Events, but now an important question! Are you wearing red undies? Maybe you should. It seems that wearing red wards off evil spirits this is important for those whose sign is being celebrated. If you were born in the Year of the Ox (see http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Ox.htm), you should wear a red item every day. It can be a scarf, a dress, a shirt, but the best item to wear is underwear. What makes this anecdote more amusing is that scientists have found evidence that men & women wearing loose fitting red briefs increase their fertility, so if you are looking to produce a little Tiger in 2010 wear red, and celebrate the Year of the Ox with gusto.

http://www.malaysiasite.nl/signox.htm

Famous people born in the Year Of The Ox:
Armand Assante, Charlie Drake, Clark Gable, Eddie Murphy, Elizabeth Peña, George Clooney, Gregory Nava, George Lopez, Jack Lemmon, Jack Nicholson, Jane Fonda, Jeff Bridges, Jessica Lange, Jim Carrey, John Corbett , Jorge Garcia, Kate Beckinsale, Keira Knightley, Meg Ryan, Meryl Streep, Moctesuma Esparza, Napolean, Nomar Garciaparra, Paul Newman, President Richard Nixon, Richard Gere, Robert Redford, Rock Hudson, Roselyn Sanchez, Shirley Bassey, Sigourney Weaver, Van Gogh, and Walt Disney”"”"

http://myfortunatecookie.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=35&osCsid=2ce209396cec14097964d738fce0e6d4

To semi-quote artist currently known as Prince, “Are You Ready To Party Like it is 4077?” Yep it is time to make plans to Welcome the Year 4077 and though many dub the upcoming event as Chinese New Year, in fact billions celebrate the New Year on January 26.  So why argue?  Just party. In fact if your employer doesn’t give you the day off with pay something is wrong though the industrious sort stagger back to work the next day anyway. Anyhow in most ‘western’ nations including Hawai’i ,most ‘Chinese’ New Year celebrations commence January 23 — a Friday, which is an excellent excuse to party all weekend.

Now that I give the matter more thought, with Barack Obama’s Inauguration on January 20^th, heck, celebrate the entire week through the 27^th? 4077 is the Year of the Ox and this is Your Year if you were born in 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 by the Western Calendar. Those born under the sign of the Ox tend to be generous kind unselfish though equally stubborn often mistaken for being narrow minded, steadfast and loyal to family & friends, Their colors tend to be red & gold. To quote Ross John Robert:

Mine is the stabilizing force
That perpetuates the cycle of life.
I stand immobile against the
Test of adversity,
Resolute and unimpeachable.
I seek to serve integrity,
To bear the burdens of righteousness.
I abide by the laws of nature
Patiently pushing the wheel of Fate.
Thus I shall weave my destiny.
(http://www.pa56.org/tigersigns.htm

Lucky You Live Hawai’i — though the New Year Celebration is a great reason to visit historic Chinatown and the Arts District, the whole island will be partying with increasingly popular events in Market City, Waipahu, Pearl City and elsewhere. That said, let us start by quoting Mayor Mufi Hanneman and listing the downtown Honolulu happenings in honor of the Year of the Ox 4077.

http://www.chinatownhi.com/

I am pleased to invite you to join the City and County of Honolulu and its many partners in Chinatown to celebrate the Month in Chinatown as we approach the Year of the Ox. The weeks preceding the Chinese New Year, January 26th, will be filled with food and cultural activities, colorful parades, lion dances, and all the festivities we associate with this time. Once again the public and private sectors have come together to pool our resources to ensure an exciting and memorable calendar of events for residents and visitors alike. This partnership, first introduced in 2006, grows stronger each year.

This is what makes Chinatown so exciting. Chinatown is still evolving and changing. Chinatown continues to incorporate a rich mixture of cultures, people, and activities, while maintaining a strong sense of identity. Chinatown bustles with vitality and activity and it’s this spirit that will ensure another successful celebration.

Aloha and Kung Hee Fat Choy! 2009 Chinese New Year Schedule of Events

Next on the Menu, one of the best places to ring in the New Year is the historic Market City Shopping Center at the crossroads of Kaimuki & Moi’il’ili & Makiki & etc. For this info the writer is grateful to the Honolulu Advertiser courtesy of Bright Light Marketing Reader Submitted; http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20081230/GETPUBLISHED/812300362/1261/neighborhoods05:

“Market City Shopping Center will ring in the Year of the Ox on Saturday, January 31, 2009. The annual festivities will begin at 10 a.m. in the back parking lot (facing Kaimuki High School), and will feature powerful performances by the Taiko Center of the Pacific and Wah Ngai Lion Dance Association throughout the shopping center, as well as firecracker popping and free fortune cookies.

Everyone is welcomed to join in the celebration!

What: Market City Shopping Center’s Annual Lunar New Year Celebration

Featuring: Performances by Taiko Center of the Pacific and Wah Ngai Lion Dance Association, Firecrackers and Fortune Cookies

When: Saturday, January 31, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon

Where: Market City Shopping Center, 2919 Kapiolani Boulevard (back parking lot facing Kaimuki High School)

Information: Call 734-0282

Next time around I will venture beyond town to list MORE Year of the Ox 4077 (2009) Celebrations.

My friends tell me to check out the Ox-Tail Soup at The Kapiolani Coffee Shop which can be found in Aiea (tough trivia question)