Posts Tagged ‘Hawaiian’

Junior Kekuewa Jr. who is one of the Island’s most versatile entertainers gets a chance to show his Jazz style at the Dragon Upstairs on Friday August 27^th 2010 from 10PM to 1AM.  Presenting an evening of Swing & Contemporary Hawai’i’an Music a preview of Junior Kekuewa’s upcoming CD of original compositions, “Lady of the Islands” on Hawaii.Tune.com.

Junior Kekuewa is (in)famous for his traveling road show, a four hour variety act that he brings to parties & events on O’ahu.  Junior Kekuewa is equally well known as that “loud enough to wake you up” DJ on Rory Wild’s Wake Up Crew on Island 98.5.  He has won Pele awards, several Silver Microphone Awards, and a Hoku Award for producing Augie T’s “Komedy Kulture” CD.  (http://www.jrkjr.com/index.php)

However there is a softer more soulful side to Junior Kekuewa. One that expresses himself through Jazz akin to Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Sammy Davis Jr, that side of Junior will entertain audiences at the delightful Dragon Upstairs for what is rightfully being billed as a Special Engagement.

Cover remains a modest $5 so spend freely and tip generously the hardworking crew at The Dragon Upstairs make every night a special night in the Arts District Honolulu.

Since the newly renovated Sheraton has reopened the general public has been able to experience some of the new restaurants among the hotel.  One of these new restaurants is a breakfast and dinner buffet called Kai Market which just opened in August 2009. Located on the ground floor with a view of the infinity pool and Waikiki beach is this modern plantation style dining hall.

Kai Market’s cuisine showcases a fusion of cuisines from the original plantation workers that immigrated here between the 1880s and 1930s.  The spread includes a mix of Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Okinawan, Korean, Puerto Rican and Filipino foods.  This restaurant is inspired by the “food fair” that these cultures took part in over 100 years ago.

Executive chef Darren Demaya’s goal for Kai Market is to serve these different cuisines in a “farm to table” ideal.  Half of what is served is locally raised.  Kahuku prawns, Punalu’u breads, local fresh catch fish of the day, and Waimanalo greens are just some of the locally grown and raised items on this extensive menu that changes daily depending on availability.

Behind the buffet line are two “living walls” of fresh herbs that are not only a beautiful display of modern art, but are also used by Kai Market.

I was recently tipped off about this new restaurant from a friend and decided to check it out for myself during the dinner service.  When most people think of buffet dining they picture large vats of mediocre food.  I can tell you that Kai Market is not your average buffet.  I was pleasantly surprised by all the delicious gourmet food.

My boyfriend and I started off at the appetizer and salads areas where we were overwhelmed by the fresh sashimi, crab and Molokai red potato salad, tomato medley, fresh breads, and the Ni’ihau island chowder (just to name a few).  The Ni’ihau chowder was my ultimate favorite, which is made with local seafood and simmered over kiawe wood.

Next we were on to the main dishes.  Some of the highlights were the Kahuku shrimp scampi with Kai Market fresh herbs, clams with black bean sauce, alae salt crusted roasted prime rib accompanied by island fried rice, creamy red mashed potatoes, fresh vegetable medley and much much more.

After we thought we couldn’t eat anymore, it was time for dessert.  The dessert table was extensive and the highlights were the warm bread pudding with Wild Turkey brandy sauce and individual Satura Cakes that were to die for.

I was extremely impressed by Kai Market.  It is rare to find a buffet where the dishes are as tasty and fresh as made to order items.  Kai Market is a delightful over indulgence and because of the fresh produce, local ingredients, and an eye for perfection this extensive spread was no less than high quality.  I will definitely be returning to Kai Market in the future, maybe to try the breakfast service and will be armed with an empty stomach.

Kai Market is open for breakfast daily from 6 am to 11 am and open for dinner daily from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm.  For breakfast adults are $26 and for dinner adults are $49.  “Big” children ages 13-16 are 50% off adult pricing and children 12 and under are FREE.  Local residents should inquire about kamaaina discounts.

The Sheraton Waikiki is located at 2255 Kalakaua Avenue.  For more information or reservations call 808-922-4422 or 866-716-8109.  To check out details online and their daily menu visit: http://www.sheraton-waikiki.com/kaimarket.html.

Azure Restaurant, located in the Royal Hawaiian is their newest fine dining restaurant, which specializes in island seafood.  A little over a year ago the iconic Royal Hawaii received a $85 million renovation and redesign.  Part of this project included the creation of Azure.

Jon Matsubara is Azure’s head chef and behind a menu where fish and the freshest fruits de mer are featured.  Local fish like ahi, opah, onaga, uku, or moi are selected each morning at daybreak from the Hawaii fish auction.  Food here is a mixture of French and Hawaiian regional cuisines prepared with fresh and local ingredients.

I had the oppurtunity to dine at Azure recently with some friends.  The renovation and redesign of this space into Azure was breathtaking.  The decor was modern European with an island feel.  The restaurant was sophisticated with a hint of relaxation found in their comfy stylish pillows accompanying each seat.  The outdoor area beachfront was the place of envy where customers can rent private canopies and enjoy their food and cocktails in a more relaxed setting while still among style and luxury.

For our meal we ordered several appetizers such as the  Baby Back Ribs with a Kona coffee bbq sauce ($18),  the Grilled Coriander Prawns ($19), and the Azure Sashimi with Hawaiian yellowtail ahi ($21).  Accompanying the starters we ordered salads one in particular was the Hirabara Farms’ Baby Romaine Caesar Salad ($14), which was served with a heirloom tomato that was the size of a softball.  For my entree I ordered the Kona Shellfish Bowl with lobster, prawns, clams, scallops, abalone mushrooms, and konyaku noodles in a kaffir lime and chile broth ($47).  For dessert I ordered the Warm Cookie Pie a trio of warm cookies with Hawaiian chocolate ice cream ($9).  Our table also ordered a bottle of Cakebread Chardonnay.

Kona Shellfish Bowl

Based on the food alone I was disappointed with the meal.  I was disappointed not because the food was bad but because the food was not exceptional.  Being the Royal Hawaiian and paying these high prices, I was expected to be “wow-ed” and was “okayed” by the food itself.  The starters were all tasty, but nothing left me wanting more.  The Azure Sashimi was so small that I only got about half a bite.  My Kona Shelfish Bowl was filled with a large portion of well cooked seafood, but it lacked taste and flavor.  The best part about this dish was the toasted bread spear that accompanied the plate.  My dessert was also in the same good not great ballpark.  I felt the service at Azure helped redeem the restaurant’s mediocre food.  Our servers were polite and professional and aimed to please our party.

I would return to Azure for the atmosphere and to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine at the bar, or even to lounge in the canopy area beachside.  For a celebratory dinner with excellent food I would rather go to Mariposa at Ala Moana, Hoku’s at The Kahala Hotel and Resort, or Orchids in The Halekulani Hotel.

Azure is open daily from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm and the dress code is smart casual.  The address of the Royal Hawaiian is 2259 Kalakaua Avenue Honolulu, HI  96815.  For more information or reservations please call (808) 923-7311.  To see photos and view the restaurant’s menu visit: http://www.royal-hawaiian.com/resort_dining_azure.

A famous Hawaiian treat, especially when dipped in chocolate, the macadamia is loved by everyone. Similar to the coconut it also has other great uses. You’ll find it as a cooking oil in various flavors and should give it a try as an effective natural skin treatment.The oil contains large amounts of calcium, vitamin B complex, iron, phosphorus and the highest amount known in plants of palmitoleic acid. This acid is also present in our skin. More so when we are young and as so many things it decreases as we age. That makes macadamia nut oil an excellent treatment for mature skin and it is known to reduce wrinkles and moisturize the skin to the max.

It is a fairly light oil, absorbs quickly and also contains proteins and a substantial amount of vitamin E. You can also mix it with other oils for a healing massage lube.

In Hawaii macadamia nut oil has been used to heal scars, sunburns and small wounds or irritations. It is a soothing and smoothing agent that comes close to perfect.

In small amounts it can also be used as a special treat for hair, to keep the ends from splitting and to provide moisture for a healthy and shiny mane.

Three is a charm, especially for Kaumakaiwa “Lopaka” Kanaka’ole. With three Na Hoku Hanohano awards under his belt, Kanaka’ole just brought out his new album “Kaumakaiwa” — and this one tops them all.

Listening to the twelve new songs you can sense the energy of Pele and the volcano, get moved by the rhythms and sounds of ancient times and touched by the purity and passion of the voice and the stories. Kaumakaiwa succeeds in connecting the past and the future in a new cycle that is fueled by his love and humble dedication to his family, ancestry and his land.

Kaumakaiwa is the voice of the new generation of Hawaii. His music is far away from the soft sounds and the gentle harmonies that people from the rest of the world often connect to Hawaiian music. Kaumakaiwa’s songs are passionate, strong, intense and will leave you with good chicken skin all over. He mixes powerful elements of the Hawaiian tradition like chants, drums and Hula Kahiko rhythms with new influences. All through his three albums one can detect some Spanish flavors, some opera, some pop and even a hint of country –- but all surrounded and melded together with the most intense Hawaiian sounds and spirit.

And of course there is his voice that spans an incredible range and adapts effortlessly to various styles, from ancient chants to soft Mele. But no matter what he sings, Kaumakaiwa has this special something that just crawls under your skin. Now, with his new CD, he shows that he is still growing, still improving and, when you think it cannot get any better, the next song will bring new surprises.

Coming from a long line of Hawaiian cultural icons, Edith Kanaka’ole was his great-grandmother, Kekuhi Kanahele his mother and Pualani Kanaka’ole, his aunt, Kaumakaiwa follows his calling to perpetuate Hawaiian music, the culture of the islands and of course the language. An amazing singer, dancer and teacher, this man is on his way to bring the sounds and traditions of Hawaii to a worldwide audience.