Posts Tagged ‘Kailua’

President Barack Obama spent 11 days on the island of Oahu, trying to get away in the quiet windward town of Kailua.  Although the health bill cut their stay a few days short on the front end, and the vacation was interrupted by terrorist attack on a plane in Detriot, all in all, it seemed to be a relaxing time for the family.

The first family again stayed at the $8.9 million dollar estate on the beach on Kailuana Place near the Kaneohe Marine Base.  Creating community accepted inconveniences such as car searches and home sweeps.  The house is for sale and can be yours for the price tag (and hey, if you buy it, you can own the place where the president stayed, pretty cool if you ask us.)

While they were in Hawaii the Obama’s spent time at Hanauma Bay, enjoyed dinner at Alan Wong’s and enjoyed all of Sea Life Park to themselves.  Reporters and eager onlookers tried to get a glimpse of the family anytime the presidential motorcade passed by, closing down streets, highways, and parks.

Also on the list was a trip to the North Shore to check out the waves and a private screening of “Avatar,” the 3D version, at Windward mall.

If you follow their trip exactly, it won’t be all to yourselves, but it’ll be a great way to see all of Oahu.

President Barack Obama, Hawaii born, has been battling to get his health care bill through the US legislature so he can sign it into law. Obama has vowed to stick it out in Washington until that is done, even if it means postponing or canceling a vacation to Hawaii.

But, as far as we can tell, the first family won’t be canceling their trip at all, and will most likely be headed to Hawaii for arrival at Hickam Airforce Base aboard Air Force One sometime tomorrow (Thursday December 24th.)

The health care bill is expected to make it through the senate tomorrow morning. In the wee hours here in Hawaii, the President and family are expected to take off and head for their ocean side retreat in Kailua on the island of Oahu.

President Obama, who was confirmed earlier this week to be headed for a Hawaiian Holiday vacation has changed his mind. He’s the leader of the free world, he can do that.

Barack Obama will be waiting until the US Senate finishes working on the health care bill that is so near and dear to the President. The work could last until Christmas Eve. The Senate is working to iron out compromises on a bill that is all but passed through the legislature and is now just working on the finer details.

President Obama was expected to travel to the island of Oahu and stay where he stayed last year on the islands windward side in the town of Kailua near the Kaneohe Marine Base. Official word has yet to be given although rumors have it that the decision on when the president will leave DC should be made by today.

President Obama is coming back to Hawaii for his holiday vacation this year.  It’s his first trip back to the islands since he came last year after winning the presidential election at the end of 2008.

Obama, who was born in Hawaii (even under scrutiny and doubt about Obama being born in the islands) has been leading the free world, as they say, for almost a year. He comes back to Hawaii as his health care bill tries to make it through the legislature. He comes back to Hawaii as the war continues in the middle east. And he comes to Hawaii as students and teachers are furloughed.

It will be interesting to see if the President speaks on the people of Hawaii about the poor choice of cutting their children’s education potential, or if he’ll remain silent about it. The president will again be staying in Kailua on the island of Oahu near the Kaneohe Marine Base.

We’ll keep you posted with photos and the like as much as we can.

It’s the holiday season again and the windward side of Oahu is abuzz with a possible presidential return from Hawaii born President Barack Obama.  After Obama’s last Hawaii visit the small town of Kailua is looking forward to a possible repeat, and this time as sitting president.

There is word in the AP that secret service is looking for houses near where the Obama family stayed last year although no word has been given by the White House, or local authority. The location is a small quiet street on Kailua Beach just down the road from the Kaneohe Marine Base where Barack and Michelle Obama worked out daily.

Last time the president was here, he wasn’t the president, so we can expect even more buzz, secret service, and chaos as the Nobel Prize winning Obama will possibly make his return.

We will keep you posted as soon as the announcement is made. You can check our President Obama section for more information as it happens.

Another bowling alley will be closing its doors on the island of Oahu this year. You heard it right. The Pali Lanes at the center of Kailua will be closing come the middle of December 2009.

The Pali Lanes has been a long standing late night entertainment spot for windward side residents offering something to do when the sun goes down, or on those rainy days in Kailua (few and far between of course.) But sadly, with all the changes coming to the windward side, new shops, Blazin Steaks, and now possibly even a Target coming to Kailua, there just isn’t room for a run down old bowling alley. Even Tiare’s, a popular local dining room and bar inside the lanes, will have to close up shop.

The Kanehoe Ranch land management group has no planes of revitalizing the lanes, instead, they will be leveling the building to make room for newer space. While I can greatly appreciate updating some of the old buildings around the town of Kailua, its sad to see one of Oahu’s last remaining bowling alleys head out the door.

Nobody bowls anymore you say? Well, I, along with 12 other friends, were there last evening, and all but 4 lanes were taken. There are plenty of leagues going and people just practicing their skills. Now I can’t say that I’ve been a regular of the alley, but I’ve gone several times and plan to head out several more before they close. Maybe we should have gone out more often, but I don’t think that would have brought the place a new structure.

Hopefully a smaller version will open somewhere on the windward side. I mean, where is all that great wood, gutters, and machinery gonna go? Who’s up for putting one in their backyard?

Target, the discount super store with classy home wares, decently priced electronics, and all that red has already opended two stores on the island of Oahu, Target of Kapolei and of Salt Lake. But the discount super store is done there. It has it’s eyes on the quiet windward Oahu community, Kailua.

Kailua residents, long opponents to large chain retail stores coming into the small tight nit community and setting up shop, appear to be torn over the issue. There will be a community meeting Tuesday October 20th at 7 p.m. at Kalama Beach Park on Kalaheo.

The possible location for the store is the current Don Quijote store next to Safeway and Twogood Kayaks. Don Quijote currently has a lease with Kanehoe Ranch good until 2022, but the stores are said to be in talks.

Personally, living in Kailua, I love the fact that there are no large stores. And although I love Target, I can’t say I would like to see one in Kailua. Especially at the Don Quijtoe. That section has no parking, and has no roads to support it. Kailua is just too small for super stores. Send it to Kanehoe (sorry Kanehoe) if we need to have one on the windward side.

Either that, or just enjoy the drive over the H-3 to the Salt Lake Target.

Check out more at the Honolulu Advertiser.

Below is a picture of the north parking lot at Kailua Beach. Work has bee ongoing at the beach park on Oahu’s windward side beach for several weeks. Th parking lot finally closed last week causig the surrounding roads to be lined with cars as residents and visitors tried to get to the beach for some needed fun in the sun.

This Sunday, September 20, 2009 from 1-5 pm Castle Medical Center in Kailua will be having their annual Women’s Health and Beauty Fair.  Everyone in the community is invited to the grounds of Castle Medical Center to partake in this event.  Come and participate in health screenings, massages, seminars, pampering, fashions, giveaways, and health tips to revitalize the mind, body, and spirit.

Some of the entertainment highlights will be an onstage hula performance and live music all hosted by celebrity MC Sista Sherry of Crater 96.  Taking place in Castle’s Wellness Center will be informational seminars by different physicians on various topics such as Dr. Julie Kenner, dermatologist on “Skin Care” and Dr. Maria Markarian, cardiologist on “Women and Heart Disease.”

Under the tents will be a medley of local businesses offering free services such as massages and free information.  Professionals from Sephora Ala Moana and Bellaviva Windward Mall will also be there giving free tips on makeup and fragrance.  Refreshments will also be provided in the tent area.

At 1:30 pm in the Auditorium there will be a fashion show displaying Hawaiian Moon clothing and hair and makeup done by Paul Brown Salon, Kailua.  Keiki activities will also be available such as car seat safety checks, t-shirt painting, face painting, and balloons.

The afternoon will be filled with numerous activities to promote health, wellness, and fun.  For more information call Castle Medical Center at (808) 263-5500 or visit their website to see the list of activities including seminar and onstage performance times: http://www.castlemed.com/events.htm.

Formaggio Grill in Kailua is one of my favorite restaurants on the island.  I have never had a bad thing on the menu from their “beef bourguignon grande mere” for $16.99, ”opakapaka chinoise”  for $31.99, or their special “truffle’d shoestring fries with black pepper” for $7.99.  Formaggio is also known for their extensive wine selection that keeps me coming back again and again.  I have been a loyal customer since their opening early January of 2008 and I have recently discovered that Formaggio has just given me another reason to go there more often, happy hour!

Everyday of the week…yes that’s everyday of the week: Monday thru Sunday, Formaggio is offering happy hour specials from 3-6 pm.  They are offering $3 beer, $4 wine, $5 cocktail, and $6 tapas specials.  I was shocked at the affordable prices and felt a little guilty as I pigged out on a $6 mussel appetizer and sipped my $4 glass of Chardonnay.  What a great way to pau hana!

Formaggio Grill in Kailua is on my list of top eateries.  It is a great place to have a gourmet lunch, dinner, or drinks and an appetizer and don’t forget the yummy desserts too.  I could go on and on about my favorite dishes there, but better you go and try it for yourself, I promise you won’t be let down.  See ya at happy hour!