Posts Tagged ‘Waikiki’

This year the fireworks are lining up to be a big crowd puller as the state of Hawaii is feeling the economic crunch. A free show in the air, preceded by live entertainment, BBQing and a south shore surf swell that appears to be sticking around for the weekend will have everyone enjoying some low cost entertainment. For driving directions check out the map below.

Fireworks start at 8:30 p.m. on July 4th with the grand finale going off around 9 p.m. The fireworks are visible all throughout Honolulu and if you live on a rise with a great lanai can be sublime. The entertainment in the park will be all day but scheduled performers start at 5 p.m.

Although usually we would suggest floating out in the water to catch the show from a surfboard or a kayak (or really any other floating device), the south swell that has been pounding the shores of waikiki may make things a little tough. Staying on shore looks to be the smarter idea.

Expect huge crowds as KGMB9 is reporting more the 50,000 people are expected to be loitering (ok having fun) on magic island alone! Although I haven’t been down ala moana I can imagine that people will be staking their claim early, as they usually do. Plus, the cops are all out trying to catch people with the cell phone ban in effect so who knows, you may be able to get a great spot even with the park closed (not suggested.)

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In 1871 King Kamehameha proclaimed June 11th to be King Kamehameha day in honor of his Great Grandfather Kamehameha the Great who united the Hawai’i’an Island in 1810 and since 1872 several days in June are set aside to celebrate with floral parades, concerts, arts and crafts, and feasting on all of the Hawai’i’an Islands. It can be rather dizzying digesting the diversity of events involved since each Island has its traditions while each Island is aware that people can’t be in two places at once and so one has plenty of excuses to visit all the islands in search of that perfect way to honor King Kamehameha the First.

First up, appropriately enough on the Big Island of Hawai’i Thursday June 11th offers a variety of treats; “Come to the northern tip of the Big Island to honor the legendary Hawaiian king in his North Kohala birthplace. A day long cultural festival with floral parade, ceremony draping the King’s statue in lei, hula, food booths and musical performances mark this special day. 8 a.m – 4 p.m. in Kapaau and Hawi. Call (808) 884-5840 or 895-3168.”

Then on June 11th 2009 it is off to Hilo for The Kamehameha Festival which “features a ho‘olaule‘a with top Hawaii recording artists, hula halau, and various cultural presentations. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Moku Ola (Coconut Island) in Hilo. Free. A drug, alcohol and smoke-free event. For information contact Pua at (808) 989-4844 or visit www.kamehamehafestival.org.

Friday June 12th land on O’ahu and find your way to the Honolulu Hale for a concert by The Royal Hawai’i’an Band followed by the draping of The King Kamehameha 1st statue “with 13-foot floral tributes, which are created on site throughout the day by volunteers. Music and Hula performances add to the colorful display; a photographer’s delight.”

Saturday June 13th poses a few logistical complications forcing you to choose between flying to Kailua-Kona on The Big Island or to Lahaina, Maui for their wonderful parade & party or opting for O’ahu and its colorful festivals.  A colorful floral parade through Lahaina Town at 10 am features Pa`u riders on horses decorated with exotic island flowers representing each major island. The community parade includes marching bands, floats and more, all honoring King Kamehameha the Great’s families. An awards ceremony and arts festival take place at Banyan Tree Park with island food and crafts, pa`u dressing and riding demonstrations, plus Hawaiian entertainment. Free admission; 9am to 5pm.”

Honolulu’s World famous celebration begins downtown at ‘the statue’ with a parade at “9:30 A.M. – 93rd Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade.  Colorful floral floats, glamorous Pa`u riders, outstanding marching bands traverse the streets of Honolulu beginning at King and Richards Streets, Punchbowl Street, onto Ala Moana Boulevard, merging into Kalakaua Avenue, ending at the Queen Kapiolani Park. Parade awards presentation to follow.”

Those that choose to skip the parade (“aw, why”) can start celebrating at 9AM at Queen Kapiolani Park with “Na Hana No`eau o Ka Pākīpika – Artistic Endeavors of the Pacific, where you’ll find entertainment, food booths, arts, crafts demonstrations and displays of Polynesia.”

Naturally there is a third option; stay on The Big Island and enjoy a parade through the heart of Kona followed by one heck of a Ho’alaule’a in Kona check out this site for further info: http://paieakamehameha.org/

Finally why pau partying on Saturday June 13th when there is perfectly plausible reason to fly off to The Big Island on Sunday June 14th: “Hulihee Palace Concert. This historic Kona landmark presents a free concert featuring the Hulihee Palace Band and the Merrie Monarchs chorale, remembering King Kamehameha I who established the Hawaiian Kingdom. Post-concert, stroll Kailua village enjoying cafes, restaurants, local musicians and artists. Starts 4 p.m. on the lawn overlooking Kailua Bay. (808) 329-1877 or www.huliheepalace.org.”

So, Honor King Kamehameha The First all throughout June 2009 and remember, FLOWERS are a RENEWABLE RESOURCE so Lei Someone Each and Every Day!

Image courtesy of http://www.pbase.com/aukipa/kingkamehameha

One of the most endangered Waikiki landmarks is the Waikiki International Market Place a truly unique emporium encompassing several acres in the very heart of Waikiki nestled between the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani & The Miramar Hotel & the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. Conceived during the late 1950s as a way to “to meet the visitors expectations of Waikiki being a casual, tropical village with the arts, crafts, entertainment and foods of Hawai’i’s truly diverse people, the International Market Place reflected the early awareness that cultural tourism required a creative vision.”

Naturally time has altered that vision a bit, but the International Market Place remains a wonderful mix of kiosks & carts & shops & eateries set in a delightful maze much like a Medieval European Village with meandering footpaths & passageways that delight the senses while inviting exploration. What is truly wonderful is that though one might feel that they are ‘lost,’ or that they have lost a family member or friend along the way, all paths lead back to a few key entry & exits and thus all find themselves reunited, generating exhilarating commentary, “oh, there you are, I just discovered this wonderful – - – - .”

There are more than one hundred and thirty vendors scattered throughout the Marketplace. One can ‘Pick a Pearl’ from several Pearl Factory kiosks, or find that perfect ring or bracelet or necklace from several carts, there are T-shirts & Muumuus & beachwear vendors aplenty, along with an entire store devoted to magnets, a genuine local craftsman & family carving Tiki masks & wooden Honu (turtles) and other items daily demonstrating their skill with chisel & hammer, stores & carts selling crystals & souvenirs of every description, and all sorts of just plain wonderful gee-gads .

Entering The International Marketplace via Kalakaua one swiftly encounters a humongous Banyan tree reputed to be the oldest on O’ahu, judging by its massive size a justifiable claim. Nestled in front of the tree is a Koi pond & waterfall that delights all with its colorful inhabitants. To the left of the main tree trunk, protected by a smaller trunk is The Enchanted Banyan, where one can “get a peek at tomorrow today” courtesy of several psychics, a mix of clairvoyants whose talents are as individual as they are; astrology, tarot cards, palm reading, crystal gazing (808-923-4364).

Stepping deeper into the Market Place one finds an assortment of delectable eateries. Coconut Willies is a venerable institution featuring live music several days a week while The Tree Top Café offers fresh brewed coffee. Further on simply follow the yellow brick road, er ah yellow line, to the food court where one will find one of the best Mexican eateries on O’ahu, Toritos, as well as Choi’s Kitchen for scrumptious Korean food; my favorite, Kim-Cee fried Rice with Spicy Pork. The Food Court boosts a host of excellent choices for any palette, a shout out for Bautistas, Tiki Burger and The Peking Garden.

The Food Court has a stage and five nights a week there is free entertainment. Two of the perennial favorites are the ‘Voyage through Polynesia’ revue, and Greg & Junko MacDonald whose mastery of the steel drums is truly magical. One is guided to http://www.internationalmarketplacewaikiki.com/events/ for times and dates.

The International Market Place is open from 10AM to 10:30 PM seven days a week and is well worth a visit not only if you are a visitor to Hawai’i but if you are a seasoned kaimaina for there many unique gift items to be found and great deals as well as free entertainment and something rarer less definable, a sense of place, a truly unique experience.

King’s Village is a delightful place to shop & dine in the heart of Waikiki.  Evoking the ambience of a bygone era, it is cleverly constructed allowing one to stroll around in an ever expanding spiral upwards to three levels and back to street level with ease.  It is a perfect place for a stroll with comfortable benches and tables & chairs scattered about, with several water-fountains/features providing delightful ambience.

Those who need a fast food fix will find that King’s Village is the only outlet in Waikiki for KFC & Burger King, along with one of the largest Subway sandwich shops in the area.  Those seeking more adventuresome fare will find Tanaka’s of Tokyo on the third floor a truly elegant place to unwind & dine at the end of the day.  Osho serves up Ramen & Gyzo on the ground floor, while many flocked to Odoriko for a variety of seafood & steak in a traditional Japanese setting and those opting for Americana take comfort in the Rock Island Café which serves up traditional hamburgers & malt shop specialties along with memorabilia from the 1950s through the ‘70s.  However the most unique and charming eatery is Cha No Ma on the second, a delight for all the senses from the moment one passes through their door, a place for Japanese & Taiwanese Tea & delicacies in a serene setting.

King’s Village is host to a variety of stores providing just about every gift item on one’s list of gifts to bless family & friends.  The Royal Peddler has been purveying Hawai’i’an Heirloom Jewelry, Music Boxes, Scrimshaw, Music Boxes and other elegant gifts since 1969.  Royal Selection provides fine European china & accessories and boasts of having one of the most extensive collections of Wedgewood giftware in the nation.  Between Worlds is an emporium of unique collectibles from all over the World.  Regal Décor is chock full of knickknacks including Teddy Bears by Anita, Hummel Figures from Germany, Limoges porcelain from France.

Apparel & Jewelry shops abound among them is Amy’s Corner nestled on the third floor, Honolulu Surf & Sports on the second floor, US Camp featuring military & police style clothing & accessories, Kiki Land has clothing for newborns to teens, Shining Star which aims to put glitter in your life with specialty clocks & bags & jewelry, Village Silver with a unique variety of silver jewelry, and many many more.

Tucked away on the third floor is the one of a kind Fukuro where one can have their fortune foretold for fun by Minoku who offers Japanese/Asian style readings by birth date and corresponding signs.

Now the reader might have the impression that they need to spend money to enjoy all that King’s Village has to offer but no, aside from the open air courtyards where one can sit a spell, there is an incredible bargain, a genuine freebie that very few are aware of.  Deep inside the Village is the King’s Guard Museum a treasure trove providing a look at the past.  Tucked away in display cases an amazing assortment of Glasses, Cups, Mugs, Napkins, Matchbooks, Stir-Sticks bearing the logos of bars & restaurants a few familiar many sadly long departed from these isles.  The museum has all sorts of neat items to ponder; newspaper bursting with the joy of ‘Statehood,’ books & magazines from a by gone era, coat hangers from laundries, Aloha shirts & Muumuus, clippings & snippets from the past, all on display for free.

King’s Village honors the Royal Hawai’i’an Guards whose story is on display in the museum, and there is a better known Waikiki Freebie, a changing of the guards ceremony & rifle drill demonstration daily at 6PM.  King’s Village is open every day from 9AM to 11PM, it is definitely worth a visit.

phto courtesy flicker dot com

Beneath the mighty shadow of the under construction Trump International Hotel & Tower is Henry’s Place, an honest, humble hole in the wall fruit & veggies & snacks stand that locals have come to cherish. A survivor from an increasingly bygone era, a truly independent store amidst the gaggle of alphabet chain stores & eateries crowding Waikiki, Henry the owner, has been in business for twenty-seven years, his original stand on the very spot where one of the Trump tower now stands, when that property was bulldozed nearly a year ago Henry moved down the block to one of the few remaining low rise buildings on the Ewa end of Waikiki. Locals & tourists alike breathed a collective sigh of relief when Henry continued his tradition of providing a place serving up bowls of fresh fruit for a modest price.

Henry’s Place lacks any frills. It is tiny, the interior scarcely bigger than an elevator in a resort hotel. Open to the elements, Henry provides six comfortable plastic chairs where one can sit a spell while grinding (local speak for eating). However most of Henry’s customers mostly come & go, taking a break from work at the many hotels & eateries & shops surrounding Henry’s Place, along with visitors who have heard they can find fresh fruit and other delectable delights for a fair price. $4.00 is the price for a variety of fruit bowls, a variety of fruits peeled & cubed by hand (the old fashion way). One of the most popular is the # 6, here is a testimonial courtesy of Walt M of Colorado via Yelp-dot-com “I have the “#6″ for breakfast every morning when I am in town. The “6″ is for the six different kinds of fresh fruit — all cut up into bite size pieces and ready to eat. Definitely worth a visit for a healthy snack or treat any time of day!”

Henry’s Place has a variety of sandwiches ranging from $2.50 to $4.00. Generous portions of meat on wheat bread. The usual suspects; Egg Salad, Pastrami, Ham, Turkey, Chicken, others, made fresh daily. Henry’s serves up a tasty bowl of Saimin for $4. A quartet of coolers are stocked with soda & juices & teas & coffee in cans & bottles and by Waikiki standards they are moderately prices ranging from $1.00 to $2.50, on average. One can find any number of delicious snacks, fresh veggies, muffins, hard boiled eggs, chips.

Henry has earned a loyal following for his homemade ice cream & sorbet. Served in a Styrofoam cup, well worth the $4.00, a variety of delicious flavors; coconut, green tea, vanilla, mocha, coffee, mango, strawberry-guava, others though one other flavor demands attention a truly creamy confection, apple-banana ice cream; Yumm! Henry’s has that other local treat, Shaved Iced for about a dollar to two dollars less than any other place in Waikiki ($3.50).

Henry’s Place is a welcome break from what has become the norm, a true family business that has an honored place amidst the fast paced whirl of Waikiki. Henry’s Place is open seven days a week from around 7AM to 10 PM or so, so check ‘em out.

PS: No reservations required!

photo courtesy homeaway dot come

For something new to do on a Friday night you should check out Haiku at Nobu Waikiki.  Goldenchild Entertainment and Partymasters presents this after work hot spot for party-goers to unwind after a busy work week.

The party takes place in the “bar/lounge” area in the famous Nobu Restaurant located in the Waikiki Parc Hotel.  Haiku party is from 6 pm to 12 am and guest DJs play smooth R&B, neo soul, lounge, house, and lite hip-hop music.  This party is sponsored by Salon Blanc and Absolut Mango and 21 and up is welcome.  Valet parking is available complimentary through the Parc Hotel.

Being the curious party-goer I am, I decided to check out the party last Friday.  I arrived after work just after 6 pm and the crowd was just rolling in.  I got a seat at the bar and to my pleasant surprise Haiku had a special appetizer and drink menu to order from.  If you have ever been blessed to eat at Nobu you would know that their food is to die for, but so are their prices.  Absolut drinks were on special and their was also a list of appetizers that would allow you to taste the amazing Nobu food without completely emptying out your wallets.  The full menu was also available to order from.

The bar/lounge area had various seating areas and by around 8 pm there was no place to sit and the standing room began to fill in.  The Haiku crowd was an older, older meaning a 25-40, as opposed to the usual 18-25 party-goers.  The guests were mellow professionals that were there to have a couple drinks and eat some good food after work and didn’t care about taking shots and wild dancing.  I highly recommend Haiku at Nobu on Fridays for sheek new place to have a drink, listen to some lounge music, and relax after work with co-workers or friends.

Inexpensive & Waikiki are rarely linked in the same sentence but there are a few places where one can find a satisfying meal for a reasonable price.Off of the proverbial beaten path, hidden away inside the lobby of the Waikiki Hana Hotel behind the better known Hyatt Regency Hotel, at 2424 Koa Street there is the Super Chef Restaurant.

It is a quirky place, once home to a karaoke bar it sports a mirror ball sparkling light across the diners seated in comfortable booths stretching to the back where one will find a private dining space excellent for honeymooners celebrating with a dozen or so of their closest friends or any similar celebratory repast.

Super Chef is a haven for those with a craving for high end seafood at a modest price. Various plates featuring Maine Lobster combined with Steak or Mahi Mahi tend to dominate the menu. $24.95 is listed as the regular price for Mahi Mahi or 8oz NY Steak and a ½ Maine Lobster, but on Super Chef’s special menu one will find a discounted price of $19.95. The priciest item on the menu is Filet Mignon & Jumbo Shrimp Scampi for $32.95, while a T-Bone Steak & Twin Lobster Tails will set you back $29.95. One can savor B.B.Q. Bay-Back Ribs for $13.95. All of Super Chef’s entrees are served with sautéed vegetables and a baked potato plus bread or rice.

Super Chef prepared one of my favorites well. A rack of lamb for $19.95 cooked perfectly, served with a baked potato and sautéed vegetables. My only quibble was having to request several packets of margarine, alas no butter, and even more of a sin no sour cream! But the vegetables were delicious My dining companion opted for their Super Combo Special, a really good deal, either one item for $9.95 or two for $11.95, from a variety of items; Shrimp Tempura, 8 ounce New York or Teriyaki Steak, Mahi-Mahi, Hawaiian Style Chicken, or Grilled Shrimp. Once again served with those delicious sautéed vegetables, potato, and choice of rice or bread.

A word of caution though, it is important to request the special price menu when you are seated otherwise you will be handed the regular menu and not another word spoken, other than that the service is polite & efficient and the ambience is cozy & comfortable. One of Super Chef’s appeals for many is a full service bar with a variety of cocktails being served as well as beer & wine. For those who do note imbibe in alcohol a variety of Pepsi products are served along with coffee & tea.

The dessert selection is modest but their cheesecake is tasty, a mere $3.50 while my dining companion enjoyed the coconut cake for the same $ amount though he found it puzzling that it was odd shaped as if it had lost its tip.

Super Chef is open from 5PM to 10PM every night of the week, they can be contacted via 808-926-7199.

One of the many treats residents of O’ahu have come to welcome is the annual Honolulu Festival. Celebrating its fifteenth year, this celebration of ethnic harmony, economic cooperation and cultural understanding returns to Honolulu March 13, 14 and 15th with a wondrous variety of fun activities and things to do.

The Honolulu Festival features dance performances, educational programs, traditional art demonstrations from artist/artisans from Japan, as well as Australia, The Philippines, The Republic of China (Taiwan), Korea and Hawai’i and mainland US of A. It is like taking a tour around the Pacific without leaving Hawai’i, and what is even more amazing is that most of the fun is free and open to all who wish to attend.

Officially the Honolulu Festival kicks off with a trio of by invitation events on Friday March 13th 2009, but those with school age children should be aware of a special Educational Program at the Hawai’i Convention Center running from 9:30AM to 1 PM. The festival organizers say it best, “Hawaii students from elementary to high school are invited to an exclusive behind-the-scene tour of exhibits brought to Honolulu from various countries of the Pacific for the Festival. This is a wonderful opportunity for the young people of Hawaii to get a close-up look at the displays as well as interact with the Festival artisans and performers. It is also a great opportunity for the participating groups to share their culture and traditions with the children of Hawaii.”

As for the rest of us the real fun begins on Saturday March 14 2009. Performance Stages will be set up at Ala Moana Shopping Center, The Hawai’i Convention Center, and the Waikiki Beach Walk. Throughout the day from 10AM to 5PM various performers will showcase their talents. There will be singers, musicians, dancers celebrating & sharing their diverse cultures. Recalling past Festivals there will be representatives from various Japanese Prefectures, Philippine Provinces, and Pacific Islands showcasing regional treasures. The Performance Stages will be open from 10AM to 3PM on Sunday the 14th.

The Hawai’i Convention Center at 1801 Kalakaua Avenue plays host to a Craft Fair on Saturday March 14th from 10AM to 5PM and 10AM To 3PM Sunday March 15 2009. There will be more than a hundred booth featuring crafts from Japan, Hawai’i and a panoply of Pacific nations. Many of the booths will be interactive affording everyone the opportunity to create crafts under the guidance of artisans happy to display their regional specialties & unique traditions.

All of this fun activity ends with a colorful parade through the heart of http://www.honolulufestival.com/eng/gala2009.php . For additional info about the Honolulu Festival one can call 808-926-2424 or check out their colorful website http://www.honolulufestival.com/index.php .