I confess. I am an addict. I got hooked on taro chips when I was in college when I’d grab a bag at the store, hop in my beat up Datsun (yes, I said Datsun) and head to the North Shore to watch the winter waves. Over the years, I weaned myself off the tasty treat—or perhaps it’s just that I haven’t been to the beach as often. But about a month ago I rediscovered food heaven: Hawaiian Chip Company.
At the Hawaiian Chip Company factory store, the flecked taro chips, dark purple Okinawan sweet potatoes and orange sweet potatoes are as fresh as they come. Piping out of the fryer, they’re tasty naked or with your own choice of flavorings. Personally, I prefer nothing more than a light sprinkle of sea salt to let the delicate taro flavor shine through.These tasty tubers are homegrown on the Big Island, Molokai and Oahu and processed right there in Kalihi.
On weekends, they feature tasty sliders featuring specialties from other nearby businesses: the classic purple colored taro bread from Ani’s Bakery, kalua pork (slow roasted Hawaiian style) from Bob’s Barbecue and coleslaw made with island-grown cabbage and Hawaii’s Special Salad Dressing.
They also make a zesty barbecue sauce. If the small bottles don’t cut it for you, it’s also available in the gallon size (coveted by Hawaii expatriates in Las Vegas) :: Get your own at hawaiianchipcompany.com.
Walking on Water: Kaneohe Sandbar
Recently, we had the best location for a shoot. Ever.
Envision a quarter mile stretch of sand, a private beach in low tide floating in the middle of a tropical bay. On one side, the Koolau mountain range, on the other, the horizon. It’s the “Kaneohe Sandbar” on the Windward side of Oahu.
We were there before dawn, cameras poised and talent ready to go. It was one of those moments when you look around and realize that you live in a place others only dream of visiting.
At the lowest tide, the Sandbar looks like a beach without an edge. Seen under the Hawaiian sun, it becomes a brilliant white island of sand surrounded by a spectrum of blues ranging from aqua to indigo. While we were there, the tide ranged from about 8 inches deep to a foot. High tide is about thigh high.
There are tours to the Sandbar, some better than others. Most depart from Kaneohe Bay with a brief 10-minute ride. If you can, find a friend who has a boat so you can pack a picnic and stay awhile. Some people even bring canopy tents. Yes, seriously.
By the time we left the Sandbar, the kite boarders and tour boats were anchoring along the edges, but even with others around, it feels as if it belongs to only you.
Mahalo to Skimso, Steve Nohara and Juuuuj for these images.
Cafe Cafe, Lahaina Maui
I came across Café Café while being pushed along by the masses on Lahaina’s narrow sidewalks. I ducked into the library where I took these photos, bought a used paperback book for 90 cents, then went back to brave the crowds in search of a haven.
In fairness to the town, a cruise ship had just docked so the streets were swarming with people eager to stretch their legs and see the sights. As for myself, I just wanted to place to read, relax and savor the few precious hours left of my vaca.
Following my stomach, I followed an ice cream sign off the main street onto Lahainaluna Road. As it turned out, the ice cream store was closed, but Café Café was open with a refrigerated case of luscious Maui-made gelato calling my name. (The pistacho called the loudest and let’s just say I happily answered the cry.)
A few minutes later, I found myself talking to Kalika, who sports a dashing Czechoslovakian accent. He and his brother, Pavel, are co-owners of the café, and according to Kalika, opening the café was a way to satisfy their own passion. “We are European. We are coffee junkies,” he says, while handing me a beautiful creamy Sumatra-Brazillian latte. Now, this is what I was looking for.
In addition to gelato and espresso, Café Café also rents mopeds. Not quite my style, but then again, I only had a one latte.
On Maui, Aloha is Automatic
On the way from Kihei to Lahaina, we were treated to a one-man Hawaiian concert. He told me that in Hawaii, we sometimes forget about the meaning of aloha–that it’s just a word if it’s not shared. That’s why he plays along his ukulele. Some of the locals were jaded, but the tourists smiled.
Listening to him made me wonder how many things we take for granted when we live here.
We are so busy with the details of our lives that we forget to look out the window or listen to what’s around us.
Before we disembarked at the Maui Ocean Center in Maalae, he shows me his ukulele. This is what makes Hawaii different, he explains. “Aloha is Automatic.”
My Maui ~ Stella Blues Cafe
Sometimes the early bird misses the worm. Or in this case, the music. But no worries. I was there before the lunch crowd–way too early for the nighly live entertainment–but just in time for a thick, juicy, I-am-so-happy-to-eat-this mushroom cheeseburger. And let me tell you, it was goooood.
Located in Kihei, Stella Blues was created to be somewhere between high and low end dining. Salads. Omelets. Sandwiches. Ribs. Pizza. Pasta. Not to mention what they call “Mama Tried Meatloaf.” All of which beg for a frosty mug of your favorite brew. (Lovely fruit smoothies for the non-alcoholic crowd.)
While the food was ono, Stella Blues is known for their live music, from local bands to visiting headliners.Jerry Garcia Band. John Cruz. Hapa. That’s it, I’m ready to go back. For their menu and entertainment, visit Stella Blues.
Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM)
This week’s post was written by mvnp account supervisor/watercolor artist June Kaneshiro. When June’s not enveloped in the joyful chaos of advertising, she’s sharing the joy of paint on paper. See her watercolors.
“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” - Pablo Picasso
There’s a perfect little hideaway in downtown Honolulu to escape daily grind and wash the dust and cobwebs from your mind. Take a break and walk over towards the corner of South Hotel and Richards Streets, and you’ll see a Spanish mission-style stucco building with the inscription, “No. 1 Capitol District Building.” This building, which opened in 1928, harkens back to a different era in Honolulu, when trolley cars and model T’s could be seen jockeying for space on a two-way King Street. Reminders of that time are seen through elements preserved from the original 1928 building, including the floor tiles, wainscoting tiles, iron grillwork and light fixtures on the interior floors and courtyard.
Sean K.L. Browne, “Ka Pe’ahi IV” (1983), bronze and marble sculpture.
In the background, view of the balcony overlooking the Front Lawn and Hotel Street.
Inside, on the second floor, is the Hawai‘i State Art Museum (HiSAM) which features a wide-ranging collection of 3D and 2D art in various mediums. Produced by local artists, the art at HiSAM offers a sense of where we live, representing our history, culture and what we see around us. The collection is part of the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (HSFCA) and their Art in Public Places program.
Shige Yamada, “Maui Releasing the Sun” (1991), cast bronze sculpture
This was the study for the actual sculpture that is now on display at Maui’s Kahului Airport.
In the ‘Ewa Gallery of HiSAM, you’ll see the permanent art collection, with the Diamond Head Gallery displaying more recently acquired pieces and shows. The I Love Art Gallery for hands-on experiential activities (looks great for kids!) is on the Diamond Head side.
On the left, Jonathan Y. Clark’s “Nightmare and Triumph: Momotaro Retold” (2011),
mixed media on panel (triptych). On the right, entrance to the hands-on gallery.
HiSAM’s Ewa Gallery, featuring Madge Tennent’s “Two Sisters of Old Hawaii” (1933), oil on linen. An English artist, Tennent came to Honolulu in 1923 with her family and lived here until she died in 1972.
On the first floor, enjoy Ed Kenney’s Downtown @ the HiSAM restaurant and the Showcase Hawai‘i gift shop. Still, if this visit with local art doesn’t work to wash off “the dust of daily life,” there’s always a short walk to Bethel or Merchant Street to wash down a glass or two of wine or beer at one of our downtown pubs. But that’s another story. For more, visit the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
My Kauai
This week’s post comes from MVNP account executive Christine Song, a Chicago girl who cut her teeth in LA before making the jump over the big pond. She loves fashion, fun and escaping it all.
“My girlfriend was visiting from LA so it was a short, 2-day getaway to see the lush, green island that everyone seems to claim as their favorite island. It was the first Kauai trip for all three of us. We considered Maui at first, but after a long night of heavy karaoke and hip-shaking, the sound of Kauai seemed like the perfect escape for a little r&r. So we booked our tickets the night before, power napped the short trip over, and walked out to hear the cock-a-doodle-doo’ing of roosters.
We didn’t really have an agenda but just to see and do as much as we could in those 2 days. So we hopped into our car rental and drove around the whole island aimlessly while stopping at all the beaches, hikes, landmark sites, waterfalls, shops, restaurants, and throwing in the fruity cocktails with pineapples and umbrella-covered-cups for the LA friend along the way =)
I loved Kauai. As much as I love and appreciate living on Oahu, it was nice to get out off the busy rock. I realized I need to take advantage of these outer island trips more often. We definitely have it good living in Hawaii.”
Pow Wow Hawaii 2012
What do you get when you harness the collective creativity of Hawaii’s graffiti artists together in about four urban blocks? You get Pow Wow Hawaii 2012. It’s the second annual celebration of urban art in Hawaii. Started last year by organizer Jasper Wong, this year’s event is partnering with major landowner Kamehameha Schools to help transform the industrial area of Kakaako into an urban art community.
Says graffiti artist John Hina, “Instead of destroying the community, let’s build it up through art.” John and Estria Miyashiro completed a super-hero mural of twin alii (chiefs) protecting the bones of King Kamehamha I, the legendary king who united the Hawaiian Islands.
Most of the murals in this blog are in progress. Artists started a few days ago, and the event itself will culminate with a public reception on Saturday night. For most artists, that means working into the wee hours tonight and all day tomorrow. Fortunately, a few of them had time to “talk story.”
Artists Kai’ili William Kaulukukui and Shad Kaleolani Kaluhiwa (fondly known as Chicken and Fish) found their inspiration from the Kakaako area itself, which used to be a fishpond. In the Hawaiian culture, your lineage is stacked on your head, and so their imagery shows a fisherman with his ancestors behind him. Says, Kai’ili, “Our ancestors are there to help guide our decisions. They define who we are, and we take it with us wherever we are.”
Next to Shad and Kai’li, Solomon Enos had already completed his mural. “In native cultures, the systems within the body are connected to the systems of the land,” says Solomon. Or in other words, “The health of the people is related to the health of the environment. This holistic connectivity brings indigenous and Western science together.” He explains that his mural–a woman with her organs exposed–has a certain shock value which is an important aspect to making a statement. He further explained that in the Hawaiian culture, art was not created for art’s sake, but rather, their creativity was put into the depiction of their gods and the artistry of their daily tools. So for Solomon, art must have a purpose–something to say.
Eukarezt had a can of paint in hand when we interrupted him. He explained he was a last minute entry, and happier for it. The owl represents wisdom and the lantern spreads that wisdom in the form of light. He went on to say that the cost of the paint–$10 a can–influenced his design. When many of the other artists saw him with the cheaper cans, they brought over extra supplies, which resulted in small areas of color so there would be continuity throughout. Eukarezt likened his experience to a parable in the Bible in which Jesus feeds the masses with just a few loaves and fishes. A little bit of paint goes a long way.
The sharing of paint is also a testament to the nature of this project in which many hands are joining together in the success of this project. Prime, who for years has run art projects involving teens in Honolulu via his nonprofit 808 Urban, is one of the key forces behind this year’s Pow Wow which will include 40 guest artists from Hawaii and Australia, students from Roosevelt and McKinley high schools, Voyager Charter School, Kamehameha Schools and the YMCA.
Prime and his team are creating a building-long mural on Cooke Street that will feature depictions of Hawaiian gods.
Although the murals for 2012 will be finished this weekend, the public exhibit will remain on display on buildings throughout Kakaako. And like the enthusiasm for this project, the community gallery will only get larger every year. Check back next week for photos of the completed works. Or better still, take a stroll and see them for yourself.
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Maps are located at the Loft in Space, 831 Queen St. or link to google map. Mural locations include Auahi Business Center, 661-669 Auahi St., Voyager Charter School, 547 Halekauwila St., and Fisherman’s Wharf, 1009 Ala Moana Blvd.
The public reception for Pow Wow Hawaii is 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 at Loft in Space, with DJ music by Jules Gayton. It’s open to all ages. An after-party for Pow Wow begins at 10 p.m. Saturday at Nextdoor, 43 N. Hotel St., with live music by ALT/AIR and DJs Anton Glamb, Kowai Kowai, DJ Anit and B Maj; $10, 21 and older. More at Info: powwowhawaii.com
Sweet Home Waimanalo
After you’ve built up an appetite watching (or counting) whales, continue on to Waimanalo.
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There’s a bumper stickers that reads “Paris. London. New York. Waimanalo.” Three of the world’s greatest cities–and a small town that has nothing in common with the others, except that like all residents in great locales, they swear it’s the best place in the world. And they might be right.
On the surface, Waimanalo is a local, blue collar neighborhood. Kids with bare feet and big grins ride their bikes from one end of the valley to the other. The beaches are beautiful and surprisingly uncrowded. There are tents where homeless can live in a park near one end of the beach while those with money are slowly buying property along the coast. Deep in Waimanalo Valley, the land is abundantly fertile, housing nurseries and farms. But all this is just background, a glimpse into a simple community where many of the residents have lived for generations.
So what’s so great about Waimanalo? For starters, it’s Aunty’s homemade kulolo, a dark brown sticky dessert made from poi (pounded taro) and coconut milk. Sorry, no photos as Aunty had the nerve to sell the last piece just before I got there. She and her family are also known for their crafts which include woven bracelets, carved bone hook necklaces and wooden pendants.
It’s fun to watch people stop for fresh coconut that’s cut right in front of you by two local guys with big cane knives. Tourists have a heck of a time understanding them (they talk fast in da kine pidgin so hard for understand) but basically, the only things you need to answer are if you want to drink the coconut water (an excellent natural source of electrolytes) and what kind of coconut you want. The older the coconut, the thicker and harder the meat. If you ask them what’s best and they like you, they’ll cut you their favorite, really young coconut with a thin coating of meat so soft it’s like a translucent version of haupia, a Hawaiian coconut pudding. Most first-timers are also surprised that coconuts are not sweet–at least not like the shredded coconut you buy at a grocery store. Instead, their natural flavor is deliciously subtle.
Along the same stretch you’ll find a shrimp truck, guys selling dried aku (tuna), and the most incredible lilikoi butter in the universe. It’s sweet and buttery with a fruity tartness that lets you know, yes, you’re home in Hawaii after all.
NatHI Note: I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you that most of these roadside stands are just people trying to make a few extra dollars. They’re not fancy operations, so don’t go looking for nutrition labels or that sort of thing. Like Aunty with her kulolo, friends make up a good part of their business. And like everywhere else in the world where you travel, it looks suspicious, don’t get it.
Waimanalo is also home to a couple of wonderful casual cafes, Serg’s Mexican food (a NatHi favorite) and Sweet Home Waimanalo Market and Cafe (great fresh food). Sweet Home Waimanao is among the new generation of local businesses that are pushing the envelope, or in this case, their food, to be more ecofriendly. The restaurant features locally-grown produce and even has a rooftop garden.
A few more NatHI Notes: Waimanalo Beach and Bellows Beach are as close to perfect as you can get. Keep an eye out for warning signs or check in with the lifeguards regarding surf conditions. Mornings are gentle; waves pick up in the afternoon.
On most weekends, traffic through Waimanalo town is slow because it’s become a major thoroughfare between Kailua and Hawaii Kai. Our advice, pull off to the side of the road and have something to eat.
Volunteering for the Kohola (Whale)
This week’s post is by Interactive Project Manager Rochelle Olson who is living her Hawaii dream. Born and raised in Minnesota, she stalked our agency until we hired her and now she’s not just “local,” she volunteers all over town. Just don’t ask her to speak pidgin.
View from the Blow Hole.
A couple of weeks ago I made a promise to my mom. She’s visiting from Minnesota and she really wanted to see whales. So I took her out on a Saturday afternoon and I promised her we would see some whales. I brought her to Halona Blow Hole, a place well known for whale watching. I’ve been there numerous times and have seen whales every time. There are over 12,000 whales in Hawaii during the winter, but on this beautiful, sunny afternoon, they were nowhere to be found. My mom, with binoculars hanging around her neck, tried to hide her disappointment, but I knew I had to do something to make up for it.
I came across information online on the 2012 Sanctuary Ocean count that is done by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary every winter. One day a month, January-March, they gather volunteers at various spots on Oahu, Hawaii and Kauai to count whales and track their behavior. I immediately signed us up and at the same location where the whales first eluded us, Halona Blow Hole.
We showed up at 8am on a Saturday with chairs and cooler in tow. We barely had a chance to settle in before we started seeing whales. One after the other we watched them blow, slap and breach. Adult whales and their babies. For four hours we counted them, and tracked their activity. My mom saw more whales then she ever thought possible and even a couple of turtles. It was the easiest volunteer gig we’ve ever done. We already signed up again for the next two counts on February 25th and March 31st.
"Here to Eternity" Beach. Yes, this is where they rolled in the sand.
Waimanalo coastline. Now this is Hawaii.
To join in on the fun, visit the Sanctuary’s website and sign up:
http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/involved/ocwelcome.html
Only in Hawaii: So Fresh!
Only in Hawaii: Reminder
Pure Aloha is Back
After a remodeling hiatus and a new lease agreement, Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha is back in the Aina Haina Shopping Center serving their homemade all-natural flavors of shaved ice along with heaping helpings of neighborly advice from Uncle Clay. The store is prettier, a marked difference from the old Doe Fang “Chinese crack seed” store we used to visit when we were kids. If he’s not behind the counter, Uncle Clay is on the side “taking story” with customers, asking about their kids, checking how work is going, asking after your health–and that’s even if he’s never met you before. It’s the kind of aloha that harks back to the old days when everybody knew everybody, and if you didn’t, you said hello anyway. I caught them just before closing while doing last-minute errands, so I missed both the shaved ice and the crowds. And despite my blurred rush to snap a few photos, Uncle Clay now knows my kids are doing well in school, work is fun and I’m taking good care of myself. After all, isn’t that what aloha is all about? :: (808) 373-5111 | Aina Haina Shopping Center | Mon – Thurs 10:30am – 6pm, Fri – Sun 10:30am – 8pm houseofpurealoha.com
To read our earlier post on Pure Aloha, click here.
