Honolulu

Various Oahu Highlights

jeckardt — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:06:01 +0000

A rare flat rainbow over Waimea Bay

Sandy Beach is a favorite for bodyboarding

Volcanic mineral olivine makes sand sparkel green

Peaceful Kawele Bay is perfect for sunning and stand-up paddling

Chun's Beach is great for family time and surfing

View towards the Waianae Mountain Range

Tranquil sunset at Ali`i Beach

Exquisit serene swimming at the Ko Olina Lagoons

A baby hammerhead at Ke Iki Beach

Did you expect pumpkin patches on the east side?

Back alley bread is a Moloka`i tradition

jeckardt — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 02:45:21 +0000

Just a hop, skip and a jump away from bustling Honolulu is the polar opposite – the island of Moloka`i. The long and narrow island can be seen from the eastern shore of Oahu and can be reached for about $66 via airplane. If you make it to Moloka`i for some R&R from the busy streets of Honolulu, one of the most unique experiences you can have is wandering down a dark alley in Kaunakakai, Moloka`i’s main town, after 10 p.m. to score yourself… a couple loaves of bread.

Moloka`i Hot Bread

You read it right. Bread. Locals have been savoring and purchasing bread from the back alley dispenery for about 100 years, and this is truly the only late night action you can find here. Coffee shop, bakery, and breakfast joint by day, the Kanemitsu Bakery is a hot bread drenched in a sweet topping shop by night.

It’s fair to say that this is one of the most “local” experiences you can have on Moloka`i, as it’s something they really do and love, not just something designed for visitors. On any given night except for Sundays, head down Hotel Lane in Kaunakakai. Make sure it’s after 10 p.m. You’ll novice the hand painted sight on a cement wall announcing “Moloka`i Hot Bread,” lit up only by the dim street light.

Hang a left and you’ll see Christmas lights, and just around another corner there will be a small window above a door. This is it. Choose from the marker board menu from five flavors of strawberry, blueberry, cinnamon, creme cheese or butter. If you ask for two they’ll probably put both on the same loaf so specify if you want two separate loaves.

This modest joint only accepts cash. And personally, I like the cinnamon the best.

Calm Kawela Bay offers seclusion and ocean fun

jeckardt — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:17:12 +0000

Kawela Bay is a hidden cove on Oahu’s North Shore, which is likely to be a lot less crowded on any given day than most other beaches in the area. It’s a large bay blanketed in fine white sand and backed by a thick forest of palms, banyan trees, and other dense foliage often explored by those on horse back. Two points jut far out into the ocean on either side, causing the bay to often be mellow and perfect for swimming and paddle boarding. Without very much reef in the bay to attract fish, it’s not the most ideal place for snorkeling.

Although it’s open to the public, Kawela is one of the lesser frequented beaches in the area. A road side trail through the forest opens off of Kamehameha Highway across from a Kahuku Farms fruit stand. It’s important to be very careful here when arriving or departing, as the highway is very busy and people drive very fast on it. You’ll have to park on the grassy shoulder of the road and make your way down the dirt trail through the trees.

Calm Kawela

The huge old banyan trees just before the beach are a sight themselves, and deserve at least a few minutes of exploration and as a subject for photos. Banyans grow very high, and drop numerous long roots from branch to the ground making hiding places and things to climb for children.

The trail is short and you can’t miss the beach. Although it’s long, it’s rather narrow as the forest grows close to the ocean. Depending on the tide you may have to place your belongings right at the top of the sand.

Kawela is worth a few hours, so bring water and a lunch. The sand is fine and soft and it’s usually a great place for floats for children and stand-up paddle board for the family.

Heading east on Kamehameha Highway, look for the trail across from the fruit stand marked with a sign and a fence just before Turtle Bay Resort.

Locals say Oahu’s Kahuku Superette makes the best poke island wide

jeckardt — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:34:19 +0000

On the east side of Oahu in a small town called Kahuku, not far from the North Shore is a small country market from which locals believe comes the best shoyu poke (a local appetizer of fresh tuna pronounced po-kay) on the island.

The small store, called the Kahuku Superette has been in business since 1990, but the secret poke sauce recipe has been in the owner’s family for five generations. Originating with her great, great grandfather in Korea, the dish says Tina, the owner, was a family favorite that was refined time after time at family functions. When Tina move to Hawaii in the mid 1970s she was looking for a “better life,” she says. Her mothered followed about 10 years later and brought the recipe with her and began selling the “secret sauce” at outdoor Korean markets says Tina.

A dish of fresh fish

Tina opened the shop later on, and decided to mix the sauce with local fresh fish called ahi (tuna), but would keep the sauce recipe a secret. Today, it’s a sought after recipe and loyal followers of the poke come back time after time to enjoy it. The small superette even has a wide following of customers from the continental U.S., who seek out the dish on every Hawaiian vacation.

So you may be asking, what’s so great about poke? Well, in general the popular local dish is a mix of fresh tuna chunks, soy sauce, onion, and whatever else the chef wants to throw in. In the case of Tina’s family, the secret sauce contains the usuals, along with sesame oil, chili paste, and a “secret paste” that Tina says her mother always used to make from scratch. She also points out that “no one will ever figure it out.”

At the Kahuku Superette the poke is most often served over white rice, and enjoyed straight from the plastic container on the go. While the poke is an absolute must try for fish lovers and other travelers who like to enjoy local dishes while in other places, the superette also has the usual mini market finds. You’ll find soda, juice, and beer at more affordable prices than other places on the near by North Shore along with snacks, candy, chips, and other local Asian dishes like spicy Korean beef, opae (local shrimp, and other unique things to try.

When entering Kahuku Town on Kamehameha Highway, look for the small yellow superette on the ocean side of the road. Make sure to try the shoyu poke, and don’t be afraid to try another local dish.

Two happy hours per day at the Yardhouse Waikiki, makes people happy

jeckardt — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:07:54 +0000

The Yardhouse Waikiki, a centrally located large bar and restaurant with a huge amount of beers on tap, offers happy hour twice a day, most days of the week. Ever Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., the Yardhouse offers happy hour. In the spirit of enjoying balmy late nights in Waikiki, the drinking hole also offers a late night happy hour Sunday through Wednesdays from 10:30 to closing, which is usually 1 a.m. or later.

Now, I personally love the Yardhouse. They have an amazing array of great beer on tap, really good bar food with a Pacific flair, and good surf videos or other sports on large flat screen TVs. It’s a good place to start, or end the night since it is right smack in the middle of shopping, other restaurants, and very close to the beach. Since it’s very close to a lot of Waikiki hotels, it eliminates the need to drive, and is close enough to catch a taxi to the slightly farther ones.

Over 100 beers at the Yardhouse

At the Yardhouse guests have the option of over 100 beers, and can enjoy their beer from a half yard glass (yep, that’s a big beer), a pint, or a six pack sampler. A personal favorite is the Young’s Chocolate Stout. It’s just about as smooth as Guinness, with a hint of chocolate but not sweet.

This place seems to be hands down the best place in town for beer selection, and the happy hour deals beat a lot of other places. Catch the sunset on Waikiki Beach nearby either after the first happy hour or well before the second.

Ko Olina Lagoons offer sun, sand, and protected ocean time

jeckardt — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:14:16 +0000

I’ve always heard about the lagoons in the Ko Olina resort area on the west side of Oahu, but until recently I’d never been there. It turns out, I’ve been missing out! A few weeks ago while running errands in the area with my two-year-old, I decided it would be the perfect spot for a break from the car and headed over.

I found out that the lagoons are exquisite! They’re are man made, which has made them the perfect havens from the large waves and dangerous currents of the open ocean, and they also do a great job at mostly blocking beach goers from the wind. They’re is four lagoons – honu (sea turtle), nai`a (dolphin), kola (whale) and ulna (giant fish). There are umbrella type things that are actually made of wood and palm fronds that offer sun protection during a full day at the beach. You’ll have to get here early in hopes of getting one.

Lagoon from the west end

For travelers with families, you couldn’t find a more ideal place for kids. But it’s amazing for anyone who loves the ocean. Since they’re in the resort area, there are bathrooms, showers, and a grassy area to picnic or hang out on. The sand here is absolutely perfect for sand candle building, and the water is calm bright blue and beautiful and perfect for floating on a raft or a tube.

Calm Ko Olina waters

It’s important to remember to get here early – preferably by 9 or 10 a.m. – in hopes of getting one of the limited parking spots at each lagoon. Unless you’re staying at one of the resorts of course.

Visitors, locals, swarm to watch the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing

jeckardt — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:40:21 +0000

Today Sunset Beach birthed what contest experts dubbed “life-threatening surf and intense conditions” while competitors entered the first round of the $250,000 Vans World Cup of Surfing during serious 10- to 12-foot waves. Spectators flooded the beach, resulting in the largest crowd at Sunset Beach in the 38-year history of the event. The Vans World Cup is the second leg of the illustrious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink.

Doing well today were locals like Pancho Sullivan, Jamie O’Brien, Makuakai Rothman and Sunny Garcia who can surf Sunset Beach better than most others. Of the 16 heats contested today, 11 were won by Hawaii surfers. The balance went to Vincent Duvignac (France); Davey Cathels (Sydney, Australia); Adrien Toyon (Reunion Island); Mitchel Coleborn (Sunshine Coast, Australia); and Ricardo Dos Santos (Brazil).

A big day at Sunset Beach

Families, viewers, and surfers enjoy the contest from the beach

Today’s top heat scorer was Tonino Benson (Big Island, Hawaii), with a two-wave total of 16.17 points out of 20. The highest individual wave score went to Vans World Cup rookie and junior wildcard Keanu Asing (Hawaii), for a hefty tube ride that earned him 9.33 out of 10.

Sunny Garcia, a two-time champion of this event (1994, 2000), logged a crowd-raising double barrel in his heat today to advance, and will take on female wildcard Carissa Moore, Alain Riou (Reunion Island), and Mitchel Coleborn (Australia) tomorrow.

Contestants brave the wild surf

Depending on the wave conditions tomorrow, the contest may continue. If not, it will surely happen soon.

RESULTS

Round of 128. 1st & 2nd advance.

H1: Vincent Duvignac (FRA) 13.24pts ; Evan Valiere (HAW) 11.94pts ; Tyler Newton (HAW) 7.94pts ; Sebastien Zietz (HAW) 6.93pts

H2: Marcus Hickman (HAW) 9.00pts ; Perth Standlick (AUS) 7.93pts ; Gabriel Villaran (PER) 7.60pts ; Yuri Sodre (BRA) 3.30pts

H3: Billy Kemper (HAW) 8.33pts ; Chris Foster (HAW) 7.40pts ; Jeronimo Vargas (BRA) 5.86pts ; Roy Powers (HAW) 5.70pts

H4: Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 14.84pts ; Brent Dorrington (AUS) 9.36pts ; Caio Ibelli (BRA) 9.23pts ; ALex Smith (HAW) 5.50pts

H5: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 11.00pts ; Gavin Gillette (HAW) 10.83pts ; Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 7.70pts ; Solomon Ortiz (HAW) 7.06pts

H6: Torry Meister (HAW) 9.43pts ; Brian Toth (PRI) 7.90pts ; Dege O’Connell (HAW) 6.90pts ; Hodei Collazo (EUK) 6.00pts

H7: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 14.87pts ; Tim Reyes (USA) 10.20pts ; Kevin Sullivan (HAW) 8.83pts ; Billy Stairmand (NZL) 1.70pts

H8: Davey Cathels (AUS) 11.60pts ; Olamana Eleogram (HAW) 10.80pts ; Nathaniel Curran (USA) 9.67pts ; Dylan Goodale (HAW) 8.77pts

H9: Joel Centeio (HAW) 12.50pts ; Ian Walsh (HAW) 9.67pts ; Jano Belo (BRA) 9.43pts ; Jesse Merle-Jones (HAW) 7.56pts

H10: Tonino Benson (HAW) 16.17pts ; Dale Staples (ZAF) 15.17pts ; Kamalei Alexander (HAW) 11.40pts ; Masatoshi Ohno (JPN) 6.33pts

H11: Keanu Asing (HAW)12.90pts ; Austin Ware (USA) 8.06pts ; Stu Kennedy (AUS) 6.77pts ; Makai McNamara (HAW) 5.97pts

H12: Adrien Toyon (REU) 11.67pts ; Sean Moody (HAW) 10.66pts ; Casey Brown (HAW) 7.03pts ; Joan Duru (FRA) 6.36pts

H13: Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 11.97pts ; Sunny Garcia (HAW) 11.00pts ; Blake Thornton (AUS) 11.00pts ; Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) 9.96pts

H14: Mitchel Coleborn (AUS) 13.30pts ; Tanner Hendrickson (HAW) 12.93pts ; TJ Barron (HAW) 10.67pts ; Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) 8.87pts

H15: Myles Padaca (HAW) 12.93pts ; Mason Ho (HAW) 12.70pts ; Jack Freestone (AUS) 9.37pts ; Rudy Palmboom (ZAF) 7.43pts

H16: Ricardo Dos Santos (BRA) 15.53pts ; Ian Gentil (HAW) 12.90pts ; Flynn Novack (HAW) 9.73pts ; Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 8.80pts

Opal Thai brings awesome Thai food to the North Shore

jeckardt — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:16:44 +0000

I just got back from dinner at my favorite Thai restaurant, Opal Thai in Haleiwa. Now, I can finally call it a restaurant since their evolution from a farmers market stand about 10 years ago, to a lunch wagon in Haleiwa, is now complete in a modest restaurant in the center of town. I love Thai food, everywhere I go I seem to end up eating Thai. And I must say that Opal Thai (named after the chef and owner) is one of my all time favorites. Opal and his wife run the place, and you may see their young son hanging out too. It’s family style, friendly, and really good.

Now in a restaurant, Opal Thai has evolved through number of ways to deliver their food

The photo is of Opal’s lunch wagon, I didn’t have a shot of the restaurant yet since I forget my camera every time I go. But the new place is small yet not tiny, simple, and in a small shopping center. Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Opal Thai serves up amazing Thai dishes with shrimp, chicken and tofu. Vegetarians will have plenty of options here, which I know is always nice for those who don’t eat meat. And the fried tofu is a must try, even for those that don’t love tofu.

The great thing about Opal is that he is always happy to offer input on what to order. This is very helpful for those who aren’t familiar with Thai food, but even for people who eat it a lot, he can let you know what he thinks is the best, or what he thinks you may like. Since the eatery is rather small, you may, or may not, get a wait outside. But maybe you won’t, it’s hit or miss, and the line never appears to be ridiculously long. They also offer take out, a sweet treat if you want to take back to you hotel, or to enjoy the sunset at nearby Ali`i Beach Park, which isn’t a bad idea.

Vans World Cup of Surfing coming to Sunset Beach

jeckardt — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 08:59:15 +0000

The waves along Oahu’s North Shore began pounding today and continue to grow overnight, just in time for the world’s best surfers to ride in the Vans World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach. One of the North Shore’s premier surf breaks, Sunset is only for the best surfers, and each year serves at the break for one of the big contest in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing where the world’s elite surfers come together to compete for prize money and prestige. And luckily for them, the surf report is expecting big and perfect waves over the weekend. The competition may or may not be held in the next few days – there’s a waiting period from November 25 to December 6 – and in this time, they can hold the contest whenever the waves are good.

Sunset Beach is home to premier surf contest

For Oahu visitors, this is your chance to catch a rare sight for most people in the world. Check out www.vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com for daily updates about whether the contest is, or isn’t going to be held. If it’s a go and you have time, make sure to make a trip out north and watch the world’s best watermen compete on world class waves. Sitting on fine white sand in the sun, watching surfers carve up perfect waves, could there be a better stadium?

Below are the winners of the Sunset Beach contest. Have fun, and if you want to watch for a while bring food and drinks with you because once you get a parking spot it will be hard to get another if you leave for food.

2010 – Raoni Monteiro, Brazil
2009 – Joel Parkinson, Australia
2008 – C.J. Hobgood, USA 
2007 – Makuakai Rothman, Hawaii
2006 – Joel Parkinson, Australia
2005 – Jake Patterson, Australia
2004 – Andy Irons, Hawaii
2003 – Jake Patterson, Australia
2002 – Joel Parkinson, Australia 
2001 – Myles Padaca, Hawaii
2000 – Sunny Garcia, Hawaii 
1999 – Zane Harrison, Australia 
1998 – Shane Dorian, Hawaii
1997 – Michael Rommelse, Australia 
1996 – Paul Patterson, Australia
1995 – Shane Powell, Australia 
1994 – Sunny Garcia, Hawaii 
1993 – John Gomes, Hawaii 
1992 – Martin Potter, United Kingdom 
1991 – Fabio Gouveia, Brazil
1990 – Derek Ho, Hawaii
1989 – Hans Hedemann, Hawaii 
1988 – Tom Carroll, Australia 
1987 – Gary Elkerton, Australia 
1986 – Hans Hedemann, Hawaii
1985 – Michael Ho, Hawaii 
1984 – Michael Ho, Hawaii
1983 – Michael Ho, Hawaii
1982 – Tom Carroll, Australia 
1981 – Dane Kealoha, Hawaii
1980 – Ian Cairns, Australia
1979 – Mark Richards, Australia 
1978 – Buzzy Kerbox, Hawaii
1977 – Shaun Tomson, South Africa
1976 – Ian Cairns, Australia
1975 – Mark Richards, Australia

Surfer, the Bar brings drinks, music, pupus, and fun nightlife to the North Shore

jeckardt — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 08:43:17 +0000

Surfer, the Bar, named after Surfer Magazine is the newest addition to North Shore nightlife. But it’s not just limited to those on the North Shore, considering that they’ll have regular “Talk Story” sessions weekly with famous people from all walks of the surf industry, and music (so far The Green, Matt Costa, Jack Johnson), a trip out to Surfer is worth it for all surf and music fans no matter where you’re staying on Oahu.

It’s located in the Turtle Bay Resort Lobby (no need to drink and drive with rooms nearby) and has an awesome view of the ocean and beach before it gets dark. The bar is only open for late evening/night shifts.

Although it’s located in the resort, it invited everyone to come in. Kids are allowed in until 10 p.m. when food stops being served, and adults can party on till the wee hours. Food consists of pupus (appetizers) but they’re really good. The most complete meals would be pizzas, burgers, and a pulled pork sandwich. It’s all really good.

The elements Surfer is made of

Wear whatever you want, as long as you have a shirt (no bathing suits) and shoes on (flip flops are fine). You’ll usually find an eclectic mix of local surfers, visitors, and the occasional established surfer or musician.

They’re strongest drink is their famous mai tai, and they have a great selection of bottled beer (nothing on tap yet). If it’s crowded you can stand up, or grab a table for two or for near the bar or in front of the stage. The decor is classy and sleek, yet down to earth (or ocean) and relaxed.

The slogan is that it’s a place for legends and fans to interact and hang out, and so far with true legends like Clyde Aikau, who spoke at last night’s Talk Story, and good music coming, the slogan is proving to be true.

Come to Surfer, and enjoy the ride.