Best
of Honolulu 2003
Sebastian Blanco, Chad Blair, Robb Bonnell, Robynne Boyd, Clara Ann Chorley,
Joanne Fujita, Bob Green, Lesa Griffith, Ian Lind, Sanford Lung, Andrew
Ma, Cindy K. Mackey, Marcia Morse, Curt Sanburn, Ryan Senaga, Shayne,
Li Wang
August 13, 2003
Our
11th Annual Best of Honolulu
If the city of Honolulu was ever having an identity
crisis, it’s now. How else explain the unwise sprawl on the Central
Plain, while the city’s transit plan goes nowhere? What about the
attempts to take down Evan Dobelle? How else explain the haunting number
of vacant storefronts all over town, just when a mega Wal-Mart erupts
in the city’s heart? Screw hub-of-the-Pacific cosmopolitanism —
we’re slouching toward Guam. Can we stop it? Yes. Honolulu has too
much enviro, multi-culti potential. And so we present the results of our
Readers Poll and Editors’ Choices — a slightly wilted (the humidity!)
bouquet of long-suffering aloha for the city’s bright spots, its
hopes and dreams.
Civic
Affairs
Best candidate for mayor in 2004
Bula‘ia
Most pressing environmental issue
Water
Best community (nonelected) leader
Nainoa Thompson
Best Hawaiian leader
Nainoa Thompson
Best Hawai‘i Democrat
Ed Case
Worst Hawai‘i Democrat
Ben Cayetano
Best Hawai‘i Republican
Linda Lingle
Worst Hawai‘i Republican
Linda Lingle
Best public figure to run out of town
Jeremy Harris
Best city service
TheBus
Best way to cut the city budget
Cut jobs and spending, streamline functions
Worst local TV newscaster
Joe Moore
Most spectacular waste of taxpayer money
UH logo
Best fate for the Natatorium
Restore and reopen for its intended use
Best way to reduce Hawai‘i’s dependence
on imported oil
Solar energy
Hizzoner Bula‘ia. Ha-ha. You so funny.
The home-grown comic polled way ahead of runners-up Duke Bainum and Mufi
Hannemann, and the guy hasn’t even filed with the Campaign Spending
Commission yet.
We get the message: Voters are disgusted. At
least Bula‘ia (read: “bull liar”) has run for office before,
sorta, for governor in ’94 and again last year.
What’s ol’ Bu up to these days? We
checked his weblog (www.xanga.com/ home.aspx?user=BULAIA) and, just below
a banner stating “Eh haole, get off da ‘äina brah,”
we found this entry dated June 22:
“Da police man guys almos wen arres me cause
dey say i neva weah one helmet wen i wen go ride my bike to da supamahket
fo go buy some toilet pepas cause i neva like stain my new pair of bebadeez.”
Still having run-ins with HPD, eh, Bu?
Other suggestions for who should lead America’s
12th-largest city (used to be 11th, but California and Nevada lured some
of us away) include several women: Mazie Hirono, Barbara Marshall, Vicky
Cayetano and Jennifer Waihe‘e. The late Patsy Mink got a nod (!),
as did Weekly contributor Ian Lind, musician Martin Denny, “my cat”
and “pond scum is better than who’s running.”
Maybe Nainoa Thompson should run for mayor.
The well-respected navigator for the Polynesian Voyaging Society, former
UH regent, current Kamehameha Schools trustee and hunka-hunka-burnin’
love is a double winner with Weekly readers this year, best community
leader (not in office) and best Hawaiian leader.
Thompson, son of the late Pinky, grew up in Niu
valley on his grandfather’s chicken and dairy farm. Hard to believe
that the Punahou grad’s first voyage on the Höküle‘a
was way back in the ’70s.
Hawaiian activist/professor/writer Haunani-Kay
Trask came in second behind Thompson in both categories. UH prez Evan
Dobelle, Sierra Clubber Jeff Mikulina and moneyman Walter Dods were recognized
for their leadership, as was Pidgin Guerrilla Lee Tonouchi. Other Hawaiian
leaders included Duke Aiona and Haunani Apoliona, Keanu Sai and Lynette
Cruz, Kaleo Patterson and Wayne Cordeiro.
The Weekly has dedicated enough ink to
the career climb of Ed Case, so we’ll say no more for now
about our 2nd Congressional District representative. Runners-up were U.S.
Sen. Dan Inouye and state Rep. Roy Takumi. There were also these suggestions
for best donkey: “no such thing” and “still looking.”
On the flip side, former Governor Ben Cayetano
took a barrelful of rotten mangoes as worst ass. Poor Ben; he’s got
a nice wife, nice house, nice pension. He’s got time to golf. Yet
Cayetano continues to be the poster boy for all that we hate about local
politicians.
The Weekly still loves him; we admire
a politician who has the guts to stand up and say what he thinks, no matter
how inarticulately. And he stood up to incessant union demands for more
pay raises … even though the teachers, for one, really needed them.
(Were the ballots on this question stuffed by Mazie and Matt?)
Mayor Jeremy Harris and state Sen. Cal Kawamoto
also earned a thumbs down from readers. Best answer for worst Democrats:
“Check the jails.”
Our governor is your pick for best and worst
Republican in Hawai‘i, which is, of course, silly. And yet. …
After nine months in Washington Place Linda Lingle has demonstrated
both great and terrible tendencies: She challenged the Legislature on
expenditures but saw key vetoes overridden. She appointed Jim Duffy to
the state Supreme Court but took Mahealani Richardson to Tokyo. She looks
cute in swimming goggles but is as slick as a Karl Rove photo op.
Käne‘ohe Bay Drive state Rep. Cynthia
Thielen, everyone’s favorite den mother, followed Lingle in elephantine
popularity, while Councilmember Mike Gabbard of ‘Ewa-Kapolei-Wai‘anae
followed Lingle in pachyderm ill repute.
One other suggestion for worst Republican worth
mentioning: “prosecutor who acts like a Republican.” Which nicely
segues into our next ballot result, the person you’d like to see
catch the red-eye to L.A. — Jeremy Harris, the man that coulda
been a contenda for higher office. He outpolled Mike and Carol Gabbard
(she of the BOE). Unless Peter Carlisle gets to him first, the mayor’s
term ends next year. Harris hasn’t ruled out another political campaign,
but we’re pretty sure it won’t be on Kaua‘i.
Other public figures that readers would like
to see disappear: the sisters Trask, Mitch Kahle, Brian Kanno, “Goofi
Mufi,” Lokelani Lindsey (be patient on that one; she’s expected
to enter the slammer come autumn), Rene Mansho (whoops! she’s been
released), Randy Roth, the Quackenbushes, Carol Kai, Starbucks, the Honolulu
Futon Company duck mascot and many, many, many, many others.
Most pressing environmental issue? In one form
or another, it’s water. From dredging the Ala Wai Canal, to
soil erosion and runoff, to waste leakage into aquifers, to unchecked
development and thirsty golf courses, to spoiled beaches and streams,
to dumping from cruise ships, to … well, you get the idea.
Add drought to that list. The Hawaiian language
has dozens of names for rain, but we’d settle for just one right
now — ua hö‘ele, or “drenching rain.”
Landfill limitations are also a concern to readers,
as is overfishing, endangered species, curbside recycling and multiplying
’scopes on Mauna Kea. Readers provided a few chuckles about still
other enviro problems: “cops stealing weed plants” and “stink
from Roberts Hawaii buses.”
Best city service? It’s the one that may
cease running Aug. 26, smack dab in the middle of the back-to-school madness.
It’s a sad state of affairs that TheBus (aka “America’s
Best Transit System”), with 86 routes on O‘ahu, 4,000 stops
and 525 buses that carry 70 million passengers a year, may soon grind
to a halt.
Raise fees? That’s harsh on people with
fixed incomes. Reduce routes? Cruel, especially for wheelchairs. Let’s
settle this one now, gang, before a strike.
Speaking of budget cuts, Sunset/Brunch on the
Beach were runners-up for best city services, but the city may not be
paying for these popular events anymore, either. Satellite City Halls
got kudos from readers too … but the city’s cutting back that
service as well.
Speaking of budget cuts, Honolulu denizens understand
that we’re facing a $100 million budget deficit next year (modest
by Bush standards). Readers had some ideas to help with the trimming:
get rid of those neighborhood “Welcome” signs, the zoo, road
resurfacing crews (“they’re not doing nuthin’ anyway”),
the Harris administration and the City Council. “Go easy on the paper
clips,” one reader advised; “lower the A/C in government buildings
— brrrrr, cold!”
Voted Best Reporter by Weekly readers
in 2002, Joe Moore has obviously done something wrong in the last 12 months
to earn the dubious award of worst local TV newscaster. Hmmm, what could
it be? Have you ever noticed … plagiarism? KHON has had Joe
in his weekday 6 and 10 p.m. slots since the Reagan years; maybe it’s
time for regime change.
Guy Hagi placed first among the runners-up, although
nearly everyone from all four stations made the cut. “That’s
not a nice question,” wrote one voter.
The Weekly reported on the UH logo
fiasco well before the controversy broke elsewhere, and we’re pleased
to see that you agree that it’s all a waste of taxpayer dough (modest
by Bush standards). The logos actually cost taxpayers more than the widely
reported figure of 80 grand. Yes, that’s roughly the amount that
went to the Maryland firm that designed the two finalists. But Honolulu’s
Brand Strategy Group was paid $54,000 to solicit input for the failed
designs, and Starr Seigle was to market the logo winner in a brand-identity
campaign expected to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In the final analysis, $135,000 is small potatoes,
less than what June Jones will make in September and October (we think;
shhh! His contract is a secret.) Readers (except the ones at Murphy’s)
are rightly pissed about the waste of good money on a football coach.
Restoring the Natatorium was deemed wasteful as well ... for some. For
others the best fate for the Natatorium is to restore it for its
intended use, which was as a memorial swimming pool for WWI dead.
Fred Hemmings would like to see a volleyball
court instead of a pool. Nothing says “Our war dead made the ultimate
sacrifice” like “The Bud Lite Bikini Volleyball Challenge.”
One wise-ass wrote of our questions about wasting
money and the Natatorium, “How come this question is right after
the last question?” Good question.
Let the sun shine in, we say. Let’s go with
solar energy as the best way to reduce Hawai‘i’s addiction
to MidEast crude. Other renewable energy sources such as wind, wave and
hydrogen were also mentioned by our green-minded readers. “Annex
Saudi Arabia,” said one reader. “Hire homeless guys to slash
tires and pour molasses in gas tanks,” said another.
And, lastly, firstly, why doesn’t a city
with planny flat surfaces and near fair weather year-round have decent
bike paths?
City
Life
Best guilty pleasure in Waikïkï
Cold Stone Creamery
Best tree in Honolulu
Banyan at Thomas Square
Best way to deter car thieves
Drive a crappy car
Best public restrooms
Neiman Marcus
Best reason to live in ‘Ewa
None
Best thing about Honolulu cops
Friendly
Best place to feel like you’re not in
Honolulu
North Shore
Best library
Hawai‘i State Library (Downtown)
The Weekly readers’ choice to deter
car thieves is to drive a crappy car that no thief would want to
own, like a Ford Pinto or Dodge Neon. If you can stand the heat, readers
also recommend a car with a broken air conditioner and windows that don’t
roll down. Some even suggested performing creative devaluing on your vehicle,
like leaving dirty socks and garbage on your seats, placing a goat skull
on the dashboard, or letting a pit bull live in the back seat. If that
doesn’t work, you can always “take a hike,” ride your bike
or get a bus pass. More hassle, less worries.
The banyan at Thomas Square is grand.
Funny thing is, banyans are known to strangle native trees. Native to
India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, these foreign stranglers are considered
sacred by Hindus and Buddhists. Tell that to Honolulu’s dog owners,
some of whom use the shade of the banyan as a place to have their mutts
mingle. Even if it isn’t an official doggie park, there are lots
of doo-doo bags. A group of Hawaiian activists also congregate at the
square every July, to celebrate the British for leaving the islands. Ironic,
yeah?
Others listed in the tree category were the banyans
at Moanalua Gardens and Kühiö beach, and the shower tree at
‘Iolani Palace.
The old adage “The way to a person’s
heart is through the stomach” has been proven by Weekly readers’
pick for sensual stimuli in Waikïkï. Beating out all other earthly
indulgences, like watching the bikinis and Speedos, checking out the surfers,
smoking a joint in the rain under an umbrella or even skinny dipping at
night after hot salsa, was a bowl full of Oreos, Heath Bars and peanut-butter
cups folded into a mountain of ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery
(2166 Kaläkaua Ave., 923-3866; there’s another near the zoo,
still another at the Ward complex). Imagine that. Other sinful food fantasies
included eating cheesecake at Tiki’s and high tea at the Moana Surfrider.
The best public place to make shi shi was easily
won by Neiman Marcus (Ala Moana Center; 951-8887). Three restrooms,
one per floor, a store where most people can’t afford to shop yet
feel compelled to walk through the aisles to “go in style.”
But is it worth the trip? Walk into the third-floor restroom near Mariposa,
and the first thing that you notice is the Japanese aesthetic: very little
furniture, lots of empty space, very orderly. The floors and mirrors are
impeccably polished and the sinks and stalls are very, very clean. Everything
seems to be in its place. Kinda like the hospital version of the potty
room at the Royal Hawaiian.
Runners-up for peeing in paradise were the Ala
Moana Center Centerstage bathrooms, which have enough stalls to accommodate
the 3rd Infantry Division. If you like a lot of soap the restroom next
to the Waikïkï police station is rumored to have lots of it.
Ouch! Is there no reason to live in ‘Ewa?
Readers responded to this category with remarks like “Are you nuts?”
or “Huh?” or “Are you a glutton for traffic?” Anyone
who has lived on the Leeward Side expects such negative responses from
city dwellers to life in ‘Ewa . But country folk can tell you that
‘Ewa has its charms.
For one thing, it’s cheap. You can get more
bedrooms for your money. Then there’s ‘Ewa’s close proximity
to several pretty golf courses, like Westloch and Waikele. For those of
you who like the sand and the surf, ‘Ewa beach is absolutely beautiful.
In the old days, you could catch a baby hammerhead shark with your bare
hands because it would get stuck in the ogo. But today, “No moa ogo.”
Gotta go gettum from da farm.
The North Shore is the place to feel like
you’re not in Honolulu. The reason for this is probably because the
North Shore isn’t in Honolulu. You can tell because, in Honolulu,
Great Danes aren’t allowed to roam free and use the beaches as a
litter box. Gross. The North Shore isn’t Honolulu because, unlike
the inviting waves in Waikïkï and Ala Moana, the surf on the
North Shore only beckons to (we’re talking winter here) skilled surfers
and fools.
Makeout central, Tantalus was a runner-up for
getting the hell out of Dodge, as was Waikïkï, St. Louis Heights
Park and … the Art Academy. How about hockey games on three TVs at
Legend’s Sports Pub to make you feel like you are truly on another
planet?
By far, the State Library downtown was
the winner of the best library. Located on 478 South King St., it has
the most in-depth collection of any public library in Hawai‘i. There
are magazines and newspapers from around the world, and an extensive periodical
archive. The Pacific collection contains rare material and books not found
anywhere else. There is also a great audio-visual section for adults and
children that you can browse through.
The kids’ book selection is awesome. There’s
lots of room for parents to sit and read and plenty of stuffed toys for
toddlers who can’t stay still.
Also worth mentioning is the building itself,
which is both majestic and inviting. The original structure was built
in 1913, with wings added on later. (The last renovation was completed
in 1992.) Perhaps the best spot is the open-air center courtyard where
you can sit and read, or just contemplate. The entire library is filled
with light — even the microfilm room is bright enough to keep you
awake.
The one drawback is the parking (it’s not
as bad as UH, but still frustrating), and the drastically reduced hours
of operation. It’s a sad commentary on a society when they start
cutting back on learnin’.
Runners-up were UH Hamilton, Kaimukï, Hawai‘i
Kai and Waikïkï libraries.
Although many Hawai‘i residents have commented
on how “yummy” many of their law enforcement officers look in
their uniforms, readers found that the best thing about cops is their
friendly demeanor. One reader commented on how Honolulu Police Department
officers always seem to give you a big smile before issuing you a ticket.
Now what’s the deal with that?
Well, being a cop puts an otherwise nice person
in a difficult position. It’s their job. Sure, we like to make jokes
about HPD’s chronic doughnut habit, their below-average height and
the fact that they sometimes ride their cop bikes on the sidewalk, without
giving themselves a ticket. But the truth is, they make us all feel a
little safe.
Recreation
Best beach on O‘ahu
Kailua
Best place to watch the sunrise
Sandy Beach
Best place to watch the green flash
Ala Moana, Magic Island
Best place to watch shooting stars
Sandy Beach
Best kids’ playground
Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park
Best ball park
Waipi‘o Soccer Field Complex
Best place to swim with turtles
Haunama bay
Best skatepark
‘A‘ala Skate Park
Best place for outdoor nookie
Kapi‘olani Park
Best car to customize
Honda
Best Web page
www.google.com
Get up off of that thang! The fantasies you’ve
spun throughout the week staring hazy-eyed at the computer or strumming
your fingers against the steering wheel during 3 o’clock traffic
can now come true. It’s Aloha Friday!
Renowned for gorgeous beaches, 75 to 85 degree
temps and windward and mauka whatevahs, locals embrace the ‘äina.
While this category could have been named beaches, beaches and more beaches,
we squeezed in a few other activities for those avoiding the sun.
Kailua beach reigns supreme as the best
beach on O‘ahu, with two-plus miles of white sand, a vast bay for
windsurfing, small skim board waves, a reef 300 yards off shore, and islands
close enough to reach by kayak. Extraordinary. Lanikai and Bellows washed
up close behind. Other ideas included the secretive, “shhh ... not
supposed to tell,” the obvious, “where no dogs take a dump,”
and the appropriate, triathlete hangout Kaimana Beach.
If you’re sitting on Sandy’s
in the wee hours of the morning, the psychedelic sky does not disappoint.
Makapu‘u Lighthouse takes more oomph to get there, but the view is
worth it. Both of these East Side jewels are perfect perches to see every
inch of the sun slide over the horizon until it sets on the other side.
Ala Moana beach and Magic Island
were readers’ choices for where to watch the green flash. (“Duh
wat?” said one reader.) Other responses included “an alien strip
joint,” “never seen one,” “top floor of Dave &
Buster’s,” “on a boat,” “still looking”
and “it’s a myth.”
This is no myth, just a very cool natural phenomenon.
When the last tip of the sun dips behind the horizon, the light refracts.
The surrounding atmosphere acts like a prism and separates the colors
into ROYGBIV (look it up on Google; we don’t have space to explain
it here), which a discerning eye can see if the air is clear. In the most
pristine environment a blue flash is possible!
Waikïkï beach was the runner up for
the flash, although the sun disappears behind the Wai‘anae range
for several months during the year.
Although answers ranged from sappy (“in
a girl’s eyes”) to obvious (“away from the lights”),
the best place for shooting stars is Sandy’s, with its second
triumph in our poll. Then there’s Tantalus. If you can’t get
to either of these spots, no worries, “just look up, get plenty.”
Hawaii Waters Adventure Park (400 Farrington
Hwy., Kapolei; 674-9283) got tons of votes as best kids’ playground.
But come on, folks! After forking over $60 in admission fees and sitting
in the car for an hour to get there, a simple day at the park has become
a pricey expedition.
Runner-up “the beach” seems a better
pick, because it’s fun and free. More down-to-earth answers included
gorgeous Mänoa Park with its swimming pools, play set, baseball fields,
tennis and basketball courts. Stadium Park also deserves a shout out for
its central location, play sets, large expanse of grass and multiple benches.
When it comes to playing ball, this 288-acre,
$12.5-million stadium with 19 regulation fields and enough seats for 3,000
rowdy crowd members, is unmistakably the best ball park. On Waipi‘o
Soccer Field Complex’s opening day last September, the soccer
flame was lit by the ’96 Olympics’ relay torch, lighting the
way for international tournaments. Runner up: Murakami Stadium, named
for ol’ Les, UH’s first and, so far, best baseball coach.
Within an extinct volcanic crater on O‘ahu’s
south shore lies the best place to swim with turtles. Hanauma bay’s
delicate reef is inhabited by over 400,000 fish and, of course, honu.
The appropriately named runner-up is Turtle Bay.
Going to ‘A‘ala Park in search
of the fabled McTwist, all we found were a few perfectly executed grinds
and some sweet ali kick flips. One of the four skateparks to open in 2002,
the surrounding green space also received a facelift last year, helping
to make ‘A‘ala the best skate sanctuary. At least it keeps the
kids off the street from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.
Customize a Honda. All it takes is a chrome
muffler, spoiler, body kit, rims, racing steering wheel, bumpin’
stereo system with adjustable bass and a slouched 17-year-old behind the
wheel. As well as being the best to customize it’s the best to steal,
according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau and State Farm Insurance.
So after all that effort to soup up your Civic, you may not even get to
drive it around for long (darn that ice epidemic!).
The classic Ford Mustang still embodies “cool”
as the runner-up.
Although some believe it’s “best left
in the privacy of one’s home,” what’s nicer than stretching
out on a blanket under a tree and engaging in a lip-locking tongue tango
at Kapi‘olani Park, the place for outdoor nookie? Nothing.
Also Sandy’s, Friday Fireworks, ‘Ehukai and the ever accommodating
“up to her.”
Google your friends, google your boss, google
yourself. If you want more information about anything, the best Web page
is www.google.com. (Maybe we should have asked for “best search
engine”?)
“Googol” is the mathematical term for
a 1 followed by 100 zeros. The company, founded by Larry Page and Sergey
Brin at Stanford University in 1998, used this to create their name because
they have so many users. This search engine is fast, efficient and has
the answers.
Silver medal: www.yahoo.com.
Bronze: www.honoluluweekly.com.
Liar.
Arts
and Entertainment
Most creative person in Honolulu
Jeremy Harris, Jake Shimabukuro
Best local song/album of the year
Jack Johnson
Best record store
Tower Records
Best theater company
Ma-noa Valley Theatre
Best local actor or actress
Kelly Hu
Best public sculpture
“Duke Paoa Kahanamoku” (1990)
Best show/concert of the year
KCCN FM 100 Birthday Bash
Tying for talent are Jeremy Harris and
Jake Shimabukuro. Harris, who sank into the background after his
aborted run for governor, is accused of being pretty creative with his
campaign spending and is no longer much of a leader. Shimabukuro, who’s
pretty annoying on the Road Runner TV spot and who’s become ubiquitous
as traffic, continues to play his ‘ukulele really fast.
Runners-up in creativity include poet/artist
Imaikalani Kalehele, dancer Willow Chang and comedian Frank DeLima.
From Smokey Joe’s Cafe to Proof
to The Laramie Project to Beehive, Mänoa Valley
Theatre (2833 East Mänoa Rd.; 988-6131) puts on consistently
good productions. Founded in 1968, the company is in its 35th season.
Next season, watch out for Bat Boy, Apartment 3A, Copacabana
and The Underpants!
All right, wise guys, we thought you knew what
we meant when asked for best theater company, but the giant movie chain,
Consolidated, garnered enough votes for runner-up. Too bad our favorites
— Cinerama, Kapi‘olani, Kühiö, Waikïkï and
maybe Varsity next — are no longer around.
Who can deny Jack Johnson? On and On has
been picked by readers as best local album of the year. Must be a lot
of ballot-stuffing by teenaged girls in Kailua. (Just jokes, Jack. We
kid because we care.) Johnson has fans all over the world and his gentle
melodies fit right in with the post-surf drive home.
We also like Sudden Rush’s EA, a cool island
hip-hop journey, and the lovely “Falling” by Keahiwai.
To our chagrin, Tower Records (99-199
Kamehameha Hwy., ‘Aiea, 486-4966; 611 Ke‘eaumoku St., 941-7774;
4211 Wai‘alae Ave.; Kähala Mall, 737-5088) won best record store.
The giant chain has been losing money as burning and downloading become
more popular. We shop at runner-up Jelly’s in ‘Aiea.
Go independents!
Tsk, tsk. All of your favorite local actors are
mainstream, Mainland-based people on the marquee at Consolidated. (Your
selections are fine, but doesn’t anybody see plays anymore, besides
John Berger — soul-stealing camera in tow — and Dave Donnelly?)
Kelly Hu won for best local actor or actress (we should have added
“ … who can kick your ass”).
Hu, who didn’t speak much as Lady Deathstrike
in X2, no doubt won for her easiness on the eyes. When interviewed by
the Weekly on her feelings as an Asian-American woman in Vagina
Monologues at Hawai‘i Theatre, she said, “I sometimes forget
that I’m Asian.”
Uh-huh. We figure our readers just remember that
she’s a mega-hottie.
Your runners-up for actor/actress are The Rock,
Tia Carrere and Keanu Reeves, whose votes clearly outdistanced any strays
from the local theater community. And, in terms of “acting,”
Dwayne, Tia and Keanu are thesian-challenged, to say the least.
Why was there no love for from our readers for,
say, the people at Honolulu Theatre for Youth or Kumu Kahua Theatre, who
both produce a lot of locally written plays? No love for the Dark Nights
at Kumu (varied independent works staged at Kumu but not by Kumu when
the theater has no other performances and is considered “dark”)?
There wasn’t even any love for Cruel Theatre,
the small theater company whose actors all improvise an hour’s worth
of dialogue or more in one-on-one conversations with the audience.
Tsk, tsk.
The most-posed-with statue certainly is Duke
Kahanamoku’s massive likeness in Waikïkï. Readers say
it’s also our best public sculpture. Created by Jan Gordon Fisher,
the statue was a gift to the Waikïkï Improvement Association
in 1990. Runners-up include King Kamehameha, the Surfer and Seal near
the Kapahulu groin, Father Damien and Gandhi.
Rounding out the A&E category, the annual
KCCN FM 100 Birthday Bash wins best show. It well deserves this
honor because of its Waikïkï Shell venue and the loaded lineup
of local acts.
It seems that every major local musician has
paid dues at the Birthday Bash in recent years, including Oshen, Ten Feet,
Darrell Labrado, Three Plus, Sean Na‘auao, Kapena, Fiji and Natural
Vibrations, to name a few. As the sun sets, the music plays on into the
night and the huge crowds dance and cheer.
People also like Society of Seven’s show.
We still don’t understand that one. Maybe they simply like pronouncing
the word “Ruivivar.”
Night
Life
Best place to drink wine
Formaggio
Best place to drink beer
Magoo’s Pizza
Best night to go out
Friday
Best free entertainment
Sunset on the Beach
Most romantic restaurant
Indigo Eurasian Cuisine
Best place to hear jazz
Brew Moon Restaurant & Microbrewery, Aaron’s
Atop the Ala Moana
Best place to hear new music
KTUH 90.3 FM
Best outdoor bar
Mai Tai Bar
Best skanky bar
Anna Bannana’s
Open for only three and a half months, Formaggio
(2919 Kapi‘olani Blvd.; 739-7719) is already the place to
park your BMW SUV. Get there early because once wine-o-philes see the
selection, they usually don’t leave till last call. The cozy dining
area and Sade albums bring a Wai‘alae Iki atmosphere to the ghetto
laundromat/Grace’s Drive-In complex.
In addition to the superb variety of wines on
monthly rotation, the food is terrific as well — try the paninis,
the cheese plate, the prosciutto, or one of the pate specials.
With a strong following for their wine tastings,
Indigo came in a close second. Also mentioned were the fantastic selections
and pairings at the W, the Tent of Joy at the annual Taste of Honolulu,
and the Underrated Gem of Restaurant Row, Meritage.
Among the more eclectic grape venues: grandma’s
house, at the beach, “please don’t leave your bottle, France”
and “off a girl’s belly button.” (Lucky you!)
The staff of HW is remembered by Magoo’s
(1015 University Ave.; 949-5381) for former Managing Editor Curt Sanburn’s
infamous aloha party. Magoo’s may have been at its present location
for only five years but that was more than enough time for the staff to
install O‘ahu’s most kick-ass beer system, with 120 taps and
around 80 to 100 different beers (depending on what’s in stock).
All domestic beers are 99 cents a glass and five bucks for a pitcher.
What a bargain! The real deal though is the imports: $1.25 a glass, $6
a pitcher. Hefeweizen!
They usually sell between 100-125 kegs of beer
per week, plus bottled beer.
“It’s very casual, not fancy,”
said GM Gilbert Sakaguchi. “About 25 percent university students,
25 percent blue-collar workers and the other 50 percent is a mix of workers,
doctors, lawyers, Europeans. … People that all appreciate good beer.”
Magoo’s also offers pasta, burgers, fries,
sandwiches and the best pizza in the UH area — all served up until
12:30 a.m. weekdays, 1:30 a.m. on weekends. Free delivery.
The old standby Gordon Biersch at Aloha Tower
was runner-up. (Please don’t drop your glasses in the harbor after
polishing off a Marzen.) Also making the list were Brew Moon, Duke’s,
Tiki’s, Café Anasia, Murphy’s, Sidestreet Inn, Hula’s,
Ryan’s and “wherever the cops don’t bother.” You guys
are playing with fire on that one.
As the Cure sang, “I don’t care if
Monday’s black, Tuesday Wednesday heart attack, Thursday never looking
back, it’s Friday I’m in love.”
Weekly readers seem to like to get happy
and paint the town red on the last business day of the week as well. Perhaps
it has something to do with being cooped up in the office all day. Job
dissatisfaction within the state? Nah, couldn’t be.
Not surprisingly, Saturday came in second place.
(You didn’t possibly expect a Monday to get the silver medal, did
you?)
Here’s one idea from Mayor Jeremy Harris
that people aren’t complaining about: Once it was announced, islanders
near and far headed into Waikïkï or over to Wai‘anae for
great food and a movie on the beach. Different restaurants were represented
including Auntie Pasto’s and Pizza Hut, to name just two. With the
affordable prices, Sunset on the Beach is a reasonable way to grab
dinner, set up your beach chair on either side of the giant screen, and
settle in the family for a complementary showing of a motion picture suitable
for most audiences. If you get there early enough, the sun will set beautifully
for absolutely no charge as well.
Saturday and Sunday evenings. Locations differ.
Not held every weekend.
Aloha Tower was the next choice of fun for frugal
readers. Cheapo literates also came up with a litany of economical and
creative choices in this category: moon, go-go boys at Hula’s, library,
the streets of Waikïkï, fireworks at the Hilton on Friday nights,
the Royal Hawaiian Band, glass blowers at UH, Honolulu Weekly,
Planny Planny Poets 2, the front lobby at the YMCA, Borders Books &
Music, submarine races and watching two girls mud wrestle on the beach.
(Mud wrestle?!)
Although known for their martinis, amazing pau
hana happy hours, the Opium Den and the island’s most Fort Knox-ishly
protected wooden rocking horse, Indigo (1121 Nu‘uanu Ave.;
521-2900) was also voted the best dining place to sneak a smooch with
your main squeeze. The Chinatown brick walls, open-air seating, deity
statues and candlelit sconces all add to an Oriental theme that is theatrical,
passionate and subtly erotic.
The food itself is Eurasian cuisine, supervised
by well-respected executive chef Glenn Chu. Indigo also hosts wine-tasting
evenings that are good enough to rival Formaggio.
Regrettably, rumor has it that Indigo may be
moving locations soon. If so, let’s hope they will transfer the ambience
of love along with it.
La Mer at the Halekülani was in second place
for romance — guys, don’t forget your jackets. Also making the
Public Display of Affection list was Diamond Head Grill, Assagio’s,
Aaron’s, Matteo’s, Hoku’s, Nick’s Fish Market, Sarento’s,
Alan Wong’s and John Dominis — pretty much places named after
people.
Others chose Zippy’s, Bob’s Big Boy,
Sizzler and Chuck E. Cheese. The fastest way to someone’s heart is
to throw your partner into that giant cage of plastic balls.
According to the franchise’s Web site, Brew
Moon (Ward Center, 2nd Level, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd.; 593-0088) provides
“contemporary island dining in a casual, upscale atmosphere.”
Whatever that means. But on Tuesday nights, there’s jazz — Sweet
& Lowdown every Tuesday night with Sonny Silva (owner of Fleet Street
Graphics) accompanied by different local talents. Every Thursday brings
Bruce Hamada and Jim Howard, who used to perform with Azure McCall. There’s
also some occasional jazz on Friday nights, but even if there isn’t,
the Rippingtons vibe still exists.
Tied with Brew Moon for live jazz is Aaron’s
(Atop the Ala Moana Hotel, 410 Atkinson Dr.; 955-4466). House band Soul
Café plays Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.,
and Friday and Saturday from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The thing is, Soul
Café isn’t a jazz band per se.
“That’s interesting because we’re
mainly a dance club,” said Skip Lambert, the maitre d’ who’s
been at Aaron’s since they opened in 1985. “They do play some
jazz, but the primary emphasis is dance music.”
Oh well. The view is still one of the island’s
best nocturnal cityscape-skylines; so sit down, have a tumbler of Glenlivet,
and download the Chet Baker catalog into your iPod.
The radio station KTUH 90.3 FM, daily from 9
a.m. to noon, is bebop Honolulu’s second choice to hear Thelonius
Monk et al. A groovy, bass-licked way to start the day.
More melancholy saxophones and trumpets can be
found at Borders, NPR, the Halekülani, Studio 6 and the Hanohano
Room. Sarcastic jazz can be found at Planet Hollywood, New Orleans and
Longs Drugs (thanks, readers; way to show that wit). Check the Sunday
value book for more details.
We didn’t quite have a radio station in
mind when formulating this category, but the audio-geeks have spoken and
deemed KTUH as the best “place” to listen to brand spanking
new sounds. They may have a point. This college station does play the
stuff that you’d never hear on the other heavy rotation play lists.
Hail to the thief!
Further perplexing us as your choice for new
music was your second choice, Ala Moana Shopping Center’s Mai Tai
Bar. The live music consists mostly of covers, but it’s still an
awesome place to listen to new local entertainers. Other venues
for fresh tunes were Los Garcias and Anna Bannana’s.
Those with fresh attitudes left some interesting
suggestions for new music, too: the Mainland and Oldies 107.9 FM. Ha-ha,
very funny. You must’ve been in marching band in high school.
Owned by the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Mai
Tai Bar (top of Ala Moana Center, Ala Moana Blvd.; 947-2900) opened
four summers ago and became a hit with the local T&C crowd. With $5
pitchers, $2 premium well drinks (quality labels), $3 cocktails, no cover
charge and live entertainment, every single day makes this the No. 1 choice
for islanders to spill their drinks on each other.
Tying for second for best outdoor bar was Gordon
Biersch and Duke’s — aka the White People’s Alcoholic Sandbox.
Outdoor aficionados also enjoy their drinks at the Row Bar, Tiki’s,
Angles, Compadre’s, Dave & Buster’s, the Moana Surfrider,
Kapono’s and “sitting on a park bench with rum.” That’s
not outdoor; that’s just ghetto.
Decorated in garage sale kitsch, Anna Bannana’s
(2440 S. Beretania St.; 946-5190) has the smoky, rundown comfort factor
of a North Beach watering hole. One can imagine Kerouac and the boys exposing
themselves to drunken ladies with smeared mascara. The best in local live
music plays the refurbished upstairs stage area while grizzled lounge
lizards slurp mugs of beer and throw honest-to-goodness steel-tipped darts
downstairs.
Original owner and creator Gary Budlong named
Anna’s after his niece. Anna used to run around going crazy every
now and then, hence Bannana’s! The place celebrated its 34th
birthday last month, and the restrooms smell as if they haven’t been
cleaned since 1969. It’s the closest a local can get to experiencing
New York’s mythically horrid CBGB’s toilet without ever leaving
the rock.
Ocean’s, Hooters and the Hideaway tied in
a threesome for second place “honors.” Also rated skanky were
On the Rocks, Hula’s, Mr. C’s, Fusion and the cosmetic enhancement
trio — Club Femme Nu, Club Rock-Za and Exotic Nights. Our personal
favorite suggestion for locating skankiness, though, was this reader’s
bit of advice: “Gotta ask somebody from City Council.”
We hear you brother, we hear you.
Food
Best restaurant on King Street
Alan Wong’s Restaurant
Most overrated restaurant
Sam Choy’s Diamond Head Restaurant, Sam
Choy’s Breakfast Lunch & Crab
Best bargain in hotel dining
Duke’s Canoe Club Waikiki
Best pau hana püpü
Ocean Club
Best $5 lunch
Kewalo’s (Kanda Lunch Wagon)
Best waiters/waitress
Irifune Restaurant
Best new restaurant (opened in last 12 months)
Meritage
Best breakfast
Koa Pancake House
Best ribs
Tony Roma’s Famous For Ribs
Best chef
Ala Wong, Sam Choy
Best restaurant that delivers
Pizza Hut
Best place to gain 10 pounds in 10 minutes
Buca Di Beppo
Best pho
Hale Vietnam Restaurant
The best lunch for five bucks, according to our
readers, isn’t had at some restaurant but at a lunch wagon, upholding
a beloved local tradition. Kewalo’s, the nickname given to
the Kanda Lunch Wagon at Kewalo Basin, has been around for nearly 40 years,
serving curry stew and beef teriyaki to a loyal fan base. Runners-up were
L&L Drive-Inn and Rainbow Drive-In, proving the local plate lunch
rules supreme for cheap, tasty grinds.
Even at the spendier side of the spectrum, our
readers have shown gratifying hometown loyalty, notably with best chef,
where Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine founding fathers Alan Wong
and Sam Choy tied for top billing. Choy, who owns an impressive
eight restaurants including one in Guam and one in Japan, credits his
win to his mission of “good food, good fun and good people.”
Wong has three successful restaurants, two here
and one in Japan, which just celebrated its third birthday this July.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Wong strives to explore new flavors
and ideas through a process he calls “constructive discontent.”
Runners-up include the brilliant George Mavrothalassitis
(Chef Mavro) whose formidable résumé includes work with
icons of contemporary French cuisine such as Jean and Pierre Troisgros
and Alain Senderens; and the supremely gifted Chai Chaowasaree of Chai’s
Island Bistro who added the fragrance and color of his native Thailand
to Hawai‘i’s cuisine.
Wong also won for best restaurant on King Street
(1857 S. King St., 3rd Floor; 949-2526). His eponymous flagship restaurant
had competition from a wide range of eateries along this defining artery
of Honolulu including Zippy’s, Chiang Mai Thai Cuisine, TGI Friday’s
and Sushi Sasabune, covering just about every ethnicity and budget. Why
did Wong win? He believes it is innovation combined with consistently
high-quality food and service spanning eight years.
Sushi King was runner-up.
Though Sam Choy won for best chef, his two eponymous
joints were voted most overrated restaurant, which might indicate the
perils of great fame (Breakfast Lunch and Crab, 580 N. Nimitz Hwy., 545-7979;
Diamond Head, 449 Kapahulu Ave., Unit 201, 732-8645). After all, not only
does Choy have eight restaurants total, he has a cooking show, a series
of cookbooks and extensive TV and print media exposure. How does one live
up to such a monumental reputation? It’s hardly surprising that the
runners-up are also pricey or widely hyped: John Dominis, Roy’s,
Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Ryan’s Grill.
Since our superstar chefs already get so much
recognition, it’s a pleasure to report that a new generation of talented
Hawai‘i chefs is appearing on the horizon. Best new restaurant Meritage’s
Mariano Lalica has good reason to be proud (Restaurant Row, 500 Ala Moana
Blvd.; 529-8686). His boldly flavored European cuisine “with a touch
of island intrigue” makes his restaurant a classy choice. Chic yet
reasonably priced, dinners at Meritage can be enjoyed from $12 to $36.
Tiki’s Grill and Bar placed second.
Not all categories had local winners. National
behemoth Tony Roma’s got the nod for best ribs (Kähala,
735-9595; Pearlridge, 487-9911; Waikïkï, 942-2121), edging out
Dixie Grill and Molly’s. Not all voters had barbecue sauce on their
minds, as one reader offered “my girlfriend’s — to touch,
not to eat.”
Other national chains that won recognition from
readers: Pizza Hut for best restaurant that delivers (takeout 643-1111)
and Buca di Beppo (1030 Auahi St.; 591-0800) for best place to
gain pounds quickly. It must mean that these chains have their high-calorie
delivery systems down to a science. (The runner-up to Pizza Hut was Papa
John’s.) The massive portions of Sam Choy’s were chosen for
the pound gain, along with caloric Cold Stone Creamery and all-you-can-eat
Todai.
We don’t want to know what the person who
voted for Hawaiian Humane Society had in mind.
A much leaner food is the best pho — served
at Hale Vietnam (1140 12th Ave.; 735-7581), which has graced Honolulu
since 1986. Sometimes older is better (see Editors’ Choice
on Page 38). The headily fragrant beef and noodle soup has many adherents,
so the competition for top honors was fierce, with over 15 different Vietnamese
restaurants in the running. Bale, with more than one voter specifying
the one in Mänoa Marketplace, followed. But not everyone shares a
passion for pho, as one voter wrote, “There is no such thing —
blecch!”
The best deal in hotel dining is Duke’s
at the Outrigger Waikïkï (2335 Kaläkaua Ave.; 922-2268)
whose lunch buffet is a reasonable $10.50. One can also have fish tacos
and burgers at the Barefoot Bar until midnight for $6 to $10. Ala Moana
Hotel and Tiki’s Grill and Bar also have good hotel grinds.
The half-priced püpü from 4:30 to 8
p.m. every Tuesday through Friday was no doubt a strong influence in making
the Ocean Club at Restaurant Row (500 Ala Moana Blvd.; 531-8444),
the winner for best püpü after work. They’ve got seafood
appetizers like blackened ‘ahi and coconut shrimp, and $1.75 Miller
Lite on tap. Even so, for sheer eating pleasure Side Street Inn is hard
to beat. Crisp and flavorful pan-fried pork chops, lavish Nalo greens
salads, Portuguese-style clams and other treats attract celebrity chefs
like Mavrothalassitis for their pau hana repast.
We need good food before going to work, too —
and readers voted Käne‘ohe’s Koa Pancake House (46-126
Kahuhipa St.; 235-5772) for the best breakfast. Open daily from 6:30 a.m.
to 2 p.m., you can check out the popular banana or blueberry pancakes
and much more even in the wee hours of the morning. This is also true
of Eggs ’n Things, where many a Waikïkï partier has a late-night
omelet.
No matter what time of the day you decide to
eat, the service you get can be just as important to your enjoyment as
the food. For the best wait help, Irifune (563 Kapahulu Ave.; 737-1141)
got the nod. This favorite local Japanese eatery on Kapahulu is highly
appreciated for the veteran staff members who know and love their customers.
So runner up Hooter’s servers must be very friendly too — we
just can’t imagine any other reason for their popularity.
Retail
and Services
Best wedding dress source
Bridal Emporium
Best craft supply store
Ben Franklin Crafts
Best aloha shirt label
Reyn Spooner
Best surfwear
Local Motion
Best surfboards
Town & Country Surf Shop
Best big-box store
Costco
Best hospital/clinic
Queen’s Medical Center
Best shoe repair
Joe Pacific Shoe Repair
Best handmade jeweler
Royal Hawaiian Heritage Jewelry
Best cell phone service
AT&T Wireless
Best attorney
Gerard Jervis
Best motorcycle shop
Harley-Davidson Cycle City
Best produce
Safeway
"Rising” has definitely not been the
word to describe recent stock trends or this summer’s south swells.
But don’t fret about the economy or the waves. They’ll be back
before you know it. In fact, why not give both a little blessing by dropping
some cash on a new board?
For the best boards around, readers picked a
little chain founded in 1971 by boardshaper Craig Sugihara in Pearl City.
Situated between Honolulu and the North Shore, the shop’s location
prompted the name Town & Country (Ala Moana Center, 973-5199;
Kähala Mall, 733-5699; Pacific Beach Hotel, 971-5419; Uptown Pearlridge,
483-5499; Ward Warehouse, 592-5299; Waikïkï Trade Center, 971-5599;
Windward Mall, 233-5799. The factory’s at Campbell Industrial Park,
682-9283).
Attracting surfers from both shores to Pearl
City for their board needs, the shop adopted the yin-yang logo to represent
balance and T&C’s connection with surfing. “We have very
deep roots in surfing because our owners surf,” said Melissa Pampulov,
T&C marketing director. “We have a good number of the best shapers
in the state working with us, for example, Greg Griffin. It’s good
to see that small local businesses have stayed in people’s minds
and that we’ve built a reputation.”
Despite the wordplay, we should clarify that
T&C’s “small local business” days have been ancient
history for awhile, a distinction visible in their prices. (What “small
local business” has a marketing director?) Step into any reputable
neighborhood surf shop and you’ll usually find a better deal on boards
by at least $100. While you’re at it, you might want to skip T&C’s
skateboard corner for a shop that actually knows something about skateboarding.
A genuine small local business like Lazy Bonez is a good place to start.
T&C remains a fine deal for wax, though.
Of course if you don’t surf, you can still
pose like you do. For the best surfwear, readers head to Local Motion
(Waikïkï, 979-7873; Koko Marina, 396-7873; Windward Mall, 263-7873;
Waikele, 668-7873), founded in Hawai‘i in 1977. John Mishimoto has
been an operations manager for five years. “We try to be progressive
in what we design,” he said. “We use local designers and graphic
artists. We’ve gone back to what we do best — Hawai‘i influences,
designs and ideas, and we draw from that. We carry about 20 different
T-shirt designs per season.”
Other recommended ways to go: Goodwill, North
Shore shops, “anything that fits,” “they all suck”
and “I don’t know, I surf naked.” Nudity fans might also
be familiar with the Da Hui shop behind strip joint Club Rock-Za on Kapi‘olani.
Step lively though — innovative surf gear keeps them sold out quite
often.
When you tire of waves (yeah, right) go burn
up some asphalt by stopping into the best motorcycle shop picked by readers,
Harley-Davidson. This year happens to be the centennial anniversary
of HD Cycle City (2965 N. Nimitz Hwy. 831-2600; there are other locations
too). Manager Michelle Opiteck said, “It’s an all-year-round
celebration at Cycle City. There are 100 year T-shirts and other good
stuff,” adding exuberantly, “This is the greatest job in the
world, I’ll do this hopefully until I die.”
How’s that for employee satisfaction? Must
be the merchandise: “It’s a perfectly tuned machine, a piece
of artwork. The whole mystique … at one point Harley was trying to
get the noise patented, but they couldn’t. You get the whole pie
when you buy Harley — the artwork, the bike itself, look, performance,
sound, you feel cool when you ride it, the accessories. A lot of people
get louder pipes when they first buy a bike!”
God bless the middle-aged.
Harley or otherwise, any cherished bike needs
a top-notch mechanic, and for the heavier repair work check out Cycle-Tech
(2457 S. King St.; 955-4180), which offers pickups, speedy service and
good financial treatment for repeat customers. If you feel the need to
release some patriotic fervor while you’re there, go ahead and take
potshots at the Osama and Saddam targets on the wall.
When buying a bike, don’t forget safety
gear, or you may wind up needing the services of the best hospital/clinic:
Queen’s Medical Center (1301 Punchbowl St.; 538-9011). Our readers
at least seem to think the horror stories about that place aren’t
true. Founded in 1859 by Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV at a time when
imported diseases in threatened the continued existence of the Hawaiian
people, the royalty went door-to-door for a month collecting the money
they needed for the hospital’s creation.
Today Queen’s is a private, nonprofit medical-care
center boasting more than 3,000 employees and 1,200 physicians. The Bar
Code-Enabled Point-of-Care (BPOC) Project is one of the hospital’s
recent innovations in patient care.
A bar code on each patient’s wrist band
ensures that the right patient gets the right medication and dosage at
the right times. Nurses have corresponding bar codes on their ID badges.
After all, who doesn’t love being reduced to a number when seeking
medical care?
For animal lovers, readers picked the Animal
Clinic with six different locations for all your pet-health needs.
If ending up in a hospital is bad, the often-accompanying
legal and financial worries are worse. Unburden yourself onto our readers’
choice for best attorney, Gerry Jervis (407 Uluniu St., Kailua;
262-2828.)
“I’m amazed! What an honor!” he
said. “Life never ceases to surprise me!”
We’re amazed, too. Jervis, a senior partner
of Jervis, Pico & Honda, specializes in personal injury and wrongful
death cases. (Well, that makes sense.)
Other reader mentions include “Public Defenders
— cheap!” and The People’s Court. (Ever seen a lawyer
on that show?)
The Bridal Emporium (250 Ward Ave.; 596-8281)
is readers’ vote for where to get your whites. “That’s
wonderful! That’s more pressure on me!” said owner Lesley Nakagawa.
Being in the knot-tying business for 17 years has given Nakagawa quite
a bond with her customers. “We have a great rapport with everyone
— they become our friends. We’re exceptional because of our
service. Each bride has a specific consultant to make it more personalized.”
Runners-up: David’s Bridal, Princess Ka‘iulani
Fashions and mom.
What’s an extravagant wedding gown without
the right ornamentation? Readers selected Royal Hawaiian Heritage Jewelry
(1525 Kaläkaua Ave.; 800 843-8533) as the best handmade jeweler.
The 31-year-old company is the largest Hawaiian jewelry manufacturer in
the world. Specializing in hand-engraved traditional creations, their
designers draw inspiration from Hawai‘i’s wildlife and natural
beauty. The jewelry’s history dates back to 1887 when England’s
Queen Victoria gave Queen Kapi‘olani and Princess Lili‘uokalani
gold bracelets with their names cut in old English lettering, and the
name-engraving practice became an adopted Hawaiian tradition. Often known
as “heirlooms,” the jewelry was passed down through families
from mother to daughter.
Hawaiian jewelry to Hawaiian shirts: Reyn
Spooner (Ala Moana Shopping Center, Kähala Mall and Sheraton
Waikïkï) is the place to go for aloha … shirts. In 1962,
Reyn McCullough and Ruth Spooner merged their businesses. He designed,
she sewed, and their chemistry in fit, design, and a chambray (reverse
print) effect continues to make Reyn’s our readers’ first choice
in aloha apparel.
Safeway gets the blue ribbon for produce.
Employees will slice you a sample of whatever fruit you’d like to
try, and that thunderstorm sound effect when they’re watering the
veggies is really a nice touch. With customers’ assistance, the company
also has recycled 5 million pounds of shopping bags. (They offer online
shopping, too.)
Other ripe pickings: Chinatown and all farmers’
markets.
Feeling creative? Readers’ pick for best
craft supply store is Ben Franklin. With eight stores total in
the state, the company launched in 1951 by Kamitaki Tadami and his sister
Matsuko Mizoguchi remains family-owned. Operations manager Milton Fujii
has been with them since 1976.
“We try to bring in the newest craft trends
and we provide constant free demonstrations to introduce new products,”
Fujii said. “I think we have the widest assortment of craft merchandise.
Our stores call other stores — including Neighbor Island stores —
to get the quantity that the customer needs.”
BF’s hottest item right now is the different
types of yarn used to make yarn lei. Paper crafts and a new practice called
altered books (enhancing, embellishing and personalizing books) are also
popular. They offer a craft club membership for $10 a year which gets
you 10 percent off everyday and sale prices for the entire year.
There’s also Craft Supply, Honolulu Craft
and Flora Dec.
In bulkier arenas, Costco (Hawai‘i
Kai, 394-3312; Nimitz, 526-6100; Waipi‘o, 678-6110) wins readers’
choice for best big-box store. Costco as it is today had its origins in
a 1993 merger between Price Club and Costco Wholesale. By dealing in volume
they were able to sell brand-names for low prices, a mass-merchant philosophy
that has carried them to the present.
Be prepared to set some time aside for shopping
there. Amid complaints that it’s difficult to find specific products
because item location is constantly shifting around, Honolulu manager
Robert Loomis cheerfully told us, “We have the treasure hunt atmosphere!
… By getting them to wander around a little bit we encourage them
to buy things they wouldn’t normally buy. There are very few people
that can come in here and get out with just milk and eggs!”
Take that however you like. Bulk-buy choice No.
2? Wal-Mart.
Chosen by readers for best shoe repair was Joe
Pacific (126 Queen St.; 524-7463). Owner Robert LoPresti started the
business in 1936. A third-generation shoemaker, he started working in
his father’s shop in western New York as a child. Today, his shop
remains a family-owned business with no employees.
Asked why she thought they won, manager Mary
LoPresti said, “Because we do the best work. There’s a big difference
in the quality of the workmanship and we use very high-quality material.”
Must be why people mail their shoes to them from
all over the country. And across the state, they do work for high-end
boutiques — Chanel, Gucci, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent.
Runners-up were Sears and Tam’s Shoe Repair.
Very honorable mention: “Who wears shoes?”
Best cell phone service? AT&T Wireless
(lots of numbers, lots of locations) took it, with T-Mobile coming in
second. Being around since the beginning has its perks. AT&T has some
40 million residential customers and 4 million business customers worldwide.
Customize your own plan with prices ranging from $19.99 to $299.99, and
from 300 to 4,700 minutes.
However, if you’re going to talk on the
phone while you drive, please, use the damn earpiece.
OK, that’s it. No moah Readers’ Poll.
On to the Editors’ Choices.
Editors’
Choices
Kaukau
Best restaurants where you can simmer down
During the dog days of August and September,
the mere idea of eating something warm can shift the sweat glands into
overdrive. Fortunately, there are meals that are utterly cool — in
the best heat-beating way. Hale Vietnam (1140 12th Ave.; 735-7581),
this year’s winner for best pho, also serves cold vermicelli noodles.
The most refreshing version is the combination of mint, lettuce and tasty
barbecued shrimp ($8.25); the zesty dressing cuts through the hot-weather
blahs with a citrus edge. Try the chilled Lemon Beef Salad ($8.25) and
Temple Rolls ($4.75) too.
Last year’s Best Noodles winner, Jimbo
Restaurant (1936 S. King St., Suite 103; 947-2211), is better than
ever with the addition of soba to the menu. Both udon and soba are delicious
chilled, and you can have them both prepared as Hiyashi Kitsune ($7):
A platter of ice-cold noodles is topped with strips of slightly sweet
simmered aburage (fried tofu), grated daikon, thinly sliced green onion
and shreds of the minty herb shiso (local Japanese name: chiso).
Grab a tangle of the ingredients with your chopsticks
and dip it in a chilled soy-based sauce that’s a splendid tonic against
the weather. The nine cold-noodle dishes (including udon), make Jimbo
a prime late-summer dining destination.
— Joanne Fujita
Best flashback food
Is it the food or the nostalgia that makes Flamingo
Kapiolani (871 Kapi‘olani Blvd.; 596-0660), the remaining town
sister of the late Flamingo Chuckwagon, such an island favorite? It’s
where my family headed after a day of sun and swimming at Ala Moana Park
when I was a child. And thankfully some things never change: You still
get a choice of a home-style soup or a small crisp salad (made of pre-mesclun-era
iceberg lettuce, of course) and those retro-dessert stars Jell-O, pudding
or “eye-shkreem” to go with one of 20 or so entrée choices,
like grilled pork chops (the other white meat) and sautéed mahimahi
(don’t forget to ask for extra tartar sauce). Even the prices recall
Ariyoshi days — $12 per person is the max, and $9 is more likely.
No need reservation, no need tuxedo. Just go.
That other culinary time warp, The Wisteria,
at the Leahi-mauka corner at King and Pi‘ikoi (1206 S. King St.;
591-9276) offers a similar menu favored by kama‘äina. But a
Japanese bent means you can also usually get sashimi or oyaku donburi
— served on the best restaurant-prepared rice in town.
— Sanford Lung
Best new culinary ambassador
Okay, “new” is a relative term —
chef Georges Mavrothalassitis (Chef Mavro, 1969 S. King St.; 944-4714)
has been in Hawai‘i since 1988, when he upped the dining ante at
La Mer. But as a champion of regional ingredients and techniques, the
Frenchman’s recent win of the James Beard Award for Best Chef Northwest-Hawai‘i,
has once again put Honolulu in the restaurant spotlight (as happened when
Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong won the same award years ago). His potato-crusted
‘öpakapaka, achingly moist in a broth subtly salty with bacon,
is worth the $35 price tag. If you have an addictive personality, don’t
even look at the liliko‘i malasadas — the lighter-than-helium
miniballs are made of brioche dough and contain more butter than flour;
one bite and you’re hooked.
—Lesa Griffith
Best dinner in Käne‘ohe
Pah Ke’s (46-018 Kamehameha Hwy.;
235-4505) looks like any other Chinese dining hall, located in a nondescript
strip mall, and indeed the menu is riddled with favorites like lemon chicken
and steamed pork hash. But ask partner-chef Raymond Siu for a “special
menu” and you’ll receive a parade of knockout dishes that are
as delicious as they look — a martini glass filled with chilled tomato
soup (oven-roasted Hau‘ula fruit are blended with chicken stock for
a sensationally sweet appetizer); mon chong swimming in a Chinese bouillabaisse
fragrant with lobster, crab, clams and saffron. Holding a degree in nautical
science, Hong Kong native Siu fell into the restaurant business when he
arrived in Hawai‘i 20 years ago; he’s a veteran of such establishments
as the Halekülani.
Try Pah Ke’s for your next birthday (reserve
at least two days in advance), because to sample Siu’s surprising
repertoire, you need a gang of 10 or more.
—Lesa Griffith
Best Chinese food
You could easily do worse, but it would be hard
to do better than Little Village (1113 Smith St.; 545-3008). Opened in
2001, with chef Kenneth Chan from Guangzhou, this Chinatown spot serves
traditional Szechwan, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong–style dishes.
Honey-walnut shrimp, steamed basa (catfish fillet) in a ginger-soy sauce,
and garlic spinach are all stellar. But insiders know to order something
that’s not on the menu: ham yu fried rice (made with increasingly
dear salted, preserved fish).
—Sanford Lung
Best reason to cheat on your Atkins Diet
What’s the secret to Diamond Head Market’s
(3158 Monsarrat Ave.; 732-0077) addictive cakes? “It’s not too
special,” claims owner Kelvin Ro. “It’s my idea of what
a moist cake should be. There are usually seven to nine layers —
cake, then pastry cream, which we make fresh daily, then cake, then the
specific flavor, like lemon curd. Then there’s the whipping cream.
And then some form of the flavor makes a return, and so on.”
Take your pick of such creations as liliko‘i
cream, strawberry shortcake, chocolate-haupia and Diamond Head tort —
a rich masterpiece of Oreo-cookie crust, peanut-butter cheesecake, chocolate
cream and fresh bananas.
Headed to a party? Shell out $14 to $24 and we
guarantee you’ll be the hit of the night. “I hate when I go
to a restaurant and the dessert is full of this fancy fluff,” says
Ro. “Our desserts have a more homemade feel — there’s no
mousse, there’s no high design. My philosophy is that it has to taste
good.” What a smart man.
—Li Wang
Objects
of Desire
Best way to keep covered on the waves
While learning to surf at Diamond Head a few
weeks ago, Cameron Diaz asked a girl where she had gotten her suit. Turned
out it was by Honolulu-based Pualani. Long story short, she bought
15 of them, proving that you can’t have too much of a good thing.
But Pualani hardly needs star approval — since Honolulu Weekly did
a piece on partner-designer Iwalani Isbell’s swimwear back in April
2002, the stay-in-place bikinis have gone international — in sales
as well as production.
The long-lasting, flattering suits are made of
finely woven, shape-retaining four-way stretch fabric from Italy or Spain.
And the garments are impeccably sewn in Colombia.
When looking to expand production to meet growing
demand, Isbell sent samples to prospective companies around the world.
“The general response was not only could they not match the type
of industrial sewing machines needed — without investing at least
$1 million — but that they couldn’t compete with the quality
of stitching,” says Isbell.
So Pualani is investing in the expansion of its
existing manufacturer’s factory and training more seamstresses.
The line now includes one- and two-piece suits,
a few separates such as voile lounge pants and skirts, and bikinis for
babies. Every year Isbell goes to France to select fabrics for the upcoming
season; the latest line will be in stores next month. For a list of local
shops that carry Pualani visit www.pualanihawaii.com.
—Shayne
Best
crossroads for freaks and geeks
There exists in Kaimukï a triangle of sorts,
less sinister than the one in Bermuda, perhaps, but undoubtedly more interesting
and more relevant. At least to a few people. To a certain kind of people.
Three stores on Wai‘alae Avenue — Collector
Maniacs (3571 Wai‘alae Ave., suite 102A; 739-3912), Toys ’n’
Joys (3620 Wai‘alae Ave.; 735-4546) and Gecko Books (3613
Wai‘alae Ave.; 732-1292) — make up the points of an unofficial
shopping tour walked regularly by aficionados of comic books, toys, animation,
video games and any related merchandise. It’s a natural trek for
any otaku with a dollar burning a hole in his pocket.
Robert Lai, owner of Collector Maniacs, recognizes
these acquisitive people by the shopping bags they carry into his store.
Alex Le, operating manager of Toys ’n’ Joys, says that they
are usually between 18 and 35 years of age. Kalie Capadona, a cashier
at Gecko Books, finds that they are mostly male. “We do get females,
but not very often.”
“On weekends,” says Le, “people
make the rounds,” going from store to store. Lai remembers a group
of regulars who would visit each store, then cap the spree with a meal
at nearby Big City Diner.
Says Lai, “It was a trip they took.”
I take it as well. I fall neatly into that profile:
I, too, carry bags from one store into another; I, too, am between 18
and 35 years of age; I, too, am mostly male. And I hope to rejoin the
others of my kind soon, in our pop-culture migration route through Kaimukï.
— Robb Bonnell
Best tree house
‘I couldn’t sleep; it was creaky, cold
and too loud. It made it hard to relax. I kept thinking, ‘It’s
not going to fall, it’s not going to fall,’” said Eduardo
(no last name given), describing his first night’s sleep in the most
epic tree house on O‘ahu.
[Editors’ note: The location is secret,
just like June Jones’ contract.]
The house is accessible only by a suspension
bridge or 50-foot-long rope that would impress Indiana Jones. It dangles
above the banana, avocado and star fruit-studded jungle below. Its six
floors are complete, with a composting toilet, bedrooms, dining room and
balconies perfect for gazing at the moon.
What’s so great about living in a tree house?
“Peace,” Eduardo replies simply as we sway 90 feet above solid
ground. “I like the birds in the morning.”
Now that my legs have stopped trembling from
the ascent, my smile is plastered to my cheeks as we admire the canopy
in the afternoon sunlight. I tell Eduardo he’s the luckiest man on
O‘ahu and he smiles, replying, “I know.”
Dr. Daniel (again, no last name), the owner,
is out of the country at the moment traveling, but along with the help
of tree-house builder Richard Gee, the doctor’s 15-year “dream”
came true.
Most of the tree house does not rest on the branches
but hangs from different ropes and wires, allowing the tree to keep growing.
“I build all kinds of things,” said
Gee. “Tree houses are especially interesting because they’re
a challenge.”
Harnesses assuage the anxiety of moving around
the tree, making the building of it a lot easier.
The reminder plaques placed next to the suspension
bridge read: “Step Mindfully,” “Proceed With Caution And
Joy.”
—Robynne Boyd
Best surfer we love to hate
Local viewers were up in arms over Sonny Garcia’s
behavior on reality show Boarding House: North Shore. (Admit it,
you had a secret thrill when he clocked the guy checking out his wife’s
ass.) But hey, this is television — the show is as realistic as the
apartments of the characters on Friends. Someone had to play the
bad guy.
— Lesa Griffith
Sound and Fury
Best world-class musician living here
Hökü winner Azure McCall’s
jazz-vocal stylings will put you in the mood. The California native moved
to Hawai‘i more than 30 years ago to escape the music-biz rat race
— and she’s one more reason you’re lucky you live Honolulu.
You can hear McCall’s jazz-vocal stylings live around Honolulu’s
supper clubs and restaurants. Share the experience with someone you love
or a musician. Either will swoon to the veteran’s moody reinterpretations
of standards and forays into new ground. If you don’t live here,
there’s Azure’s new CD, The Gift, slated for release
Oct. 18.
— Sanford Lung
Hawai‘i’s best starring role
Though it was panned by Weekly reviewer
Aarin Correa, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love
is one of the best of the recent spate of films shot in Hawai‘i.
Adam Sandler is Barry Egan, a forlorn novelty-candy salesman, who flies
to Honolulu to pursue his love interest, played by Emily Watson. Unlike
Blue Crush, Tears of the Sun and Windtalkers, Anderson’s
haunting, compassionate film avoids the obvious and paints a subtle portrait
of Waikïkï, fully utilizing the bright hues of the Royal Hawaiian
and its beachfront locale. When the couple finally kiss in a shadowy scene
in the hotel, the viewer sees the bright blue ocean, the building’s
famous pinks, and background beach revelers wrapped in Waikïkï’s
embrace.
— Li Wang
Best
new UH film school addition
The newly emerging “UH Film School”
(a five-track affair covering both actual hands-on production and history/esthetics)
will be in full bloom by January. (Meanwhile, check the film school Web
site listing courses to be offered beginning later this month.)
Newest addition to the group working on curriculum
and modular-courses is Dr. Peter Britos, late of the USC school
of film and television. In addition to teaching at USC, Britos is a screenwriter,
producer and director of independent production at Black Sand Productions.
Britos also wrote and produced late-night national TV programming for
NBC and Columbia Tri-Star. He also has nationally recognized expertise
as a computerist. While at USC he edited the recent Spectator,
a biannual book/magazine concerning visual media. His doctoral dissertation
work concerned the treatment of Hawaiians in American television storylines.
Britos has also taught global media studies at
UC Santa Barbara. Britos moved into his new office in the Academy of Creative
Media (the official title of the two-track media program) last week, and
began work on what he hopes to be “a cutting edge curriculum.”
By the by, Britos is a local boy, receiving his AA at Leeward Community
College, his BA at UH-Mänoa, and his doctorate and post-doctorate
studies at USC.
— Bob Green
Best place to live
Mention Ka‘a‘awa and it isn’t
uncommon to get a blank look and “What island is that on?” as
a response. The small Windward community remains a hidden gem, stretching
some 13 miles along the ocean beyond Käne‘ohe. The towering
Ko‘olau cliffs taper almost to the shore, leaving a narrow strip
of land. Fewer than 500 lucky families call Ka‘a‘awa home. Frankly,
they are happy to retain the anonymity that has allowed the area to escape
the real estate speculators and multimillionaires whose walled fortresses
have colonized other oceanfront oases from Kähala to Lanikai and
beyond.
In 2000, not one of mansion-free Ka‘a‘awa’s
550 homes was valued at $1 million or more, according to the census. The
“town” comprises a one-room post office, an elementary school,
the Crouching Lion Inn, a plate-lunch place called Moani’s and a
once controversial 7-Eleven — when it replaced the old Ka‘a‘awa
Store back in the late 1970s, a fierce, persistent anti-development movement
was born. Just down the road is the new Ka‘a‘awa fire station,
home to Engine 21, with an extra bay to accommodate the city ambulance
that residents continue to push for. Across the street is Swanzy Beach
Park, where campers from around the island vie for tent space on long
weekends.
The coast is a popular fishing area. Turtles
are frequently spotted along with an occasional manta ray, and whales
are often seen offshore during the winter season. Early risers are treated
to spectacular sunrises, and it’s far enough from the lights of the
city to be a star gazer’s paradise.
Of the ethnically mixed and solidly middle-class
population, just over one-third is Caucasian and nearly half are Hawaiian
or part-Hawaiian. The median family income of $60,156 is virtually the
same as the O‘ahu average.
Ka‘a‘awa’s backbone is a strong
community association fiercely protective of the neighborhood’s interests.
People know their neighbors and watch out for them. Kualoa Ranch, which
owned most of the residential land before it started selling the fee interest
in 1980, retains a keen interest in the community. The symptoms of class
conflict remain less evident than in neighborhoods farther up the coast
towards the North Shore.
—Ian Lind
Best gym if you are a woman
Tired of the vibes — and distractions —
of coed gyms? Tucked away in Kailua is year-old It Figures! (46
Ho ‘olai St., 2nd floor; 261-8508), a no-intimidation workout world
for females only. On most days you’re likely to find a dozen women,
from teens to tutu, working up a sweat as early as 6 a.m. The lone male
presence in the room is a disembodied voice that every 40 seconds tells
you it’s “time to move to the next station!”
The gym, part of a North American chain, focuses
on circuit training: members tackle 10 sleek, hydraulic machines that
work different muscle groups, alternating with jogging in place or step-aerobic
moves at recovery pads. Owners (and sisters) Shelly Caldeira and Stacy
Duldulao recently added free weights to the gear lineup. Caldeira, a licensed
massage therapist, is available by appointment, and trainer Billy Diaz
(the only actual guy allowed to enter) offers a Saturday morning abs and
core workout that is free to gym members.
Go as often as you want — three times a
week is good for basic cardio health, but four (or more) is probably what’s
needed for managed weight loss. Your last bit of resistance training will
be walking by the gym’s downstairs neighbor: Agnes’ Portuguese
Bake Shop, one of the best bakeries in town.
—Marcia Morse
Best escapes
O‘ahu is about 600 square miles of busy
paradise, but every now and again island fever sets in and our 386,500
acres begin to feel cramped. The best way to feel the expanse again? Head
to the local land’s end or take to the hills.
Walking to Ka‘ena point is kind of
like going to the end of the world. There are no moving vehicles, only
foot and bike traffic. (The rusted-out husks of automobiles along the
way add to the “this place is ancient” feel.) In the fall, prehistoric-looking
Laysan albatrosses return to nest so that their roly-poly offspring can
become fierce flyers and swarm through the air in the spring.
Another way to escape the been-there, done-that
narrowness is to hop on TheBus No. 14 (unless, of course, there’s
a strike) and ride up to the top of Wa‘ahila ridge and hike
to the island’s spine. Round about October last year, I went with
someone who knew his way around fruit trees and we ate handful after handful
of strawberry guava from trees that lined the trail. Near the state park
the branches were picked clean, but a bit further along the trail there
were plenty edible delights.
You can’t quite escape the city, but Honolulu
becomes less of a siren-filled headache when viewed from the verdant mountain,
and when you come back down, the whole place feels bigger.
—Sebastian Blanco
Best mystic
Lately, spiritual mediums have been spreading
over the island at a rate faster than the salvinia at Lake Wilson. But
how do you know if plunking down almost $50 for a mystic will get you
“I see a tall, dark stranger in your future” or some useful
life guidance?
Yesenia, 30, is the real deal, fizzle to the
shizzle. She considers herself an intuitive spiritual counselor.
“I am empathic,” she says. “I
connect through people’s emotions. I can pick up on their energy
and get a sense of them spiritually. Then I can talk to them directly
or use the tarot cards to give them insight as to the question that they
ask me. I don’t think of it as the magical, ‘the aliens are
talking to me’ kinda thing.”
According to Yesenia, everyone has latent psychic
abilities. “It’s a gift everyone has, but they don’t choose
to focus on it. The whole psychic reading thing is just like going to
a counselor — someone who is objective, someone who can look at your
problems because you’re too close to them.”
Originally from Anchorage, Yesenia made her way
to the islands via San Francisco. When the dot-com company she worked
at went bust, she had planned to backpack through Europe, checking out
Renaissance fairs. Somehow those plans always fell through and all signs
seemed to point towards Hawai‘i.
On her second day in Honolulu, she discovered
the Haunt and its owner, the late storyteller Glenn Grant, after a botched
apartment-hunting attempt. “I just got this feeling. I got off the
bus and there was the Haunt. Glenn had a different vision. He saw things
in people that people wouldn’t necessarily see. When he cared for
you, he would do whatever he could to help you. At the Haunt, he created
a whole community. He was a loving, creative, fun man. I’ll really
miss him.
“There are people out there who really care
about people. Sometimes the whole psychic thing has a bad rap — a
shyster thing. It’s actually helpful, a beautiful tool.”
Yesenia does readings at Sedona, Ward Center
(Sat 5 – 9 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; $25 for 15 minutes, $45
for a half hour).
— Ryan Senaga
