First Annual Cuisines of the Sun® Golf Classic Hosted by Alan Wong on October 17, 2025

Last week I attended the launch party for the Fifteenth Annual Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival® (HFWF).

Once again, they have a stellar line up of participating chefs in events starting October 17 to November 2, 2025 on Hawai‘i, O‘ahu, and Maui.  Chef Brian Hirata of Na‘au, will be one of the featured chefs in the inaugural Cuisines of the Sun® Golf Classic Hosted by Alan Wong at the Mauna Kea Golf Course.

Below is the full HFWF schedule

Island of Hawai‘i First Annual Cuisines of the Sun® Golf Classic Hosted by Alan Wong Friday, October 17, 2025 Mauna Kea Golf Course   Cucina: From Mauka to Makai Saturday, October 18, 2025 Mauna Kea Beach Hotel   Kāʻanapali, Maui First Hawaiian Bank Presents 27th Annual Roy Yamaguchi Golf Classic Friday, October 24, 2025 Kāʻanapali Golf Course   World of Wagyu, Wine & Whiskey Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 6:00 – 9:00 P.M. Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa   Southern Seafood Sunday Hosted by Aarón Sánchez Sunday, October 26, 2025 | 11:00 A.M.– 1:00 P.M. Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows

O‘ahu Slanted & Phan-tastic: A Celebration of Charles Phan Thursday, October 30, 2025 | 6:00 – 9:00 P.M. ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach   FEAST Summit Friday, October 31, 2025 | 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort Tickets to go on sale in June   Hawaiian Airlines Presents Decanted Saturday, November 1, 2025 | 6:00 – 9:00 P.M. Hawai‘i Convention Center   MatCHA Chai Brunch Sunday, November 2, 2025 | 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa   Washoku to the World Sunday, November 2, 2025 | 5:00 – 9:00 P.M Halekulani

Ticket are on sale now at www.HFWF.me. 

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Roll Into Summer with Dumpling Factory’s Hot New Offers!

Dumpling Factory is now offering hot new specials through the end of August:

Photo credit: Dumpling Factory

Takeout: Customers who purchase four orders of dumplings to go will receive the fifth order free. This offer is only good on takeout orders.

Cook at home: Enjoy dumplings in the comfort of home. Customers who purchase Dumpling Factory’s frozen dumplings will enjoy $2 off their order

Located at 755 Kapahulu Ave #1 in the Wong Leong Building next to Pai Café, Dumpling Factory offers a modern twist on traditional Chinese dumplings, paired with a menu of bold flavors and shareable signature dishes such as Braised Housemade Pork Belly, Beef & Green Pepper Dumplings, Chicken & Shiitake Mushroom Dumplings, Shrimp Dumplings, and Spicy Sour Soup Dumplings with Thin Noodles. The eatery, which opened earlier this year, offers a carefully curated menu of freshly made dumplings, served boiled or pan-fried with prices ranging from $4.99 to $13.99. Dumpling Factory is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. To place an order, call (808) 367-1640 or order online at www.dumplingfactoryhawaii.com.

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Finger Lei - Four Yarns

Links below are affiliate. 

In addition to the Eyelash Yarn Lei, I made some Finger Yarn Lei.  I used to make the two-color finger yarn lei often when I was in school, so if you're familiar with the process, it's the same exact thing, just with more yarn.  

I watched this video by Ben Franklin Crafts for a refresher (since it was years since I made finger yarn lei).

I used eyelash yarn and rattail (both bought on Amazon.com)

Even if you never made this type of lei before, the process is really easy to pick-up.  

This lei takes longer to make than the straw lei, but you use less of the yarn (one skein of yarn can make up to 3 lei).  

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Liliha Bakery - Pearl City

I often go to Liliha Bakery to pick up treats, especially the popular Coco Puffs!  I went to the Pearl Highlands location, and it sure was crowded - both the dine-in and the bakery take-out! 

I absolutely love chantilly, so the chantilly-topped Coco Puffs are always a must.

We also got a Guava Roll, and some pre-packaged goodies that are perfect for omiyage - Chocolate Chip Cookies Brownies, and Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies.  

They also have a nice selection of savories which are perfect for a quick bite.

Next time I'll try more things (along with the Coco Puffs).

Liliha Bakery

1000 Kamehameha Hwy #210

Pearl City, HI 96782

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Takeshita Street in Harajuku

Takeshita Street in Harajuku is one of those places you have to experience at least once—a sensory overload of color, sound, fashion, and food. But for us, the main mission was simple (and sugary): a visit to Totti Candy Factory.

My son is a huge cotton candy fan, and the Totti Candy Factory is famous for its massive, rainbow-colored cotton candy—seriously, it's bigger than an adult’s head! Naturally, he had to try it. 

The line was long, but the moment he got his hands on that towering cloud of sugar, it was gone in what felt like seconds—faster than it took to wait in line!

While he was upstairs happily devouring his cotton candy masterpiece, I took his twin brother downstairs to Strawberry Fetish, another sweet sensation on Takeshita Street. They’re known for their beautifully glazed fruit-on-a-stick—juicy strawberries and grapes coated in a glossy, thin layer of rock candy. Simple, sweet, and totally worth it.

As we wandered on, still buzzing from the sugar rush, we stumbled upon something unexpected: the MiPig Café. One of the boys begged to go in, and before we knew it, the four of us were sitting in a cozy little room with micro pigs roaming around. 

Yes—tiny, adorable pigs. For 30 minutes, we sipped free drinks from the vending machine while petting some of the cutest creatures imaginable. It was surprisingly relaxing and such a fun, unique experience.

We had planned to explore more of Takeshita Street, but the crowds were intense—wall-to-wall people. After navigating the crush for a bit, we decided we’d had our fill (of sugar and crowds) and wrapped up our visit to Takeshita Street.

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Dave & Buster's New Ala Moana Location

Prize from Human Crane Game!

Dave & Buster's Honolulu has a new home at Ala Moana Shopping Center, first level, across from Foodland Farms. The new location has a larger midway of over 120 games and VR experiences. Featured games include Godzilla VR, Wicked Tuna, life-sized versions of Hungry Hungry Hippos, Minecraft Dungeons Arcade, and the thrilling Human Crane experience.

Also new is a 49-seat state-of-the-art sports bar and a self-serve beer wall; six interactive  private Game Suites where guests can book their own dedicated space with a game choice of either High Tech Darts or Digital Shuffleboard; A VIP Room; and "The Arena" - two immersive rooms featuring interactive digital floors, walls, and ceilings. 

One of the dining areas

Basketball and Football Games

New games

Dining spaces

Pepperoni Flatbread

Southwest Salmon Bowl

Game Day Grub Sample Board

Strawberry Shortcake

S'mores Cheesecake

After attending the media event, I returned with my son a couple of weeks later to play games. It was very busy with a long line of people waiting for tables, but if you are just looking to play the midway you can access one of the many self-service kiosk to load your power card. What I was most excited to see was that you can redeem your tickets for dessert! We are definitely doing that next time when it's not as crowded.  

Be sure to check out their website for the many promotions including Half-Price Games Wednesdays and College Night Thursdays where College students receive a free $10 Power Card with a valid student I.D. (Thursdays, 9 p.m. - close, 18+ only). Military members and first responders receive 15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages with valid I.D. 

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Visit Hilo: Cafe 100

Cafe 100 is the self-proclaimed "Home of the Loco Moco" and also where I had my first "real" Loco Moco (prior to that I had fish moco, katsu moco, and veggie patty moco).

They offer a number of "mocos," and honestly the most varieties I've ever seen anywhere.  On this recent visit, I had the Chicken Cutlet Moco.

Chicken Cutlet Moco

It was tasty and very filling.

Chicken Cutlet

I couldn't resist getting Cascaron and Cream Puffs.

Cascaron

Cream Puffs

Cafe 100 is a great spot for reasonably-priced eats!

Cafe 100
969 Kilauea Ave

Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-8683

 

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