Kaiser High School Athletics to Benefit from Luau at Sea Life Park, May 19

Raising money to purchase new batting cages for the boys’ baseball team and girls’ softball team and awarding scholarships to college-bound student-athletes is the objective of the Kaiser High School Athletic Foundation Luau, taking place Saturday, May 19, at Sea Life Park.

A nonprofit 501c3 organization, the Foundation funds essential projects for Kaiser’s sports teams, while also recognizing distinguished members of Kaiser’s athletic ohana. Following the last luau, the Foundation refurbished the tennis press box, purchased lane floaters for the swimming team and new equipment for the football team, and presented scholarships to several Kaiser student-athletes.
 
The Foundation also refurbished the wrestling room and dedicated a plaque to the late Stephen Kim, a 2013 honoree, who founded Kaiser’s wrestling team in the 1970s and built the program into a perennial power over the next two decades in the Oahu Interscholastic Association.
 
Other major projects previously supported by the Foundation from funds raised at the luau include improvements to Kaiser’s weight room and refinishing the gymnasium floor.

Distinguished Luau Honorees
The following individuals and teams are being honored by the Foundation at this year’s luau.
 
Randy Hudnall: Alumnus; Influential advocate, talent specialist, and champion of Hawaiian music.

1978 HHSAA State Champion Wrestling Team:
Dwayne Agena
Kevin Agena
David Bell
Troy Byram
Richard Ching
Phillip Cox
Mike Dias
Richard Diorec
Derreck Drane
Jay Grimm
Derek Hong
Ron Johnson
James Kahalewai
Willie Kamakana
Dereck Kaneshiro
Mitchell Kealoha
Mike Kim
Rob Lindbeck
Carlton Lou
Brian Maekawa
Gerald Morrison
Brian Muranaka
Kent Nakachi
Neal Okada
Chris Polito
Takashi Tsuneoka
Mark Vine
Paul Yamamoto
Randy Yee

1987 and 1988 HHSAA State Champion Swimming Team:
Cullen Chong
Mitch Chong
Steve Duratre
John Fairbairn
Shane Finlay
Mark Furgerson
Mike Hendrix
Shinobu Hirata
Bobby Hrobak
Thai Rea
Jay Williams

David Uchiyama, a Foundation executive committee member and 1976 Kaiser alumnus, said, “We are honoring Kaiser’s first state champion, the 1978 wrestling team, and the swimming team that went back-to-back in 1987 and 1988 as state champions, our school’s only sports program to accomplish that feat. These achievements reflect the range of talented athletes that Kaiser produced in the school’s formative years. We are also proud to honor Randy Hudnall, a Kaiser graduate who has been one of Hawaii’s most influential figures in the advancement of Hawaiian music over the past four decades.”

In addition, Adolph Samuels a 2016 honoree, who served as Kaiser’s soccer coach for many years and was a mentor to hundreds of students during his tenure at the school, will be inducted into Kaiser’s hall of honor.

Luau and Tickets Information
Kaiser High School Athletic Foundation Luau
Saturday, May 19, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Sea Life Park Luau Grounds
Tickets: $100 per person, 10 guests per table

Pay online via PayPal:
www.kaiserathleticfoundation.org

Pay by mailing check to:
Kaiser High School Athletic Foundation
P.O. Box 25112, Honolulu, Hawaii 96825

For more information, visit the Foundation website or e-mail gocougars@kaiserathleticfoundation.org. 

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T Galleria by DFS, Hawaii Proudly Supports Contact Zone and Local Art Scene

Image courtesy DFS Group

DFS Group, the world’s leading luxury travel retailer has proudly supported CONTACT ZONE, an annual exhibition of contemporary art from Hawaii.

Now in its fifth year, CONTACT ZONE features artwork that explores local cultural exchange, and encourages emerging local artists to expand their talents and promote their creativity.

T Galleria by DFS, Hawaii was one of this year’s exhibition venues and will host an installation and photography series by Hawaii artist Taiji Terasaki until the end of June.

“We’re absolutely delighted to be supporting the local Hawaiian art scene by showcasing Taiji Terasaki’s work. Partnering with CONTACT ZONE, and in particular Taiji Terasaki, gives us the opportunity to expose artists’ work to the thousands of international travelers who visit T Galleria by DFS, Hawaii each day,”said Megan Escamilla, DFS Managing Director Hawaii.

Taiji Terasaki said he was honored to be partnering with DFS in the display of his large-scale light box photography series “Mist Over Kaena Point”.

“Through my photography I aim to capture the otherworldly environs of Kaena Point, a location on the westernmost tip of the island of Oʻahu that holds spiritual significance to the Hawaiian people. The mist element helps to illustrate nature’s beauty as well as its fragility and vulnerable state.”

“A key part of my installation is the “Sublimer”, a mist viewing box, where visitors look into an enclosed space and view images projected onto water vapor, providing them with an experimental opportunity to actively participate in the artwork,” said Taiji.

Taiji Terasaki’s “Mist Over Kaena Point” is currently on display on the first floor of T Galleria by DFS, Hawaii.

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Wing Ice Cream Parlor

It's been over a couple of years since I last went to Wing Ice Cream Parlor - one of my favorite ice cream shops on the island!

Their Flavor "Bored" lists all the different ice cream flavors, and notes customer faves, chef's choice, as well as non-dairy, vegan, and no refined sugar options.

Dirty Diaper

S'mOreo

I couldn't resist getting the Dirty Diaper. I got it both for the name as well as the ingredients - vanilla ice cream with brownie, caramel, and fudge.

My husband got the S'mOreo - chocolate, OREO, marshmallow ribbon.

I liked both ice creams, but if I had to choose a favorite, it was the S'mOreo, because it was really, really chocolaty.

The homemade ice cream is made in small batches, and no sampling is allowed.

I always enjoy stepping into Wing Ice Cream Parlor to see what kind of flavors are being offered!  The flavor selection never disappoints!
 

Wing Ice Cream Parlor
1145 Maunakea St., Ste 4
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 536-4929

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Visit Tokyo: Teshigotoya Fukunotori

After finding out that a restaurant we wanted to go to near Hamamatsucho Station did not have room for our party of 9, we walked around for several minutes until we found a restaurant that could accommodate our entire party - Teshigotoya Fukunotori.

This izakaya is a smoking restaurant, but fortunately, we were seated in a private room somewhat separate from the smokers. 

Edamame

Tofu Salad

Chicken Karaage

Chicken Nanban with Tartar Sauce

Chicken Skewers

Fried Rice with Soboro Style Ground Chicken

Rolled Omelet with Chicken Stock

Deep Fried Half-Cut Chicken

Shitamatchi Highball

Everyone ordered small dishes, which were really all reasonably-priced, ranging from 300 to 600 yen.

I thought I had ordered Chicken Karaage and Fries after pointing to a photo of fried chicken and fries (English menus are available), but it turned out the picture I was pointing to was a 1/2 bird (and it was almost 2000 yen!)!

I must say, however, that the fried chicken was the best I had in a really long time.

Teshigotoya Fukunotori was a good last-minute find!

Teshigotoya Fukunotori
2-3-25 Hamamatsucho

Minato 105-0013, Tokyo Prefecture
+81 3-5425-7087

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Chef Roy Yamaguchi's West Side Connection Event

Last night I had the honor of attending Chef Roy Yamaguchi's West Side Connection Event, which was another stop on his 30th Anniversary Hawaii Food Tour.

I was thrilled to have been invited to this event, where an amazing group of guest chefs offered delicious eats showcasing Hawaii's locally-grown and made products.

Land & Sea Chawanmushi (Chef Jeff Wind, Aulani - A Disney Resort & Spa)

Small Kine Farms Crimini Saute (Chef Darryl Shinogi, Roy's Ko Olina)

Duo Tea Smoked Duck & Foie Gras (Chef Scott Higa, Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club)

Crispy Pork Belly Bao Bun (Chef Darryl Shinogi, Roy's Ko Olina)

Surf & Turf Poke (Chef Darryl Shinogi, Roy's Ko Olina)

House Smoked Prime Beef Brisket Slider (Chef Darryl Shinogi, Roy's Ko Olina)

Smoked Mekajiki Chazuke (Chef Elmer Guzman, Poke Stop)

Seared Shrimp Laing (Chef Isaiah Badua, Eating House 1849)

Sweet Land Dairy Goat Cheese Mousse Spring Salad (Chef Michael Mina, Mina's Fish House)

Demi Local Banana Cream Pie (Bakeshop's Auntie Momi Quizon)

Sweet Land Dairy Goat Cheese & Goat Milk Caramel Tamale (Bakeshop's Auntie Momi Quizon)

It was such a fabulous event!

A portion of the proceeds went towards the Leeward Community College Culinary Program.

Congratulations Chef Roy!

Next stop on the tour - Beach House Social at Turtle Bay! Click here for tickets.

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Idaho Omiyage

Idaho was one of the hardest places for me to find locally-made products.  It could be because we were there for just a couple of days with little time to shop, but below is a short list of omiyage items/brands we could find:

Chubby Chap Lip Balm
Elli-Rose Essentials Lotion
Homemade by Dorothy (Huckleberry White Chocolate Cocoa Mix)
Idahoan Foods
Yellowstone Seasoning

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7-Eleven Hawaii’s New Boost Bowls

Disclosure: Complimentary products were received.  All opinions are entirely my own.

Quinoa Boost Bowl

7-Eleven Hawaii continues to make great and delicious products.  First with the boost snack boxes and now with two great boost bowls.  The Quinoa boost bowl is super refreshing as yummy toppings like mixed quinoa, multigrain rice, chicken breast, and edamame sit on top of crunchy romaine lettuce.  The best part of the bowl is the delicious Bi Bim Koo sauce that has just the right amount of spice.  I love it!  The bowl is only 230 calories, but I thought it was very satisfying.

The other boost bowl is the Bibimbap Hot boost bowl that needs to be microwaved for 75 seconds depending on your microwave.  The Bibimbap Hot boost bowl is vegetarian and contains multigrain rice, deep fried tofu, kimchi, mixed veggies, scrambled egg, edamame, and a hot pepper paste.  Instead of heating it in the microwave, we stir-fried ours in a pan hoping to get that hot stone bowl effect on the rice.  If you have the extra time, totally recommend you do this.          

Bibimbap Hot Boost Bowl

7-Eleven also now carries their own Plantation Iced Tea!  It's not overly sweet and the subtle pineapple juice is my favorite part of this refreshing drink to enjoy on the summer days ahead.  

Plantation Iced Tea

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