Hawaii Mom Blog: April 2013

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April 30, 2013

Inferno's Wood Fire Pizza (Vice Inferno's Brewery)

At Vice Nightclub, the  food served comes from Inferno's Wood Fire Pizza (Vice Inferno's Brewery), which operates from within Vice.

While at Vice for a fundraiser, the girls and I decided to order some food:
Fries

White Garlic Bread Pizza
Spinach Garlic Tomato Pizza

The pizzas took a very long time to come out, but once they arrived we all dug in.  Both pizzas were pretty good, but the Spinach Garlic Tomato was by far the favorite. 

They have several other varieties of pizzas, and I can't wait to try them.

Inferno's Wood Fire Pizza
Ward Center
1200 Ala Moana Boulevard
Honolulu, Hawaii, 96814

(808) 375-1200
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April 29, 2013

Kyung's Seafood

I'm not an expert on poke, but I will say that the freshest-tasting poke I've ever had was at Kyung's.  At $17.95 per pound, I would expect nothing less than the best.  

In addition to their stellar fresh poke selection, they also whip up killer Korean food.  Lunch is priced lower but the selection is also limited.  

Kal Bi and BBQ chicken mixed plate
Ahi Poke plate
Limu Poke Plate

Kyung's Seafood
1269 S. King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 589-1144

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April 28, 2013

Ruby Tuesday - Kaneohe (Windward Mall)

Whenever we go to Windward Mall, we always take the kids to the Hokule`a Voyage of Discovery Indoor Play Area, and then we usually go to Ruby Tuesday for lunch.

Here is what we ordered:
Kids Chicken Strips with Fries

Kids Mac 'n Cheese with Fries

Baja Chicken Quesadilla & Garden Bar

Avocado Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Chocolate Chip Cookies for dessert (included with Kids Meals)

The food was great, and service was excellent.

When Ruby Tuesday first came to Hawaii, I admit that I didn't care for the restaurant after a few not-so-good experiences at a particular location, but the Kaneohe location is our favorite and now we enjoy going to Ruby Tuesday!


Ruby Tuesday - Kaneohe
46-056 Kamehameha Hwy
Kaneohe, HI 96744
(808) 235-5800


  Ruby Tuesday on Urbanspoon
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April 27, 2013

Vice Nightclub

It's been YEARS since I've stepped foot into a nightclub, but I recently attended a fundraising event at one - Vice Nightclub.

I thought it was a pretty spacious nightclub.  There was a lot of room to dance, but there seemed to be a limited amount of seating (and a lot of my girlfriends complained about how the seats were all torn up).

The servers were very friendly - recommending drinks and food, and the DJ for the night (DJ Idle), was great, playing a lot of the old school (90s) hits.

Cy Carnate, the MC for the night, also did a great job.

The event took place on a Friday night, and the club wasn't packed, however, I've heard that Saturday nights are the most popular, and they frequently have special events.

Although the turnout for the event was small, we had a blast at Vice!




Vice Nightclub
1200 Ala Moana Blvd  Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 593-9994
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April 26, 2013

Hokule`a Voyage of Discovery Indoor Play Area at Windward Mall

Ever since we first went to the Hokule`a Voyage of Discovery Indoor Play Area at Windward Mall a couple of years ago, it's been our favorite place to take the boys. 

Kids 42" and under can play on a kid-sized model of the Hokule`a, ride a honu (turtle), slide down a little slide, and crawl through tunnels.

There is a lot of seating surrounding the play area for parents/guardians to watch their kids.
 

The Indoor Play Area is a fun, free place to take the kids while at Windward Mall!

Windward Mall Indoor Play Area (near Sports Authority): 46-056 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744, 808-235-1143
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Pain & Gain - In Theaters Now

Note: We were given complimentary passes to the screening.

Pain & Gain (Rated R):

From acclaimed director Michael Bay comes “Pain & Gain,” a new action comedy starring Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson and Anthony Mackie. Based on the unbelievable true story of a group of personal trainers in 1990s Miami who, in pursuit of the American Dream, get caught up in a criminal enterprise that goes horribly wrong. 

My husband recently attended a screening of Pain & Gain, which premiered today in theaters, and here is his review:

Pain & Gain is the story of personal trainer Daniel Lugo, played by Mark Wahlberg, who is inspired by watching a Jonny Wu (Ken Jeong) commercial on how to become a "doer" and live the good life. What he decides to do is kidnap a wealthy client (an excellent Tony Shalhoub) and force him to sign over everything he owns.

Lugo is assisted in this crazy-but-true plot by two fellow muscle-heads, one of which is portrayed by Dwayne Johnson, who does a fantastic job of playing a born-again, temporarily sober ex-con, who happens to be a genuinely nice guy. This role is tailor-made for him and he provides much of the humor in Pain & Gain.

I admit I liked Pain & Gain, but I was torn - I found myself laughing often throughout the movie, but knowing that it's based on real-life events made me feel a bit guilty about finding any amusement in the film, especially when seeing all the despicable and violent acts the characters committed.

Overall, I thought the actors did a terrific job in their roles, and I ultimately found the movie entertaining.
 
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April 25, 2013

Polynesian Cultural Center

Click on all photos to enlarge.  Note: I received complimentary admission, dinner, and show tickets.

Our family recently visited the Polynesian Cultural Center, an attraction I haven't been to in almost 30 years.  As you can imagine, a lot has changed since I first visited, and we were excited to immerse ourselves in the Polynesian cultures and experience all that we could in a single day.

Highlights of Our Visit:
Island Villages:
Upon arrival at the Polynesian Cultural Center, we immediately went to the recently renovated Hawaii village.  We watched a show during which we learned all about ancient and modern hulas, and after the show we got an up-close view of various structures typical of an ancient Hawaiian village, such as the Hale Ali`i, or Chief's House, and the Hale Mua - a Men's Work House in which men worked, ate, and worshiped (women were forbidden from entering).

Our kids got to try some Hawaiian games, such as pala`ie (trying to get a ball in a small hoop), konane (similar to checkers), ula maika (similar to bowling), and hu (kukui nut spinning tops).

We also visited the other villages, which included Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, Samoa, and Aotearoa.

Throughout the villages we learned more about the various islands, participated in activities, sampled some food, and watched some very informative and entertaining shows.

My kids particularly enjoyed the Fiji show, in which they were able to make music with bamboo sticks.  They also tried their hands at fishing in Tahiti, spear tossing in Tonga, and fire-making in Samoa.

We also went on a canoe ride (my oldest son's favorite part of our visit) that took us on a tour through the Center's lagoon.  It was approximately 20 minutes long, and our canoe steersman was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, teaching us greetings in various Polynesian languages, and also pointing out interesting facts, such as how the Bure Kalou, a Fijian Temple, is only 1 of 3 in the world.


Rainbows of Paradise Canoe Pageant:
At 2:30 every afternoon, a colorful display of dancers representing the six island villages and the Hawaiian Royal Court travel down the lagoon on canoes.  There are plenty of benches and walls to sit on in order to watch the pageant, but find your seats early to get a good view.  If you happen to get hungry or thirsty while waiting, a canoe comes by selling Island Deelite - Tropical Fruits with Rainbow Sherbert for $5 (it's a nice, large serving), as well as cold drinks.

Hawaiian Journey IMAX Film:
I've seen several IMAX Films, but Hawaiian Journey was by far the best I've seen.  Not only did we get to watch a film with breathtaking views of Hawaii, but special effects, like being able to feel the ocean spraying against our faces (a very light mist), and the rumblings of a volcano, made the film even more captivating.  The film is approximately 14 minutes long, and there are "regular" seats in the theater for those not wishing to experience the special effects.
 
Island Buffet:
There are several dining options at the Polynesian Cultural Center, and we were fortunate to dine at the Island Buffet for dinner.  

The buffet consisted of a salad bar, fresh fruits, several entrees (Oriental Chicken, Pork with Honey Mustard Glaze, Clams and Calamari, Pan Seared Island Beef, and more), various starches (rice, mashed potatoes, etc.), and of course - desserts, including Guava Cake, Coconut Cake, and Chocolate Cake.

I thought the options were plentiful and overall the food was delicious!

Laie Tram Tour:
The Laie Tram Tour took us off-site, with a quick stop to the Brigham Young University-Hawaii Campus, and then to the Laie Hawaii Temple (The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints temple) Visitors Center, where we had 15-20 minutes to tour the grounds and visitor center (the temple is closed to the general public.).  The temple was simply breathtaking.  The entire tour lasts approximately 35 minutes, including drive time.

For those wondering why the tour stops at the BYU-Hawaii Campus and Laie Hawaii Temple Visitor Center, it's because these two facilities play an integral part of Polynesian Cultural Center's past, present, and future.  According to the Polynesian Cultural Center's website, it was opened by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to "to help preserve and perpetuate the more ideal aspects of Polynesian culture, and to provide work opportunities for students at the adjoining Brigham Young University Hawai'i."

Hā: Breath of Life:
In one word, Hā: Breath of Life is AMAZING! Over 100 performers bring to life the story of Mana and his journey from childhood to a manhood, and all that he endures and learns throughout his growth.  The performances, the costumes, and the story itself all contributed to a magnificent show.  I especially enjoyed the fireknife dancers, and my 4-year old son really enjoyed them too.  When asked what he enjoyed the most about Polynesian Cultural Center, he replied "The 'fire party.'"

The show is approximately 1 1/2 hours long, with a 10 minute intermission (during intermission, Island Deelite is served for $5, or complimentary to those who purchased specific tickets).

Visiting with a Child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Prior to visiting, my oldest son (who has an ASD) and I browsed through Polynesian Cultural Center's website, and went on the 3D Tour so he'd have an idea of what to expect during our visit. I know every child with an ASD behaves differently in various situations, but for my son, the more information we give him about a place, the less anxious he is.

During our visit, we were concerned about his wandering because of how big the Polynesian Cultural Center is (since many with an ASD are prone to wandering), but he never wandered far, and the various shows and activities worked well in terms of giving him things to focus on.

He did have a few meltdowns, however, but fortunately there were many places to sit around the Polynesian Cultural Center, which helped whenever we needed to take a break or help him calm down.

For those who have kids on a GFCF diet, or any other type of special diet, you can check out the allergen charts on the Polynesian Cultural Center's website.  Although they cannot guarantee there will be no cross-contamination of allergens, the charts can help you make informed choices when it comes to dining on-site.

Final Thoughts:
Our visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center exceeded my expectations.  There were so many interesting exhibits, entertaining shows, and fun activities that our entire family could participate in. I just wish it weren't so far away (about a 1-hour drive from most major cities on Oahu).

Another thing I'd wish for is expanded hours. We arrived when the gate opened at 11:45am, and I honestly don't know how anyone could do everything or see everything there is in one day (they do have an "Add a Day" option for $9.95 - valid for those who purchased an all-day ticket package, which allows you to return to the Island Villages within 2 weeks.). Despite being there all day, we were unable to see and do a few things, but we still did a lot.

I do have to mention that the employees were all tremendously helpful and friendly - always asking us if we need directions to a village or informing us about what shows were coming up next. 

Overall we truly enjoyed our visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center.  We can't wait to go back (and take our mainland relatives!) and do and see things we didn't get a chance to on this visit.

Below are more photos from our visit. Enjoy!
Click to play this Smilebox slideshow
Polynesian Cultural Center: 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy., Laie, HI 96792; 808-293-3333

General Admission:

  • Island Villages: Adults $49.95; Child (ages 5-11) $39.95
  • Admission & Evening Show Package (Includes Free Island Buffet Dinner): Adult: $69.95 Child (ages 5-11): $54.95 
  • There are numerous other package options for the Polynesian Cultural Center. You can "create your own experience" or choose one of several packages. Click here for details.
Kama`aina Rates:
  • Island Villages: Adult: $39.96; Child (ages 5-11): $28.76
  • Admission & Evening Show Package (Includes Free Island Buffet Dinner: Adult: $55.96 Child (ages 5-11): $43.96 
  • Kama`aina can take advantage of other awesome deals. Check the Kama`aina page for current promotions. 
Parking:
$8

Tips:
  • Kids can pick up a Passport to Polynesia upon entry, which they can get stamped at various venues. Once they get at least 4 stamps, they can present it to Shop Polynesia for a free souvenir prize. The passport also contains some valuable coupons!
  • People start looking for seats to watch the Canoe Pageant about 20-30 minutes prior to start time, so find a seat early, preferably in the shade, because it can get very hot.
  • The Laie Tram Tour runs every 20 minutes from 3:00pm to 6:40pm. If you purchased dinner and Hā: Breath of Life tickets, a good time to go is after an early dinner - you'll be back in time for the show.
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Saturday

  • Gate opens at 11:45am; Island Villages close at 6:00pm
  • Island Buffet: 5:00pm-7:00pm
  • Ha Breath of Life: 7:30pm - 9:15pm
For operating hours of shops and other dining venues, click here.

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April 24, 2013

Visit Oahu: Hawaii Duck Tours 2.0

They're hard to miss - they're big, yellow, and shaped like a boat yet they travel on land on 6 wheels.  They're called Hawaii Duck Tours and their new owners recently re-launched the company, making lots of great improvements to make the customer experience even better than before.

The vehicles they used are called amphibious trucks.  Originally manufactured by General Motors for use by the US Army and Marine Corps during WWII, they were designed to travel both on the water and on land.

Now, thanks to Hawaii Duck Tours, you can take a ride on one of these fully-restored historical vehicles and embark on a memorable tour of Pearl Harbor, and opt for a tour of either the Arizona Memorial or the Battleship Missouri.  You'll also head into the Hawaiian waters off Keehi Lagoon for a guided tour of Pearl Harbor and Honolulu.

I was fortunate enough to receive an invite to their kickoff party yesterday, which was held at Waikiki Aquarium.  We got to take a short ride through Waikiki on the Duck, and then we were treated to live entertainment and dinner catered by Superb Sushi and Corner Kitchen.  While our tour was just on land, I must say that the ride was surprisingly comfortable, thanks to padded seats and the open air cabin.

For more information on Hawaii Duck Tours, or to book your reservation, go to: http://www.hawaiiducktours.com/index.html.  Kama'aina and Military rates are available.











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April 19, 2013

3660 on the Rise

3660 on the Rise is our go-to place for great pacific rim cuisine in a casual, local setting.  We recently went to 3660 on the Rise with our best friends, one of whom had never dined at 3660.  At 3660 on the Rise, you'll always get great service and phenomenal food.  


Housemade taro rolls are complimentary, unlimited, and hard to resist.

Braised Kurobuta Pork Belly appetizer
Chef's world famous ahi katsu roll.

3660 Sampler Platter - seafood tortellini, fried calamari, crispy garlic scallion prawns, asian slaw
Chinese steamed filet of fresh fish in black bean broth

The special of the night - braised beef

Another house specialty - tempura farm raised catfish 
Symphony of Desserts


3660 on the Rise
3660 Waialae Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 737-1177

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April 18, 2013

Cafe Maharani

My husband and I recently tried Indian food for the first time at Cafe Maharani.

We arrived approximately 10 minutes after opening, and we lucked out and got the last stall in their tiny parking lot in the back.

We also lucked out with the seating - there were only four open tables left in this hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Those who arrived about 5:30 had at least a 30 minute wait.

Once we were given our menus (we had a long wait for a menu because they ran out), my husband and I decided to order the Maharani Dinner for Two, which consists of an appetizer (Samosa or Pakora), Rice, Naan, and any veggie or chicken entree (lamb entrees are $2 extra) for $40.99).

We also ordered dessert.

Since neither of us knew anything about Indian food, we asked our server for suggestions, and here is what we ordered:

Tamarind and Mint Sauces
Vegetarian Samosa - A crispy pastry filled with veggies
Buttered Naan

Jasmine Rice

Chicken Tikka Masala - Tandoori chicken in a tomato and cream sauce

Lamb Malai Korma - lamb in an almond-cashew sauce.
Kheer - Sweet Rice Pudding
I enjoyed the Samosas, Rice, and Naan.  The Kheer was good, but a little too sweet for my taste.  The Chicken Tikka Masala was absolutely delicious.  It was spicy and flavorful.  The dish was filled with A LOT of chicken.  It looked like I barely made a dent in it when I stopped eating.

My husband enjoyed the Lamb Malai Korma, even though the garnishes were left off (cashews, raisins).

Despite quite slow service (the little restaurant was PACKED), it was evident that it wasn't intentional.  All of the employees were trying their best to service the customers as best as they could.  The chef was dishing out as much as he could as quickly as he could from the tiny little kitchen, and the servers were rushing back and forth to customers all night.

We still enjoyed the our visit and would definitely dine there again.


Cafe Maharani
2509 S King St  Honolulu, HI 96826
(808) 951-7447
Open daily 5pm-10pm
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April 17, 2013

RAW:natural born artists Honolulu

Disclosure: I was provided complimentary admission.

One night a month from February to October, RAW:natural born artists - an organization that nurtures the creativity of aspiring fashion designers, photographers, hair & makeup artists, visual artists, musicians, filmmakers, models, and performance artists, hosts an event that combines food, fun, and art in various cities throughout the world. 

Locally, RAW:Honolulu, which is run by Showcase Director Cy Carnate, held its first event in June of 2012, and ever since, local artists have been flaunting their talents.

I attended a RAW event which took place at Aloha Beer Company this past Saturday.

It was my very first RAW event, and although there were a lot less artists than I expected to see, I was still very intrigued with the eclectic mix of artists that showcased their photographs, short films, fashion designs, artwork, jewelry, and musical and vocal talents.   

Items on display (and for sale) included art by Cordelia Edison of Cordelia Creatives, amazing ocean photography prints by 14-year old Jeff Bautista, cute and funky fashions from Ancient Design Clothing by Nelli, beautiful jewelry by Shell Eisenberg of Lumyierre Arts, custom grip tape art for skateboards by GrippTide, and so much more.

Throughout the night several musicians performed (they were all fantastic, but the highlight for me was 11-year old Aidan James singing and rocking out on his ukulele), short films were shown, and a fashion show was held which promoted clothing designers and well as hair and make-up artists.

Overall, I personally enjoyed the variety of genres represented, and I discovered so many inspiring artists.

RAW:Honolulu is a great venue that brings together people from all over the island to support the local talent of a diverse group of artists

People of all ages are welcome to attend (yes, children too).  Admission is $10 pre-sale; $15 at the door. Drinks and food (a limited menu) are available for purchase, and I would advise to come early  to get a table (doors open at 7pm).

To find out when the next RAW:Honolulu event is, click here.

To find a RAW event near you, click here.

If you know of an artist to be featured at RAW, or maybe you're an artist yourself, register on the website and the local showcase director will contact you.

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