Hawaii Mom Blog: September 2013

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September 30, 2013

Visit Oahu - Waikiki Aquarium

Disclosure: Our family received complimentary admission.  
Click on all photos to enlarge.


Getting an up-close look at marine life is always fun, and our family recently had a chance to do so at the Waikiki Aquarium - an aquarium over 100 years old (the third oldest in the US).

Highlights of Our Visit
We were excited by all that we saw - corals, angelfishes, sharks, and so much more.

The enormity of the giant clam, the grace of the lagoon jelly, and the peculiarity of the Commerson's frogfish were so intriguing.

My kids loved the Ocean Aquaculture exhibit, which was a tank full of Moi (Pacific Six Fingered Threadfin). As they swam around and around in their tank, my kids cheered them on as if they were racing.

The touch pool was very popular with my oldest son, and all of my kids were elated to see the clown anemonefish, or "Nemo" as they all exclaimed.

The Hawaiian monk seals were another favorite.  The aquarium volunteer at the exhibit was so friendly and knowledgeable, informing visitors that Maka, one of the Hawaiian monk seals, loves to spin around vertically.  She also told us how Hawaiian monk seals, although an endangered species, are sometimes killed because they are believed to be stealing fisherman's fish.

Other favorite exhibits included the seahorses, the eels, and the octopus.

Our Experience Visiting as a Special-Needs Family
Although we had taken my oldest son, who has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), to the Waikiki Aquarium before, it was before he was diagnosed.  Now that we know how to better prepare for visits to attractions, we made sure to prepare him for the visit by talking about what kinds of things he'd see, and allowing him to peruse the website to look at pictures of the different marine life.

Once there he was very anxious to see every single exhibit, trying to rush from one exhibit to the next, but we helped to keep him focused by telling him to read about certain species on the exhibit displays and having him try to find them.

Another way we tried to help ease his anxieties was to allow him to repeatedly do or see things he was most interested in, like hold a tiny hermit crab at the touch pool or sit in front of the shark tank. 

There are several places to sit indoors and outdoors if a break is needed, and a large grassy area outside is great for kids who need to walk around to release some energy.

Overall my son did wonderfully, and he was eager to share his experience with his friends at school the next day.

Final Thoughts
Although small (we were there for about an hour), we had a very nice time at the Waikiki Aquarium.

In addition to the marine life exhibits, there are also interactive exhibits to keep kids entertained.

The audio tour wand and knowledgeable staff members made the visit even more enjoyable.

The aquarium also offers numerous programs and events so visitors can feed animals, participate in activities, and so much more. 

Whether you're Kama`aina or a visitor, the Waikiki Aquarium is a lovely place to spend an hour or two with the family!

Before are more photos from our visit.  Enjoy!

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow

Waikiki Aquarium
2777 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-9741

Admission: Click here for current admission prices (Kama`aina and Military discounts available).
Hours: 9:00 am-4:30pm daily; closed on Honolulu Marathon and Christmas Days.
Parking:  Limited free parking is available in the Waikiki Aquarium lot for 1 hour; metered street parking also available nearby.
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L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

We recently picked up dinner from the new L&L Hawaian Barbecue in Mililani Mauka.
Mochiko Chicken

Chicken Katsu Curry



I love L&L's Mochiko Chicken.

My husband ordered the katsu curry, and although he said it was good, he was very disappointed that they skimped on the curry sauce.

But overall, it was still good food at a good value.

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
95-1057 Ainamakua Drive, #F8
Mililani, HI  96879
626-8828
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September 29, 2013

Banana Chocolate Chip Cake with Cinnamon Sugar Topping

Recently finding myself with a bunch of very overripe bananas, I decided to make some Banana Chocolate Chip Cake with Cinnamon Sugar Topping, which I adapted from this Banana Chocolate Chip Cake recipe from Allrecipes.


Banana Chocolate Chip Cake with Cinnamon Sugar Topping (recipe adapted from Allrecipes):

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 c white sugar
  • 1 1/2 t baking powder
  • 1/4 t salt
  • 3 bananas, mashed
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 c butter, melted
  • 1/4 c milk
  • 1 c semisweet chocolate chips
Topping:
  • 3 T granulated sugar
  • 1/2 t ground cinnamon
Directions:
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Prepare a 9x13 inch pan (with cooking spray or use parchment paper)
  • In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
  • In a separate bowl, combine bananas, egg, butter and milk.
  • Stir banana mixture into flour mixture until blended. 
  • Stir in chocolate chips.
  • Pour batter into 9x13 inch pan. 
  • Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle evenly on top of batter
  • Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes.
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September 27, 2013

Thomas & Friends: Santa's Little Engine Free Coloring Sheet

The below was provided on behalf of Thomas & Friends.



Hop Aboard Santa’s Little Engine To Spread Christmas Cheer With This All-New Holiday DVD!


Thomas & Friends: Santa's Little Engine

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Thomas and his engine friends light up the tracks for a festive celebration in the all-new holiday release Thomas & Friends®: Santa’s Little Engine arriving on DVD, Digital Download and Video on Demand October 8, 2013. The Thomas & Friends®: Santa’s Little Engine DVD features five frosty and fun-filled episodes and will be available for the suggested retail price of $14.98. Join Thomas, Percy, Gordon and all the other steam engines as they learn the true meaning of the holiday season.

Thomas & Friends continues to teach timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation, inviting children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story.

SYNOPSIS
Ho Ho Ho! Thomas is full steam ahead as a Really Useful Reindeer, saving the day by guiding Santa’s sleigh straight to the Sodor Christmas celebration! When snowfall transforms the island of Sodor into a winter wonderland, Thomas discovers that being safe is the best route to holiday fun. Percy makes everyone’s Christmas wishes come true and Gordon discovers his friends’ special skills are the gifts that keep on giving, all year long! Thomas delivers the true spirit of the season as Santa’s Little Engine!

Episodes Include:
· “Santa's Little Engine”
· “No Snow for Thomas”
· “Frozen Turntable”
· “The Missing Christmas Decorations”
· “Snow Tracks”

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES
· Sir Topham Hatt's Frosty Friend Game
· Guess Who? Puzzles

Click here to download a Thomas & Friends: Santa's Little Engine coloring sheet.
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Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 Review

Disclosure: Our family received complimentary passes to the screening.


CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 Synopsis

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 picks up where Sony Pictures Animation’s 2009 hit comedy left off. Inventor Flint Lockwood’s genius is finally being recognized as he’s invited by his idol Chester V to join The Live Corp Company, where the best and brightest inventors in the world create technologies for the betterment of mankind. Chester’s right-hand-gal - and one of his greatest inventions – is Barb, a highly evolved orangutan with a human brain. It’s always been Flint’s dream to be recognized as a great inventor, but everything changes when he discovers that his most infamous machine (which turns water into food) is still operating and is now creating food-animal hybrids – “foodimals!” With the fate of humanity in his hands, Chester sends Flint and his friends on a dangerously delicious mission – to battle hungry tacodiles, shrimpanzees, hippotatomuses, cheespiders and other food creatures to save the world again!


I thought Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 was a great movie full of adventure and humor.

From the start the movie was full of laughs, as well as "oohs" and "aahs" from both kids and adults.

The kids loved seeing all the different inventions Flint created while working at The Live Corp., the company founded by his idol, Chester V, who secretly plotted to get Flint working for him for one specific reason (which I won't spoil).

Chester eventually sends Flint on a mission, and on this mission Flint and his pals encounter the foodimals. 

The foodimals were such a hit with the audience. I thought the names and the foodimals themselves were so creative - susheep, tacodiles, bananaostriches, and fruit cockatiels were just a few of the creatures that were part of the story.

There was also a lot of humor in the movie. My middle son loved whenever Steve the Monkey was on screen, and he couldn't stop laughing when Flint screamed (and screamed and screamed) when he saw Barry the Strawberry up close.

There were other funny moments throughout the movie that only adults will be able to understand (like a joke that involved butter in the movie).

Overall our family really enjoyed Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. The animation was fantastic, and the story was very imaginative and engaging.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is in theaters now.  Click here to find a theater near you.
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September 26, 2013

Kani Ka Pila Grille

Last month I was fortunate to have lunch with the lovely PR powerhouse duo from Outrigger Enterprises Group at Kani Ka Pilla Grille in the Outrigger Reef on the Beach Hotel.

Chinese Chicken Salad

Turkey Club Sandwich

I ordered the club sandwich, and it's a little hard to tell in the photo above, but it was HUGE!  It was a nice sandwich, and I was able to finish half of it.

The restaurant is located near the pool, and it is a popular stop for both guests and kama`aina to enjoy not only Kani Ka Pilla Grille's food, but their local entertainment which happens nightly from 6pm-9pm.

I had a very lovely lunch, and I'm looking forward to visiting again at night to enjoy the live music!

Kani Ka Pila Grille
2169 Kalia Rd
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 924-4990
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September 23, 2013

Luibueno's Mexican Seafood & Fish Market

We recently visited Luibueno's Mexican and Latin Cuisine, almost three years to the day that we first visited.

Complimentary Chips and Salsa (free refills)
Pescado de la Dia "Ajillo" (Fish of the day was Mahi Mahi)

Tortillas for the Mahi dish


Kids Chicken Strips

Kids Quesadilla

Fried Ice Cream

Kids Vanilla Ice Cream

I love that refills for the chips and salsa are free.

My meal, the chicken enchiladas, lacked flavor, but my husband's meal - the Mahi in garlic sauce, was DELICIOUS!  I wish I had ordered that instead.

The Fried Ice Cream was delicious as well.

Our server was fantastic, and although I didn't enjoy my meal very much, everything else was great, and I look forward to visiting again.

Luibueno's
66 Kamehameha Hwy
Haleiwa, HI 96712
(808) 637-7717
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September 21, 2013

The Pacific Place Tea Garden Cafe

At a media event I attended recently, guests were provided lunch from The Pacific Place Tea Garden Cafe.


Tuna Sandwich

Egg Salad Sandwich and Macaroon
The Pacific Place Tea Garden Cafe is a great place to pick up a light lunch, a sweet treat, or a refreshing drink.


The Pacific Place Tea Garden Cafe
1450 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96805
(808) 944-2004
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September 18, 2013

Yummy Korean BBQ - Pearlridge Center

My husband loves Korean food, so one day while out at Pearlridge Center, I decided to get some lunch for the both of us from Yummy Korean BBQ.

BBQ Chicken & Meat Jun combo with Shoyu Potato, Macaroni Salad, Tofu, Kim Chee

Chicken Katsu Curry with Pasta Salad, Potato Salad, Tofu, Shoyu Potato

I had the katsu, and it was good!

I also really liked the sides - the Shoyu Potato is my fave (you get a choice of 4 sides).

This was actually the first time I ever ate from Yummy's, and I'll definitely order food from there again if I'm in Pearlridge Downtown and craving some Chicken Katsu Curry.


Yummy Korean BBQ
Pearlridge Center
98-1005 Moanalua Rd
Ste 231
Aiea, HI 96701
(808) 484-2488
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September 17, 2013

Round Table Pizza

One of my best friends was visiting Hawaii for a few weeks, and she wanted to take her kids to watch the fireworks at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on a Friday night.  I suggested that we meet for dinner at Round Table Pizza at the Hilton, then walk to the beach to watch the 7:45 pm fireworks show.  It was the perfect plan.

The hubby and I decided to go early to find a table a table of 6.  As expected, the restaurant was packed.  They have a fairly large seating area, but it's first come first served, and you are on your own in finding your own table.  Considering how crowded it was, the food came out fast.  Actually, it came out before my friend and her kids actually arrived.  As usual, the pizza was awesome.  The kids loved it, the adults loved it, and we finished our meal with just enough time to make it to the lagoon for the fireworks show.

Round Table Pizza
2005 Kalia Road (Hilton Hawaiian Village)
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 955-0137


Half pepperoni and half cheese for 3 keiki

King Arthur Supreme for three adults
Buffalo Wings
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Off the Wall Restaurant Bar & Catering

I've always wanted to try Off the Wall, and I finally had a chance to when a bunch of us got together there for dinner recently.

Bubu Arare Karaage Chicken Meal

Shrimp Tempura

Ton Ton Ramen

Keiki Grilled Soy Miso Chicken

Keiki Bubu Arare Karaage Chicken

Okinawan "Style" Yaki Soba
"Naked" Spicy Ahi Musubi


Miso Soup
 Chocolate Stuffed Andagi 


I ordered the Chicken Karaage and thought it was very good.

I also tried a Chocolate-Stuffed Andagi - and despite being covered and stuffed in chocolate, I much rather have a plain one.

The service was on the slow side, but they do point out on their menu that they serve FRESH food as fast as they can, and they thank their customers in advance for their patience.

Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals and the servers were friendly.

I'm glad I finally got to try Off the Wall, and I look forward to going again soon!



Off the Wall

98-199 Kamehameha Hwy
Aiea, HI 96701
(808) 486-9255
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September 16, 2013

Honolulu Night Market

Honolulu Night Market, a monthly gathering in Kaka`ako where foodies, fashionistas, artists, and more converge is coming up again this Saturday, September 21.

I attended last month's event with a bunch of friends (some of whom brought their kids - the event is very family-friendly!).

We arrived early, which enabled us to find a good parking spot, as well as find some tables for us to sit and eat.



Black Bean & Quinoa Tacos from La Cosecha
Red Velvet Malasada Cheesecake from Local STOP

We shopped, we ate, and we caught some of the entertainment throughout the night (Slam Poetry, musicians, fashion show, etc.).

It was a fun night out with the gang!


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September 13, 2013

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Those who know me in real life know I love to bake and know I love chocolate, so this Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe from Allrecipes.com was the perfect fit!


Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies (credit/adapted from Allrecipes.com)

Ingredients:
  • 1 c butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 c white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 t vanilla extract
  • 2 c all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 c cocoa powder
  • 3/4 t baking soda
  • 1/4 t salt
  • 2 c + 1/2 c semisweet chocolate chips, divided
Directions:
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy. 
  • Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; stir into the butter mixture until well blended. 
  • Mix in the 2 cups of chocolate chips.
  • Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets.
  • Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Place 2-3 chocolate chips on each cookie.
  • Place cookies onto wire cooling rack and cool completely.
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September 12, 2013

Nishi Moncho Ramen

One of my favorite non-Japanese ramen-yas is Nishi Moncho in the Manoa Marketplace.  It's quick, tasty, and I never have to wait for a table.  Their prices are reasonable and the service is friendly.

Nishi Moncho Ramen
2851 E. Manoa Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
(808) 988-9928

Shoyu Yakisoba is my favorite dish here.  Nice portions of pork, cabbage, and noodles.

Chicken Katsu Curry - it'll definitely fill you up
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Haleiwa Joe's Seafood Grill

After spending some time at Haleiwa Ali`i Beach Park, we decided to go to Haleiwa Joe's for lunch.

Roasted Garlic Bread

Kids Hamburger (Cheese Extra)

Kids Grilled Chicken

Hawaiian-Style Chicken Sandwich

Grilled Cajun Fish Sandwich

The garlic bread was really good - my kids devoured it.

Kids options are very limited - there were only three items to choose from, and although kids meals come with a drink, there are no free refills (adults who order a drink are allowed 1 free refill).  However, I liked how the chicken came with lots of veggies, and that we could get fries instead of rice.

I had the chicken sandwich, which was a little dry, but the lomi pineapple topping was really good.

The service was good as well.

It was a beautiful day so we were able to sit outside (under the green awning, thus the green tint to my photos), and it was a nice place to have lunch after a day at the beach.

Haleiwa Joe's Seafood Grill
66-011 Kamehameha Hwy
Haleiwa, HI 96712
(808) 637-8005


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