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My name is Brian Berusch, and I am Hawaii’s resident travel expert and publisher of the web site “B on Hawaii”. I spend the majority of my time seeking out the best travel, adventure, lifestyle, arts, culture, food and beverage experiences throughout the Hawaiian Islands—just so I can pass along the info to travelers worldwide. My readers are well-researched, intelligent, savvy and thrill-seeking travelers who want the best possible Hawaii experience they can get. If you’re here reading this note, then you are on the right track! Aqua Resorts prides itself on its quality, affordable hotel experience…and every few weeks I will update this page with the latest and greatest happenings in and around your Aqua hotel. Want to know where the best snorkel spot is that you can walk to from Waikiki? Need to find the tastiest mai tai? Looking for the most unique clothing boutique? How about Hawaiian Regional Cuisine restaurant with an extensive wine list? You’ll find all the answers here. I look forward to sharing my secret spots throughout Oahu with you. And don’t forget: If you’re headed to a neighbor island after your Aqua stay, be sure to check out www.BonHawaii.com for the hottest happenings on Maui, Kauai, Lanai, Molokai and The Big Island of Hawaii. You can also sign up for the twice-monthly newsletter, to receive ongoing updates from the isles. Mahalo, and enjoy your stay!
May 7, 2008 BOOKS, BANDS, BALLYHOO AT HONOLULU HALE MAY 17 & 18 The Hawaii Book and Music Festival will be held this weekend, May 17 – 18, in Honolulu. This is a great opportunity for visitors to the islands to see quality live music (for free!), meet local authors and artisans, and buy some excellent Hawaii-made products—all at the same venue. There will be live band performances by guitar greats like Stephen Inglis and Shaun Reyes; attending authors who will speak include Betty Shimabukuro, Joan Namkoong and George Munro. MASTER PHOTOGRAPHER PETER LIK SHARES THOUGHTS, IMAGES This Sunday, May 18, master photographer from “down under” Peter Lik will speak and present a new series of works in Waikiki. Lik, who travels the globe shooting extraordinary landscape images, has a gallery on the new Beach Walk promenade (on Lewers Street). He has won dozens of awards for his haunting and spectacular images. The self-taught artist will host a wine reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and then invite attendees back to his studio for a continued viewing of his work.
BOURDAIN FEATURES WAIKIKI PUKA DOG – FOR GOOD REASON Kauai’s famous Puka Dog hot dog eatery has jumped the pond to Waikiki—and has already been featured in an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations”. The unique locale features high-tech weenie cookware, including a special bun toaster, and condiment “injections”. Patrons can opt for Polish sausage or veggie dogs, and then choose from a list of secret sauces that span from mild to habanero hot. Relishes range from papaya, pineapple and mango to coconut, starfruit and, yes, banana relish. Crazy! Puka Dog also has shave ice and fresh squeezed lemonade.
SURFING WAIKIKI: A POINT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION First, let’s start with the obvious: If you are a newbie surfer, get your feet wet with a lesson. Dane Kealoha and Ty Gurney are just two of the reputable instructors in town. Afterwards. here’s a brief list of local breaks in Waikiki for you two peruse, and a word about them.
April 23, 2008 NEED A HAND CHOOSING THAT GLASS OF VINO? HEAD TO CHUCK’S PLACE(S) There’s nothing like that perfect glass of wine, especially just after a Waikiki sunset. And no one helps you make the right choice of grape like Chuck Furuya, one of Hawaii’s only two master sommeliers. Furuya runs Vino, a wine and tapas-style bar in downtown Honolulu, and is a managing partner of Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar and D.K. Steak House, both of which are 2nd Floor, ocean-fronting locales in Waikiki. At either of these delectable spots, you can choose from dozens of wines by the glass, hundreds of bottles of wines, and brain-pick the knowledgeable staffers who pride themselves on their regional know-how. Chances are high that Furuya himself will be on hand to talk terroir and point you in the right direction. EAT THE WONG WAY: HEAD TO PINEAPPLE ROOM IN MACY’S FOR A TASTE We’ve told you all about top Hawaiian chef Alan Wong. If you missed it, you’re sure to see him on an upcoming program on the Food Network or Bravo, as Wong has appeared in episodes of Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservation” and “Top Chef”. And of course, you know all about his King Street restaurant. But for those looking to stay a little closer to Waikiki, head to Wong’s Pineapple Room inside Macy’s, at the Ala Moana Shopping Center. It’s a tasty eatery that’s a welcome respite from a big day of shopping—or, fuel for more. Wong recently launched a special “Winez and Grindz” menu that will be served on Monday, May 5th, to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. The fare nods to sous chef Robert Urquidi’s Mexican heritage, and includes baked lobster, goat cheese and avocado taquitos, pan-seared diver scallops with chorizo meatballs, and a coffee spice rubbed beef filet with black bean and mole chile releno. Muy bueno!
SLACK KEY WHIZ MAKANA SPOTTED ALL AROUND WAIKIKI, SEE FOR YOURSELF One of Hawaii’s hottest, rising stars is slack key guitar player, singer and songwriter Makana. Born and raised on Oahu, having trained under master guitarist Sonny Chillingworth, Makana is a twenty-something phenomenon who can hold the attention of an entire hall with his virtuoso-like finger-picking and unique singing style. Makana’s latest album, “Different Game”, was released in Japan last year to rave reviews, and just released in the U.S. this month. Performing various weekly shows around Waikiki promoting it (and most are free), you can check out Makana at RumFire on Thursday nights at sunset, Friday’s at Chai’s Island Bistro, and midweek shows at Indigo in Chinatown and Diamond Head Health Cove on Monserrat Avenue.
A TASTE OF TUSCANY, ON A BACKSTREET IN WAIKIKI Quietly tucked halfway down Beachwalk Ave. in Waikiki, a pair of Italian flags wave in the wind. You’ve located Arancino, an unassuming trattoria with one of the most authentic Italian menus in Honolulu. Indoor-outdoor seating attract in-the-knowers looking for no frills fare and hearty portions. Try the owner’s favorite pizza—with shrimp, Maui onion and garlic chips—or steamed onaga filet with local spinach in a shrimp and lobster sauce. Sizeable salads, cured meat antipastos, fresh pasta and a simple yet satisfactory wine list round out the experience. Check it out! April 10, 2008 FIRST FRIDAY ART (AND DRINK, AND EAT AND SOCIALIZE…) WALKS Every first Friday of the month, Chinatown turns in to the biggest outdoor party on the entire island chain. First Friday was born as a celebration of the art scene renaissance based in downtown Honolulu’s historic Chinatown district. It has grown in to a burgeoning event that coincides with gallery show openings, live music concerts, street performances, free wine (at many galleries) and doors open throughout the city. Whether you are an appreciator of art—or just a fine time meeting the hip folks of Oahu, come on down! VACATION WITHIN A VACATION? HOW CAN YOU WIN? READ ON! How is one of Hawaii’s longest producing candy makers celebrating its 80th anniversary? With a Willie Wonka-esque contest that will give one “golden” winner a free trip for two to Australia’s Gold Coast. From now until June, 60,000 “golden tickets” will be affixed to the company’s “Snack Easy” Macadamia (with or without chocolate) Bags with a special code printed on the label. Of those, 80 will have winning numbers, which should be entered onto a special anniversary contest web site (www.HawaiianHost80.com), from which the winner will be chosen. Your odds? One in 750 bags have a golden ticket. Chow down!
KNIVES, FIRE, DEATH-DEFYING: WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FOR? It’s that time of year again: When the North Shore heats up to unprecedented levels. The world’s foremost fireknife dancers arrive in La’ie at the Polynesian Cultural Center to compete for the World Fireknife Champion title. Held between May 14 to 16, the event sells out every year, and is a real treat for anyone who can get themselves up north (the P.C.C. arranges luxury bus transport from all Waikiki hotels to their facility an hour away). Fireknife dancing originated in Samoa, and includes hulking, muscular men who twirl, toss and spin heavy knives dipped in kerosene and lit on fire. At times, the knife may come in to contact with various parts of the dancer’s body, which makes for a thrilling experience for viewers (and dancer we’re sure!).
BISHOP MUSEUM: A HIDDEN GEM IN HONOLULU (WITH NEW EXHIBITS) One of the most off-the-beaten track gems in Honolulu is the Bishop Museum. Known for it’s historic collection of Hawaiian artifacts and prints, the Bishop has just announced its Spring and Summer lineup of artisan demonstrations. Daily, a different local Hawaiian artist will talk about his or her craft, it’s place in Hawaiian history, and more. Among them are painters, wood carvers, weavers, master lei makers and musicians. Also, keep an eye out for the Bishop’s “Moonlight Mele” concert series that takes place monthly on the museum’s great lawn. Live music, local cuisine and sunsets make for an amazing twilight experience. BREAKFAST IN WAIKIKI: HAU TREE LANAI SERVES FRESH FARE, VIEWS Sunrise over Diamond Head is a spectacular thing. And if you’ve witnessed it, you deserve a hearty breakfast afterwards! The Hau Tree Lanai is a local restaurant in Waikiki that offers spectacular skyline views and affordable, tasty meals. Located in the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel near the Natatorium, across from Kapiolani Park, Hau Tree is a courtyard, al fresco dining experience with tables scattered under a glorious hau tree, who’s branches wrap around and over head. Dishes like Mahimahi eggs benedict, homemade macadamia nut granola and fresh papaya halves with yoghurt make this locale an absolute must! |
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