September 14th, 2008
Posted by matthew smith
A palm tree in the top photo stands out against the Honolulu skyline due to high levels of volcanic fog. Volcanic fog, or “vog” forms when sulfur dioxide gas reacts with sunlight, oxygen, dust particles and water in the air. The lower left fishing photo shows a unique vog sunrise over Oahu. And the lower right photo shows a vog enhanced sunset off Honolulu.
Vog does not originate on Oahu. It starts hundreds of miles to the southeast on the active volcanic big island of Hawaii. If the winds are just right the vog created there by mother nature works its way into our atmosphere here in Honolulu and around the island of Oahu. It’s a bummer of a mid day hazy annoyance when the skies should be clear and blue. On the other hand we are blessed to start and end our daily life here with spectacularly enhanced sunrises and sunsets when vog is visiting our island.
September 6th, 2008
Posted by matthew smith
As you head North and West along the shore from Kaneohe Mall area to the North Shore you will pass by a very interesting sight on your left with a huge wierd shaped object covered by a gray tarp. My wife thinks it’s a boat. I think it is part of jet. She thinks I’m crazy. For the fun of it, I’ve pictured it above alongside an actual Hawaiian Air jet. Notice any similarities between the shape of the front end of the actual jet and the shape of the object under the tarp?
I think it is a piece of the jet that crashed in the hit ABC-TV series ”LOST”. In that series, a plane en route from Australia to the United States crashes into the ocean on a tropical deserted Pacific island. There were survivors of that crash. Oddly enough it’s not hard to spot those survivors occasionally around the island of Oahu. Sometimes downtown Honolulu. Sometimes at a restaurant in Hawaii Kai. The other day I was purchasing an item at Pier One Imports in Kailua and spotted one of the survivors sniffing the scents of varrious candles. Then attempting to see if they fit certain candle holders. How sad to have to live that way.
It has to be pretty rough being a jet crash survivor here on island. Is it possible at the end of each day they all hike back to their tarped wreckage, burn candles, and hunker down for another day hoping to be rescued? I’ve never followed one of the survivors to find out for sure. But I rather doubt it.
September 1st, 2008
Posted by matthew smith
I start most of my mornings with a trip into Kailua-town to get a cup of coffee at Kalapawai’s. It’s right on Kalaheo Avenue, a main road through Kailua on your way to Lanikai. Parking is a bit tight. Many times I have to cirlce around Kailua Beach Park and go back by to find a spot. One always opens up. The circle drive past the beach is always fun watching the surf and beach goers beginning their activities for the day. The benches and seating along the front of the store are always full of local folks visiting about a variety of things. Politics, religion, Aunty Betty, you name it. You pick up quick bits of interesting information just walking past them into the store where the conversations continue around the coffee corral. Many wishing you a good morning along the way. All this effort for a worthwhile cause. The coffee is fabulous with lots of selections – including dark full bodied Kona coffees- my favorite.
Besides being a neighborhood store, it is also a sandwich deli with full service. Kalapawai recently opened another ”restaurant only” location deeper in Kailua-town. Both locations offer sandwich and salad creations that are out of this world. Here’s some information to help you locate Kalapawai or contact them and get on their mailing list.
Featured Coffee at Kalapawai Cafe
In-Store
Coffee of the Day
- SUN – Toasted Coconut
- MON – Lion French
- TUE – Toasted Coconut
- WED – Chocolate Macadamia
- THU – Vanilla Macadamia
- FRI – Lion French
- SAT – Red Elephant
NEW REVIEW!!! We were recently written up by Wanda Adams of the Honolulu Advertiser
Read more on our new Press page.
Cafe Dinner Menu (PDF)
Wine Flights change on a frequent basis and may differ.
Our 5 featured wines are:
- Sterling Napa Chardonnay
- Rosenblum Torrontes
- Capezzana Sangiovese
- Navarra Cabernet Sauvignon
- Green Point Shiraz
Chefs John Memering and Jason Iwane are proud to introduce our new Spring and Summer dinner menu beginning on Tuesday, May 13, at Kalapawai Café. Some of the featured new items will be the Salad of bay shrimp, Hau’ula Tomatoes, Kahuku corn & Big Island heart of palm, over crispy baby romaine lettuce with a soy-wasabi vinaigrette; Tagine of New Zealand free range lamb shank over saffron-scented couscous; grilled cider-brined pork chop served with calabacitas over poblano chili mash; & a bruschetta of artichoke tapanade & speck. These are just a few of the new items to join our list of favorites. See you at the Cafe!
Wine flights are the perfect way to start off your meal…they feature 2 oz. pours of 3 different wines showcasing anything from growing region, to character similarities & differences, to just giving you the chance to try something new.
Call us at 262-DELI or send us an email at cafe@kalapawaimarket.com to find out more and to join our mailing list to be the first to find out about our up-coming tastings, artshows, and other special events
We invite you to browse our site, shop on-line, order your lunch, read about our store and learn about the Kailua and Lanikai beach communities. If don’t see what you’re looking for, give us a call (808) 262-4359 or if you are near Kailua Beach, stop in and see us.
August 26th, 2008
Posted by matthew smith
The Mokulua Islands are twin (Mokulua) islands that are connected to a reef just offshore from Kailua and Lanikai Beach on the North and Eastern coastline of Oahu. For the most part the islands are a bird sanctuary owned by the State of Hawaii.
One of the islands can be accessed by visitors and has private beach areas and plenty of hiking trails. Both are an easy kayak trip from pretty much anywhere along Lanikai beach, and just a little further from Kailua beach. An abundance of coral beds and sea life with keep you entertained along the way to and from the Mokulua’s referred to by locals as the “Mok’s”.
August 26th, 2008
Posted by matthew smith
Pictured above is just one of many inspiring views from the Memorial of the Pacific at “Punch Bowl (Crater) War Memorial” military cemetery. This view is from the memorial down the mountain looking over Honolulu, and Diamond Head (Crater) in the background.
For many people, all the times they have been to Hawaii, they may have never been to this cemetery overlooking the heart of Honolulu and the Pacific. Yet it is close by and easy to find with plenty of parking. Open to the public year round, this is truly one of the most valuable pieces of real estate on the Island of Oahu in terms of history, meaning, and location.
There are walls and walls covered with names of people who died fighting…it is so touching to see a memorial like this…you really learn to appreciate the people who don’t act in selfishness…and who continue to do so for our country to this day. There is a complete covered mosaic lobby hundreds of feet long chronicling the history of the battles of the Pacific from beginning to end.
You won’t regret a trip up the hill to visit Punch Bowl.
August 19th, 2008
Posted by matthew smith
SAM CHOY’S DIAMOND HEAD RESTAURANT
449 Kapahulu Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
(Honolulu / Kapahulu Area)
Tel. (808) 732-8645
Sumptuous award-winning local-style dishes in Sam’s signature generous portions. One of the twelve chefs who originated Hawaii Regional cuisine. (D $$$)
ALAN WONG’S RESTAURANT
1857 South King Street, 3rd Floor
Honolulu, HI 96826
(Honolulu / McCully Area)
Tel. (808) 949-2526
Famous local chef – one of the originators of Hawaii Regional cuisine. National multi-award winning restaurant. Local awards include: 1997, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006 & 2007 Hale Aina Award for “Restaurant of the Year”; 2003, 2004, 2005 & 2006 Ilima Award. (D $$$)
CHEF MAVRO
1969 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96826
(Honolulu / McCully Area)
Tel. (808) 944-4714
A founding member of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine, Chef George Mavrothalassitis employs a master’s technique in melding fresh, regional ingredients with the flavors of his native Provence. A dining experience comparable to a 3-Star restaurant in France. 2003 winner of the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award as the best chef in Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest. Multiple Ilima and Hale Aina award winner. (D $$$)HULA GRILL
Whalers Village
2435 Kaanapali Parkway
Kaanapali, HI 96761
(West Maui)
Tel. (808) 667-6636
On the beach. Chef Peter Merriman’s award winning Hawaii Regional Cuisine. (LD $$$)
Living in Hawaii will allow you to become a favorite at many of the award winning restaurants on the islands and enjoy all the menu items!! Yum.
August 19th, 2008
Posted by matthew smith
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LUAU (TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN FEAST)
The luau (loo-ow) is a Hawaiian tradition – a feast to celebrate accomplishments, honor important people and commemorate great events. In old Hawaii it was a time to pay homage to ancestral gods with song, dance, and offerings of food, which was often scarce. Ancient luau sometimes lasted for days.
Much has changed since the days of ancient luau. Women and men are now allowed to eat together, which was forbidden in Hawaii before the culture’s system of kapu (taboos) was eliminated in 1819. Women are also allowed to eat foods that were once denied them, such as bananas, coconuts, pork, turtle and several types of fish.
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The central feature of the luau is the imu, an underground oven (a shallow pit lined with stones). A whole pig (puaa) is wrapped in ti and banana leaves and placed in the pit’s hot center. The pig and laulau (savory bundles containing side dishes) are covered with multiple layers of banana, ti, or sometimes ginger leaves, and a final coating of earth. In about four hours the coverings are removed and the luau begins. Every luau has poi, the traditional starch. |
| Under King Kamehameha III, there was an 1847 event that was unforgettable, a luau with 10,000 in attendance, although in true Hawaiian style, food was prepared for 12,000. The guests were served: “271 hogs, 482 large calabashes of poi, 602 chickens, three whole oxen, two barrels of salt port, two barrels of biscuits, 12 barrels of laulau and cabbages, four barrels of onions, 80 bunches of bananas, 55 pineapples, 2,245 coconuts, 4,000 heads of taro, 180 squid, oranges, limes, grapes and various fruit.” Source: Manu Boyd, Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Now that was a luau!
Each island of Hawaii, Oahu and Maui have their own luau celebrations. Living here and participating in these events are important to native Hawaiians.
At a luau, it is said:
“local people don’t eat until they are full, they eat until they are tired”. |
August 13th, 2008
Posted by matthew smith
Check this piece of real estate out! Go to www.vrbo.com and look up property 197806 – Maybe even reserve it?
This Hawaii-designed castle sits on the top of the world overlooking the blue Pacific Ocean, Koko Head, Diamond Head, and several islands such as Molokai. It is located in an exclusive private gated community with the wealthiest zip code in the Hawaiian Islands. This community has its own club house, gardeners, security team, and tennis courts. It is known for its gorgeous private homes and open ocean views – all great for whale watching during winter months. Also, walking ten minutes from the front door one finds beautiful hiking trails into the Hawaiian rain forest.
This large, 3000-square-foot Mediterranean castle is terraced with its own moat, meditation area, and a private forest with over sixty mature trees such as Italian cypress, Hollywood juniper, and hibiscus — a tropical paradise. The castle is fully furnished with numerous oil paintings since the owner resides there part of the year. The castle has four levels of living space with exacting attention to detail throughout. Special features include Roman and Greek relief’s and sculptures and exclusive lighting fixtures imported from Italy. For relaxed Hawaiian living, very high ceilings and hardwood floors provide feelings of warmth and spaciousness. The elegant private courtyard landscaped with orchids and tropical plants has a swimming-pool-deep spa suitable for nude bathing and sunbathing. In total, the castle contains 3½ bedrooms, 3½ baths, secluded library, a unique gourmet kitchen, and lastly, a superb underground wine cellar with tasting room adjacent to wine racks, a 1,300 bottle capacity.
Water is seen everywhere, and just 5 minutes away by car is the beach. Concierge and personal shopping help available.
August 12th, 2008
Posted by matthew smith
Amazingly there has been lots of controversy about democratic presidential nominee Senator Barak Obama choosing to vacation for a week in Hawaii. Should he have chosen some other more American State than a foreign and exotic Hawai’i? What kind of message is vacationing in a far off Pacific island paradise sending to the American voters? Never mind that he was born and raised in Hawai’i. Graduated from Punahou High School in Honolulu. He has routinely returned to Hawai’i many times over the past 20 years to vacation in Honolulu on his native island of O’ahu, visiting family and friends. In fact I’ve heard he recently made a real estate purchase here.
So what’s this nonsense about Hawai’i being less American all about? A whirlwind tour of Honolulu and the island of O’ahu would include interesting current and historical American points of interest like the Arizona Memorial, Punchbowl Cemetery of the Pacific, the USS Missouri, National Guard soldiers training for their second deployment to the Middle East, and Aloha Stadium where the best of the best football players traditionally come each February to play in the Pro Bowl, following the Super Bowl – without needing a passport.
I’m convinced Hawai”i is a U.S. state when I sit in the gas line at Costco next to Home Depot in Honolulu waiting my turn to purchase cheaper fuel. When I’m purchasing my groceries at Safeway in Kailua keying in my phone number that includes a U.S. area code for savings. When I’m deciding whether to fast food it off the dollar menu at Burger King, or splurge at Taco Bell. When I’m passing by Wal-Mart and K-Mart on my way to the Ala Moana Mall to make a purchase at Sears or Nordstrom’s.. And when I’m merging from Interstate H-1 to Interstate H-3 to get home from another day of real estate in Honolulu. Always wondering why we call it an “Interstate” in the first place. Then chuckling as I pass by McDonald’s, where only in Hawai’i can you order “Spam N’ Eggs” off their breakfast menu. I never have! Seriously!
Hawaii Is Our 50th State. Seriously!
August 11th, 2008
Posted by matthew smith
Most folks automatically think home prices in Honolulu, and Hawaii are so high only the rich and famous are able to afford them. Sure, Oprah owns a home or two in Hawaii, and lots of acreage on Maui, I understand. Michelle Pfeiffer owns a property down the street from me past the Paul Mitchell estate. Did you know Paul died years ago eating Puffer fish? One of Don Ho’s homes recently sold just past Michelle’s home for just over $5 Million that his children used. I can’t even begin to afford their side of the street. The list goes on. Why, even Senator Barack Obama is a native of Hawaii. I’m not certain if he owns a home here, but he might consider that if he follows our Honolulu Real Estate Blog. Though there are plenty of homes around the Hawaiian Islands owned by the rich and famous, there countless more that are not. Many are surprisingly affordable.
There are homes and condo’s available throughout Honolulu, and Hawaii in general that fit most everyone’s home buying budget – or possibly 2nd home budget. Downtown Honolulu condo’s that are one bedroom and one bath – and fully remodeled can be had from the mid $200’s on up. Many with decent views and include a parking space or two. I know of one coming on the market soon in a high rise adjacent to the Ala Wai canal in Waikiki in the mid $300’s. From downtown Honolulu to Ewa, and Hawaii Kai to Kailua/Kaneohe, there are countless two and three bedroom condos available in the mid $400-600’s. Some are even brand new. Many have amenities like views, pools, spas, parking, tennis courts and more. Homes will typically start in around the mid $600’s and $700’s with lots to choose from. So, to get to that million dollar property and higher – you typically have additional requirements that most often include a particular neighborhood or area like waterfront, or close to the water. The property taxes in Honolulu and on Oahu compared nationwide are respectably low too considering Honolulu and Hawaii as a whole is a tropical paradise.
