View from the Weekend, Disney Aulani
Just a view from this Memorial Day weekend spent at the Disney Aulani.
Yes, it did rain but not as bad as elsewhere on-island.
My Favorite Windows Theme, Hot Dog Stand
Back when I was learning about Microsoft Windows 3.x, my favorite visual theme was Hot Dog Stand. This thing was and still is hideously ugly. So ugly that you have to love it while hating it. Oh only if Pontiac made the Aztek in hot dog stand colors would it be the greatest car ever.
Even Birds Are Attracted to Starbucks
Coffee and caffeine addiction isn’t just for humans. It seems the brown elixir has an avian attraction as well. So much so that Starbucks needed to take counteractive measures.
First off, the once pure black roof of the Starbucks kiosk at Ala Moana isn’t pure black anymore thanks to the birds.
This is definitely one way to keep the birds away from Starbucks.
Hawaiian Slang: Cheehoo!
Now here’s an interesting one – cheehoo! This exclamation is a fairly recent addition to the Hawaii kine vernacular. It’s not old school pidgin since by no means did Andy Bumatai shout out cheehoo! in All in the Ohana
Notice too that I list cheehoo! with an exclamation point. The one thing with cheehoo! is that you have to say it from deep down. If you’re going to cheehoo!, you have to go for it and commit. Cheehoo! comes from the soul and isn’t for the meek. Watch local deejay, Slick Vic, demonstrate the proper cheehoo! to Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie when the Today Show visited the islands. Jump to 2:13 for the cheehoo! demonstration.
When done properly, a cheehoo! is truly a force. Witness a hearty cheehoo! stop the most powerful man in America. Not only did a cheehoo! interrupt President Barack Obama, it broke his train of thought, needing some time to regain his composure. Cheehoo!
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My Starbucks Ala Moana Strategy
By now you know Ala Moana has two Starbucks locations in operation, the renovated Macy’s location and the new Center Stage kiosk. Did you know you can get (free) refills at these locations?
First, familiarize yourself with Starbucks’ nuanced refill policy for any drink. Supposedly, refills only qualify while you remain in store. Now how do you do that at an outdoor kiosk or in a location that has no inside seating? Technically, as soon as you pickup your drink, you’re headed out of the store in the Ala Moana locations.
On a recent visit, I purchased a venti iced coffee from the (emptier) Macy’s location. I nursed this for several hours whereupon I was near the kiosk. I asked if I could get a refill and got one, free with my Rewards card or $0.54 otherwise.
So my new strategy while shopping at Ala Moana is to get a tall size drink and go for a free coffee refill later in the day. And not to worry, I will not invoke further abuse of the ghetto latte.
Santa Monica in Europe?
Why oh why has Nike released the Roshe Run “Santa Monica” pack in Europe? These kicks scream of summertime fun. When is the summertime fun hitting the U.S.A.?
Changes to Starbucks at Ala Moana Macy’s
Thanks to @yoda808, we got word of the renovation and initial views of the Starbucks inside of Macy’s Ala Moana. I finally made my first visit to this remodeled location and noticed a few other changes.
The Doors Moved
When this location was carved out of Macy’s, the existing glass entries were retained for lots of foot traffic into Liberty House Macy’s. Unfortunately, the location for these entrances didn’t make sense for Starbucks. There were at least two sets of doors “in the middle” and walking through them put you right in the middle of the long queue to order or face to face with a display stand. On either side, you’d be squished by tables of patrons. Not a good placement. After the renovation, this is no longer the case with these doors removed. Now there’s the one set of doors near the Macy’s connection point and the original set leading to the outdoor seating area.
Clark Little Photography
Like the Waikiki Park Shore Hotel location, this Starbucks also features a mural from Clark Little Photography. Very nice but too bad it’s on a wall that’s hard to see.
A Ghetto Latte in Action
Over the weekend, I witnessed the mythical “ghetto latte” at the new Starbucks kiosk in Ala Moana. What’s a ghetto latte? That’s the unofficial nickname for a bare minimum espresso-based (or even coffee-based) drink. Pay for only two shots of espresso but ask for the drink in a large cup (grande or venti) then fill the rest of the cup with (free) milk from the bar. That’s ghetto as in poor or cheap.
I couldn’t hear the full order called out, but I did hear the part about a venti cup. Notice the empty space at the top that’s getting filled. Milk or creamer was already added when I took the pic and now a second carafe is about to be drained.
Nike’s Top Selling Shoe
Of all the shoes made by Nike, what sells the most? It’s these, the Monarch line, currently at the Monarch IV
Seriously. Yes, seriously. While I probably wouldn’t even pick up the shoe to examine it, there is one catchy color scheme of White/Cool Grey/Anthracite/White. As a NKE stockholder, I guess I shouldn’t complain. Sales are sales and if the Monarch IV sells the most, then so be it. Just don’t get me a pair. 😉
Well, not so fast… Complex gives you 10 reasons why you should get yourself a pair of Monarch IV.
Selena Gomez “Sunlina” Line
While I don’t follow the career of Selena Gomez, I do like the name of her line with Adidas. Her shoes are called the “Sunlina.” Catchy. Like her first name, Selena, but the shoes are designed for the summertime sun.
Make Your Adidas Yours
Oh my. Adidas has found a winner with its ZX Flux silhouette and is smartly pushing this line. Along with different materials and designer packs, Adidas will soon let you, the shoe wearer, print your own ZX Flux pattern. From the Instagram video, it seems you’ll use a forthcoming app to snap pictures of whatever and your graphics will be printed on freshly custom kicks. Smart, Adidas, very smart – just don’t screw up the execution and quality of the shoe.
Socks from Paradise Soccer Club
I saw the letters “PSC” on a retail storefront in Kailua and wondered what that store is. PSC stands for Paradise Soccer Club, and if you’re a soccer fiend, this place is for you. PSC just doesn’t feature soccer gear and equipment but promotes a lifestyle influenced by soccer with a modern trend. It’s a cool spot.
I know kicks but not soccer kicks, and these Nike Mercurials look serious.
The Mercurials not your thing? I’m sure you can find something from their wall of shoes (custom made display too).
Need a break to think about your PSC purchase? Play some foosball or check out their soccer-themed LEGO sets behind the counter.
If nothing else, pickup a pair of quality Stance socks, especially the Aloha Hawaii line. Where else are you going to find a camo pattern comprised of shakas?
