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Where’s the New Starbucks at Ala Moana?

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ala-moana-map-starbucksJust where will the new Starbucks location at Ala Moana be? The Sears location closed along with Sears, and the Macy’s location is usually slammed, so some relief is in order. According to the Ala Moana online map, there’s a Starbucks location on mall level 2 near center court.

But if you’ve happened to be in this area (the former location of Aroma Caffe), you know there’s absolutely nothing going on. But interestingly, on level 3 diagonally, there is work being done.

ala-moana-sbux-possible2
Is this the future home of Aloha Gelato?

The same online map states that this is the home of Aloha Gelato. It very well could be, but this structure kinda has a Starbucks vibe to it. And Starbucks has the cash to completely reconstruct a space if needed, and it also has the moxie to go head to head with other coffee vendors (the Honolulu Coffee Company stand is directly across).

Or will this be a Starbucks?
Or will this be a Starbucks?

I Got a Buttnut

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It took awhile, but I finally tried a BUTTerNUT croissant donut from Regal Bakery in Chinatown. I went with the orange-hued POG buttnut, and it was sweet. Too sweet for my tastes, and it was getting tough, sitting out for too long/

Creme Brulee donut and a POG BUTTerNUT
Creme Brulee donut and a POG BUTTerNUT

I also got a creme brulee donut which looks equally as sweet. The Safeway Dou’ssants are still my favorite cronut knockoff though I don’t even know if Safeway makes them anymore.

Who I Would Nominate for a Navy Embark

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I can’t believe it’s been nearly two years since I participated on an embark of the USS Nimitz during RIMPAC 2012. The sights, the sounds, the surprises, and the memories.

If I could, who would I nominate for an embark?

The Ambassador of VH07V

In the footsteps of the original Ambassadors of Aloha, Ed Sugimoto has to be a natural pick. So what if he wasn’t named Top40Under40 by the Pacific Business News, Ed’s an entrepreneur, cultivating and spreading his VH07V brand. I’m not saying Ed should be giving away free VH07V shirts during the embark (well, maybe stickers), just embody aloha while on this amazing tour. And no Ed, Oceanic Cable’s Oahu Wifi ain’t gonna work.

The Digital Artist

From past embarks, there have been countless pictures, movies, and words recounting experiences. But how about original artwork inspired by the magnitude of a Navy vessel? In short, I want to see what Valentino Valdez comes up with – illustrations, posters, shirts, sketches, or even toy mashups.

In Reel Life

Matt Spencer knows his movies. It’s that simple. He watches, critiques, and promotes films all the time and then some. When Matt’s not watching movies, I think he’s reading about them or planning his upcoming viewing schedule. What does movies have to do with a Navy embark? The U.S. Navy in the movies? Surely, you’ve seen a flick or two. From Matt’s point of view, I want to know how realistic the scenes are, which movie has the most accurate portrayal of Naval operations, what actor or character does the ship’s captain remind Matt of? How can Matt relate his experience in terms of films – that’s his reel challenge.

The Inspired

On the surface, Gary Nacapuy looks like a casual Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter denizen. Now go beneath the surface, and you’ll see a growing world of software development. Coding, developing, engineering is where Gary thrives. Combine his passion with the inspiration instilled from a Navy embark, and I’m excited to see what follows.

The Entertainer

Now why would a local celebrity, entertainer, and radio celebrity like Gregg Hammer go on a Navy embark? To broadcast his firsthand experiences with his audience. No, this isn’t a public relations ploy, as a car fix-it guy, Gregg will love visiting the engineering deck, listening to the crew talk in detail about hydraulic fluid, valves, radiators, and arresting cables that catch landing aircraft. Don’t you want to hear Gregg’s tales and adventures during your morning drive in traffic?

My Brother-in-Law

He asked to go after hearing my stories. 🙂

Bonus: The Rainbow Warriors

As far as Navy exercises go, the Rim of the Pacific aka RIMPAC is as international as it gets. Similar is the international makeup of the University of Hawaii men’s basketball team. Of course, this will never happen since I’m sure there’s some NCAA infraction or regulation standing in the way, but it’s fun to dream. Imagine seven-footer Davis Rozitis cramped for a COD launch. Can Isaac Fotu get his hair into a safety helmet? Heck, imagine any of the Rainbow Warriors walking the onboard passageways ducking through every hatch. Although it would be cool if the team had a shoot around with service members inside the hangar. Just make sure the ball stays inbounds, the Pacific Ocean is very unforgiving to errant passes.

And there’s my list of fictional nominees. Of course, this list has no significance, but as I’m grateful that my embark was the result of others’ nominations, I have a duty to pay it forward.

Gotta Love 10 Signs You’re Out of Touch with Sneaker Culture

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Are you showing signs that you’re out of touch with sneaker culture? I am, or at least I don’t want to partake in some of the insanity to get new desired kicks. No, I ain’t camping out overnight at a store though I will wake up early to try for an online release. I will buy my size since I will wear my purchases. I’ve pretty much stopped going to Foot Locker to find the latest and greatest although I have signed up for their release raffles.

Anyways, read 10 Signs You’re Out of Touch with Sneaker Culture.

Twinkies Are Not “Nuclear Foods”

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You know that if a nuclear calamity were to occur, you need to shelter down with enough supplies, ration, and food to last you and your family. Of course, getting food stuffs that have a long shelf life is preferred. Hence, the idea of stocking up on Hostess snacks like Twinkies which I call “nuclear foods.” Sadly the sweetest comeback ever is not really nuclear food as shown here.

Twinkies don't last forever?!
Twinkies don’t last forever?!

Even Less Parking at Ala Moana

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Wow, there’s even less parking at Ala Moana now with a block of stalls unavailable near Macy’s and Shirokiya. The whole former Sears parking side is a complete mess with all the renovations, but the other end of the mall is getting in the act. Not sure why or for how long this parking stall outage will last, but I guess it’s better to get the work done now after the holidays and before summer.

Less parking at Ala Moana
Less parking at Ala Moana

Quad Mtn Dew Kickstart

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The entire line of Mtn Dew Kickstart is now readily available in Hawaii. Safeway had the new Black Cherry and Limeade in stock along with Fruit Punch and Orange Citrus. If you’re a Safeway member, there’s a sale as well. 🙂

Mtn Dew Kickstart
Mtn Dew Kickstart

Tricky Hours for Starbucks Windward Mall

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This has to be a trick question or a problem to solve. What time does the Starbucks inside of Windward Mall open? The store locator site shows this.

Starbucks Windward Mall Hours
Starbucks Windward Mall Hours

So if I go on a Monday morning at 7:45am while waiting for a car battery change at the Sears Auto Center, it should be no problem right? Don’t fall for the obvious answer. The mall doors don’t open until 8am. Cut through IHOP you resourcefully say? Sorry, IHOP locks their interior doors and tells customers they can’t let people through until 8am. Supposedly, you could enter the mall through a service entrance if you know where they are, but still, should it be this hard to get to an establishment open for business?

Two-thirds of Starbucks Kaneohe Are Google-fied

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Did I mention that the Starbucks location at Windward City is now powered by Google Wifi? My last check in December 2013 confirmed wireless connectivity provided by attwifi. But during a recent visit to finish my hardcore dash of 2014, I saw the Google Wifi network show up.

Additionally, the small Starbucks inside of Windward Mall is also Google connected. Oddly, the third and seemingly busiest Starbucks location in Kaneohe, the one with the first 24-hour drive thru in Hawaii, is still not Google-fied. Here’s a SpeedTest comparison of Google Wifi versus attwifi.

Google Wifi SpeedTest
Google Wifi SpeedTest

The top two lines are from the Kaneohe drive thru location while the bottom line is from the Windward Mall location. Two out of three ain’t bad I guess.

What Does an Asian Gangster Look Like?

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Forget the Original Gangsta, better known as the OG. There’s an Asian Gangster, or AG, on the scene in the form of Arthur Chu. What does the AG look like? Like this on the set of Jeopardy where the AG got his cred.

The Asian Gangster
The Asian Gangster

I haven’t seen any of Arthur’s wins, but supposedly they’re epic, capitalizing on game theory and strategy rather than pure knowledge of the answers. Seemingly on Jeopardy, you go for the tie instead of the win. Needless to say, Arthur’s tactics are irking some fans.

After the trail of Linsanity, are you on board the Chu Chu Train?

Thanks to Dennis, the OAG, for the tip.

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