Menu
swell2

Swell Bottles Now at Starbucks Hawaii

, , ,

swell2I had not heard of S’well bottles until today when I walked into Starbucks and saw these somewhat-out-of-place vibrant orange bottles. On one side it said S’well, on the other was a picture of the Hawaiian islands along with the text Starbucks Hawaii.

Swell bottles are stainless steel and double insulated like many others out there and keep drinks hot or cold for 24 hours. So what’s the big deal about Swell? It’s gotta be the fashion aspect. Yes, they do look swell. I thought the cover color should have been more Starbucks green but still this is a nice looking bottle. Worth $35 I’m not sure, but because of its stylish looks, usefulness, and branding, I’m thinking these will sell well for the upcoming holiday season.

Okay, okay, so I complained that Hawaii got oat cakes instead of online pre-ordering and the Chestnut Praline Latte, but I will admit that this Hawaii-specific item is pretty and cool.

Starbucks Hawaii Gets Oat Cakes?!?

, ,

In Portland, Oregon, Starbucks fans can pre-order and pay for their drink using their mobile devices. The Midwest has already experienced the new forthcoming holiday drink, the Chestnut Praline Latte or CPL. In Hawaii, well, we have the Hawaii Oat Cake. Yes, an oat cake. How exciting.

On a backhanded positive note, our state is getting Clover brewing systems as we wait until November 12 for the national launch of the CPL. All of these oversights will be forgiven, however, if I happen to be one of the ten “Starbucks for Life” winners. From December 2 to 25, Starbucks will run its biggest promotion to date – a “lifetime” of free drinks. To enter, all you have to do is to use your registered Starbucks card or mobile device to make your Starbucks buys.

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Zula Fitness DVD

, , , ,

I wish I had the radio advertisement for Zula to play back for you since really it says it all. A local style workout DVD featuring all Hawaiian kine music. The perfect gift for your friends on the mainland!

Okay, really, that’s all I know about Zula which I’m guessing is a word mashed up from zumba and hula. Somehow sumo great, Konishiki, is involved as well. Anyways, this is one of those gifts that is truly unique this holiday season.

Get Zula Fitness Vol. 1 on Amazon.

More suggestions from the Pulpconnection Holiday Gift Guide, 2014 edition.

Follow Gee Why’s board Holiday Gift Guide 2014 on Pinterest.

Apple Pay Worked for Me

, , ,

vending-machine-apple-payUpgrading to iOS 8.1 was easy enough, but then what do I do with an Apple Pay enabled iPhone 6? You try it out on a break room vending machine, and amazingly Apple Pay worked!

First, I had to setup Apple Pay, associating my iTunes information for payment. Then I walked by the vending machine whereupon Passbook asked if I wanted to authorize a transaction using TouchID. After scanning in my fingerprint for a few seconds, the vending machine told me to make my selection. Out came my Coke Zero, and Passbook notified me of my $1.50 transaction. That’s it, that’s all, and it just worked.

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Powerbeats2 Wireless

, , , ,

powerbeats-2-black-feature-OIf you’re on Santa’s Nice List, you have to ask for the Powerbeats2 Wireless. Because once you get these and start reminiscing about the past then you’re two-thirds the way to an awesome physique. Check out LeBron James as an example.

Pair of the Powerbeats2 Wireless? Check.

Remembering his heritage and returning home. Check and double check.

NBA-ready body? Judge for yourself.

Oh wait, there is a missing element to this, and that’s Take Me to Church by Hozier. I’ll make this easy on you. Order a pair of Powerbeats2 Wireless using my Amazon link, and I’ll gift you a copy of Take Me to Church! So all that’s left between you and an NBA physique are your memories.

More suggestions from the Pulpconnection Holiday Gift Guide, 2014 edition.

Follow Gee Why’s board Holiday Gift Guide 2014 on Pinterest.

liliha-bakery16

Checked Out the New “Old” Liliha Bakery

, , , , ,

liliha-bakery1Over the fall break, we were in the Nimitz area and decided to check out the new-ish location of Liliha Bakery. This new spot is a welcomed addition to alleviate the strain on the historic original, but this location was equally as crowded. I can’t say parking is any better or worse. There’s a limited amount of stalls since several are reserved for other businesses and getting into and out of the parking lot is tough with the amount of traffic traversing Nimitz.

Once inside, the decor hints to an upscaled experience (more on that later). The ever popular bakery and baked goods dominate the entryway as it should. Also in this area is the recently added Coke Freestyle machine where you can choose from over 100 flavors (orange Coke is nothing special by the way).

liliha-bakery2

Now about that upscaled experience. While the decor, lighting, and dress code of the wait staff all point to finer dining, the actual menu is still the original. Your local favorites, are there but that’s the problem. The old menu selection doesn’t match the perceived modern ambience. I ordered eggs and portuguese sausage and yep, that’s what I got.

liliha-bakery14

The saving grace is those butter rolls lavishly buttered with none other than butter. Slather on that atomic pink jelly and dig in. Just don’t mind your fingers drenched in butter afterwards.

liliha-bakery12

So the food is okay, but the bakery is at a whole different level. When fully stocked, no one can resist. The textures, the colors, the shapes, the variety, the ingredients – they all beckon.

liliha-bakery7

Of course, we left with a small box of goodies to snack on later. Overall, it was a mixed experience. I would definitely go back for the sweet temptations from the bakery, but doubt I would dine in again. But this just in, with their official grand opening, there are additions to the menu like spicy baby back ribs, prime rib, and possibly sautéed shrimp and scallop. Now these dishes befit the overall atmosphere of the new Liliha Bakery. Hopefully there are more tweaks to the menu to balance out the overall dining experience, distinguishing the new location from the old Liliha Bakery.

More pics from the new but old Liliha Bakery.

Signs of Hawaii: Private Property

, , ,

See that little placard on the ground? It’s repeatedly placed every ten feet or so in the Ward area. What’s it say?

signs-private-property

Private property
Permission to use
Revocable
At any time

I’m guessing that line on the ground separates the public sidewalk from the private property. So you can hang out behind the line (and sign), but you can be revoked at any time while on the other side.

More Starbucks Clovers in Hawaii

, , , , ,

Whoa now, what’s this? Starbucks is expanding their locations featuring the Clover brewing system. Originally, this specialty brewer was only available at the new-ish Aina Haina location. But yes, though it’s there, the Clover is “out of commission” awaiting personnel training. So I’ve heard that training is indeed underway with a target date of October 23 as the Clover launch at Aina Haina and Koko Marina.

Say what?! Another east side Starbucks getting a Clover? That doesn’t seem fair. But wait, there’s more. How about Clovers in Kaneohe and in town? We’re talking Windward City and the Airport Trade Center locations.

Check out the official Starbucks map (as of October 15, 2014).

Clovers as of 10/15/14

«‹ 98 99 100 101›»