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The End Is Near!

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The signs of the apocalypse are mounting. This past week, the stalwart escalators of Ala Moana, the “flat” ones near Macys, actually broke down. These were seemingly the most reliable set of escalators in the entire mall. I’ve even seen the newer ones near Nordstrom being repaired, but those flat ones just kept on running.

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Another sign is the disapperance of the Hoy Hoy Trap a Roach. These popular and effective roach traps are not available in stores as the roaches reign in this hot and humid weather.

The end is near!!

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The Curb Now in Kailua

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Wow, the shakeup of small businesses in Kailua just doesn’t stop. Sadly, Island Yogurt is leaving the Windward neighborhood, but Bee & Tea from Chicago opened their first Hawaii store on the same Hekili Street. Also opening on Hekili is The Curb that’s “keeping it fresh, hot, and cool with intentional coffee.”

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Now I don’t quite understand their tagline, but hey, I’ll try some coffe with intention. The Kailua location just opened on Wednesday, so they’re still working out some issues on their fourth business day. Umm, yeah, gotta get a trash can inside the store and also an area with napkins would be good. But that wall art is cool, and I do really dig the whale wallpaper.

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Their menu is tight and focused, and I went with a nitro cold brew since I don’t know where else I can find this on the Windward side. I’ve never had the foaminess of a nitro, but it’s interesting. There’s a different feel to this drink and subtle flavor changes to this cold brew. I’m not sure if this drink is for me though.

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Next time, I’ll go for an espresso drink and fill my Belly.

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Bee & Tea Beckons the Age of Milk Tea in Kailua

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So the Age of Froyo is done after a seven-year war. Following froyo is the Age of Milk Tea. Already popular in town, Kailua joins this era with the introduction of Bee & Tea. I won’t go into the store’s background and menu since you can read great coverage here and here.

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Only open one week, the store was buzzing with patrons inhaling their boba-filled drinks.

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Yeah, I’m no fan of boba or milk tea drinks, preferring my coffee, so I opted for a lemonade instead. But hey, that lemonade with lychee and mango was worth it! Refreshing with the sour bite offset by the sweet lychee and mango jelly. The jellies weren’t mushy either. They were firm, holding their shape, some even in the shape of little stars. Heck, as I neared the bottom of my drink, I got a spoon out to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

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The Bee & Tea menu is kinda overwhelming with drinks alone. Milk tea, cold brew coffee, shakes, smoothies – there’s a lot to look through. Personally, I think they should forgo the coffee offerings since there are so many other coffee options in the area, even a few doors down with the opening of The Curb. There’s also bao served, and really, I don’t get it. I guess the bao is a complementary food item that is the savory to the drinks’ sweetness? I just don’t envision the crowds coming to Bee & Tea for bao. But then again, I’m terrible at predicting food wants.

I do have to go back and try one of the signature milk teas, but until then, here are some pictures of Bee & Tea Kailua.

You can also follow Bee & Tea Kailua on Instagram @beeandteakailua and Facebook.

Island Yogurt Kailua Closing

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Went for some froyo today at Island Yogurt in Kailua only to see this sign.

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While we don’t froyo often, Island Yogurt was our go to spot with a variety of flavors and convenient parking. They’ve been there for several years (well as Orange Tree originally) but the rent just got too high.

When the Froyo Wars started in 2009, I wondered who would make it and who wouldn’t. From the list of contenders, I honestly don’t know who’s left standing, but Yogurt Mama is still holding it down in Kailua.

The Age of Froyo is essentially done superceded by the Age of Milk Tea and the continued climb of coffee…

Build Your Body at Volcanic Rock Gym

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No, I’m no rock climber and didn’t know abou the Volcanic Rock Gym near Punahou and in Kailua. The smaller Kailua location is all about climbing. Featuring walls of varying heights and angles, this smallish space is maximized with challenges, and the climbers there are maxed out themselves. Every regular that came by was fit and well muscled – backs, legs, arms, you name it. So obviously if you want to build up your body, climbing at Volcanic Rock Gym is what you need to do.

The Grand Opening of Shirokiya Village Walk Is a Madhouse

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Both you and I know that today’s grand opening of the Shirokiya Japan Village Walk would be well received by the Hawaii public.


But did you think it’s so well received that the line to enter snakes around the corner to Old Navy?


To put this in perspective, Old Navy is from the old school Ala Moana, essentially marking the Sears end of the mall. Then the new Ewa wing extended from there. So this line queues pass Pressed Juicery, the downstairs Bloomingdales’ entrances, and the upcoming Famous Footwear. Long enough where I wouldn’t wait, but devout Pulpconnection and Shirokiya fans would. 🙂

9:45 update: Before the 10:00 opening, the line now extends to Makai Market. Makai Market!! Thanks to Kakaako Connection for the updates.

10:14 update: Getting close…
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Shirokiya Opens on the Morrow

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shirokiya-village-walk-2After much anticipation, the new Shirokiya opens tomorrow, Saturday, June 25, 2016. It’s going to be a madhouse, and I’m going to stay away for a long time. Sure, it’s not the Shirokiya of old where you could find an assortment of all things from Japanese culture. Instead, food and experience takes the forefront at the Shirokiya Japan Village Walk.

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This new location is downstaris of Bloomingdales in the Ewa Wing, and when I went to check out the new spot, many disappointed shoppers walked by thinking the Village Walk was already open.

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It’ll be like old times, walking into the store with iconic logo.

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Ala Moana Mauka Wing Must Be Hurting

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With the migration of Nordstrom to Ala Moana’s Ewa Wing, the Mauka Wing has lost its main draw and businesses there must be hurting. Throughout the mall, there are signs telling shoppers there’s still life in the Mauka Wing.

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More than 25 stores in the Mauka Wing

No Go for These #RossFinds

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Had to say no to both of these shoes found at Ross aka #rossfinds. While each had its merits, they didn’t win me over in the end.

LeBron 11 Low

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I’ve been looking for shoes featuring the full length Air Max 360 for a long time. Finally, I came across these LeBron 11 Lows in the lava colorway in my size. While I could have definitely rocked the lava colors, King James and me don’t share the same foot shape. Even with the solid Air Max foundation underfoot, the arch support wasn’t enough. I could feel the inner, medial sides of the shoe flexing with the smallest of steps. I was targeting the 11 Lows as a lifestyle shoe, but if they can’t provide the support while walking around, what’s the point? Sadly, I put these and their paint-speckled Air Max bubble back on the shelf.

 

Jordan Flight Time 14.5

jordan-fight-timeFor the longest time, I never knew what these Jordan-branded kicks were. For the record, they are the Jordan Flight Time 14.5.  I always thought the 14.5 looked distinctive for a Team Jordan shoe. Each colorway works, especially these Chicago Bulls-inspired red, black, and white version.

The look is clean. The padded collar is a nice touch, and the fit was great for my feet. Although narrow mid-foot, these provided better arch support than the LeBron 11 Low. There’s decent tech in the shoe and best of all, they’re only $40. But look at them. They’re made to see court action, and that’s no longer me. I held on to these for some time before also putting them back on the shelf.

Instead, I’m actually looking forward to the upcoming Adidas Crazylight Boost 2016. Even at full price, this shoe looks uniquely different from other shoes on the market and features full length Boost. But I won’t find these at Ross for some time if ever.

 

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