Chicken Crossing the Road
For whatever reason, I find this video of a chicken running across the road of the Target Kailua parking lot very entertaining.
Maybe she was amped up from that Starbucks coffee.
hawaii
Macy’s Kailua Closing
Nothing lasts forever, but Macy’s in Kailua made a good run at it. In the heart of Kailua downtown for as long as I can remember, this smallish Macy’s was always an excellent backup. Sure, they didn’t have everything like the Ala Moana location, but this store had enough. Oh and finding that particular size was usually successful at Kailua. But soon, very soon this historic Kailua location will be closed.
Here are a few shots as of January 22, 2016. Items are on sale but not really. Mostly everything is 25% off but the prices are full retail to begin with so the discounts aren’t that great. Maybe later, the cuts will be more, but with other Macy’s locations that can be transferred to, I doubt unreal deals are to be found.
Barnes and Noble Over Christmas
Forgot to post these pictures from Barnes and Noble that I took over the Chirstmas holidays. I had forgotten what it felt like to walk around a bookstore.
I gotta admit that even with the resources of the Internet, this magazine has an excellent collection of all things WordPress.
Coloring books for adults is trendy right now. Check out the (growing) collection available.
Even Candy Crush has a themed coloring book.
Now where was this all this time? A comic book that you can color in.
But Barnes and Noble has more than books. Their toy section has interesting items like these Pop characters. My favorite from Big Hero 6 is Fred in his old school Japanese bad guy costume.
The Predator in Pop form is still freaky looking.
I gotta make sure to visit more often. All kinds of interesting goodies to see!
Not James Daniel III
This is not James Daniel III of the Howard Bison and the NCAA men’s basketball leading scorer. He dropped 29 points on the Warriors on Saturday night in a UH victory.
It looked like the Bison were staying at the Ala Moana Hotel as I saw logoed shirts on hotel guests and what appeared to be Bison players checking out.
When Else Do You Barack and Chill?
Other than being stuck in traffic as the First Family’s motorcade makes its way to an Air Force One departure, when are the other times you Barack and chill? It’s got to be all those times Hawaii residents experience power outages, inexplicably when POTUS is in the islands. This started back in December 2008 when Mr. Obama’s visit coincided with a 12-hour, island-wide outage, and yes, we used candles from Pay ‘n Save.
In 2010, the power outage precipitated POTUS’ arrival as Ala Moana went dark leading up to Christmas. This untimely exit of electricity brought on the first sentiments of Barack and Chill with this sign offering irate shoppers apologetic “Mahalo’z.”
According to my blog posts, I did not record a power outage for the next five years although I don’t believe it. In any case, the next Barack and chill moment came in 2015 as stormy weather blacked out Hawaii.
Then almost one year later as we left 2015 and entered 2016, there was Hawaii’s (or at least Kailua’s) Barack and chill moment. With gusty winds clearing the skies, total darkness unveiled our starry skies.
During this most recent outage, as I pondered the Pulpconnection conspiracy theories about the timing of these outages, I sat back, realized, and defined “Barack and chill.” Perhaps, these nighttime outages could have led to Netflix and chill opportunities, especially if you queue up Barack Obama’s “Night” summer playlist on Spotify. But for me, this Barack and chill moment meant doing dishes by flashlight.
Minamoto Kitchoan Fukubukuro Unveiled
What’s in that $50 Fukubukuro bag from Minamoto Kitchoan?
I don’t shop there very often, but it looks like a haul of goodies was inside. Thanks to Jason for the pics and enduring Fukubukuro.
Folli Follie Fukubukuro
A $200-price range Fukubukuro pack from Folli Follie ends up being this blinged out watch.
Estimated retail cost is roughly $400+.
Fukubukuro at Ala Moana
…is packed! I guess partying until the new year doesn’t stop avid shoppers looking for a bargain.
An anonymous pulpy texter sent me this image of the Fukubukuro crowds at Ala Moana. Not sure what store they’re waiting for, Lupicia for tea deals?
Here’s a partial pic of the Fukubukuro participating stores.
Here’s the full list.
Obama Holiday Stay Means Another Power Outage
It’s been some years, but whenever POTUS visits Hawaii during the holidays, there’s a very good chance that a power outage will ensue. That tradition continues tonight on the eve and first day of 2016 with power going out around 11pm and coming back around 5am.
Lots of stars out on a clear night (see the little white specks).
The moon was shining bright as well.
The Next Chapter of CPK
While the holiday season is a time filled with fun and joy, it can also get hectic and overwhelmingly busy. Now that Christmas is over, there are no more parties to attend and no more fancy meals to prepare… for a few days at least. During this downtime, might I suggest dining at a nearby CPK and let them do the cooking from their “Next Chapter” menu.
For us Hawaii residents, the Next Chapter offerings also include a few Oahu-only dishes. That would be the Crispy Ahi Tuna Egg Rolls, the Wild Caught Sesame Seared Ahi, and the Poke Chop Chop Salad. Thanks to the generosity of karsha chang public relations, I sampled a few of the Hawaii-only ahi dishes along with other Next Chapter items. Here’s how our meal looked.
We started with the Crispy Ahi Tuna Egg Rolls which was an awesome start. The healthy portion of avocado brings a balance to these rolls. Paired with ginger and Srirachi dipping sauces, these appetizers are hearty.
Then the flat breads came. We couldn’t decide between Smoked Ham + Swiss and the Brussels + Bacon, so we got one of each. Good choice! The Ham and Swiss is named accordingly, tasting just like ham and swiss. The Brussels and Bacon is a good change and with bacon, you can’t go wrong.
For the salad course, I went with the Poke Chop Chop Salad and we also ordered a Harvest Kale. The Poke Chop Chop is a Hawaii exclusive, and it’s an interesting combination. I think this salad could be turned up a bit more for the local palate. Kimchi pears could have more zing, and while the consistency of the ahi is nice, I would prefer a shoyu poke to add a tinge of saltiness.
Where there’s salad, there’s soup, so we sampled a small Baked Potato soup. Aptly named as it felt like I slurped down a molten baked potato with fixings.
Of course, we went to CPK to order pizza, and we went for the obvious, ordering the seasonal Sunny Side Up Bacon + Potato pizza. Yes, there are two sunny side eggs topping the pizza along with bacon and potato. I don’t know what sunny side eggs has to do with the season, but let me tell you, it works. At first the eggs seemed a little odd, but then the flavors combine and your slice is gone, reaching for another. The eggs aren’t the only highlights with the potatoes adding subtle texture and taste.
By now, we were fully satiated, but we had to try the new S’mores dessert. To be honest, this dessert needs some work or at least, more practice with preparation. Our marshmallow topping was a little torched and didn’t look like the sample pictured in the menu. And it’s a mix of hot and cold with the warm top layer over the cold pudding. The taste is okay, but for me, the dessert is not a must-have.
Now we were done. Really. Really, really done, and with leftovers to spare. Thanks to Frank and Nanette of CPK Ala Moana for their hospitality and again, special thanks to karsha chang public relations for this dining opportunity. For more information about the CPK Next Chapter menu along with Hawaii exclusives, here’s the press release.
CPK Goes Island Style
From California to the global scene, CPK has a refreshed look and an updated menu as it enters a New Chapter. CPK’s New Chapter menu highlights local flavors, and for Hawaii, our selections include the revamped menu along with these Ahi dishes:
- Crispy Ahi Tuna Egg Rolls. Wild-caught Ahi tuna, avocado, nori and shaved cabbage hand-rolled in a crispy wonton with our house-made tamari ginger dipping sauce.
- Wild Caught Sesame Seared Ahi. Sesame-crusted Ahi tuna steak with seared baby bok choy, over a stir-fry of roasted farro, Shiitake mushrooms and red chili.
- Poke Chop Chop Salad. Marinated fresh Ahi tuna served over baby bok choy greens, spicy Kimchi pears, fresh arugula, cucumber and cilantro, tossed in our house-made black sesame vinaigrette.
These Ahi specials are only served in the five Oahu, Hawaii locations. No where else. How’s that for a new island style chapter for CPK?
While I’m a fan of CPK’s pizzas, I do love their different salads, and the Poke Chop Chop Salad is no exception. While I haven’t had a chance to sample the New Chapter yet, I’m already thinking about Kimchi pears paired with poke – all in a salad!
Here is the CPK New Chapter press release.
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN’S ‘NEXT CHAPTER’ MENU ARRIVES
ON OAHU
Ala Moana, Kahala, Kailua, Pearlridge and Waikiki CPKs Feature
New Next Chapter Menu, Along With Several Dishes Found Only in Hawaii
HONOLULU – California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), the authority in creative dining with a California vibe, announced the arrival of its new “Next Chapter” menu to its Oahu locations. With a focus on high quality, fresh and seasonal ingredients, inventive main plates, hand-crafted cocktails and locally brewed beers alongside classic CPK favorites, the new and expanded menu is part of CPK’s transformational “Next Chapter” initiative, currently rolling out to CPK locations nationwide. Additionally, CPK’s Oahu restaurants will be the only venues throughout CPK’s global system to offer several new, exclusive Ahi dishes.
“We are upping our game with this transformation, which we call the Next Chapter,” said
G. J. Hart, CEO of California Pizza Kitchen. “We’ve taken the best of our history and soul, and innovated to make it current for today’s sophisticated guest. The new menu and experience create a space to relax and unwind in a welcoming neighborhood environment.”
CPK Hawaii Regional Partner Eddie Spencer added, “Our new menu offers fresh, seasonal dishes that take inspiration from local and global flavors. We’re excited to welcome in our loyal guests and newcomers to experience what’s new at CPK, including our amazing new Ahi dishes you can only find at CPK’s Oahu locations.”
CPK No Ka Oi: Exclusive Hawaii-Only Ahi Delights
Celebrating the island’s fresh seafood, these five CPKs will be the only restaurants within CPK’s family of nearly 300 restaurants to feature several exclusive Ahi dishes. These include:
· Crispy Ahi Tuna Egg Rolls: Wild-caught Ahi tuna, avocado, nori and shaved cabbage hand-rolled in a crispy wonton with our house-made tamari ginger dipping sauce
· Wild Caught Sesame Seared Ahi: Sesame-crusted Ahi tuna steak with seared baby bok choy, over a stir-fry of roasted farro, Shiitake mushrooms and red chili
· Poke Chop Chop Salad: Marinated fresh Ahi tuna served over baby bok choy greens, spicy Kimchi pears, fresh arugula, cucumber and cilantro, tossed in our house-made black sesame vinaigrette.
Fresh and Inspired Flavors, from Small Plates to Mains
Alongside classics like the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, highlights of CPK’s new menu include a Fire-Grilled Ribeye cooked with house-made pinot noir sea salt, topped with creamy bleu cheese butter and served with roasted fingerling potatoes and lemon-garlic wild arugula salad. Another new favorite is the Hearth-Roasted Halibut, wild caught from Alaska and roasted on a cedar plank with butternut squash farro, grilled asparagus and baby kale.
Seasonal offerings for fall include the Brussels + Bacon Flatbread, with Nueske’s Applewood-smoked bacon, sweet caramelized onions and creamy goat cheese; the Harvest Kale Salad, with tender baby kale, fresh Bosc pears, roasted butternut squash, spiced pecans, goat cheese and cranberries; and the Sunny Side Up Bacon + Potato Pizza, with Nueske’s Applewood-smoked bacon, caramelized leeks, parmesan and mozzarella cheeses and two fresh sunny-side up eggs, atop CPK’s hand-stretched pizza dough. For the complete menu, visit www.cpk.com/reimagined.
Craft Cocktails, Premium Wines and Local Brews
CPK’s new hand-crafted cocktails feature premium alcohols with fresh fruit purees and herbs, like the California Roots, made with fresh avocado, shaken smooth with Svedka vodka, mint and lime, with a fennel salt rim; and the Blueberry Ginger Smash, with fresh muddled blueberries, lime and cranberry with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Domaine de Canton Ginger. CPK’s Oahu locations also feature Kona-brewed Longboard Lager from Kona Brewing company, and the new wine list includes California premium wines like Buena Vista, Mark West, Sonoma-Cutrer and CPK’s custom blend by KOZ.
Modern, Rustic Design with a Focus on Sustainable Materials
In addition to the new menu, the Kahala restaurant sports CPK’s Next Chapter design, guided by the use of sustainable materials. The warm, rustic décor features reclaimed wood, stone countertops, fabrics and décor made from recycled materials, and artwork that celebrates both California and Honolulu lifestyles.
Satisfaction Guaranteed
The New CPK menu encourages diners to seek unique and seasonal flavor combinations with a Menu Adventure Guarantee: if a guest tries a new dish and is not satisfied, it will be replaced with his or her favorite item from the CPK menu. For those with specific dietary needs, CPK also has options that are under 650 calories, vegetarian or gluten-free. We also provide allergen information to those with food sensitivities.
CPKids Parties
CPK offers a special program that allows kids to play chef and make their own pizza from the freshest ingredients, getting creative and learning about food along the way. Perfect for birthday parties, CPKids parties include a VIP-style behind-the-counter restaurant tour, a meal and dessert from the award-winning CPKids menu, souvenirs and a certificate for a free CPKids Meal for each child’s next visit.
Follow CPK on Twitter at @calpizzakitchen (#NEWCPK), Instagram at @californiapizzakitchen and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/
californiapizzakitchen. Download CPK’s Pizza Dough® Rewards app for iTunes and Android and check in to begin earning rewards for dining creatively. About California Pizza Kitchen
In 1985, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) opened its first restaurant in Beverly Hills and introduced diners to innovative California-style pizza. Since then, CPK has launched what has become a global brand known for creative California cuisine. Today, CPK is approaching 300 restaurants in 16 countries and 218 cities around the world and has served over 15 million pizzas to more than 43 million guests. For more information on California Pizza Kitchen, visit cpk.com.
The five Oahu locations are:
- CPK at Ala Moana Shopping Center
- CPK at Kahala Mall
- CPK at Kailua Town Center
- CPK at Pearlridge Center
- CPK at Center of Waikiki
Thanks to Karsha Chang of karsha chang public relations for the info about the New Chapter of CPK, especially the Hawaii-only Ahi creations. You know where I’ll be dining during the holidays!
State of Hawaii Unclaimed Property
Merry Christmas!! I don’t know what this exactly is but look up your name (or someone you know) and see what money could be yours.
Man, what’s Wayne’s World doing with all that cash???