Target Kailua Almost
The newest Target in Kailua is set to open this week, and here are a few more pictures before the opening.
hawaii
Guess What Starbucks Drink This Is
Can you guess what unofficial Starbucks drink is being crafted in this scene?
Here are some hints. You see the cup oversized for the contained espresso shots? See all that ice? The deliberation at the condiment bar is already captured in the picture. All that’s left is to add the (free) dairy for the one and only ghetto latte!
Oh and for the demanding oat-y types, the popular Hawaii oat cake is back.
Yup, looks the same as before. While I have heard they are tasty, I just can’t bring myself to buy one.
A Shoutout from Gregg Hammer
What a way to start Thursday morning! I had just pulled out of my driveway for my morning commute with the radio tuned to KRTR 96.3. Aunty Mildred Kaneakala was kicking off the morning’s Story Time when I heard my name on air. Wait, what was that? Did I hear Gregg Hammer as Aunty just give a shout out to his/her favorite blogger?!? Why yes I did (see the Instagram comments)!
Sadly, I wasn’t ready to record the audio or fast enough to get the delayed playback on the Tunein app. So no recording, just memories of this special good morning! Thanks Gregg and keep everyone laughing in the mornings.
MyFab5 Hawaii’s 25 Most Instagrammed Restaurants of 2014
MyFab5 collated Instagram pics and put together this list of Hawaii’s 25 most Instagrammed restaurants of 2014. Some of these make sense and some are surprising (to me) like Duke’s Waikiki for coming in at number 1. I guess lots of tourists making their mainland friends jealous? Breakfast is a popular Instagramming time with about 11 of the 25 pics. Only four pictures of “desserts” from Duke’s, Mama’s Fish House, Bubbies, and Leonard’s. The only pizza on the list is a yummy, hearty shot from Buca di Beppo, courtesy of @abaggy.
Looks ono for sure! And if you want more onoliciousness, check out the rest of @abaggy’s foodie-focused Instagram feed.
Yelped Bob’s Bar-B-Que, Toyota Windward, and Mexico Restaurant
Not like I’m headed towards Yelp Elite-ness or anything, but I was in the mood to review some of my recent visits. So I Yelped about:
- Bob’s Bar-B-Que. 4 stars.
- Servco Toyota Windward. 5 stars.
- Mexico Restaurant. 3 stars.
Now if a current Yelp Elite member decides to nominate me for elite status, I would not decline. 😉
HD Radio in Hawaii
So I just learned that HD radio is indeed available in Hawaii and has been in the islands since 2007. Without HD radio compatible gear, it never mattered to me. But now that I can tune into HD broadcasts, I was looking for tunes in HD. Sadly, there’s not much. Can you tell what music genre is popular?
- 92.3 KSSK. Adult Contemporary Music
- 93.9 KHJZ. Rhythmic Adult Contemporary
- 97.1 KORL. Japanese – J-Pop Music
- 98.5 KDDN. Island Rhythm 98.5. Island Music
- 100.3 KCCN. FM 100: Island Music & Reggae
- 101.5 KORL. K-Rock: Hawaii’s Real Rock
- 101.9 KUCD. Star 101.9. Hawaii’s New Music Alternative (not working for me)
- 105.1 KINE. Contemporary Hawaiian Music
- 107.5 KORL. Hawaii’s K-Pop on FM (Korean)
There’s always Pandora and iTunes Radio…
Seize the Weekend
How was your long weekend? Was it eventful with Valentine’s Day, strong gusty weather, Chinese New Year celebrations, the SNL 40th anniversary, oh, and the NBA All Star weekend? I hope you managed to get out there and seize the days of the extended weekend.
Valentine’s Day started off ugly as wind and rained marred the morning. As the day progressed, the sun started to peek out as we went car shopping. The night was topped off with a nice family cookout.
On Sunday, the sun was out and so were the people. The Makapuu lighthouse trail was absolutely packed as we drove by. Instead of hiking, we went exploring the tide pool areas of Sandy Beach. The kids managed to catch some fish then went swimming. A trip to Ross yielded some cool wall clocks.
Dinner that night was at Mexico Restaurant. Highly recommended, it was crowded at an early hour – a good sign! Sadly, I was unimpressed as my Mexico Burrito arrived cold.
President’s Day was a catchall kind of day. Running errands, we ended up in town. Unfortunately, Hawaiian Pie Company was closed, but next-door Saveco was open. Saw some interesting goods like Sony AV receivers, but I didn’t pull the trigger.
Lunch was at the old time Bob’s. My loco moco was okay, but the hamburger patties were pre-made.
A visit to Marukai always brings me surprises. You never know what you’re going to find there like this Stainless Steel soap and Tony the Tiger appearing with Hello Kitty.
All in all, a simple but fun-filled weekend. 🙂
High Wind Damage
The wind’s been whipping through Hawaii this Valentine’s weekend causing all kinds of damage. Check out the Windward side.
Fence down.
More missing fence sections around the corner.
Lots of broken branches.
Blown out vinyl planks.
Trees downed on the Pali.
This is actually renovation being done at an McD. Not related to the winds as I initially thought.
How’s the damage in your neighborhood?
Anyone Awake from the Wind
Who else work up very early on Valentine’s Day due to the blustery winds hitting Oahu? I’m afraid to go outside to see the aftermath of this onslaught.
Advertising Fresh Off the Boat
As an Asian, I gotta give props to promoting the new television show, Fresh Off the Boat. Although I don’t think this form of advertising is permitted in Hawaii. Perchance a FOB is unaware and is responsible for this?
Target Kailua Coming Soon
The sign is officially up – COMING SOON. And “Coming Soon” for the Target location in Kailua actually means two months with the opening set for March 8, 2015. It’s been a long time in the making with first rumblings of Target taking over the Don Quijote location back in 2009. Over this six-year journey, the pace has picked up greatly over the recent months to include neighboring road work to repave and re-stripe the lines and install a new traffic light. Only three months ago did the official Target signage go up.
While the exterior looks complete, the interior is still bare. The shelving is being installed, but there’s no inventory on the floor yet. Workers are busily getting the store ready and yes, there is police officer stationed there all the time.
Some highlights of this Windward location. The roadway entry is nicely decorated. There are touches of Hawaii to go along with the iconic red Target logo.
Speaking of that red Target logo…
The store itself is immense. You don’t realize how much real estate this location takes up until you walk from the Safeway side to the Post Office.
Accordingly, the parking lot(s) are huge as well. There are plentiful spaces on both sides of the main road entryway, and there are even more stalls on the Safeway side (maybe reserved for employees?). The paved grave material looks rough and rocky though.
No explanation needed for what this logo means. Looking in the window, the cafe area appears huge with space for lots of tables.
Living walls are only now beginning to take root.
Yes, there are two stalls for electric vehicles (sorry, there’s a coffee cup on top of the charger, but not mine).
The most significant change in my opinion? Connecting the Safeway parking lot. Yes, soon enough you can drive to the adjoining lots.
Just don’t mind the wild, free range chickens that’ll eventually roam the Target parking lots.
I can’t wait to check out the store in operation in March. Until then, here are a few more pictures of Target in late January.
Update: the Star Advertiser is reporting a March 4, 2015 opening date.
Car Fire on Lehua
Did you hear about the car fire this morning on Lehua in the Pearl City area? Thanks to his dedication to work, @locke02000 was already in the area when the car went up in flames and the fire crew arrives on scene.
As far as I know, there’s no connection with this car fire and the discrepant story of pro golfer, Robert Allenby.