Pepper’s Place Kailua Now Closed
After 18 years, Pepper’s Place in Kailua is now closed as of September 30, 2014.
hawaii
Stocked Up on VH07V
At the Rice Fest over the weekend, I stocked up on more VH07V gear. Got the navy with neon orange (though the shirt looks black) and a new gray fade design with the shaka.
Oh, and a discount from the VIP mailing list!
ShedRain Umbrellas (and More) at Costco
If you’re looking for a good old umbrella, Costco is carrying the ShedRain brand, specifically the Ultimate Umbrella. This model looks similar to the WindJammer model that was previously recognized in The Wirecuter’s Best Umbrella category. But at around $17, I’m guessing the Ultimate Umbrella is different than the $35 WindJammer. Three colors are available – all black, black with polka dots, and red with polka dots.
What else did I spy at Costco Hawaii Kai edition? Lactaid milk is available, but not at the Waipio location (I checked). More good news, this Lactaid lactose-free milk doesn’t taste like a cow. Can you stock up and freeze milk??
Check out these fun puzzles. Watch the piece count though since there are 100, 500, and 1000-piece puzzles available. The Hawaii-themed ones are pretty cool.
Lastly, for you mayo lovers, this is for you. A whole “vat” of mayo, Just Mayo. I feel so greasy all of a sudden.
Bonus! For big kids, there’s this toy horse just in time for Christmas.
Lanikai Juice Is Now Open Open
In the beginning of September, Lanikai Juice in Kailua underwent renovations. Fortunately, while the store was closed, the location was still open thanks to their mobile juice truck parked out front. The renovations are done and the storefront is now open open (and still crowded).
No “Breastaurant” Planned for Hawaii
Nope, Twin Peaks is not looking to open a location in Hawaii. Although it’s the fastest growing restaurant chain in America, the breastaurant restaurant’s mountain lodge motif simply won’t work here, right? I mean who in Hawaii really gets the mountain lodge vibe and needs the “attentive service sector?” Can’t you get a Dirty Blonde and Knotty Brunette at other local places like Club 939?
Two Voice Tuesday: President Obama and Tweetie Bird
Did you catch Danielle Tucker wondering what a mashup of Tweetie Bird and President Obama would sound like? After her traffic report, Gregg Hammer made it happen.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/169229319″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
I Braved the Arashi Blast
No, I didn’t go to the Arashi Blast in Hawaii concerts this past weekend, but I did brave the second best place, Ala Moana Center. You couldn’t escape Arashi while walking the mall, especially the Shirokiya end. Here’s front and center of Shirokiya.
Across the way at LeSportsac.
By the koi ponds. Many tourists were taking pictures here.
Arashi was multilevel as well.
Wait, another Arashi banner?!? Excuse me as I now had to take a selfie.
Even those kiosks selling magic skirts wanted to capitalize on the Arashi spending, welcoming guests.
I am a little bummed I couldn’t find the glorious Arashi hooded towels at a discounted price. It was so hot at Ala Moana, the protection from the hooded towel would have been welcomed.
A Distinctive Starbucks and One That Could Be
I love the Starbucks in Manoa. It’s distinctive with its old school look matching the community so well.
You know what other location could be iconic for Starbucks? The old Queen Theater in Kaimuki.
Yeah, I understand the dream is for a rebirth of the theater, but in all my years, I remember Queen Theater just as pictured – rundown and bussup. Just taking the corner portion with the sign, can’t you see an upright Starbucks beacon with the siren logo topping it off? How about becoming the first Starbucks Evenings location in Hawaii? Probably the best place with a matching vibe to serve alcohol alongside coffee and espresso and chill out after work.
So many possibilities.
The Arashi Hooded Towel Is Glorious
While cruising the Kailua community on this hot and humid Saturday, I saw it and instantly understood the gloriousness of the Arashi Blast in Hawaii hooded towel. Japanese tourists were walking around Kailua town with the sun blazing and sweat glistening. But a few of them were wearing their Arashi hooded towels. Genius!
The hoods provided protection from the directly overhead sun, and the wearers used the towel portion to wick away that humidity-induced sweat. That right there is the beauty of the Arashi hooded towels, and you too can own this marvel for only $95 on eBay.
Now It All Makes Sense
With all the construction and renovation happening at Ala Moana, there are detours and alternate paths shoppers have to take. On one such path, I came across this, and it all made sense.
Don’t understand what I’m alluding to? Have you been to Ala Moana in recent history? The holiday shopping season of 2012 was pretty bad with four escalators out of commission, so please, no more playing with the escalator circuit breakers.
Arashi Blast: iPhone 6 Buyers
Of the 15,000 tourists coming to see the Arashi Blast in Hawaii concerts, majority are from Japan, but there are fans from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Korea. Interestingly enough, the iPhone 6 has yet to release in China. You think you might see a visitor or two from China waiting in line at an Apple Store before heading out to see Arashi?
Hopefully you don’t see Arashi-like lines at the Apple Store on Friday.
iPhone 6: Lines, Lines, Lines
At lunch on Thursday, the AT&T store in Pearl City had a line forming for Friday’s launch of the iPhone 6. Okay, there was only one person in line but there were about five in line shortly afterwards.
In fact, this forming line drew the attention of the security guards who insisted those in queue were loitering, especially while waiting after business hours. I think the upshot is that the line had to form on public property, not the private property of the mall. Not sure what’ll happen when night falls.
So we’re not talking Arashi Blast lines, but there’s still a line. And AT&T does have cases for the 6 and 6+ in stock.
