View from the Weekend, Disney Aulani
Just a view from this Memorial Day weekend spent at the Disney Aulani.
Yes, it did rain but not as bad as elsewhere on-island.
hawaii
Even Birds Are Attracted to Starbucks
Coffee and caffeine addiction isn’t just for humans. It seems the brown elixir has an avian attraction as well. So much so that Starbucks needed to take counteractive measures.
First off, the once pure black roof of the Starbucks kiosk at Ala Moana isn’t pure black anymore thanks to the birds.
This is definitely one way to keep the birds away from Starbucks.
Hawaiian Slang: Cheehoo!
Now here’s an interesting one – cheehoo! This exclamation is a fairly recent addition to the Hawaii kine vernacular. It’s not old school pidgin since by no means did Andy Bumatai shout out cheehoo! in All in the Ohana
Notice too that I list cheehoo! with an exclamation point. The one thing with cheehoo! is that you have to say it from deep down. If you’re going to cheehoo!, you have to go for it and commit. Cheehoo! comes from the soul and isn’t for the meek. Watch local deejay, Slick Vic, demonstrate the proper cheehoo! to Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie when the Today Show visited the islands. Jump to 2:13 for the cheehoo! demonstration.
When done properly, a cheehoo! is truly a force. Witness a hearty cheehoo! stop the most powerful man in America. Not only did a cheehoo! interrupt President Barack Obama, it broke his train of thought, needing some time to regain his composure. Cheehoo!
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My Starbucks Ala Moana Strategy
By now you know Ala Moana has two Starbucks locations in operation, the renovated Macy’s location and the new Center Stage kiosk. Did you know you can get (free) refills at these locations?
First, familiarize yourself with Starbucks’ nuanced refill policy for any drink. Supposedly, refills only qualify while you remain in store. Now how do you do that at an outdoor kiosk or in a location that has no inside seating? Technically, as soon as you pickup your drink, you’re headed out of the store in the Ala Moana locations.
On a recent visit, I purchased a venti iced coffee from the (emptier) Macy’s location. I nursed this for several hours whereupon I was near the kiosk. I asked if I could get a refill and got one, free with my Rewards card or $0.54 otherwise.
So my new strategy while shopping at Ala Moana is to get a tall size drink and go for a free coffee refill later in the day. And not to worry, I will not invoke further abuse of the ghetto latte.
Changes to Starbucks at Ala Moana Macy’s
Thanks to @yoda808, we got word of the renovation and initial views of the Starbucks inside of Macy’s Ala Moana. I finally made my first visit to this remodeled location and noticed a few other changes.
The Doors Moved
When this location was carved out of Macy’s, the existing glass entries were retained for lots of foot traffic into Liberty House Macy’s. Unfortunately, the location for these entrances didn’t make sense for Starbucks. There were at least two sets of doors “in the middle” and walking through them put you right in the middle of the long queue to order or face to face with a display stand. On either side, you’d be squished by tables of patrons. Not a good placement. After the renovation, this is no longer the case with these doors removed. Now there’s the one set of doors near the Macy’s connection point and the original set leading to the outdoor seating area.
Clark Little Photography
Like the Waikiki Park Shore Hotel location, this Starbucks also features a mural from Clark Little Photography. Very nice but too bad it’s on a wall that’s hard to see.
Socks from Paradise Soccer Club
I saw the letters “PSC” on a retail storefront in Kailua and wondered what that store is. PSC stands for Paradise Soccer Club, and if you’re a soccer fiend, this place is for you. PSC just doesn’t feature soccer gear and equipment but promotes a lifestyle influenced by soccer with a modern trend. It’s a cool spot.
I know kicks but not soccer kicks, and these Nike Mercurials look serious.
The Mercurials not your thing? I’m sure you can find something from their wall of shoes (custom made display too).
Need a break to think about your PSC purchase? Play some foosball or check out their soccer-themed LEGO sets behind the counter.
If nothing else, pickup a pair of quality Stance socks, especially the Aloha Hawaii line. Where else are you going to find a camo pattern comprised of shakas?
Kailua Safeway Progress
One scant week ago, I noticed the main Safeway in Kailua was getting remodeled. A few days later, there’s been some progress but more prep work done. Older shelving is being cleared for removal and some newer shelving are starting to show up.
More of the new flooring is installed.
There are more temporary, popup displays.
There’s odd placement of stuff like the poke bar and greeting cards.
Greeting cards, cheese puffs, and the bakery goods.
And candy themed after The Hunger Games: Catching Fire?!?
LEGO Simpsons in Hawaii
A little late reporting this, but the LEGO minifigure set featuring the Simpsons released May 1. I had no doubt the LEGO store in Ala Moana would have the new minifigs, but I was surprised to see this at Walmart. Only one box but still surprising.
Kailua Safeway Gettin’ Lifestyled
Finally. With the impending arrival of neighboring Target, the main Safeway location in Kailua is getting a much needed facelift. I’m not sure if it’s getting the whole “lifestyle” treatment as I describe the Kaneohe and Hawaii Kai renovations from years back or just cosmetic changes.
From the looks of the amount of incoming hardware, the changes seem significant.
Sample of new hardware.
Floor stripped to concrete.
Old and new flooring.
New flooring closeup.
For posterity sakes, remember the old.
I gotta check back in a week to see how much has progressed.
Kim Kardashian and Kim Jong Il
Two voice Tuesday on Hammertime brought a mashup of Kim “Mrs. Yeezy” Kardashian and Korea’s own Kim Jong Il. Sorry, I cannot translate and don’t mind the non-sequitur image. SoundCloud’s integration with Instagram isn’t working for all my images.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/148475782″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Signs of Hawaii: This Is Not a Trash Can
Kinda looks like one to me but after reading the sign, I understand that this is not a trash can. But it really does look like one. Similar color as a trash can. Similar kind of opening as a trash can. I guess that amnesty bin sign on the bottom wasn’t explanatory enough (it isn’t).
Oh, I get it now!! The opening does not say “Mahalo.” That’s the difference! If it did, then of course, this would be a trash can.
While we’re at it, that yellow thing on the left side ain’t a cigarette butt receptacle or a cautionary slippery-when-wet pylon. I think you recycle your used straws from drinks in it. Discard that skinny straw into those skinny openings at the top, right? Just don’t throw your used cup into that trash-can looking thing.
The Return of Two Voice Tuesday?
Mea culpa if this is old news, but when did Hammertime on KRTR 96.3 revive the famous Two Voice Tuesday? Have I somehow been missing out all this time listening to Gregg Hammer combine two vocal caricatures? Here are a few clips from today’s zaniness.
All-Asian Wayne Anzaki mixed with Austrian-American Arnold Schwarzenegger.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/147187280″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Perhaps a little controversial, but he was asked and Mr. Hammer produced, mixing Helen Keller and Bubba Smith. Don’t mind the Harley revving its engine in the background
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/147187514″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Say what? I can’t understand what “Oprah Chai” is saying. Maybe Oprah Winfrey and local chef Chai Chaowasaree can translate.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/147187625″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
And what’s with my SoundCloud images for these audio clips? Just playing around with SoundCloud’s integration with Instagram and using some of my recent shots.