My Favorite Shot from Jenny and Chuck’s Wedding
Of all my photos taken from Jenny and Chuck’s wedding, this is my favorite of father and daughter walking down the aisle of the Ko`olau Range.
Remember the event and #meetthehalvorsons via Storify.
hawaii
My Yelp Review Criteria for Shave Ice
I’m simplifying my Yelp review criteria for shave ice places. I’m rating them based on two main questions:
- Would I go/eat there again?
- Is the shave ice too hard or too much to eat?
Really simple right? Sure flavor and consistency of the ice counts, but that factors into point #1. Then again, so does parking, seating, and cost.
For point #2, I view shave ice as a treat, not a heavy meal. So if it’s so dense, so huge, or so overwhelming, I’m rating it down.
Because I settled on these two points, I changed my recent Yelp review for Aloha Crepes & Snow Flakes, going down a notch from 4 to 3 stars. Don’t get me wrong, Aloha Crepes & Snow Flakes is a solid choice. But I doubt I’ll go back on my own choice. I’m more of a traditional shave ice fan, not the snow ice type.
The #4 mango and passion fruit combo we got was so large, three of us easily split it. I can’t imagine eating all of it myself, so that’s a negative for reason #2.
Sorry, Aloha Crepes & Snow Flakes, but I gotta set and stick with my rules.
Wait, Mocha Java Cafe Is Still at Windward Mall?
Wait, what? Last I knew it, Mocha Java Cafe in Windward Mall was done for. It’s space was vacated as the new Starbucks location opened up across the way.
But while checking out the future space of the Hokulani Bake Shop, I noticed this sign. The logo looked familiar but the name, MJ Cafe, just sounded so different. Then it finally dawned upon me that MJ wasn’t someone’s name, it stood for Mocha Java. MJ Cafe moved a few doors down, closer to Sports Authority in a much larger space, and they’ve been there for sometime.
So that brings up the obvious question – why didn’t they keep the recognized name of Mocha Java Cafe? Was there a business falling out or an independent branching out. Whatever the case may be, I mistakenly thought Mocha Java Cafe had vacated Windward Mall. I was wrong.
Pure Deliciousness Coming to Windward Mall
So Fun Factory is coming to Windward Mall and right down the way, Hokulani Bake Shop is setting up shop. Remember the corner spot of Gloria Jeans née Scrambled née Mocha Java Cafe?
Yup, it’s getting remade into a spot of pure deliciousness in a scant few weeks. Come beginning of November, the Windward side can enjoy plenty of cupcakes from this longtime local favorite. Just in time for the holidays!
Soon More Fun at Windward Mall
Windward Mall is maximizing its family friendly strategy by continuing to add stores aimed at kids. Joining the mall’s community will be Fun Factory.
The factory of fun is opening on the floor level next to the kids play area. It’ll be in the space vacated by Koolau Pets.
Ono Grinds from the Weekend
Simple. Just some of the ono grinds I partook over the weekend.
My first visit to a Lawson’s Station. Heck, I didn’t even know there was a location right next to Ala Moana in the Pacific Guardian Tower across from Walgreens and Walmart. A small but interesting place. I had to pick up some food while there. The daily special was a $6 bowl of curry. Not bad, both in price and quantity.
Because both @abaggy and @melissa808 shamed me about not dining at Goma Tei, I had to make another lunch stop there. This time, to avoid the lines, I went early and to the Ward location. This tan tan ramen with ban ban ji chicken was served quickly and flavorfully.
If you ever ask for a partial pitcher of Pepsi and a partial pitcher of fruit punch, be sure to make it clear that you want these partials in different pitchers, not combined in one pitcher. Otherwise, you’ll end up with this reddish brown, sweet concoction that’s actually pretty good.
Now pair this sweet mix-up with a King Arthur’s supreme pizza from Round Table.
Breakfast at YogurStory was an experimental pick. Instead of going with my usual choices, I went with a Smoked Salmon Benedict.
I already posted my picture (and Yelp review) of the Coffee Monster masterpiece from Ice Forest.
Yup, lots of onos this weekend. Gotta hit up You Are Your Own Gym extra hard this week.
Yelped Ice Forest
Over the weekend, I had my first exposure to Ice Forest in Downtown. From what I understand, this place is related to Ice Garden in Aiea and has a similar style.
Read my Yelp review for the details of my visit. But to summarize, I loved the flavors but not the hugeness of the creations. There’s just so much – too much in my opinion. At $7+ for my massive Coffee Monster, I think you have to be more selective of getting yourself an Ice Forest treat. Four stars, but I’d be down with smaller sizes and cheaper costs.
Pier 1 at Ward No More
That didn’t take long. Less than a month after seeing the moving sale signs at Pier 1 at Ward, the location is now closed.
I still haven’t looked into where this Pier 1 store moved to. The ones in Pearl City and Kailua are still there, and the official Pier 1 imports web site only lists these two stores for Hawaii.
Update 11-03-2013: The new Ward location is open down the street.
Bricks & Minifigs in Kailua
LEGO fans have yet another go-to location in Hawaii. Now open on the Aikahi side of Kailua is Bricks & Minifigs. While not affiliated with the official LEGO Store, this chain sells all kinds of new and old LEGO sets. But the more intriging aspect is the chance to sell or trade your unwanted bricks. There are also tables of loose pieces you can rummage through and buy in bulk.
I saw some interesting sets that I had not seen before, and you can pickup some great pieces. The tables of loose pieces is kinda maddening though if you’re an organized LEGO fan. It’s so hard to find pairs or matching stuff. While more fun with the pieces scattered on these tables, I wonder if a sorted system isn’t more effective?
Follow Bricks & Minifigs Kailua on Facebook since they post updates often.
Now That’s a Ride!
Hawaii’s filled with sunshine and its damaging UV rays. What are exposed moped drivers to do to protect themselves? They use some ingenuity and innovation to cover up while driving.
Remembering Dunkin Donuts
First of all, I don’t recall Kailua having a Dunkin’ Donuts, but seemingly there was one that closed in 2005. Anyways, while stuck in traffic on Kamehameha Highway in Pearl City, I remembered that previous Dunkin’ Donuts location.
Hey wait, was the Kailua Dunkin’ Donuts in the Foodland complex shared with Big City Diner?
Peet’s Coffee Kailua Bound
Peet’s Coffee & Tea is coming to Kailua sometime in the near future. It’ll be located in a new development that’s finishing up construction on Hekili Street, next to Boots & Kimos and Zpizza. This will be the first Peet’s in Hawaii that’s outside of Waikiki.
I’m a fan of the changing variety of drinks offered by Peets. While on a staycation at the Waikiki Sheraton, I downed several raspberry mochas. More recently, I enjoyed their Coconut Latte while at SFO before cruising Alaska.
Can’t wait for yet another coffee purveyor in the Kailua community. Down the road would be Coffee Bean and further down is Kalapawai Deli and its espresso bar. On Hahani Street is Starbucks. In between these is Whole Foods and their coffee bar, and across the street is Morning Brew. Yeah, I think this area is well caffeinated.