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Quizzard – It’s Academic

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“Who was America’s first vice president and second president?” asks It’s Academic. Pshaw! “Is that your best?” is what I counter with.

It’s Academic is the latest educational challenge, pitting the smarts of Hawaii high school teams against each other. We’re talking math, science, current events, public schools, private schools. But… back in the late 80’s, there was the grand daddy of the educational challenges, clumsily called Quizzard. There’s scant documented lore about the show’s existence, and rumor has it that more evidence of Quizzard lies trapped in a pile of BetaMax tapes. But yes people, I assure you that Quizzard did indeed exist.

In the dark and dank Puuhale studios with a virile B-Rock posing the questions, teams showcased their best and their brightest (and social outcasts). But there were moments. Like when one under-aged contestant introduced himself on the show with hobbies of “fast cars and fast women.” Was that edited out during the television broadcast? Possibly, but it was said.

There was another contestant, possibly a bowling aficionado, whose attempt to rally the live studio audience was ill-fated. Nonetheless, the audience audibly responded.

Along with the three-person Quizzard team, you cannot overlook the alternates. The alternates are the practice players whose job is to push the starters to the extreme, ready for competition. Without the alternates, there would be no starters. So no matter if alternates didn’t get a chance to buzz in and meet B-Rock, we genuflect at your contribution.

What? You say you never heard of Quizzard? Truthfully, it was a fairly short run with some private school dominating early, taking the Quizzard championships. So while the Quizzard legacy may be academic, it is cherished.

malasada-li-hing

Signs of Hawaii: Leonard’s Bakery

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If you’ve been in the Kapahulu area, you’re very familiar with this sign and the pink boxes that frequently leave this establishment. Of course, we’re talking Leonard’s Bakery and their cannot-resist malasadas.

You don’t have to wait long for your malasada fix since they aren’t made to order – they’re made continuously! And it’s only a rumor that they have Def Leppard’s Pour Some Sugar on Me blaring in the kitchen as the malasadas are being “sugared up.”

Filled, flavored, but must be enjoyed while warm, the malasadas from Leonards are the greatest! Are you drooling? I am. Eating just one is a crime, especially if you’re at the bakery. Custom courtesy is to eat at least two, maybe even three. 🙂

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Executive Chef Kailua Now Open

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Actually, the Kailua location of the Executive Chef has been open since the month of December. Located right on the corner of Kailua Road, they’re a highly visible sight.  In fact, the store appeared to be open in November, but Closed signs indicated otherwise.

Executive Chef, Kailua location

The store’s interior is big, filled with every cooking gadget and tool you can think of.  The store is also deceptively “long,” taking some time to wend through all the aisles.  When I visited, there were so many workers (maybe 10), probably too much at an off-peak hour but reassuring nonetheless, and I did find a punchbowl serving ladle hiding by the checkout registers.

Now for the bad. While the location’s visibility is great, the parking is bad. There are three stalls (one of them reserved for Handicapped parking) near the store entrance, but getting to these limited stalls is tricky and the roadway is a tad tight. Otherwise, the parking is in the back, way in the back, beyond First Hawaiian Bank. In fact, the nearest row of parking is reserved for FHB customers, pushing back general parking even further. Hopefully, this FHB designation is removed to share the lot with upcoming businesses.

Executive Chef should get a boost once the neighboring Whole Foods opens up in 2012. You definitely need the upscale cookware to prepare your upscale groceries! Now I wonder if upscale clothing retailer, Fighting Eel, can get in on this… picture the modern day business mom driving home to Kailua, stopping off to pickup a fabulous outfit at Fighting Eel, then popping into the Executive Chef, and finally shopping at Whole Foods. Can you see it?

remembering-hackfelds

Remembering Hackfelds

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What do you see in this picture? Old timers will recognize the entrance to Hackfelds restaurant in vintage Liberty House Ala Moana.

I don’t remember if I ever ate at Hackfelds as a kid, but I must have at some point. I just remember this location being next to the downstairs bathrooms and a secret side entrance to the store. Since this restaurant is long since closed, there’s only one exit out of Macy’s ground floor.

Did you know the history of “The Liberty House” and the origin of its name “in response to anti-German sentiment” during World War I? The German Hackfeld family opened Hackfeld’s Dry Goods which became Liberty House and eventually Macy’s.

sun-peeking

How’s Your Winter Going?

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So how is your winter going?  The air is cooler here in Hawaii, but when the sun starts peeking out, it’s best to find some shade.

Just be sure not to use the rust-colored beach chairs at Ko Olina Lagoon #1. These belong to the new Disney Aulani resort and are for guest use only. It’s first come, first serve for the usage of the umbrellas, but these chairs are a different issue. And don’t ask the Aulani personnel manning the vacations booth. They know about the various vacation, travel, and lodging packages, but not about the use of the beach chairs. Be cordial to the Aulani worker whose job is to repossess Disney’s beach chairs, and the local boy might be cool enough to leave one for your use as a kamaaina.

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