Aloha Nights Issue by Ka Leo O Hawai‘i

ALOHA

Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 1

NIGHTS

2 REDBULL THRE3STYLE • EGGS ‘N THINGS 5 DRINKS WE LOVE • AND MUCH MORE

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PARTY

RED BULL THRE3STYLE

JACKIE PERREIRA ALOHA NIGHTS EDITOR

“Kill ‘em all” was the philosophy when defending champion Jay “DJ Compose” Ablan took the stage on Friday, Jan. 25, at Ginza Nightclub for the Red Bull Thre3Style. And kill it he did. His name might be Compose, yet his performance was anything but. “The crowd was losing their minds 95 percent of the way through his entire 15 minutes,” judge Chris “DJ Delve” Kam said. Despite this reception, Compose actually

SMALL WORLD

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DJ COMPOSE BEATS OUT COMPETITION

had no plans to compete in the Thre3Style this year. “Because I’ve been doing so well, I felt like I had a lot to lose, more than to gain [if I competed again]. He expressed if I win, I win. Everyone thought so. If I lose … [people would say] ‘Yo, [Compose] lost,’ you know?” And he had a lot to lose. Each judge is required to rank the performers from ﬁrst to third place, and in the 2012 competition, Compose took the Qualiﬁer round by nabbing the number one ranking from all three judges.

Judge and DJ G.E. “GSpot” Dehnert explained, “Last year, the reason why he was the handsdown winner is because his stage presence was amazing. … I really felt he stepped out, and he worked [the stage presence] category. He really came out, and his persona helped him claim the title.” HITTING THE NATIONAL STAGE Competitors were given 15 minutes to perform their set, wherein they had to demonstrate three genres of music. They were judged based

on their track selection, creativity, mixing skills, stage presence and crowd reaction. Compose went up against DJ Kowai Kowai, DJ Mike D, DJ Packo and DJ Sssolution. “Red Bull handpicked each [competitor] for different reasons, and I think they did a pretty good job. [It’s difficult] to find five people who would stick their neck out … It’s not easy … I respect them very much,” Compose said. The Red Bull Thre3Style starts off with battles in 26 states to determine Qualifiers, the DJs who advance onto the Region-

FUN FACT: DJ Compose graduated from UH Manoa with a BA in Marketing. EVEN FUNNER FACT: Red Bull Thre3Style judge G.E. “G-Spot” Dehnert was Compose’s Hall Director when he dormed at Wainani. “If you got in trouble, then you came and talked to me … I was a pretty cool HD. It was kind of an irony because I was throwing parties and DJing at the same time,” admitted Dehnert.

al competition. There, five sub-qualifiers from each region duke it out to become Regional Qualifiers. After that, they go headto-head with the best in the nation at the National Finals. In 2012, Compose advanced to the National Finals when he placed as first runner-up at the West Coast Regional Qualifier in Los Angeles. Needless to say, expectations for his success were high this time around. But even higher than the expectations of others are the ones Compose holds for himself.

Scan the code to listen to DJ Compose’s music »

Photos: Jimmy Edens

tunities in front of me, but I still keep this underdog mentality that I hold even with all the success. I just feel like I want more. I’m hungry. I’ve had to keep my hunger there, and I think that helps. Never satisﬁed.” With a strong fan base and support from

home, Compose will be representing Hawai‘i at the West Coast Regional Qualiﬁer in Seattle on Feb. 25. “One day … someone from Hawai‘i is going to bring home the title. And I hope it’s him” Denhart said.

VOLUME 001 ISSUE 1 WEDNESDAY FEB. 6, 2013

It wasn’t easy for me to give up a solid job. It still trips me out.” When one door closed, Compose opened more. He worked his way up to being a two-time International Turntablist Foundation World Champion, and founded popular dance party Shake + Pop. He now serves as music director of Addiction Nightclub at The Modern Hotel and hosts The Crush at The Republik every Wednesday. Compose has performed in Germany, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. But don’t think that this has gone to his head. “I’ve always felt like an underdog, throughout all of this, even when people look at me and all my success. Surprisingly enough, I’m able to do this as a career … I work so much and I have all these great oppor-

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“I’m a totally different person when it’s game time. I kind of take another persona. Is that kind of weird to say? I guess it’s just a part of my stage presence. It’s kind of weird; it’s like spiritual.” For Compose, who has been a DJ for more than a decade, the moment when he takes the stage and experiences the crowd’s strong responses are more than just hype. It denotes reassurance. “It was the best feeling ever compose said. There’s absolutely nothing, nothing in the world like it. It kind of shows my hard work paid off. I’m a college graduate DJ. I gave up my nine-to-ﬁve. I had to make a decision a couple years ago because I would go to work and go straight to the club and work, and I had zero sleep. Money-wise, it was getting even. So I was like, ‘Okay, what do I want to do?’ All of those decisions up to now, that moment validates everything.

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‘ANOTHER PERSONA’ One would never guess that the mild-mannered guy off-stage is the same DJ who makes the crowd lose its mind.

PARTY

“I expect the best from myself, always. It was really no second place for me. I just never settle. I work at it, stay hungry … I’ll never say I’m the best DJ. I’ll never say that. But I put myself in positions where people see me [that way]. And that’s 99 percent of everything, really.” So what made him want to do it all again? He couldn’t resist the challenge. “The element of the DJ battle, the uncertainty of it all ... it’s you against the world I think something in me is always going to enjoy this kind of thing. I like challenging myself, [and] this was tough.” Meeting the judging criteria took a careful balancing of elements. It’s a formula Compose knows well. “Compose played a near-perfect set to do extremely well in the Red Bull Thre3Style anywhere – not just in Hawai‘i. His set could translate to a crowd in North Dakota as well as it did with the crowd here,” Kam said. “He nailed all the criteria that Red Bull set. His transitions were unique but not obscure, so that anyone in the crowd could easily understand he ﬂipped one song into another.” His performance was the product of careful thought. “Even though I look like I’m having a ball up there, everything was planned, every little mannerism, every second,” Compose explained.

BEYOND BREAKFAST

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DINNER MENU: • Chicken Fried Steak A huge, tender New York Steak, breaded & covered with our homemade brown or white gravy.Served with potatoes, pancakes or rice, and your choice of potato or tossed green salad. ($17) • Calamari Steak Succulent calamari steak. Choose from three styles: Sautéed, Cajun or FurikakeMacadamia nut. Served with potatoes, pancakes or rice, and your choice of potato or tossed salad. ($14) • Paniolo Loco Moco Our new take on a local favorite. A tender beef patty, sautéed mushrooms, onions and bacon, covered with our homemade white gravy and topped with two eggs. Served on a bed of rice. ($13)

KATIE GREEN STAFF WRITER I know what you’re thinking. “Eggs ‘n Things is a breakfast spot.” You’re right – sort of. This popular morning meal restaurant is known for its wide array of satisfying breakfast dishes, but that’s about to change. Eggs ‘n Things has added dinner and dessert dishes to take it to the next level. Original owners Jan and Jerry Fukunaga founded Eggs ‘n Things in 1974 in Waikiki with a vision of serving generous portions of fresh, quality food at reasonable prices while treating everyone like ‘ohana. Almost 40 years later, this vision was the guiding principle behind the revamped dinner menu at Eggs ‘n Things’ new Ala Moana location. “It’s important to really appreciate what we have here in Hawai‘i,”

The Whip Pancake Sampler: one strawberry, banana and blueberry whip cream pancake. ($13) Manager Robby Takahashi said. “What we have at Eggs ‘n Things is comfort food served with aloha at every meal of the day, and that’s deﬁnitely something to appreciate.” Every dish is prepared with fresh, local ingredients,

comforting: the very deﬁnition of “home-style” food. Try the potatoes and be rewarded with crispy-on-theoutside-soft-in-the-middle home-fries perfection. Other options like Fresh Island Ahi Steak, Sunset Chicken and Paniolo Loco Moco en-

“What we have at Eggs ‘n Things is comfort food served with aloha at every meal of the day, and that’s deﬁnitely something to appreciate.” from ahi purchased at the ﬁsh auction every morning, to eggs and produce from local farms, to Waialua coffee. The Chicken Fried Steak embodies the Fukunagas’ vision. It’s a huge, tender steak that has been breaded and fried, topped with your choice of brown or white gravy and served with a salad and choice of side. The brown gravy is savory and

sure that there’s a comfort food for every mood. If you’re hungry for dessert, the Whip Pancake Sampler is ideal: three ﬂuffy pancakes with strawberries, blueberries and bananas topped with a tower of whipped cream and macadamia nuts. It’s offered exclusively in the afternoon and evenings as a decadent way to wrap up a delicious lunch or dinner.

Photos: Christina Lugo

HOURS: SUN - FRI 6:00AM - 2:00PM ADDRESS: 451 PI’IKOI ST. PHONE: 808.923.3447 WEBSITE: EGGSNTHINGS.COM

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DINING

EGGS ‘N THINGS:

Menu changes aren’t the only new addition. Eggs ‘n Things has digitized the entire operation. Gone are the days of paper tickets. Servers enter orders into an iPodtouch and the kitchen receives them immediately. Conveniently, you can leave your name and number with the host during peak hours, and they’ll just text you when your table is ready. How you spend the wait is entirely up to you, now that you’re no longer limited by the range of a buzzer. These modern conveniences with a nostalgic vibe set a pleasant tone before the food is even delivered. The Ala Moana location is open Sunday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6 a.m. to midnight. Breakfast will still be served all day. The “PM Specials” start at noon and are available until closing.

PRIYA SINGH STAFF WRITER

DO:

3. Eat Terrible Fast Food The best part about being drunk is that you make decisions you’d never do sober. Prime example: indulging in fast food. Finding greasy, slimy fast food will make your drunken taste buds feel glorious. McDonalds’ dollar menu comes to mind.

5. Go Skinny-dipping We live in Hawai'i, need I say more?

4. Drink More Than One AdiosMotherFucker Don’t know what an AMF is? Then you probably shouldn’t be sippin’ on this blue bonanza. 5. Walk Barefoot If you’re walking barefoot around Chinatown, that’s nasty. Lay off the granola -save-the-world spiel, and put your heels back on, honeybee. All in all, have a blast, stay safe, take photos and laugh with friends. Never drink and drive- or bike, seriously. Follow these should and should not’s, and your night will improve exponentially. l y See you around town.

WAYBACK WHENSDAY

DRINKS S WE LOVE

ROGUE UE DEAD GUY

BEER

(ON TAP AT BA LE)

2 LAVAFLOW (CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN)

STRAWBERRY LYCHEE MARTINI (BAMBUTWO CAFE)

CHAI MILKSHAKE W/ SALIOR JERRY’S (DOWNBEAT DINER)

In a time long ago, before the days of Instagram (gasp!), i-Zone Sticker Film was our main vehicle for selﬁes. These miniature photos lined every surface that could have something stuck on it: binders, rooms, refrigerators- you name it.

MOCHA FREEZE (KISSATEN)

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4. Make Love, Not Babies We’re humans, we all do it, and we enjoy doing it, and it’s fun when you’re drunk, just warp it up. Liquid courage can go a long way, so don’t be afraid to saddle up and ride that like a horse jockey. He’ll thank you later (P.S. Men, don’t drink too much if you want to stand at attention).

3. Pop-A-Squat Drinking makes you have to use the facilities more often, so always take the opportunity to use a restroom. Take advantage of the amenities they offer while they’re still available to you. Otherwise, enjoy almost peeing yourself behind a parked car in a sketchy garage.

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2. Keep Cab $$$ On You Trust me, having a 20 saved in your back pocket for an emergency is a deﬁnite do.

2. Be Overly Emotional Please cry about your last boyfriend and your unstable relationship with your frenemy elsewhere, and not on some random guys shirt.

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1. Look Your Best This is a preliminary “do”. When you look good you feel good, and going out is all about having a fun time and looking sexy. So don’t skimp on your beauty routines. Women: curl your hair and wear a hot bright dress. Men: Wear cologne (ladies love it when you smell musky) and throw on a collared shirt if you want to class it up.

1. Drunk Text/Ex-Text PUT THE PHONE DOWN. I repeat: PUT THE PHONE DOWN. Do not do this. You will look needy, desperate and oh yeah … drunk.

HIT/MISS

THINGS YOU SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT DO DON’T: WHEN DRUNK

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