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The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society provides housing and services to qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, disability, familial status, national origin or other protected statuses according to applicable federal, state or local laws. All faiths or beliefs are welcome. Copyright © 2014 The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society. All rights reserved.
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CONTENTS VOLUME 7 | ISSUE 2 | MAY/JUNE/JULY 2015
LAS VEGAS ENTERTAINMENT 6
8
SUMMER COCKTAILS Cool drinks for hot nights
CALIFORNIA NOODLE HOUSE Asian Fusion debuts at the Cal
10 BOYD CASINO WINNERS
Lucky you!
12 NITRO
Bullring season at LVMS
14 DOWNTOWN DINING
El Sombrero Mexican Bistro
15 CHEAP EATS
Three meals in Sin City
16 SHOP DTLV
2
One-of-a-kind retail destinations in Downtown Las Vegas
LasVegasBOUND
LIVING ALOHA 22 SHOWCASE
Can’t-miss Las Vegas shows and events
24 VEGAS CALENDAR
A three-month guide to Sin City happenings
32 IONA CONTEMPORARY
DANCE THEATRE
New production marks 25th anniversary
34 UH SPORTS
Nikki Taylor
38 REAL ESTATE
Why the Ninth Island?
40 KAMA‘AINA SPOTLIGHT
Good Samaritan Society Pohai Nani
46 VACATIONS HAWAII
What to know before you travel
48 TRANSPLANTS
16
Brad Snyder, Emory Nihipali
Shop local in Downtown Las Vegas
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
LOVE TO TRAVEL?
Let PrimeTimeSM Help Start Your Journey! Ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tsu once said “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Whether you want to travel to an exotic destination or hop on over to a neighbor island, PrimeTime can help you get there. We created PrimeTime for those age 50 or better who maintain a First Hawaiian Bank personal checking account. The program comes with three balance levels-Plus, Gold and Platinum-- each offering more banking discounts and value than the previous level. Additionally, there’s no membership fee to join PrimeTime or to remain a member. With the money you’ll save, we help you take that first step of building the funds you’ll need to take that trip you’ve always dreamed of. “There is no deposit balance requirement to be a Plus
member,” according to Cindy Ing, the PrimeTime Program Manager. “However, if you want to take advantage of additional savings and benefits as a Gold member, all you need is $25,000 in combined deposit balances at First Hawaiian or $50,000 to be a Platinum Member. Our Platinum Level has seen positive growth every year since we introduced it five years ago. This tells us people appreciate the value the program provides. Best of all, if you maintain your deposit balance and checking account, your PrimeTime membership automatically renews each year. ” Our PrimeTime program offers many benefits everyone can take advantage of in the “prime” of their lives such as no-fee travelers cheques and free notary services. Members also have access to free online health and volunteer resources, merchant discounts and gas savings with the Kama’aina Rewards® Card. Additionally, at our statewide PrimeTime Wellness Fairs, attendees can get information from local health providers, free medical screenings and tips from First Hawaiian Bank to enhance your financial well-being. If you or someone you know wants to find out more about how to take advantage of the great benefits and value that PrimeTime offers, simply stop by any conveniently located branch or visit fhb.com.
F H B . C O M
Fill up for less with PrimeTime. Join First Hawaiian Bank’s PrimeTimeSM* program and save 5 cents nts per gallon on gasoline at any participating 76® gas station when en you use your Kama‘aina Rewards® card. All you need to qualify is to be age 50+ and maintain a First Hawaiian Bank personal checking account. Your membership also includes banking benets,, merchant discounts and special event invitations. on ns. SIGN UP TODAY. Call 643-OPEN (6736) orr vi visit fhb.com/primetime. isit fhb.c prim metime..
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* PrimeTime banking services and special benefits depend on the PrimeTime level you apply for and maintain. These benefits may be lost and membership cancelled if the checking account is closed. Please see the PrimeTime Rules Kama‘aina Rewards® card now through and Regulations for specific terms and conditions. As a PrimeTime member, you will receive a discount of 5 cents per gallon on gasoline at any participating 76® gas station when you use your Kama res logos are federally registered September 30, 2015, when this offer expires. For more information and a list of participating 76® gas stations, visit KamaainaRewards.com. PrimeTime is only available in Hawaii. 76® and its respective trademarks of Phillips 66 Company or one of its subsidiaries. Kama‘aina Rewards® is a federally registered trademark of Mid Pac Petroleum, LLC. FHIB-29943_7.375x4.8175_fnl.indd 1
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Job Name: FHIB-29943 Ad Subject: 2015 PrimeTime 76 Gas Magazine Ad Size/colour: Trim: 7.375" x 4-8175"; 4C Pub: Las Vegas Bound Magazine
Volume 7 | Issue 2 | MAY/JUN/JUL 2015
Bill Smith
PUBLISHE RS
Vice President / General Manager Vacations Hawaii
Jamie & Naomi Giambrone Element Media, Inc.
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER E. S. Adler
MANAGING E DITOR Kevin Whitton
ART DIRE CTOR Keith Usher
SALE S
If you’re planning to attend the annual rivalry between the University of Hawai‘i Warriors football team and the University of Las Vegas Runnin’ Rebels, there is no better time than now to execute your plan. Whether you elect to fly on one of our charter flights operated by Omni Air International or on a scheduled airline, Vacations Hawaii has many options for you to select from. With this year’s game scheduled to kickoff at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, November 7, three of our charter patterns will assure that you’re there on game day. Select our Tuesday-to-Sunday, Wednesday-to-Monday or Friday-toTuesday pattern and you’ll be in Las Vegas, ready to enjoy Saturday’s pregame and game activities firsthand. In addition to charter packages starting from only $769 per person, our Touchdown package, which can be purchased for $105, includes your ticket to the pre-game tailgate party, a sideline seat at the game and transportation to and from the stadium. If you elect to fly on a scheduled airline of your choice, Vacations Hawaii will be glad to make air and hotel arrangements for you as part of your own customized package. Better yet, select from five escorted five- and seven-night tour packages on Hawaiian Airlines, with prices starting from $899 per person (not including tailgate party, game tickets and transportation). In the past two years, the game has not failed to excite, with UNLV winning a 39-to-37 squeaker in 2013 and UH winning 37 to 35 on the last play of the game in 2014. What lies ahead this year? Be there and see for yourself. Hurry and book your game packages now before things really heat up!
Las Vegas Bound @vegasboundmag 4
LasVegasBOUND
E.S. Adler Naomi Hazelton-Giambrone Bonnie Kish
STAFF E DITOR Lauren McNally
CONTRIBUTING W RITERS Kim Baxter Tiffany Hervey Myra Rabanal
ADMINISTRATION Justin Druskis Sally Shaner
PUBLISHE RS’ ASSISTANT Chelsea Tsuchida
E DITORIAL INTE RNS Ian Kai Bianca Bystrom Pino
ELEMENT MEDIA INC.
1088 Bishop St. #1130 Honolulu, HI 96813 808.737.8711 info@elementmediahi.com
VACATIONS HAWAII
1585 Kapiolani Blvd. Suite 900 Honolulu, HI 96814 808.591.4777 boydvacationshawaii.com
©2015 by Element Media, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the written permission of the publisher. The views expressed in Las Vegas Bound do not reflect the opinions of Element Media or Vacations Hawaii. CORRECTION: An article in the Nov 2014–Jan 2015 issue failed to credit photographer Yong Dawson for her headshot of Vizzun Entertainment President Shawn Santana.
B Y L A U R E N M C N A L LY
COOL DRINKS FOR
H OT N I G H T S
Photo: Lauren McNally
Photo: Lauren Mc
Nally
Photo: Krystal Ramirez, Future Restaurant Group
Thanks to its seductive ambience, inventive concoctions and consistently beguiling entrance, Downtown Cocktail Room maintains its local appeal and speakeasy reputation despite its proximity to the well-trodden Fremont Street Experience. Situated in a renovated wedding chapel on the Fremont East periphery, the alluring Downtown staple is staffed by a small team of mixologists who concoct a new lineup of specialty cocktails every season.
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The menu for summer 2015 is rife with pop culture references and labeled according to approachability. Coming in at a 2.5, #Urbangarden combines a gin base with Skinos—a Mastiha liquor from the Greek island of Chios—and earthy celery bitters with a touch of cracked black pepper at the back end. Fresh bell pepper garnish brings the cocktail’s vegetal flavor full circle. Hey, You Guys! is a cloudy blend of Lillet blanc, Peruvian brandy and plum bitters topped with a layer of whipped cream and an upturned waffle cone. Visually, its as nostalgic as its GooInspired by bittersweet childhood summers past, the sight of a wayward cone is, in this case, a precursor to a sweet and simple libation with an approachability level of 2.5.
Photos: Anthony Mair
If the summer eve finds you on the Strip, be sure to stop in at BLVD. Cocktail Company, an old-school piano bar crafting classically inspired cocktails on the LINQ Promenade. Nightly live music spills onto the outdoor patio from the stage area inside, where a baby grand piano overlooks a cozy setup of café tables and oversized booths bearing sumptuous upholstery and a dark, lacquered finish. Pop surrealist paintings line the intricately patterned Art Deco walls and a custom art installation made of 11,000 LED lights hovers above the room in a bulbous mass, flashing like a cumulonimbus in a summer storm. The bar’s signature concoction, The Boulevard(ier), modifies a pre-Prohibition standby, swapping bourbon and Campari for rye and Aperol and adding chocolate bitters. The smooth, crowd-pleasing remake is a gateway drink into the world of spiritforward craft cocktails. While warm weather tends to nudge the complex mixologies of fall and winter toward comparatively timid highballs and one-note daiquiris, BLVD. Cocktail Company’s seasonal creations aim for balance and depth year round. Developed by award-winning mixologist Juyoung Kang, the lineup for spring and summer favors herbal notes and layered spices, and includes a house-crafted tonic for the quintessential summertime G and T.
Although the well-balanced Boulevard(ier) at right has been known to bridge the seasons, lighter libations like last summer’s zesty Pina Verde, above, are tailor made for soaring temps.
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As the California Hotel & Casino commemorates 40 years as Hawai‘i’s home away from home, it embarks on a new era typified by its newly launched restaurant
Photo: Boyd Gaming
concept, the California Noodle House. From the gleaming exterior latticed like a traditional Japanese shoji screen to the open kitchen lit by clusters of lanterns, everything about the California Noodle House is a striking departure from the pasta house that proceeded it. Eastern-inspired décor and an inviting, modern ambiance supplement a menu brimming with influences from all over Asia. “We took traditional ingredients from various Pacific Rim cuisines and incorporated them with different flavors and styles of cooking, adding a twist to make it our own,” says Hawai‘i native and Executive Chef Derek Kinoshita. Try the Hawaiian-style blackened ahi with Chinese black bean sauce, Vietnamese garlic rice and green papaya salad, or the braised oxtail stew, a twist on the Cal’s famous oxtail soup. Other customer favorites include the red Thai curry, a play off of a seafood linguini, and the Korean bibimbap, a savory jumble of vegetables, meat, egg and toasted rice served in a stone bowl heated to 300 degrees, stirred with gochujang and left to finish cooking at your table. At the end of the meal, Chef Derek sends custom-made dark chocolate macadamia nut clusters sprinkled with Hawaiian sea salt to each table. “We call them lava rocks,” he says. “They’re our way of saying, ‘Thank you for visiting and we hope to see you back soon.’” The California Noodle House is open Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays from 4pm to 10pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm to 11pm. —Lauren McNally
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Photos: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
G N I R L L BU
SEASON
s e c a R e h Is Off To T i By Ian Ka
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series is up and running at The Bullring, Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s 3/8-mile paved oval track. The national short-track points championship kicked off in Vegas on March 21, with competition divided among NASCAR Bombers, Grand American Modifieds, Super Stocks and the premiere Super Late Models class. Concurrent INEX U.S. Legend Cars International points races feature Legends, Thunder Roadsters and Bandoleros. Las Vegas native and 2013 champion Jay Beasley took home the first NASCAR Super Late Model victory of the series on O’Hanley Memorial Opening Night, but it was defending track champion Scott Gafforini who catapulted 12
LasVegasBOUND
into the points lead, with many other racers—including 14-year-old phenom Chris Trickle—in close contention. The 76-lap NASCAR Super Late Model Spirit of 76 races are the main event during the annual Night of Fire on July 3 and will be accompanied by waterless boat races and a fireworks blowout. The Whelen All-American Series takes a two-month break after the midsummer Night of Fire, though the speedway will continue to see plenty of action on its drag racing track and as the hosting venue for Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas, an electronic dance music festival in June. Bullring season resumes in late August and runs every other weekend until late November.
Photos: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
In addition to NASCAR and INEX racing, Las Vegas Motor Speedway will host races for the USAC HPD Midget Series and California Mini Cups during the 2015 Bullring season. The speedway will also host two Lucas Oil Modified Series events and has opened the track to North American Big Rig Racing for the first time.
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DOWNTOWN DINING
El Sombrero Mexican Bistro History gets a modern makeover with delicious results Review and photos by Myra Rabanal El Sombrero’s faded exterior reflects its roots as Vegas’ oldest Mexican restaurant, yet the newly remodeled interior illustrates El Sombrero’s evolution into the upbeat, revamped El Sombrero Mexican Bistro. Under the new direction of owner Irma Aguirre and Chef Oscar Sanchez, the elegantly casual bistro has reestablished itself in Vegas’ downtown dining scene. The contemporary black and white motif combines the playful and the classically elegant, tempering bold floral accents with a wall of framed, beveled mirrors. Modern embellishments and simple furnishings enhance without overwhelming the compact space. The new menu of upscale, classic Mexican cuisine features Chef Oscar’s unique stamp of fresh flavors. Our waiter recommended pairing the fresh guacamole with a glass of Trapiche Pinot Noir from Argentina. We were mesmerized by the chilled watermelon salad with caramelized pepitas and goat cheese tossed in a light vinaigrette long before our entrées made it to the table. Gently sweetened with Mexican chocolate, the mildly spiced sauce in the mole Semana Santa hits the balance of sweet and salty just right. Carnivores won’t miss the meat in El Sombrero’s signature chile relleno with its luscious butternut squash, potato and cheese filling. Come hungry for the off-menu hanger steak special with enchiladas. Even though we were more than full, our waiter charmed us into dessert without a fight. The warm banana bread pudding and the classic flan with caramel sauce were the icing on the cake to this delicious evening at the cozy new El Sombrero.
EL SOMBRERO MEXICAN BISTRO 807 South Main Street 702.382.9234 elsombrerovegas.com 14
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CHEAP EATS: The Vegas Mixed Plate Oodles of Noodles Reviews and photos by Myra Rabanal
The secret to Ramen Sora’s success is the broth.
Noodles are a basic comfort food in many cultures. They are unfussy and straightforward, deceptive in their simplicity and understated in their gastronomic impact. Vegas has no shortage of noodle joints to indulge your carb craving on or off the Strip and they do so for a price that’ll bowl you over without skimping on quality or forsaking tradition.
RAMEN SORA New customers quickly become regulars after tasting Ramen Sora’s authentic, Sapporo-style ramen. The fresh noodles and rich, meaty broth made from simmered pork bones keep a steady line of patrons coming and going from open till close. From the simplicity of the shoyu ramen ($7.50) to the fork–tender pork in the chashu ramen ($9.25) and the luscious miso broth in the nori ramen ($8.50), each bowl is the product of years of tradition and ramen mastery. 4490 Spring Mountain Road 702.685.1011 ramensora.com
SOYO KOREAN BARSTAURANT
Chilled buckwheat noodles are perfect for warm Vegas days.
This restaurant by day and lounge by night is a popular gathering place for hipsters of all ages who don’t take tradition too seriously. Order classic Korean dishes as well as surprising menu items such as cheese don katsu from semi-private wooden booths displaying funky artwork to a K-pop soundtrack. Start with chilled barley tea and handmade mandoo ($6) before digging in to cold noodle entrees like bi bim gook soo ($7) with kimchi and cucumber or bi bim nang myun ($8), a dish of vegetables and chewy buckwheat noodles in a spicy vinegar sauce. 7775 South Rainbow Boulevard #105 702.897.7696
Ask for the off-menu combination cake noodle dish.
OHANA HAWAIIAN BBQ NOODLE KITCHEN Ohana Hawaiian BBQ isn’t new to the neighborhood, but the Noodle Kitchen next door brings a new and hard-to-find kama‘aina favorite, the cake noodle, to the table. The combination cake noodle with shrimp, chicken, pork and vegetables ($8.95) is palate-pleasing perfection. The well-stuffed crispy gau gee ($5.95)—another rare find in Vegas—and the pork belly with steamed buns ($7.50) seal the deal. 4360 Blue Diamond Road #108 702.998.4400 ohanahibbq.com LasVegasBOUND
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With few brand names and not a gondolier in sight, the retail scene in Downtown Vegas veers off the beaten path. Shop local in the treasure trove that is DTLV for one-of-a-kind items offering one-of-a-kind items that are uniquely Downtown and authentically Vegas. By LAUREN McNALLY
FREMONT STREET The Writer’s Block, the only independent bookstore in the city and one of only two in the state, organizes free student writing workshops and an ongoing calendar of writing workshops, author readings, book signings and launch events. The shop’s printing services utilize a revolutionary bookmaking device that prints, binds and trims perfect-bound paperbacks in just five minutes.
Photo: Ethel M Chocolates
Lovers of vinyl no longer have to make the sojourn to Record City on Sahara Avenue now that 11th St Records opened on Fremont Street this past April. Launching operations on national Record Store Day, the shop sells new and used vinyls and rents out its onsite recording studio with the goal of reestablishing the communal aspects of the music-making and music-listening experience.
Beef jerky fanatics have several options downtown. Popular among visitors as well as locals—particularly those transplanted from Hawai‘i—The Beef Jerky Store on Third Street stocks a variety of jerkies from the traditional beef to meatless varieties and exotic jerkies like alligator and buffalo.
THE CAL THE WRITER’S BLOCK 1020 Fremont Street #100
11TH ST RECORDS 1023 Fremont Street
For premium chocolate minus the trip to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory in Henderson, visit the Ethel M Chocolates outlet in the California Hotel & Casino.
THE BEEF JERKY STORE 112 North Third Street
ETHEL M CHOCOLATES California Hotel & Casino 12 East Ogden Avenue
Vegas’ burgeoning 18b Arts District comes alive on the first Friday of the month, when local artists and retailers convene street side and at venues like City of the World Gallery to showcase their artwork and handcrafted wares. Similar shopping opportunities can be found all month long in the Arts District, including the bevy of antique stores and vintage boutiques near and along Main Street known collectively as Antique Alley.
ANTIQUE ALLEY Stocking anything from vintage Patrick Nagel prints to quirky artifacts from the Strip, Antique Alley mainstay Retro Vegas is an ode to kitsch with an emphasis on Vegas’ colorful past. Part retail outlet, part unofficial museum exhibit, the store’s eclectic inventory—most notably, the flamingopink, 60s-era kitchen set around which the collection grew—draws patrons as much for the spectacle as the bargain.
The hunt for Sin City souvenirs begins and ends at Lost Vegas Antiques. Run by the former owners of two defunct local gambling museums—the Las Vegas Historical Gambling Museum at the Tropicana and the Lost Vegas Gambling Museum on Fremont Street—this gold mine of knick-knacks houses more than enough Vegas memorabilia, art and collectibles to fill an afternoon, let alone a checked bag or carry-on.
Glam Factory Vintage debuted at Sin City Pickers antique mall before expanding to its retro yellow cottage on Colorado Street. Complete with a white picket fence and working jukebox, the shop stocks more than 1,000 unique, high-quality pieces acquired locally, some from the closets of retired entertainers and former mobster girlfriends.
RETRO VEGAS 1131 South Main Street
LOST VEGAS ANTIQUES 625 Las Vegas Blvd South
GLAM FACTORY VINTAGE 211 East Colorado Street
SIN CITY PICKERS 10 West Wyoming Avenue
THE ARTS FACTORY
Photo: Hiptazmic Studio
Photo: HellPop!
The Arts Factory is a warehouse-turned-art space populated by approximately 20 commercial galleries, design studios and specialty shops. Purchase artwork from local artists, hunt for steampunkinspired baubles at Hiptazmic Studio and stop in at Widow Den for witchy, glam-goth getups à la Stevie Nicks. Directly north of the Arts Factory at Art Square, Vexed By Design and UnHinged Indie Art & Fashion showcase local artisans with their selection of handmade jewelry and gifts, including book art and skincare.
Analog photography enthusiasts will find a second home in Las Vegas Camera Club, also located at Art Square. The instant camera and film supply store offers repairs, rentals and a photobook lending library in addition to hosting in-store workshops and documentary film screenings at Art Square Theatre.
ART SQUARE CITY OF THE WORLD GALLERY 1229 Casino Center Boulevard
The historic Gamblers General Store on Main Street is a one-stop shop for gaming tables, prize wheels, custom casino chips and cards as well as casino memorabilia, themed décor and gifts. The casino supply superstore also houses Gamblers Book Club, the world’s largest gambling bookstore. Gambling aficionados can also pick up essentials from Spinetti’s Home Gaming Supplies located behind the General Store.
ARTS FACTORY 107 E Charleston Blvd
ART SQUARE 1025 South First Street
GAMBLERS GENERAL STORE 800 South Main Street
FREMONT STREET Home to niche shops and offbeat boutiques as well as a rapidly developing network of bars, eateries, co-working spaces and more, Fremont East is far more than just a shopping destination.
Photo: American Vagabond
American Vagabond, a women’s clothing boutique carrying small, independent labels and hard-to-find pieces made in limited quantities, opened its new location this past fall at the Stitch Factory around the corner.
Coterie, a boutique and neighborhood hangout that doubles as a co-working and event space, set up shop at the site of the now-defunct check cashing business building on Fremont Street. Inverting the old signage like a harbinger of things to come, Coterie freely obliterates the line between novelty and nostalgia, gypsy and urbanite, in true Downtown fashion.
Emergency Arts, a creative collective operating out of the former Fremont Medical Building on Fremont Street, houses two floors of commercial tenants from a variety of industries that regularly spawn community events, art shows and pop-up shops such as the Neon Bazaar.
COTERIE 515 East Fremont Street
AMERICAN VAGABOND 300 North Las Vegas Boulevard
DOWNTOWN CONTAINER PARK 707 Fremont Street
Photo: 702dtlv
Rethink that generic destination souvenir. Rep your stomping ground instead with subtly emblazoned hats and graphic tees from streetwear boutique and Downtown Container Park retailer LVCK, or with a piece of minimalist urban jewelry from 702dtlv, which bears the neighborhood’s 702 area code and DTLV acronym.
Downtown Container Park is an open-air shopping plaza constructed from shipping containers and guarded by a 40-foot, flame-throwing praying mantis transplanted from Burning Man. The park’s 30-plus retailers and specialty shops offer a range of clothing, accessories and locally made gifts, snacks and crafts, from novelty items to specialty beef jerky.
Partnering with some of the biggest hospitality bands on the Las Vegas Strip, Downtown Container Park resident BluMarble upcycles approximately 15,000 bottles a month into unique glassware and one-of-a-kind jewelry and gifts for sale at Downtown Container Park, the Shoppes at Mandalay Bay and for custom commissions and commercial clients around the world.
Photo: BluMarble
Photo: 702dtlv
THE CONTAINER PARK
ART AND WINE: A PERFECT PAIRING
Photo: Epicure & Culture
Combine your love for art and wine with Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art Director Tarissa Tiberti and Director of Wine and Master Sommelier Jason Smith. From 5pm to 7pm, they’ll pair wines from Bellagio’s cellar—occasionally champagne, tequila or beer, depending on the artwork discussed—with works featured in the current gallery exhibition. Interactive discussion begins at 6pm. WHERE: Bellagio WHEN: Second Wednesday of the month › $42 › bellagio.com › 702.693.7472
CATALYST WEEK Each month, Catalyst Week brings participants together from all over the world for an immersive educational experience centered on the $350 million urban revitalization effort spearheaded by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh. Participants are granted the exclusive opportunity to engage with the downtown community through a week of co-curated event programming. Those interested in attending Catalyst Week must apply two months in advance.
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WHERE: Gold Spike Hotel & Casino WHEN: Fourth week of the month › Free › catalystweek.com › 702.476.4923
FIRST FRIDAY Named for its original 18-block designation, Vegas’ burgeoning arts district hosts an eclectic gathering of revelers, street vendors and visual and performing artists on First Friday. Wander the streets or take advantage of free trolley service to explore the neighborhood’s galleries, restaurants, bars and shops.
Photo: Mark Nierras
WHERE: 18b Arts District WHEN: First Friday of the month › Free › firstfridaylasvegas.com
ROCK OF VEGAS The annual Rock of Vegas concert series kicks off on Memorial Day weekend with KC and The Sunshine Band and runs through Labor Day with end-of-summer performances by Kansas and Blue Oyster Cult.
Photo: David Tingey
WHERE: Fremont Street Experience WHEN: Saturdays—bimonthly › Free › vegasexperience.com
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MAY/JUNE/JULY 2015
may MAY 11
The Steppas Big Island reggae band The Steppas reached #6 on the iTunes reggae charts in 2012 with their eponymous debut EP. They proceeded to top the charts with their most recent release, To You From We. They’ll headline this Brooklyn Bowl jam fest accompanied by opening acts Lovd Ones, For Twenty Daze, The L81Z, Rock[HI]Soundsystem and Braddah Guy. Brooklyn Bowl $15 vegas.brooklynbowl.com 702.862.2695
MAY 15
Christopher Cross Soft-rock legend Christopher Cross won five Grammys for his self-titled debut album, beating out Pink Floyd’s The Wall for Album of the Year. Three of the awards were for the album’s second single, “Sailing,” which also topped the Billboard Hot 100. He won a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Original Song that same year. The Golden Nugget $47 goldennugget.com 702.385.7111
MAY 22-23
Whitney Cummings
MAY 15
Little Dragon Swedish electronic group Little Dragon released their first single, “Twice,” has been featured in television shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, 90210, Revenge and The Vampire Diaries. Their 2011 release, Ritual Union, was released to critical acclaim and reached #78 on the US Billboard 200. Brooklyn Bowl $28–$33 vegas.brooklynbowl.com 702.862.2695, 24
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Comedian Whitney Cummings is known for her vulgar comedy covering relationships and sex. Her sharp tongue and quick wit was evident when she appeared on the Comedy Central Roast of Joan Rivers, David Hasselhoff and Donald Trump. She is the star and creator of the NBC sitcom Whitney and the co-creator of the CBS sitcom Two Broke Girls. The Venetian $50 venetian.com 702.414.1000
MAY 22-24 Air Supply
Soft-rock duo Air Supply met in 1975 as fellow performers in a Sydney-based production of Jesus Christ Superstar. The self-titled debut album they released the following year went gold in their native Australia. The band gained international fame with their 1980 album Lost in Love, which spawned three Top 5 singles, including the classic ballad “All Out of Love.” The Orleans Hotel & Casino $44 orleanscasino.com 702.365.7111
MAY 23 Kevin Hart
One of the smallest men in Hollywood is also one of its biggest stars. Kevin Hart began his career with minor roles on TV and in feature films. [before] His 2011 comedy tour Laugh At My Pain catapulted him to stardom. Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino $49–$143 mandalaybay.com 702.632.7777
MAY 24
The Eagles With five number-one singles, six Grammys, five American Music Awards and six number-one albums, The Eagles are one of the most successful rock bands of all time. Before disbanding in 1980, The Eagles owned the 70s, releasing classics such as “Witchy Woman,” “Desperado,” “Best of My Love,” “Hotel California” and “I Can’t Tell You Why.” MGM Grand Hotel & Casino $85–$275 mgmgrand.com 702.891.11111
MAY 26-31 Annie
One of the most popular Broadway musicals hits The Smith Center’s Reynolds Hall, directed by Martin Chanin, the original lyricist of the original production. Annie tells the story of a young optimistic orphan, who is taken in by billionaire Oliver Warbucks. The Smith Center $34–$129 thesmithcenter.com 702.749.2000 LasVegasBOUND
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june JUNE 6
The Spinners The Spinners are one of the originators of the “Detroit soul” sound. After minor success during the 60s while signed to Motown Records, The Spinners breakthrough came in 1972 when the group signed with Atlantic Records and released Spinners. The album contained the hits “I’ll Be Around” and “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love.” Cannery Casino Hotel $25–$40 cannerycasino.com 702.507.5700
JUNE 10
The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses – Master Quartet
Video game nerds and classical music enthusiasts rejoice. The Las Vegas Philharmonic and Choir takes over the Venetian Theatre for a multimedia concert experience. The Las Vegas Philharmonic and Choir will be playing music from one of the most successful video game franchises while being accompanied by gameplay imagery. The Venetian $74–$187 venetian.com 702.414.1000
JUNE 23 JUNE 19-21
Amazing Las Vegas Comic-Con Comic book enthusiasts unite at the South Point Hotel Casino & Spa for the Amazing Las Vegas Comic-Con. Meet comic book artists, creators, writers and celebrities during this three-day event. Check out the exhibitors hall, the artist alley, video game arena and hundreds of people dressed up in costumes. South Point Hotel Casino & Spa $25–$200 amazinglasvegascomiccon.com 702.796.7111
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Purity Ring
Electro-pop duo Purity Ring, comprised of Corin Roddick and Megan James, fuses trap, hip-hop, R&B, pop and electronic music into one. Behind Corin Roddick’s instrumentals and Megan James’ vocals, the group’s debut album Shrines charted at #32 on the US Billboard 200. In February 2015, the group released their second album Another Eternity. Brooklyn Bowl $22–$25 vegas.brooklynbowl.com 702.862.2695
july JUNE 26-27 D.L. Hughley
Comedian D.L. Hughley got his first break in 1992 as the original host of BET’s stand-up comedy show ComicView. He went on to star in his own short-lived sitcom The Hughleys and gained mainstream notoriety in 2000 for his role in Spike Lee’s The Original Kings of Comedy. The Orleans Hotel & Casino $44 orleanscasino.com 702.365.7111
JULY 11
Third Eye Blind & Dashboard Confessional Let all those feelings of teenage-angst crash over you like a tsunami at the Hard Rock as Third Eye Blind and Dashboard Confessional have a joint concert. This concert is not for the weak of heart. If you’ve got lingering ex-boyfriend/girlfriend issues, you might want to avoid this show. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino $40 hardrockhotel.com 702.693.5000
JULY 17
Throwback Sizzling Slam The Las Vegas desert is about to get even hotter this summer when Keith Sweat, 112, Dru Hill, Frankie J, Next and H-Town take the stage at The Orleans Hotel & Casino’s Orleans Arena. If you’re a fan of classic 90’s R&B, you won’t want to miss this.
JULY 14-19
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage The 1986 box-office smash Dirty Dancing hits the stage at The Smith Center’s Reynolds Hall. Dirty Dancing tells the story of Baby and Johnny, two people from wildly different backgrounds who meet one summer and fall in love through the power of dance. The Smith Center $29–$139 thesmithcenter.com 702.749.2000
The Orleans Hotel & Casino $42 orleanscasino.com 702.365.7111
JULY 31
Ziggy Marley Bob Marley’s eldest son, David “Ziggy” Marley, got his start as the front man for Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers, a band formed with his younger siblings in 1984. In 1988, the band released their most popular hit, “Tomorrow People,” which peaked at #39 on the Billboard Hot 100. Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino $43 mandalaybay.com 702.632.7777 LasVegasBOUND
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THE
SPIRIT THAT
BINDS US IONA CONTEMPORARY DANCE THEATRE
CELEBRATES 25 YEARS AND A NEW PERFORMANCE
By Tiffany Hervey
Photo: Kaveh Kardan
The Raven enters with a TV on his chest and a camera on his head. As he captures the images of other dancers on stage, they react as a wild animal would when caught and put in a cage. This explosive scene is one of many moving pieces in IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre’s Dominion, an original work by visionary artist and IONA Artistic Director Cheryl Flaharty. Dominion makes its world premiere in May in conjunction with the ensemble’s 25th anniversary. “While Dominion incorporates some very provocative material, the show is as humorous as it is thought provoking and stunningly beautiful,” says Flaharty. “Dominion is a feast for the eyes and nourishment for the heart.” Through dance and multimedia imagery, Dominion delves into the relationship between humans and animals, exploring the loss of species as a precursor to human extinction. Vibrant contemporary dance pieces illustrate the playful relationship humans maintain with domesticated animals and the need for stewardship of Earth’s wild animals. Spoken word written by Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl, accompanied by fresh produce tossed on stage for dramatic effect, examines society’s growing interest in sustainable agriculture. Notorious for its extravagant costumes, elaborate staging and inspiring imagery, IONA employs elaborate LED video screens, digital animations and interactive GoPro projections in its staging of Dominion. Other stunning theatrical elements include a seven-foot elephant tusk reproduction and a life-size cage for acrobatics. The production is IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre’s first evening-length work since 2009, though IONA dancers frequently perform at parties and events throughout Hawai‘i. Dominion features the ensemble’s largest cast to date—25 dancers—and includes passionate solo performances by IONA veterans Malia Yamamoto, Summer Partlon and Sami Akuna. Performances run May 8, 9 and 10 at Hawaii Theatre.
Flaharty’s original works seek to unveil the mystery of the human spirit. Her artistic vision has earned her six Hawai‘i State Dance Council choreographic awards, the council’s Baciu Award for cutting-edge work and an Individual Artist Fellowship from the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Raised in Hawai‘i, Flaharty received a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of Hawai‘i and performed as a principle dancer with Betty Jones and Fritz Ludin’s Dances We Dance Company. She also performed with Japanese butoh master Poppo Shiraishi as a principle dancer from 1985 to 1990 in his Go-Go Boys company in New York. Her experience with these companies’ two different dance forms birthed the unique synthesis of Eastern, Western and indigenous influences that IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre is known for. “IONA performances strive to awaken the consciousness of both the performer and the audience to recognize the oneness of humanity,” Flaharty explains. “Through the merging of Eastern and Western sensitivities, we are a voice of contemporary Hawai’i, demonstrating to the world values of respect for nature and multiculturalism.” iona360.com
DOMINION AT HAWAII THEATRE: Friday, May 8 at 8pm Saturday, May 9 at 8pm Sunday, May 10 at 4pm
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NIKKI TAYLOR EXCELS INDOORS AND OUT By Kim Baxter In the fall, Nikki Taylor stars at the Stan Sheriff Center as the right-side hitter for Dave Shoji’s Rainbow Wahine indoor volleyball team. In the spring, she heads to the beach to participate in the University of Hawai‘i’s fledgling sand volleyball program. The 6-foot-3 Honolulu native fits in three off-season indoor practices a week, three weekly weightlifting sessions and all-weekend beach tournaments in addition to a full course load as a public health major. “I would be more unstable if I didn’t have [a busy schedule],” Taylor says. “If I was able to wake up whenever I wanted every morning, I would freak out. If I wake up at nine, I feel like half of my day is gone already. I’m normally up at five-thirty getting ready.” The soon-to-be junior is one of the most accomplished two-sport athletes in University of Hawai‘i history. She is one of just four athletes to compete in both indoor and sand volleyball, and is the only one of them to place among the top-five sand teams. The other three were used sparingly as role players indoors. “I don’t know how she does it,” says three-time All-American Brittany Tiegs, Taylor’s sand volleyball partner last spring. “I give her so much respect for putting up with school, weightlifting, studying, eating and getting enough rest to recover. She must have great time-management skills because I know I couldn’t keep up with that.” Taylor started her collegiate indoor career in 2013 with an impressive 10-kill debut against Texas, the reigning national champion. She has since pounded out 523 kills, putting her on pace to eclipse the 1,000-kill mark. In her two years with the Rainbow Wahine, the University of Hawai‘i is 47-12 overall and 26-6 in Big West play. The Rainbow Wahine were ousted in the second round of the last two National Collegiate Athletic Association tournaments. Taylor has earned First Team All-Big West honors twice. Taylor grew up playing indoor volleyball, but teamed up with Maui native Katie Spieler as a freshman to form the No. 2 team for the Sand ’Bows. They went on to reach the quarterfinals of the American Volleyball Coaches Association National Championship pairs tournament. As a team, the University of Hawai‘i reached the semifinals of the national 34
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Photos: Hawaii Athletics
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“I would be more unstable if I didn’t have a busy schedule.” championship. This past spring, Taylor was paired with Tiegs as the No. 1 team and made it to the quarterfinals, earning her a second honor as an All-American. What amazes Taylor’s coaches the most, however, is her ability to effectively transition between indoor and sand volleyball. “The most impressive part is that she can just make the switch,” says sand volleyball head coach and indoor volleyball associate coach Jeff Hall. “If you watch her practice indoor and then you watch her outdoor, you wouldn’t know she [does both]. It’s almost seamless, which is really cool.” The two sports are played on very different surfaces and with very different dynamics. Instead of five indoor teammates, Taylor has just one on the sand. Instead of trying to crush the ball every time, Taylor has had to learn roll shots and angles. Whereas some indoor rallies go by without her touching the ball, Taylor is vital to every single sand play. “The beach game has helped her indoor more than the indoor has helped her beach game,” Hall says. “Her defensive movements and ability to read the game indoor are
Photos: Hawaii Athletics
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tremendously higher than they were before she started playing in the sand. Also, some of the small plays, the broken plays, the chaos plays in indoor are very comfortable for her because they happen outside all the time. And I’d say she’s a little bit more explosive indoor because of the sand game.” Taylor credits her improved conditioning to her time spent sprinting and leaping through the sand. A severe asthmatic since childhood, she can now complete a hard two-hour practice without any problems. Taylor may have had to perform a remarkable juggling act to achieve all her accolades, but she revels in the opportunities volleyball has afforded her at the University of Hawai‘i. “It is the hugest blessing that I’ve ever had in my life,” she says. “It’s allowed me to come to college, which I might not have been able to do had I not gotten a scholarship. It’s allowed me to make lifelong friendships and acquaintances. It’s allowed me to get my degree in a career that I want and it’s allowed me to do something that I love every single day. Not a lot of people get to say that.”
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7/28/14 11:39 AM
REAL ESTATE
WHY THE
NINTH ISLAND? Randy Hatada is the owner and broker at Xpand Realty & Property Management. As a Las Vegas resident born and raised in Hilo, he especially enjoys assisting kama’aina with their real estate needs. randy@xpandrealty.com
According to census estimates from 2010, approximately 27,000 Hawai‘i transplants live in Clark County, Nevada. Why leave paradise for a city in the desert? Lower cost of living, greater career opportunities, island fever, increased mobility, family ties, retirement and even gambling are just some of the reasons Las Vegas has lured a large kama‘aina community. The old Japanese saying “kodomo no tame ni,” or “for the sake of our children,” explains why Hawai‘i’s early immigrants left their home countries despite the risks and sacrifices. Today, Hawai‘i residents relocate to Vegas to get ahead financially for the future as well as improve their lives in the present. Most are still in love with Hawai‘i and many plan to move back one day.
COST OF LIVING The number one reason people from Hawai‘i move to Vegas is the lower cost of living. There is certainly an opportunity cost for paradise, as it is twice as expensive to live in Hawai‘i than in Las Vegas.
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Cost of Living Indexes
Las Vegas
Honolulu
Overall
99.4
199.2
Food
103.3
155.9
Housing
94.2
338.3
Utilities
90
165.2
Transportation
102.3
124.6
Health
105
119.9
Miscellaneous
102.4
125.5
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OPPORTUNITY Just as the residential cost of living is much lower in Vegas than in Hawai‘i, so too is the cost of doing business. In terms of job opportunity and new business, Las Vegas has far fewer barriers to entry compared to Hawai‘i. There are also greater niche opportunities in unpenetrated markets with minimal competition.
ISLAND FEVER If you’ve lived in Hawai‘i, you have probably experienced this at one time or another. Being surrounded by the ocean is a beautiful thing, but it definitely limits travel options. Vegas is only three hours from neighboring Arizona, California and Utah, so adventure beyond state lines is a mere car ride away.
‘OHANA Whether by blood or “hanai,” family is an important part of Hawaiian culture. Sticking together, spending time with one another, taking care of each other and sharing love are driving values for people in Hawai‘i. When one family member moves, others often follow.
RETIREMENT Many Hawai‘i residents move to Las Vegas to retire. In addition to a lower cost of living, Vegas offers an extensive 55-and-older community and an abundance of indoor and outdoor activities. Another selling point—the state of Nevada does not charge estate, inheritance or state income taxes.
GAMBLING Since gambling isn’t legal in Hawai‘i, many kama‘aina come to Vegas in hopes of winning big or simply for the excitement and entertainment of gaming.
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Kama‘aina Spotlight
POHAI NANI
A retirement community surrounded by beauty At the foot of the lush Ko‘olau Mountains, exotic tropical flowers surround Pohai Nani. This resort-style retirement community sits on a 16-acre property overlooking Kane‘ohe and the Pacific Ocean. Equipped with resort cottages, apartment homes and assisted living services, Pohai Nani is able to adapt to the needs of its residents while nourishing their spirits. For those who need extra help with daily tasks, assisted living is available in private apartments. The care home provides medication management, weekly housekeeping and meal services without residents giving up their homes or losing their sense of independence. If residents want to head to the beach or to nearby golf courses, personal drivers and shuttle transportation are available as additional services. Pohai Nani not only offers inpatient therapy and rehab care, but also a diverse range of recreational fitness opportunities such as tai chi, yoga and water fitness. Specialized classes for all fitness levels are offered five days a week. The heated therapeutic swimming pool and hot tub are also available five days a week. With growing counts of people suffering from arthritis in Hawai‘i,
an exercise program called Walk with Ease has been added to the wellness program. In addition to the paths in the on-site botanical gardens, an ADA walking path allows residents and visitors a peaceful way to experience nature on O‘ahu’s windward side. As a part of the Good Samaritan Society, Pohai Nani supports the spiritual health of its residents. The on-site clubs and group activities, including the Pohai Nani Choir and Methodist and Friends Club, are designed to give residents a sense of community. The Pohai Nani chaplains provide counseling and spiritual group sessions on the property. Sunday services are held weekly at 9am and 10:30am and the St. Francis Chapel and Meditation Garden are always available for the residents’ use. From craft and entertainment rooms to a library and computer lab, Pohai Nani has options for all individuals. Staff and volunteers are available to assist residents with everything from computer help to transportation. Through this caring community setting, residents of Pohai Nani will feel right at home. —Kara Jernigan
For more information, call 808-247-6211 or visit pohainani.org 40
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What is a cabin air filter?
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Get the 411 from the experts
The cabin air filter is a high particulate filtration medium that is attached to the outside air intake of your vehicle’s ventilation system. This device helps to improve air quality and filter out pollution from the air that circulates inside the vehicle. Most air filters are made from a pleated paper construction using a variety of different filtration media. Some are a cotton and paper blend while others are basically extremely miniaturized paper filters similar to the air filter in your car’s intake system. Some are just a formed and shaped cotton filter in a cartridge. The cabin air filter is sometimes confused with an internal combustion air filter. The internal combustion air filter is the filter under your hood that prevents particles from getting into the engine. A driver may encounter the internal combustion air filter as a service recommendation because a clogged or otherwise compromised air filter can affect engine performance.
Expert answers to the most frequently asked questions in their respective industries.
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Yes! I’m the expert in helping seniors with their real estate needs. My clients entrust me to achieve the highest prices for their family homes. I helped a senior couple with the sale of their Portlock home and transitioned them to a senior living home. I‘m in the Dianne Ho Bosworth process of helping a 98-year-old client Realtor, Senior Real sell his family home—I coordinated vendors to remove junk, repaint, replace Estate Specialist old carpets and refinish the wood floors. Better Homes and I received multiple offers within a week Gardens Real Estate of listing! Advantage Realty First, I will help you assess the value 808.371.0516 of your home and prep it for sale. I’ll help dianneb@betterhawaii.com you sort through items and decide what homescapehawaii.com to keep, give away or toss in addition to coordinating and communicating with the haulers, movers, vendors and stagers involved. With care and professionalism, I will be by your side every step of the way to eliminate the stress and burden of selling a home with 50+ years of memories. Contact me today for a free home selling/buying solution for seniors!
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It’s important to recognize the distinction between these two very different types of air filters. When buying cabin air filters, you’re looking for something that’s going to help improve the air that you will be breathing as a driver or passenger. It’s not so much a part of the vehicle’s performance gear as a health and safety device for passengers.
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Changing your cabin air filter is an important part of regular vehicle maintenance, one that can improve not only the circulation and performance of your air conditioning system but also the quality of air that is circulated through your car.
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KNOW BEFORE YOU
GO
What to expect on a Vacations Hawaii experience to Las Vegas ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION
CARRY-ON LUGGAGE
You are required by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to provide an acceptable form of identification at check-in and at the security checkpoints in Honolulu and Las Vegas. Acceptable forms of identification include photo identification issued by the US Federal or State Government or US and foreign government-issued passports. Additionally, the identification must contain a name, date of birth, gender, expiration date and some tamper-resistant feature. Bus passes, library cards and fishing licenses are among the forms of identification that are NOT acceptable.
In addition to one personal item (briefcase, purse, laptop computer, backpack) each person is allowed one piece of carry-on luggage. The maximum dimensions for each piece of carry-on luggage is approximately 9 x 14 x 22 inches and the weight restriction is 25 pounds. No more than three ounces of liquids, aerosols or gels may be included in carry-on luggage. Additionally, all of the above items must be consolidated in a single quartsized zip lock bag, which must be placed separately in the security bin during the security screening process.
CHECKED LUGGAGE l In Honolulu, check in two hours prior to departure at Omni Air International’s ticket counter located in Lobby 6 of the Honolulu International Airport.
l PLEASE BE AWARE THAT : • Baggage that needs to be checked needs to pass through the agriculture checkpoint before heading to the ticket counter. • In addition to affixing the hotel tags provided by Vacations Hawaii, all checked luggage must be tagged with your own personal identification tag. • You are allowed two pieces of checked luggage with a maximum weight of 50 pounds and maximum dimensions of 62 linear inches (length+width+height). • A fee of $25 will be assessed for each of the first two pieces of checked luggage on each flight segment. Passengers who check in more than two pieces of luggage will be charged $100 per piece for each additional item of checked luggage per each flight segment. • In addition to the checked baggage fees set forth above, Vacations Hawaii may, in its sole discretion, accept oversized or overweight luggage when space is available, subject to the payment of a fee of $100 per piece on each flight segment. Checked baggage that exceeds a maximum outside linear dimension of 62 inches and/or exceeds a maximum weight of 50 pounds constitutes overweight luggage. Items heavier than 70 pounds will not be accepted for transportation. • First Class passengers and Emerald cardholders in Boyd’s B Connected program will be allowed two pieces of checked luggage at no charge, except for oversized and overweight pieces described above, which will be subject to fees. • Styrofoam coolers will not be accepted unless packed within an outside box or container. Special rules and restrictions govern the transport of dry ice.
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SPECIAL NEEDS (Wheelchairs, Oxygen, Oxygen Concentrators) Customers with special needs should make their reservations with Vacations Hawaii as far in advance as possible and should request the special services available to them. Arrangements can be made for special seating and handling at the same time that your charter reservations are made. Wheelchairs are available through the porter service at both Honolulu International Airport and McCarran International Airport for the convenience of passengers. Arrangements can be made in advance to rent wheelchairs for use in Las Vegas. Customers also have the option of taking their own personal wheelchairs with them as checked luggage on the chartered flights. Oxygen can be provided at a cost for any customer who provides Vacations Hawaii with a prescription that has an acceptable flow rate and meets the government’s criteria when the request for oxygen is made. Oxygen concentrators are allowed on the airplane but are subject to restrictions concerning the make and model of the concentrator and the amount of battery-charge available. Consult with a Vacations Hawaii representative for a full description of terms and restrictions.
DEPARTING HONOLULU
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Again, once at Honolulu International Airport, please check in two hours before departure at Lobby 6. A 5 1/2-hour flight will take you from Honolulu to Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport. The charter approaches Las Vegas from the south, giving passengers a clear view of the Strip and Downtown as the plane descends for its landing.
ARRIVING IN LAS VEGAS
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The flight arrives at Terminal 1, where a Vacations Hawaii ground agent will greet you, answer any questions
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MUCHO MAHALO
N
TO OUR SUPPORTERS VOLUNTEERS PATRONS AND FRIENDS Thank you to the Honolulu community for supporting
the American Cancer Society Hope Gala Honolulu.
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The night’s festivities were made possible because of
the dedication of our tireless event committee and volunteers who worked together for over a year to bring you “Midnight in Miami”.
Every way that you participated with us moves us closer to making this cancer’s last century and we thank you for that.
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VIP Table Sponsors: Vitreo Incorporated The Shidler Family Foundation Hawaiian Dredging Construction
Donors
Table Sponsors: Bank of Hawaii D.R. Horton Hawaii Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel Hawaii Tech Support John A. Burns School of Medicine Joshua Almanza Kaiser Permanente Kala Consulting Group Lani Almanza Lawrence Burgess St. Moritz Security Ward Research
In-Kind Supporters
Hawaii Society of Clinical Oncology, Hawaii Medical Service Association, JN Automotive Group
Alaska Airlines, Alma Latina Productions and Radio, Aloha Water, Aloha on the Rocks, Conrad Enterprises, Daylight Mind Coffee, Floradec, Hearst Ranch Winery, Island Air, JN Exotics, Keith Uehara Photography, Leeward Florist and Gifts, McDonalds, Microsoft, Miss Hawaii Organiza tion, Miss America Class of 2015, Modern Luxury, Moxie 3 Innovations, Nella Media Group, Pepsi, Service Printers Hawaii, The Cathedral of St. Andrews, Top Model Hawaii, Uilani Florist, Uno de 50, Verterra Dinnerware
Mahalo Nui Loa & Muchas Gracias,
Jeff Portnoy - Honorary Chair Maria Tucker - Co-Chair Gregg Fraser - Co-Chair Hope Gala Honolulu, 2015
hopegalahonolulu.org for 24/7 assistance cancer.org 1.800.ACS.2345
NEED ASSISTANCE? l If you need any help while you are in Las Vegas, please contact the Duty Escorts at the Vacations Hawaii office in the Main Street Hotel and Casino. Escorts are at the office 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You may also call 702.249.8404 for assistance.
Kikaha
and direct you to the buses that will take you to your hotel. At the hotel, you will be greeted by another agent and proceed to the front desk to retrieve your meal-ticket book and room keys. Your luggage will be brought to your room shortly. During your stay, there are countless ways to stay busy with gaming, shopping, day trips, sightseeing, free shows and more. For a list of some possibilities, contact your hotel’s bell desk representatives.
On the day of your departure, your luggage will be retrieved from your room by the bell desk. You will meet in a designated room and await the buses to take you back to McCarran Airport, Terminal 1. At the terminal, you will need to retrieve your luggage (or use a SkyCap) and take it to the check-in counter. Check in with the Swissport counter agents. There, you will be issued your boarding pass and luggage claim tags and directed to the proper departing gate. Once you arrive at the Honolulu airport, your luggage is typically sent to Baggage Claim E. An announcement will be made in-flight to let you know where to pick up your baggage. <
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Omni Flight Departure & Arrival Information
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Meet Hawai‘i transplants now living Matthew Wong, Lifestyle Photographer and AV Team Member and working in Las Vegas – Stories By Bianca Bystrom Pino at Zappos.com, commercial photographer at M Photography Online, Media & Photography for E 320 Entertainment Group
Transplant: Brad Snyder Hometown: Honolulu Years in Las Vegas: 15
Brad Snyder knew he needed a change from “just getting by” as a bartender at the former Blue Zebra/Mystique nightclub at Restaurant Row. Friends of his had already moved to Vegas and were doing well, so moving his family there in 2000 wasn’t a difficult decision to make. “The transition was easy except for the weather,” says Snyder. “No one could prepare us for our first summer in the heat, but you get used to it.” As Snyder and his family acclimated to the desert heat, they came to love the opportunities Las Vegas provides its residents. “Even when the economy was bad here, there was still opportunity to thrive. When the economy is good, it spreads throughout the city.” Snyder grew interested in real estate and became a realtor with Zip Realty in 2006, specializing in single-family, multifamily, condo and townhouse homes. “The best part about real estate is a bit cliché,” Snyder admits. “But really, it’s helping a family buy their first home—especially my friends from Hawai‘i who never thought they would ever own their own home.”
Transplant: Emory Nihipali Hometown: Hau‘ula Years in Las Vegas: 31
Born in Hawai‘i to military parents, Emory Nihipali lived around the world before ending up in Las Vegas. “I was a kid,” Nihipali says. “I packed up and went wherever my parents did.” He now calls Vegas home, describing the entertainment mecca as a place that never gets boring. Although Nihipali spends a lot of time away from Hawai‘i, he maintains a connection through his radio show, Little Grass Shack, on KUNV 91.5 FM. “A friend of mine had a show and asked me to be part of it,” Nihipali says. “I had no intention of doing radio, but became fascinated with everything.” Nihipali started the Little Grass Shack in 2000, broadcasting every Saturday and airing classic Hawaiian hits. The program is the longest-running Hawaiian radio show in Las Vegas and the only one of its kind on the local FM frequency. “Hawaiian music is mostly what I grew up with, moving around place to place. Having a show and a voice in the community to help bring the spirit of aloha to the middle of the desert was a dream of mine.”