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O‘AHU GUESTBOOK is part of a series of four books that Where® Hawai‘i will release on all the major Hawaiian Islands in 2018-2019, including Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island. Each island will be represented with its own unique, iconic landscape image as the cover art. These books are designed to
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entertain and educate visitors about each respective
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island, and to tell the stories of Hawai‘i in an engaging and artistic manner. We hope you enjoy the book as
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treasures, places and people.
ALOHA
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The Original Waterfall Collection
An incomparable collection of Hawaiian and Island lifestyle jewelry OAHU Ala Moana Center • Outrigger Waikiki on Kalakaua Avenue • Waikiki Beach Walk Hilton Hawaiian Village • Polynesian Cultural Center MAUI • KAUAI • BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII • NCL PRIDE OF AMERICA
NaHoku.com • 1-800-260-3912 Best of HONOLULU MAGAZINE 2018
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HAWAII’S BEST
People’s Choice Awards The Star-Advertiser 2018
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11/12/181:14:14 6:30 PM 9/7/18 PM
O‘AHU CONTENTS
ISLAND ESSENCE 24
LONG LIVE HŌKŪLE‘A An excerpt from Patagonia’s “Mālama Honua: Hōkūle‘a—A Voyage of Hope.” TEXT BY JENNIFER ALLEN PHOTOS BY JOHN BILDERBACK
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GUITAR HERO ‘Ukulele artists and makers sing praise to the diminutive stringed instrument. BY SIMPLICIO PARAGAS
ISLAND ESSENTIALS 12
FIRST LOOK A PEEK AROUND THE ISLAND O‘ahu features myriad sights and attractions, from panormic views atop the summits of Diamond Head and Pali Lookout to Polynesian artifacts from a historic museum.
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ISLAND VIEWS NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH KUALOA: A trio of ahupua‘a (ancient Hawaiian land divisions) make up this 4,000-acre corner of O‘ahu, which was once sacred to Native Hawaiians. DOWNTOWN: The location of Ali‘iolani Hale, the highly-photographed statue of King Kamehameha the Great and the Hawai‘i State Art Museum. WINDWARD O‘AHU: Home to some of the finest beaches in the state: Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach. NORTH SHORE: Hale‘iwa Town is the area’s anchor community and dates back to the 1900s. LEEWARD O‘AHU:
The west side of the island is a different world from glitzy Waikīkī and the lush Windward side.
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PARTING SHOT
SPECIAL SECTION
EVENING GLOW Watching the sunset at a North Shore beach will surely be one of your vacation highlights.
DINING IN PARADISE The O‘ahu restaurant scene continues to evolve with award-winning chefs leading the way.
ON THE COVER A surfer skillfully “duck dives” under an oncoming wave as he paddles out to join the lineup of other surfers. ©MATTPAUL/GETTY IMAGES INSIDE FRONT COVER ©JOHN DE MELL /ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
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The Original Wave Collection
An incomparable collection of Hawaiian and Island lifestyle jewelry OAHU Ala Moana Center • Outrigger Waikiki on Kalakaua Avenue • Waikiki Beach Walk Hilton Hawaiian Village • Polynesian Cultural Center MAUI • KAUAI • BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII • NCL PRIDE OF AMERICA
NaHoku.com • 1-800-260-3912 Best of HONOLULU MAGAZINE 2018
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HAWAII’S BEST
People’s Choice Awards The Star-Advertiser 2018
HAWAII MAGAZINE Readers’ Choice Award 2018
11/12/181:31:26 6:33 PM 9/7/18 PM
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Where GuestBook® is produced by Morris Visitor Publications (MVP), a division of Morris Communications, Co., LLC. 725 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901, morrismedianetwork.com. Where® magazine and the where® logo are registered trademarks of Morris Visitor Publications. MVP publishes Where magazine, Where® QuickGuide, IN New York, and IN London magazines, and a host of other maps, guides, and directories for business and leisure travelers, and is the publisher for the Hospitality Industry Association. On O‘ahu, Where GuestBook is pleased to be a member of the associations below. MVP IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF LES CLEFS D’OR USA
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MVP O‘AHU, EDITORIAL OFFICE 677 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 700 Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: 808.955.2378; Fax: 808.955.2379 wheretraveler.com
Where GuestBook® publishes editions for the following U.S. cities and regions: Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Florida Gold Coast (Fort Lauderdale & Palm Beach), Fort Worth, Island of Hawai‘i, Houston, Jacksonville/St. Augustine/Amelia Island, Kansas City, Kaua‘i, Los Angeles, Maui, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Northern Arizona, O‘ahu, Orange County (CA), Orlando, Philadelphia, Reno/Lake Tahoe, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle/The Eastside/ Tacoma, Southwest Florida (Naples), Tampa Bay, Tucson, Washington D.C. ©2017 by Morris Visitor Publications. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, in whole or in part, without the express prior written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility to any party for the content of any advertisement in this publication, including any errors and omissions therein. By placing an order for an advertisement, the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher against any claims relating to the advertisement. Printed in United States.
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Horizon Pendant with Abalone Inlay and Pavé Diamonds
An incomparable collection of Hawaiian and Island lifestyle jewelry OAHU Ala Moana Center • Outrigger Waikiki on Kalakaua Avenue • Waikiki Beach Walk Hilton Hawaiian Village • Polynesian Cultural Center MAUI • KAUAI • BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII • NCL PRIDE OF AMERICA
NaHoku.com • 1-800-260-3912 Best of HONOLULU MAGAZINE 2018
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HAWAII’S BEST
People’s Choice Awards The Star-Advertiser 2018
HAWAII MAGAZINE Readers’ Choice Award 2018
11/12/186:36:04 6:48 PM 9/7/18 PM
FIRST LOOK
©ISAAC ARJONILLA
O‘ahu features myriad sights and attractions, from hikes to the summit of Diamond Head to Polynesian artifacts from a historic museum.
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Valley of the Temples
Tucked away in the foothills of the Ko‘olau Mountains is a memorial park and shrine to peace, harmony and tranquility. The Byodo-In Temple was built in 1960 to commemorate the centennial of the arrival of Japanese immigrants in Hawai‘i and is a replica of a 1,000-year-old Buddhist temple in Japan, featuring a wooden statue of Buddha sitting on a gold-leaf lotus blossom and large ponds filled with colorful koi. Ring the three-ton brass Peace Bell before entering the temple and strolling through the lush Japanese gardens. 47-200 Kahekili Highway, 808.239.8811
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FIRST LOOK
Waikīkī Aquarium
‘Iolani Palace
The only official royal residence in the United States, ‘Iolani Palace is an elegant reminder of the grandeur of the Hawaiian monarchy. Built by King David Kalākaua in the late 1800s, it was the center of social and political activity before 1893, when the Hawaiian kingdom was illegally overthrown during the reign of Queen Lili‘uokalani. Walk in the footsteps of royalty on a docent-led or self-guided tour and marvel at the unique architecture. Outfitted with electricity and telephones before the White House, the Palace, with its royal regalia, furnishings and artifacts, is a potent reminder of a significant time in Hawaiian history. 364 South King St., 808.522.0822, iolanipalace.org
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(FROM TOP) ©TOR JOHNSON/HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY; ©JEWHYTE/ISTOCK
The Waikīkī Aquarium is the third oldest aquarium in the U.S. and has a venerable history in Hawai‘i. When it opened in 1904, The Honolulu Aquarium, as it was called then, was considered state-of-the-art, with 35 exhibits and 400 marine organisms. Admission was 10 cents and some visitors even arrived on horseback. While a lot has changed over the past century, the Aquarium remains dedicated to protecting the ocean through education, research and conservation. Today, it is home to more than 3,500 animals representing approximately 500 species. Visitors are able to come face-to-fin with reef sharks, living corals and even endangered Hawaiian monk seals. 2777 Kalākaua Ave., 808.923.9741, waikikiaquarium.org
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Ri iera Colle tion Na Hoku is Hawaii’s only authorized retailer of Kabana jewelry.
An incomparable collection of Hawaiian and Island lifestyle jewelry OAHU Ala Moana Center • Outrigger Waikiki on Kalakaua Avenue • Waikiki Beach Walk Hilton Hawaiian Village • Polynesian Cultural Center MAUI • KAUAI • BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII • NCL PRIDE OF AMERICA
NaHoku.com • 1-800-260-3912 Best of HONOLULU MAGAZINE 2018
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11/12/182:41:30 6:49 PM 9/7/18 PM
FIRST LOOK Hanauma Bay
Along O’ahu’s arid and bony southeast coast is a stark reminder of the island’s most recent volcanic tumult: a round seaside crater, broken down in its southeast quadrant—and flooded—so it’s now a perfect bay. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve was declared a protected marine life conservation area in 1967. This Nature Preserve is dedicated to safeguarding the fragile marine life found in Hanauma Bay, which is the first Marine Life Conservation District in Hawai‘i. This underwater marine resource gives snorkelers a chance to mingle with hundreds of colorful sea life. Dazzling butterfly fish, puffer fish, eels and hundreds of other species inhabit this reef system. A short video welcomes visitors, encouraging them to join staff and volunteers as stewards of this precious living reef. You can rent snorkel equipment there or bring your own. First-time beach visitors are required to view a nine-minute orientation video at the park’s Education Center before descending to the beach and into the water. Closed on Tuesdays. 7455 Kalaniana‘ole Hwy., hanaumabaystatepark.com
Its name derived from the surrounding fresh water (wai) that feeds the reddish (mea), iron-rich soils, Waimea was once inhabited by ali‘i (royalty) and kāhuna (priests), who chose to settle in the area because of its spiritual power, as well as the abundance of burial caves and heiau (temples). It was once believed that bathing in the crimson waters could cure the injured or sick. Today, Waimea is home to a 150-acre botanical garden with about 41 different collections that contain more than 5,000 varying native and non-native plants. Four cultural sites are also found within the garden: Hale ‘o Lono, Kauhale, Agricultural Terraces and the Games Site. There are cultural activities and guided walks that are offered throughout the day. For more information about the Valley and its programs, call 808.638.7766 or visit waimeavalley.net. 16
(FROM TOP) ©LORRAINE BOOGICH/ISTOCK; ©MAXIMKABB/ISTOCK
Waimea Valley
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Collection available exclusively at Na Hoku
An incomparable collection of Hawaiian and Island lifestyle jewelry OAHU Ala Moana Center • Outrigger Waikiki on Kalakaua Avenue • Waikiki Beach Walk Hilton Hawaiian Village • Polynesian Cultural Center MAUI • KAUAI • BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII • NCL PRIDE OF AMERICA
NaHoku.com • 1-800-260-3912 Best of HONOLULU MAGAZINE 2018
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HAWAII’S BEST
People’s Choice Awards The Star-Advertiser 2018
HAWAII MAGAZINE Readers’ Choice Award 2018
11/12/182:31:26 6:50 PM 9/7/18 PM
FIRST LOOK
Once the site of the original Royal Hawaiian Hotel, the Hawai‘i State Art Museum features rotating exhibitions but at its core is its Art in Public Places Collection, which has been recognized as one of the most significant collections of contemporary art in Hawai‘i. Prominent local artists include the group of Japanese-Americans known as the Metcalf Château. 250 South Hotel St., 808.586.0900, sfca.hawaii.gov
Pali Lookout
Perched 1,000 feet over the dramatic peaks of the Ko‘olau Mountain Range, the overlook from these pali (cliffs) gives you an unparalleled view of the valleys, mountains and turquoise waters of O‘ahu’s windward side. At the Pali Lookout, you’re on top of the world. But beneath the beauty is a haunting twist: This is the site of a gruesome battle between King Kamehameha I and a rival chief, a fight which helped determine the fate of Hawai‘i. When thousands of warriors were pushed off the escarpment into the valley below, Kamehameha’s fate was sealed as the one who would unite the Islands. The view, the history and the strong gusts of wind, a signature of the Nu‘uanu Pali, let you know without doubt that this is a place of power. Off of Pali Highway (Hwy. 61). 18
Bishop Museum
Founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in honor of his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of Hawai‘i’s royal Kamehameha family, the museum is the largest in the state, and the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific. Recognized for its collections and research projects, the museum houses millions of artifacts from Hawai‘i and other Pacific Island cultures. 1525 Bernice St., 808.847.3511, bishopmuseum.org
(CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) ©ISAAC ARJONILLA; ©KENNETH WIEDEMANN/ISTOCK; ©TROPICALPIXSINGAPORE/ISTOCK
Hawai‘i State Art Museum
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Diamond Head
One of Hawai‘i’s most recognized landmarks is known for its historic hiking trail, breathtaking coastal views and military history. The trail to the summit was built in 1908 as part of O‘ahu’s coastal defense system. The 0.8-mile hike from trailhead to the summit is steep and strenuous, ascending 560 feet from the crater floor. Most of the vegetation and birds were introduced in the late 1800s to early 1900s. 20
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FIRST LOOK
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Hōkūle‘a turning downwind in the Kaiwi Channel and completing the final leg back to Honolulu.
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E OLA MAU ‘O HOKULE‘A LONG LIVE HOKULE‘A After three years circumnavigating the globe, Hōkūle‘a and sister ship Hikianalia successfully return to Hawaiian waters. TEXT BY JENNIFER ALLEN
THE WIND IS QUIET. THE WATERS, STILL. THE ONLY RIPPLES ARE those following children on paddleboards, making large, awestruck circles around the double-hulled sailing canoe, Hōkūle‘a. Lei maile drape the hulls. Ti-leaf garlands hang on the bow. Sails remain wrapped and tied around the masts. In full wind, those sails will billow into a 50-foot spray of crimson, the color of a Hawaiian king’s feathered cloak. Hōkūle‘a has been harbored here in Palekai, a springfed cove near Hilo for nearly a week now. Merchant ships, cargo containers, and petroleum tanks surround this lavarock girded bay. Hōkūle‘a seems like an island unto herself, undaunted, anchored, awaiting the winds to sail. It has been a big-sun day, with a sharp horizon, and no sight of clouds. Her captain is barefoot in blue jeans, adjusting the lines that swing the boom. His name is Charles Nainoa Thompson. He’s known as Nainoa. Nainoa has been navigating Hōkūle‘a for thirty-five years now, more than half his lifetime.
PHOTOS BY JOHN BILDERBACK
“You do not tell the winds what to do,” Nainoa has told his crew. “The winds tell you what to do.” Right now, the winds say, wait. The wait has allowed many things. It has allowed locals to stream into Palekai, dawn to dusk, with offerings. Busloads of school children have come, gifting lei, candied ginger, and poi for the crew. Paddlers have come by outrigger, just to have a look, all sharing the venerable greeting of honi with captain and crew, touching forehead to forehead, nose to nose, breathing in the same breath, sharing hā, sharing spirit. A pastor brought a hand-sewn silk flag that reads, Hae O Ke Aloha—His Love Is The Banner Over Us—to wave alongside the flag of Hawai‘i on the mast. The Hawaiian flag has yet to be raised. It, too, awaits the winds. The wait is teaching patience. Patience is key when you are about to launch on a three-year global voyage. First stop—Tahiti, two wind systems and 2,500 nautical miles away. In sailing to Tahiti, Nainoa will trace the same path WHERE GUEST B OOK
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“Eddie had wanted to go to the land of his ancestors, to educate new generations, to bring dignity back to our kūpuna, our ancestors.”
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Polynesians sailed centuries ago when they explored and settled these islands. Like his forefathers, Nainoa will rely on the wind, moon, swells, birds, fish, and stars as guides. Using traditional wayfinding skills, Hōkūle‘a will be sailed through and eventually beyond Polynesia, crossing the Indian and the Atlantic Oceans, to connect with communities who care for the health of the oceans and our shared island, Earth. The mission is aptly called Mālama Honua—to Care for the Earth. “Caring for the earth is in the traditions of Hawaiian ancestors for the world to use,” Nainoa says of his homelands. “Hōkūle‘a is the needle that collects the flowers that get sewn into a lei by Hawai‘i and gives it to the earth as an act of peace.” This act of peace continues to pour into Palekai even as the sun lowers over the mountains. The limping man with the koa-branch cane, the mother with the baby on her hip wrapped in a sarong, the fisherman steaming oysters, the farmer offering fresh kalo, the woman giving lomilomi massages … they continue to come, paying respects to Hōkūle‘a, the mana, the spirit of the Islands. Hōkūle‘a is the Hawaiian name for Arcturus, the star that sits at the zenith above Hawai‘i. The fisherman opens the oysters and places them onto a tablecloth-covered card table. It is dinnertime, and another captain, this one named Bruce Mealoha Blankenfeld, has just now stepped ashore. Bruce shares hā with the fisherman before diving in, dousing his oyters with chili-lime sauce. He smiles, nods, eats. Island-born and ocean-bred, Bruce has the broad build of a long-distance paddler and the steady gaze of a man who has studied miles of horizons. His palms are wide, worn, and strong from years of building and restoring Hōkūle‘a. From the hulls to decks, crossbeams to booms, his hands have worked and sanded and seamed her into a watertight vessel. Bruce will captain and navigate Hikianalia—just behind
Hōkūle‘a—to Tahiti. Hiki is a hybrid canoe, half-tradition/ half-modern, sailed in the ancient navigational way but with sixteen solar panels that power motors. Hikianalia is the Hawaiian name for Spica, the star that rises alongside Hōkūle‘a in the Hawaiian skies. In the low-lying sun, Hikianalia glides into Palekai. The crew is returning after practicing safety drills through the afternoon. Bruce watches as a crewmember tosses a rope to Nainoa and his crew aboard Hōkūle‘a. They bind the canoes, side-by-side, like sisters together for the night. There will be a hilo—a new moon—tonight. The skies will be dark, the stars, bright. The wind remains unchangingly still. “We just need a little bit of wind,” Bruce says, with a knowing smile. “A bit of wind to give us a good push.” IF YOU ARE LOOKING for the Southern Cross, just ask Nainoa. North Star, Hōkūpa‘a; Sirius, ‘A‘a; or Procyon, Puana: all you have to do is ask. Nainoa can show you where these stars and hundreds more rest in the nighttime sky. He can show you how he measures their movements, using his palm like a sextant along the horizon. He has been “calibrating” his hand for many seasons now, long before he was married and the father of five-year-old twins, Nai‘noa and Puana. “I am old,” he says. But he hardly seems so, with an agile grace that allows him to walk hands-free along the narrow safety rails, the palekana, of the canoe. For Nainoa, wayfinding has become a journey into his ancestral past. “We must now sail in the wake of our ancestors—to find ourselves,” Nainoa says, of the crossing to Tahiti. Hōkūle‘a was originally built with the clear desire to help Hawaiians find their path. By the 1970s, the culture of sailing canoes had “been asleep,” as Bruce likes to say, for over six hundred years. But in 1973, three men founded the Polynesian Voyaging Society—artist and historian Herb Kawainui Kāne, expert
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(Previous spread, from left) In memory of Eddie Aikau; Pwo navigator Nainoa Thompson; Hōkūle‘a’s lashing to hull. (This spread) Hōkūle‘a out in the open seas.
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waterman Tommy Holmes, and anthropologist Ben Finney. They wanted to prove that Polynesians were once master ocean navigators who purposely found and settled the Hawaiian Islands. They wanted to dispel the myth that Polynesians had happened onto Hawai‘i by drifting aimlessly along currents. They wanted to resurrect navigational knowledge and to revive the culture that had been diluted by colonization. Hula was forbidden. Songs of the sea had been translated to suit tourists in Waikīkī. The native language was a whisper. When people lose their dance, songs, and language, they risk losing their history and narratives—a part of their collective soul. The Polynesian Voyaging Society wanted to help Hawaiians rediscover their strength, wisdom, and spirit. The plan was to build a replica of a voyaging canoe and sail her across the trades to Tahiti. They researched the massive double-hulled sailing canoes of eastern Polynesia, designed to transport several thousand pounds of people and goods. They looked to oral, written, and drawn historical records in Hawai‘i—including petroglyphs—to study the shape of the canoe and its sails. From this, they built Hōkūle‘a, a sixty-two-foot long wa‘a kaulua, double-hulled canoe, using plywood, fiberglass, and resin, with twin masts, claw sails, no motor, a sweep as a rudder, and a twenty-foot broad deck, all held together by eight cross beams and five miles of lashings. But to make the passage authentic, they needed to sail without modern navigational instruments. They needed someone to lead them, someone who could, as Bruce explains, “pull us through the curtain of time” so that Hawaiians could relearn what had been known centuries ago. Opening that curtain of time meant traveling to the coral atoll Satawal, in the Central Caroline Islands of Micronesia. There lived Pius ‘Mau’ Piailug, a master navigator known as a Pwo. Only a handful of Micronesians still knew the art of wayfinding, and none, other than Mau, were willing to share it outside their community.
Mau knew a navigational system that modern sailors had never before seen. It was something that Nainoa, then a twenty-three-year-old crewman, yearned to understand. “If you can read the ocean,” Mau would say, “you will never be lost.” Mau could read and discern eight separate patterns of ocean swells. Lying inside the hull, feeling the various waves hitting it, he could know the direction of the winds and the direction to steer the canoe. At dawn, he would study the horizon and predict the weather for the day to come. At dusk, he would predict the weather for dawn. And in the midst of a gale-swept, stormy night, days away from any safe harbor or land, Mau could steady the mind of any novice navigator—he could look the man in the eye, and with an unflinching gaze, tell him, “You are the light, you have the light within you to guide your family home.” Some called it magic. Bruce calls it being maka‘ala—vigilant, observant, awake. In May of 1976, Mau safely guided Hōkūle‘a to Tahiti in thirty-one days. Upon entering the bay of Pape‘ete, the canoe was greeted by more than 17,000 Tahitians, over half the population, welcoming her and her crew … home. Two years later, Hōkūle‘a embarked on another voyage to Tahiti—but without Mau. Both Bruce and Nainoa were on board when she capsized in thirty-foot swells, only hours after her launch out of Ala Wai Harbor in Honolulu. Without an escort boat, the crew sat on upturned hulls from midnight to sunset the following day, lighting flares in hopes that ship or airplane captains might see them. One crewmember, the legendary big-wave rider and lifeguard at Waimea Bay, Eddie Aikau, convinced Captain Dave Lyman to allow him to paddle on a surfboard to find help on Lāna‘i, some fifteen nautical miles away. Nainoa can still see Eddie taking off his life vest in order to freely paddle into a wind so fierce that the salt from the waves was blinding.
“Can you point to the way of Tahiti? Can you see the island? See the vision of the island rising from the sea. If you don’t have a vision, you will be lost.”
WHERE GUEST B OOK
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“Hōkūle‘a is the needle that collects the flowers that get sewn into a lei by Hawai‘i and gives it to the earth as an act of peace.”
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The crew was eventually rescued. Eddie was never found. Nainoa understood why Eddie wanted to voyage to Tahiti. Eddie’s passion was not for his own glory but rather a reflection of his reverence for the past and his hope for the future. “Eddie had wanted to go to the land of his ancestors, to educate new generations, to bring dignity back to our kūpuna, our ancestors,” Nainoa remembers. Eddie’s legacy is why the Polynesian Voyaging Society continues to sail today. Eddie is why Bruce volunteered to help rebuild the severely damaged canoe. Eddie is why Nainoa went to Satawal to ask Mau to teach him Polynesian wayfinding. Until a Hawaiian could sail Hōkūle‘a, the quest would not be fulfilled. Nainoa needed to learn the skills of Oceania and then share this knowledge with future generations. Mau knew that a Pwo must pass the wisdom on. He also knew that wayfinding was on the verge of disappearing in his own islands. Mau then asked his own teacher, his grandfather, for permission to share these lessons. His grandfather agreed, reminding Mau that the Hawaiians were, after all, part of the Polynesian family. Positioning stones, shells, and palm fronds in the sand, Mau re-created a star compass for Nainoa. Mau taught him how to identify the stars as they rose up out of the ocean and then dove back in. Mau showed him how to decipher wind systems, how to understand sea birds flying to and away from land, how to interpret clouds. Mau taught him how to study the shape of the ocean and read the “character” in the waves. Mau taught him how to discern the varying widths and hues of the sun’s path along the waves. Mau was teaching him the language of the navigator—what Mau called the “talk of the sea.” Just as the Hawaiian god Maui is said to have fished the Hawaiian Islands out of the ocean, Nainoa would now need to pull Tahiti out of the sea.
In “An Ocean in Mind,” author Will Kyselka renders the multilayered teachings of Mau and their limitless affect on his student, Nainoa. “Can you point to the way of Tahiti?” Mau asked Nainoa during the last lesson of his two years of study. The teacher and student were observing the sky at Lāna‘i lookout, a coastal perch on the southeastern shore of O‘ahu. Nainoa pointed to the direction of Tahiti. Then Mau asked another question, one that required a deeper knowing. “Can you see the island?” Nainoa couldn’t literally see the island but he could, he told his teacher, see “an image of the island in my mind.” “Good. Keep the island in your mind,” Mau told him, “otherwise you will be lost.” “See the vision of the island rising from the sea,” Mau would often remind Nainoa. “If you don’t have a vision, you will be lost.” In 1980, with Mau on board, Nainoa safely navigated Hōkūle‘a to Tahiti. In doing so, Nainoa became the first Hawaiian to make a noninstrument passage from Hawai‘i to Tahiti since the fourteenth century. Since then, Hōkūle‘a has become the heart of the Hawaiian renaissance and, in the last forty years, she has sailed over 140,000 nautical miles of the vast Pacific, igniting a revival of sailing canoes throughout Polynesia, and igniting a voyaging revival that now includes twenty-eight wa‘a kaulua, voyaging canoes. In 2014, Hōkūle‘a, along with sister ship Hikianalia, set sail for Polynesia, marking the beginning of a three-year voyage that would cover a distance of 45,000 nautical miles. In June 2017, the two wa‘a returned to Hawaiian waters, concluding their “Malama Honua” (Care for the Earth) journey and tying the ends of their “Lei of Hope” around the world. Adapted from Mālama Honua: Hōkūle‘a — A Voyage of Hope (© 2017 Patagonia). Used by permission.
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(Opposite page) The rigging for Hōkūle‘a’s mast; (This page, clockwise from top) Homecoming in June 2017; Taievau Maraetaata drapes lei over the bow; hoe uli.
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GUITAR HERO ‘Ukulele artists and makers sing praise to the diminutive stringed instrument. BY SIMPLICIO PARAGAS PHOTOGRAPHY BY ISAAC ARJONILLA
(Opposite page) There are four main types of ‘ukulele: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. (This page) KoAloha’s tuning head includes the company’s ‘ukulele-inspired logo.
During a 1995 festival at Kapi‘olani Park, Alvin Okami went on stage and strummed his instrument. To the bewilderment of the crowd, the sound was emanating from a Lilliputian-size, 5.5-inch ‘ukulele, which was an exact replica of a normal size soprano. The tuners, the fret board, the body and every detail was hand-crafted by Okami, a musician-turned-inventor-turned “mad man.” “People thought he was scratching his chest,” recalls son Paul Okami, who now works alongside his brother Alan, mom Pat and dad Alvin at KoAloha ‘Ukulele. “He started with an acrylic business and then in 1995, he just decided he wanted to make ‘ukulele—but not the normal size like all other ‘ukulele. He started with the design of our logo, which I didn’t realize incorporated a ‘ukulele until a customer told me that he thought it was a cool. And that was 10 years after making these ‘ukulele.” For the past two decades, the ‘ukulele has gained much more street credibility and moved light years away from Tiny Tim tiptoeing through the tulips, thanks to all the attention that renowned artists have endowed upon the four-string, two-octave mini lute. No musical instrument more quickly conjures Hawai‘i and its
famous tropical imagery than the ‘ukulele. Pronounced ooh-koo-leh-leh (not you-koo-lay-lay), this four-stringed relative of the guitar is an offshoot of the Portuguese braguinha. Brought to Hawai‘i in 1879 by immigrants from Madeira Island—part of an autonomous archipelago off the coast of Portugal—the little instrument quickly caught on here. Hawai‘i’s king at that time, the well-traveled and sophisticated David Kalākaua, took a liking to the sound of the diminutive string instrument and had it incorporated into performances for the royal court. So rapid was its rise to popularity that within 10 years of its arrival in the Islands, the ‘ukulele became Hawai‘i’s most popular musical instrument. Over the years, the original Portuguese design evolved in Hawai‘i with a look and sound of its own, and the modern ‘ukulele was born. Taking a tour at the KoAloha shop, Paul Okami describes the process of making an ‘ukulele, which starts at his workstation, where he mills raw boards of koa. He then must determine which pieces will eventually become the body, the sides and the neck. “It’s like being a sushi chef who gets a piece of ahi and he has to decide what cuts will become what,” Okami WHERE GUEST B OOK
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explains. “They’re grading the fish but in my case, I’m grading the wood.” It takes nimble fingers to play the ‘ukulele well. One story about the origin of its name says the word ‘ukulele, meaning “jumping flea” in Hawaiian, was chosen because the fingers of a quick and dexterous ‘ukulele player appear to be “flying” off of the strings. In the early 20th century, the ‘ukulele gained fame around the world and eventually became an iconic emblem of Hawai‘i, thanks to the Waikīkī Beach Boys and songs by Cliff Edwards (who was nicknamed “Ukulele Ike”) in the 1920s. By the 1960s, millions of ‘ukulele had been sold across the United States. Today, annual ‘ukulele festivals are held in Los Angeles, Portland, New York City, and even as far away as Belgium, Paris, Ireland and England, and vintage ‘ukulele can be found in museums throughout the world. The instruments can vary greatly in quality, appearing as inexpensive, mass-produced toys for children or costing thousands of dollars when made from prized koa wood. KoAloha’s ‘ukuleles are somewhere in between. In the showroom, a timeline on the wall captures the different types and progression of the KoAloha ‘ukulele, including a “Masterpiece Collection” that consists of the “Pineapple Sunday,” so named because of the pineapple skin design on the face; the “Scepter,” which resembles a king’s staff; the “Juke Box,” which looks just as its name suggests; and the “Gamba,” which includes a Japanese flag to honor the
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family’s heritage, as well as to commemorate those who died in the 2011 Fukushima earthquake-tsunami disaster. “There are three remaining spots,” says Okami, pointing to the empty slots on the wall. “Dad’s still working on them. I’m sure he’ll be working here until the very end.” Common types of ‘ukulele include soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. The 21-inch-long soprano, often called “standard” in Hawai‘i, is the second smallest of its kind (only slightly larger than the rare sopranino, also called piccolo, bambino or “pocket ‘uke”) and is the original size. The concert size (23” long) was developed in the 1920s as an enhanced soprano, slightly larger and louder with a deeper tone. Shortly thereafter, the tenor (26” long)— the most popular among professional musicians—was created, having more volume and deeper bass tone. The baritone (28” long) was introduced in the 1940s, and the contrabass and bass are recent innovations, 2010 and 2014, respectively. “My dad wanted to keep making those mini ‘ukulele but my mom, thank god, finally convinced him to make the regular size soprano,” says Okami, who lost part of his thumb in 1998 while milling a piece of wood. “We introduced the concert size six months later and then the tenor six to eight months after.” While other luthiers across the islands create expensive, custom ‘ukulele, the Okamis’ KoAloha ‘ukulele are moderately priced—considering the handcrafted
Paul Okami, left, and dad Alvin Okami help craft KoAloha ‘ukulele. The arduous process takes up to a week to produce a single instrument and involves at least 300 steps, from trimming and gluing the sides and tops to attaching the neck and fret to sanding and buffing.
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Now protected behind glass, the original KoAloha ‘ukulele measured a diminutive— even by ‘ukulele standards—5.5 inches.
quality—and widely accessible. The latter has always been important to Alvin Okami, who once said, “The ‘ukulele alone can mend the heart, can encourage, can bring laughter, hope, joy to whoever plays it from age 3 to 90; there’s no other instrument that comes even close to bringing such enjoyment.” Bringing enjoyment in people’s lives is a shared goal with the ‘Ukulele Guild of Hawai‘i, a nonprofit organization whose members span across the Hawaiian Islands and the globe with a single common passion: the beloved ‘ukulele. “We share with the public ideas and experiences that have to do with making ‘ukulele because builders who make [them] have made a tremendous contribution to
‘ukulele,” says ‘Ukulele Guild of Hawai‘i president Kimo Hussey. “They’re making ‘ukulele sound better, look better and easier to play. So one of the things we’ve done in our organization is to promote building high quality ‘ukulele. Some of the builders in our guild are reputed and acknowledged to be among the best in the world.” Count the Okami family among them. “The ‘ukulele is a simple four-string instrument but it’s the ‘chosen instrument,’” Alvin Okami says. “Because of all of the world pressures today, there is a strong desire in everybody’s heart to want to have relief, release and encouragement.” KoAloha tours are available Monday through Friday at 1 p.m. Build-Your-Own-‘Ukulele tours start at 9:30 a.m. WHERE GUEST B OOK
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ISLAND VIEWS
©ART WAGER/ISTOCK
Known among island residents as the Gathering Place, O‘ahu attracts millions of visitors each year with its stunning beaches, iconic monuments and aloha spirit.
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Kualoa
A horseback ride across great, green craggy hills overlooking deep turquoise waters is a memory you’ll have forever. Cattle of all sizes still roam Kualoa’s lush, rolling landscape. A trio of ahupua‘a (ancient Hawaiian land divisions), Ka‘a‘awa, Kualoa and Hakipu‘u, make up this 4,000-acre corner of O‘ahu, a place once sacred to Native Hawaiians. Today, it’s a place of education and stewardship, with specialized wildlife programs and an 800-year-old Hawaiian fishpond. Marvelously diverse, it’s also a fount of locations for film and television; you’ve seen many of them in such Hollywood productions as “Jurassic Park,” “LOST” and, now, “Hawaii Five-O.”
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Downtown Honolulu
This is not the typical urban center. Historical buildings and sites in the area include the statue of King Kamehameha the Great, ‘Iolani Palace and Washington Place. The Hawai‘i State Capitol Building, Honolulu Hale (City Hall), the Mission Houses Museum and Kawaiaha‘o Church also tell Hawai‘i’s story. On the waterfront, iconic Aloha Tower was once the tallest building in Honolulu, a landmark that greeted arriving cruise ships.
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Windward O‘ahu
This is the lush, green side of the island, bordered by the striking Ko‘olau Mountains and beaches with soft, white sand. A drive to the Windward coast winds along bays and valleys. Kailua is a suburban town with boutiques and restaurants bordering some of the finest beaches in the state—Kailua Beach Park and Lanikai Beach. A jewel-like greenish blue, the water is perfect for swimming, kayaking, kite surfing and bodyboarding.
(FROM LEFT) ©GREGORY ZAMELL/ISTOCK; ©SEGAWA7/ISTOCK
ISLAND VIEWS
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North Shore
Located an hour away from Waikīkī, the North Shore is known as the surfing mecca of the world. Often coined the “8 mile miracle”— which spans from Haleiwa to Sunset Beach— the North Shore is the site of famous beaches and surf spots: Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay. Every winter, swells generated in the North Pacific Ocean deliver barreling waves, which can reach up to 40 feet high. Hale‘iwa Town is the area’s anchor community.
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Leeward O‘ahu
Roughly 30 miles west of Honolulu, this area is framed between the ocean and the Wai‘anae Mountains. Kapolei, officially designated as O‘ahu’s “Second City,” is a growing planned community with nearby resorts. Many visitors head out here by the busload to attend a seaside lū‘au at either Paradise Cove or Germaine’s Lū‘au. Further up the coast, Mākaha Beach has retained its reputation for epic winter waves.
(FROM LEFT) ©DANIEL_GOLDIN/ISTOCK; ©TOR JOHNSON/HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY
ISLAND VIEWS
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In 1976, Paniolo Trading opened in Hawaii and has been Ala Moana Shopping Center’s speciality western store ever since. “Paniolo” is the Hawaiian word for “Cowboy,” and we’re committed to serving our local paniolos as well as our island guests. At Paniolo Trading, you will find everything to gear up cowboys and cowgirls with hats, boots, jeans, shirts, belts, buckles, jewelry, and a variety of other accessories! Native American Indian jewelry is also available. Located ground level at Ala Moana Center near center stage. Suite 1204 808.973.1333
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PARTING SHOT
Evening Glow “COUNTRY,” WHERE A LAID-BACK LIFESTYLE PREVAILS. YEARROUND SURF COMPETITIONS TAKE PLACE AT WAIMEA BAY, BANZAI PIPELINE AND SUNSET BEACH. WATCH THE SUN SET FROM ANY ONE OF THESE SHORELINES. 48
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BOUNTY OF SEAFOOD A TALE OF TWO COCKTAILS RESTAURANT GUIDE
DINING IN PARADISE CONTENTS
D8 BOUNTY OF THE SEA HAWAI‘I’S FAVORITE FISH When dining out, be sure to ask your server for the day’s fresh catch.
D20 DINING GUIDE ISLAND CHEFS OFFER DIVERSE FLAVORS, FROM HAWAI‘I REGIONAL TO JAPANESE.
D12 A TALE OF TWO COCKTAILS THE MAI TAI AND BLUE HAWA‘I These two quintessential tiki cocktails have been around for more than six decades and they still remain popular elixirs. BY SIMPLICIO PARAGAS
G U I D E TO LO C A L C U I S I N E
ON THE COVER
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BOUNTY OF SEAFOOD A TALE OF TWO COCKTAILS RESTAURANT GUIDE
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O‘ahu chefs’ use of seafood comes in various ways, including thinly sliced salmon served over a bed of rice. ©Maksim Shebeko/ 123 RF Stock Photo
DI N I N G IN PA R A D IS E
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BY SIMPLICIO PARAGAS
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677 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste. 700 Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: 808-955-2378; Fax: 808-955-2379 www.wheretraveler.com DINING IN PARADISE® is produced by Where®Hawaii, a division of Morris Communications, Co., LLC. 725 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901. Where® magazine and the where® logo are registered trademarks of Morris Visitor Publications. MVP publishes Where magazine, Where® QuickGuide, IN New York, and IN London magazines, and a host of other maps, guides, and directories for business and leisure travelers, and is the publisher for the Hospitality Industry Association. On O‘ahu, DINING IN PARADISE is pleased to be a member of these following associations: MVP IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF LES CLEFS D’OR USA
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BOUNTY OF THE SEA Hawai‘i’s surrounding waters teem with schools of tropical fish. BY SIMPLICIO PARAGAS
It’s 5:30 on a Tuesday morning and the clang of a brass bell echoes, signaling the start of the bidding war at the Honolulu Fish Auction on Pier 38. Huddled around pallets of freshly offloaded fish, chefs and fishmongers bid on thousands of pounds of big-eye and yellowfin tuna, marlin, opah, swordfish, mahimahi, ono and much more. Some of the fish are destined for nearby restaurants while others will be exported to the outer Hawaiian islands, the mainland and other countries. “There is a method to the madness,” says Brooks Takenaka, general manager of the United Fishing Agency, which has operated the auction since 1952. “And the auction doesn’t end until all the fish are gone.”
As fish are sold, pallet jacks dart in and out of the auction area. Local fishmonger Guy Tamashiro does the same. His family’s popular namesake market in Kalihi carries some of the freshest fish on the island, thanks to the auction. “I’m here at 5:30 in the morning, six days a week,” says Tamashiro, whose grandparents, Chogen and Yoshiko, opened their first market in Hilo in 1941. “The auction is great because I get to select the fish I want. I get to physically see and touch the fish.” Fishing was vital in old Hawai‘i. Skilled lawai‘a (fishermen) were deeply revered in the community and those who could supply large amounts of fish from ponds or catches at sea were believed to possess mana kupua,
One of the more popular fish in the islands, mahimahi possesses a delicate flavor and is best eaten when fresh.
(Clockwise from left) In Hawai‘i, “ahi” refers to two species: the bigeye and the yellowfin tuna; a closeup look of the tail of an opah; on a good day, almost 60,000 pounds of fish will be sold at the Auction.
or supernatural power, to attract fish at will or make them multiply. Some fish were harvested in loko‘ia (fishponds); others were pulled from the ocean. In their infancy, fishponds were built by ali‘i (chiefs) so they could stock the brackish waters with fish and raise them for later consumption during the winter months when deep-sea fishing was perilous. “The loko‘ia wasn’t to replace fishing; it was to supplement it,” says Angela Hi‘ilei Kawelo, executive director for Paepae o He‘eia, a private non-profit organization that works in partnership with landowner, Kamehameha Schools, to manage and maintain He‘eia Fishpond in Kāne‘ohe Bay for the community. “It was sustainable aquaculture, although I doubt kupuna (elders) were thinking green when they built these ponds.” 10
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Located on the windward side of the island, He’eia Fishpond is a kuapā-style (walled) fishpond enclosing 88 acres of brackish water. Built approximately 600800 years ago, the fishpond is possibly the longest in the island chain measuring approximately 7,000 feet long and 12-15 feet wide, and forms a complete circle around the pond. By allowing both fresh and salt water to enter the pond, the water environment is brackish, and therefore conducive to the growth of certain types of limu, which can feed schools of herbivorous fish, such as ‘ama‘ama, awa, pualu, palani, aholehole, moi, kokala, kākū and papio. The 25-year, long-term goal is to be able to stock the pond and have it serve as a model of sustainability, while simultaneously restoring the eco system in the ahupua‘a (land division) of He‘eia.
We’re lucky because we’ve ©STEPHEN FRINK COLLECTION /ALAMY; ©ISAAC ARJONILLA (2); (THIS PAGE) ©ISAAC ARJONILLA
(PREVIOUS SPREAD): ©NATURE PICTURE LIBRARY/ALAMY. (OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT)
got some of the best fish in the world. And the auction is one of the best venues to show people the quality of Hawai‘i’s fish.
“Who knows if we can reverse the environmental damage already done?” Kawelo asks. “But we’re pretty stubborn and we’re just going to do it. It’s a question of what is it that we want our kids to remember? Do we want to tell them that we were part of restoring this fishpond? Or, do we want to tell them that we didn’t do anything to help?” Local chefs are also doing their part to support the local seafood industry. In addition to popular ahi, opakapaka, ono and mahimahi, they are starting to use the lesser known fish, such as monchong (sickle pomfret), opah, hebi, nairagi (striped marlin), uku (blue-green snapper), hapu‘upu‘u (sea bass), onaga (long-tail red snapper) and ulua. Each has a unique taste and texture. So whether you choose sashimi-style with shoyu and wasabi, grilled with garlic or pan-fried in
a buttery basil sauce, you’re sure to find a taste to suit your palate. Fishing for some types of local fish is restricted at times by the state, so availability may be affected. Ask your waiter if opah, ulua or hebi is a catch of the day. If so, place an order. And don’t wait for dinner. Island fish and eggs make a great breakfast; a fresh fish sandwich on the beach can’t be beat; and raw fish, sashimi, is our all-time favorite pūpū. “We’re lucky because we’ve got some of the best fish in the world,” Takenaka says. “And the auction is one of the best venues to show people the quality of Hawai‘i’s fish.” Honolulu Fish Auction tours are available, by reservation only, on select Saturday mornings from 6-7:30 a.m. Cost is $25 for adults and $20 for kids 8-12 years old. Tours are not scheduled mid-December to mid-January. hawaii-seafood.org/auctiontour
A TALE OF TWO COCKTAILS The mai tai and Blue Hawai‘i are steeped in legendary lore. TEXT BY SIMPLICIO PARAGAS
PHOTOS BY ISAAC ARJONILLA
They’re no longer just bars but liquid kitchens. And they’re not bartenders; they’re mixologists. For the past decade, the art of crafting a cocktail has been an intoxicating trend to watch—and sip. Bitters, sours and just about every ingredient has been muddled, coated, dusted, frosted and flamed to achieve some form of magical elixir. And while the cocktail landscape may have changed, the Blue Hawai‘i and the mai tai still remain the preferred libations among many of our visitors. Considered the godfather of Hawaiian cocktails, Harry Yee— who celebrated his 100th birthday in September—is credited with having helped spread tiki bars and tiki culture during the mid20th century, both in Hawai‘i and in the continental United States. With orchids, parasols and even a Chinese back scratcher as garnishes, the exotic drinks of our islands are some of the most unusual in the world. Yee created 15 of them, including the Banana Daiquiri and Tropical Itch. He invented the Blue Hawai‘i in 1957 in Waikīkī because nobody knew what to do with blue Curaçao. This mellow, fruity electric blue libation is just a little older than Hawaiian statehood, preceding Elvis Presley’s movie and subsequent hit song by
the same name. Slide aside the island garnishes (paper parasol, pineapple, orange wheel or perhaps a big Hawaiian blossom) and experience the liquid version of that melancholy serenade to the tropics, full of exotic pineapple and tart orange notes. There are many variations on the recipe for this drink—a subject of slight controversy—ranging from light rum to dark rum, and sometimes including Crème de Coconut or coconut rum. Then, of course, there’s the age-old dilemma: to blend, or not to blend? Its hue will vary, just like our Hawaiian waters, but the color is always unmistakably blue. “Those days when tourists came in, they said, ‘Give me a Hawaiian drink,’” Yee was quoted by author Rick Carroll. “We didn’t have any Hawaiian drinks. There were no such things as exotic drinks. Or tropical drinks from Hawai‘i. So we started thinking, gee, we better start making something for the tourists—something catchy, not too strong and nice to sip.” In oft-cited cocktail lore, the late Vic Bergeron of Trader Vic’s fame is credited with creating the mai tai. In a 1947 book, “The Trader Vic’s Bartender’s Guide (Revised),” Bergeron explained how, in 1944, after success with several exotic
Halekulani’s Blue Hawai‘i is a tropical cocktail made of coconut rum, vodka, Blue Curaçao, sweet and sour mix and pineapple juice.
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Two of the more quintessential cocktails of the 1950s “tiki culture,” the colorful Blue Hawai‘i and mai tai are legendary at the Mai Tai Bar at The Royal Hawaiian Resort.
rum drinks, he felt a new drink was needed. “I thought about all the really successful drinks—martinis, Manhattans, daiquiris, all basically simple drinks,” Bergeron wrote. “I took down a bottle of 17-year old rum. It was J. Wray & Nephew from Jamaica—surprisingly golden in color, medium bodied but with the rich pungent flavor particular to the Jamaican blends.”
He infused the rum with fresh lime, orange Curaçao from Holland, a dash of rock candy syrup and a dollop of French orgeat for a subtle almond flavor. He then added a generous amount of shaved ice and shook it vigorously by hand to produce “the marriage” he was after. The San Francisco native gave the first two to friends Eastham and Carrie Guild from Tahiti. They took one sip and said: “Mai tai roa ae.” In Tahitian, this means “out of this world, the best.” And a legend was born. In 1953, Bergeron introduced the mai tai to Hawai‘i at the Royal Hawaiian and Moana hotels in Waikīkī. “There’s been a lot of conversation over the beginning of the Mai Tai,” Bergeron told Carroll. “And I want to get the record straight. I originated the Mai Tai.” Another story involves Trader Vic’s amicable rival, Don the Beachcomber, who claimed he created the mai tai first in 1933 at his newly opened bar in Hollywood. The Beachcomber’s recipe is more complex than that of Trader Vic’s, calling for both dark and golden rum, Angostura bitters, anise-flavored liquor and Falernum—a Caribbean syrup that is now difficult to obtain. Today, the mai tai is served throughout the Islands, and O‘ahu’s mixologists have also come up with their own unique variations, using locally sourced ingredients. Cheers!
The meat is sliced in the store every morning for moist & juicy steak
2201 Kalakaua Avenue • Royal Hawaiian Center Bldg-B 2F Food court • 10am - 10pm Everyday
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Legendary for RIBS. FAMOUS for so much MORE!
Waikiki: 1972 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu HI 96815 | 808.942.2121 | Mon - Sun 11AM - 11PM
FREE HALF ONION LOAF* MENTION CODE DIP
*Valid with purchase of 2 or more entrees. Not valid with other offers. Limit one coupon per table per visit.
Tony Roma’s Hawaii
www.tonyromas.com
TO EXPLORE
Go behind the scenes with a movie sites tour at Kualoa Ranch–a popular filming location on O‘ahu. For more amazing destinations go to wheretraveler.com
RESTAURANT GUIDE
PRIME STEAKS SINCE 1978
AMERICAN
Waikīkī Yokocho Japanese food hall with 14 different restaurants. (808) 926-8093 2250 Kalākaua Ave. waikiki-yokocho.com L, D, B
d.k Steak House (Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa) Try the in-house dry-aged steaks. 2552 Kalākaua Ave. (808) 931-6280 dksteakhouse.com D, C, B/W
Buho Cocina y Cantina (Waikīkī Shopping Plaza) Modern rooftop restaurant. 2250 Kalākaua Ave. (808) 922-2846 buhocantina.com L, D, C, B/W
Tony Roma’s A family-friendly chain known for its ribs. 1972 Kalākaua Ave. (808) 942-2121 98-150 Kaonohi St. (808) 487-9911 tonyromas.com L, D, C, B/W
JAPANESE
Miyako Restaurant (New Otani Kaimana Beach) Japanese cuisine with kaiseki options. 2863 Kalākaua Ave. (808) 921-7066 kaimana.com D, Sake Sweet Home Cafe Hot pot-style dining in a casual atmosphere. 407 Seaside Ave. (808) 922-7894 L, D, C, B/W Tanaka of Tokyo Tableside teppanyaki with skilled chefs. Multiple locations. tanakaoftokyo.com L, D, C, B/W
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D I N I N G I N PA R A D I S E
Ala Moana Center
MEXICAN
1450 Ala Moana Blvd. • 808.949.1300 Mortons.com
REGIONAL
Hau Tree Lanai (New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel) Al fresco dining. 2863 Kalākaua Ave. (808) 921-7066 kaimana.com B, Br, L, D, B/W Paradise Cove A popular lū‘au feast. 92-1089 Ali‘i Nui Dr. (808) 842-5911 paradisecove.com D, C, B/W International Market Place Ten different restaurants from which to choose. 1972 Kalākaua Ave. (808) 921-0536 shopinternationalmarketplace.com L, D, C, B/W
KEY TO DINING ABBREVIATIONS: Service: (B) Breakfast; (Br) Brunch; (L) Lunch; (D) Dinner; (C) Cocktails; (E) Entertainment; (B/W) Beer & Wine.
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Chart House Waikīkī Specializing in premium steaks and fresh seafood. 1765 Ala Moana Blvd. 808-941-6669 charthousewaikiki.com D, C, B/W
5/2/18 2:43 PM
lıve hawaııan musıc AWARD WINNING
SERVED FRESH
Home of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music, performed live every night. ENTERTAINMENT 6:30–9:30PM
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort / outrigger.com +1 808 924-4990 / 2169 Kalia Road, Honolulu Hawaii
Specializing in Teppanyaki, Okonomiyaki, Japanese sake & tropical cocktails Open Daily Lunch 11:30am-2:30pm Dinner 4:30pm-10:00pm Happy Hour 4:30pm-6:00pm
Exciting New Location!
280 Beach Walk Ave., Suite L106, Honolulu, HI 96815 (808) 922-9722 | www.chibohawaii.com
On the Big Island of Hawai'i, we believe in doing things slowly... That's why we slow-roast our macadamia nuts in small batches, and carefully hand pick our 100% Hamakua coffee.
Gourmet Hawaiian macadamia nuts 100% Hamakua Coffee Dressings, butters, granola and more!
Visit us: 45-3279 Mamane St. Honoka'a
Shop: AhualoaFarms.com â—? 808-775-1821
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407-413 Seaside Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hot Pot
808-922-7894
BEST
Hours: Mon-Sun 5:00-11:00pm
Discover our elegantly packaged premium shortbread cookies. Indulge in Aloha with island-inspired flavors like Pineapple, Mango, Kona Coffee, and much more!
17 LOCATIONS - OAHU | MAUI | LAS VEGAS | GUAM For the Very Best, Look for the Pineapple ShapeÂŽ
honolulucookie.com
1-866-333-5800
The pineapple shape of the cookie is a federally registered trademark of the Honolulu Cookie Company. December 2018 - November 2019. Where Guestbook Oahu. Š2018 Honolulu Cookie Company. All Rights Reserved.
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