Local Expert
Brenda Yun
I'm a surfer girl and freelance writer who can't seem to get enough out of life abroad. Despite my frequent travels, my life in Hawaii (namely, my six-year old pug Iris) keeps me grounded. Here…
I'm a surfer girl and freelance writer who can't seem to get enough out of life abroad. Despite my frequent travels, my life in Hawaii (namely, my six-year old pug Iris) keeps me grounded. Here in Honolulu, buildings pop up like tourists wearing tacky aloha shirts, shops come and go like the trade winds (but ABC stores never close), traffic is part of keeping Hawaiian time--there's no wonder the speed limit is 50, but the feeling of stepping off the plane and walking in the open air to the baggage claim is unmistakable.
I heart Hawaii. I heart spam musubi and plate lunch. I heart crowded line ups at Diamond Head and Straight Outs. I heart Bruddah Iz. I heart the feeling of shedding skin as I drive through pineapple fields in to Haleiwa. The pot of gold is found in the Rainbow State. Hop on over to the "Rock" and see.
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If you're wondering what on earth there is to do in Honolulu on New Year's Eve, then here's a full breakdown on this evening's events.
DINNER:
Grab some grub before the parties and fireworks. Senor Frogs has a special NYE Buffet with live music and dancing for $75. If you're looking for an enormous meal, Hoku's at the Kahala Resort will have a 6-course menu with dinner starting at 7:30 p.m. Hoku's is expensive though; the meal will cost you $185, and make sure you call ahead for reservations #739-8760.
CONCERTS:
The legendary 80's band, Foreigner, will be playing all its catchy tunes from 10:30 'til midnight at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Dinner and concert packages range from $275-400, or if you're just catching the concert, tickets are $125-250. Call #921-4600 for package deals or #1-877-750-4400 for show-only tickets.
If girly 80's music is your thing (it's mine!), head to the Hilton Hawaiian Village to watch The Bangles ring in the new year. They take the stage from 10:45 to midnight. Tickets are more reasonable, ranging from $90-200. Call #550-8457 or visit www.honoluluboxoffice.com to purchase tickets.
There's some kind of MTV hip-hop party at Pipeline Café, which features Shwayze, Cisco Adler, and DJ Skeet Skeet -- none of whom I've heard of, and probably none of whom I will know in five years. If you're interested in going, though, doors open at 9 p.m., and tickets cost $45 or $90. Order tickets online at Ticket Master or call #1-877-750-4400.
CRUISES:
The Navatek I departs from Pier 6 at Aloha Tower at 10:30 p.m. and returns just before 1 a.m. Tickets are $145 or $170. Call #973-1311 for reservations.
Sail aboard the 170 foot Ali'i Kai Catamaran for $40 or $50. The boad leaves at 10:30 p.m. from Pier 5 of Aloha Tower and returns at 1:30 a.m. Visit FireWaterEvents.com for more info.
The Star of Honolulu leaves from Pier 8 at Aloha Tower at 10:45 and comes back at 12:45 a.m. Tickets are $113 and up. Call #983-STAR or visit them online to purchase tickets.
FIREWORKS:
There will be plenty of activity around Waikiki and Aloha Tower and fireworks will be a big part of the festivities at midnight.
PARTIES:
If parties are more your thing, there's stuff going on Downtown at Next Door (which will finally be re-opening after a long hiatus!), thirtyninehotel and an 80's music bash at The Loft. In Waikiki, there's a masquerade ball at The W Honolulu and a "sparkle" themed party at Hula's Bar and Lei Stand.
I thought the Hawaiian Electric Company was completely incapable when they shut off my apartment's power last week. Then, just four days later, the island of Oahu went black for a solid 12 hours. Supposedly, ABC Stores in Waikiki and other stores with candles, flashlights, and batteries made tons of money -- so much so that people lined the streets just to get through their doors.
We certainly learned a thing or two about how thoroughly screwed we are in times of emergency. But the after-effects of such a crisis are quite intriguing:
Generators were ordered to light up Obama's compound in Kailua during the blackout. It appears the President-elect was not in the dark for as long as the rest of us.
Reports are showing gas prices dropping at an exponential rate. It's close to reaching under $2 per gallon!
Finally, just as I was afraid to open my fridge, I guess sashimi is selling at rock-bottom prices to ensure they don't go bad!
So, if you're visiting the islands any time soon, make sure you bring a flashlight, drive around as much as you want to take advantage of the gas prices, and head to the closest sushi joint for a good, cheap sashimi dinner!
"Oh, the weather outside is frightful" never really applied to Hawaii around Christmas time, but this winter's been a different case altogether. It's important, then, to keep things in perspective. We're in Hawaii, for goodness sake! At least we are not dealing with blackouts or ice storms like the folks in New Hampshire.
Here are a few things to keep you in the holiday spirit:
- Morning light: If you're the walking/running type, then enjoy the A.M. hubbub around Diamond Head. Be sure to stop at Cliff's, the famed DH surf spot, for a breather and to watch the morning surfers at play.
- By day: Take a lazy stroll along Kalakaua and Kuhio Streets in Waikiki to soak up the Hawaiian style holiday vibe. Don't forget to walk around the International Market Place in the afternoon for some souvenir/gift-shopping.
- After sunset: Enjoy a cocktail and a pupu at La Mariana Sailing Club, Honolulu's oldest tiki bar, by Ke'ehi Lagoon
- At night: Take a nice drive/stroll around Iolani Palace in the evening to enjoy the holiday lights and decorations. The Santa in surf trunks is always a big hit.
Sure, it's been a bit rainy round these parts, but the weather shouldn't damper our spirits -- not in the slightest!
How had I not come across this gem earlier! Supposedly, the DVD rental phenomenon from the mainland called "Redbox" made it all the way across the Pacific Ocean to Honolulu and nobody bothered to tell me about it! A friend from the mainland finally filled me in last week and we made to to my local Safeway supermarket to see if there was a Redbox. Lo and behold, like a beacon in the otherwise dreary supermarket stood the red box that we were looking for!
Supposedly, Redboxes have been installed in at least ten locations throughout Honolulu. They tend to be found in Safeways and McDonalds, but I've also heard that Foodland and Longs might soon house these red wonders. There is no membership fee (amazing!), and the one-night DVD rental costs a mere $1 + tax (yippee!). While the selection is limited, there should be something available to strike your fancy.
Sidle up to the Redbox and use the touchscreen to place your order. The DVD pops out of the box once you've swiped your credit card. Make sure, though, to check the quality of the DVD, as some of them are scratched and will not be worth taking home. In those cases, just pop the DVD back into the Redbox, and pay another $1 for a different DVD.
So, if the beach is too hot, rainy, or otherwise unappealing and you're looking for a mellow evening in, Redbox is a great, cheap alternative!
Hooray for cave-like restaurants that remind me of divey joints in Rome! Formaggio Wine Bar is one of the few places that only locals know about, and in many ways we'd like to keep it that way. Located on the bottom level of Market City Shopping Center, there's a very dark, shady door next to the wine store that is the only entrance to Formaggio Wine Bar. There are no windows in the place. You walk down a narrow corridor, and you might feel like you've stepped into another world -- one that is far removed from tropical Hawaii. Wine taps line the bar to your right, a guitar player entertains diners on the weekends, and there's a uniquely European feel to the place as a whole.
There's a lot to rave about when it comes to the wine selection and food at Formaggio. With over fifty different wines to choose from -- most by the glass -- something is sure to hit your spot. I've been continually surprised by the improving quality of the food here, too. I didn't spot it during my first few visits (maybe because I was distracted by the extensive wine menu), but they actually serve escargot (my favorite!) for dinner! I pounced on that and it was so yummy and reasonably priced (only $12.95). There are lots of cool, creative pizzas on the menu, and a bunch of other delectable dishes that will please nearly any appetite and tastebud.
Having served Honolulu for over five years, Formaggio is here to stay. There is also a Formaggio Grill located in Kailua, and private parties are held at both sites on Sundays.
www.formaggio808.com
Formaggio Wine Bar
in the Market City Shopping Plaza
2919 Kapiolani Blvd (next to Grace's Inn)
#808-739-7719
M-Th 5:30-11 pm
F-Sat 6 pm - 1 am