Honolulu Gift Ideas
Mother's Day is fast approaching, and like the procrastinator that I am, I have yet to purchase a gift for my mother! Any Googling cound help you find that special something for that someone, but here are three ideas if you're feeling particularly creative. These ideas can apply to your mom or anyone special:
1. A Lunch or Dinner Cruise
The Star of Honolulu has been running lunch and dinner cruises for over 50 years! Your mom would certainly appreciate a little rest and relaxation while cruising the south shore of Oahu. Cruises start at $50 per adult, but can be as high as $170 (for the 5 star dinner cruise).
You can browse different cruise options and book tickets online too!
2. This Week
I imagine the This Week, the free narrow guidebooks that can be found at the airport or in Waikiki, could have a decent discount for activities or dinners in Honolulu. The Top of Waikiki is a particularly good place to treat someone out.
3. Flowers for a Friend
Flowers, leis, hakus, or balloons are always a great bet. I've always been partial to this place on King Street (Flowers for a Friend, 2739 S King St, #808-955-4227). The owner, a nice Asian lady, has a really sweet parrot named Popcorn. This is one of the more reasoable shops in town, but there are a few other flower shops right around this area that are worth a try too.
In the case of Mother's Day, you have three days to figure it out! Good luck!
"Local" Surf Spots
If you're coming to Honolulu to surf, it's best to be prepared for the "local" vibe that you are sure to encounter. If you're a "haole" (white) guy, you should be careful even on the south shore to not cop an attitude in the water (girls, fortunately you don't received nearly as much). The thing about surfing in Honolulu is that many residents (or "moks," as we call them) believe the water is their territory and tourists don't really belong there.
The key here is to be respectful of the locals when you're in the water. Always follow the "right of way" rule and never cut someone off. Wait your turn. Regardless, here is a list of five spots that you should be aware of where you are likely to encounter a more "local" attitude.
1. Ala Moana Bowls
Because this is the premiere south shore surf spot, this place sees the most agressive surfers in town. Shortboarders can get particularly irritated with longboarders. A big no-no here is to drop in on someone -- especially a dark-skinned local boy, so wait your turn and smile while you're waiting.
2. Canoe's
Since this spot is smack dab in the middle of Waikiki Beach (and in front of the Duke statue), it is always crowded here. There are still long-time longboarders who love to ride this gentle wave, so let them have their fun and you can have your own.
3. Kewalo's
This place now sees a growing female crowd, which is helping the atmosphere in the water. Still, be on the lookout for a few dedidated surfers who claim this spot as theirs.
4. Lighthouse
Just west of friendly Cliffs by Diamond Head, Lighthouse is notorious for having aggressive shortboarders. This is not a spot for beginners anyways, so you are better off just surfing at friendly (but crowded) Cliffs.
5. Kaiser Bowls
Two breaks over from Ala Moana Bowls, Kaisers has always been a heavily "local" crowd. Some boys surf in groups to get each other on a wave of choice. You are not likely to catch the set wave here, so you might be better off at friendlier but sometimes more dangerous (at low tide) Rockpiles.
The International Marketplace
There’s nothing particularly “international” about this famous open-air marketplace in Waikiki, (maybe it has something to do with the variety of things that can be found here) but there is something very special about it that not to stop by would be like not visiting Waikiki at all.
Aside from the Swap Meet, held on weekends at Aloha Stadium, the International Marketplace is the only place in Honolulu where you can purchase aloha attire, Hawaiian mementos, and general cheapies for real bargain prices. In addition to the hundreds of stalls filled to the brim with knick-knacks, there is a food court, a few bars and restaurants deep in the labyrinth, and brand name stores on the periphery. If your bikini broke or you left your snorkel at home, don’t worry! There are plenty of cheap finds here that will leave you wondering why you bothered to pack a suitcase at all.
Some particularly interesting things to look for:
--Especially colorful handmade candles
--Coconut accessories and apparel
--Decorative tropical name/word drawings
--Hawaiian quilts (often bi- or tri-colored kitchen or bedroom accessories)
The official entrance is on Kalakaua Avenue, across from the Sheraton Moana Surfrider. The journey through the maze begins with several stalls selling pearls from oysters, and most of the marketplace is under the shelter of an enormous banyon tree.
Spam Musubi
I once wrote an acrostic poem about my love of spam that went something like this:
Salty slab of not quite bacon —
Pig flesh so curiously pink,
Are you ever not on my mind,
Mocking my every taste bud?
I take comfort in the fact that I can buy a spam musubi from any 7-Eleven in Honolulu for just $1.09. If I need a pick-me-up or just something to fill my tummy, I head to the local convenience store and purchase this Hawaiian staple.
Spam is prepared in other foods too, like next to scrambled eggs for breakfast or in fried rice for dinner. It really is the other white meat — except it’s pink.
And there is a reason why we Hawaiians love spam to such a degree that we consume more of it than any other locale in the world. (Almost 5 million cans of Spam are purchased per year). As the major Pacific port during World War II, spam was brought to the islands by the boatload mainly because it didn’t require refrigeration and it provided protein and sustenance for military personnel. For nearly 60 years now, numerous spam dishes have been invented and several continue to be special local recipes.
To be honest, though, I am only partial to spam musubi, which is really just a warm sushi. If you’re brave enough, here is my personal recipe to try it for yourself.
SPAM MUSUBI
Makes 16
Ingredients:
3 cups uncooked short- or medium-grain rice
4 cups water
4 sheets of sushi nori (seaweed in big squares)
1 12-ounce can spam
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup sugar
Water
Instructions:
1. Prepare rice.
2. Cut nori into quarters.
3. Cut spam into 16 thin, rectangular slices. In a large un-greased frying pan over medium heat, fry slices until brown and slightly crispy. Remove from heat.
4. In a small saucepan over high heat, add soy sauce and sugar; bring just to a boil, then remove from heat. Add spam slices to mixture.
5. Place spam on top of ? cup of cooked rice and wrap with seaweed.
Enjoy!