by Mark on August 26, 2007
HONOLULU – If you haven’t been to Waikiki lately, you’re in for a surprise. Entire blocks have gone from tacky to elegant, hotels are being renovated, the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center has a whole new look, fancy restaurants and trendy designer stores have replaced T-shirt shops, and a Trump Tower is going up where four old hotels were demolished.
If you haven’t heard or seen the many new changes in Waikiki, read the news article from the Dallas News. It sure has become an attractive destination with many new shops, restaurants, and not to mention the multiple densities. There are always going to be the positive and negative insights to all this but what matters the most is – are you and the tourists satisfied?
by Mark on August 26, 2007
Hisashiburi is a Japanese term meaning “its been a while…”. That was what I heard from my surfer friends at Pops yesterday and this morning. “Hisashiburi, shiroku nata ne, yaseta ne… kankou kyaku mitai etc.” It’s sad to hear those words, but I will do my best to be out more often on a weekly basis.
The waves at Pops were really nice (1-3 ft), and the winds were lighter than usual due to an upper-level low lingering north of the Hawaiian islands. It was very crowded but fun to be in the beautiful water and enjoy the surf with my old friends. I envy the surfers who continue to surf at this spot and respect the long timers. It was beautiful out there!
by Mark on August 25, 2007
Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu, a staple for 20 years at its gateway-to-Waikiki site at Kalakaua Avenue and Kapi’olani Boulevard, will move down the street to the new Waikiki Beach Walk, according to Hard Rock Cafe International. The new location, at 280 Beach Walk, “will benefit from the enhanced pedestrian traffic,” Hamish Dodds, president and CEO of Hard Rock Cafe International, said in a statement. “We are looking to rock Waikiki with great live music and our world-class dining experience.”
Wonder who will move in or what will be built at this prime Kapiolani and Kalakaua intersection? Read news article here.
by Mark on August 25, 2007
General Growth Properties has gotten a green light to remove some of the remains beneath the site of the planned Whole Foods Market store in Kakaako. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources told the Ward Villages site owner last week it could move 10 sets of remains on the Diamond Head side of the project, where the gourmet grocery store is to be located.
This has been a controversial issue for such a long time. Whole Foods is planning to open its store near the Ward Center. However, the construction and the opening day have been delayed many times due to bones found underneath the ground. It’s slowly moving now… Read news article here.
by Mark on August 24, 2007
A master-planned Big Island community for 1,100 homes breaks ground today, and will jump-start part of a long-planned University of Hawai’i community college campus in West Hawai’i. The roughly $400 million North Kona project called Palamanui has been in the works for several years on a site mauka of Kona International Airport, and will add jobs, people and traffic to the growing region.Some residents complain that too much growth is occurring in the area without adequate road construction and other infrastructure support.
This is an exciting news from the Big Island in terms of a new residential and commercial development near the Kona airport. As you might know, we love Kona very much and it’s nice to explore newer places. I have a doubt that the locals might not really the idea due to more crowdiness in traffic. Would be great if the infrastructure can also improve for the Kona side.
Read news article here.
by Mark on August 23, 2007
A Malibu, Calif.-based real estate investment company said it plans to renovate Aina Haina Shopping Center. American Commercial Equities LLC, which bought the 62,000-square-foot retail complex in June, announced its plan yesterday in a press release. According to property records, the firm bought the East O’ahu center anchored by Foodland Super Market for about $32 million. American Commercial also bought the Local Motion building in Waikiki in June for $15 million, according to property records. Local Motion, which developed the building and sold it to American Commercial, will remain a tenant.
Good news for the Aina Haina community. Read news article here.
by Mark on August 22, 2007
BEIJING — China said today it had found pesticides, poisonous weeds, and dirt in shipments of imported U.S. soybeans, and a toy industry representative said U.S. manufacturer Mattel Inc. was partly to blame for lead tainting that caused massive toy recalls.
After reading the article from the Honolulu Advertiser, it’s a sad news that both countries are now pointing fingers (blames) for contaminated imports. Toys from China were recalled couple of weeks ago for high lead level in the U.S. while now China is blaming for the contaminated soybean imports. Let’s not blame but launch a reassurance plan to fix this so consumers can have a safer mind.
by Mark on August 19, 2007
All of us got together today for a Sunday brunch at the Pacific Beach hotel’s Oceanarium Restaurant.
It was a really nice place to enjoy the Sunday brunch, talk stories, and watch the variety of fishes. I liked the puffer fish who kept on looking at us and giving us a puff whenever we glanced at the transparent fish tank. After the bountiful ‘eat-till-u-drop’ brunch, we all cruised in Waikiki like a tourist. I was surprised to see many new stores and restaurants that have opened on Kalakaua Avenue and the rejuvenation of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. It’s amazing how Waikiki changed from couple of years ago. We all had a great time and a friendly farewell for Stephen as he departs to Japan this week. Oh yeah, we have a new member – Daniel, that’s John’s younger brother.
by Mark on August 18, 2007
by Mark on August 18, 2007
An afternoon dessert at Longhi’s Ala Moana. This is a really nice place to relax your afternoon hours and see the beautiful ocean of Ala Moana Beach Park.
