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(Hawaii sunset)
TO: LEB a/k/a "Miss Hawaii"
dedicated to LEB and her dominions
FROM: Patrick, Kama'aina Brent
SUBJECT: Aloha Advisory... or, from "Mauka to Makai"
Suggest you print this for easy use. (About a dozen
pages)
DATE: 17 March 2000
Aloooha, Miss Hawaii, which means, "Welcome to Hawaii." Now tell me,
Miss
Hawaii, what is a Humuhumunukunukuapuaa??? (It was official only in 1995.)
Hawaii, in size, is state # 47. Miss Hawaii, do you know which states are
smaller??
Sun Warning ...listen up and no one gets hurt....understand pilgrim?....
Hawaii is our state that is farthest south. The sun is intense. The trade
winds make
you feel cool while you are being severely burned. Sun block out, hats and
common sense are in order or your entire visit will be ruined.
Hawaii is my favorite place. The aloha spirit, the people, and the weather
are all about as nice as life can be anywhere on earth. There are ways of
having a memorable time without being quagmired by the heavy tourism. Here
are a few of my favorite things to do on the Island of Oahu, where Honolulu,
the main city, is located. Please pick and choose and do whatever you
consider appropriate, Miss Hawaii. It is completely okay if you do none of
them, but here are a few ideas that I have really enjoyed over my twenty plus
years of commuting to Hawaii.
Polo started for me in Hawaii at Mokuleia, sponsored by Bob MacGregor and
Fred Dailey, two World War II veterans and two of my long time heroes. The
most exciting and dramatic business year of my life was when I was acting CEO
of Windjammer Cruises out of Honolulu. Hawaii is a special place, filled with
aloha spirit, which really means something. Often times, I have seen New York
type business people become filled with this spirit during their visit in
Hawaii. It is amazing, for one reason or another, people are just nicer in
Hawaii.
Many people say, "Go to the other islands". Personally, I have seen
all the
other islands have to offer and feel they are somewhat overrated. The most
beautiful other island is Kauai, however, certain sections of it get seven
hundred inches of rain annually. Therefore, it is lush and jungle like. If
you visit an outer island, Kauai may be worth seeing. The other islands have
recently manufactured tourist strips, and do not come across as warm or as
sentimental as the Waikiki Beach area. The only other outer island worth
going to would be the Island of Lanai. There is the Lodge at Koele... it is
a one-of-a-kind special place. It has approximately eighty rooms, set up in
the hills, with golf, tennis, shuffleboard and riding, but most of all, it is
an environment that is at the high end of hotel service and yet private and
comfortable. There are, no doubt, other nice hotels, however, they are
similar to all the others, lined up one after the other, like on Maui, which
is just across the water from this formerly private and commercial island,
growing pineapples for Dole Pineapple. This Lodge is a one of kind retreat.
We visited the Molokai Ranch twice one summer ( www.Molokai-Ranch.com
) Note
hyphen-- it is great. There are luxurious tents on the beach and they offer
many adventures. All are safe and are available. They also have great food as
well. The "Tentalos" are not USMC issue - they are more
Marriott-quality with
queen-size beds and fluffy robes. However, they have no telephones, no
electricity, and no television and yet they have super showers and great chow
-- are all ecologically based and quite comfortable. This place receives four
stars from my daughter.
Aloha Factoid...who was the first American to set foot in Hawaii? ?
Hint...He was a Marine on 17 January 1779.
Island of Oahu - Honolulu:
A really good idea is to rent a car for at least one day. Consider driving
the circle island route. There are many bargain rent-a-car deals right around
the hotels on Waikiki. On that drive, it is great to include Mokuleia, the
early birthplace of Hawaii Polo. If you make the tour on Sunday, you could
even see polo there in the afternoon. The name of that Club is the Hawaii
Polo Club (temporarily closed). The other Polo Club is the
Honolulu Polo Club, which is located in Waimanalo. The Koolau Mountains are
perhaps the most beautiful mountains in the world! When you drive over the
Pali Pass it is a good idea to go to the lookout, and you will see a
beautiful setting. This is an absolute must / Kodak photo spot. You will see
in the distance, the United States Marine Corps Base in Kaneohe. (MCBH)
The Waimanalo Polo Club has polo on Sunday afternoons, and you can get
information by calling Bob MacGregor's office at 526-2611. Across the street
from the Waimanalo Polo Field is the Bellows airfield. The Bellows airfield
(soon to be an USMC facility) has a beach contiguous to it and it is open to
the public. It is probably the most romantic and beautiful beach in the whole
South Pacific. Several scenes from the great movie "SOUTH PACIFIC"
were
filmed on this beach. Sadly, an entire generation has not seen this movie,
absolutely, the best musical ever. I suggest you watch it prior to departure
to Hawaii. Virtually all the people at this beach are locals, and there are
not
many of those. It is not on the tourist track, and it is a special place to
go to the beach during the day. Or go during sunset, when everyone has left,
and perhaps enjoy a bottle of wine as you view the Hawaiian sunset.
Sunday afternoon polo at the Honolulu Polo Club is more than just a polo
game. It is a charming Hawaiian happening. Typically, it is a good idea to
drive to the Honolulu Polo Club by going over the Pali Pass. Then come back
the longer way, paralleling the ocean, towards Sea Life Park and Diamond
Head. Checking the local Oahu map can reaffirm this. AS you drive out to
Mokuleia, just past the polo field is Dillingham Airport, the home of Sky
Diving Hawaii and the site of my third jump with the irrepressible Colonel
Bates.
Most of my recommendations contained herein, Miss Hawaii, are not going to be
what tourists usually suffer. They are mostly where there will not be travel
agency commission and, therefore, there will not be many tourists. Hawaii has
a great number of Japanese nationalists visiting it, but that will not
influence your trip if you stay in the areas recommended within this "Aloha
advisory".
Miss Hawaii, Schofield barracks and other sites are famous from World War II.
You can call the Public Affairs Officer at the Base and arrange for a tour,
or we could have another person set it up for you if you are interested in
seeing some of these historical sites. General George Patton was based there
and played on the nearby polo fields at Mokuleia.
Free...K O D A K H U L A Show every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday at the
Waikiki Shell grounds near Kapiolani Park since 1937.
Mission houses near capital downtown every Thursday & Saturday 9:15 am
walking tour...houses open every 9am to 4 pm phone 808 531-0481 worth
doing...go back into Hawaii past like you were there....
Royal Hawaiian Band every Friday 5 30pm Kapiolani Park free 808 922 5331
Aloha Factoid:
When did Hawaii become a state? It is you know.
When was the first Bikini seen on Waikiki?
Where did Pineapples originate?
La Mariana Sailing Club, owned and operated by Annette 808 848 2800 on Sand
Island. Sand Island is located Diamond Head/East of Honolulu airport. It is
one-half mile from Nimitz Highway. It is a charming /funky place with great
music; especially the 6 PM show on Sunday evening...Very reasonable
prices....great for lunch or breakfast. Great curry dishes; but PTB likes the
Chili on top of sticky rice the best...no cheese or onions please.
Favorite breakfast place is the Hau Tree Lanai Restaurant in the New Otani
Kaimana Beach Hotel. The Sherman Five clique prefers table #2. It is a lovely
place on the water for lunch and dinner too. It is next to Colony Surf Hotel
and near Outrigger Club circa Diamond Head. 2863 Kalakaua 808 923 1555
Reservations are good idea for dinner.
Italian food...small and charming is ARANCINO recommended by my pal Luigi
Votano. It is at 255 Beachwalk a short walk from the Halekulani. Manager is
Tom Mole a good guy (phone 923 5557).
Another enjoyable experience that most locals do is to tour some of the
old-fashioned Hawaii sites such as Iolani Palace, which is located on the
Palace grounds circa downtown Honolulu. This is the only royal palace located
within the United States of America. Queen Liliokalani wrote the famous song,
"Aloha Oe", while imprisoned there by the American Navy during the
eighteen
hundreds. Near the Iolani Palace is the old mission grounds- where the
missionaries from Boston and New England came to preach the gospel. They
forbade dancing the hula, and, for that matter, they forbade a great
number of rather natural things the locals were doing and enjoying. These
mission houses have meetings two or three times a week, where people go and
have some tea and sit while talking to actual missionaries, dressed up in
costume, who play the role of that time. You can have conversations with them
about Hawaii of that era, such as 1880, 1890 and experiences of that time. It
is not a tourist attraction, and it is an enjoyable experience.
Not far from downtown is Pier Seven, where one of the really nice museums is
located. It is the Hawaii Maritime Center, or Pier Seven. When you first
arrive, be sure to see Karla Vasey-Grace, in the Gift Shop area. She will
introduce you to the Pier Seven Museum, on my behalf. A gentleman named
Patrick Brent is on the Board of Trustees for the Museum. You should mention
this and indicate that I sent you there for a complimentary tour. It is often
a good idea to call ahead. The phone number for the Hawaii Maritime at Pier
Seven is 808-523-6151. Miss Hawaii, this museum is heavily laden with items
from Matson Lines and the historical days when their luxury liners were
virtually the only way people came to and from the Sandwich Islands. There is
a historical sign in the museum that goes as follows: "The Hawaiian Islands
... the most isolated place on the face of the earth." It is hard to
believe
that Hawaii is the most isolated place. One Sunday afternoon when I was
feeling lonely and was touring the museum, I turned around and saw that
quote. It compounded my loneliness at the time. This museum is worth doing.
Another museum there is the Bishop Museum. It is older and more prestigious,
but I do not think it is as enjoyable for a tour.
There are tour buses that stop at different places such as Pier Seven and
Chinatown. They may be worth taking.
Miss Hawaii, a must is the Pearl Harbor cruise to the battleship,
"Arizona".
For a military person, or any American, this has to be the most moving
experience one could have in one's lifetime. There are eleven hundred and
seven sailors and marines entombed aboard this ship. The battleship,
"Arizona" is still a commissioned Navy ship. There are many tourist
organizations that sell a tour of Pearl Harbor and the battleship,
"Arizona", but they are somewhat misleading. You are charged money and
they
do not allow you aboard the ship. The National Park Service tour is
completely free.
Within walking distance of the Arizona and open to the public is the
Battleship MISSOURI. On the USS Missouri's deck, on 12 September 1945, the
Japanese Surrender was signed ending World War II. Admiral Bob Kihuni is
Chairman of the Missouri Operations. (He was in the USNA- Annapolis class of
stars...class of '59.) He spent time on the Missouri when it was in full
operation with over three thousand Sailors and Marines aboard. It is a
must-see and unlike the Arizona, it is still floating. These two awesome
ships represent the start and the finish of World War II. You can take the
tourist buses, or the local buses, which are excellent, to the site of the
National Park Service. Once there, see the historically famous museum items
and watch the movie on Pearl Harbor. Then, take a genuine Navy water taxi to
the battleship, "Arizona" Memorial, a salute to the brave men who are
entombed there. This is a must for anybody who has focused on America's
history and the sacrifices our sailors and marines made during World War II.
As to Pearl Harbor, Miss Hawaii, I cannot be more emphatic about the
worthiness of this experience.
Fort DeRussey - right in the heart of Waikiki- is an Army Base. They have an
excellent museum there, which is walking distance from virtually every hotel.
It has good chronology of the military history on the Island of Oahu. It is
free and worth a visit.
The hike up to the top of Diamond Head is reasonable in endurance and worth
the spectacular view. Hawaii has wonderful hiking trails.
Dinner Cruise - Approximately half the tourist in Hawaii go on a dinner
cruise. There are a great number of tourists on them, but these cruises are
charming and they do offer a wonderful view of Waikiki and the Hawaiian
skyline. One of the best ones going these days is Paradise Cruises. If you
call Ron Howard, the President, and mention my name, you will get either a
complimentary or discounted cruise. The phone number is 808-536-3641. Another
fun boat is the "Splash Cruise" aboard the Dream Cruise boat. They
take you
mid-day for a barbecue and snorkel adventure complete with reputedly the
largest
SLIDE in the South Pacific. They also have an enormous trampoline they tow
behind. My daughter and I love this fun event.
Call 808 592 5200 or 800 400 7300. This is owned by Mike Watson who created
Hornblower-San Francisco.
Dream Cruise-the splash product and others have my highest endorsement.
Favorite other locations and hotels, Miss Hawaii.
Mandarin-Oriental Hotel located just outside of Waikiki, in Kahala,
approximately a five-minute taxi ride. If you do not stay, you should
definitely drive out and have breakfast or cocktails. You can call ahead and
reserve a cabana on the beach for thirty dollars, expensive but it gives you
full privilege at this upscale location for the day. They have one of the
most beautiful beach settings on the Island of Oahu. They have their own
private lagoon and three or four times a day, they have a porpoise show. It
is not open to tourists, but as long as you dress properly and enjoy one of
the hotel's restaurants, you are quite welcome. The pool and the beach are
without peer. Typically, what I have always done is gone there for breakfast
or a snack, and then quietly gone out and enjoyed the beach and the pool. The
Hawaiian breakfast things, like banana muffins, Portuguese sausage and eggs
are all well worth having.
Have local food...it is fun. Chili over sticky rice is my favorite. Try SPAM,
and above all, the local fish are fresh and better than any fish on the
mainland.
Inside the small Colony Surf Hotel, on the north edge of Waikiki, is probably
the most romantic restaurant in the entire island, known as Michele's.
Michele's is by reservation only and they lean toward coat, or coat and tie.
Table twenty-nine is my favorite table. Michele's phone number is 923-6552
and ask for Carl, or Philip. If you have trouble getting in, mention that I
insisted that you go there.
Halekulani Hotel-this hotel is probably the best hotel in America. The
grounds are not commercial and they are beautiful. They are right next to the
Outrigger Waikiki Hotel, where Dr. Kelley and his family traditionally host
many of the polo players. The Halekulani has an evening show, starting around
sunset at 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, which is an absolute-must experience. You only
have to sit in the outdoor cocktail lounge and purchase drinks, which are
reasonable, and you will see traditional Hawaiian entertainment. It is in
excellent taste. The dancers are probably the best in the Hawaiian Islands.
They are fully dressed and it is the old Hawaii that the Navy and Marine
officers must have enjoyed back prior to Pearl Harbor. It is sentimental and
well worth doing. The Halekulani grounds are well worth walking around. The
Halekulani's upscale restaurant is priced beyond reason. Do not go there. One
thing great to try is their coconut cake...it is worth the trip across the
ocean just to try it. Kanoe Miller is the tasteful and extraordinary hula
dancer (a former Miss Hawaii). She is a pal of Tom Prentice.
Ala Moana Shopping Center - use to be the largest shopping center in the
world, where east meets west. It may be worth a tour. Across the street from
it at 1350 Ala Moana, is PTB's residence in Honolulu. My home is Penthouse
Seven, thirty-third floor. If I am in town, my phone number is 589-2929.
Miss Hawaii, Hilo Hattie's - Owned by Jim Romig, a friend of PTB, is located
just past downtown. They are like a large discount Hawaiian gift store. They
have many things of good value, i.e. straw hats for $5.00-$6.00, twelve
Hawaiian key chains for around $2.00 and quite a few wholesale-type
purchases. It is a fun place to go. They include free juice and a seashell
necklace when you go. There are Hilo Hattie buses running, without charge,
all over the Island to that location. It is fun. It is clearly designed for
tourists, but it has good value.
Aloha Stadium/Flea Market - Unquestionably the most phenomenal flea market
anywhere on the face of the earth. You could spend an entire Sunday there and
not see it all. It occupies the entire parking lot of the Aloha Stadium and
is one of a kind.
Royal Hawaiian Hotel - no tour of Hawaii would be worthwhile without walking
through the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Miss Hawaii, and perhaps purchasing
something
in their traditional royal Hawaiian pink color. They have a dining room
called the Surf
Room, which is charming and is highly recommended. The Royal Hawaiian's phone
number is 923-7311 and table forty-one or forty-three are my favorites. They
are right on the ocean. The Surf Bar also has a traditional Hawaiian show
during cocktail hour and, even later in the evening. It is not as good as the
one at the Halekulani, but it is enjoyable. Several times I started early at
the Halekulani and finished up at the Surf Bar at the Royal Hawaiian. The
Royal Hawaiian was submarine officers' headquarters in World War II and, at
one time, it was one of the only two hotels on the beach. The Ala Moana Hotel
was the original hotel and it is also worth a sentimental visit? These hotel
properties have been restored to their original splendor. The coconut cake at
the Royal
Hawaiian may be almost as good as at the Halekulani...both places are worth a
check out.
Good Things To Eat Miss Hawaii, Hawaii is one of the few places where I
personally
enjoy the fish. It is fresh and of extremely high quality. If you have never
had raw fish, sashimi, now is the time to have it, or at least gives it a
good try. To have Ahi, which is raw tuna, with soy sauce and some green
mustard mixed together and to eat it with chopsticks, perhaps at sunset with
a glass of wine, is a gastronomic delight. To have Ahi cooked, preferably
grilled and blackened with Cajun style sauce, is also an incredible meal.
Every morning, it is a "must" to have papaya, as it is inexpensive,
fresh,
and indigenous to Hawaii. They are a wonderful delight. Another morning item
is Portuguese sausage, which is a local treat.
A great and inexpensive Chinese place is Yuen's Garden Chinese at 2140
Beretania Street Phone 944-9699. Try the lettuce cup minced squab /pigeon as
an appetizer and the sizzling black bean chicken.
The fancy Chinese Restaurant at the Hilton Hawaiian Village is superb.
However, it is expensive and the village is a traffic mess.
Small and classy is "Pearl's Seafood Chinese" (phone 951 6300) David
Cheng,
Captain. It is on the lower-level Makai of the Ala Moana Mall and has great
chow. They have the honey glazed walnut shrimp Dr. Stacey loves so much.
Diamond Head - inside the Diamond Head crater is the National Guard
Headquarters,
which is open to the public. You can walk inside the Diamond Head crater and
then walk up the staircases to the top. It is a good hike, but the view from
the top, witnessing some of the substantial gun placements is awesome. This
area overlooks Waikiki and all Oahu. It is the site of major artillery
placements from World War II. These guns were never fired in anger. The
Japanese forgot to invade Honolulu. No doubt they heard there was at least
one U.S. Marine awaiting their arrival.
Leis -Miss Hawaii, a fresh-flower lei for a friend, or special person, is an
absolute must in Hawaii. They are overpriced at the hotels. In downtown
Honolulu on Maunakea Street there are many little shops where they get down
to as little as a dollar, or two, per flowered lei. The best leis are either
made of ginger or pikaki blossoms. They are a little more expensive. They are
totally white and what the locals give their friends and loved ones on
special occasions. Best lei stand at HNL Airport is Dora's. She used to be a
crewmember on Windjammer.
Have a great time in Hawaii. Like many adventures, it is whatever you make
of it.
Radio
F M 105.1 local Hawaii music
Classical is 88.1
NPR is 89.3 FM
plus the TSOCP favorite FM 105.9 surfing 1950's --very cool
1500 AM is also a great station with fifties and good music local
NPR radio 88.1 F M national public radio.
Best A T M First Hawaiian "OTTO" best deal only $1.00 for up to $500.
Great little store: FLAGS A FLYING proprietor Mary Phillips....located in the
Ward Warehouse shops on Ala Moana Blvd. street level.....Hawaiian and
patriotic upscale merchandise...phone ...808 591 8999 Fun place to
visit......ask for the "Donegal Discount"
Happy Cakes ...a great Hawaii present 808 621 4752 or WWW.HappyCakes.com
robynrodby@cs.com
Have a great time...Aloha from Patrick Kama'aina Brent
Thank you in Hawaiian is "mahalo" and, as you know, Miss Hawaii,
"aloha"
stands
for virtually everything: love, hello, good bye, et cetera...
A humuhumunukunukuapuaa is the famous official fish of Hawaii...knew you
would want to know that name, Miss Hawaii.
Remember that every Hawaiian word creates a syllable for each vowel.
Therefore, the famous fish is pronounced:
hu
mu
hu
mu
nu
ku
nu
ku
a
pu
a
a
also called the Reef Trigger Fish from the famous song "I want to go back
to
my little grass shack...."
Miss Hawaii, a good chance to practice your Hawaiian...
Aloha nui loa and good luck.
Aloha Factoid Answers....
Smaller states are Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Delaware.
First American was John Ledyard, one of Captain Cook's Royal Marines from New
Hampshire. (Yes a Marine...no less) He attended Dartmouth, traveled to
Gibraltar, saw the Royal Marines doing drill and promptly signed on to
Captain Cook's ship, which discovered Hawaii...,Huurrraaah.
Oh yes: 1959 (Statehood) 1953 Bikini's and 1813 first Pineapple from SPAIN
Web sites to check out....
Polynesian Cultural Center www.Polynesia.com
www.gohawaii.com check their calendar,
good stuff
Plus check out the www.Honolulusymphony.com
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