Start at the Diamond Head side of Waikiki and head north (towards the mountains) on Kapahulu Street. Parking is limited so my advice is to set out on foot to explore this mile long strip. Not only will you get a chance to stretch your legs, you will take in more of the local flavors. Most of the dining spots are Mom and Pop shops where the service is personable and food is reasonably priced. One of President Obama’s favorite stops for local food is located along here, can you guess which one it is?

Your adventure will take you around the globe. The variety of dining options include local ono (good) Hawaiian specialties like plate lunches, pupus (small samplers), pork sandwiches and shave ice. Asian foods include sushi, pho (Vietnamese noodle soup, pronounced ‘fuh’), ramen (Japanese noodles) and tempura. Mediterranean dishes like hummus and stuffed grape leaves are accompanied by colorful dancers. Mexican dinners both filling and satisfying can be ordered spicy or mild. You can even find American fare like giant burgers and fries.

Save room for dessert at one of the bakeries along the way. Chocolate cake and baklava are two of my weaknesses. Don’t miss the warm malasadas right out of the oven, the cinnamon sugar variety are my personal favorite. The line may be long but it moves quickly.

Take yourself on an adventure and stroll down this strip of Kapahulu…

About this guest blogger:
April M. Williams is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and a great friend of 808Talk.

Learn more about April by visiting her at the websites below.
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilmwilliams
Twitter http://twitter.com/AprilMWilliams
Blog http://cyberlifetutors.com/blog.html

Restaurants around Oahu joined in the Oahu Dines initiative, raising funds in the fight against AIDS. From fast food to fine dining, restaurants donated 20% of diner’s checks to the cause. We had dinner at Diamond Head Market and Grill, a Platinum event sponsor. I spoke to Chef/Owner Kelvin Ro who pledged at least $1500 for the cause. He said “Life Foundation is a good cause and needed by the community. I support the work that they do in treatment and education.”

Melanie Moore, Life Foundation Director of Communications, told me the non-profit organization provides treatment programs for 700 people living with AIDS in Hawaii. They also offer prevention programs including 2000 AIDS tests each year. Services are provided at no cost to clients.

Life Foundation is dedicated to stopping the spread of HIV and AIDS. To find out more about their confidential services or how you can get involved, call 808-521-2437 or visit them online at www.lifefoundation.org.

About this guest blogger:
April M. Williams is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and a great friend of 808Talk.

Learn more about April by visiting her at the websites below.
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilmwilliams
Twitter http://twitter.com/AprilMWilliams
Blog http://cyberlifetutors.com/blog.html

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served out of “to go” containers, but don’t let that fool you. Every dish is turned out like it’s a gourmet plate at a five-star restaurant. I always try the fresh catch of the day, served with two scoops of rice and mac salad—just as it should be. Or if you’re more health-conscious, choose brown rice or a green salad (which comes with a stellar ginger dressing, much more than an afterthought).

I’d suggest ordering the calamari salad to share. It works nicely as an appetizer and they fry the squid to perfection—not rubbery like some places ’round here. And plate lunch purists, take heart! Kaka’ako Kitchen has your favorites too. Spam for breakfast. Chicken Katsu. Hamburger Steak.

Dishes rotate on and off the menu every so often (I was sad to see the arugula chicken salad go), which makes it a great destination to enjoy old favorites or find new dishes to challenge your palate.

But the best part? The prices are so reasonable, anyone can enjoy Kaka’ako Kitchen, and often. So get on down to their lanai and enjoy some great food and people watching.

Kaka’ako Kitchen, Ward Centers, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, (808) 596-7488

My wings have gotta be spicy and they’ve gotta be crispy. Since moving to Oahu I’ve been disappointed in the wings I’ve tried: either too soggy or downright gross.

Then, I met Dirty Lickins’ in Aiea.

Now, we’re in a relationship. A sweet, sweet love affair of red sauce and garlic and mac salad and crispy chicken. And I’ve never been happier, thanks for asking.

The five different hot sauces, from mild to “fire in the hole!” are surprisingly accurate. I usually order hot, and get stiffed with a medium flavor. But no, when the dudes at Dirty Lickins’ say “hot” they mean hot. I got that lovely, pleasant lip tingle—but only after I was nearly done. Next time, I’m trying Volcanic. With the large Coke this time.

Try the 4- or 8-wing plate lunch. Forget buffalo wings’ usual nutritious companions, celery and carrots. Dirty Lickins’ offers up rice and mac salad, so you don’t forget where you are. And at five bucks, I was full without an empty wallet.

My final surprise was the bleu cheese. I’m a wing purist. I never use bleu cheese on my precious wings. Why would I want to let something get in the way of the spice? But the owner insisted I try their signature bleu cheese. “Some people come here just for this,” he said, thrusting a tiny cup of the stuff onto my plate.

The garlic taste hit me square between the eyes. If you’ve never had tangy garlic in a smooth bleu cheese sauce, you’re missing one of the few gustatory joys in life. It is genius.

This hole-in-the wall joint is wing heaven. I dare you to disagree…

Dirty Lickins’ Aiea Shopping Center, 3rd Floor #303 / PH: 808.486.8500
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays

First–the coffee was great. No, more than great, it was fan-friggin-tastic. In the winter I like my flavored drinks, and the pumpkin pie latte was perfect. Spicy, but not cloyingly sweet. My friend got a toasted marshmallow hot cocoa that was so authentic that if they used a syrup you can slap my face and call me Bessie.

The regular brew was good too, not over-roasted and perfectly smooth. On a subsequent trip, I went completely off-course and tried a lychee iced tea, and although the green tea base was a little strong, once the ice melted it was just divine.

And the baked goods? I had to make several trips back to confirm that they’re excellent. A pumpkin bread pudding was perfectly moist and was topped with a lovely surprise—peanut butter chips. Tried the fat-free oatcake and it tasted delicious and not at all like the cardboard-y fat free stuff I’m accustomed to.

I think I spent all my commission for this story on trips to this place, if that tells you anything. Next time I’m going for lunch to check out the sandwiches and soups and other little culinary delights. I just couldn’t afford a third trip this week…

Coffee Talk is at 3601 Wai’alae Ave, Kaimuki – (808) 737-7444

Take the edge off Friday’s frazzled nerves with a nice glass of wine. Or two. Maybe buy a bottle.

Wine By Numbers in Waipio Gentry is having a special all day wine tasting on Black Friday that includes a range of reds, whites and (gasp!) a tequila. Hooray for the hard stuff!

Owners Dawn and Clint Gomes’ swank little store is a nice antidote to the snooty small wine shops you may have wandered into in the past. Each wine is rated on a numerical scale between one and six by taste profile. A one is “bone dry” and a six is “nectar sweet.” I’m a two. My sister is a five, “very sweet and very fruity.” That is NOT a commentary on her mental state.

Knowing my number makes it easy to try new wines without fear. Plus, the Wine by Numbers staff is very helpful and approachable, so they’ll guide you to something you’ll like, in a reasonable price range.

The shop has tastings every Friday and Saturday so don’t fret if you miss this one. The one I attended was like an episode of Cheers. Regular customers joked with the owners and commented on my wine selections, recommending some of their favorites. I spent an hour, no joke.

So get out there and shop. Then have a little nip. You deserve it!

Wine by Numbers, 94-1235 Ka Uka Blvd., Unit B, Waipahu – www.winebynumbers.com
Open Saturday – Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays until 7p.m.

What makes this place so ono is its simplicity: every item on the tiny menu is done up perfectly. You’ve got roast chicken with a choice of sides and six dipping sauces, plus two sandwiches—a barbeque bacon melt and a honey mustard and cheese—great for the dine-and-dash crowd from nearby Schofield Barracks. And there’s nothing over $10, and even a ten spot literally buys you the whole chicken.

I always take a number and sit down so I can eat with my hands. I can’t miss out on that skin, which is rubbed with spices and served perfectly—crisp but not too crisp. It’s so good I can’t stop myself from sucking on bones and licking my fingers in public.

Get the half or quarter chicken with fries and the Lava Hot and Honey Mustard dipping sauces (you get a choice of two with each order). Although the dipping sauces rock, the chicken is so moist you’ll probably forget to use it while you’re diving in.

Cooler still is the Maui Mike’s vibe. It’s a tiny place, always packed. They have only a few bench tables so you’ll most likely enjoy your lunch alongside perfect strangers. It’s chicken and Aloha. Who can complain?

Check out Maui Mike’s at 96 Kamehameha Hwy, Wahiawa or visit www.mauimikes.com

And there’s a lot to choose from, simple to elegant. Alan Wong’s has a five-course sampling menu. Maui Tacos is giving a break on its fajita combo. And the Side Street Inn is running a locally-brewed special on Mehana, Keoki and Maui beers.

Best, all this gluttony is for a good cause (like you need an excuse!). Proceeds benefit the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Diamond Head. All the restaurants, from Zippy’s to Alan Wongs are donating part of the week’s proceeds for programs at the school.

So give your kitchen a break this week. C’mon. It’s for the kids.

You can find information, participating locations and the rest of the goods at www.restaurantweekhawaii.com

The roast, which the barista said was from a company called Midnight Blues Espresso, was nice and smooth. She assured me the coffee was locally roasted, but I didn’t recognize the brand. Whatever the roast, it was a perfectly smooth antidote to the over-roasted, burned flavors you get from some chain coffeehouses (that shall remain nameless). The menu was simple, just your straight coffees and espressos, and a modest selection of baked goods. The iced coffee I ordered was so good, it was only five seconds before I’d finished it, and the sugar cookie with frosting suffered the same fate.

But what really sells Glazers is that it’s a really swanky place to see and be seen. Art by a local artist and a funky photo collage hang on the brightly painted walls. There are a LOT of college-types everywhere. In fact, an oldish guy reading about L. Ron Hubbard was the only non-coed in the place, identifiable by his lack of hardbound textbooks and/or earnest conversations about philosophy. I say: viva la college hangout!

Photo: JPhilipson

Glazers is open 7 days a week, and is located at 2700 King St., Honolulu
Visit their website at www.glazerscoffee.com

I tried the Lunar Sampler—all six varieties in 4 ounce portions. I’m not usually into “girlie” beers (although admittedly I am a girl), but the very frou-frou Moonberry Wheat was my favorite, so I chased down the sampler with a pint of that. The husband liked the hoppier North Star Lager.

I’ll be honest: it wasn’t the best microbrew I’ve ever had. But it was perfectly fine, especially because it’s fresh and local. I also absolutely loved the pupus and atmosphere. I highly recommend the patio, where tiki torches blaze and you have a great view of the mountains.

And DO NOT LEAVE Brew Moon without trying some of the food. The Moon’s Beer Crackers haunt my dreams. It’s a simple and amazing beer companion: gorgonzola on flatbread with garlic. Just trust me. Oh, and did I mention that they’re discounted from 3 to 6? Yeah, I’ll be there tomorrow, pau hana!

Check out the Brew Moon website for hours and information: www.brewmoon.com

I always take my out of town visitors here for a coffee and a snack after we’ve done some snorkeling. The coffees are all roasted in-house and you can’t beat the cold drinks. My favorite is the mocha freeze, which is not your average overly-sweetened frappuccino—this baby has some bite. My husband goes mental over all the chocolatey baked goods, like dipped macaroons.

Coffee Gallery’s screened in porch is a perfect place to cool off, relax, and talk for a while. You’ll get some great people watching, too. There are usually the old with their books and the young with laptops (because they’ve got FREE wi-fi), the average joe and the wonderfully eccentric, locals and visitors.

Coffee Gallery is off Kam Highway in the North Shore Marketplace. Map
Visit: www.roastmaster.com

But this weekend, Aloun Farms in Kapolei will save me from my fall ennui with the pick-your-own Pumpkin Patch Festival. They’ve got 100 acres of pumpkins, hayrides, pony rides and (just to make it island) a flyin’ Hawaiian pumpkin slingshot, rock climbing and ono fair foods like grilled corn on the cob—which is fresh off the farm, by the way—chili and shoyu chicken. I can’t express in words how much I love fair food.

Pumpkins are priced according to size. But don’t worry too much about your wallet—spending money at Aloun Farms is good for our local community because a lot of what’s grown there goes to local stores and open markets and keeps local farmers working. They also are accepting canned donations for Hawaii Food Bank, so think about cleaning out your pantry before heading over.

Fall really does bring me back to the old days. I wonder if they let grownups on the ponies?

The patch will be open to the public on Oct. 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. It’s $3 to park. For more info, visit alounfarms.com or call (808) 677-9516.

This past weekend I was introduced to a great project, started last fall, that’s taking place at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The project, named “Hawaii Foods”, was developed by several members of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) at the University of Hawaii and is a collaboration with the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii (CRCH).

The goal of Hawaii Foods is to assist those in Hawaii in making a healthier choice in the selection of foods in their diet. While there may exist other tools out there to help in making a dietary choice, in Hawaii it sometimes becomes difficult in using those for local foods, due to the wide diversity in the population which leads to a culturally influenced food selection. Hawaii Foods emphasizes on those selections that may not be commonly consumed in other areas of the United States and this is what makes it unique. While it is very helpful to those in the islands, it can also be helpful to others around the world who may want to try some unique foods that are so common to us in Hawaii.

“Because the foods eaten in Hawaii reflect the cultural range of its people, this website contains nutrient information on foods typically found in Western, Asian, Pacific Islander, and other “local” diets. It is an evolving resource, as nutrient data, recipes, publications, photos, and other information are continually being added to the databases.“

Current options available to help you make healthier dietary choices:

• Food/Ingredient Search
• Browse By Food Group
• My Diet (also known as Pacific Tracker or “PacTrac”) dietary assessment tool
• Discover Recipes, Publications, Links

Try out Hawaii Foods and start your healthy diet today!

Competing teams, led by architects and engineers, showcase their talents by designing giant sculptures made entirely out of canned foods.

The event is held annually across the United States and currently has 121 participating cities. Honolulu is a proud participating city, helping out those in need by contributing the canned foods used during the event to the Hawaii Food Bank.

CANstruction Honolulu is made possible by AIA Honolulu, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Pearlridge Mall and a variety of other corporate sponsors.

Since Honolulu started participating in CANstruction back in 2006 we have witnessed the great projects that have come from local builders, architects and engineers. This year we had the great privileged of spending time with Fung Associates, Inc. and witness their entry being built from beginning to end. Check out the six hour build shortened to a length of under 8 minutes as they contribute their time and effort to help support the Hawaii Food Bank. You can also browse through our pics of CANstruction Honolulu with photos ranging from 2006-2008.

“Vote or Donate! Members of the public can also participate by bringing in their own canned food donations to vote for the completed structures. Voting/donations are welcome beginning late afternoon on Saturday, August 23 and continuing through Saturday, September 6.

Remember, One CAN equals One Vote. Make sure that you do what you CAN to help extinguish hunger in Hawai’i since the Foodbank is running low – Every CAN helps! You can vote as many times as you like we welcome your generosity.“

Though the festival began primarily to present the historical cultural activities from Japan, it has grown to other Asian countries and the Pacific Rim countries as well; and the cultural education, friendships, and exchanges, leave long lasting impressions and memorable experiences for everyone.

It is a festival that can be enjoyed by all… tourists (malihinis) and locals (kamaainas)…. young and old. The 3-day celebration begins with festivities on Friday evening with entertainment, food, and a bon dance at our Ho’olaulea (street party). We culminate the weekend with a grand parade along Kalakaua Avenue on Sunday.

Japanese 日本語
第二十九回　日本とハワイの文化交流　”まつりインハワイ”が6月6から6月8日まで開催。フラダンス、太鼓、”風”凧、アートと盛りだくさんのお祭り。アラモアナショッピングセンター　センターステージ/ロイヤルハワイアンセンターステージ／カラカウア大通りと3カ所でのパフォーム！祭りの最後を飾るカラカウア大通りのパレード（6月8日）ハワイ州政府公認行事として地元でもおなじみ。まつりインハワイのハイライトは、エキサイティングにワイキキの夜を飾ります。

Taiko From Past Matsuri in Hawaii:
Hamadaiko: Ala Moana
Hamadaiko: Waikiki

Pan-Pacific Festival – Matsuri in Hawaii:
English Website: http://www.pan-pacific-festival.com
- Schedule http://www.pan-pacific-festival.com/schedule.aspx
Japanese Website: http://www.matsuri-in-hawaii.com
- Schedule http://www.matsuri-in-hawaii.com/schedule_event.html

Now if I were a chef or an expert at making Spam Musubi, I’d just explain the method to you myself, but my method is probably not as good as that from an expert so we visit with Cooking With The Single Guy (Benjamin Seto) who originally hails from Hawaii but resides now in the San Francisco Bay area.

He has a wonderful writeup on the Making of The Spam Musubi that’s well worth checking out. While you’re over there check out all the other interesting recipes he has as well as local reviews of restaurants in the SF Bay area.

Now let’s talk a little about the upcoming Waikiki Spam Jam which will be held May 3rd on Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki. The Waikiki Spam Jam is a street festival that celebrates the people of Hawaii’s love for Spam, a canned meat from Hormel Foods. In Hawaii, you’ll find Spam at all grocery and convenience stores, many restaurants and in most homes in Hawaii.

This street festival is great for all ages, as the event includes Hawaii’s top restaurants, two stages with free entertainment, and a variety of Hawaiian crafters. This is also a special event that benefits the Hawaii Food Bank, the largest non-profit in Hawaii that feeds the needy.

If you looking for more info and discussion on the Spam Jam that takes place here in Hawaii, just do a search of our archives for Waikiki Spam Jam and check out this video available from the 4th Annual Waikiki Spam Jam.