Beachfront Buddhist Temple (Maui)

I call the Lahaina Jodo Mission Temple, the "Beachfront Buddhist Temple" because the fellowship hall is located just steps away from the calm ocean. We were served sliced fruit and pastries from the minister and his family as we listened to the laps of the hissing tide curling in and out of the deep blue abyss. Popular with the tourists are seeing the iron cast bell, Buddha shrine, and worship buildings. One can also walk along one of the most peaceful stretches of sand on Maui. 

Magic Island Sunset (Oahu)

Wasnt able to make it to the sandy beach in time, so just shot this from where I was. A warm sunset anywhere in Hawaii looks splendid.

Hours of Operation...Kinda

Saw this hung outside a store in Paia, Maui. Now that's true island business hours!

Cinnamons (Oahu)

Cinnamons, Kailua's local competition to Boots N Kimo's, offers a wider variety of pancakes, omlets and breakfast choices. Known for their fluffy guava pancakes and cinnamon rolls (which they were out of), the popular joint has a long line of patrons--even during the weekday, who are willing to wait an hour plus for their breakfast goodness. The outdoor patio seating is a nice way to enjoy the freah windward air. Does it best Boots N Kimo's banana nut pancakes? Yeah, is say so. And with the more expansive menu you'll find something for all your hungry mouths. 

Valley of the Temples Memorial Park (Oahu)

To honor the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii this replica of the Kyoto Byodo-In Temple was built for the 100 year commemoration events. This quiet and serene space is open to the public and found nestled on the Windward side of Oahu. $2 per adult. 

Kahala Eclipse

Did you see it? Red eclipse taken from Kahala beach last night. 

[Photo taken with a 300mm lens on tripod; mahalo to Ace for permission to post.]

MW - Newest Hawaiian fusion Restaurant (Oahu)

Newest noteworthy restaurant to hit town, MW opened in Nov 2013 and has been lauded the James Beard award for best pastry chef (Michelle) and runner up for Best New Restaurant in its short six month run. Impressive. 

It's a love story of food and two chefs, Michelle and Wade, who met while working at Alan Wong's. He the savory chef, and she the pastry chef, united in marriage and together they opened a restaurant that surpasses their former employer by far. MW has the fresh edge that Alan Wong has always lacked. Their menu is interesting, balanced, thoughtfully delivered, and perfects Hawaiian fusion cooking for an updated audience. 

Our party tried the jidori chicken appetizer (photo) and ahi nachos to start--the chicken was an excellent selection. Of the entrees ordered, the sea bass was the tastiest and certainly worth ordering. Of the three desserts we surprisingly liked the airy donuts paired with a side of chocolate ganache. 

MW is certainly the new go-to restaurant for Hawaiian food, beating out Roy's and Alan Wong's. The chefs are young and innovative so we can be sure to see more from this exciting and innovative culinary pair. 

((And oh, did I mention that chef Alan Wong refuses to step foot in his protégées' place? He's boycotting. Not sure what happened here but Honolulu foodies certainly benefit from the culinary competition. So far the place has been packed with more locals than tourists.))

Note: It takes a month to get reservations for this place so plan ahead. Dress code is business/aloha attire--eg aloha shirts for men and spring dresses for women. Entrees run in the mid $30s. Attentive service. Valet parking only. 

MW is located in a bright blue-green building behind Kinkos and the Vietnamese restaurant off Kapiolani across the Ala Moana shopping center. 

MW

1538 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 106

Ala Moana

10:30-10pm

Pacific Island Influence (Oahu)

...upon the consumer landscape of the Neiman Marcus men's department on Oahu.