World Wide Ed

The Curse of the Murse [Guest Blog by frankie]

by frankie

So, the other day The Frankie was rollin’ through the Las Vegas MGM hotel with a gangsta lean and was gobsmacked and mortified by the scene before him… a man carrying his woman’s purse!

Full disclosure: The Frankie has been known on occasion to “protect” his wife’s purse for her while she’s, ahem, powdering her nose at a public restroom. It’s a matter of simple courtesy! (And besides, like learning to squeeze your butt cheeks together before every sneeze, being kind to your woman is an essential survival skill when it comes to navigating the treacherous waters of relationships.) However, this homie was holding her purse and walking with it while she strode aside him simultaneously empty handed and yet with both hands holding a death grip on his boiled eggs. I instantly poured a little liquor on the ground from the 40 oz. I was carrying in honor of yet another ninja lost to the curse of the Murse a.k.a. the Male Purse.

Editor’s note: the current use of the term Murse in this post is not to be confused with the term murse, which can be applied to male nurses, male curses (such as David Hasselhoff) and male purses (large bags designed for men), because this Murse is not a purse for men, but rather a Male Purse accessory for women.

Note the distinction, my friends and frenemies, because trust me when I tell you that it is better to be an asset rather than an accessory. While there is never a relationship that is truly equal, you would rather have the balance be 51% vs. 49% instead of 90% vs. 10% because in order to love her, you must also be able to love yourself first. And you can’t love yourself if you cease to exist. So, my ninjas, are you a Murse? Here’s a little quiz! You get one point for every “yes” answer to the following questions:

1. Instead of painting her nails, does she paint yours?
2. Have you ever changed the TV station from a college football or basketball game without her asking you to when she sits down on the couch next to you?
3. Do her girlfriends ask you for dating advice?
4. Have you ever participated in a Bikram Yoga or Pilates session?
5. Have you had a slice of vegetarian pizza in the past month?
6. Did you ever do the fast clapping part in the “Friends” TV show theme song?

Results!

• 0-1 points – See you at the next BJ Penn fight. IMUA!
• 2-3 points – Sorry, friend, but the store is called Ann Taylor, not Mann Taylor
• 4-5 points – OMG! When is the Sex and the City sequel coming out?!
• 6 points – Nice Hello Kitty tattoo there, son!

But all kidding aside, homies, you do not want your life to be relegated to that of an accessory. One of the purposes of a relationship is to push your wife or girlfriend to be a better person and you cannot do that if you are spending all of your time under her feet instead of by her side. You also do not want to wake up one day and find yourself unfulfilled with the life of a Murse.

So be strong, my ninjas. Beware the curse of the Murse! The next time a girl tries to make you into a Murse, pretend like she’s a girl who shops at Hot Topic and run for your life!

—

The Guest Blog Schedule:

• THU 03/11 – Chicken Grease – “TheGrease and TheBus”
• FRI 03/12 – kuya.d – “I’m So Over It”
• MON 03/15 – JMAW – “Something like a Phenomenon”
• TUE 03/16 – frankie – “The Curse of the Murse”
• WED 03/17 – kako mochi – “Where in Oregon is kako mochi?”
• THU 03/18 – tweetpeep22 – “Online Dating Follies – Female Perspective”
• FRI 03/19 – S-Ticket – “Online Dating Follies – Male Perspective”
• MON 03/22 – tita leerz – “The Hawaii Visitor’s Survival Guide”
• TUE 03/23 – skycastles – “Otanjoubi Omedetou Gozaimasu Kurosawa-sama!”
• WED 03/24 – hemajang – “Where in Hawaii is hemajang?”
• THU 03/25 – uncle jimmy – “Grab One, Leave One, and Get Reel…”

Tags: Ann Taylor, are you a Murse?, Bikram Yoga, bj penn, dating advice, David Hasselhoff, frankie, friends, gangsta lean, Hello Kitty tattoo, Hot Topic, Las Vegas, male curse, male nurse, Male Purse, Male Purse accessory for women, Mann Taylor, MGM hotel, murse, my ninja, Pilates, purse, Sex and the City, The Curse of the Murse, vegetarian pizza

TheGrease and TheBus [Guest Blog by Chicken Grease]

by Chicken Grease

If you haven’t managed to indulge our fair city’s TheBus system in a while, or, uh, ever, well, it’s high time that you do. We got rail coming after all, so, practice, citizens. At the very least, you’ll be able to contribute to the inevitable record about what public transportation was like in Honolulu, pre-2525.

The Grease had to take TheBus (hereon referred to not in its mere referent sense, but, rather, as the respective TheBus buses that I took. These would include Express-type buses [which usually take you directly from one major destination to another with a limited amount of stops, i.e., from the main Alapai TheBus lot to the place of ya'll residence or whatever; these Express buses usually operate in the morning and afternoon, catering to TheWork crowd] and regular city buses [you know, the kind we grew up with way back when. The kind the folks told you and your friend(s) to take to go beach, movies, comic book shops sometimes w'en they was lazy drive us keeds. Gosh. I really hate the language we use to describe our hana bata days, don't you? Yeah, you do, too. Anyway . . .], which are seemingly the opposite – the city buses stop at every bus stop so much so that if you’re somehow carrying a history book with you whilst on a city bus, take a look inside once you reach your destination; your own route might be addressed in there. And I know what you’re thinking: why’s this parenthetical reference so long? Show your kids. Tell ‘em a parenthetical passage this long will get them a treacherous, and deserved, red mark on essays) recently because his car, you know, had something wrong, yeah? I must admit, though, initially realizing TheBus as the best way to take a brotha’ to and from the workage in my case, The Grease’s hips weren’t exactly movin’ like “yyyyyeahhhh,” the bus driver would’ve, instead, called HPD if I asked him to play my favorite song (via announcement speakers on TheBus; more on that in a moment, yeah?), and, in the end, the churning in a brotha’s gastro’ while ol’ big yellow, white, and black trimming in motion couldn’t exactly be linked to butterflies. Ehyyy-yaaayyyyy eee-yay-yay, not ‘zactly a party on TheB-U-S. Ahem.

All ½ kidding aside, The Grease has greased a newfound appreciation of this award-winning (oh, yes! TheBus was bestowed the American Public Transportation Association’s equivalent of the Best Picture Oscar as America’s Best Transit System in 1994 and 2000[1] [!] as confirmed with a bus driver TheGrease spoke to; oh, ‘nother thing here: there is a warning on TheBus to please not speak to TheBus driver whilst TheBus is being operated and/or is in motion. Certainly doesn’t explain why they’re able to talk on their cell phones so much – HA, HAAAAA, nah, nah, nah, jus’ joking ’bout that!) mass transportation system. You must needs wonder dosh’te[2] people LOVE their kurumas[3] so much and/or hate on TheBus enough so that they, uh, what’s the word, uh, oh, yeah, so that they NEVER include this very proved Oahu public transportation in at least, oh, I dunno, ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR, MAYBE in their shopping, love affairs, movie goings, and street parties goings to around town?! S’matter? Hah? Bus too good fo’ you, brah???

[Composes self] Well, award-winning or not, TheGrease – in his livin’ la vida renaissance o’ TheBus – hath noticed a few things ’bout TheBus of Honolulu of today. Come along and reminisce (’cause my cah fix alreadies, cheee dahggies!!!!) with bruddah as if we’re listening to an old-time slow jam that the radio station nevah play long time, OK? Let’s ride:

• Preciously located near the in/out doors of TheBus are clear (relatively speaking) plexiglass-type windows/partitions. Upon first glance of the oddly-shaped plexiglass, you wonder why they’re there. You also wonder if they’re somehow bulletproof (which in itself presents a conundrum – those plexiglasses aren’t big enough to cover even the skinniest of us, and, anyways, oh, mercy, if you’ve seen WHO boards TheBu . . . oh . . . I better shut my Rod Tam-ness up). And, you know, you recognize these flat panels from somewhere else, I mean, you’ve HONESTLY seen such panels before – not fake kind flashback that you use to tell girl at club, “‘ey, I t’ink I seen you from befo’.” The Grease is still trying to figure out wh . . . oh, waitaminute, I JUST recalled (“recall, recall, recall!!!” Hey, how come HBO doesn’t air Total Recall on a more regular bas . . . sorry for this tangent. Let’s move on, sorry), yeah they remind you of the partition glass between and an inmate and visitor in prison movies!
  It might also be fair to mention that the material from such penal code partition fare seems to be shared by TheBus’ own outer windows and windshields. What? You thought such monolith, easy-for-kids-to-hit-rocks-with passenger crafts included GLASS windows? And if luck chooses a window seat for you, you might well notice, oops, yeah, you’re reading this right . . . a substance smeared upon such window that would’ve fit just perfectly in Alien egg and face-hugger scenes from the Alien films. Yeah. Though you quickly surmise that the “eyeuuuuww” is, in fact, hair grease (no relation) unintentionally left by some poor soul so tired during his destination that he went comatose enough to . . . well . . . enough to unconsciously smear his head grease on TheBus window [!]. Poor t’ing, but, what a decidedly unique ambience, then!

• Sticking to décor, seats on TheBus of today are cloth-based and, so, yeah, I initially wondered what all of you are wondering here: is there a TheBus person or people specifically assigned to go through each TheBus with a brush or vacuum to eradicate any of TheLice (I mean, we learned as much from our elementary school days, no?) from such cloth seats? I mean, the immediate contact area is just NOT a place to get TheUkus infection. I think one of Dr. G. Watanabe’s recent blogs, yes, here at the Advertiser Blogs, talked about scabies, too, so, go take a look. Oh, I digress. Well, nothing ended up happening to bruddah, TheLice-wise during my stint on TheBus. Also of note: the older buses have a decidedly dudu brown color (what? It’s the color The Grease thought of when he first saw; kind of smart for TheBus to use such scheme, when you think about it) and others, still, instill a red pattern – as if to scream, “OOH, island theme! Volcano-kind you see?!?!” – on their seats. Now, your newer TheBuses sport, wouldn’t you know it, a Nav’i blue theme a-goin’ (this ain’t the last Avatar reference in this WWE sub’. Sorry. Yeah, I’m on Team The Hurt Locker myself) as their own seat covers!!! And this was BEFORE the film’s release [!] as I understand. Bet Pandora doesn’t have new bus smell anywhere in its jungle, though.

• There was that problem a while back with that one TheBus driver playing some kind of hand-held video game while driving. I say promote bruddah if bruddah could manage to even FIT that game where he operated TheBus. Gadzooks! There is hardly any room to DRIVE much less get these poor drivers’ classic Joust play on. I would love to hear yells of “eh, no mo’ room in th’ cabin! UNION!!!” at their next TheStrike. Give these cats a bit more room! In the very least, the size of the Millennium Falcon’s cockpit would do. Then, they’ll be able to bring in a console game system.
• The Na’vi-studying (see, I told you) Dr. Grace Augustine herself, even, would have one heckuva headache in classifying and categorizing TheBus regular riders. The Grease is telling you, a regular blog is called for TheRegularRidingTheBusFolk. Here are just SOME of them:
  • The owner-starer, whose millisecond mean gaze (that’d make the garden-variety island-flavored stink eye look like one of Lilo’s pals) to convey that you, newbie, are sitting in their regular seat. The owner-starer has somehow extended the cost of bus fare (yes, the same price that you paid) to outright seat ownership. Do not engage in conversation, do not stare back, ignore their heavy, habut[4] steps. They have realized they have lost today; be prepared for aggressive gallop action by the owner-starer tomorrow.

  

  • TheAlmostTOOWellDressedian for TheBus. SO well-dressed and SO equipped with TheLatestGadgets that you wonder if they manage to afford that with all TheMoney they save by not paying for TheCar, TheCarInsurance, and TheCarRepair.
  • The, you know, God still watches you even off-campusian appears 100% student and usually sports an emblazoned, fancy and sometimes stitched school crest on the shirt being worn. Facial skin condition (i.e., acne). Emits foul language and enough gossip that would get thee most gossipiest gossip girl from your own alma mater to a nunnery like one that might be associated with the campusian’s very school if she had to contend with such next generation gossip. Your best bet in dealing with this particular encounter is to pretend to ignore them (they tend to travel in packs) as you will discover an inability to ignore their rants more fit for a Dante’s Inferno and Comedy Hour live show; see, this being has evolved to enable itself to project over said spacecraft-class roar of TheBus engine and blaring hate-on Al Gore air conditioning unit.
  • TheTwitterstoSelf without ‘lectronic devician, speaks to self and, well . . . none have managed to get the, what’s Ed say? Oh, yeah, the “dilly-o” on this cat. Just leave this one be.
  • The “What? Only use TheBus when yo’ cah need servician?” People like Chicken Grease. ‘Nuff said.

There’s more. But, like I said . . . ‘nother blog needed for the thousand other types.

• Now, TheBus riders are treated to periodic, recorded announcements from loudspeakers ‘pon TheBus ceiling. These hand-crafted, constant, indoctrinating announcements would make an OCP Corporation/World War II Axis/Lord Vader’s minions collective quite jealous. Thought you could take a nice nap on pub’ trans’ as was somehow implied in a TheBus “hey you should ride, you know?” fancy brochures and TV ads? Check out a few o’these TheBus gospels and judge for thyself:
  • “Please silence mobile phone ringers and refrain from loud conversations while riding TheBus.” This is assuming you can hear your handheld a-ringing and/or hold a conversation (or talk to yourself when it comes to some TheBus riders, see above TheBus TheRegulars discussion) above previously mentioned NASA rocket-like decibel-class engine and the anti-Al Gore blare of TheBus air conditioning unit). Mmm. School kids with school crests on their uniforms are exempt from this rule, apparently.
  • “If you see something, say something. Immediately alert TheBus driver or call 9-11 if you witness any suspicious activities on board TheBus or transits or depots,” something or other. Now, this is my favorite announcement because TheBus shows their concern for my TheBusRider pursuit of safetyness. Mercy, though. What a tall order: ON board the bus AND at transits and depots. I better not read or check e-mail and stay alert, then. Hey, now . . . I thought we implemented Sky Marshals a long time ago. You know, though, I think if the bad guys ends up targeting TheHonolulu TheBus system, I think we pretty much have the suckers cornered, i.e., on an island [!], no? By the time they have to go after our ‘aina to make their point? You would suppose their explosive devices would be laughed out of the store by our own indigenous non-permit firecracker aisles, even. For Pete’s sake, “immediately alert the Bus Driver or call 9-11″??? Whyn’t we craft law outside of Rod Tam logic to give TheBus drivers TheDiscretion to refuse the boarding of ne’er-do-wells and evildoers. They know how they look like, WE riders know how they look like, OK? Crud, somebody call CBS! This has GOT to be 5-0 new series fodder – episode description: McGarret and a heavily armed 5-0 crew attempt to neutralize a suspicious activity onboard . . .
    Well. At least I got to fit in a quasi-The Hurt Locker reference, yuk yuks. AND a 5-0 reference? From the NEW show? Do I get points for THIS, Ed?
    [Note: See "Epic Beard Man" on Youtube for the above. Classic!]
  • Street announcements. TheBus, I kid you not, via this announcement system, will mention the respective street at which TheBus a few seconds ‘fore reaching the respective stop. Consider, especially in the case of a long TheBus ride, a rider’s anticipation in arriving at their happy place via TheBus; such rider’s yearning finds, indeed, kinship with something ‘tween the juvenile classic “are we THERE yet?” with the adult-based air travel self-prayer of “let’s get there THIS YEAR please!” Yet, here, TheBus has managed to give more than they need to (see? Giving isn’t always better than receiving). These street announcements make you think you’re on some other alternate Oahu (Lost eat your heart out). TheBest example of what a Grease is a-talkin’ ’bout finds itself in how certain Diamond Head-heading TheBuses will make a stop at . . . well, you know the King Kamehameha I statue facing Iolani Palace? Well, apparently, that’s a MAJOR, MAJOR TheBus stop (as the digital marquee onboard TheBus evinces). Note that the announcement at THAT stop goes a little somethin’ like this: “Iolani Palace, King Kamehameha statue, Honolulu Hale, Kukui Gardens, Main Library, Queen’s Hospital . . .” and, so, you quickly question if we actually have that many places on the island. Or maybe The Grease was out of town the day The Incredible Hulk came to town and mashed up all these places in one big, 100 foot concrete and metal ball. OK, OK, all right, heck, I get it: guess TheBus figured some of us need an overage of sticklers to tell you where you’re at. I dunno if such folk need to relocate to a less challenging geographic like a 10 foot by 10 foot island [!].
  • “As a reminder, please offer seats to the elderly and to persons with disabilities.” “Shucks,” I thought, when I first heard this one. THE one thing I was looking forward to in my forced bus journeys was to refuse my seat to these types – I mean, how d’a heck d’ey rate more than me, I figgah. They get to have reserved seats? A “regulation” the signs on TheBus tell me? Come ON, now, I mean, I’m standing strong on two feet – there MUST be some law still on the books that define me as more superior to both classes, I just know it. “Offer seats to the elderly”? That MUST somehow be wrong; we live in a very youthful tech’ age, by gum. Anyway, just WHO d’a heck qualifies as “passengers with disabilities?” Someone call Rod Tam, please.

Like TheBus “friends,” these announcements are just SOME of the announcements you’ll hear as TheBus’ wheels go ’round and ’round.

Now, The Grease wants to conclude (and, really, it’s about time I end all this, yeah?) with how TheBus riding presents a fine way to experience keita no denwa[5] texting while riding (but, not personally driving; oh, no, kid, we know that’s not allowed [!]) at 60+ miles per hour (and, tangent: hooo, baby, best BELIEVE some of these drivers make you see President Lincoln, Kamehameha [all of 'em], authentic World War II battles, and dinosaurs with how fast they drive; TheBus Admin’ and bosses, please, no scol’ these drivers ’cause fun, yeah, ‘cuz? Fo’ us riders). So if you want to get in the face of the law and morality AND do so LEGALLY, well, pull out that overpriced plan keita no denwa and start texting as Union bruddah happily drives you to wherever you need to go. I trust all of you, so, I’ll give you a glimpse into one of The Grease’s private, recent texts rendered on L’TheBus:

GREASE: [sends txt mssg.] “Yo.”

GREASE FRIEND: [responds] “what’s up?”

GREASE: “I dunno. Just texting you.”

GREASE FRIEND: “what?”

GREASE: “I am on the road.”

GREASE FRIEND: “dangerous!”

GREASE: “I am on TheBus.”

GREASE FRIEND: “I don’t have unlimited text like you what you want?”

GREASE: “I am just trying out to see what it is like to text at 60 MPH.”

[no response from GREASE FRIEND until the end of The Grease's ride, about 1/2 hour, for the record]

So there. Better stop here (pardon the pun, heh, get it? “Stop here”? As in “bus stop”? Ha haaha ahaha hahaha hhaah ah haa h . . ha .. . ha . . . ha).

And I just better stop altogether. Hey, go green other than with UH sports, OK? No sce’d, give your cash and credit cards a break from the gas station sometimes and take TheBus to ya’ll future destinationses.

Thank you for your attention.

- Chicken Grease

——-

[1] As indicated in TheBus thrived under manager’s leadership article by Venus Lee, from the 07/21/2005 The Honolulu Star Bulletin, from archives.starbulletin.com . . . what the . . . a reference from THE COMPETITION??? Eek. Eh! Keep TWO ‘papers in d’is town!!!! Wikipedia’s article on the Honolulu TheBus system mentions these two awards as well. So, there.

[2] “Dosh’te” = “why” in the Japanese lingua. Are you able to read this small font? Yeah? Excellent.

[3] “Kurumas” = “cars,” also in the Japanese language. Sorry, I’ll stop. Well, I’ll try. OK?

[4] You don’t need an explanation for “habuts” do you? Ask around if you do. Sheesh.

[5] “Keita no denwa” = “mobile phone” or “carry around phone” . . . again, in the Japanese language. OK, for reals, this was the last footnote reference. Write-up almos’ done anyways.

——-

P.S. The Grease also wanted to include a video of THIS brotha’: Sawada Kenji, with the caption “Brotha’ throws a HAT!!!!”.

Brotha’ throws a HAT!!!!

—

The Guest Blog Schedule:

• THU 03/11 – Chicken Grease – “TheGrease and TheBus”
• FRI 03/12 – kuya.d – “I’m So Over It”
• MON 03/15 – JMAW – “Something like a Phenomenon”
• TUE 03/16 – frankie – “The Curse of the Murse”
• WED 03/17 – kako mochi – “Where in Oregon is kako mochi?”
• THU 03/18 – tweetpeep22 – “Online Dating Follies – Female Perspective”
• FRI 03/19 – S-Ticket – “Online Dating Follies – Male Perspective”
• MON 03/22 – tita leerz – “The Hawaii Visitor’s Survival Guide”
• TUE 03/23 – skycastles – “Otanjoubi Omedetou Gozaimasu Kurosawa-sama!”
• WED 03/24 – hemajang – “Where in Hawaii is hemajang?”
• THU 03/25 – uncle jimmy – “Grab One, Leave One, and Get Reel…”

Tags: Alapai, are we THERE yet?, cell phones, Chicken Grease, cloth seats, disabilities, elderly, Epic Beard Man, Express bus, go green, honolulu bus system, Honolulu Hale, Iolani Palace, Keita denwa, King Kamehameha statue, Kukui Gardens, Main Library, Please silence mobile phone ringers and refrain from loud conversations while riding TheBus, plexiglass, Queen's Hospital, recorded announcements, Sawada Kenji, suspicious activities, thebus, Venus Lee

Poke Paradise – Experiencing the Best Poke Around Hawaii – Part III

Following Part I of this Poke Paradise series, I received an invitation from a Mr. Jed Inouye to come and spend the day with him. In my article, I had mentioned that I was planning on covering the poke from Sam’s Club in a future article and Jed wanted to make sure that I got the inside scoops. You see, Jed is the president of Seafood Hawaii, Inc., a 100% local company who, for all intents and purposes, supplies and runs the seafood departments at both Sam’s Club locations in Hawaii.

The problem with Jed is that he is painfully humble. Shy even. He refused to be filmed at all during the day and wanted the focus to instead be on the process and educating me on the ins and outs of it. He constantly wanted to divert the attention away from himself and towards his partner and employees, repeating his mantra for the day, “It’s not a me thing, but a we thing.”

This is normally where I’d embed my Youtube interview, but this was an unconventional interview with an unconventional guy. So instead, here’s a pictorial glimpse of our “day in the life” activities, starting from the shores of the United Fishing Agency fish auction at Pier 38, to the display case at Sam’s Club.

As described by Jed, the action all starts at the boat.

Boat unloading their catch [Photo Credit: Arthur Betts]

“This fish hole [image above] is well insulated yeah, so it’s all packed in ice. Time and temperature is really important. The fishermen come in and unload their catch into carts.”

Loading their fish into the cart [Photo Credit: Arthur Betts]

“Nobody’s throwing anything around. Everything is handled with care. Taking care of the fish is real important. Not to bounce it around… It all starts from the fishing. If it starts right on boat, it ends right on plate.”

Every day is different. You have your slow days and you have days like this day when the bounty was quite plentiful. 85,000 pounds from 6 boats to be exact.

Ahi loaded up in cart [Photo Credit: Arthur Betts]

Once the cart is loaded up, the fish is taken to the receiving area where they are scaled, weighed and tagged, before hitting the auction floor.

Auction floor at the United Fishing Agency fish auction [Photo Credit: Arthur Betts]

“The facility is HACCP managed by the federal government,” says Inouye. “Food safety is of the upmost importance. Core temperature must be below 40 degrees. The longer the fish is out of ice, you get temperature fluctuations, especially when it’s over 40 degrees, it’s no good. You don’t want that to happen. You want to be below 40 degrees all the time. If you noticed, it’s all ice. Ice is 32 degrees.”

Fish is kept under ice to ensure that its core temperature is always below 40 degrees

“That’s what’s good about buying the fish here in Hawaii vs. other places. You know, you don’t know where the fish has been, if it’s been out of temp. We try to simulate the bin of the boat because that’s how the fish is best kept: in the hole of the boat. In here, we put it in bins and we ice it again.”

We were then allowed to go into a room at the far end of the auction where boatloads (literally) of swordfish were being stored until they were ready to be shipped away.

Lineup of swordfish, ready to be shipped away [Photo Credit: Arthur Betts]

“I used to send a lot of fish away, but I decided I just wanna take care of the local people. The difference is that there’s no middle man for us. We go right from boat to the troat (throat). Taking care of the customer is essential. By doing this, there’s a lot of value, so we can offer it at a cheaper price so everyone can afford it.”

After the fish is auctioned off…

In the middle of an auction

… it heads straight outside to be loaded into the various refrigerated delivery trucks.

Refrigerated delivery trucks receive the fish that was just purchased [Photo Credit: Arthur Betts]

“This is a really good way of taking care of the fish,” says Inouye. “Again, they go ahead and, after they buy it, they put it in bins, and re-ice it. Because it simulates the hole again, because you have ice right around the fish. The temperatures don’t change. You’re keeping the temperature constant.”

Fish kept under ice in delivery bins [Photo Credit: Arthur Betts]

Like a scene out of “A Night at the Roxbury”, Jed then said it was time to head to “the club.” So we loaded up Jed’s truck with the fish he just purchased from the auction and headed to the Honolulu Sam’s Club location. On the ride down, he opened up.

“You gotta be real passionate about this job or you’re not gonna be able to last. Over the years, 7 days a week. So every day I pretty much do the same thing. My routine yeah. Nothing fancy. I like driving the truck [even though he's the president of the company] because I’ve always been with the fish so I know it’s fresh. I enjoy this. I really enjoy this. The fish part, the work part, I really enjoy this.”

Then I asked him about his thoughts on poke.

“Poke is something for the imagination. People in Hawaii, they do a good job with poke. It’s just your preference. For us, we have to make sure that the product you start off with is a good product. Once you start off with that… and if you buy the fish in Hawaii, ahhh, can’t get bettah than that. Look, we going to the market now already. I mean fish came off the boat, 5:30 they selling um, it’s 8:30… three hours! How you goin’ beat that?”

“From here, we go to the club. When you hit the club, I mean there’s not much time change. So quality wise, you know. You saw the fish from the boat, it was purchased, went into the bin, all ice, BANG, right to the club. From there, we cut it.”

Preparing the fish for display

“When you take a look at the way we do things, you’re gonna understand where the ‘we’ comes from. Our people do a lot of work. They do a good job. They spend a lot of time, they wake up early in the morning. It’s a whole team. A lot of our workers make it what it is. I got my brother (Gerald aka ‘Lucky’), my partner (Arick Yanagihara), my employees. That’s why, keep the video off of me because we get plenny good, really good people. It’s a ‘we’ thing, not a ‘me’ thing. Everybody works hard, so they’re the stars, not me.”

Mike is a professional sashimi cutter with 20+ years of experience [Photo Credit: Arthur Betts]

Theresa, an employee of 14 years [Photo Credit: Arthur Betts]

Julie, an employee of 20 combined years [Photo Credit: Arthur Betts]

“The product that you put out should represent the people behind it. If you put out a good product the sales should be reflective. But again, food safety and value. Those two things are KEY.”

Imitation Crab Meat Masago ($4.37/lb), White Crab previously frozen ($6.87/lb), and 50/60 shrimp [Photo Credit: Arthur Betts]

“The main message is the fish. If the fish is of good quality, that’s what makes everything. It’s the fish.”

Fresh ahi poke – all under $9/lb [Photo Credit: Arthur Betts]

“The customer is your boss. No matter what, the customer is your boss. What they say goes. That’s the one that you have to take care of all the time. You have to please your customer, no matter what. As long as they keep coming back, you know you’re doing something right.”

I asked him how he keeps his prices so low.

“For the average person, when the price of the fish gets too high, they cannot afford it. There are times when we do lose money. The main thing is that we want to make sure that the consumer knows that we’re consistent and that we’ll take care of them. I guess that’s the message that really we try to push: We wanna take care of the local people. For our company anyway, we wanna take care of the local people.”

Jed Inouye, employees Julie and Theresa, and general partner Arick Yanagihara [Photo Credit: Arthur Betts]

Wow. If that didn’t make you shed a tear, I don’t know what will. At the very least, it should make you want to join Sam’s Club and visit/support them. Jed Inouye and his Seafood Hawaii, Inc. family exemplifies the true meaning of what a giving, local company should be. And although he will humbly deny it to no end, this truck driving President truly is the star.

Sam’s Club – Honolulu
750 Keeaumoku St,
Honolulu, HI 96814 (map)
(808) 945-9841
Mon-Fri: 10am-8:30pm, Sat: 9am-8:30pm, Sun: 10am-6pm

Sam’s Club – Pearl Highlands
1000 Kamehameha Hwy 100,
Pearl City, HI 96782 (map)
(808) 456-7788
Mon-Fri: 10am-8:30pm, Sat: 9am-8:30pm, Sun: 10am-6pm

—

During my tour of the fish auction with Jed, I was introduced to Brooks Takenaka, the manager of the United Fishing Agency, the company behind the auction. I sat down with Brooks to get more info on his company and the history behind the fish auction.

Brooks Takenaka – United Fishing Agency

[Edward Sugimoto] Describe a little bit about your history with fish in the islands. You know, hana battah kid time?

[Brooks Takenaka] Well basically I was born and raised in a fisherman’s family. So my grandfather was a longline fisherman. My father and my uncles were fishermen as well. And until we were born, my father basically stayed on the boat, they stayed fishing. So I come from a fishing family, commercial longline fishing family, and, as a kid, I was always interested in fish, and I could tell you the scientific names of fish, the common names and all that. I used to raise some fish. They didn’t want me to go into fishing. So I had done all the trolling and diving, all kinds of different forms of fishing and all of that, and they didn’t want me to go into fishing, so I pursued a career in Marine Biology. I studied Marine Biology at the University of Hawaii. Then I did some research with the Oceanic Institute. Well, Coconut Island, worked out of Coconut Island, in the university system. And then I worked out at Oceanic Institute, and then I worked for the Sea Grant Program for a bout 3 and a half years and that’s when I came to appreciate education and outreach. So I was working for those guys and then the industry was going through some changes and they made me an offer and so I came back into the industry and have been here ever since. I’ve been here for about 30 years now with the United Fishing Agency.

[Edward Sugimoto] To those who don’t know, explain who exactly the United Fishing Agency is and its role is in the fish auction?

United Fishing Agency sign

[Brooks Takenaka] Well, the United Fishing Agency is the fish auction, and basically, it’s a company that was put together many many many years ago, decades ago actually [incorporated in 1952]. And the whole idea, which is really a beautiful one, was put together by the senior Otani [Matsujiro Otani], and then basically it was a matter of bringing together wholesalers and fishermen to form an organization that basically put together a program that brought together the daily fish demand with the fish supply. And so back then, it was a far more expansive reality in terms of the type of species because you had reef fish, deep sea bottom fish, as well as open ocean pelagic fish. Maybe not in these kinds of numbers that you have today, but back then, when I was a kid, I remember going to the auction and there was a lot of reef fish. Trapping, netting, diving… all kinds of reef fish, and then there was a few bottom fish, and longline. Certainly the situation now is different in that the reef fish is pretty much sold as a different entity. They have their own market, and we don’t get involved with the reef fish anymore. But we do sell the deep sea bottom fish and the longline stuff, the um, pelagic stuff. So how the auction works basically is that when these fishermen provision up to go out fishing, the purveyors they buy their products from – the food, the fuel, the water… those purveyors would send their billing here to United Fishing Agency. These fishermen go out fishing, they come back, first up on the dock, first up on the floor. And every day, six days a week, the list of boats is listed on the board there. There is a phone service that people can call in to find out you know what we’ve got, how much they’ve got. So then we basically put up their fish, we unload their fish and put up their fish. All of every boat’s fish is color coded, and we sell one boat’s fish at a time. So we start off with the bigeye tuna, which is the target species of this fleet, and then with the yellowfin, and then the different tuna species, like your albacore or tombo, and then your skipjack or aku, and sometimes some kawa kawa. But longline not so much kawa kawa. Then um, your marlins, then your mahimahi, ono, other species like that: monchong, walu, opah. One of the good things about the Hawaii fleet is that historically, they’ve always brought back all the species they catch, with the exception of the blue fish, the blue shark, they bring back everything. And the nice thing about the Hawaii situation is that there’s a fond appreciation for all the species, so we don’t waste any of these species at all. And with the cultural diversity that we have, there’s so many different ways of preparing these fish, that you know people have a good appreciation for all these species. So that’s basically how it works. In terms of how we get paid, we take 10% off the gross sales for our payment. Basically that’s how it works.

[Edward Sugimoto] I read somewhere that this market is based off of the Tsukiji market (in Japan) in a little sense. Is that the true?

[Brooks Takenaka] Not in a little sense. Very very much so. We’re actually a very junior version of Tsukiji. It’s based after the traditional Japanese method of auction selling fish.

[Edward Sugimoto] You were kinda briefly walking us through the process. Can you in a little more detail (explain the process), how it comes off the boat, you do the scaling, you do the weighing and all of that?

[Brooks Takenaka] Yeah. How it all works is basically, when they come home, we unload the boats. If you go outside and take a look at some of the carts, the carts were built… Actually, prior to coming, moving to this facility, we were over in Kewalo, and what we used to do is we used to send trucks out to go pick up the fish at the various piers. Since moving here, the accommodations are great because we unload the boats right here. So it’s much more timely and the freshness and quality are significantly better. So it’s a far better facility. And basically how it works is these boats come home and we have an answering service, so first in, first up, and the answering service lets us know who’s first, second, third and all this. So, in order for us to start the auction at 5:30 (AM), my guys come in at 1 o’clock. They call the answering service, they figure out who’s first, then they just start unloading the boats. Those carts that we have now to unload the boats basically represent the same size of the truck bed that we used to go pick up fish with. And one of the reasons why we did that was because we have a good idea of about how many pounds are in each truckload. So that way, it’s another form of checks and balance(s). So that, we built the carts to be the same size, and about the same amount of fish, so we know there’s about 3,000 pounds of fish in that cart. Around there, yeah, depending on the species and sizes. So then, the boat unloads the fish into the carts. Those carts then are moved over to the facility, and then you see the weighing area where we stage it all out, and then the fish gets weighed and then tagged. And then you have a weight tag as well as a bar code and on the bar code, you have the information of the boat, the date, all this kind, what kind of species, how many pieces, that sort of thing. Then those fish are lined up, like I said, bigeye, big to small, yellowfins big to small, and then the others by catch species. And, that’s basically how we started. At 5:30, the bell rings, and off they go. What we do with the tunas however, is that you’ll notice that we do a tail cut, wedge cut, and then we’ll do an anterior coring. So basically, that’s all on each fish, each tuna in particular. And so the buyer has a good profile of what that fish is in terms of quality. And that facilitates and expedites their bidding on the fish. So that’s how it works.

The tail cut, wedge cut, and anterior coring shows buyer the quality of the fish [Photo Credit: Arthur Betts]

[Edward Sugimoto] What do they kind of look for: bloodline?

[Brooks Takenaka] Well, what they’re looking for is freshness and quality, also relative to their client base. OK, so in other words, they have a good feel for their client base and then they’re bidding on fish that basically services their clientele. And so you have companies in there that play the whole gamut in terms of quality and range and prices, and you have those that are more of a niche market type of situation. And so, what’s interesting is that you have a whole different approach by different people in terms of how they’re buying, what they’re buying, how much they’re willing to spend, depending on what kind of client base they have. So some of these companies do send fish to the mainland. They work with people on the mainland, they’ll send fish to the mainland. Others will send… they’re even marketing in Vancouver. On occasion, you’ll hear comments about some of these fish maybe going to Japan. Not as much as before because what’s happened is that the world has come to appreciate sashimi and sushi and raw fish a bit more than it has in the past, and so what’s happening is there… and people are beginning to appreciate the value, and so, there are more people that are buying tuna today as compared to before. So not as much ends up in the Japanese market. A lot of it does go to the mainland United States. Canada. Vancouver’s a very strong market. So the rest of the world has figured out what’s happening with fish and that’s part of the reason why we’re talking this sustainability today. So that’s why we talk about those kind of issues today.

[Edward Sugimoto] What kind of famous chefs/people come through here that you rub elbows with?

[Brooks Takenaka] Oh jeez. You name um, we’ve had um. Aw cheez, we’ve had Nobu (Matsuhisa), we’ve had Iron Chef (Masaharu Morimoto), we’ve had Paul Prudhomme, Ming Tsai, Chan Can (Martin Yan?). We’ve had a number. Of course and then there’s people like Chef Mavro (George Mavrothalassitis) and Alan Wong and Roy (Yamaguchi) and D.K.’s (David “D.K.” Kodama), you know, those people. And we also have a fair amount of visiting chefs from around the world and the country. So, far more than I can name. In fact we’ve also done tours for a lot of associations like nutritionists and people like that. I teach the coast guard… actually I also teach culinary classes, marine biology, oceanography classes, and I teach the coast guard.

[Edward Sugimoto] So your (Marine Biology) education comes in handy then?

[Brooks Takenaka] Yes, very much so. That was the purpose of it all. We have an incredible industry, but I think the industry was remiss for a long time because they pretty much did their own thing and kept to themselves. And then, in the meantime, what’s happened is that of course there’s interest that has just generated with respect to issues like sustainability and all this. And so we felt that it was important for us as an industry to get this message out, get some information out. And that’s the reason why we started the program that we have. So the program that we have now is called the Hawaii Seafood Council. It’s a non-profit organization, and we’ve set that up to develop the educational programs and materials to assist the industry.

[Edward Sugimoto] In terms of poke, what’s your favorite type?

[Brooks Takenaka] It all depends on what kind of fish there is and what kind of ingredients there are and what I’m jonesin’ for. I love aku poke and I happen to also love a lot of limus like waiwaihole and limu kohu, and lipoa, as well as the ogo. Actually the ogo to me doesn’t have that much taste. Lipoa, which is a really stinky one, is to me a real good limu to use for poke, but most people cannot eat that because of the strength. It’s kinda strong. So in terms of poke again, there’s so many different ways of preparing it, and in reality you can use all kinds of fish to do this. So it really becomes a matter of how you want to prepare it, what you want to prepare. But for me, I like aku poke. I like ahi poke, marlin poke (either nairagi, kajiki), and then, there’s also, you know again, like I said, poke is really a matter of imagination. You can do all kinds of things with that. Lobster poke is ono, you know, opihi poke is ono, so it depends. Crab, you can make crab poke, you know raw crab, stuff like that.

[Edward Sugimoto] It must be pretty hard to please you though since you’re so used to the freshness here?

[Brooks Takenaka] Well yeah, I’m a stickler for quality. And so, if you know of like say Take’s Fish Market in Moiliili, that’s the kind of place my wife will buy sashimi. I mean you know it could cost us $60-$80 for a pound and a half or two pounds you know, but it’s worth it. So here, again, it depends on what you’re used to. And since I was born and raised with fish, I’ve eaten parts of fish that most people don’t even consider. So again, my appreciation with fish is far greater or different than most. Like I said today, when I was a kid, I remember eating parts of fish that nobody else would eat. That was poor man’s food. Today, because of health, people are looking into other parts of the fish too, so we’re finally getting to… it’s gone 180. I mean now people are beginning to appreciate some of the other parts of the fish too. So I would venture to guess that anybody learning how to eat fish from people in Hawaii, they really learn how to eat fish. Hawaii people know how to eat fish.

[Edward Sugimoto] Speaking of kinda “stranger” pieces of the fish, the abura mi, the fatty parts, that’s of more value as opposed to the (aka mi)…

[Brooks Takenaka] Yeah well, you know, as the chefs say, the fat is where the flavor is. And so, in this case, one of the things that we teach the culinary kids of course is that the difference between the aka mi, or red meat, and the abura, or fatty fish vs. non-fatty fish, that doesn’t mean that the non-fatty fish is no good. In fact, some of these non-fatty fish can be nice enough that it can go 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 dollars a pound. But, if that same fish had some fat in it, it can probably go dollar, two dollars more a pound. And there is a significant difference even from species to species, there’s difference in terms of. So recently, I shared some fatty yellowfin and some fatty bigeye with Chef Mavro and Alan Wong, and they noticed the difference, the significant difference between the two species. Different kind of flavor, different kind of intensity in terms of the fat. So there’s a lot of things we can do, to share with the public in terms of understanding about quality and appreciation for quality.

Ahi, freshly cut on the auction floor [Photo Credit: Arthur Betts]

[Edward Sugimoto] What’s in store for the United Fishing Agency?

[Brooks Takenaka] Well, I hope that we can work our way through some of the issues that we have to deal with in terms of the sustainability issues, and protecting species like turtles and birds and things like that. We certainly, you know the United Fishing Agency has been around since 1952, and I certainly hope that in history, we continue to succeed and can move forward you know, for the next generation. And I hope that we can continue to be innovative and stay ahead of the curve in terms of doing things the right way for the right reasons, and being able to continue to supply fish for our people because I think it’s a very significant part of our culture as well as lifestyle. And seafood of course, fresh seafood is, I think very very healthful. And so from that perspective alone, I certainly would like to continue to be able to provide good, healthy fish for the public. And, if you think about it, like I ask people think about this: what is the only form of food today that has no chemical additives in it? Wild fish, right? And you have concerns like bird flu, swine flu, all this other kind of stuff, but, you ever heard of fish flu? No. So the demand for fish, the concern for protecting the resource is important and we need to continue to do things to protect that resource. But, the thing is, I think people can also realize… learn and realize that some efforts are in fact being done the right way for the right reasons and I think the Hawaii effort is indeed one of those exemplary efforts. So I think if the rest of the world were to in fact conduct their fishing like we do here, then we may not have the kind of concerns that we have for the resources and stuff, so it would be better for the resources.

[Edward Sugimoto] And your auction is open to the public. Is there anything else you want to mention?

[Brooks Takenaka] Yeah, it’s open to the public, but we gotta be careful about how many people we get over here. That’s one of the things that again, we do these kinds of interviews, and I’ve got a few others to do within the next couple of weeks, but again, I do this with a grain of salt because the thing is, on one hand, we want people to know about our industry, but I also have a business to run and I gotta be careful about my time. But I mean people are welcome to come. It is open to the public.

[Edward Sugimoto] OK, thank you very much!

[Brooks Takenaka] You’re very welcome.

For more information on the Hawaii Seafood Council and what Brooks folks are doing for the seafood community, please visit: http://www.hawaii-seafood.org.

—

Since we’ve already covered Sam’s Club, let’s turn this one into a “supermarket kine poke” piece and take a virtual stroll through some of the others doing poke here in the islands shall we?

Costco Poke

One of my favorites from Costco is their Japan Clam Poke, which, according to the label, contains: Japan clam meat, alae salt, chili pepper flakes, green onions, sliced sweet onion, and sesame seed oil.

Japan Clam Poke – Japan clam meat, alae salt, chili pepper flakes, green onions, sliced sweet onion, and sesame seed oil ($11.99/lb)

I haven’t seen it in some time though, but I’m hoping and praying that it’s a “seasonal” thing as opposed to a “discontinued” thing. :\

Other good ones include their Fresh Ahi Limu Poke,

Fresh Ahi Limu Poke – ($12.99/lb)

their Fresh Ahi Shoyu Poke,

Fresh Ahi Shoyu Poke – ($11.99/lb)

and their Garlic Shrimp Poke.

Garlic Shrimp Poke – ($9.99/lb)

Costco
(Many locations)

—

Safeway Poke

I have a soft spot in my heart for Safeway ’cause they be my peeps. They were the ones to give me my first part-time gig during high school daze, where I eventually moved up to the “Fish Cutter” position in the seafood department. This is where I experienced my first taste (literally) of the art of poke making.

Back then, there was no such thing as “spicy tuna” (as it’s known today), and some of the other “fancy” kine styles like wasabi, furikake, avocado, etc. My bread and butter was the ahi limu poke. A batch I recently picked up, though previously frozen, tasted eerily similar to the one I used to make.

(Previously Frozen) Ahi Limu Poke ($7.99/lb)

If it’s available, and you can at all help it (and can afford it), my recommendation is to always go for the “fresh” version. There’s a HUGE difference in taste, texture and quality. Not to mention that a lot of times, places will treat/preserve their fish with carbon monoxide in order to “promote color retention” (keeps their fish looking red or from turning brown). Any time you can eat poke naturally (or any food for that matter) and avoid the chemicals, I advise it. Unfortunately, on this occasion, Safeway (and some of those below) didn’t have many fresh options.

Next to the Ahi Limu Poke, wifey particularly enjoyed the Ahi Poke Furikake from Safeway.

(Previously Frozen) Ahi Poke Furikake ($7.99/lb)

The current Fish Cutter told us that these next two batches were new, so we gave them a whirl. The Hot Ahi Poke (made with Sriracha sauce)…

(Previously Frozen) Hot Ahi Poke ($7.99/lb)

… and the Ahi Wasabi Poke.

(Previously Frozen) Ahi Wasabi Poke ($7.99/lb)

In the mood for some octopus, we rounded out our visit to Safeway with their popular Kim Chee Tako Poke.

Kim Chee Tako Poke

Safeway
(Many locations)

—

Foodland Poke

I have to be perfectly honest. I’ve never been a fan of Foodland’s poke, though I do strangely enjoy some of Sack N Save’s versions on the neighbor islands. It could’ve been the taste/flavoring, the fish itself, the fact that I worked at Safeway (Ha!), or perhaps that I’ve just been unlucky whenever I ordered from there. To be fair, I picked up 4 types of their previously frozen styles: their Spicy Ahi…

(Previously Frozen) Spicy Ahi Poke ($7.99/lb)

… their Ahi Limu…

(Previously Frozen) Ahi Limu Poke ($7.99/lb)

… their Ahi Shoyu…

(Previously Frozen) Ahi Shoyu Poke ($7.99/lb)

… and their new Ahi & Avocado Poke.

(Previously Frozen) Ahi & Avocado Poke ($7.99/lb)

They also had signage speaking of the carbon monoxide preservation methods, but interestingly enough, they also mentioned this: “From Philippines.” Not quite sure why, but perhaps because it is not local to Hawaii?

If anyone from Foodland wants to fill us in, complete the feedback form on the right and I’ll put your statement in here for ya.

Foodland
(Many locations)

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Poke from TKS in Honokaa, Hawaii

To make sure I cover those doing poke well on the neighbor islands, I flew over to Hilo to visit my friend Dave. We found time to hit up KTA and Sack N Save, as well as the T Kaneshiro Store or TKS in “nearby” Honokaa.

T Kaneshiro Store (TKS) in Honokaa, Hawaii

As with many mom and pop type groceries like this, they didn’t have a dedicated seafood department, but they did provide a handful of poke options in their refrigerated section, including Ahi Poke – Korean Style, Ahi Poke with Sesame Oil, and Ahi Shoyu Poke.

Ahi Shoyu Poke

T Kaneshiro Store
45-5002 Lehua Street
Honokaa, HI 96727
(808) 775-0631

—

Poke from KTA Super Stores – Hilo

There are two KTA locations in Hilo: on Keawe street and Puainako Stree, but we made sure to hit up the significantly larger Puainako locale.

KTA Punainako

Woah. In order to match the sheer size of their store (I’m guessing), the size of their seafood department is equally enormous!

Bruddah Dave checking out the wide range of goodies

Their selection included such items as Tako Miso, Tako Hawaiian, Tako Kim Chee with Cucumber, Tako Shoyu, Tako Sesame, Spicy Tako, Marlin (Au) Korean, Marlin Nori, Marlin Low Salt Shoyu, Marlin Shoyu, Ahi Korean, Ahi Nori, Spicy Ahi, Ahi Hawaiian, Ahi Shoyu, Kim Chee Soybeans, Crab Poke, Shoyu Clams, Nori Tofu, Mussel Poke, Shoyu Hokkigai (Surf Clam), Pipi Kaula, Kim Chee Shrimp, etc.

Numerous poke choices at KTA

I know it’s hard to tell (based on the amateur panoramic photo attempt above), but take my word for it, they had CHOKE options.

We sampled the Ahi Shoyu and Ahi Korean options (BTW, they weren’t labeled, but they tasted of the pre-frozen variety).

Ahi Korean Poke (left/top) and Ahi Shoyu Poke (right/bottom) and from KTA ($7.99/lb each)

KTA Super Stores
(Many locations)

—

Sack N Save Poke

And finally, we hit up the Kinoole Street Sack N Save location in Hilo.

Kinoole Street Sack N Save in Hilo

They had a pretty reasonably sized selection that included Ahi Hawaiian Style, Ahi Shoyu, Ahi Sesame, Ahi Furikake, Spicy Ahi, Ahi Oyster Sauce, Ahi Limu, Ahi Garlic, Avocado Ahi, Korean Ahi, Ahi Wasabi and Fresh Ahi Poke, as well as Soybeans, Tako Kim Chee Poke, Tako Furikake Poke, Cooked Madako Tako Poke, and Smoked Tako Poke.

Sack N Save’s Poke Selection

The Avocado Ahi was a big seller, so we picked up the rest of that tray along with some Spicy Ahi.

(Previously Frozen) Spicy Ahi Poke ($7.99/lb)

(Previously Frozen) Avocado Ahi Poke ($8.99/lb)

As with their sister/mothership Foodland, they had their previously frozen trays clearly marked with the “carbon monoxide” and “from Philippines” warning labels.

Comparing the poke from Hilo’s Sack N Save to the Oahu equivalents from Foodland, I really enjoyed the Hilo versions more, especially the Avocado Ahi one FBI (From Big Island)! Good job B.I.!

Sack N Save
(Many locations)

—

Home Made Poke

And finally, as if I didn’t bombard you enough with photos already , here’s a step-by-step look at a home made batch I recently put together for a family gathering. Enjoy!

Cubed up Aku

I started by cubing up some aku that my mom had purchased from downtown. Aku has a stronger/fishier taste than Ahi, but to me, is a LOT better for making poke.

Below are some of the “ingrediments” I used including shoyu, chili pepper flakes, chili pepper watah (water), green onions, tobiko, and a generous serving of sesame seed oil (I have a preference for Kadoya brand sesame seed oil).

Ingredients for my poke – Shoyu, chili pepper flakes, chili pepper water, green onions, tobiko, and Kadoya sesame seed oil

Don’t forget the limu/ogo!

Mixing the ingredients together as the limu/ogo awaits

We add all the ingredients to the bowl (I like to save the sesame seed oil for last) and it looks a little sumthin’ like this…

Poke mixture before mixing

Here it is up close.

Poke mixture up close

I then added some furikake and the sesame seed oil and we got something that looked like this.

Ed’s Aku Poke

Yeah, the color turned a little dark because of the shoyu, but it was yummy nonetheless… If I do say so myself.

Ed’s Fish Hut
1 Ono Way
Honolulu, HI.
(808) 999-NEVAH-MINE!

—

A-ight, that’s it for Part III of this Poke Paradise series. Stay tuned for next month, when I interview Rachel Haili of Haili’s Hawaiian Foods, Guy Tamashiro of Tamashiro’s Fish Market, and visit a few other island favorite poke spots.

A big mahalo to Jed Inouye, Arick Yanagihara, Steve Rudolph, and the entire Seafood Hawaii, Inc. team, Brooks Takenaka and everyone at the United Fishing Agency fish auction at Pier 38, Dave Oi for the FBI Hilo hospitality and Grant Lau for assistance with the air accommodations. See y’all next month!

Tags: abura mi, ahi, Ahi & Avocado Poke, Ahi Garlic, Ahi Hawaiian, Ahi Hawaiian Style, Ahi Korean, ahi limu poke, Ahi Nori, Ahi Oyster Sauce, ahi poke, Ahi Poke - Korean Style, Ahi Poke Furikake, Ahi Poke with Sesame Oil, Ahi Shoyu, Ahi Shoyu Poke, Ahi Wasabi Poke, aka mi, Aku, aku poke, alae salt, Alan Wong, albacore tuna, anterior coring, Arick Yanagihara, Au, Avocado Ahi, bigeye tuna, bloodline, blue fish, blue shark, Brooks Takenaka, Carbon Monoxide, Chef Mavro, chili pepper flakes, chili pepper watah, chili pepper water, Coconut Island, Cooked Madako Tako Poke, Costco, crab poke, Dave Oi, David "D.K." Kodama, Ed's Aku Poke, fatty bigeye, fatty fish, fatty yellowfin, fish auction, Foodland, furikake, Garlic Shrimp Poke, George Mavrothalassitis, Gerald "Lucky" Inouye, Grant Lau, green onions, Guy Tamashiro, HACCP, Haili's Hawaiian Foods, Hawaii fish auction, Hawaii Seafood Council, hawaii-seafood.org, home made poke, Hot Ahi Poke, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Japan Clam Poke, Jed Inouye, Kadoya sesame seed oil, kajiki, kawa kawa, Kim Chee Shrimp, Kim Chee Soybeans, Kim Chee Tako Poke, Kinoole Street Sack N Save in Hilo, Korean Ahi, KTA Punainako, KTA Super Stores, limu, Limu Kohu, lipoa, Lobster poke, mahimahi, Marlin Korean, Marlin Low Salt Shoyu, Marlin Nori, marlin poke, Marlin Shoyu, marlins, Martin Yan, Ming Tsai, monchong, Mussel Poke, nairagi, Nobu Matsuhisa, non-fatty fish, Nori Tofu, Oceanic Institute, ogo, ono, opah, opihi poke, Paul Prudhomme, Philippines, Pier 38, Pipi Kaula, Poke Paradise - Experiencing the Best Poke Around Hawaii - Part III, Previously Frozen, Rachel Haili, raw fish, red meat, Roy Yamaguchi, Sack N Save, Safeway, Sam's Club, sashimi, Sea Grant Program, Seafood Hawaii Inc, sesame seed oil, shoyu, Shoyu Clams, Shoyu Hokkigai, skipjack tuna, sliced sweet onion, Smoked Tako Poke, soybeans, Spicy Ahi, Spicy Ahi Poke, Spicy Tako, Sriracha sauce, surf clam, sushi, T Kaneshiro Store, tail cut, Take's Fish Market, Tako Furikake Poke, Tako Hawaiian, Tako Kim Chee Poke, Tako Kim Chee with Cucumber, Tako Miso, Tako Sesame, Tako Shoyu, Tamashiro's Fish Market, TKS in Honokaa, Tobiko, tombo, Tsukiji market Japan, United Fishing Agency, waiwaihole, walu, wedge cut, yellowfin tuna

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – February 24, 2010

rayboyjr has been on a mean tear as of late yo. Last week bruddah made it 7 weeks in a row with his 16th correct WIH guess! Crazy! Takeshi also earned his lucky 13th point and bB got on the board with his 0.5 point “Waikiki” guess. Woo hoo! Please help me congratulate all of these fellas.

This week, we’ve got a brain-teaser for y’all! Since the “main” image can be just about anywhere, I’ve sprinkled in a 0.1 second animation to help a brutha/sistah out. If the electrodes in your brain can catch up with what your eyes see, the points could very well be yours this week!

Here’s how we’ll do…:

Points L’Dat!:
* General Location: 1 point
* Cross Streets: 1/2 point each (3-5 possible)

Bonus Kine:
* Google Maps Street View link pointing at this location: 2 points
(e.g. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1296+S.+Beretania+St.,+Honolulu,+HI+96814&sll=21.312405,-157.748566&sspn=0.460574,0.614548&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=1296+S+Beretania+St,+Honolulu,+Hawaii+96814&layer=c&cbll=21.300921,-157.841404&panoid=byKptoP8_mIjKCg_610BKA&cbp=12,61.58,,0,6.71&ll=21.30088,-157.841306&spn=0,359.990398&z=17 for our St-Germaine’s Bakery one from a couple of weeks ago).

How to get Street View (in 5 easy steps ):
1) Find location on Google Maps
2) Zoom all the way in OR drag the man at the top of the zoom bar (orange guy on the left side) onto the street near your location.
3) Drag/navigate/zoom to show location
4) Click on “Link” on top right of image and copy URL
5) Win points!

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – February 24, 2010

Hint: Buss out da eye drops for dis one!

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Da “Where In Hawaii” Winnahz Circle!

• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 17, 2010: rayboyjr – 1 (Name of Place: Hawaii Prince Hotel), bB – 1/2 point (Name of Location: Waikiki), Takeshi – 1 point (Why wuz I dea?: Wedding)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 10, 2010: NaPueo – 1 ((General) Name of Business: St.-Germain Bakery), NaPueo – 1/2 point ((General) Name of Location: Beretania St.), rayboyjr – 2 points ((Exact) Name of Location (based on web site’s description): Beretania Times Arcade), Rosey – 2 points (Mushy Valentine’s Love Story: guy has 50 cents…)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 3, 2010: BananaFysh – 1 (Name of Restaurant: Sansei), Takeshi – 1/2 point (Name of Location: Waikiki), kuya.d – 1/2 point (Name of Island: Oahu), tita leerz – 2 points (Timestamp of Photo: 7:41PM), rayboyjr – 3 points (Most Comments: 102!)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 27, 2010: snow – 1 (Name of Beach: Waikiki Beach (Kuhio)), rayboyjr – 1 point (Name of Island: Oahu), rayboyjr – 1 point, Scott – 1 point, and tita leerz – 1 point (Three Funniest Captions: “Buns and a Weenie”, “Dude, I am so missing Hawaii right now!”, and “I wonder, do GUYS ever wanna stick your face in that like you wanna in boobs?”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 20, 2010: Dave – 1 (Name of Establishment: Tsukiji Fish Market), rayboyjr - 2 points (Game: “first plug up each urinal … 3 guys, with six-pack of beer in hand … first one to guzzle down the beer and fill up the urinal wins … disqualified if you cannot aim straight and the stream hits da floor!!!”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 13, 2010: BananaFysh – 1 (Name of General Location: Chinatown), kuya.d – 1 (Name of Specific Location: Maunakea Marketplace), Coconut Willy and rayboyjr - 1 point each and Takeshi - 2 points (Guess what the sign said: “White Headless Shrimp – $4.95″)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 6, 2010: Takeshi – 1 (Name of Business: Foodland), Coconut Willy – 1 (Location of Business: Market City), kuya.d, rayboyjr, and tita leerz - 1 point each and Rosette - bonus 0.5 point (Top 3 Captions: “Ed Sugimoto with a tan”, “Tiger ain’t got nothin’ on me!”, “Boobs, it ain’t just for women” and Rosey’s “YES ADD an inch to my chest…!” was too good to pass up!), Takeshi, David In Oregon, BananaFysh, rayboyjr, kuya.d, and Coconut Willy - 1 point each (Names of Celebs: Tosca Reno, Amanda Bynes, Pink, Rihanna, Joel Stubbs, Kim Dolan-Leto)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 23, 2009: kuya.d - 1 (General Location: Ward area), kuya.d – 1 (Closest Business: Kaka`ako Kitchen), Takeshi – 3 (Name of closest cross streets: Auahi/Kamakee/Ala Moana)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 16, 2009: kuya.d (Toshi’s Delicatessen, Kalihi, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 9, 2009: rayboyjr and kuya.d – 0.5 (Long’s Drugs), pink lady and kuya.d – 0.5 (Aiea, but technically Pearl City), tita leerz – 1 (“Hana….hana buttah….boogahz!”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 2, 2009: pink lady (Miyako Restaurant, The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 25, 2009: Coconut Willy and rayboyjr – 0.5 (Dole Park in Lanai City), rayboyjr – 1 (Lanai Airport), Coconut Willy and snow – 1 (Hulopo’e Beach at Manele Bay), snow – 1 (Lodge at Koele), kuya.d – 2 (Tanigawa Burgers from Canoes Lanai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 18, 2009: M (Cafe Laufer, Kaimuki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 4, 2009: NeedaHobby (Papalaua Beach Park, Lahaina, Maui, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto hemajang – October 28, 2009: MakiSushi (Sam & Syd’s Cafe, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 21, 2009: MakiSushi (Yohei Sushi Restaurant, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 14, 2009: NaPueo (Boulevard Saimin, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 7, 2009: NaPueo (Dole Cannery Building, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii San Francisco Is Edward Sugimoto – September 30, 2009: Coconut Willy and skycastles(Fisherman’s Wharf sign, Pier 39, Yerba Buena Gardens, Japan Town, Golden Gate Park, and Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco, CA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 16, 2009: hemajang (Liliha Bakery, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 9, 2009: Takeshi (Black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, Hana, Maui, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 2, 2009: snow (Kyoto Ohsho, Ho`okipa Terrace, Ala Moana Shopping Center, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 26, 2009: carokun (Tantalus, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 19, 2009: mcat (Sunnyside, Wahiawa, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Philadelphia Is Edward Sugimoto – August 12, 2009: rayboyjr (Chickie’s & Pete’s, Geno’s Steaks, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Liberty Bell Center, Philadelphia, PA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 5, 2009: Richie Marquez and Takeshi (Masa’s Cafeteria, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 29, 2009: Coconut Willy (Gulick Delicatessen, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 22, 2009: Takeshi (Mac 24/7, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Seattle Is Edward Sugimoto – July 15, 2009: YN (Post Alley, Behind Piroshky Piroshky at Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 1, 2009: Coconut Willy (Kilauea Avenue near Kahala Mall, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 24, 2009: snow (Asia Manoa, Manoa, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 17, 2009: Coconut Willy (Queen Lili`uokalani Gardens, Hilo, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 10, 2009: Scott (Yard House, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 3, 2009: kuya.d (Hilo International Airport – ITO, Hilo, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 27, 2009: hemajang (Pearl City Industrial Park, Waihona Street, Pearl City, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 20, 2009: Syxx (Sugoi Bento & Catering, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 13, 2009: Syxx (Boba Loca, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 6, 2009: Marvo (Les Murakami Stadium, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 29, 2009: k15 (Shige’s Saimin Stand, Wahiawa, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 22, 2009: getITon (Curry House Coco Ichibanya, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 15, 2009: Kage (Frank C. Judd Park on the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and McCully Street, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 8, 2009: NeedaHobby (Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 1, 2009: miLL-viLLe (Spaghetti Factory, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 25, 2009: snow (Zippy’s Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 18, 2009: Takeshi (Little Seoul Korean Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 11, 2009: jack (Mai Tai Bar, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 4, 2009: frankie (Coffee or Tea, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 25, 2009: skycastles (California Pizza Kitchen, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 18, 2009: Ynaku (Shokudo Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 11, 2009: Paco (Mililani Restaurant, Mililani)
• Where In Hawaii Vegas Is Edward Sugimoto – February 4, 2009: Takeshi (Garden Court at the Main Street Station Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 28, 2009: Coconut Willy (Princeville Resort, Princeville, Kauai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 21, 2009: Paco (Taiyo Ramen, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 14, 2009: Paco (Spaghettini, Haleiwa)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 7, 2009: Coconut Willy (Island Snow, Kailua)
• Where In Hawaii Japan Is Edward Sugimoto – December 17, 2008: Rodney (Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 10, 2008: HNL2LAS (International Marketplace)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 19, 2008: Coconut Willy with credit to che for the hints (Lanikuhonua)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 12, 2008: snow (Duke Kahanamoku Statue, Waikiki)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 5, 2008: snow (Big Kahuna’s Marketplace in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 29, 2008: jr. (Waiola Store)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 22, 2008: Coconut Willy (Gina’s Bar-B-Q)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 15, 2008: HNL2LAS (Jurison’s Inn)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 8, 2008: jr. (Makapu`u Lighthouse Trail)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 1, 2008: HNL2LAS (Dole Plantation)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 24, 2008: teej (M Matsumoto Grocery Store or Matsumoto’s Shave Ice Sign)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 17, 2008: M (Tree Tunnel on Highway 520 (Maluhia Road) in Kauai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 10, 2008: snow (Tasaka Guri Guri, Maui)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 3, 2008: M with props to Rodney (Laie Point State Wayside)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 27, 2008: nobody!, but dsosa was close (Camp Erdman)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 20, 2008: BarbieQ! (Old Koloa Town)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 6, 2008: kako mochi (Kincaid’s)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 30, 2008: ijiwarui (Dave & Buster’s)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 23, 2008: MoOgooGuypAN and Coconut Willy’s wifey (La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 27, 2008: GumbysHorse (White Plains Beach, Barber’s Point)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 19, 2008: nobody! (the mall fronting Kekaulike Market in Chinatown)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 7, 2008: nobody!, but 1dble was pretty dang close (Ward area, more specifically, right in front of the Starbucks/Big City Diner area)

Da Leadahboard!

1. rayboyjr – 16
2. Takeshi – 13
3. Coconut Willy – 12
4. kuya.d – 10.5
5. snow – 9
6. tita leerz – 5
7. NaPueo – 3.5
8. BananaFysh – 3
   M – 3
   Paco – 3
   HNL2LAS – 3
9. Rosette – 2.5
10. Scott – 2
    NeedaHobby – 2
    MakiSushi – 2
    hemajang – 2
    Syxx – 2
    jr. – 2
11. pink lady – 1.5
    skycastles – 1.5
12. Dave – 1
    David In Oregon – 1
    carokun – 1
    mcat – 1
    YN – 1
    Marvo – 1
    k15 – 1
    getITon – 1
    Kage – 1
    miLL-viLLe – 1
    jack – 1
    frankie – 1
    Ynaku – 1
    Rodney – 1
    teej – 1
    BarbieQ! – 1
    kako mochi – 1
    ijiwarui – 1
    GumbysHorse – 1
13. bB – 0.5
    Coconut Willy’s wifey – 0.5
    MoOgooGuypAN – 0.5

 Heavenly Sevens!
* rayboyjr

Sexy Sixes!
* rayboyjr

Five Alive!
* kuya.d, rayboyjr

Quad Playaz!
* kuya.d, rayboyjr

Turkey Turkeys!
* kuya.d, Takeshi, rayboyjr

Back to Back Winnahz!
* snow, Paco, Syxx, NaPueo, MakiSushi, pink lady, kuya.d, Takeshi, BananaFysh, Coconut Willy, tita leerz

P.S. Adding this footnote to all future WIH posts… If any of y’all have pics you’d like to contribute to the “Where In Hawaii” game, feel free to email them to me and I’ll post um up in future blogs! And yes, you aren’t allowed to guess on those days! LOL!

Happy Hump Day Where In Hawaii Wednesday y’all. Shooooots!

Tags: google maps, Hawaii, hawaii beaches, hawaii restaurants, hawaii scenery, hawaii sights, Hump Day, photo hunt, photo scavenger hunt, restaurants in hawaii, scenery in hawaii, Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto?, Where In the World is Carmen Sandiego

Fave Friday: Superpowers

We’ve all dreamt it I’m sho. Having that one super power that will take us over the top. The man amongst men. The woman amongst women. Would be nice right?

Well, instead of just talking about and dreaming about it, let’s put it on paper and make it a goal. You know what they say, write down your goals and you will achieve them. Soooo, post your ideal super power below and it shall become reality. K, maybe not, but play along won’tcha?

At first, I thought of the most logical choices:

* Flying/Teleportation: Going on a trip, anywhere in the world be sa-weet!
* Living forever: I am Team Edward after all…
* Invisibility/X-Ray Vision: duh! Ya bettah axe somebody rayboyjr why. Joking!

But the more and more I think about it, I think my superpower would simply be to make fo’ real kine money with the wave of my hands. See, I’m easy.

Why? Well, because if I had an unlimited amount of cash flow, I would personally own my own jet or teleporting machine to travel. I could just buy a hyperbaric chamber to live (almost) forever. I could just pay to get an invisibility suit or x-ray goggles. Well, if they ever existed. So you see, with money out of thin air, I could just about do what I want. Muhahahaha!

I know, it ’s the root of all evil, but what they hey, we’re living in the fantasy world right now.

So what’s your superpower wish? Post it below and I’ll buy it for ya!

Need some ideas? Check out this listing from Wikipedia!

Happy VH07V Friday y’all! Have a great weekend!

P.S. Tomorrow night, the UH Rainbow Men’s Basketball Team takes on Cal Poly at 8PM at the Stan Sheriff Center in the Oceanic Time Warner Cable sponsored ESPN Bracketbuster game. Oceanic will be passing out an eco-friendly tote bag for the first 2,000 fans. Come on down if you can! (The Wahine are also in action earlier that night, taking on La Tech at 5PM.) Go Bows!

Oceanic Time Warner Cable/ESPN Eco-Friendly Tote Bag

Tags: Aloha Friday, Cal Poly, eco-friendly tote bag, ESPN Bracketbuster, fantasy world, fave friday, Fave Friday: Superpowers, fave superpowers, Flying, Go Bows, hyperbaric chamber, Invisibility, invisibility suit, La Tech, Living forever, make money, money is the root of all evil, money out of thin air, Oceanic Time Warner Cable, rayboyjr, stan sheriff center, superpowers, Team Edward, Teleportation, teleporting machine, top superpowers, UH Rainbow Men's Basketball Team, VH07V Friday, Wahine, x-ray goggles, X-Ray Vision

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – February 17, 2010

A-ight peeps. I’m back from Hilo, but unfortunately for all y’all, this week’s photo is not FBI. We’ve got yet another one from O-town (Oahu) for you to chew on. First off though, please help me congratulate last week’s winnahz: NaPueo, rayboyjr and Rosette. Yep, you heard me right! Rosey!

For anyone who has been to the below, it should be pretty duck soup. For the sake of the contest though, I’m hoping that none of you have ever been. Let’s see which it will be!

Points L’Dat!:
* Name of Place: 1 point
* Name of Location: 1/2 point

Bonus Kine:
* Why wuz I dea?: 1 point
* Month and Year: 2 points – (Must get both correct in the same post to get both points)

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – February 17, 2010

Hint: Not in Hilo.

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Da “Where In Hawaii” Winnahz Circle!

• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 10, 2010: NaPueo – 1 ((General) Name of Business: St.-Germain Bakery), NaPueo – 1/2 point ((General) Name of Location: Beretania St.), rayboyjr – 2 points ((Exact) Name of Location (based on web site’s description): Beretania Times Arcade), Rosey – 2 points (Mushy Valentine’s Love Story: guy has 50 cents…)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 3, 2010: BananaFysh – 1 (Name of Restaurant: Sansei), Takeshi – 1/2 point (Name of Location: Waikiki), kuya.d – 1/2 point (Name of Island: Oahu), tita leerz – 2 points (Timestamp of Photo: 7:41PM), rayboyjr – 3 points (Most Comments: 102!)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 27, 2010: snow – 1 (Name of Beach: Waikiki Beach (Kuhio)), rayboyjr – 1 point (Name of Island: Oahu), rayboyjr – 1 point, Scott – 1 point, and tita leerz – 1 point (Three Funniest Captions: “Buns and a Weenie”, “Dude, I am so missing Hawaii right now!”, and “I wonder, do GUYS ever wanna stick your face in that like you wanna in boobs?”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 20, 2010: Dave – 1 (Name of Establishment: Tsukiji Fish Market), rayboyjr - 2 points (Game: “first plug up each urinal … 3 guys, with six-pack of beer in hand … first one to guzzle down the beer and fill up the urinal wins … disqualified if you cannot aim straight and the stream hits da floor!!!”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 13, 2010: BananaFysh – 1 (Name of General Location: Chinatown), kuya.d – 1 (Name of Specific Location: Maunakea Marketplace), Coconut Willy and rayboyjr - 1 point each and Takeshi - 2 points (Guess what the sign said: “White Headless Shrimp – $4.95″)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 6, 2010: Takeshi – 1 (Name of Business: Foodland), Coconut Willy – 1 (Location of Business: Market City), kuya.d, rayboyjr, and tita leerz - 1 point each and Rosette - bonus 0.5 point (Top 3 Captions: “Ed Sugimoto with a tan”, “Tiger ain’t got nothin’ on me!”, “Boobs, it ain’t just for women” and Rosey’s “YES ADD an inch to my chest…!” was too good to pass up!), Takeshi, David In Oregon, BananaFysh, rayboyjr, kuya.d, and Coconut Willy - 1 point each (Names of Celebs: Tosca Reno, Amanda Bynes, Pink, Rihanna, Joel Stubbs, Kim Dolan-Leto)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 23, 2009: kuya.d - 1 (General Location: Ward area), kuya.d – 1 (Closest Business: Kaka`ako Kitchen), Takeshi – 3 (Name of closest cross streets: Auahi/Kamakee/Ala Moana)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 16, 2009: kuya.d (Toshi’s Delicatessen, Kalihi, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 9, 2009: rayboyjr and kuya.d – 0.5 (Long’s Drugs), pink lady and kuya.d – 0.5 (Aiea, but technically Pearl City), tita leerz – 1 (“Hana….hana buttah….boogahz!”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 2, 2009: pink lady (Miyako Restaurant, The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 25, 2009: Coconut Willy and rayboyjr – 0.5 (Dole Park in Lanai City), rayboyjr – 1 (Lanai Airport), Coconut Willy and snow – 1 (Hulopo’e Beach at Manele Bay), snow – 1 (Lodge at Koele), kuya.d – 2 (Tanigawa Burgers from Canoes Lanai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 18, 2009: M (Cafe Laufer, Kaimuki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 4, 2009: NeedaHobby (Papalaua Beach Park, Lahaina, Maui, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto hemajang – October 28, 2009: MakiSushi (Sam & Syd’s Cafe, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 21, 2009: MakiSushi (Yohei Sushi Restaurant, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 14, 2009: NaPueo (Boulevard Saimin, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 7, 2009: NaPueo (Dole Cannery Building, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii San Francisco Is Edward Sugimoto – September 30, 2009: Coconut Willy and skycastles(Fisherman’s Wharf sign, Pier 39, Yerba Buena Gardens, Japan Town, Golden Gate Park, and Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco, CA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 16, 2009: hemajang (Liliha Bakery, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 9, 2009: Takeshi (Black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, Hana, Maui, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 2, 2009: snow (Kyoto Ohsho, Ho`okipa Terrace, Ala Moana Shopping Center, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 26, 2009: carokun (Tantalus, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 19, 2009: mcat (Sunnyside, Wahiawa, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Philadelphia Is Edward Sugimoto – August 12, 2009: rayboyjr (Chickie’s & Pete’s, Geno’s Steaks, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Liberty Bell Center, Philadelphia, PA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 5, 2009: Richie Marquez and Takeshi (Masa’s Cafeteria, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 29, 2009: Coconut Willy (Gulick Delicatessen, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 22, 2009: Takeshi (Mac 24/7, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Seattle Is Edward Sugimoto – July 15, 2009: YN (Post Alley, Behind Piroshky Piroshky at Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 1, 2009: Coconut Willy (Kilauea Avenue near Kahala Mall, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 24, 2009: snow (Asia Manoa, Manoa, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 17, 2009: Coconut Willy (Queen Lili`uokalani Gardens, Hilo, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 10, 2009: Scott (Yard House, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 3, 2009: kuya.d (Hilo International Airport – ITO, Hilo, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 27, 2009: hemajang (Pearl City Industrial Park, Waihona Street, Pearl City, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 20, 2009: Syxx (Sugoi Bento & Catering, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 13, 2009: Syxx (Boba Loca, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 6, 2009: Marvo (Les Murakami Stadium, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 29, 2009: k15 (Shige’s Saimin Stand, Wahiawa, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 22, 2009: getITon (Curry House Coco Ichibanya, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 15, 2009: Kage (Frank C. Judd Park on the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and McCully Street, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 8, 2009: NeedaHobby (Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 1, 2009: miLL-viLLe (Spaghetti Factory, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 25, 2009: snow (Zippy’s Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 18, 2009: Takeshi (Little Seoul Korean Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 11, 2009: jack (Mai Tai Bar, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 4, 2009: frankie (Coffee or Tea, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 25, 2009: skycastles (California Pizza Kitchen, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 18, 2009: Ynaku (Shokudo Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 11, 2009: Paco (Mililani Restaurant, Mililani)
• Where In Hawaii Vegas Is Edward Sugimoto – February 4, 2009: Takeshi (Garden Court at the Main Street Station Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 28, 2009: Coconut Willy (Princeville Resort, Princeville, Kauai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 21, 2009: Paco (Taiyo Ramen, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 14, 2009: Paco (Spaghettini, Haleiwa)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 7, 2009: Coconut Willy (Island Snow, Kailua)
• Where In Hawaii Japan Is Edward Sugimoto – December 17, 2008: Rodney (Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 10, 2008: HNL2LAS (International Marketplace)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 19, 2008: Coconut Willy with credit to che for the hints (Lanikuhonua)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 12, 2008: snow (Duke Kahanamoku Statue, Waikiki)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 5, 2008: snow (Big Kahuna’s Marketplace in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 29, 2008: jr. (Waiola Store)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 22, 2008: Coconut Willy (Gina’s Bar-B-Q)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 15, 2008: HNL2LAS (Jurison’s Inn)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 8, 2008: jr. (Makapu`u Lighthouse Trail)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 1, 2008: HNL2LAS (Dole Plantation)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 24, 2008: teej (M Matsumoto Grocery Store or Matsumoto’s Shave Ice Sign)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 17, 2008: M (Tree Tunnel on Highway 520 (Maluhia Road) in Kauai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 10, 2008: snow (Tasaka Guri Guri, Maui)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 3, 2008: M with props to Rodney (Laie Point State Wayside)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 27, 2008: nobody!, but dsosa was close (Camp Erdman)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 20, 2008: BarbieQ! (Old Koloa Town)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 6, 2008: kako mochi (Kincaid’s)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 30, 2008: ijiwarui (Dave & Buster’s)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 23, 2008: MoOgooGuypAN and Coconut Willy’s wifey (La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 27, 2008: GumbysHorse (White Plains Beach, Barber’s Point)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 19, 2008: nobody! (the mall fronting Kekaulike Market in Chinatown)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 7, 2008: nobody!, but 1dble was pretty dang close (Ward area, more specifically, right in front of the Starbucks/Big City Diner area)

Da Leadahboard!

1. rayboyjr – 15
2. Takeshi – 12
   Coconut Willy – 12
3. kuya.d – 10.5
4. snow – 9
5. tita leerz – 5
6. NaPueo – 3.5
7. BananaFysh – 3
   M – 3
   Paco – 3
   HNL2LAS – 3
8. Rosette – 2.5
9. Scott – 2
   NeedaHobby – 2
   MakiSushi – 2
   hemajang – 2
   Syxx – 2
   jr. – 2
10. pink lady – 1.5
    skycastles – 1.5
11. Dave – 1
    David In Oregon – 1
    carokun – 1
    mcat – 1
    YN – 1
    Marvo – 1
    k15 – 1
    getITon – 1
    Kage – 1
    miLL-viLLe – 1
    jack – 1
    frankie – 1
    Ynaku – 1
    Rodney – 1
    teej – 1
    BarbieQ! – 1
    kako mochi – 1
    ijiwarui – 1
    GumbysHorse – 1
12. Coconut Willy’s wifey – 0.5
    MoOgooGuypAN – 0.5

Sexy Sixes!
* rayboyjr

Five Alive!
* kuya.d, rayboyjr

Quad Playaz!
* kuya.d, rayboyjr

Turkey Turkeys!
* kuya.d, Takeshi, rayboyjr

Back to Back Winnahz!
* snow, Paco, Syxx, NaPueo, MakiSushi, pink lady, kuya.d, Takeshi, BananaFysh, Coconut Willy, tita leerz

P.S. Adding this footnote to all future WIH posts… If any of y’all have pics you’d like to contribute to the “Where In Hawaii” game, feel free to email them to me and I’ll post um up in future blogs! And yes, you aren’t allowed to guess on those days! LOL!

Happy Hump Day Where In Hawaii Wednesday y’all. Shooooots!

Tags: Hawaii, hawaii beaches, hawaii restaurants, hawaii scenery, hawaii sights, Hump Day, photo hunt, photo scavenger hunt, restaurants in hawaii, scenery in hawaii, Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto?, Where In the World is Carmen Sandiego

Waipahu Students Making a Difference

Happy Presidents’ (Washington’s Birthday) Day y’all. I have the day off and am busy poke-ing it up in Hilo, but thought that this story would be a good read for those of you who are still checkin’ on in today.

My friend and classmate from high school (Roslyn Kanae) is the Tech Coordinator at Honowai Elementary School. She shared a story about some of her students, known as the Honowai Robotek Team, making a difference in their community. Check out their story and I’ll meetcha at the bottom:

Honowai Elementary School is located on Honowai Street in the Ewa end of Waipahu. It services 824 students, grades preschool through 6th. Many of our students walk to school due to working parents. Six years ago, our principal and vice-principal met with the Department of Transportation to resolve the issue of speeding cars in front of the school. (Honowai Street is a busy road that leads into Fort Weaver Road before it joins with H2.) This meeting resulted in having two bright yellow pedestrian signs posted at the crosswalks fronting the school.

For the past two years, students at Honowai Elementary School have studied the traffic patterns fronting Honowai Street. Students have clocked cars going 5-10 miles over the speed limit in front of Honowai before, after, and during school hours.

Students have also interviewed faculty and community members about the speeding issue. Some nearby residents have seen many near- misses between speeding cars and students. Speeding cars injured three students during the past five years. No residents can recall ever seeing a police car ticketing cars for speeding down this busy thoroughfare. There are currently no posted signs to remind drivers that an elementary school is present; only the signs for pedestrian crossings and one 25 miles per hour speed limit sign.

To help slow the traffic fronting Honowai Street, the Honowai Robotek Team proposes that the two lane road be restriped to visually narrow the road and posting signs with flashing lights to remind drivers that children are present. They are also recommending that police cars monitor Honowai Street more frequently during school hours.

The students have presented their suggestions to Councilman Nestor Garcia, Representative Henry Aquino, Senator Clarence Nishihara, the Waipahu Community Neighborhood Board, and forty families from Honowai Elementary School. On February 12, 2010, the student members of the Honowai Robotek Team presented their findings at the 2010 S.M.A.R.T. Youth Summit held at Leeward Community College. The Honowai Robotek Team is also currently drafting a resolution for the Waipahu Neighborhood Community Board to approve at the February 25th meeting. The resolution, like their presentation, is completely student written. This is the most comprehensive traffic safety project ever undertaken by students at Honowai Elementary.

The members of the Honowai Robotek Team are sixth graders: Francis Camama, Abigail Aguada, Ray Anne Galzote, Cyndie Rayoan, Breana Domingo, Crystopher Mendoza, Katherine Piniol, Lourdes Dela Cruz, and 5th grader Sherrie Gracie. The coaches are Kawika Davis, Grant Kiyabu, Roslyn Kanae, and Rainard Mineshima.

Pretty impressive yeah? Our young keiki making a difference! Congrats Honowai Elementary! Keep it up gang!

Post your words of encouragement below if you gotum! Have a great week y’all!

Tags: 2010 S.M.A.R.T. Youth Summit, Abigail Aguada, Breana Domingo, Clarence Nishihara, Crystopher Mendoza, Cyndie Rayoan, Fort Weaver Road, Francis Camama, Grant Kiyabu, Henry Aquino, Honowai Elementary School, Honowai Robotek Team, Honowai Street, Katherine Piniol, Kawika Davis, Leeward Community College, Lourdes Dela Cruz, Nestor Garcia, Rainard Mineshima, Ray Anne Galzote, Roslyn Kanae, Sherrie Gracie, waipahu, Waipahu Community Neighborhood Board, Waipahu Neighborhood Community Board, Waipahu Students Making a Difference

Fave Friday – Bizarre Foods

So wifey sent me a link to a Yahoo! article titled “20 weird food combinations people eat“, and thought it might make an interesting topic for us to discuss on this here blog. Y’all down? To expand our topic area up a bit more, let’s also include “bizarre foods” in general (ala Andrew Zimmern) in the convo. Cool? Cool!

Weird Food Combos (to others?) I Eat:
* Raw eggs cracked over hot rice and shoyu
* Cucumbers dipped in shoyu + mayonaise dip
* Sometimes I mix my mac salad in my gravy. Yeah, not very weird to us, but perhaps to da non-locals?

Bizarre Foods (to me):
* Frog legs – never had it, but somewhat interested. Tastes like chicken right?
* Basashi (raw horse) – had it, but doused it with shoyu. Tasted just like maguro sashimi.
* Balut – never had it, and am a bit afraid. Tastes just like ___?

Post your votes for weird food combos and/or bizarre foods in the comment area below. Doesn’t have to necessarily be stuffs you actually ate.

On a side note, here’s an amusing image from the Super Bowl that was sent to me by kuya.d. Too funny!

[Enter your own caption here... How's this? "McAfee... Stover... Gay"]

Happy VHO7V Friday y’all! Have a great weekend!

Tags: 20 weird food combinations people eat, Aloha Friday, Andrew Zimmern, Balut, Basashi, bizarre foods, Cucumbers dipped in shoyu and mayonaise dip, Fave Five list, fave friday, Frog legs, gravy, Hawaii, indianapolis colts, mac salad, maguro sashimi, Matt Stover, mcafee hugging stover, new orleans saints, Pat McAfee, randall gay, Raw eggs cracked over hot rice and shoyu, raw horse, Super Bowl 2010, Super Bowl 44, Super Bowl XLIV, Tastes like chicken, VHO7V, VHO7V Friday, Weird Food Combos

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – February 10, 2010

Wawaweewa!!! (*in the voice of Borat*) Last week, we had a record breaking 304 comments! Following that, we even had one with 282 comments (and counting?). Yes, both were pseudo contests/games, but who’s asking?

Within those 304 comments lay the answers to last week’s WIH contest. Please help me congratulate da winnahz: BananaFysh, Takeshi, kuya.d, tita leerz and last but not least, rayboyjr for his incredible, borderline insane, 102 single-handed comments.

To help celebrate (or remind, for some of us guys! ) the glory that is Valentine’s Day this weekend, hurr’s an apropos shot for this week’s Where In Hawaii contest. Check the below for the point action:

* (General) Name of Business: 1 point
* (General) Name of Location: 1/2 point
* (Exact) Name of Location (based on web site’s description): 2 points (requires some Google magic!)

Bonus Kine:
* Mushy Valentine’s Love Story: 2 points – Yes, I have a heart. Submit the most touching Valentine’s story (yours or one that you’ve heard), and you will be get these 2 “bonus kine” points.

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – February 3, 2010

Hint: Valentine’s Day is this Sunday. Yeah, not the hint you were looking for, but you’re welcome anyway fellas.

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Da “Where In Hawaii” Winnahz Circle!

• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 3, 2010: BananaFysh – 1 (Name of Restaurant: Sansei), Takeshi – 1/2 point (Name of Location: Waikiki), kuya.d – 1/2 point (Name of Island: Oahu), tita leerz – 2 points (Timestamp of Photo: 7:41PM), rayboyjr – 3 points (Most Comments: 102!)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 27, 2010: snow – 1 (Name of Beach: Waikiki Beach (Kuhio)), rayboyjr – 1 point (Name of Island: Oahu), rayboyjr – 1 point, Scott – 1 point, and tita leerz – 1 point (Three Funniest Captions: “Buns and a Weenie”, “Dude, I am so missing Hawaii right now!”, and “I wonder, do GUYS ever wanna stick your face in that like you wanna in boobs?”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 20, 2010: Dave – 1 (Name of Establishment: Tsukiji Fish Market), rayboyjr - 2 points (Game: “first plug up each urinal … 3 guys, with six-pack of beer in hand … first one to guzzle down the beer and fill up the urinal wins … disqualified if you cannot aim straight and the stream hits da floor!!!”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 13, 2010: BananaFysh – 1 (Name of General Location: Chinatown), kuya.d – 1 (Name of Specific Location: Maunakea Marketplace), Coconut Willy and rayboyjr - 1 point each and Takeshi - 2 points (Guess what the sign said: “White Headless Shrimp – $4.95″)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 6, 2010: Takeshi – 1 (Name of Business: Foodland), Coconut Willy – 1 (Location of Business: Market City), kuya.d, rayboyjr, and tita leerz - 1 point each and Rosette - bonus 0.5 point (Top 3 Captions: “Ed Sugimoto with a tan”, “Tiger ain’t got nothin’ on me!”, “Boobs, it ain’t just for women” and Rosey’s “YES ADD an inch to my chest…!” was too good to pass up!), Takeshi, David In Oregon, BananaFysh, rayboyjr, kuya.d, and Coconut Willy - 1 point each (Names of Celebs: Tosca Reno, Amanda Bynes, Pink, Rihanna, Joel Stubbs, Kim Dolan-Leto)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 23, 2009: kuya.d - 1 (General Location: Ward area), kuya.d – 1 (Closest Business: Kaka`ako Kitchen), Takeshi – 3 (Name of closest cross streets: Auahi/Kamakee/Ala Moana)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 16, 2009: kuya.d (Toshi’s Delicatessen, Kalihi, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 9, 2009: rayboyjr and kuya.d – 0.5 (Long’s Drugs), pink lady and kuya.d – 0.5 (Aiea, but technically Pearl City), tita leerz – 1 (“Hana….hana buttah….boogahz!”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 2, 2009: pink lady (Miyako Restaurant, The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 25, 2009: Coconut Willy and rayboyjr – 0.5 (Dole Park in Lanai City), rayboyjr – 1 (Lanai Airport), Coconut Willy and snow – 1 (Hulopo’e Beach at Manele Bay), snow – 1 (Lodge at Koele), kuya.d – 2 (Tanigawa Burgers from Canoes Lanai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 18, 2009: M (Cafe Laufer, Kaimuki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 4, 2009: NeedaHobby (Papalaua Beach Park, Lahaina, Maui, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto hemajang – October 28, 2009: MakiSushi (Sam & Syd’s Cafe, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 21, 2009: MakiSushi (Yohei Sushi Restaurant, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 14, 2009: NaPueo (Boulevard Saimin, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 7, 2009: NaPueo (Dole Cannery Building, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii San Francisco Is Edward Sugimoto – September 30, 2009: Coconut Willy and skycastles(Fisherman’s Wharf sign, Pier 39, Yerba Buena Gardens, Japan Town, Golden Gate Park, and Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco, CA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 16, 2009: hemajang (Liliha Bakery, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 9, 2009: Takeshi (Black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, Hana, Maui, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 2, 2009: snow (Kyoto Ohsho, Ho`okipa Terrace, Ala Moana Shopping Center, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 26, 2009: carokun (Tantalus, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 19, 2009: mcat (Sunnyside, Wahiawa, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Philadelphia Is Edward Sugimoto – August 12, 2009: rayboyjr (Chickie’s & Pete’s, Geno’s Steaks, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Liberty Bell Center, Philadelphia, PA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 5, 2009: Richie Marquez and Takeshi (Masa’s Cafeteria, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 29, 2009: Coconut Willy (Gulick Delicatessen, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 22, 2009: Takeshi (Mac 24/7, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Seattle Is Edward Sugimoto – July 15, 2009: YN (Post Alley, Behind Piroshky Piroshky at Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 1, 2009: Coconut Willy (Kilauea Avenue near Kahala Mall, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 24, 2009: snow (Asia Manoa, Manoa, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 17, 2009: Coconut Willy (Queen Lili`uokalani Gardens, Hilo, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 10, 2009: Scott (Yard House, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 3, 2009: kuya.d (Hilo International Airport – ITO, Hilo, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 27, 2009: hemajang (Pearl City Industrial Park, Waihona Street, Pearl City, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 20, 2009: Syxx (Sugoi Bento & Catering, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 13, 2009: Syxx (Boba Loca, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 6, 2009: Marvo (Les Murakami Stadium, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 29, 2009: k15 (Shige’s Saimin Stand, Wahiawa, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 22, 2009: getITon (Curry House Coco Ichibanya, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 15, 2009: Kage (Frank C. Judd Park on the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and McCully Street, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 8, 2009: NeedaHobby (Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 1, 2009: miLL-viLLe (Spaghetti Factory, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 25, 2009: snow (Zippy’s Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 18, 2009: Takeshi (Little Seoul Korean Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 11, 2009: jack (Mai Tai Bar, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 4, 2009: frankie (Coffee or Tea, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 25, 2009: skycastles (California Pizza Kitchen, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 18, 2009: Ynaku (Shokudo Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 11, 2009: Paco (Mililani Restaurant, Mililani)
• Where In Hawaii Vegas Is Edward Sugimoto – February 4, 2009: Takeshi (Garden Court at the Main Street Station Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 28, 2009: Coconut Willy (Princeville Resort, Princeville, Kauai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 21, 2009: Paco (Taiyo Ramen, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 14, 2009: Paco (Spaghettini, Haleiwa)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 7, 2009: Coconut Willy (Island Snow, Kailua)
• Where In Hawaii Japan Is Edward Sugimoto – December 17, 2008: Rodney (Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 10, 2008: HNL2LAS (International Marketplace)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 19, 2008: Coconut Willy with credit to che for the hints (Lanikuhonua)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 12, 2008: snow (Duke Kahanamoku Statue, Waikiki)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 5, 2008: snow (Big Kahuna’s Marketplace in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 29, 2008: jr. (Waiola Store)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 22, 2008: Coconut Willy (Gina’s Bar-B-Q)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 15, 2008: HNL2LAS (Jurison’s Inn)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 8, 2008: jr. (Makapu`u Lighthouse Trail)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 1, 2008: HNL2LAS (Dole Plantation)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 24, 2008: teej (M Matsumoto Grocery Store or Matsumoto’s Shave Ice Sign)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 17, 2008: M (Tree Tunnel on Highway 520 (Maluhia Road) in Kauai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 10, 2008: snow (Tasaka Guri Guri, Maui)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 3, 2008: M with props to Rodney (Laie Point State Wayside)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 27, 2008: nobody!, but dsosa was close (Camp Erdman)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 20, 2008: BarbieQ! (Old Koloa Town)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 6, 2008: kako mochi (Kincaid’s)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 30, 2008: ijiwarui (Dave & Buster’s)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 23, 2008: MoOgooGuypAN and Coconut Willy’s wifey (La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 27, 2008: GumbysHorse (White Plains Beach, Barber’s Point)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 19, 2008: nobody! (the mall fronting Kekaulike Market in Chinatown)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 7, 2008: nobody!, but 1dble was pretty dang close (Ward area, more specifically, right in front of the Starbucks/Big City Diner area)

Da Leadahboard!

1. rayboyjr – 13
2. Takeshi – 12
   Coconut Willy – 12
3. kuya.d – 10.5
4. snow – 9
5. tita leerz – 5
6. BananaFysh – 3
   M – 3
   Paco – 3
   HNL2LAS – 3
7. Scott – 2
   NeedaHobby – 2
   MakiSushi – 2
   NaPueo – 2
   hemajang – 2
   Syxx – 2
   jr. – 2
8. pink lady – 1.5
   skycastles – 1.5
9. Dave – 1
   David In Oregon – 1
   carokun – 1
   mcat – 1
   YN – 1
   Marvo – 1
   k15 – 1
   getITon – 1
   Kage – 1
   miLL-viLLe – 1
   jack – 1
   frankie – 1
   Ynaku – 1
   Rodney – 1
   teej – 1
   BarbieQ! – 1
   kako mochi – 1
   ijiwarui – 1
   GumbysHorse – 1
10. Rosette – 0.5
    Coconut Willy’s wifey – 0.5
    MoOgooGuypAN – 0.5

Five Alive!
* kuya.d, rayboyjr

Quad Playaz!
* kuya.d, rayboyjr

Turkey Turkeys!
* kuya.d, Takeshi, rayboyjr

Back to Back Winnahz!
* snow, Paco, Syxx, NaPueo, MakiSushi, pink lady, kuya.d, Takeshi, BananaFysh, Coconut Willy, tita leerz

P.S. Adding this footnote to all future WIH posts… If any of y’all have pics you’d like to contribute to the “Where In Hawaii” game, feel free to email them to me and I’ll post um up in future blogs! And yes, you aren’t allowed to guess on those days! LOL!

Happy Hump Day Where In Hawaii Wednesday y’all. Shooooots!

Tags: Hawaii, hawaii beaches, hawaii restaurants, hawaii scenery, hawaii sights, Hump Day, photo hunt, photo scavenger hunt, restaurants in hawaii, scenery in hawaii, Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto?, Where In the World is Carmen Sandiego

Name Game

Ho, planny action on Wednesday’s blog yeah? Much love for playing along y’all! You da bes!

We gots another little game to pass your time today. Let’s see far we can get!

So the other morning I was listening to Rory Wild, Greg Hammer and Crystal Akana on the radio and they were playing their popular name game. You know the one where the first playa names a famous person and the next playa has to use a part of that name to state a new name of another famous person? For example:

* Michael Jackson
* Jackson Browne (uses “Jackson” from Michael Jackson)
* Brownstone (uses “Brown” from Jackson Browne)
* Joss Stone (uses “Stone” from Brownstone)

Not sure if any of the oddah bloggers did this already, but I thought it might be fun for us to try today. So waddaya say? Like try? If it gets stuck on someone too long, feel free to start fresh with a new name to keep the puppy goin’… I’ll start with a common one that has two first names to make um easier.

* “Bob Dylan”

Next?

P.S. Happy VHO7V Friday!

Tags: Aloha Friday, Bob Dylan, Brownstone, Crystal Akana, Fave Five list, fave friday, Greg Hammer, Hawaii, Island 98.5, Jackson Browne, Joss Stone, michael jackson, name game, Rory Wild, VHO7V, VHO7V Friday

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – February 3, 2010

I found out something very interesting last week: post “eye candy” pics and the pervys come out to play. Haha, nah, nah! But 74 comments wuz not bad for this blog yeah? Thanks gang!

Congratumalations to snow, rayboyjr, Scott and tita leerz for being last week’s pervs, er winnahz. Hehe! Big ups Informer, beej, Scotty2Hotty and leerz, yo!

This week, we going back to the food to tickle your tummies (with the taste of nuts and honey). Hurr’s how we’ll break um down:

This Week’s Point Distro:
* Name of Restaurant: 1 point
* Name of Location: 1/2 point
* Name of Island: 1/2 point

Bonus Kine:
* Timestamp of photo: 2 points! *grin*
* Person with the most comments: 3 points! (Sneaky yeah?)

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – February 3, 2010

And… just so you don’t think I’m some type of pervball, here’s the full version of last week’s shot (with my friend’s face/body blurred out for his protection ).

Last Week’s Photo

See, totally legit right?

Post your guesses to the photo above (the food one, not the beach one!) in the comment area below… Good luck y’all!

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Da “Where In Hawaii” Winnahz Circle!

• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 27, 2010: snow – 1 (Name of Beach: Waikiki Beach (Kuhio)), rayboyjr – 1 point (Name of Island: Oahu), rayboyjr – 1 point, Scott – 1 point, and tita leerz – 1 point (Two Funniest Captions: “Buns and a Weenie”, “Dude, I am so missing Hawaii right now!”, and “I wonder, do GUYS ever wanna stick your face in that like you wanna in boobs?”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 20, 2010: Dave – 1 (Name of Establishment: Tsukiji Fish Market), rayboyjr - 2 points (Game: “first plug up each urinal … 3 guys, with six-pack of beer in hand … first one to guzzle down the beer and fill up the urinal wins … disqualified if you cannot aim straight and the stream hits da floor!!!”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 13, 2010: BananaFysh – 1 (Name of General Location: Chinatown), kuya.d – 1 (Name of Specific Location: Maunakea Marketplace), Coconut Willy and rayboyjr - 1 point each and Takeshi - 2 points (Guess what the sign said: “White Headless Shrimp – $4.95″)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 6, 2010: Takeshi – 1 (Name of Business: Foodland), Coconut Willy – 1 (Location of Business: Market City), kuya.d, rayboyjr, and tita leerz - 1 point each and Rosette - bonus 0.5 point (Top 3 Captions: “Ed Sugimoto with a tan”, “Tiger ain’t got nothin’ on me!”, “Boobs, it ain’t just for women” and Rosey’s “YES ADD an inch to my chest…!” was too good to pass up!), Takeshi, David In Oregon, BananaFysh, rayboyjr, kuya.d, and Coconut Willy - 1 point each (Names of Celebs: Tosca Reno, Amanda Bynes, Pink, Rihanna, Joel Stubbs, Kim Dolan-Leto)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 23, 2009: kuya.d - 1 (General Location: Ward area), kuya.d – 1 (Closest Business: Kaka`ako Kitchen), Takeshi – 3 (Name of closest cross streets: Auahi/Kamakee/Ala Moana)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 16, 2009: kuya.d (Toshi’s Delicatessen, Kalihi, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 9, 2009: rayboyjr and kuya.d – 0.5 (Long’s Drugs), pink lady and kuya.d – 0.5 (Aiea, but technically Pearl City), tita leerz – 1 (“Hana….hana buttah….boogahz!”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 2, 2009: pink lady (Miyako Restaurant, The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 25, 2009: Coconut Willy and rayboyjr – 0.5 (Dole Park in Lanai City), rayboyjr – 1 (Lanai Airport), Coconut Willy and snow – 1 (Hulopo’e Beach at Manele Bay), snow – 1 (Lodge at Koele), kuya.d – 2 (Tanigawa Burgers from Canoes Lanai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 18, 2009: M (Cafe Laufer, Kaimuki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 4, 2009: NeedaHobby (Papalaua Beach Park, Lahaina, Maui, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto hemajang – October 28, 2009: MakiSushi (Sam & Syd’s Cafe, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 21, 2009: MakiSushi (Yohei Sushi Restaurant, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 14, 2009: NaPueo (Boulevard Saimin, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 7, 2009: NaPueo (Dole Cannery Building, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii San Francisco Is Edward Sugimoto – September 30, 2009: Coconut Willy and skycastles(Fisherman’s Wharf sign, Pier 39, Yerba Buena Gardens, Japan Town, Golden Gate Park, and Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco, CA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 16, 2009: hemajang (Liliha Bakery, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 9, 2009: Takeshi (Black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, Hana, Maui, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 2, 2009: snow (Kyoto Ohsho, Ho`okipa Terrace, Ala Moana Shopping Center, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 26, 2009: carokun (Tantalus, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 19, 2009: mcat (Sunnyside, Wahiawa, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Philadelphia Is Edward Sugimoto – August 12, 2009: rayboyjr (Chickie’s & Pete’s, Geno’s Steaks, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Liberty Bell Center, Philadelphia, PA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 5, 2009: Richie Marquez and Takeshi (Masa’s Cafeteria, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 29, 2009: Coconut Willy (Gulick Delicatessen, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 22, 2009: Takeshi (Mac 24/7, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Seattle Is Edward Sugimoto – July 15, 2009: YN (Post Alley, Behind Piroshky Piroshky at Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 1, 2009: Coconut Willy (Kilauea Avenue near Kahala Mall, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 24, 2009: snow (Asia Manoa, Manoa, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 17, 2009: Coconut Willy (Queen Lili`uokalani Gardens, Hilo, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 10, 2009: Scott (Yard House, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 3, 2009: kuya.d (Hilo International Airport – ITO, Hilo, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 27, 2009: hemajang (Pearl City Industrial Park, Waihona Street, Pearl City, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 20, 2009: Syxx (Sugoi Bento & Catering, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 13, 2009: Syxx (Boba Loca, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 6, 2009: Marvo (Les Murakami Stadium, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 29, 2009: k15 (Shige’s Saimin Stand, Wahiawa, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 22, 2009: getITon (Curry House Coco Ichibanya, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 15, 2009: Kage (Frank C. Judd Park on the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and McCully Street, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 8, 2009: NeedaHobby (Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 1, 2009: miLL-viLLe (Spaghetti Factory, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 25, 2009: snow (Zippy’s Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 18, 2009: Takeshi (Little Seoul Korean Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 11, 2009: jack (Mai Tai Bar, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 4, 2009: frankie (Coffee or Tea, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 25, 2009: skycastles (California Pizza Kitchen, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 18, 2009: Ynaku (Shokudo Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 11, 2009: Paco (Mililani Restaurant, Mililani)
• Where In Hawaii Vegas Is Edward Sugimoto – February 4, 2009: Takeshi (Garden Court at the Main Street Station Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 28, 2009: Coconut Willy (Princeville Resort, Princeville, Kauai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 21, 2009: Paco (Taiyo Ramen, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 14, 2009: Paco (Spaghettini, Haleiwa)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 7, 2009: Coconut Willy (Island Snow, Kailua)
• Where In Hawaii Japan Is Edward Sugimoto – December 17, 2008: Rodney (Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 10, 2008: HNL2LAS (International Marketplace)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 19, 2008: Coconut Willy with credit to che for the hints (Lanikuhonua)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 12, 2008: snow (Duke Kahanamoku Statue, Waikiki)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 5, 2008: snow (Big Kahuna’s Marketplace in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 29, 2008: jr. (Waiola Store)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 22, 2008: Coconut Willy (Gina’s Bar-B-Q)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 15, 2008: HNL2LAS (Jurison’s Inn)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 8, 2008: jr. (Makapu`u Lighthouse Trail)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 1, 2008: HNL2LAS (Dole Plantation)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 24, 2008: teej (M Matsumoto Grocery Store or Matsumoto’s Shave Ice Sign)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 17, 2008: M (Tree Tunnel on Highway 520 (Maluhia Road) in Kauai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 10, 2008: snow (Tasaka Guri Guri, Maui)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 3, 2008: M with props to Rodney (Laie Point State Wayside)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 27, 2008: nobody!, but dsosa was close (Camp Erdman)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 20, 2008: BarbieQ! (Old Koloa Town)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 6, 2008: kako mochi (Kincaid’s)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 30, 2008: ijiwarui (Dave & Buster’s)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 23, 2008: MoOgooGuypAN and Coconut Willy’s wifey (La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 27, 2008: GumbysHorse (White Plains Beach, Barber’s Point)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 19, 2008: nobody! (the mall fronting Kekaulike Market in Chinatown)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 7, 2008: nobody!, but 1dble was pretty dang close (Ward area, more specifically, right in front of the Starbucks/Big City Diner area)

Da Leadahboard!

1. Coconut Willy – 12
2. Takeshi – 11.5
3. rayboyjr – 10
   kuya.d – 10
4. snow – 9
5. tita leerz – 3
   M – 3
   Paco – 3
   HNL2LAS – 3
6. Scott – 2
   BananaFysh – 2
   NeedaHobby – 2
   MakiSushi – 2
   NaPueo – 2
   hemajang – 2
   Syxx – 2
   jr. – 2
7. pink lady – 1.5
   skycastles – 1.5
8. Dave – 1
   David In Oregon – 1
   carokun – 1
   mcat – 1
   YN – 1
   Marvo – 1
   k15 – 1
   getITon – 1
   Kage – 1
   miLL-viLLe – 1
   jack – 1
   frankie – 1
   Ynaku – 1
   Rodney – 1
   teej – 1
   BarbieQ! – 1
   kako mochi – 1
   ijiwarui – 1
   GumbysHorse – 1
9. Rosette – 0.5
   Coconut Willy’s wifey – 0.5
   MoOgooGuypAN – 0.5

Five Alive!
* kuya.d

Quad Playaz!
* kuya.d, rayboyjr

Turkey Turkeys!
* kuya.d, Takeshi, rayboyjr

Back to Back Winnahz!
* snow, Paco, Syxx, NaPueo, MakiSushi, pink lady, kuya.d, Takeshi, BananaFysh, Coconut Willy

P.S. Adding this footnote to all future WIH posts… If any of y’all have pics you’d like to contribute to the “Where In Hawaii” game, feel free to email them to me and I’ll post um up in future blogs! And yes, you aren’t allowed to guess on those days! LOL!

Happy Hump Day Where In Hawaii Wednesday y’all. Shooooots!

Tags: beach photos, beaches in hawaii, Hawaii, hawaii beaches, hawaii restaurants, hawaii scenery, hawaii sights, Hump Day, photo hunt, photo scavenger hunt, restaurants in hawaii, scenery in hawaii, Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto?, Where In the World is Carmen Sandiego

Poke Paradise – Experiencing the Best Poke Around Hawaii – Part II

Wow! What an unbelievable month! I guess y’all really love your poke eh?

Last month, we struck gold when I introduced a topic that was near and dear to my heart. She went by the name of Poke. Your feedback and comments were amazing and, as a result, I was able to make contact with some of the “giants” of the industry.

This month, we’ve got a very special treat for you with a star-studded lineup of exclusive interviews from the likes of Sam Choy (Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch, Crab & Big Island Brewery), Mel and Justin Tanioka (Tanioka’s Seafoods & Catering), Hideaki “Santa” Miyoshi (Tokkuri-Tei) and Alan Wong (Alan Wong’s Restaurants)! Normally, an interview with these living legends, would each merit its own column, but this is Poke Paradise and this is how we roll, so strap on your seatbelts and get ready to go go go!

—

Sam Choy

What’s a special on poke without some words of wisdom from Hawaii’s poke authority Sam Choy? Yep, my thoughts exactly. That’s why it was imperative that I get a few soundbites from bruddah Sam.

Hawaii’s Poke Authority: Sam Choy

[Edward Sugimoto] You are often looked to as THE preeminent expert/authority in poke. It’s even been said that the popularity of poke in Hawaii can be traced back to you. How does that make you feel?

[Sam Choy] It is an honor for people to trace the popularity back to me. My love for poke has made me want to make poke recognized as much as sashimi and sushi.

Buy This Book from Amazon.com

[Edward Sugimoto] Your poke contests/festivals are legend. Are you still doing them and if/so, when can we expect the next one?

[Sam Choy] We are working with Turtle Bay to have our Poke Contest there again later this year.

[Edward Sugimoto] What are your top 3 favorite pokes and where are they from?

[Sam Choy] My top three pokes are traditional ahi poke with Hawaiian salt, limu kohu and inamona, kole or opelu poke and oio poke which I make at home.

[Edward Sugimoto] Where is your “go to” poke place (besides your own kitchen)?

[Sam Choy] Besides my own kitchen, Tanioka’s is my “go to” poke place. How can you go wrong with poke and one of Mel’s famous cone sushis? Try the alae poke! Have you ever tried the mochiko chicken? I was there doing a book signing with Mel in December and got to have it right out of the fryer… broke da mouth!!

[Edward Sugimoto] I’ve read somewhere that you even have a recipe that includes peanut butter? Is that true and how/why did you come up with that?

[Sam Choy] I actually got the peanut butter poke recipe from my dad who got it from his dad.

[Edward Sugimoto] What is one unique ingredient that surprised you (in a good way)?

[Sam Choy] The texture and the flavor of uni has surprised me. It is truly like taking a bite of the ocean!

[Edward Sugimoto] What’s in store for Mr. Sam Choy?

[Sam Choy] I am in the process of opening a new restaurant in Kona and looking forward to possibly expanding to the mainland (once) we’re up and running. The sky’s the limit!

Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch, Crab & Big Aloha Brewery
580 N. Nimitz Highway
Honolulu, HI 96817 (map)
Tel: (808) 545-7979
Breakfast Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am-10:30am, Sat & Sun: 7am-11:30am, Breakfast Buffet: Sat & Sun: 9am-12noon.
Lunch Hours: Mon-Thurs: 10:30am-3pm, Fri: 10:30am-4pm, Sat & Sun: 11:30am-4pm
Dinner Hours: Sun-Thurs: 5pm-9:30pm, Fri & Sat: 5pm-10pm

—

Tanioka’s

Sam Choy’s self proclaimed “go to” place for poke is Tanioka’s. What say we head over to Waipahu and have a chat with father-son super combo Mel and Justin Tanioka to talk poke?

Tanioka’s Seafoods and Catering Sign

[Edward Sugimoto] You first opened your doors in 1978 in a thousand square foot space with just four employees. What were those first years like?

[Justin Tanioka] I don’t know. *laughs* I was one years old.

[Edward Sugimoto] Yeah I heard you were like a kid sleeping on the cooler or something like that right?

[Justin Tanioka] Yeah, I was actually born one month before we opened.

[Edward Sugimoto] Oh wow, OK. So no memories of that huh?

[Justin Tanioka] Yeah. The first four years, I don’t know… *looks to dad*

[Mel Tanioka] It was simple. We had less items. So basically we were more like a fish market, selling just fish. No sushi, no chicken, you know, anything like that. It was just you know, mostly filets, poke. The trend of poke was just starting then.

[Edward Sugimoto] Oh so you didn’t have poke from the very beginning?

[Mel Tanioka] Oh we did.

[Edward Sugimoto] You now have a very successful catering business (like you said) to add to your seafood side. How or why did that come about?

[Mel Tanioka] Well, in the 1990s, we looked at the fish availability, and I felt that… If it started to get depleted, which we look at in the 90s and we thought if it starts to get depleted, what else, what kind of income is going to subsidize our market. So we decided to start our catering business, which has grown to equalize our fish. Before it was just a small percentage, but now it’s becoming a larger percentage of our business. So in the future, we’re going to hopefully gear towards more catering as the fish start depleting, unless you go into frozen fish. But for 30 years we’ve been dealing with fresh fish, so we’re trying to avoid that, but eventually it’s gonna come yeah.

[Edward Sugimoto] What are your top sellers in terms of poke?

[Justin Tanioka] Probably our Limu Poke. That’s our top seller.

Limu Poke ($12.95/pound)

[Justin Tanioka] Onion with Limu Poke is right there with it.

Onion Limu Poke ($12.95/pound)

[Edward Sugimoto] It’s just onions on top of that (the limu poke)?

[Justin Tanioka] Yeah kind of. A little different mix. A little bit stronger flavor on the onion poke side (with limu yeah). But the limu poke has been our item.

[Mel Tanioka] For parties, Spicy Ahi has been one of the best sellers because it stretches. You know the rice and spicy. For parties of two to three hundred, if you put like 20 pounds of poke, they’re gonna eat it up in a few minutes. So we thought that at least Spicy Ahi would stretch it out so everyone would have a share.

[Edward Sugimoto] What about not in terms of customers, but your guys’ personal favorite? Do you guys have any from here?

[Justin Tanioka] Mine would probably be the Onion with Limu. His is probably the Alae.

[Mel Tanioka] (*in unison*) Alae. *laughs* He knows yeah?

Alae Poke ($12.95/pound)

[Mel Tanioka] I love the Alae Poke. Chili pepper water oooh, that’s my favorite. With some poi and dry aku.

[Edward Sugimoto] Yeah, you guys have dry aku poke too right?

[Mel Tanioka] Yeah yeah yeah.

[Justin Tanioka] Yeah, we have dried poke. That one, it’s like a salty candy. When you eat it, it’s good, you know, just to pick on.

[Mel Tanioka] I always brag that we were one of the first guys to do that. Eventually, I don’t know who else does it yeah? *looks to Justin*

[Justin Tanioka] I’m not too sure. The only hard part about that is the price yeah? It’s priced kind of high, but, you know, after you dry it, you lose over 50% of your product just off the bat, and that’s not including the time and all of that.

[Mel Tanioka] So if you can picture a $10 pound of poke, when you dry it, it becomes $20 yeah? But the drying process is again, the labor process, the equipment used to dry, and all of that. For me it’s worth the price, but when you look at it at $19.95 (per pound) you’re like “woah”, but when you eat it, it’s worth it. *laughs*

[Edward Sugimoto] You guys have, like, I heard over 40 different types of poke, or almost there?

[Mel Tanioka] Yeah, probably.

[Justin Tanioka] Close to that. Yeah, maybe 30 something. We never really took a count.

The Different Types of Poke from Tanioka’s

[Edward Sugimoto] Are you guys continuing to think of new ones here and there?

[Mel Tanioka] We try to.

[Justin Tanioka] We try to. It’s hard to step away from the… Even when we make a new one, people kind of like it, but, like if they had to choose between a pound of the old Limu Poke or the new Garlic Poke, the Limu Poke is going to always come first.

[Edward Sugimoto] When making poke for yourself maybe like at home, what’s your one, go-to ingredient?

[Justin Tanioka] Aloha Shoyu. *laughs*

[Mel Tanioka] Our famous friends is Aloha Shoyu. We’ve been with them for 31 years.

[Justin Tanioka] Tell Sam (Choy) I said that.

[Mel Tanioka] Yeah, we’ve been using Aloha Shoyu for 31 years.

[Edward Sugimoto] You were mentioning earlier that Justin and your daughter Jasmine’s gonna be taking over. What else is in the future of Tanioka’s?

[Justin Tanioka] So far, everything’s up in the air yeah?

[Mel Tanioka] Yeah.

[Justin Tanioka] It depends on the economy. You know how everybody bounces back. I think some of it is fate you know? You gotta look, if you see something, maybe something might pop up (like) “Eh, you wanna be a part of this” or whatever, that’s how we would…

[Mel Tanioka] We did create a franchise. We went through the manual. But we’re not sure right now yeah ’cause it’s hard to… I tried, we had three stores at once, but it’s hard to keep the quality. You can expand a lot, but sometimes you lose the quality. So it’s trying to keep that quality vs. trying to expand… I guess people expand because they want to make more money right? But the end result is… You gotta expand with the intentions of keeping the quality.

A look inside Tanioka’s during a rare down time

[Justin Tanioka] And with it being harder and harder to get fresh ahi.

[Mel Tanioka] Yeah. That’s the part.

[Justin Tanioka] You know, each store is going to have to get their own fish and if we’re having trouble getting fish sometimes, like I don’t know what’s going to happen to them.

[Mel Tanioka] There’s a lot of factors. The Fresh Limu Factory is another one to consider. On a daily basis, it’s easy to get, but when it gets to the holiday time, I mean everybody is scrambling to get it, because you know, the volume goes higher. So that’s another thing that we’re looking at. But I think the franchise stores will probably go into like a different type of program. Not maybe 40 different types of poke, maybe they’ll have like 5 of just the basic sellers. Spicy Ahi, Shoyu Poke, Limu Poke.

[Justin Tanioka] And then of course the cooked food side. You know like the okazu-ya, just grab and go. Fried Chicken, Fish Patties, Shrimp Tempura, you know, stuff that’s consistent every day, tastes good. You know, it’s basic things that you would eat every day too yeah?

Family Bento with Fried Noodles ($5.50)

[Justin Tanioka] But as for me, I think my future is here at the market. Just keep it going. Keep this place going.

[Edward Sugimoto] Carry on the name ah?

[Justin Tanioka] Yup. Make my father proud. Make my parents proud.

The Tanioka `Ohana: Mel, Lynn and Justin (not pictured: daughter Jasmine Tanioka Lum)

[Edward Sugimoto] You guys have anything to add to your loyal customers or future customers?

[Justin Tanioka] Well, I would like to thank our customers. Thank you for standing in line. Some days are so busy. We try to get them (in and) out of here as fast as we can. I think we have a pretty good system right now.

[Mel Tanioka] And they’re so pleasant. Our customers are like, “Oh sorry, sorry you gotta wait in line,” (and they’re like) “No, no, no, it’s worth the wait.” They’re so positive and we’re just, we appreciate that yeah.

[Justin Tanioka] A lot. We appreciate it a lot.

[Mel Tanioka] And first of all we always trust in the Lord to guide us.

[Justin Tanioka] And our employees too. Our employees are what makes us. You know, without our employees, we wouldn’t be Tanioka’s you know. But our employees work hard, they work, you know they work fast… *looks at dad* Anything else?

[Mel Tanioka] *smiles*

It was great to see a truly genuine family doing good here in Hawaii. Justin was super cool and mellow, like he could’ve been your high school buddy growing up, while Mel Tanioka was very generous in packing, and I mean PACKING 3 shopping bags full of okazu items – like maki sushi, cone sushi, and even a bento to go along with their popular Limu Poke – for us to take back to the office. And though I didn’t get to meet daughter Jasmine, mom Lynn was just as warm and bubbly and always smiling.

Not only is their poke winnahz, they, as a family, are as well. Go and support the Taniokas k?

Tanioka’s Seafood and Catering
94-903 Farrington Highway
Waipahu, HI 96797 (map)
Tel: (808) 671-3779
Email: Onopoke@taniokas.com
Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm
Sat: 9am-5pm
Sun: 9am-3pm

—

Tokkuri-Tei

No stranger to the world of poke, Hideaki “Santa” Miyoshi of the Izakaya style Japanese restaurant Tokkuri-Tei, is the winner of many cooking competitions, including Sam Choy’s Poke Contest, and has been delighting clientele to his unique poke stylings since the ’90s. Celebrating his 21st anniversary this year (the restaurant’s, not his ), Santa continues to push the culinary envelope for creative eats in Hawaii.

Hideaki “Santa” Miyoshi inside his restaurant Tokkuri-Tei

Here’s a quick interview with the man simply known as “Santa”:

[Edward Sugimoto] Hi Santa, did you have poke on your menu from the beginning and if not, when did you start carrying it (and why)?

[Santa Miyoshi] Why? We didn’t have before, but after the poke contest (1997), we start carrying some poke.

[Edward Sugimoto] Was it a good seller in the beginning?

[Santa Miyoshi] Uh yeah, kind of.

[Edward Sugimoto] You won numerous awards at, like you said, the poke contests. What made you first want to enter the contests?

[Santa Miyoshi] Ah, well, it was Aloha Shoyu Cooking Contest I entered (in 1996), and I won a prize so I tried looking into other cooking contests, and there was one poke contest come up so I just entered. *laughs* There was no particular reason.

[Edward Sugimoto] And you had a story about wearing sweat pants and the security guard stopped you or something like that?

[Santa Miyoshi] Oh yeah yeah, because I just wear like T-shirt and start running around the display area and they told me not to, you know, stick around there because only for the chefs. Um, I have a badge saying I can enter. *laughs*

[Edward Sugimoto] On your menu, you have quite a few poke dishes (Ahi Poke, Spicy Ahi Poke, Ahi Tempura Poke, There’s a Spider in Da Poke, and Ahi Tar-tare Poke). Which is the most popular and which is your personal favorite?

[Santa Miyoshi] I think the Ahi Tar-tare Poke is the most popular one. And then Spider Poke is very popular too.

Ahi Tar-Tare Poke – 1997 Sam Choy’s Poke Contest Winner ($15)

There’s a Spider in Da Poke – 2000 Sam Choy’s Poke Contest Winner ($16)

Also on the menu: Ahi Tempura Poke – Tempura Fresh Ahi with Shrimp Tempura ($16)

[Edward Sugimoto] How about your personal favorite?

[Santa Miyoshi] My favorite is maybe Amaebi poke which we don’t serve here.

[Edward Sugimoto] You also have some that are not on the menu (Ericka’s Poke, New Age Amaebi Nigiri Poke, Lilipuna Poke, Redefined Lomi Salmon Poke, Poke-ing Emi, and Poke Pasta Italian). Which is your favorite from these and why don’t you include them in your menu? Can customers order (them)?

[Santa Miyoshi] Some of the stuff is very hard to prep and we don’t have it (the ingredients) all the time so it’s really hard to make all the time.

(Off the menu) Lilipuna Poke – named after the street that some of Santa’s regulars live on.

(Off the menu) Seafood Risotto – not necessarily listed as a “poke” dish, but I just had to mention it ’cause it’s literally to die for!

[Edward Sugimoto] Are you working on any new poke dishes?

[Santa Miyoshi] Not necessarily but any kind of new item I’m always thinking (of).

Santa served this (hamachi, truffle, & shiso roll) to us recently, jokingly referring to it as the Sugimoto Roll! Could it be??? Santa san, douzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu! If not, maybe you can rename the Seafood Risotto to Sugimoto Risotto (or Risotto Sugimoto?)?

[Edward Sugimoto] And how about some of your favorite poke not from here?

[Santa Miyoshi] I like the one (jalapeño ahi) from Tamura’s. They make pretty good poke.

[Edward Sugimoto] Your new book Izakaya Hawai (Tokkuri-Tei Cooking), tell me a little bit about that.

[Santa Miyoshi] It’s just a history of this restaurant plus whatever I’ve been working on to make new dishes. It just consolidates all of the stuff we did (for) over 20 years.

Buy “Izakaya Hawaii – Tokkuri-Tei Cooking” from Amazon.com

[Edward Sugimoto] Do you have anything else to add to your loyal customers or future customers?

[Santa Miyoshi] Thank you for coming. *waves at camera and laughs*

Tokkuri Tei
611 Kapahulu Ave, Suite 102
Honolulu, HI 96815 (map)
(808) 739-2800
Mon-Fri 10:30am-2pm
Mon-Fri 5:30pm-12am

—

Alan Wong

Last but definitely not least, we feature the god of Hawaii chefs: Alan Wong. Alan graciously took some time out of his insanely busy schedule to sit down with me to talk about poke, his use of it in his restaurants, and the importance of buying local.

[Edward Sugimoto] As a local boy, what are your fondest memories of poke?

[Alan Wong] You know when you’re raised in Hawaii, you grow up with that. It’s at every potluck, it’s at every gathering. I mean, you know, when you think of the holidays, New Year’s, Christmas, Thanksgiving, you’re always going to have red sashimi. Think of all the tailgating and all the hibachis. When you go tailgating at the football games, what does everybody have in their cooler? Poke, great pupus. You just grow up with it.

[Edward Sugimoto] Why was it important for you “the Master of Hawaii Regional Cuisine” to add poke dishes to both of your Hawaii locations?

[Alan Wong] I think what’s important is for people to taste Hawaii when they come to the restaurant. We want people to taste Hawaii so how do you taste Hawaii? We feature things grown/raised here in Hawaii, we also feature dishes that local people like to eat, whether it’s an ingredient, or whether it’s a concept like Loco Moco. So how do you take the Loco Moco and put it into this kind of a setting? Poke is a natural because it’s a big part of our culture. And so, every household eats that, so how do you take the poke, just like the Loco Moco, and put it in the setting?

[Edward Sugimoto] What’s the story behind Poki-Pines and how did you come up with it?

[Alan Wong] You know, Poki-Pines is, first of all a play on words. You know the animal the porcupine. *smiles* And so, cooking ahi or frying the ahi is one way to eat poke. You know, especially after it’s marinated. You marinate the poke and sometimes when you add shoyu to the poke it gets kind of dark, it doesn’t look very attractive, but you know, you can still eat it. Then you fry it and it tastes good. So we just wanted to encase that in the won ton strips, and it came all like you know, all this, like a porcupine. So it’s a play on words, and when you think about the crispy texture that you have on the outside, with the cooked poke, and then you marry that with wasabi sauce but with avocados, you know, that makes a good marriage.

Ahi Poki-Pines – Crispy Won Ton Ahi Poke Balls On Avocado with Wasabi Sauce ($15)

[Edward Sugimoto] In your book New Wave Luau, you mention several different types of poke (Ahi Poke, Ahi Poke Gyozas with Soy-Vinegar Chile Dipping Sauce, Ahi Poke Nigiri, Nairagi and Kajiki Carpaccio with Swordfish Poke, Nori-wrapped Akule Stuffed with Poke, Seared Ahi Poke Cakes on Crostini, as well as the Poki-Pines). Are there any plans of making any of these available on your menu in the future?

Buy “Alan Wong’s New Wave Luau: Recipes from Honolulu’s Award-Winning Chef” from Amazon.com

[Alan Wong] They come in and out. We’ve served things in the book, in the various restaurants, but, you know, it’s like you gotta keep moving forward and try new things and different things and as you learn more, as you travel more as you taste more things, see more things, you’re cooking style evolves. So I think we will have more. Let’s say instead of poke dishes, more raw preparations yeah? It’s something that we love to do so we’ll always see those evolutions happening in our restaurants.

Chopped Ahi Sashimi and Avocado Salsa Stack – Stacked Crispy Won Ton, Spicy Aioli and Wasabi Soy ($19.50)

[Edward Sugimoto] So even you’re still evolving as a chef?

[Alan Wong] Oh, you know, the local people love to eat raw fish. We are an island state, we’re surrounded by the ocean so, we like to serve the fishes from our waters, we are a culture that eats a lot of raw fish, and so it’s only natural that if you want people to taste Hawaii, and taste the culture, that you serve a lot of these preparations, whether they’re in poke form, or tartare form, a carpaccio form, or a kind of seviche or sashimi form, it’s all kind of one big category.

Alan Wong (Photo Credit: Arthur Betts)

[Edward Sugimoto] Do you eat poke outside of the restaurant…

[Alan Wong] Of course. *smiles*

[Edward Sugimoto] … and if so, where do you like to go?

[Alan Wong] Well, you know, I don’t go out too often, but every once in a while, the poke at side street, my buddy Colin (Nishida), you know. I don’t go out too often.

[Edward Sugimoto] What’s in store for you personally, and what’s also in store for your restaurants?

[Alan Wong] Well, I think, you know, you put the economy aside, you still have to do your thing. I think I’m ready to cook up another concept or two, and I hope that we can grow as a company, I think we can grow as individuals within our company, so that I think, you know, we want to move forward, but sensibly in this time.

Alan Wong’s Restaurant Sign

[Edward Sugimoto] Do you have any words for your customers out there or future customers?

[Alan Wong] *laughs* Well, besides come taste Hawaii, um, this past Christmas I said, imagine if every dollar you spend buying Christmas presents for your friends and family, you bought everything that was made or raised in Hawaii, or produced in Hawaii. With the economy the way it is, what better way to fuel our own economy. So I think I speak on behalf of all the restaurants, all the mom and pop stores and restaurants that dot the community and become the community, we need to support our local restaurants. That’s what it is. It’s like the farmers. If we don’t buy local, we don’t support the local farmers, well, we’re not going to have farmers. Well you know, it’s the same with the restaurant industry. It’s time to come out and support your local restaurants, and *looks at camera* I hope to see you.

Alan Wong’s Honolulu
1857 S. King Street
Honolulu, HI 96826 (map)
Tel: (808) 949-1939
Reservations: (808) 949-2526
Hours: 5-10pm daily

The Pineapple Room by Alan Wong
1450 Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96814 (map)
Tel: (808) 945-5529
Reservations: (808) 945-6573
Breakfast Hours: Sat: 8-11am, Sun: 9-11am
Lunch Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-4pm, Sun: 11am-3pm
Dinner Hours: Mon-Sat: 4-8:30pm

—

I’d like to send a big Mahalo to all of the folks who made this possible: Sam Choy and his Executive Assistant Sally Watanabe; Mel Tanioka, Justin Tanioka, Lynn Tanioka; Hideaki “Santa” Miyoshi; and Alan Wong, his Project Coordinator Nicole Ng, his Restaurant Manager Kerry Ichimasa, and his entire kitchen staff!

Stay tuned for Part III, when we spend a day in the life of Seafood Hawaii, Inc.’s President Jed Inouye. From the fish market on the pier, to the kitchen, to the market at Sam’s Club, we get a history lesson from one of Hawaii’s experts. We’ll also pay a visit to some of the other supermarkets’ poke offerings from the likes of Safeway, Costco, Foodland, and more.

As always, if you know of anyone in the industry, send them my way and I’ll include them in this series. Shoots!

Tags: 21 Mart, ahi poke, Ahi Poke Gyozas with Soy-Vinegar Chile Dipping Sauce, Ahi Poke Nigiri, Ahi Tar-Tare Poke, Ahi Tempura Poke, alae poke, Alan Wong, Alan Wong's Restaurants, Aloha Shoyu, Big Island Brewery, Chopped Ahi Sashimi and Avocado Salsa Stack, Colin Nishida, dry aku, dry aku poke, Ericka's Poke, Family Bento with Fried Noodles, Fish Patties, Fresh Limu Factory, Fried Chicken, hawaii poke, Hawaiian Salt, Hideaki "Santa" Miyoshi, hideaki miyoshi, home made poke, inamona, Izakaya Hawaii - Tokkuri-Tei Cooking, jalapeño ahi poke, Jasmine Tanioka Lum, Jed Inouye, Justin Tanioka, Kerry Ichimasa, kole, Lilipuna Poke, Limu Kohu, limu poke, loco moco, Lynn Tanioka, Mel Tanioka, mochiko chicken, Nairagi and Kajiki Carpaccio with Swordfish Poke, New Age Amaebi Nigiri Poke, New Wave Luau, Nicole Ng, Nori-wrapped Akule Stuffed with Poke, oio, Onion with Limu Poke, opelu, poi, poke, poke in hawaii, Poke Paradise - Experiencing the Best Poke Around Hawaii - Part II, Poke Pasta, Poke Pasta Italian, poke recipe, poke recipes, poke restaurants, Poke-ing Emi, Poki-Pines, raw fish, Redefined Lomi Salmon Poke, Sally Watanabe, Sam Choy, Sam Choy's Breakfast Lunch Crab, Sam Choy's Poke Contest, santa miyoshi, sashimi, Seafood Hawaii Inc, Seared Ahi Poke Cakes on Crostini, Shoyu Poke, Shrimp Tempura, Spicy Ahi Poke, Tamura's, Tanioka's, Tanioka's Seafoods & Catering, There's a Spider in Da Poke, tokkuri tei

Photography at the Right Angle – Caption Contest (5 of 23)

Another Monday… Yep, another photo caption contest. Just 19 more to go gang! LOL!

There were a lot that made me crack up last week, like bB’s “stop……….don’t turn around……….give me your wallet” and our lovely Rosette’s “ARGH HE FARTED!” but I went with skycastles’ “Eeeek!!! Spider . . . get it, get it!! Omigod, omigod, omigod!” for the creativity (and acting skills ). Congrats skizzai!

I know y’all will have some hilarious (and gross?) ones for this week. Have at it!

Photography at the Right Angle – Caption Contest (5 of 23)

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Da “Photography at the Right Angle – Caption Contest” Winnahz Circle!

1. Week 1 – “Look, Ma! No hands!” (frankie)
2. Week 2 – “Eh? No can hear. Got beer in my ear.” (Dave)
3. Week 3 – TIE: “Pawn to Queen 4…errrr WOOF!” (b.) and “Doggie go long. On 3, On 3. Ready. Break.” (rayboyjr)
4. Week 4 – “Eeeek!!! Spider . . . get it, get it!! Omigod, omigod, omigod!” (skycastles)
5. Week 5 – ???
6. Week 6 – ???
7. Week 7 – ???
8. Week 8 – ???
9. Week 9 – ???
10. Week 10 – ???
11. Week 11 – ???
12. Week 12 – ???
13. Week 13 – ???
14. Week 14 – ???
15. Week 15 – ???
16. Week 16 – ???
17. Week 17 – ???
18. Week 18 – ???
19. Week 19 – ???
20. Week 20 – ???
21. Week 21 – ???
22. Week 22 – ???
23. Week 23 – ???

Post your most creative/funny/witty/entertaining caption below for the photo above. Have a great Monday and week y’all! Shoots!

P.S. Don’t forget to read Part II of my Poke Paradise series, including interviews with Sam Choy, Mel and Justin Tanioka of Tanioka’s Seafoods and Catering, Hideaki “Santa” Miyoshi of Tokkuri-Tei, and Alan Wong:

Poke Paradise – Experiencing the Best Poke Around Hawaii – Part II

Tags: Alan Wong, caption contest, Hideaki "Santa" Miyoshi, Justin Tanioka, Mel Tanioka, optical illusion, Photography at the Right Angle, Photography at the Right Angle – Caption Contest (5 of 23), Poke Paradise, Sam Choy, Tanioka's Seafoods and Catering, tita leerz, tokkuri tei

Fave Friday – Hawaii Chefs

I know, I know, there are not many to choose from, in terms of really well-known chefs from Hawaii. Let’s see, off the top of my head, we got the big dogs like Roy Yamaguchi, Alan Wong, Sam Choy, Russell Siu, Chai Chaowasaree, Chef Mavro (George Mavrothalassitis), etc., and some of the lesser known, but equally impressive, like Hideaki “Santa” Miyoshi, Collin Nishida and Onjin Kim (anybody know what happened to her btw?).

In the comment area below, list your favorite Hawaii Chef(s) and why. Whether it be their cooking ability, ono-ness of their restaurant, their personality, or all of the above. I have a few for various reasons:

• Hideaki “Santa” Miyoshi: He’s the co-owner of Tokkuri-Tei, my all-time favorite restaurant, hands-down. He’s down to earth and has a hilarious sense of humor. Santa always makes me crack up without even saying a word.
• Chuck Furuya: Yeah, he’s not really a chef, but close enough. He runs Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar in Restaurant Row, and, oh by the way, is one of only two Master Sommeliers in the state of Hawaii. He’s genuine and friendly and has a knack for taking the intimidation out of wine. Back in college when I worked at KHET Hawaii Public Television, we filmed a segment with him for one of our shows. During setup, he yells to this little student grunt (me) across the room and says “Eh, I know you! I played ball with you in Hawaii Kai the other weekend! Remember me?” Stunned, I was like “Huh!?” Then I realized he was talking to me and was able to muster up this glorious response: “Me? Oh yeah!” We continued to shoot segments with him and he would always take the time to make conversation with all of us about anything and everything. Recently, I saw him with his son at Cafe Laufer and he still recognized me and shook my hand. What an awesome guy!
• Sam Choy: just seems really friendly and welcoming. Plus, he loves him some poke. My kinda guy!
• Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong: though insanely intimidating, these two guys seem warm hearted in person and continue to stay true to their roots, choosing to buy local whenever possible. My “claim to fame” for Roy Yamaguchi was that I gave him a ride to and from Roy’s Hawaii Kai – in my little Civic hatchback – before and after a shoot in our KHET studios (I lived in Hawaii Kai at the time and it was looked at as a better, more economical idea than sending a production van out to Hawaii Kai to pick him up). My “claim to fame” for Alan Wong was actually a few days ago when I interviewed him for Part II of my “Poke Paradise” series for AroundHawaii.com, set to be published on February 1st. Here’s a little sneak peek for y’all! Let me know what you think!

An Interview with Alan Wong

Talk to me!
* Post your favorite Hawaii chefs below and why.
* Thoughts on the above interview?
* Excited about the new iPad?
* Excited about the Olympics?

Have a happy VH07V Friday and weekend y’all! See you on the flipside!

Tags: Alan Wong, Alan Wong Interview, cafe laufer, Chai Chaowasaree, Chef Mavro, Chuck Furuya, Collin Nishida, famous hawaii chefs, famous hawaiian chefs, George Mavrothalassitis, hawaii chefs, Hawaii Public Television, hawaii restaurants, Hideaki "Santa" Miyoshi, Interview with Alan Wong, khet, Master Sommelier, Onjin Kim, Poke Paradise, Restaurant Row, restaurants in hawaii, Roy Yamaguchi, Roy's Hawaii Kai, Russell Siu, Sam Choy, tokkuri tei, Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar, well-known chefs from Hawaii

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – January 27, 2010

LOL! This week’s photo gave me a bit of a chuckle.

Beforetime, I went to the beach with my friends and snapped a quick shot of them chillin’ in the sun. Since the resolution on my camera is reasonably decent, I’m able to crop out just a teeny portion of the photo from the background/surrounding areas. So there I was, in Photoshop, dragging around my 500×375 dotted rectangle, trying to find an interesting shot for you guys for this week’s WIH contest.

And then… it appeared before me! Like two moons outta nowhere… Literally!

Before I go on though, lemme preface this photo with a warning. It may be a shade [NSFW], depending on where you work. Also, no even try fo’ accuse me of sexism/discrimination cause I gave you ladies a lil’ sumthin’ sumthin’ too. You’re welcome! Nah, but this is just a head’s up so scroll down at your own risk k?

In the meantime, please help me congratulate bruddahs Dave and rayboyjr for being last week’s cool point getters! It’s Dave’s first time on the board… awwriiite!

This Week’s Point Distro:
* Name of Beach: 1 point
* Name of Island: 1 point
* Two Funniest Captions (of course!): 1 point each

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – January 27, 2010

Hints: Ain’t the “eye candy” good enough yo?

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Da “Where In Hawaii” Winnahz Circle!

• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 20, 2010: Dave – 1 (Name of Establishment: Tsukiji Fish Market), rayboyjr - 2 points (Game: “first plug up each urinal … 3 guys, with six-pack of beer in hand … first one to guzzle down the beer and fill up the urinal wins … disqualified if you cannot aim straight and the stream hits da floor!!!”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 13, 2010: BananaFysh – 1 (Name of General Location: Chinatown), kuya.d – 1 (Name of Specific Location: Maunakea Marketplace), Coconut Willy and rayboyjr - 1 point each and Takeshi - 2 points (Guess what the sign said: “White Headless Shrimp – $4.95″)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 6, 2010: Takeshi – 1 (Name of Business: Foodland), Coconut Willy – 1 (Location of Business: Market City), kuya.d, rayboyjr, and tita leerz - 1 point each and Rosette - bonus 0.5 point (Top 3 Captions: “Ed Sugimoto with a tan”, “Tiger ain’t got nothin’ on me!”, “Boobs, it ain’t just for women” and Rosey’s “YES ADD an inch to my chest…!” was too good to pass up!), Takeshi, David In Oregon, BananaFysh, rayboyjr, kuya.d, and Coconut Willy - 1 point each (Names of Celebs: Tosca Reno, Amanda Bynes, Pink, Rihanna, Joel Stubbs, Kim Dolan-Leto)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 23, 2009: kuya.d - 1 (General Location: Ward area), kuya.d – 1 (Closest Business: Kaka`ako Kitchen), Takeshi – 3 (Name of closest cross streets: Auahi/Kamakee/Ala Moana)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 16, 2009: kuya.d (Toshi’s Delicatessen, Kalihi, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 9, 2009: rayboyjr and kuya.d – 0.5 (Long’s Drugs), pink lady and kuya.d – 0.5 (Aiea, but technically Pearl City), tita leerz – 1 (“Hana….hana buttah….boogahz!”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 2, 2009: pink lady (Miyako Restaurant, The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 25, 2009: Coconut Willy and rayboyjr – 0.5 (Dole Park in Lanai City), rayboyjr – 1 (Lanai Airport), Coconut Willy and snow – 1 (Hulopo’e Beach at Manele Bay), snow – 1 (Lodge at Koele), kuya.d – 2 (Tanigawa Burgers from Canoes Lanai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 18, 2009: M (Cafe Laufer, Kaimuki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 4, 2009: NeedaHobby (Papalaua Beach Park, Lahaina, Maui, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto hemajang – October 28, 2009: MakiSushi (Sam & Syd’s Cafe, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 21, 2009: MakiSushi (Yohei Sushi Restaurant, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 14, 2009: NaPueo (Boulevard Saimin, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 7, 2009: NaPueo (Dole Cannery Building, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii San Francisco Is Edward Sugimoto – September 30, 2009: Coconut Willy and skycastles(Fisherman’s Wharf sign, Pier 39, Yerba Buena Gardens, Japan Town, Golden Gate Park, and Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco, CA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 16, 2009: hemajang (Liliha Bakery, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 9, 2009: Takeshi (Black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, Hana, Maui, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 2, 2009: snow (Kyoto Ohsho, Ho`okipa Terrace, Ala Moana Shopping Center, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 26, 2009: carokun (Tantalus, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 19, 2009: mcat (Sunnyside, Wahiawa, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Philadelphia Is Edward Sugimoto – August 12, 2009: rayboyjr (Chickie’s & Pete’s, Geno’s Steaks, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Liberty Bell Center, Philadelphia, PA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 5, 2009: Richie Marquez and Takeshi (Masa’s Cafeteria, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 29, 2009: Coconut Willy (Gulick Delicatessen, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 22, 2009: Takeshi (Mac 24/7, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Seattle Is Edward Sugimoto – July 15, 2009: YN (Post Alley, Behind Piroshky Piroshky at Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 1, 2009: Coconut Willy (Kilauea Avenue near Kahala Mall, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 24, 2009: snow (Asia Manoa, Manoa, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 17, 2009: Coconut Willy (Queen Lili`uokalani Gardens, Hilo, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 10, 2009: Scott (Yard House, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 3, 2009: kuya.d (Hilo International Airport – ITO, Hilo, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 27, 2009: hemajang (Pearl City Industrial Park, Waihona Street, Pearl City, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 20, 2009: Syxx (Sugoi Bento & Catering, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 13, 2009: Syxx (Boba Loca, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 6, 2009: Marvo (Les Murakami Stadium, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 29, 2009: k15 (Shige’s Saimin Stand, Wahiawa, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 22, 2009: getITon (Curry House Coco Ichibanya, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 15, 2009: Kage (Frank C. Judd Park on the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and McCully Street, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 8, 2009: NeedaHobby (Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 1, 2009: miLL-viLLe (Spaghetti Factory, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 25, 2009: snow (Zippy’s Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 18, 2009: Takeshi (Little Seoul Korean Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 11, 2009: jack (Mai Tai Bar, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 4, 2009: frankie (Coffee or Tea, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 25, 2009: skycastles (California Pizza Kitchen, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 18, 2009: Ynaku (Shokudo Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 11, 2009: Paco (Mililani Restaurant, Mililani)
• Where In Hawaii Vegas Is Edward Sugimoto – February 4, 2009: Takeshi (Garden Court at the Main Street Station Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 28, 2009: Coconut Willy (Princeville Resort, Princeville, Kauai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 21, 2009: Paco (Taiyo Ramen, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 14, 2009: Paco (Spaghettini, Haleiwa)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 7, 2009: Coconut Willy (Island Snow, Kailua)
• Where In Hawaii Japan Is Edward Sugimoto – December 17, 2008: Rodney (Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 10, 2008: HNL2LAS (International Marketplace)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 19, 2008: Coconut Willy with credit to che for the hints (Lanikuhonua)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 12, 2008: snow (Duke Kahanamoku Statue, Waikiki)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 5, 2008: snow (Big Kahuna’s Marketplace in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 29, 2008: jr. (Waiola Store)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 22, 2008: Coconut Willy (Gina’s Bar-B-Q)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 15, 2008: HNL2LAS (Jurison’s Inn)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 8, 2008: jr. (Makapu`u Lighthouse Trail)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 1, 2008: HNL2LAS (Dole Plantation)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 24, 2008: teej (M Matsumoto Grocery Store or Matsumoto’s Shave Ice Sign)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 17, 2008: M (Tree Tunnel on Highway 520 (Maluhia Road) in Kauai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 10, 2008: snow (Tasaka Guri Guri, Maui)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 3, 2008: M with props to Rodney (Laie Point State Wayside)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 27, 2008: nobody!, but dsosa was close (Camp Erdman)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 20, 2008: BarbieQ! (Old Koloa Town)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 6, 2008: kako mochi (Kincaid’s)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 30, 2008: ijiwarui (Dave & Buster’s)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 23, 2008: MoOgooGuypAN and Coconut Willy’s wifey (La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 27, 2008: GumbysHorse (White Plains Beach, Barber’s Point)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 19, 2008: nobody! (the mall fronting Kekaulike Market in Chinatown)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 7, 2008: nobody!, but 1dble was pretty dang close (Ward area, more specifically, right in front of the Starbucks/Big City Diner area)

Da Leadahboard!

1. Coconut Willy – 12
2. Takeshi – 11.5
3. kuya.d – 10
4. rayboyjr – 8
   snow – 8
5. M – 3
   Paco – 3
   HNL2LAS – 3
6. BananaFysh – 2
   tita leerz – 2
   NeedaHobby – 2
   MakiSushi – 2
   NaPueo – 2
   hemajang – 2
   Syxx – 2
   jr. – 2
7. pink lady – 1.5
   skycastles – 1.5
8. Dave – 1
   David In Oregon – 1
   carokun – 1
   mcat – 1
   YN – 1
   Scott – 1
   Marvo – 1
   k15 – 1
   getITon – 1
   Kage – 1
   miLL-viLLe – 1
   jack – 1
   frankie – 1
   Ynaku – 1
   Rodney – 1
   teej – 1
   BarbieQ! – 1
   kako mochi – 1
   ijiwarui – 1
   GumbysHorse – 1
9. Rosette – 0.5
   Coconut Willy’s wifey – 0.5
   MoOgooGuypAN – 0.5

Five Alive!
* kuya.d

Quad Playaz!
* kuya.d

Turkey Turkeys!
* kuya.d, Takeshi, rayboyjr

Back to Back Winnahz!
* snow, Paco, Syxx, NaPueo, MakiSushi, pink lady, kuya.d, Takeshi, BananaFysh, Coconut Willy

P.S. Adding this footnote to all future WIH posts… If any of y’all have pics you’d like to contribute to the “Where In Hawaii” game, feel free to email them to me and I’ll post um up in future blogs! And yes, you aren’t allowed to guess on those days! LOL!

Happy Hump Day Where In Hawaii Wednesday y’all. Shooooots!

Tags: beach photos, beaches in hawaii, Hawaii, hawaii beaches, hawaii scenery, hawaii sights, Hump Day, photo hunt, photo scavenger hunt, scenery in hawaii, Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto?, Where In the World is Carmen Sandiego