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Project Tag: oahu

Kaʻaʻawa – Oahu – Hawaii – 2014 – Day 9

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It’s finally Wedding day!

The bride and groom were both busy trying to write their vows.

The videographer Philip and his assistant Gabriel of Supreme Video Productions joined us that morning to get well acquainted with the space and people.

In Hawaii, rain is counted as a blessing which we were blessed with a light sprinkle in the morning. The actual ceremony went off without a hitch after the morning blessings. It was a breathtaking and beautiful event to be present accompanied by the fact the couple was surrounded by loved ones and the environment just added to it.

For the dinner portion – John, Julian & tall Ryan our chefs (who came over from Toronto) created a wonderful feast kamayan style served on banana leaves. These family style platters included fresh locally sourced fish, ahi poke they made, chicken, kalua pulled pork, taro chips, corn, mac & cheese just to name a few.

The desserts were amazing too! They made rum cake with a pineapple glaze (apparently too strong) and Melissa and Juan’s wedding cake was actually a cupcake tower and smashed a cupcake into each others faces. They would have loved to do paper lanterns you light up or even sparklers but apparently both are illegal in Hawaii now.

Kaʻaʻawa – Oahu – Hawaii – 2014 – Day 8

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Rented 3 cars. Took a hour or so to get everyone and everything organized. They ran out of compact cars so we got upgraded to 2 SUV and still got 1 van – It was real life tetris to pack the cars with luggage and people. We left Aqua Bamboo to our next location – Plantation Estate in Ka’a’awa. Before we got there, we stopped by Mike’s Huli Huli Food Truck (43-525 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe). Guy Fieri has been here and you know Diners, Drive-in and Dives recommended is always good as I’ve tested in Vancouver. I got the garlic shrimp plate and it was so tasty and the shrimp were huge! The estate is so beautiful with mountains peaking from behind one side and the ocean across the street. This estate can accommodate 22 people.

The rental company came and set up the beautiful lanterns and brought all rentals including utensils, plates, cups, chairs and the archway. While that was happening, a group of us set out to Foodland (Kaneohe – 30 minutes away) to purchase food to feed 17-25 people for dinner plus breakfast as well as get alcohol for the wedding the following day. We purchased roughly $1100USD worth of groceries and alcohol but the savings (when you give them your phone number) were impeccable and we saved $245USD.

We got back and prepped dinner. We made chicken wings, steak plate styled steak, mixed salad, asian potato salad and rice courtesy of Justin, Eric, and myself.

All in all, perfect night.

Waikiki – Oahu – Hawaii – 2014 – Day 7

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Final night in Waikiki. Melissa & family went to High tea and had to run errands and since they still had mopeds they took advantage of it. A group of us did a early morning beach session before we headed over to Ala Moana mall once again to shop.

We ventured around Ala Moana for a bit checking out some stores and of course stopping by Foodland for more poke. We went to Kicks HI again and finally hit up Don Quijote (801 Kaheka St). It’s a little different from the Don Quijote I’ve been to in Japan but it’s very similar. Don Quijote is a one stop shop for everything from souvenirs, fresh food to electronics and and even facial products. To make it even better – It’s 24 hours! For food products that you can find in the ABC stores, Walmart & Don Quijote as the places to go to purchase them for cheaper. They also had tons of green tea related candies and chocolates.

We ended up grabbing poke again at Foodland before heading back and stopping by Food Pantry – Hi Steaks for steak plates. We brought it all back and ate by the poolside. Afterwards, the girls went up to help Melissa with wedding preparations. What the made the night even better, the boys came back from a night moped ride with treats from Leonard’s Bakery – Malasadas!

Manoa Falls – Oahu, Hawaii – 2014 – Day 6

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Started off the day with an Acai bowl ($7.50USD) at Hawaiian Crown Plantation (159 Kaiulani Ave – 105). Our destination for the day was Manoa Falls. The boys rented mopeds while the rest of us took the bus up. It’s beautiful. Hawaii 5-0 and Jurassic park were/are filmed here. Since we decided to go on the bus, it took forever after getting on the 8 bus to Ala Moana and waiting there for the 5 bus to Moana Valley. It’s a whole different area being in the valley between mountains. So tropical but the houses on the hillside reminded me of Jamaica homes. By the time we reached our destination, we realized after standing for a good 20 minutes that the boys had already parked and were already half ascended to the mountain top. We then hiked as a group with some difficult areas to the falls. Being a tropical area, there was rainfall which made the hike more difficult and muddy. Jaira had received a text from the boys telling us that there was a hiking trail to the top after you have reached the waterfall to take you to a higher elevation. The waterfall was pretty and we thought the hike to the top would be relatively short similar to our ascent to the falls. We then decided to go all the way up to join them. It was the Manoa cliff trail and it continued onto the Pauoa Flats trails. Worst decision especially on a rainy day. The parent’s were struggling just to get to the waterfalls so they went back down but the trails we continued on got windier and muddier. At first I was trying to avoid ruining my shoes but by the end of it, I got up and didn’t care where I stood as my shoes would be engulfed in the mud.

The hike above the falls to the top took about and hour and half – two hours. It started raining harder. Two gave up half way and the rest of us (8 of us) kept going up to join the boys. There was spot along the way up that is definitely worth seeing. The trail opens up and the mountain trail turns into a deep curve where the trees create a vignette that surrounds an open clearing to see what is held beneath and that was the only thing worth it. From that point, it was another 30 minutes until we would reach the top. Reaching the top,  the lookout point was cloudy and raining making it hard to see anything. Disappointed by the lack of view after a grueling hike, I had no care in the world and pushed through hard to descend. In total, we hiked 7KM/ 13000 ft.

Jennifer and myself led the pack back down. It was actually easier to go down especially since I had put my camera away and was using both hands to grapple and manoeuvre. We had to wait for everyone else to finish their hike before we could leave as the boys drove mopeds and the rest needed to cab back together. It actually took 1-2 hours for the cabs because of the area we were in and they were looking for a cab that took 7 specifically. We ended up staying there all miserable and wet but the convenience store staff felt bad for us and said that if his wife came before the cabs, that they would drive us back for free. Luckily 2 taxi’s came and we made our way back. When we got back to the hotel, we threw all of our shoes into the washer.

For dinner, we as a group of 15 went to the Cheesecake Factory (2301 kalakaua ave). I had the Kalua Pig Pizza ($13.50USD) and the white chocolate raspberry truffle cake ($7.95USD).

Waikiki – Oahu – Hawaii – 2014 – Day 5

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As a full group of 15, we visited Aloha Stadium (99-500 Salt Lake Blvd) bright and early for their swap meet. We caught a bus that apparently went the long way around (should’ve caught the 42 but caught the 20 instead). Took about an hour to get there. The swap meet takes over the exterior perimeter of the stadium with tents set up and vendors sell everything and anything. Similar to ladies market in Hong Kong and any other markets you have ever been to.

Picked up souvenirs and lots of trinkets as well as some locally made foods. I also was able to find a beautiful double infinity bone necklace from the auntie who was selling real authentic Hawaiian costumes.

Back to Ala Moana mall for lunch – I had this amazing acai bowl ($7.95USD) from Grylt. Acai bowls are similar to a yogurt parfait but replace the base with acai frozen yogurt and place granola, honey, banana, strawberries and blueberries on top. And of course, went to Foodland for poke and also to grab mochi ice cream from Beard Papa. My friends wanted to visit some local stores like Fitted and Kicks / HI (1530 Makaloa St) where I bought my first 5 panel hat – Publish Gold Motif ($40 USD) which is this nice dark blue with gold floral. Headed over Walmart and bought everything macadamia nut then we caught the bus home and met up with our friend Justina who just arrived after major delays.

For dinner, went made reservations at Sansei Seafood & Sushi Bar by the beach at the Marriott. I ate the cucumber and wakame salad and Sansei Special Roll ($2.95 & $9.95USD). Went to Lawson (2255 Kalakaua Ave) where they also have Bubbies Ice cream mochi. So far on this trip, I’ve had 14 mochi’s and I still haven’t tasted every flavour and have only doubled twice. We didn’t want our night to end so we walked the beach at night  to the end with the huge rainbow mural on the Hilton Hotel.

Waikiki – Oahu – Hawaii – 2014 – Day 3 & 4

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Woke up and did a workout before we started our day. Melissa, Juancho, Jaira & Ronnel went for a run, Juan did a workout and I did a workout in the pool area myself. Melissa and Juan had to goto the department of Health to get their marriage license paperwork done. So the rest of us (Ronnel, Eric, Juancho, Jaira and I) headed for a quick little beach session.  Nothing beats masubi (onigiri but with spam) and leftover Li Hing malasadas for breakfast.

We then joined Melissa & Juan at Ala Moana Mall (1450 Ala Moana Blvd) which takes about 15-20 minutes by bus (take the 8). It’s the biggest outdoor mall in Oahu. We ate at the food court and went to Foodland Supermarket to get fresh poke (marinated ahi ahi sashimi) which apparently is one of the best places to get poke. What makes its even better is that when you purchase items at Foodland, you give them the same phone number and that acts as your membership card and the more you buy, the more you save when you give them your phone number.

The sun isn’t as strong at 4PM as it is at noon. We wanted cheap but good food tonight and returned to Hi Steak at Food Pantry as well as Surf N Turf Tacos (2310 Kuhio St) for some grilled fish taco and garlic shrimp ($4.50 & 4.99USD). I really wanted the kalbi and spicy sesame poke tacos but they were sold out! The tacos were delicious but the grilled fish stood out and over the garlic shrimp.

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First full day at the beach – literally. We were there from 8AM until about 4PM I left. Everyone got destroyed by the sun today. NOTE: the sun is extremely strong at noon and it will feel as if your skin is cooking. Re-apply often! Our friends Justin, Kim & Megan arrived however we were still missing a few people. For a late night dinner, we went back to Mac 24/7 with 16 people. I had the hawaiian boneless short ribs (too salty for my liking).

Waikiki – Oahu – Hawaii – 2014 – Day 1 & 2

I travelled to Oahu, Hawaii for 13 days for my friend’s (Melissa & Juan) wedding celebration. I did not plan any second of it and just went with the flow of things.

Our main group for the trip was large (15 people – many more joined afterwards). But we managed to stay in Waikiki for a week and then North on the island in Kaʻaʻawa.

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We flew with United Airlines to Oahu, Hawaii with a detour in Chicago. The plane ride felt like it was never-ending. The first leg to Chicago was decent but then you get corralled into groups to board the next plane. We took a Boeing 77 so it holds more people. What sucks is that even with this large amount of people and the flight alone being 8-9 hours, no food is provided unless purchased. There was also no outlet or television however they had this United wifi setup so you can view the movies and shows on your electronic devices.

We finally arrived in Honolulu and hopped on the Reliable Shuttle to bring us to our hotel for the week – Aqua Bamboo –  It’s a cozy hotel a block away from the beach which lowers costs. After we settled into the rooms, we went straight for the beach and for food. We went to this corner restaurant called Shore Fyre (2446 Koa Ave) and I got a steak and garlic shrimp platter ($14.95USD) which came with salad and brown rice – delicious.

Walked over to the beach and we just took to the water. Palm trees everywhere, bodies everywhere, the salt water was so warm and waves coming in. This is one of the more touristy areas but man this is the life. I could definitely get use to waking up and heading to the beach all golden everyday.

We stayed at the beach on the rocks watching the sun set (which came early and went down quickly) then back to the hotel to rinse off and go for food. There is literally an ABC store on every corner. It has everything you would need but apparently Ala Moana Mall has the items cheaper or head to Walmart (especially if you want the macadamia nuts). We walked to Food Pantry (2370 Kuhio Ave) which is their grocery store but also has a little food court. Right by the main entrance is one steak place called HiSteaks and you can get a steak plate (rice and egg) for $9.99USD. Melissa had noticed they had ice cream mochi but not any ordinary mochi – the have Bubbies (cantaloupe, green tea, pistachio, sakura) which I have been going on and on about. I decided eating only mochi for dinner was a bad choice so I got white truffle oil shoestring fries and 4 ice cream mochi with a small (not small at all) Fanta fruit punch ($9.91USD in total – $1.69/mochi here). Mind you, we ate only an hour or two ago so don’t judge me.

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We hit the beach bright and early and stationed ourselves by the beach bistro and police station. There was a surf competition so the water was filled with surfers. The area we anchored ourselves had water that was a little more choppy then the previous day but nonetheless, after you got in it was delightful. Once it rolled around to noon, the became filled with tourists as it was also a Sunday. For lunch, we went to the Hilton Hotel to Mac 24/7 which by the name is open 24/7. Man vs Wild made it known to the world as the manhole cover sized (14 inch) pancakes (3 stacks). Jaira, Melissa and myself attempted it (Pineapple, macadamia nut and coconut with maple syrup and coconut syrup) for $22USD. It was delicious but even though we divided it into 1/3 each, I was the only one able to finish my piece and that was painful to say the least.

Our friends Ronnel and Eric whose flight never left Toronto finally arrived and quickly threw their stuff into our rooms and we all headed to the beach. Took in the afternoon sun and then walked a distance as a whole group to Rainbow Drive-in (3308 Kanaina Ave) and Leonards (933 Kapahulu Ave). Rainbow Drive-in is a good ol’ local eatery – nothing fancy but they sure make some good local comfort food. I had the mixed platter plate with BBQ, chicken and ahi ahi fish with rice and mac salad ($7.95USD). Great food that tasted amazing and best part is that it is cheap! Leonard’s is a Portuguese bakery that specializes in Malasadas – Portuguese donuts with no holes that are usually filled. Even though the walk to dinner was a long one, we decided to go for a night walk and ended up at the Pier and just hung out in the dark. Its amazing how you can see the commercial part of the beach where the hotels are light up the sky but the other side has no lights so its a beautiful chiaroscuro on the ocean and you look up and the stars are so bright. We called it a somewhat early night after that.