Pay toilets didn’t fly…so, remove them

Well, it seems Europe’s Ryanair is at it again.  If you remember this low-cost carrier, just about a year ago, announced plans to charge $1.50 to use the bathrooms.  See my previous post regarding added fees the airlines were implementing late last year.

Since the public revolted at the proposed bathroom fee, they dropped it.  However, here’s the latest plan announced by Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, (since people won’t pay to use the bathroom…they’re going to remove them!  Yep, you read that right…) they plan on leaving just 1 bathroom per plane.

By removing two bathrooms, Ryanair can add up to 6 more seats per plane.  Of course, that also means that up to 189 passengers on some of their Boeing 737’s will all have to share that 1 remaining bathroom!   While I jokingly anticipated the “fee toilets” as an added airline fee when they started charging for blankets and pillows, I must admit I did not foresee this.

Can you imagine the line of people trying to get into that one available toilet?  What if someone was sick?  What if that toilet went out of order?   The offset to this move according to Mr. O’Leary,  is that fares should come down 5%.   Do you think this is a back-door way of re-selling the pay-toilet scheme?  I can see his next move as announcing that in response to the public uproar, they will leave the plane configurations as is, but will re-institue the idea of charging $1.50 to use the available restrooms, calling it the lesser of two evils.

Care to share your thoughts?

Kona coffee growers wait all year in anticipation of this annual event.  Bragging rights and the prestige of winning the cupping contest is a big deal.  While years ago, there was a handful of Kona coffee brands, notably Lion and  Royal, today there are dozens of private label brands being offered and the competition is thick.

Kona coffee has a world-wide reputation for being rich and smooth, without the bitter aftertaste often associated with other brands.  Hawaii’s first coffee plantation was started on Kauai, but like other plantings, it suffered from a bug infestation.  Meanwhile, the coffee trees took hold in Kona and it has been grown successfully there for over 100 years.

The average coffee farm is family owned and approximately 5 acres in size.  And, just as Vidalia onions must be grown within the small geographic area in Georgia to be labeled such and Maui onions must be grown in a very small geographic area on the slopes of Haleakala,  Kona coffee must be grown within a narrow band on the hills of Kailua-Kona to be labeled as Kona coffee.

The 41st Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is being held from Friday, November 4th thru the Sunday, the 13th.  The activities range from the Sugai Kona Coffee Talent Night kicking things off with this karaoke-style entertainment Friday evening to the coffee cupping competition held on Wednesday and Thursday mornings (9:00 am – 2:00 pm, both days), at the Keauhou Beach Resort.

In addition, UCC Hawaii Kona Coffee Picking Contest held Sunday (Nov. 5th) morning…and if you’ve never picked coffee, trust me, its back-breaking, neck-aching work.  In the afternoon, head over to the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa for the Kona coffee recipe contest.  The best part is that public tasting of the entrees follows the awards presentation at 2:00 pm.  And the price of admission?   The $3 Festival button, which is required for most of these activities and is available at most locations.

You can view the entire week’s schedule here.

So, if you don’t have plans and are going to be in Kailua-Kona during the 2nd week of November, make sure to check it out.  Besides, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival probably represents the best bargain $3 can buy these days, especially in Hawaii!

What began as a local challenge has grown into a premiere world competition!  In 1977,  San Diego-based John Collins proposed combining the three toughest endurance races in Hawai’i – the 2.4-mile Waikiki Roughwater Swim, 112 miles of the Around-O’ahu Bike Race and the 26.2-mile Honolulu Marathon – into one event.

Fifteen people came to Waikiki to take on the inaugural Ironman challenge on Feb. 18, 1978.  Prior to the race, each received three sheets of paper with a few rules and a course description.  The last page read: “Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for the rest of your life!”

In 1981, the race was moved to its current location in Kailua-Kona.  On October 8th, there will be 25 women and 40 men who have qualified via the Professional Ironman qualifying series, which  includes 28 events (23 Ironman and five Ironman 70.3) throughout the world.

Or what about John Maclean of New South Wales, Australia?  He entered the Ford Ironman World Championship three times in 1995, 1996, and 1997 before finally completing the course.  This former rugby player was determined to finish the race…no lofty ambition of winning, just finishing the race…and be the first to do so in a wheel-chair.

In 1988, 22-year old John Maclean was hit by a truck while ironically out on a bike ride, and lost the use of both legs.  Not satisfied to rest on his Ironman-laurels, in 2000, John was the first wheelchair athlete to swim the English Channel.   And, in 2004, came back to Hawaii to become the first wheelchair athlete to complete in the Molokai Challenge canoe race.

Beginning last year, professional athletes must qualify to enter the Ford Ironman World Championship…no more wildcard entries.  There is a point system set up that the top qualifiers are offered an invitation and if they should decline, the next in line is extended an invitation till the allotted slots are filled.  In addition, there are three other divisions:

• Age Group,
•  Physically Challenged, and
•  Hand Cycle divisions.

So, who’s competing in this year’s event?  Here’s the complete list of qualified professional entrants:  http://ironmanworldchampionship.com/athletes/qualified-athletes/

October is a time when thoughts go to ghosts (obake) and stories of the unexplained.   Hawaii is recognized as one of the most haunted states in America and the reason for this has been credited to its unique mix of multi-cultural immigrants who all brought their own superstitious beliefs with them.  Over the years, these stories have integrated themselves into the very fabric that makes Hawaii, Hawaii.

One of the most recognized collectors and story tellers in Hawaii was Glen Grant.  He published a number of books that recorded stories and tales that have been told and re-told, sometimes for generations.  Whether you believe the facts related in the stories is a personal choice, but for many people who grew up in Hawaii and for many who have moved to Hawaii as non-believers…the percentage is high of those who believe that there are happenings that cannot be rationally explained.

Among the many books that Glen Grant authored were Obake Tales, Obake Files: Ghostly Encounters in Supernatural Hawaii (Chicken Skin Series), and Chicken Skin Tales.  For those not familiar with the term “obake”, it is a Japanese word, meaning ghost or spirit and is commonly used by all nationalities in Hawaii.  While his “Chicken Skin” series is what he is most known for, Glen Grant also authored or co-authored a number of books about the history and culture of Hawaii.

Carrying on in the footsteps of his close friend and mentor is master storyteller Lopaka Kapanui.  Well known in his own right, Lopaka Kapanui offers ghostly tours of Honolulu.  In the month of October, he has a special tour presented with the Waikiki Trolley called Haunted Hawaiian Nights.   The tour is offered between October 9th and 31st, at a cost of $35.  For more information or to make your reservation, contact the Waikiki Trolley at (808)593-7676 or go to www.waikikitrolley.com.

You can also sign up for one of Lopaka Kapanui’s regular tours.  You may find his Thursday evening tour of particular interest.  The Waialua, The Edge of Night, a 3-hour tour that explores what Glen Grant considered the most haunted area of Oahu.   Described by some guests as their scariest experience ever…there is still no guarantee that you will experience what they may have.  Then again…

The Waialua tour is held on Thursdays and Saturdays at 6:00 and 9:00 pm.  Cost for those 15 years and older, $55.  No one under 15 is allowed.

Recent Pahoa Volcanic Activity

The news/media seem to be overstating the impact of recent Hawaii volcanic activity.  I thought I would write this post to un-dramatize the recent volcanic activity and its impending impact.  While it is true the current lava flow is moving towards the village of Pahoa, located to the southeast of Hilo, and fairly unpredictable, there is little chance that the whole town is in jeopardy of being covered over.  The most likely impact would be to split the town in half.

I don’t mean to understate the seriousness of the situation, but due to the lay of the land…the topography, the lava is more likely to continue its unrelenting path to the coast, rather than expand wide enough to impact the entire town, as some news reports have stated.

Its also a very slow moving flow, usually advancing less than 50 yards a day, so residents of Pahoa have had ample warning and opportunity to move their belongings and find alternative living arrangements.  The temporary shelter set up by local authorities has had very few occupants as residents have found places to move to.  They understand that this is not like a hurricane or tornado where the impact is comparably immediate and you can assess your losses and move on.

Pahoa will continue to be under the threat of approaching lava for at least the next few months, if volcanic activity continues as it has for several years.  For those who may be planning a Hawaiian vacation which includes a visit to the Big Island of Hawaii, there will likely be no noticeable impact to your plans.

The largest majority of tourists base their stay in the Kailua-Kona area of the Big Island, which is on the opposite side of the island.  As a matter of fact, Pahoa is located off the main highway that circles the island, so most of the residents of the Big Island don’t feel any impact from this latest development either.  Very few locals and tourists alike ever take Highway 130 through the area affected.

If you are curious and want to keep up to date with the most recent developments, you can “Like” and Follow my Facebook page, My Hawaii Food Fun.  You can also “Like” and Follow Big Island Video News, who posts daily (and sometimes more frequently) updates and warnings issued by the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Hawaii County Civil Defense, and the U.S. Geological Service.

Lava Flow Caveats

Hawaii has passed Emergency laws which make looting a felony and also limits access to the affected areas.  What this also means is that curious people will not be permitted close to the lava flow.  The National Guard has been monitoring traffic in and out of the area, assisting local law enforcement.

Not surprisingly, these new laws are being tested and challenged.

While helicopters provide the best viewing of this latest lava activity, their access has also been limited for both safety and as a courtesy to residents still living in the area.  The helicopter tour companies have been very cooperative with local authorities in limiting their flights below 4000′.

Having said that, this is a serious situation, especially for those who have called Pahao home for years…if not generations.

Please send your thoughts and prayers to the residents of the Pahoa area!

Mahalo!

Maui’s The Place To Be For November Sports

EA SPORTS Maui Invitational NCAA Basketball Tournament

Lahaina Civic Center, Maui | November 21-23rd, 2011

While the spotlight for the Maui Invitational NCAA Basketball Tournament will be on Lahaina from November 21st-23rd for the final games of the tournament, the play actually begins on November 11th in Lawrence, Kansas (Townson vs Kansas), Knoxville, Tennessee (UNCG vs Tennessee), and Durham, North Carolina (Belmont vs Duke) in the opening games.  They continue on the 14th in Ann Arbor, Michigan (Towson vs Michigan) and Washington DC (UNCG vs Georgetown).  The first round of games end on the 15th with Middle Tennessee State playing UCLA (in Los Angeles) and Belmont playing Memphis at home in Memphis, Tennessee.

This is a new format being introduced with the expansion of the normal 8-team field to 12-teams, for this 28th Annual Tournament, which is officially known as the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Tournament.  (Say that three times real fast!)   With the addition of these four extra teams, known as the “Mainland Teams”, each of the “Island Teams” hosts a mainland team for a game in this Opening round.

This will be followed by four Regional Games, which will be hosted by four “Island Teams”.  The four “Island Teams” will rotate from year to year since there are actually seven “Island Teams” plus Chaminade, who will not participate in these additional games.  (Did you get all that?)

Regional Games are scheduled for the 19th and 20th at Murfressboro, TN, starting with UNCG vs Middle Tennessee State and Towson vs Belmont on Saturday and finishing up with the losers playing one another and the final game featuring the two winning teams.  You can sort of consider these “warm up games” for the 8 Island Teams, since none of the “Mainland Teams” have the opportunity to advance to the Championship Round, regardless of who wins the games in these first two rounds.

That brings us to the Championship Round, where I will let you view the brackets and figure it all out.  There are four games scheduled for each day of the 3-day tournament.  (Chaminade University of Honolulu, the tournament’s host,  is scheduled to play in Game 3 against UCLA and looking for its first tournament win since 2007.)

To give you some idea of the prestige of the “Island Teams”; since the beginning of this tournament 27 years ago, 89 schools representing 21 conferences and 39 states have competed in the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational, with Maui participants having won an astounding 62 of 73 NCAA championships and 58 of 73 national runner-up spots while comprising 239 of 292 Final Four teams.

If for no other reason, NCAA basketball fans in the islands should seize the opportunity to see top level basketball.  Remember, Duke won the national championship in 2010 (after a slow start and not even playing in the tournament final last year) and will likely start the tournament being ranked #1 in the national polls.  And, don’t overlook UCLA, Georgetown, and Kansas who are perennial national contenders, as well.

For those who are looking ahead to 2012, the “Island Team” will be made up of:

• Butler
• Illinois
• Marquette
• Mississippi State
• North Carolina
• Texas
• USC
• Chaminade

The four additional “Mainland Teams” for 2012, have not yet been finalized, as of this time.

Maui Invitational Golf Classic

This fund raising tournament has been re-vitalized for 2011 and being held on November 12-13 at the Old Wailea Blue and the Waiehu golf courses. The proceeds of this tournament will benefit the children and youth of Maui County through the following 501-C-3 Non-Profit Organizations.

1. Ao O Na Loko I’ a O Maui: Revitalization of the Fish Ponds
   Executive Director: Mr. Kimokea Kapahulehua
2. Hui O Wa’a Kaulua: Voyaging Canoe for Island of Maui
   Executive Director: Ms Joylynn Paman
3. Mayor Arakawa Community Kokua Fund
   Executive Director: Mr. Brian Thomas

Under this new venue, entry rates have been lowered to $165 per person.  Includes: Golf/Cart Fees, Kick Off and Awards Luncheon, Prizes and Fabulous Entertainment.

Cut Off:  First 288 applicants

Entry Deadline:  Oct. 25, 2011

Handicap:  September 2011 handicap (card) of each person will be used. Participant must attach copy of September 2011 Ghin handicap card or entry will not be accepted. Participant must use lowest official USGA handicap.  Any player falsifying handicap or club affiliation will be disqualified by the tournament committee. Committee reserves the right to make adjustments on handicaps.

Format:  Individual Gross scores for Championship Flight and Individual Net for “A”, “B” & Women.

Kick Off Party: Maui Tropical Plantation  5:00 pm, Friday

Awards Banquet: Maui Tropical Plantation  1:30 pm Sunday

For more information Call (All numbers are area code 808): Art Rego: 244-5934, Charlie Aruda: 244-5234, Curtis Takaoka: 250-6116,
Mel Pomroy: 870-9485, Jerry Toyama: 870-9274, Karan Schafer: 276-3797, Gerry Rose: 280-1199, Ernie Cayaban: 463-5882, Dorothy Tam Ho: 877-5433

Nani Moon Mead

I have found yet another distiller in Hawaii!  Nani Moon Mead is Hawaii’s only Meadery, producing “mead”.

[Correction:  It was kindly pointed out to me by Nani Moon that mead is fermented like wine, not distilled as are vodka and rum.  So, I was incorrect referring to them as “another distiller”.    I appreciate the correction and hope I am not the only one to have learned from my error.  Mahalo to Nani Moon!]

“Mead” is, according to wikipedia: “…also called honey wine, is an alcoholic beverage that is produced by fermenting a solution of honey and water. It may also be produced by fermenting a solution of water and honey with grain mash; the mash is strained off immediately after fermentation. Depending on local traditions and specific recipes, it may be flavored with spices, fruit, or hops...”

Nani Moon Mead, LLC, is the only producer of tropical honey wines in the state of Hawaii and can be found in Kapa’a, Kauai.  Made with locally produced honey and locally grown fruits and without the use of any sulfites or other artificial chemicals, they currently produce five different varieties of honey wine.

• Laka’s Nectar  ~ dry, delicate floral; adding the subtle flavor of mountain apples.  (10% alcohol)
  
• Pineapple Guava Sunset  ~ dry, medium bodied, fruity.  (11% alcohol)
• Winter Sun  ~ full bodied, smooth, juicy; utilizes the fruity flavors of lilikoi (passion fruit) and star fruit.  (11% alcohol)
• Ginger Spice  ~ dry, full bodied, complex; adding starfruit, organic ginger, and winter spices. (11% alcohol)
• Cacao Moon  ~ semi-sweet, smooth, decadent; made from macadamia nut blossom honey, and infused with organic Kauai cacao and vanilla beans. (12% alcohol)

If, like me, you’re not familiar with “mead”, and you find yourself on Kauai, it may be worth your while to check out their tasting room.  Personally, I think I would enjoy their latest Cacao Moon version, as it combines all my favorite flavors of macadamia nut, cocoa, and vanilla.  What’s not to like?

Tasting Room

Located in the Heart of Kapa’a
Tucked Away in the Yasuda Center
4-939 D Kuhio Highway
Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii 96746
(808)651-2453

Tasting Room Hours:

Tuesday thru Saturday  NOON – 5:00 PM
Closed Sunday and Monday
Hours subject to change at anytime –
please call (808)651-6874 for assistance.

Mail Order Your Nani Moon Mead

If you have no plans to be on Kauai anytime soon, you can also order your honey wines from Kona Wine Club and have it shipped to you…unless you happen to live in Alaska, Arkansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, or Utah.  These states do not permit shipping of alcoholic beverages, but then again, if you live there you probably already knew that.

Happy Chinese New Year!

January 23rd, marks the start of the Chinese New Year, with 2012 being the Year of the Dragon, more specifically, the Year of the Water Dragon.  Traditionally celebrations are held for fifteen days, this year ending on February 6.  Having said that, the Chinese New Year will be celebrated over differing periods in different areas.  For example, San Francisco’s Chinatown Lunar New Year activities started January 12 and pack over a dozen events into a six week schedule running all the way through the middle of February.

On Oahu the City & County of Honolulu holds Chinatown events started January 6th and ends January 28th, with everything from festivals to parades to the Narcissus Queen Pageant.  The Hilo Chinese New Year Festival will be held Saturday, February 11th, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., at the Kalakaua Park since Hilo does not have a “Chinatown” district.  On Saturday, January 28th, the Maui Mall is throwing its 13th annual Chinese New Year party with lion dancing, crafts and a fried rice cooking contest and food booths.

Traditions and Superstitions

Chinese believe that the entire house should be cleaned before New Year’s Day and on New Year’s Day, all brooms, mops, dust pans, and such should be put away.  There is even a specific method to the house cleaning that is traditionally followed.  Sweeping starts at the front door and everything is swept to the middle of the living-room floor, then swept into the corners…and left untouched or removed until the 5th day.

Chinese superstition believe that sweeping this debris out over the front door threshold is sweeping away a member of the family and also sweeping away any family good fortune.  That is why it must be swept “inward”, starting at the front door, then “carried out” via the backdoor, to avoid bad luck.

Chinese New Year is usually brought in by the use of fireworks!  It is their way of sending out the old year and welcoming the new.  All windows and doors should be left opened at midnight, New Year’s Eve, to allow the old year to leave.

Other Chinese New Year customs and superstitions include:

• All debts must be paid off to start the new year,
• Nothing is lent to anyone on New Year’s Day,
• Foul language should not be used,
• Ghost stories or mentioning of death or the dying should NEVER be mentioned,
• Talk of the past year should be avoided and all focus on the coming year,
• If you cry on New Year’s Day, you will cry all year…so even children are not spanked on New Year’s Day, but rather tolerated for the day,
• You do not wash your hair on New Year’s Day because you would be washing out any good luck for the year,
• Red is the favored color of dressing for the day (Chinese have always believed red to be a good luck color),
• It is considered bad luck to greet anyone in their bedroom, so even the sick should dress and sit in the living-room,
• Knives and scissors are not to be used on New Year’s Day to avoid “cutting off” any good luck.

While many of these superstitions and customs are not observed  today, (note all the Chinese restaurants that are open and using their knives), like many traditions, there are those who still do observe many of these practices.  One of my favorite New Year’s traditions is the “red money envelope” where money is placed and given to children (and the unmarried) as a token of good luck.  The Chinese refer to this as “lai see”.

Here is the remaining Chinese New Year activities scheduled for Honolulu’s Chinatown:

Saturday, January 14
Open to the Public, Free
8:00 am to 10:00 pm
Chinatown Merchants Association presents Lunar New Year Festival
In Chinatown and on the streets of Maunakea St., Pauahi St. and Smith St. This street fair will have four (4) main stages with various entertainment throughout the day and into the night. Live bands singing and playing all types of music for all ages, ethnic dancing, martial arts, lion and dragon dancing, local musical groups and any type of acts possible to “wow” the crowd. Vendors will be plentiful. Arts and crafts and food vendors selling any type of ethnic cuisine from all over the world. Vendors for children of all ages, bouncers, picture photos of ancient style China clothing, etc. A street fair that is great for tourist too!

Saturday, January 14
Open to the Public, Free
3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Chinatown Merchants Association presents Night In Chinatown Parade
On and along Hotel St. starting from our State Capital to River St. This parade consist of eighty plus (80+) marching units. No restrictions on type of marching units and their performances. Parade participants include Queens and her courts, cultural organizations, kung fu martial artist, lion and dragon dance associations and a 150 foot dragon to end the parade.

Friday and Saturday, January 20 & 21
Open to the Public, Free
10:00 am to 10:00 pm
United Chinese Coalition presents Chinese New Year Festival
Chinatown Cultural Plaza. At this two-day event, food vendors provide a variety of Chinese and other Asian cuisine favorites. Exhibits and entertainment include feng shui presentations, arts and crafts vendors, martial arts demonstrations, Chinese fortune readings and Chinese dancing and singing. LAST CHANCE to get your Chinese New Year foods and gifts.