2009 New Year's Eve Fireworks in Waikiki

I am very happy to announce that their *will* be a 2009 New Year's Eve fireworks display in Waikiki, thanks to the efforts and generous donations of the members of the Waikiki Improvement Association. The show will begin at 11:55 p.m. on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2009. Fireworks by Grucci will fire one announcement salute every minute until one minute before midnight. From the one minute mark, they will fire one salute at 60 seconds, 45 seconds, 30 seconds, 20 seconds, and then one each as we count down 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1. At midnight, a rousing rapid-fire New Year's fireworks crescendo will unfold utilizing two computer systems. Grucci will fire specialty shells such as Magenta Comets, Double Popping Brocade Chrysanthemums, Gold Glitter Palm Trees, accompanied by both traditional New Year's Eve and Hawaiian music simulcast on local radio station KCCN FM 100, and end with a rousing Grucci Grand Finale.

2009 World AIDS Day Events in Hawaii

December 1 is World AIDS Day, and there are several World AIDS Day events in Hawaii this week. Some of the events are fundraisers for AIDS research and support services and some were founded to educate the general public about AIDS prevention measures, facts, and common myths. Hawaii's Life Foundation estimates there are approximately 3000 people living with AIDS in Hawaii.
AIDS DAY EVENTS:

World AIDS Day Events in Hawaii

World AIDS Day - Official Web Site
AIDS RESOURCES IN HAWAII

Life Foundation of Honolulu

Hawaii Island HIV/AIDS Foundation

Maui AIDS Foundation

Kauai AIDS Project (Malama Pono)

Honolulu AIDS Walk (2010 April 18)

Paradise Ride Kauai (2010 August 7-8)

Join Me at Ukulele Bill Tapia's 102nd Birthday Party in Southern California on Saturday December 5!

I have some extra seats at the table I reserved for the incredible Bill Tapia's 102nd birthday concert and afternoon dinner party at noon next Saturday (that's Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 12:00 noon at Stevens Steakhouse in the City of Commerce, Southern California). You want to hear 101 year old Bill Tapia play the ukulele, guitar, and banjo - and meet one of my 3 fun sisters - all on the same day? How fun would that be!!?? Maybe we can works something out. (And no I am not scalping the tix... if you really really love Bill Tapia, and you *promise* to come, I will even consider subsidizing your attendance). Send email to kathiefry@gmail.com or post a note on my Facebook page.

View Larger Image of Bill Tapia in His Studio

More About Bill's 102nd Birthday Party

Hawaii's Best Christmas Concerts in 2009

Hawaii's most popular Christmas concerts sell out fast, so it's not too early to decide which events you will attend. Tickets for these holiday concerts featuring big name performers are on sale now:

Nov 27-29: Jim Nabors Honolulu Christmas Concert

Nov 29: Amy Hanaialii's Maui Holiday Concert

Dec 04: Amy Hanaialii's Big Island Holiday Concert

Dec 05: Willie K Waikoloa Big Island Christmas Concert

Dec 11-13: Brothers Cazimero Honolulu Christmas Concert

Dec 20-23: Na Leo Holiday Music Spectacular Waikiki Concert

Other Popular Christmas Concerts in Hawaii:

Nov 28: Maui Choral Arts "Home for the Holidays" Concert

Dec 05: Honolulu City Lights Opening Night Christmas Concert

Dec 05: Kamehameha Schools Honolulu Christmas Concert

Dec 13: Maui Pops Orchestra Holiday Concert at Maui Arts

Dec 19: Honolulu Boys Choir Christmas Concert

Dec 20: Messiah Sing-Along at Hyatt Regency Maui

Dec 21: Kauai Christmas Hula Concert

If I left off your favorite holiday concert in Hawaii please send me a message using the email address on our contacts page. See also

Award Winning Hawaiian Music Christmas Albums

New Obama's Hawaii Children's Book Includes Amy Hanaialii CD

The July 2009 book, "A President From Hawaii" teaches young people about the history, cultural values, and language of Hawaii, using quotes from United States President Barack Obama and illustrations by Kauai artist Joanna Carolan. The included CD features songs by two of Hawaii's top award winning recording artists, Amy Hanaialii and former HAPA lead singer, Kelii Kaneali. The CD also includes a chant by Kelii's wife, former Miss Aloha Hula Healani Youn. "A President from Hawaii" was selected to represent the State of Hawaii at the Library of Congress September 2009 National Book Festival on the National Mall in Washington DC.

Buy "A President from Hawaii" at Amazon.com

2009 Veteran's Day Events in Hawaii

Most of Hawaii's 2009 Veteran's Day Events, including parades, family festivals, and ceremonies, will take place on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, which is Veteran's Day. There will also be a few early events this weekend, including the Kauai Veteran's Day Parade, and the Waianae Veteran's Day Parade in West Oahu, and the Hilo Veteran's Day Parade on the Big Island, all of which take place on Saturday, November 7. Veteran's day is an official state holiday in Hawaii so city and county offices will be closed and public bus lines may run on their weekend schedules. For more information see: Veteran's Day in Hawaii

Hawaii Events This Weekend: November 6-8, 2009

Events in Hawaii this weekend, Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 8, 2009, will include Arbor Day events on Oahu and the Big Island, Pre-Veteran's Day Parades on Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island, the Celebrate Kaimuki Street Festival in Honolulu, a drag race on Kauai, the Kona Coffee Festival and the Moku o Keawe Hula Festival on the Big Island, a gay-friendly Mama Mia Movie and Sing-Along on Maui, a Healing Arts Expo at the Unity Church of Hawaii in Honolulu, and many other events. For more information see

Calendar of November 2009 Hawaii Events

More About November Events in Hawaii

Oahu Halloween Events and Activities

Halloween Events on Oahu include Hawaii's Haunted Plantation in Waipahu, the Haunted Lagoon Ride at the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Haunted Village Night Walk and Show at the Hokulani Imaginarium in Kaneohe, a huge Halloween music and arts street festival in Downtown Honolulu, adults-only Halloween parties at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, a gay-friendly "Man in the Mirror Hulaween" party at Hula's Bar and Grill, Halloween costume parties at many other night spots, a "Silent Scream" screening of the silent film "Phantom of the Opera" accompanied by live organ music, and as always, plenty of costumed revelers parading up and down Kalakaua Avenuer in Waikiki. For more information see Halloween on Oahu. For information about Other Halloween events in Hawaii see Halloween on Maui, Halloween on Kauai, and Halloween on Hawaii Island (aka the Big Island).

2009 Maui Halloween Events and Activities

2009 Maui Halloween Events will include haunted house attractions in Lahaina and Wailuku, a Halloween costume cruise out of Malaaea Harbor, Halloween events for kids at Maui shopping centers, and of course Lahaina's famous "Mardi Gras of the Pacific" Halloween block party.

The Old Laie Inn Will Close on October 31

The 45 year old, motel-style Laie Inn, a small hotel on the northeast shore of Oahu, near the Polynesian Cultural Center, will close on October 31, 2009. It is scheduled to be demolished in November. The hotel's owners, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, plan to open a larger, moderately price hotel on the property in 2010. They are in negotiations with Marriott Hotels and Resorts to possibly have the new hotel operated as a Courtyard Marriott. For more information about the old hotel and the new hotel that will replace it, see

The Laie Inn on Oahu's North Shore is Closing

Three Beachfront Waikiki Hotels Under $100

Budget travelers will be pleased to know there are many hotels in Hawaii with rooms under $100 per night, including several with beautiful beachfront locations. The Aqua Waikiki Beachside Hotel has rooms from about $70 per night and the Aqua Park Shore Hotel has rooms from about $90 per night. Both of those hotels are across Kalakaua Avenue from Waikiki Beach and the Park Shore is also across the street from the Honolulu Zoo. The Aqua Ilikai Hotel has rooms starting at about $90 per night, and it is adjacent to Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon Beach, and within walking distance of Ala Moana Center and the Hawaii Convention Center. IMPORTANT NOTE: All three of these hotels have fabulous oceanfront locations, but of course there are reasons they have rooms under $100. It might be because the hotel is about due for an upgrade, or perhaps because an upgrade is in progress. Always ask a lot of questions when booking a budget hotel room, or for that matter, any hotel room. If you know what to expect, you won't be disappointed.

All Aqua Hotels in Hawaii

Waikiki Hotels on the Beach

Waikiki Hotels Across From the Beach

Waikiki Restaurants on the Beach

Whispering Walls of Waimea Historic Walk

The Waimea Valley on the North Shore of Oahu will present a night walking tour of the valley once a month during the Fall of 2009. The tours will be led by Lopaka Kapanui, historian and master storyteller of Hawaiian folklore and legends. The tour is called Whispering Walls of Waimea and it will include "stories and legends of the kahuna nui (High Priests) that once lived in the Valley, the very special pohaku that reside in the Valley, the healing power of the Valley's plant life, and the rumored children that play in the Valley but whose feet can no longer touch the earth." The tours will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2009, Saturday, October 24, 2009, and Saturday, November 14, 2009. For reservations or more information call 808-638-7766.

Whispering Walls of Waimea Tour

Daily Waimea Valley Tours and Activities

Waimea Valley Park

Chef Mavro Offering Special "Julie and Julia" Menu

Chef George Mavrothalassitis is offering a special Julia Child inspired menu at his award winning Chef Mavro Restaurant in Honolulu. The menu is named after the film "Julie and Julia" and it will be available through the end of September 2009. The three course dinner includes Boeuf a la Bourguignonne, Salade Frisee Aux Lardons, Tarte Tatin, and other French dishes featured in the movie and in Julia Child's cookbooks. Julia's famous "Reverse Martini" will also be available. Chef Mavro's restaurant was awarded the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award in 2009 and in 2008 it was the only Hawaii restaurant included in Gayot's "Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S." The Chef Mavro Restaurant is located at 1969 South King Street in Honolulu. For reservations or more information call 808-944-9714.

Chef Mavro Restaurant - Official Web Site

Recipe for French Burgundy Beef (by Chef Mavro)

About Chef George Mavrothalassitis
French Cookbooks by Julia Child:

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume I

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume II

Hawaii Museums Participating in Museum Day 2009

Visit Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day Web site to print a Museum Day Card that will give you free access to many United States museums on Saturday, September 26, 2009. Hawaii museums participating in Museum Day include:
HAWAII ISLAND

Hilo: Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii
MAUI ISLAND

Lahaina: Baldwin Home Museum

Lahaina: Wo Hing Museum

Wailuku: Bailey House Museum
OAHU ISLAND

Honolulu: Hawaii State Art Museum

Honolulu: Hawaii Theatre Center

Honolulu: Honolulu Academy of Arts

Honolulu: Mission Houses Museum

Honolulu: Pacific Aviation Museum

Honolulu: Queen Emma Summer Palace

Honolulu: The Contemporary Museum

Honolulu: University of Hawaii Art Gallery

Schofield Barracks: Tropic Lightning Museum
ABOVE PHOTO: The picture on the above right is the Wo Hing Museum on Maui, a historic building restored by the Lahaina Restoration Foundation in 1983.

Room, Breakfast, and Dinner in Hawaii from $160

Ohana Hotels and Resorts is offering a new hotel and meals package that includes a hotel room, daily breakfast, and daily dinner for two people, from about $160 per night at the OHANA Waikiki Malia and OHANA Waikiki East Hotels and from about $190 at the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. The deal includes breakfast at the International House of Pancakes in the Waikiki Malia Hotel, Keoni by Keo's at the Waikiki East Hotel, or the new Jimmy Buffett's Restaurant at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. Participating restaurants for dinner include the three breakfast restaurants plus the Kani Ka Pila Grille at the Outrigger Reef Hotel, Round Table Pizza at the Waikiki East Hotel, and the Shorebird Restaurant at the Outrigger Reef Hotel. The OHANA "Room and Meals" offer is available for travel between October 1, 2009 and December 21, 2010. For more information about this and other Waikiki OHANA Hotel deals see

OHANA Room and Meals Deal from $159

OHANA Hawaii Best Available Rates from $79

Free Waikiki Trolley, Internet, Long Distance Calls

September 2009 Events in Hawaii

September events in Hawaii include the Aloha Festivals Floral Parade, the Hawaii Okinawan Festival, the Hawaii Statewide All-Girl Girl Rodeo, the Kona Slack Key Guitar Festival, the Parker Ranch Round-Up Rodeo, The Maui Marathon, the Dick Evans Memorial Bike Race, the Wings Over the Pacific Thunderbirds Airshow, the National Dragster Challenge, the Hawaii Writers Conference, the Waikiki Roughwater Swim, and many many more events, on all of the islands. September is a great time to visit Hawaii because airfaires go down at the end of summer, the beaches aren't crowded, and the weather is perfect!

September 2009 Hawaii Event Calendar

August 2009 Events in Hawaii

August 2009 Hawaii Calendar (Do It In Hawaii)

August Hawaii Events - by Island

August Hawaii Events - by Type

Frozen Yogurt Shops in Hawaii

This week I received email asking if there are any Pinkberry frozen yogurt shops in Hawaii. I have not been able to find any Hawaii Pinkberrys, but one of that company's biggest competitors, Red Mango, opened its first shop in Hawaii in the summer of 2008. The Waikiki Red Mango is located across Lewers Street from Waikiki Beach Walk, in the former location of Beard Papa's Cream Puffs. Korea-based Red Mango opened its first yogurt shop in South Korea in 2002 and it became an instant hit in Asia. Two Korean-American women opened the first Pinkberry shop in West Hollywood in 2005 and it was also an immediate hit, famous for long lines around the block until several new Pinkberry shops opened in the area. Both Red Mango and Pinkberry sell a tart frozen yogurt product but their frozen yogurts do not have the same taste. I would describe Pinkberry as having a more lemony taste and Red Mango as having a more yogurty taste, but both are delicious, especially topped with fresh blueberries and strawberries. For more information about Hawaii yogurt and ice cream shops see:

Frozen Yogurt Shops in Hawaii

Ice Cream Shops in Hawaii

July 2009 Events in Hawaii

Hawaii events in July include 4th of July fireworks and celebrations on every island, the Roy Sakuma Ukulele Festival, several hula festivals, several fishing tournaments, the Tinman Triathlon, and many other events.

July 2009 Hawaii Calendar (Do It In Hawaii)

July Hawaii Events - by Island

July Hawaii Events - by Type

New Cocktail Show at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Waikiki's historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel - also known as the "Pink Palace of the Pacific" is now producing a weekly cocktail show called "Curators of Hawaiian Music". The shows will feature some of Hawaii's top award-winning musicians beginning with Makana in July and August of 2009, Maunalua in September and October of 2009, and Cecilio and Kapono in November and December of 2009. There will be two one hour concerts every Thursday night, one beginning at 7:30 and the other beginning at 9:30. Tickets are $49 per person with a two drink minimum, but dinner show tickets and discounts for children and Hawaii residents are also available. For more information about the Royal Hawaiian Hotel's "Curators of Hawaiian Music" show call the hotel at 808-931-7311 or visit:

Curators of Hawaiian Music

Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Clear-Bottom Kayak Tour on Oahu's North Shore

The Turtle Bay Resort on the north shore of Oahu is now offering kayak tours in Ocean Kayaks with clear panels in the bottom for viewing coral and underwater sealife. The tours are operated by Shaka Kayaks and they depart daily from the lobby of the Turtle Bay Hotel. Tour participants are driven to Kewala Bay where they are given an introductory briefing and an opportunity to practice paddling before the tour begins. The tours cost $100 amd they include transportation to and from the Turtle Bay Resort and light refreshments. For more information about the resort and its new kayaking tours see the official Web sites of the Turtle Bay Resort and Shaka Kayaks.

Father's Day Hawaiian Music Festival at Sea Life Park

The first annual Father's Day Hawaiian Music Festival will take place on Sunday, June 21, 2009 at Sea Life Park on the southeast coast of Oahu. The event will take place from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. and it will feature live entertainment by some of Hawaii's top musicians and singers including Kalapana, Kapena, and Beach 5. There will also be a hula performance by Tamatoa, Hawaiian food plates prepared by Fresh Catch, and Budweiser beer for sale. Sea Life Park is located at 41-202 Kalanianaole Highway in the Windward Oahu town of Waimanalo. Festival ticket holders can show their tickets and get a discounted $10 entry into Sea Life Park if they want to spend father's day visiting the park with their families.

Event Poster on the VJ Events Web Site

Other 2009 Father's Day Events in Hawaii

June 2009 Events in Hawaii

Hawaii events in June of 2009 include King Kamehameha Day, Father's Day, the Kapalua Maui Wine and Food Festival, the Blaisdell Center Home and Garden Show, the Maui Upcountry Agricultural Fair, the Maui Film Festival, the Kona Gay Pride Festival, the Puuhonua O Honaunau Festival, the Kona Class Fishing Tournament, the Hawaii Dragon Boat Festival in Ala Moana Park, the King Kamehameha Hula Festival, the Kona Marathon, and and George Kahumoku, Jr. Slack Key Guitar Workshop. For more information see:

June 2009 Hawaii Calendar

June Hawaii Events By Island

June Hawaii Events By Type

Maui Writer's Conference Moves to Waikiki

The Maui Writer's Conference has been held on on the island of Maui every year since 1993 but in 2009 the event is being renamed the Hawaii Writer's Conference and it is being moved to Waikiki on the island of Oahu. The organizers expect the event to grow significantly after it moves to Oahu. Events and activities at the 2009 Writer's Retreat and Conference will take place at the Hawaii Convention Center, the Ala Moana Hotel, the Outrigger Reef Hotel, the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, and Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

Hawaii Writer's Retreat (August 28 - September 3, 2009)

Hawaii Writer's Conference Gala (September 4, 2009)

Hawaii Writer's Conference (September 4-7, 2009)

Featured Speakers at the 2009 Conference

Military Memorials in Hawaii

An introduction to military memorials and monuments in Hawaii including the Hawaii State Veterans Memorial, the Memorial to Fallen Hawaiian Warriors, the Hawaii Vietnam and Korean War Memorial, the Brothers in Valor Memorial, the National Cemetery of the Pacific, the Haleiwa Beach War Memorial, the USS Arizona, USS Bowfin, USS Missouri, and USS Oklahoma Memorials, and others. I like to plan a day around visiting Hawaii military monuments and military museums on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Veteran's Day, and Pearl Harbor Day.

Military Monuments in Hawaii

Military Museums in Hawaii

Military Bases in Hawaii

Manoa Valley Theatre Announces 2009-2010 Season

The Manoa Valley Theatre is a theater company with its own 150-seat theater in the beautiful Manoa Valley of Honolulu. The theater's productions are primarily Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, musicals, and other contemporary, mainstream stage productions. The Manoa Valley Theatre recently announced the six plays and musicals they will be performing during their 2009-2010 season.

Manoa Valley Theatre Photo and Schedule

Small Community Theaters on Oahu

Large Performing Arts Centers on Oahu

Other Manoa Valley Attractions

2009 Hawaiian Electric Company Cookbook Now Available

The 2009 cookbook published by the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) is now available and it is called "A Taste of HECO: Pupu & Desserts". The recipes are presented on a pop-up stand that makes them easy to see while cooking. Proceeds from cookbook sales benefit the Aloha United Way. HECO cookbooks can be purchased at Hawaiian Electric Company customer service offices in Honolulu or mail ordered.

2008 and 2009 HECO Cookbooks

Other Cookbooks From Hawaii

Recipes From Hawaii

2009 Memorial Day Events in Hawaii

How Memorial Day is observed in Hawaii. Most of these Memorial Day events take place on the Island of Oahu but a few of them are on the outer islands. More events will be added as they are announced over the next few days.

How to Celebrate Mother's Day in Hawaii

Special Mother's Day events in Hawaii include a "Brunch with the Stars" in West Oahu featuring Henry Kapono, John Cruz, and Yvonne Elliman, Na Leo's 25th anniversary concert at the Hale Koa Hotel, an outdoor concert in Waikiki featuring the talented young Abrigo Ohana trio, and a Kona Orchid Society Show on Hawaii Island. Other Mother's Day events in Hawaii include special brunches, cruises, and fashion shows on several different islands. This article also includes ideas for Hawaii-theme Mother's Day gifts.

Ideas for Celebrating Mother's Day in Hawaii

Mother's Day Events in Hawaii

Lanai City is a National Endangered Place

In April of 2009 the National Trust for Historic Preservation included Lanai City on its list of the eleven most endangered historic places in the United States. The National Trust considers Lanai City to be "the last remaining intact plantation town in Hawaii". The Trust considers Lanai City to be endangered because the town owner has applied for a permit to tear down several historic buidings to make way for commercial development.

Why Lanai City is Considered Endangered

Photos of Lanai Attractions

Visitor's Guide to Lanai Island

Lei Day is Every May 1st in Hawaii

May 1st is Lei Day in Hawaii and on that day, almost everybody in Hawaii wears a flower lei, from little kids in school to executives at Hawaii's top corporations. 2009 Lei Day events and Lei Day Weekend events in Hawaii include a Waikiki Lei Day Festival in Kapiolani Park, a John Cruz concert at the Hawaii State Art Museum, The annual Brothers Cazimero Lei Day Concert at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, the Kauai Museum Lei Day Festival, the Lanai School Lei Day Concert, and many more. For more information see:

How Lei Day is Celebrated in Hawaii

2009 Lei Day Events in Hawaii

Earth Day Events in Hawaii

Where to find Earth Day events in Hawaii on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, Kauai, and Molokai. 2009 Earth day events in Hawaii include a John Cruz Concert at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Where to Celebrate Easter in Hawaii

Easter events in Hawaii including outdoor Easter sunrise services, indoor Easter church services, Easter egg hunts, Easter Bunny appearances, Easter brunches and dinners, and many other Easter events and activities, on several different islands.

Easter Events in Hawaii

Take an Audio CD Guided Tour of Oahu

If you are planning to rent a car and drive around Oahu Island yourself, and this is the first time you've done it, you might be interested in purchasing the circle island audio tour of Oahu offered by Tour Talk of Honolulu. The audio tour is available on either CD or cassette tape and it comes with two 78 minute audio programs, a booklet, and directions to each of the sites on the tour. For more information see:

Tour Talk Hawaii - Official Web Site

Live Video of the Hawaiian Grammy Awards

The winner of the Hawaiian Music Grammy Award will be announced today and you can view the award ceremony live on the Internet. Connect to the broadcast site early because you might need to download their video viewing software in advance. Here is the live streaming video broadcast schedule for time zones from Tokyo to New York City: JST 6:00 a.m. / HST 11:00 a.m. / AST 12:00 noon / PST 1:00 p.m. / MST 2:00 p.m. / CST 3:00 p.m. / EST 4:00 p.m. / Other Zones / View Live Video Feed Now

My Favorite North Shore Restaurant - The Grass Skirt Grill

My favorite restaurant on the North Shore of Oahu is located in Haleiwa Town, not far from the Matsumoto General Store, where all the North Shore visitors buy shave ice. It's a small unassuming place, and not expensive, but the food is great. The Grass Skirt Grill has the most delicious fish plates served with a tasty lemon or garlic sauce, brown rice, and the freshest salad you could ever imagine. The owner told me once they grow their own salad vegetables on table tops at an above-ground farm in Pupukea. I drive to the North Shore often just to eat at this wonderful little cafe. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

Photos of the Grass Skirt Grill

Coming Soon - USS Missouri 65th Anniversary Photos

In the next few of days I will be posting all of my pictures of the USS Missouri's 65th Anniversary Celebration, the "Hawaii's Mightiest Chef" celebrity cookoff, the 2009 Ala Wai Challenge in Waikiki, new photos of Michael Nakasone and the Royal Hawaiian Band, pictures of some of my favorite Hawaii musicians, photos of the new USS Oklahoma Memorial on Ford Island, and pictures of actor Gary Sinise visiting Pearl Harbor troups and taking a tour of the USS Missouri Battleship.

Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Remembrance Day 2009

Hawaii-born NASA astronaut Ellison Shoji Onizuka died 23 years ago today, on January 28, 1986, when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded a few minutes after taking off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Let's take a few minutes to remember Ellison Onizuka, along with the crew members who died with him that day: Judy Resnik, Greg Jarvis, Ron McNair, Commander Dick Scobee, pilot Mike Smith and schoolteacher Sharon Christa McAuliffe. Ellison Onizuka is resting in peace at the National Cemetery of the Pacific inside Punchbowl Crater in Honolulu.

Photos of Ellison Onizuka's First Space Flight

Ellison Onizuka Memorials

More About Ellison Onizuka

Aerial Photo of Punchbowl Crater

Things To Do on Valentine's Day in Hawaii

Romantic ideas for celebrating Valentine's Day in Hawaii. A Valentine's Day cocktail party at the Honolulu Zoo, a Valentine's Day Ukulele Festival in a Honolulu waterfront park, how to order a singing Valentine in Honolulu, where to buy Valentine's Day balloons, and special events on Valentine's Day on several Hawaiian islands. Includes dinner-dances, dinner cruises, romantic inns, luxury spas, and gift ideas with a romantic Hawaii theme.

January 2009 Issue of Kathie's Hawaii Newsletter

The first email edition of my Hawaii Newsletter was sent to subscribers on January 23, 2009. Features included in that issue:

How to Celebrate Valentine's Day in Hawaii

A tribute to Hawaii astronaut Ellison Onizuka

Some of my favorite Hawaiian music venues in Waikiki

Hawaiian Grammy nominee concert in Southern California

Meet My 101 Year Old Ukulele Teacher
- View Issue 2009-02 of My Hawaii Newsletter
- Subscribe to My Email Newsletter (it's free!)

Chef Chai Cookbook Signing at Ala Moana Center

Chef Chai Chaowasaree will be signing his new cookbook at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Ala Moana Center on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. His new book is entitled "The Island Bistro Cookbook" and it features almost 100 recipes from his two award winning Honolulu restaurants: Chai's Island Bistro in the Aloha Tower Marketplace and Singa Thai Cuisine on Ala Moana Boulevard.

The Island Bistro Cookbook at Amazon.com

Chef Chai Restaurant: Chai's Island Bistro

Chef Chai Restaurant: Singa Thai Cuisine

Crab Festival at the New Sam Choy's Restaurant

Hawaii celebrity chef Sam Choy opened his Diamond Head restaurant on Kapahulu Avenue in 1995 and two years later he opened a second restaurant called "Sam Choy's Breakfast, Lunch, and Crab" on Nimitz Highway, not far from Hilo Hattie. In June of 2008 he announced he was closing his Diamond Head location and consolidating that restaurant with his Nimitz location. Sam Choy's Breakfast, Lunch, and Crab has been renamed simply Sam Choy's, and while it still features the crab dishes it has always been famous for, items from the menu of the Diamond Head restaurant are gradually being added. Sam Choy's is holding its annual crab festival Sunday, January 25 through Sunday, February 1, 2009. During that week the menu will feature three types of crab, Maryland Blue Crab, Alaskan Snow Crab, and Dungeness Crab, prepared in a variety of different ways. For more information call Sam Choy's Restaurant at 808-545-7979.

Sam Choy's Restaurant in Honolulu

Fourteen Cookbooks By Sam Choy

My First Hawaii Newsletter - There's Still Time to Subscribe

I'm sending the very first email edition of my Hawaii newsletter in the next few days. All of our newsletters will eventually be posted on the Hawaii Travel Newsletter Web site, but the Web version might not be available right away. If you subcribe to the newsletter you will be able to read each issue immediately when it is published. If you read a few newsletters, and decide you don't want to receive the email version, it's very easy to unsubscribe at anytime.

Hawaii's 2009 Obama Inaugural Balls

Information about Hawaii's 2009 Obama Inaugural Balls in Honolulu and Washington DC, including (among others) the Hawaii Democratic Party's Inaugural Ball at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki and the official inaugural ball for invited residents of Hawaii and Illinois, the Home States Inaugural Ball.

2009 Hawaii Wall Calendars

Hawaii wall calendars available in 2009 include calendars featuring the photographs of James Randklev, Kirk Lee Aeder, and National Geographic, calendars featuring the artwork of Mary Koski, Rosalie Prussing, and vintage Matson prints, and special interest Hawaii calendars featuring Hawaiian quilts and Hawaii golf courses. There is also a very special "vintage photos of Hawaii" 2009 calendar published by the Hawaii Historic Society. The 2009 Peggy Chun calendar listed on our 2009 Hawaii Wall Calendars page is no longer available at Amazon.com, and it is difficult to find elsewhere, probably because the popular watercolor artist passed away in November.

Martin Luther King Day Events in Hawaii

Martin Luther King Day has been a state holiday in Hawaii since January of 1989 when it officially replaced Discoverers' Day as a Hawaii state holiday. This year Martin Luther King Day is on Monday, January 19, 2009 and events in Hawaii will include a parade on Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki, a peace rally in Honolulu's Kapiolani Park, a Nagasaki Peace Bell ringing ceremony in downtown Honolulu, a parade in Kahului, Maui, and a special event at the Hilo Palace Theater on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Hundreds of 2009 Hawaii Events

It was called to my attention this morning that not everyone has been able to view the events listed in our calendar. Evidently some people could connect to each month of our 2009 Hawaii Calendar but none of the events were visible to them. I am so sorry about that. I just hate it when things like that happen! I did a bit of tweaking and the events in our calendar should now be visible to everyone. If our monthly calendar pages still look blank to you, please let me know right away by sending email to kathiefry@gmail.com. You can have your Hawaii event added to our calendar by posting an announcement in our forum or by sending me a message.

January 2009 Hawaii Events

February 2009 Hawaii Events

All 2009 Hawaii Events