Wake up, everyone!  It’s 5:30am, I’ve got my coffee, and am now watching our lolo puppies run sprints around the house – man, I get tired just watching them!  Even Buster gets into the action even though he’s almost 15 years old (that’s 105 in human years!)!  He’s wise in his old age, though .. he runs a few feet, stops, then waits for his kids to come around and then joins them for another few feet, stops, waits .. you get the picture. Oh yeah, and here’s a pic of the first double rainbow I’ve seen in Manoa in a long time – so beautiful!!

I’m finally starting to get excited about our upcoming “EVOLUTION KANIKAPILA!” party this Saturday at the Kani Ka Pila Grille!  There’s gonna be lots of great entertainment and giveaways as we celebrate the release of our 3rd CD, “EVOLUTION”, so be sure to come and join us!

And since today is Thursday, it’s also golf day and I hope to play a lot better than the previous round.  We’re teeing off a little earlier today because we want to watch the USC vs. U.H. football game which is being televised on ESPN.  The game is actually being played at Aloha Stadium and Nick and Alex are going with a bunch of their friends … actually, I think they’re looking forward more to the tailgate parties than the game!:-)  I used to love going to the games, but I got tired of battling the traffic and crowds … now, I just watch it on TV – not as real, but a helluva lot more comfortable!

And finally, come on down to IOLANI on KONA ST. and check out some of our new selections … you might even see me, Nick, or Alex stocking the shelves!  Welcome and e komo mai!

Aloha, “D”

Only two days left before this…

Turns into this…

Saturday, September 4th, ManoaDNA will be hosting a party to help celebrate the release of their third album, EVOLUTION. It will be at the Kani Ka Pila Grille at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach hotel in Waikiki, and run from 5:45p to 9:00p HST.

If you haven’t heard about this already, then you better listen up, because this is going to be my last warning before I go into blog hibernation and focus 100% on this party…

On the schedule, we have Roy Sakuma’s Ukulele Keiki, Kapala, Kamuela Kahoano, and Herb Ohta Jr. & Jon Yamasato. ManoaDNA will finish up the night, but get there early and enjoy all the entertainment throughout the night.

We are giving away thousands of dollars worth of prizes, and everyone through the door has a chance to win. Prizes include gift certificates and gear from the Kani Ka Pila Grille, a brand-new KoAloha Ukulele, clothing from Oakley Hawai’i & IOLANI Hawai’i, art from Zak Noyle photography, and music from ManoaDNA!

Parking is plentiful, but valet is limited, so if you want someone to park your car for you, you are going to have to get there early.

Reservations are recommended for parties of five or more, and they will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. So if you want a guaranteed seat, get your family and friends together, and make a reservation. Call 808-924-4992 for more information.

That’s all I have, but if that’s not good enough for you, then nothing ever will be! It’s gonna be so much fun, and I can’t wait to see all of you down there.

Aloha, everybody … it’s Tuesday and our “EVOLUTION” CD party at the Kani Ka Pila Grille is on for this Saturday, Sept. 4th, from 6 – 9pm.  As usual, everything’s last minute but we were finally able to finalize the details and it’s a GO!  Our friends Kapala, Kamuela Kahoano, Herb Ohta Jr. & Jon Yamasato, and Roy Sakuma’s ukulele keiki will be there to help us entertain you, and we’ll also have a ton of giveaways including a brand new KoAloha ukulele … mahalo, Okami ohana!  So we hope you guys can make it ’cause it’s gonna be a blast!

I played in a golf tournament to benefit the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital here in Honolulu yesterday at Waialae CC with a bunch of my Thursday group buddies.  It was lots of fun and for a good cause, but I was also reminded of why I HATE tournaments … they take so damn long!  We’re used to playing a round of golf in 3 to 4 hours … yesterday, it took us almost 6 hours!  The worst part is that I have to play in another tournament today out at the Hawai’i Prince course – the C&K tournament – and I’m already starting to dread it!  How do I get myself into these situations?!

Aloha, “D”

Hey Everyone,
I’m currently working at the Iolani Store on Kona Street! Have you all been here yet? It’s so nice and awesome!!!
I can’t promise that I’ll be here when you come, but I’ve worked here a couple of times so MAYBE you can come talk story with me and have some fun shopping. I’m pretty sure I’m the one who buys the most Kauai Kookie products here. IOKS has exclusive cookies that are only sold here and at the actual Kauai Kookie factory on Kauai. You need to come and check these flavors out now! We just got a new shipment in called “Rocky Road Cookie” and it’s awesome!!!! You can’t find it anywhere else on the island but here so come check it out!

Anyways, got to get back to work!
Aloha!
AK

Five days in Chicago, Illinois allowed me to pack a lot of stuff into the schedule. So for your sanity (and mine), I have broken down the Chicago trip into three parts. Today, is part two!

After a great night of Brazilian steak, it was time to test my nerves and head up to the Skydeck and “The Ledge” at the Willis Tower. Known previously as the Sears tower, the Willis Tower is now home to an attraction called, “The Ledge,” which is basically a glass box hanging off the side of the building. Glass walls, glass ceiling, and glass floor. It was pretty awesome!

After defying death and seeing a 360 degree view of Chicago, it was time to pay homage to one of my great childhood heroes, Michael Jordan.

Home to the most complete T-Rex fossil in the world, the Field Museum was pretty cool. This is Sue, the T-Rex, and it is pretty incredible. Walking up and looking straight into the eyes of a T-Rex would be terrifying. I’ve seen Jurassic Park, but until you see the size of these animals in person, you have no idea.

One of the highlights of all highlights for my trip was an adventure to Wrigley field. Now, alone, visiting the Cubs at Wrigley was on my “bucket list” of things to do before I die. However, this was more magical because I got to see the Cubs play my favorite team, the Braves! And they won! Plus, I got to drink Chicago’s Old Style Lager and eat a Chicago Hot Dog!!! What a great day!

That’s all for today folks, part one of my Chicago adventure. If you want to see all the pictures from my trip to Chicago, friend me on Facebook. Stay tuned as I will update the rest of the trip later. Hope you enjoyed it, and see you in Chicago!

The view from the Sheraton Waikiki is beautiful. I am stunned every time because, as a local living in Hawai’i, I always think, “Waikiki is not real Hawai’i.” But it is. It really is. It’s beautiful.

The Sheraton sits right on Waikiki beach and has a great view overlooking Diamond Head. With a recent renovation and new styling, the Sheraton has raised the bar among Waikiki hotels.

Good morning!  School’s back in session so the morning traffic is AWFUL!!  Even getting out of Manoa is difficult – the Punahou and U.H. traffic makes it almost impossible to leave the valley.  It takes me about a half hour to get to the office when it usually should take only 10 to 15 minutes.  But I really feel sorry for the people who have to drive in from the ewa side of O’ahu – it’ll take some of them an over an hour just to get to town!  The ideal time to leave Manoa is between 8:15 and 8:30am … that’s right after the school rush, and before the old folks start getting on the road.  Bless their hearts, but some of these old people just shouldn’t be driving – especially the ones who can’t see over the steering wheel and have their foot on the brake even while trying to accelerate to a top speed of 20 miles per hour!!

Anyway, Nick & Alex came over last night and barbecued for everyone .. they grilled steaks, sausages, and some freshly caught ono which our new neighbors gave us.  Everything was so delicious … thanks, boys!

Gotta walk the dogs ……..  Aloha, “D”

What an exciting Sunday – our kids from Waipio in central O’ahu played for the Little League Baseball World Championship against the team from Japan!  It was an awesome game and in the end, Japan won 4 to 1.  Our Waipio boys played magnificently and all of Hawai’i is so proud of them!   Also, fellow Punahou alum Michelle Wie won her second LPGA golf tournament – the Canadian Open!  Congrats, Michelle!

It was great having Nick back with us last night at Kani Ka Pila, although he’s showing a little “rust” after the long break following our July Japan tour and his trip to Chicago.  He should be back in top form for our “EVOLUTION’ CD party next Saturday at KKPG.  By the way, I discovered that KKPG makes a pretty good loco moco … I ate one after our show last night and it was delicious, especially the gravy and fried onion string topping!

I played golf today with my Selohssa golf club out at the Royal Kunia Country Club, and although I shot a score of 85, I lost to almost everyone!  That course used to be one of my favorites, but it’s really gone downhill lately and the fairways and greens are in pretty bad shape.  Probably another victim of the poor economy, I guess.

Aloha, “D”

Alooooohaaa, everyone!  Welcome to another gorgeous day in paradise!  We’re about to take our puppies for their morning walk, so I’ll probably have to continue this after we get back.  By the way, I got a new Fuji camera yesterday so I’ll be sure to shoot some pics while we’re out … stay tuned!

We’re back and as I should have expected, the day I have my camera ready there are no good photo opportunities!  Oh  well … maybe tomorrow.

I’ve got to go to Home Depot today and get some supplies to do some much needed repair work around our house.  I also have to stop at Best Buy and pick up a photo printer for work before heading on over to the club to get in a workout.  Hmmm … maybe I can sneak next door to Costco and get their hot dog & drink special!  Nah .. not a good idea to eat a hot dog right before working out!  And later we’re off to Kani Ka Pila Grille for our regular  Saturday performance under the stars!

Aloha, “D”

I haven’t posted anything for awhile so here’s a picture of my icee!! Yay!!