Dance, DanceFeel the power of hula at the Merrie Monarch Festival

All DownhillBike slope to shore at Kaua‘i’s Waimea Canyon

With a PaddleStand up paddle surfi ng puts a new twist on Hawai‘i’s favorite past-time

JON LOVITZThe actor/comedian plans to open

a new comedy club in Hawai‘i

2

contents the infl ight magazine for go!

500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-500, Honolulu, HI 96813. Phone (808) 529-4700. © 2007 by Oahu Publications, Inc. All rights

reserved. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the writt en consent of the publisher.

Opinions in ifl ygo are solely those of the writers and are not necessarily endorsed by go!

For go! information: Joe Bock, Chief Marketing Offi cer

joe.bock@ifl ygo.com | 808-838-7900

photo courtesy Oahu Visitors Bureau

is published bi-monthly by

OAHU PUBLICATIONS INC.

Cover photo by Nathalie Walker

30 Cover Story: Comedy Curator

Jon Lovitz of Saturday Night Live fame brings funny to Hawai‘i.

34 Northern Swell Surfi ng, shopping and the simple life

at O‘ahu’s North Shore.

38 Downhill Cruise Bike down Waimea Canyon with

Outfi tt ers Kaua‘i.

43 Waikamoi Find rare Hawaiian plants and animals

in this Maui rain forest.

46 Heart of Hula Dance and history come alive at the

Merrie Monarch Festival.

FEATURES

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photo by Dennis Oda, Honolulu Star-Bulletin

contents DEPARTMENTS

6 From the go! CEO

9 Editor on the go!

11 Life’s a Beach A surfer’s paradise at

Makapu‘u beach.

12 Hawai‘i’s Toughest Holes Conquering the Big Island

Country Club’s No. 17.

13 Plane Fitness Get a watery workout with

stand up paddle surfi ng.

14 Pampered Relax and rejuvenate at

Kaua‘i’s Princeville Resort.

16 The Rich Dish Stellar sushi at Sansei restaurant.

17 Dine with Wine Sips and suppers at Formaggio Grill.

18 Off the Eaten Path Kona mom-and-pop eateries

worth craving for.

22 In Tune Experience Island music with

Eddie Kamae, the latest CDs and Hard Rock Cafe Maui.

26 go! Glam Hip fl ip-fl ops and chic

Hawaiian Moon aloha wear.

50 Spooky Story Eerie events at Th e House on

Ku‘ukama Street.

51 On the go! Events calendar

58 go! pages Airport maps and airline info

63 Departures

island of kaua‘i PILIMAI at po‘ip-utownhomes2-4 bedrooms, up to 3.5 baths

island of kaua‘i NIHILANI at princeville townhomes2-3 bedrooms, up to 3 baths

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island of hawai‘i KAMILO at mauna lanisingle-family & paired homes2-4 bedrooms, up to 4.5 baths

The information provided herein is not intended to be and does not constitute an offer or solicitation to sell and shall not be used in any state where prohibited by law or where registration requirements have not been met. We reserve the right to change any information contained herein without any prior notice and disclaim any duty to update the information. If you wish to register with us we will, to the extent legally permissible, provide you with the public report and other pertinent information concerning the project. Upgraded features are offered. Information is available upon request. Features are subject to change without notice. Total square footage is approximate and represents the aggregate living space, lanai(s), garage, entry and, if applicable, courtyard area.

for your island home, call 888.665.6667 brookfieldhawaii.com

residences from the $600,000’s to over $2 million

6

Aloha and mahalo for flying go!, Hawai’i’s Low Fare Airline. We’re delighted to welcome you aboard and proud to serve you as Hawai’i’s leader in interisland travel.

We truly appreciate the outstanding support we’ve received from the Hawai’i community and stand by our pledge to serve Hawai’i by continuing to provide the lowest fares and the very best of service. In addition to those efforts, we are dedicated to advancing objectives considered important by our passengers and the local community. With those goals in mind, last month we launched a new website using only the Hawaiian language.

This new site is available at www.lelegowau.com (Hawaiian for “www.iflygo.com”) and will allow passengers to search for and book interisland travel, all in Hawaiian. go! is extremely proud to launch the first airline website and the first e-commerce website to use only the Hawaiian language.

The new site was launched in conjunction with Ho’omau 2008, the 10th annual Ho‘omau concert, which benefits all O‘ahu Hawaiian language immersion schools. The creation of the site served as both an exercise and opportunity for the students of Hawai’i’s Hawaiian language immersion schools who assisted in translation and the creation of some new Hawaiian words. Using Hawaiian in such a modern fashion required growth of the language and has already furthered the goal of making it one of today’s living languages.

In the last 30 years there has been a remarkable resurgence in the training and use of Hawaiian. We hope that the production of this site will continue to support interaction and familiarity with the Hawaiian language and also encourage more of the business community to make an effort to keep Hawai’i’s rich culture alive.

In addition to the Hawaiian language site, we’ve also recently added websites

in Spanish, Chinese and Japanese. All are available from the language drop down menu at www.iflygo.com.

As always, we value your feedback and will use it to help us build a better airline. Please feel free to send us any comments or concerns you may have by sending email to feedback@iflygo.com. We hope you enjoy your flight!

Sincerely,

Jonathan OrnsteinChairman and Chief Executive Officer

From Jonathan Ornstein…

a message from our ceo

Add a Touch of Aloha!

8

DRIVE

*Restrictions – Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights. Changes can be made prior to scheduled departure for a fee of $20 per person plus any applicable difference in airfare. Fares displayed

do not include September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment Excise Tax of $3.50 per segment. A segment is defined as one take-off and one landing. All taxes and fees must be paid

at the time of purchase. All flights operated by Mesa Airlines doing business as go! or Mokulele Airlines doing business as go! Express. Fares are valid for flights to or from Honolulu. One-way fares are available

ten months in advance of travel date. Other restrictions may apply.

Hawai‘i’s Affordable Fly/Drive Packages

Roundtrip Airfare and Car RentalFrom

$99*

PER PERSON, BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

www.iflygo.com

March/April 2008 9

v

If only I’d seen and heard Jon Lovitz when I was younger.

For years I’ve semi-joked that I would have gone into TV journalism or acting, but with a face like this, well …

And then along comes Lovitz, who tells ifl ygo’s Yu Shing Ting that his father once told him, “you can’t be an actor or with a face like that.”

Obviously, good old Dad was dead wrong. With a career that includes Saturday Night Live and several hit movies, Lovitz has most defi nitely made it.

And now, aft er spending considerable time in Hawai‘i in recent years and falling in love with the place and the people, Lovitz is pre-paring to open a new comedy club at the Ilikai hotel in Waikiki, and bring in some big-name stand-up comics.

As one of his best known characters from SNL might say, “Yeah, that’s the ticket!”

Meanwhile in this issue, we send writers across the 50th State to bring you some of the best the Islands off er. On the Big Island, Me-lissa Moniz takes you to the Merrie Monarch Festival, the nearly weeklong hula celebration and competition. Hula is so big, hula halau

(schools) come from as far away as California and Japan. On Kaua‘i, Rasa Fournier takes a white-knuckle bicycle ride from Waimea Canyon down to sea level. Scenery is great, but don’t take your eyes off the road for long. On Maui, city slicker Fred Guzman goes high up Haleakala to explore a rain forest under the care of the Nature Conservancy. Th is is cul-ture shock at its fi nest. And on O‘ahu, Chad Pata explores O‘ahu’s North Shore, home to monster waves and legendary surf contests, and where “surf culture” rules. We also like the shrimp trucks.

In addition, our writers take an inside look at Island fashion, music and food, and more.

And of course there are plenty of fabulous photographs of Hawai‘i. Because with looks like this …

And if you like what you see in ifl ygo, with this issue we’re off ering subscriptions for the fi rst time, so you can enjoy every issue of fun and colorful Hawai‘i stories.

Don Chapman, Editor-In-Chiefdchapman@oahupublications.com

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editor on the go!

Halau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniakea dance during the auana portion of the Merrie Monarch Festival hula competition

105 ifl ygo

*Restrictions – Special fares are available only online at www.iflygo.com. Tickets are nontransferable and nonrefundable. Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights. Changes can be made

prior to scheduled departure for a fee of $20 per person plus any applicable difference in airfare. Fares displayed do not include September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment

Excise Tax of $3.50 per segment. A segment is defined as one takeoff and one landing. All taxes and fees must be paid at the time of purchase. All flights operated by Mesa Airlines doing business as go! or

Mokulele Airlines doing business as go! Express. Special fares are valid per segment. Other restrictions may apply.

More than 82 flights daily between O‘ahu, Maui, the Island of Hawai‘i, Moloka‘i and Kaua‘i.

Now go! is offering special, super-low fares on select days and flights, special fares that are only available online. So check out iflygo.com and sign up for our email updates! It's the only way to go!

go! the smart way.

iflygo.comLook For Daily Web-Only Specials at:

March/April 2008 11

If you drive east about 15 miles from Waikiki, you’ll eventually come around a corner high on a hill. Pull in there. Get out and walk to the lookout — your eyes will bulge at the breathtaking beauty. This is where the Windward side of O‘ahu begins. Meet Makapu‘u (Hawaiian for “bulg-ing eyes”), one of the most spectacular beaches in the entire world. No exag-geration required. You’ll believe it the second you see it.

To your right is Makapu‘u Point — it’s nearly 650 feet high with a coastal lighthouse marking the east-ern most point of “The Gathering Place” (O‘ahu). The setup is amazing. The jagged lava sea cliff is wind- and wave-battered, jutting 1,000 feet out to sea; it is raw and primitive. Off to the left, less than a mile out at sea, sits Rabbit (Manana) Island. Straight down are bold, aqua-blue waters when it’s sunny, and dark grayish-greens and browns when it’s stormy. Yes, Makapu‘u has many moods. You want to catch her on her good days. Lucky for us all, she’s usually playful and peaceful — and always beautiful.

From up on the lookout the surf looks much smaller than it really is. Now, go down the hill and loop into the lot. Park and grab your fins and bodyboard. The walk is illuminat-ing. The sand can burn your feet and the sandstone can bruise them. Wear

slippers. The panorama is sheer gor-geousness. Now you’re getting closer to her energy. The sounds are getting louder, and you’re getting smaller … yet somehow happier. The excitement and surroundings urge you on. The mana (power, spirit) becomes palpable and respectable. This is a day when the beach isn’t closed due to killer (liter-ally) surf. You get to partake. However, knowing your limits is mandatory — always ride with respect.

Makapu‘u has become one of Hawai‘i’s most-populated surf zones since the coastal road was finished in 1933. The wave itself is the draw. There’s punch and pizazz starting at 3 feet — which is how big it is 9.5 days out of 10. When it gets to 5-10 feet, Makapu‘u is fierce. Her heavy currents can take you quickly to the rocks; don’t overlook lung-bursting hold-downs. Makapu‘u’s dangerous power is not to be underestimated. The wave width can equal the height. Its sand bars can make for ridiculously shallow grinders.

The wave speed is at times shock-ing. It’ll shoot surfers out faster than a speeding bullet, skimming the surface like a flat rock. This is when the local talent takes over and puts on a show. They can handle. Many are unsung world-class athletes. Locals love to barrel ride and roll. Body boarders launch out and above these carnivo-

rous caverns as though teasing a wild animal. Drop-knee style is prevalent. It’s beyond impressive how they read the waves and use the energy to per-form. It’s a blend of agility, skill and guts formed day by day, swell by swell and wave by wave over their young lifetimes. Indeed, most of those getting into the watery mix are 15-25 years young. It takes very strong hearts, joints and muscles to survive in one piece on the bigger days.

When exiting the lineup, smiles and chatter are buzzing. Makapu‘u pumps people up. You absorb more than just water — there’s pure stoke and lasting memories.

Grab your towel and surf gear and head to the showers. As the saltwater comes off, your eyes open at the glory that is Makapu‘u. Your eyes (and soul) “bulge” in wonder and amazement. You’ve met Makapu‘u.

15 miles northeast of Waikiki on Hwy. 72. Windward shore, sand and reef, seasonal high surf. Surfing contest site. Summer camping, picnicking, snorkeling, excellent body and paipo surfing, poor swimming (currents). Lifeguard, phone, restrooms, showers

Gary Kewley is CSO (Chief Surfing Officer) of surfnewsnetwork.com, bringing Hawaii the surf for more than 30 years.

Watery Eyed Great waves and scenery at Makapu‘uBy Gary Kewley

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Subtle, the par-3 17th hole at the Big Island Country Club is not. A tee, a great big lake and an island green — that’s the 17th.

Plus a few jagged lava rocks and colorful bougainvillea that frame the lake.

As golf holes go, this is minimalist art.And if standing on the tee here you

conjure up images of the par-3 17th island green at the TPC Sawgrass, home of the PGA Tour’s Players Championship, you conjure really well. Both courses were designed by the legendary Pete Dye.

The Big Island CC knockoff even includes a small bunker at the front-right of the green, just like the Florida version. As if there weren’t enough trouble all around without that sandy pit.

Depending on tees, the 17th at the Big Island CC plays 180-150-144-107 yards, slightly downhill.

And the target is relatively small, with a green that is just 27 paces wide

and 21 deep — unless the pin is cut on the right side, where the green is just 15 paces deep. Which is where it was on the day I showed up to try this scenic beauty again. The first three times I played the course, I hit the green. On this day, with an inconsistent wind blowing from green to tee, I was in between clubs and tried to finesse an 8-iron from 140 yards.

Which is when those jagged lava rocks came into play. The shot was just long, hit one rock and pin-balled 90-degrees left, where it hit another rock and caromed 30 feet into the air … and then splashed into the water. Seldom has a short shot taken so long to settle down.

The 17th is the “signature” hole at the Big Island CC, located at about 2,500-feet elevation, 35 minutes up from the Kona airport, but it is by no means the only dramatic hole on the back nine. Together, I rate the back nine here among the best nines in Hawai‘i, with the back nine at the Turtle Bay Palmer Course on O‘ahu and the back nine at Poipu Bay on

Kaua‘i. And the four closing holes — the driveable par-4 15th, par-5 16th, the 17th and the par-4 18th with water coming into play all the way — rate as good as any four finishing holes in the 50th State.

Overall, I rate the Big Island CC, a semi-private course with public access, among the state’s top 10. It’s somewhat out of the way, but well-worth the scenic drive. The course is set amid rolling pasture and woodland, with “wow!” views of towering Mauna Kea on one side and the far-off ocean on the other. Nene geese, Hawai‘i’s endangered state bird, are plentiful here.

Except at the 17th hole. That lake surrounding the green, the nene have apparently learned, can be a dangerous place when golfers come around.

detailsBig Island Country Club71-1420 Mamalahoa Hwy. Kailua-Kona, HI 97640808-325-5044

Big Island Country Club No. 17 By Don Chapman

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Surf Up! Take a day at the beach to a whole new level with stand up paddle surfing By Sarah Pacheco

One of the best workouts this summer requires you get into a bikini or surf-shorts ASAP. It’s called stand up paddle (SUP) surfing, and you’ll be standing up to cheer after your first try.

Stand up surfing began on the shores of Waikiki during the 1950s as a hybrid novelty of outrigger canoe paddling and surfing. By using the canoe paddle, local “beachboys” found they were able to move with minimal effort, and so used SUP as a way to better teach tourists and take their photos by using the surfboard as a platform. They also found that the paddle could be used to help carve into turns, thus improving their maneuverability on the longboards.

After the introduction of fiberglass surfboards, SUP experienced a fall from popularity. But after surfers such as Brian Keaulana, Laird Hamilton, Dave Kalama, Bruce DeSoto and Mel Puu began using SUP to train their core and leg muscles for tow-in surfing, a renaissance of the sport stemmed out of pure fun.

“I think so many people are getting into stand up because it’s infectious,” says Keaulana, C4 Waterman co-founder and son of legendary Hawaiian waterman pioneer “Buffalo” Keaulana.

From professional soccer players to Olympic skiers, stunt actors to Lance Armstrong, it seems everyone is literally jumping on board and reaping the health benefits as well. That is because, as Keaulana explains, SUP involves working every single muscle group: “Legs, abs, back, glutes ... You’re paddling for such a short time, and when you come in, everything hurts. It’s better than going to the gym.”

One of Keaulana’s buddies dropped 100 pounds in a year merely by stand up paddle surfing in a Newport Beach marina. Another watched his back pains vanish, and another built up his arch muscles and found relief from a life of suffering with flat feet.

As stellar as stand up paddle surfing sounds, like any workout program, there are risks involved. Below is some advice Keaulana has picked up from years of experience:

learn what you can’t. “It’s the details — how to control your equipment, how to stop, how to turn left and right — people sometimes overlook when they start out,” Keaulana says. For the best in standup paddle equipment and free how-to’s, check out the C4 Waterman official website, www.c4waterman.com

before deciding to go to the beach. When you stand up on a surfboard, you act as a human sail. Too-strong winds and currents or too-choppy waves spell trouble for even the most advanced surfers and swimmers out there.

flat water. You don’t need big waves to build up balance and stamina.

swimmer or beach-goer. Keaulana’s personal rule of thumb is to allow 20 to 30 feet of distance between yourself and anyone else out on the water. If you fall, you’ll have plenty of room.

you will get thrown for a loop. But the key is falling correctly. By continually being aware of your surroundings — where you are in the ocean, how long your board and leash are, etc. — you can avoid causing serious injury to yourself or others.

who is knowledgeable in water safety and CPR, and make sure your cell phone works beforehand.

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Guests enjoy a relaxing environment at the Princeville Resort

March/April 2008 15

It’s a quick, 40-minute go! flight from O‘ahu to the lush, verdant island of Kaua‘i. I’m bound for the north shore of the island to visit the elegant Princeville Resort for a little relaxation and rejuvenation. After landing at Lihue Airport, I hop into a rental car and head north on Kuhio Highway to Princeville, usually less than an hour’s drive.

The Garden Island is a charming place that seemingly takes you back in time with its casual, laid-back ambience and friendly, easy-going kama‘aina. No honking horns or high rises — nature rules here, where you’re much more likely to see sandy-footed surfers than suit-and-tie-clad businessmen.

Overlooking breathtaking Hanalei Bay, arguably one of the most beautiful locations on the planet, the luxurious Princeville hotel boasts an interior reminiscent of the days of Hawaiian royalty designed to complement the view of Hanalei Bay with the large, opulent

lobby’s floor-to-ceiling glass walls welcoming the outdoors in — embracing the mana (power) of this spiritual place.

In the spirit of celebrating the indigenous culture, I reserved an outdoor massage treatment at the edge of Hanalei Bay, despite the rainy weather. Indoor treatment rooms are, of course, available (and the hotel’s renovation plans, slated to begin in late April, early May with completion estimated in about a year, include a 10,000-square-foot state-of-the-art spa), but I suggest booking your massage in a beach-side cabana with the sound of the waves (and on this day, thunder, rain and wind) enhancing the experience. It’s private, comfortable and really gives one a sense of being a part of this magical place.

Tense and a bit testy after a busy week, I chose the “Four-handed Massage,” indulging in the services of not one, but two skilled therapists

working in tandem. Double the pleasure! It was a first for me, and hopefully won’t be the last. I highly recommend this amazing, full-hour, head-to-toe treatment. At one point, as my arms and legs on opposite sides were worked simultaneously — rubbing with fragrant oils, kneading and stretching the limbs — a cry of delight burst from my lips.

In keeping with the indigenous theme, the therapists began and ended my massage with a Hawaiian chant, which at one point was enhanced by the sound of rolling thunder, making it a spiritual experience that will remain with me forever. I truly felt at one with nature.

You will long to return, as I do.

detailsPrinceville Resort5520 Ka Haku RoadPrinceville, HI 96722(808) 826-9644

The Royal Treatment A spiritual spa experience at Kauai’s Princeville Resort

Princeville Resort’s outdoor area offers a magnificent setting for soothing massages

16

Super SushiWith a new restaurant, Sansei showcases its stellar seafood fare By Don Chapman

To paraphrase the old song, If you knew sushi like I know sushi … then you know that while they can be made from a variety of fi sh and vegetables, nigiri and tekka look prett y much the same from one sushi bar to the next — as they have for about 200 years. In-novataors, most sushi chefs are not. In fact, the greatest advance in Japanese sushi- making in recent years is a robot that scoops and forms perfect litt le rice mounds for nigiri.

In the United States, however, along-side traditional sushi styles creative chefs have given us California rolls, Boston rolls and even Texas rolls, to name a few of the Americanized types of sushi. But those pale in comparison to what’s happening at D.K. Kodama’s Sansei restaurants — Waikiki on Oahu, Kapalua and Kihei on Maui, and the newly opened Sansei at Waikoloa on the Big Island. Travel + Lei-sure magazine calls Sansei one of the eight best sushi restaurants in the U.S.

Which should be reason enough to vis-it. But what intrigued me most when mak-ing reservations to visit Sansei in Waikiki for the fi st time is that it has received a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence each year since opening in 1998. No surprise, because master sommelier Chuck Furuya (one of only two master sommeliers in Hawai‘i, the other being ifl ygo contributor Roberto Viernes) picks the wines here. But what wines go well with sushi? As it turns out, quite pleasantly, several.

Th e ambiance here is “contemporary sushi,” with elements both Japanese and American. And the view across Kalakaua Avenue to the beach is terrifi c. As our server Jodi Lippencott says, “Th ere’s never

a dull sunset here.”At the recommendation of G.M. Jamie

Robinson, we begin with Mango Crab Salad Handroll with ‘Nalo Greens and Crunchy Peanuts in a Sweet Th ai Vinai-grett e ($9), which establishes some kind of world record for longest name for a small dish. But saying it all is well-worth the taste and, in fact, it’s the best seller on the menu — and a remarkable blend of tastes, textures and fl avors. Wow, that’s a lot of sushi in such a small dish.

To wash it down, Jamie, a native Bos-tonian who admits he didn’t care for sea-food until going to work for D.K., recom-mends a 2006 Eur-Asian German Ries-ling ($7.50 per glass). It’s dry and crisp, and a perfect complement to the sweetish mango-crab-Th ai fl avors of the sushi.

It also goes well with two remarkable dishes: the Caterpillar Roll ($16) and the Rainbow Roll ($13). Th e Spider, a Cali-fornia roll takeoff complete with a ti leaf carved to look like antennae, winds cutely across the platt er, and features unagi (grilled freshwater eel) rolled with avo-cado inside out, with a sweet unagi glaze and black and white sesame seeds topped with a fi ne, orange masago roe. Th e colors in the Rainbow Roll, another riff on a California Roll theme, come from fresh ahi sashimi, salmon and avocado.

By the way, this is one place where wine by the glass is your best bet — mix-ing and matching according to each course. Sansei also features an extensive sake menu, including several three-sake tasting tiers.

Again at the suggestion of Jamie — and we’ll always be grateful — we tried

D.K.’s Crab Ramen with Truffl e Broth, topped with king crab, cilantro, Th ai basil and mild chilies ($15). “You could just smell the aroma of this dish for fi ve minutes or so and be very happy,” Jamie says, and he’s right. Th e aroma is rich and butt ery, as is the taste. Th e ramen is al dente, and the crab adds another layer of sweetness to the truffl e butt er. It won fi rst place in the annual Taste of Lahaina food festival on Maui, and im-mediately goes onto my short list of the best dishes I’ve ever tasted.

And because D.K. Kodama is also the guy who runs d.k’s Steak House (next door to Sansei in Waikiki and Waikoloa), Sansei off ers some outstanding combos, including dry-aged Ribeye Steak and Grilled Misoyaki Prawns ($32) and Filet Mignon and Spiny Lobster ($43).

Sansei in Japanese refers to the second generation born in Hawaii — a generation with strong ties to the traditions of their immigrant grand-parents but who have grown up with American ways. It’s a quite precise description of Sansei the restaurant. No, Sansei is not your usual sushi bar. But it’s one that, like us, you’ll prob-ably want to visit again, no matt er which island you’re on.

detailsSansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi BarKihei Town Center, MauiKapalua Resort, MauiWaikiki Beach Marriott Resort, OahuWaikoloa Resort, Big Island(808) 669-6286www.sanseihawaii.com

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Panko Crusted Ahi Sushi Roll, Sashimi-grade Hawaiian Ahi, arugula and spinach wrapped into a sushi roll, panko-crusted and fl ash-fr ied crisp, served with Sansei’s soy wasabi butt er sauce.

March/April 2008 17

The hottest new restaurant on Oahu isn’t in Waikiki. It isn’t even in Honolulu. It’s in the small windward town of Kailua, and its name is Forma-ggio Grill.

I knew it was going to be fun dining here as I walked in the door. The décor is cool and casual with huge open bay windows that invite the guest in. The semi-open kitchen allows chef/owner Almar Arcano a dominant view over the proceedings. Co-owner Wes Zane believes everyone should have wine with their meal. Thus a gorgeous Cruvinet fea-turing more than 40 wines by the glass sits behind the bar with soaring towers of wine in the clear glass cellar behind it.

Chef Almar’s menu is extensive fea-turing everything from bruschetta to thin crust pizzas, paninis to pastas, hot pots to fondue, and shellfish to steaks. His insistence on quality products is se-rious and evident throughout the menu. They age their own steaks and serve them all bone-in for optimum flavor. The Fonduta uses only imported artisan cheeses, and their breads are exclusively from Mauna Kea Baking Company. You can taste the quality with every dish. General manager Patrick Okubo, one of Hawaii’s top wine talents, is also more than happy to offer wine pairings for diners from their diverse wine selection.

So we began with the uber-rich Lob-ster Bisque with Krug Grande Cuvee Champagne. The bisque is intensely flavored and almost thick enough to keep your spoon standing. Chunks of sweet crab meat make it even more decadent. The Krug Champagne was the perfect pair, with the acidity cutting through the creaminess and the wonderfully com-plex, rich, toasty and biscuity flavors en-

veloping the flavors of the crab perfectly.The signature Chopped Greek Salad

would make any Athenian proud. This classic combination of cucumber, tri-color peppers, sweet red onions, vine-ripened tomatoes, kalamata olives, oregano and feta cheese is topped off with a terrific balsamic vinaigrette. The secret here is that the balsamic vinegar is 18 years old! And who says wine doesn’t go well with vinegar? A glass of 2006 St. Martin de la Garrigue Picpoul de Pinet from France did just the trick buffering the vinegar and flavors of ol-ives and peppers.

Now my favorite dish of this night was the signature “Kobe Burger” Wellington. This is a casual twist of a classic dish. Ground Wagyu beef wrapped in puff pastry with mushroom duxelle, foie gras and sauce perigourdine (that’s truffle sauce to you and me). For any meat eater, this is an awesome dish! It is rich, rich and rich with layers of flavors and tex-ture beyond your expectations. And to match it was a thick and black wine from France, 2005 Clos la Coutale Cahors which is made from Malbec, Merlot and Tannat. They went seamlessly together, each item’s weight and flavor performing a balancing act that resulted in a flavor

not found in the sum of their parts.Any room for dessert? You bet! Espe-

cially if it’s the Bananas Foster: bananas in buttered rum, brown sugar and cin-namon over Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream paired with Blandy’s Alvada 5-year-old Rich Madeira. This is sensory overload, man! But it’s healthy, right? Bananas are good for you after all. I had to try the Chocolate Bread Pud-ding a la mode as well. Patrick insisted that I taste it with a glass of 2003 Anti-nori Muffato della Salla, a killer dessert wine from Umbria, Italy, with it, and boy was I glad I did.

This experience is worth the beauti-ful drive to Windward Oahu. Go early to make sure to get a table because the secret is out. There is no doubt that the place to be is at Formaggio Grill in Kailua.

Roberto Viernes is an O‘ahu-based master sommelier.

detailsFormaggio Grill305 Hahani StKailua, HI 96734(808) 263-2633www.formaggio808.com

Formaggio Grill

By Roberto ViernesPhoto by Nathalie Walker

Greek salad

Sip the flavors of Kailua’s newest eatery

18

I am the diva of diners, drive-ins and dives. I sing the praises of hole-in-the-wall places that are snubbed by food critics but cherished by loyal patrons. Leave it to me to bring these meal deals out of obscurity.

I begin scouting on board my go! flight. I casually ask the flight attendant, the passenger in the next seat and anyone in ear range, “Where’s a good place to eat?” Upon arrival, I ask the attendant in baggage claim, the gal at the rental car counter and the security guard in the parking lot. At the hotel, there’s the bellman and any guests waiting for the elevator in the lobby.

Good food has universal appeal. People love to talk about it.

Online blogs also have good dining tips. On an Internet search engine, enter the destination (for instance, “Kona”) and a key phrase (like “local grinds”), and voila, you’re a restaurant scout. Then comes the fun part. Trample the territory to find these places, check out the ambiance, look over the menu, observe what others are eating, taste the house specialties, and make a judgment about whether the place is a “hit” or a “miss.”

Here are some “hits” in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Harbor House.A short drive from Kona Airport is a popular watering hole for thirsty

fishermen and local diners. The best catches are fresh fish entrees ($10.50) and sandwiches ($9.50), great hamburgers ($6.95), happy

Kona ConcoctionsSample the Big Island city’s hidden eatsPhotos and Story by Susan K. Sunderland

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Evening view of Kailua Bay/The remains of Ahuena Heiau, where sacrifices were offered to the gods in ancient times, are found in the coconut grove seen in the sunset.

Drink up at Kanaka Kava

March/April 2008 19

off the eaten path

hour pupus (from $2.75), and the coldest beer in town. Enjoy it all on an inviting patio where conviviality tops the menu. Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, 74-425 Kealakehe Pkwy., Kailua-Kona. Call 808-326-4166.

Kanaka Kava. Hidden behind a banana patch and souvenir shops at the Coconut Grove Marketplace is a “fi nd” for those wanting to try the mildly intoxicating native drink known as kava or awa. Organic kava is grown on the Puuala Farm & Ranch in Hamakua and served in a traditional coconut shell ($5). Complement it with a Pupu Platt er of Hawaiian food ($16) or a lau

lau plate ($14) and go native. 75-5803 Alii Dr., Kailua-Kona. Call 808-327-1660.

Killer Tacos. You’ll be stoked about this gem in the old Kona industrial area, where surfers and business people line up for specialties like Shortboard Burrito ($4.50), a fl our tortilla fi lled with rice, black beans, cheese, fresh salsa and choice of spicy beef, shredded chicken, or kalua pork. Fish Taco ($3) is a tasty treat of Alaskan cod, shredded lett uce, cheese, salsa and creamy dressing. Super Nachos ($6) are killer too. 74-5483 Kaiwi St, Kailua-Kona. Call 808-329-3335.

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Cool treats at Scandinavian Shave Ice

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off the eaten path

Kona Chips.Kettle-cooked potato chips are made fresh daily using a “spinning” process that reduces oil and adds extra crispness. Once a backyard business started 50 years ago, Kona Chips has diversified to a line of snacks including Sweet Potato Chips, Sumo Shrimp Chips, Furikake Chips (seaweed seasoning), and Ugly Cookies that’s actually a beautiful concoction of chocolate chips and potato chips in cookie dough. Perfectly packaged for shipping or carry-on, you can get Kona Chips in cellophane bags ($3.25), tubs ($8.95-$12.95) and plastic jars ($16.50). Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wedneday to 3 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 82-6155 Mamalahoa Hwy., Captain Cook, next to Manago Hotel. Call 808-323-3785.

Omiyage - (n.) Japanese word for souvenir gifts brought home from a business or vacation trip. (v.) Give aloha.

great omiyage . . .

Manago Hotel.This landmark inn dates back to 1917 when owner Dwight Manago’s grandparents housed migrant plantation workers. Manago Hotel’s other claim to fame is its fantastic pork chops ($9.25) served for lunch or dinner in the dining room. The restaurant pan- fries 1,500 pounds of Big Island pork every month to meet demand. Also try the Fried Opelu fish ($10.50), another local favorite. 82-6155 Mamalahoa Hwy., Captain Cook. Call 808-323-2642.

Quinn’s Almost By The Sea.I like a place that says it like it is. This Irish-style pub and restaurant is “almost by the sea” (across from the King Kamehameha hotel), but who cares about the view when the food’s so enticing? Its steak sandwich ($11.95) is a 5-ounce filet mignon served on a French roll with lettuce, tomato and onion. Or, enjoy Tenderloin Tips ($11.95) sautéed in brandy with onions and mushrooms, served with garlic bread. Check the menu board for Fresh Catch of the Day ($23.95). 75-5655 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona. Call 808-329-3822.

A Kona landmark, the Manago Hotel

March/April 2008 21

off the eaten path

You Make The Roll.Owner Hayashi is the busiest sushi chef in town, serving the freshest, most delicious Japanese rice creations at what patrons call a “sushi love shack.” Choose from 21 ingredients for customized maki (seaweed rolled) sushi or try the Volcano Roll ($4.95) of crab, avocado, fish egg, spicy sauce and melted cheese on top. I also liked the Sushi Taco ($3.25) of shrimp, lettuce, avocado, papaya and cucumber rolled in soy paper. Truly ichiban, and the prices are unbeatable. Kona Marketplace, 75-25725 Alii Dr., Kailua-Kona. Call 808-326-1322.

Also Ono at Kona.Other palate pleasers at this seaside town are: Orange Cumin Chicken sandwich at Roadside Café in Kainaliu, South Kona. Giant ice cones at Scandinavian Shave Ice with a choice of 44 flavors of syrup including “banana colada” and “blue Hawaii.” Garlic Grilled Eggplant in a hot and sour marinade at Fujimamas. Omelet Fried Rice at Teshima’s Restaurant in Kealakekua. Fried Ravioli at Boston Basil’s on Alii Drive.

Cathy Haber (left) offers great food at Roadhouse Cafe

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StorytellerGet to know the legendary Eddie Kamae. By Melissa MonizPhotos by Nathalie Walker

Singer, musician, composer and, more recently, fi lmmaker Eddie Kamae is a Hawaiian legend who has right-fully earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from the City and County of Honolulu’s Commission on Culture and the Arts in 2000 and was named an inductee to the Ukulele Hall of Fame.

A member of the Sons of Hawaii band, Kamae spent the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s and early ’90s sharing his talents through live performances and recordings.

Since retiring in 1992, Kamae has channeled his talents as a fi lmmaker, keeping alive the people and places that have

touched his life, including a feature-length documentary about his band, Sons of Hawaii. Th e documentary touches upon the legacy of not only the band, but the aloha spirit that is shared through its music. Many call it a launch of a Hawaiian cultural renaissance, but for Eddie it’s a journey he has still not com-pleted. In January, Kamae released his fi rst album in 25 years, Yesterday and Today, with the Sons of Today: Paul Kim, Ocean Kaowili, Mike Kaawa and Analu Aina. Th e album also features a few tracks from Sons of Yesterday — Tiny Malakini, Rev. Dennis Kamakahi, Moe Keale, Sol Hoopii, Joe Marshall and David “Feet” Rogers.

March/April 2008 23

in tune

iflygo caught up with Eddie Kamae to take his own advice and “document” the life of a man whose story deserves to be told — his own.

Can you talk about your childhood and your memories growing up?

I was born here on Oahu in a place called Kauluwela. That’s on Vineyard Street between Liliha and River streets. The thing that I remember as a little boy is that the older boys would take care of us and guide us. They would tell us when to go home, because at night we would sit down and listen to stories and music. That was the first time I heard slack key and guitar music, and I would sit down and listen. But when the Aloha Tower whistle blew, the older boys would tell us younger ones to go home. They really took care of us, and I was fortunate enough to hear that sweet slack key music at that early age.

Was that where your interest in music came from?

It’s the sound that I heard that always stayed in my mind. When I reached the age of 14, my brother found an ukulele, and that was it. Whenever they went to work, I would always pick it up and sit next to the radio and listen to the music and play along. That’s my first interest in playing music. My curiosity led me to the music store, and I bought a magazine and started reading it. All of sudden something happened to me when I was listening to the radio. I heard an orchestra playing Spanish music, and I loved the rhythm of it and I would strum my uku-lele. I knew that’s the kind of music that I wanted to play — Spanish music and Latin music — because of the rhythm, and I just love everything about it.

How old were you when you started playing professionally?

Well, things just blossomed. As I played my style of songs, my father would take me to a jam session downtown. My father would take me there, and the musi-cians would call me on stage, and when I went on stage to play people were so kind that they threw money on the stage.

When I got through playing, the musi-cian would pick up the money and put it in my pocket. My father loved the idea of me playing, and he would take me there every weekend.

How old were you then?I was say 13 or 14 years old. Other mu-

sicians were there, and they would get up and sing and play. One day I saw an Asian boy and he started playing his ukulele, and I liked his style, too. We started talk-ing and playing, and then we got together and we called ourselves The Ukulele Rascals. By golly, then I was attending Farrington High School and the police department was having a concert benefit at McKinley High School. So one of the police officers came to my school and asked me if we would be part of the show. And I said, “no problem.” So I called my friend and we rehearsed the songs and, by golly, when we did the show at McKinley High School we had five encores. Maybe that’s the first time they heard an ukulele play songs like that. But it was fun for us and it was exciting, so I just kept on going.

Did music come naturally to you, or did you really have to work at it?

Music came naturally because I loved what I heard and I loved the rhythm. Then, as time goes by, you just continue on, and so that’s how I got to where I am.

How do you think Hawaiian music has changed throughout the years from when you first started playing Hawai-ian music?

First of all, I wasn’t interested in Ha-waiian music, but what happened is that my father passed on and I remember that he asked me once to play Hawaiian music. I told my father that I was interested in Spanish and Latin music. I didn’t know anything about Hawaiian music, so I told my father that it’s too simple. Only when he passed away did I realized that this is the only thing that he ever asked me. So as time went by I decided I would do something about that.

I was busy teaching ukulele in Waikiki and I lived in the country. So I would

drive the country way and I would stop in Waimanalo to say hello to two wonderful sisters. I would aways say hello before I continue on, but that day they told me to come in. I walked in and they said, “Guess who’s here?” And I said, “Who?” And they said, “Gabby is here because he’s not feeling well. He can’t swallow his food so we’re feeding him soup, three meals a day.” (Island music legend Gabby Pahi-nui.) When I went in, Gabby said, “Hello, boy, you have your ukulele?” So I went to get my ukulele and gave it to him, and when he started to play and sing, I then knew what my father has asked me to do. Now I realize the rhythm and the sound. That’s how I got involved with Hawaiian music, right then and there. I stayed for weeks with Gabby. I just played with him and I found songbooks. Then we started playing at Gabby’s house. Then the bass player (Joe Marshall) came by, so he told the bass player to go home and get the bass. And after the bass player stayed, we needed another sound. So then we decided on a steel player, and we went to find a steel player. They knew a young boy (David “Feet” Rogers), and so I went with them to Kalihi to go see his father. When we got there, I asked his permission if his son can come play with us. And he looked at me and said, “OK, but my son doesn’t have a steel guitar.” And I said, “That’s OK, we can work it out.” He said, “No, you can take mine.” So when his son came home, he told the son to go along with us and that’s how we got started. Two months later (in the 1960s) we were playing our first job at the Sandbox Res-taurant in Kalihi.

Did you and the guys realize at the time how talented you were, or were you just playing for the fun of it?

We were playing because it was fun and interesting. I loved hearing the sound of Hawaiian music, so I would just play along with Gabby. Later on I met a man there (Sandbox), he was a National Guard pilot. The man he told me, “I take it that you don’t sing Hawaiian.” I told him I’m not familiar. I said, “Gabby and the bass player, they do the work.” He said, “If you

24

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want to learn, my mother knows the right teachers.” I told him that I’d love to. So he told me the next day to meet him at Geor-gia’s Inn next to the Civic Auditorium. The next day I met him, and we walked a block and a half away, and we went to a house. We walked in and sat at the table to have dinner with the family, and there next to me sat (Hawaiian scholar) Mary Kawena Pukui. So I sat next to her and we just had dinner, and I told her my in-terest in Hawaiian music and how it was my father’s wish for me to play Hawaiian music. And now I know how beautiful it is, but I need guidance in this area. So I asked her and she didn’t say a word, so I thought maybe I’m not lucky that day. But when we were leaving, she looked at me and said, “You can come.” And that was my first teacher, Mary Kawena Pukui. She guided me in the Hawaiian language. She would tell me, you do this and you do that. And I would tell her that I’m going to make a mistake. And she would say, “Ed-die, if anyone criticizes you, you keep on going, that’s life.” So I thanked her.

Can you talk about the inspiration for your recently released album, Yesterday and Today?

Well it’s been a long time since I got back into the recording businesses. I would say about 25 years. Things hap-pened as the boys (from his original Sons

of Hawai‘i) passed on. But lately, when I got back into Hawaiian music, I would ... ask their permission and just sit in. I got the feeling that I was now very fortunate that I found a guitarist, a rhythm man, a singer and a steel guitar player too. And I said there is it, I found the same sound to do the recordings that I wanted to do. So that’s how I got involved with recording this album, Yesterday and Today. So they joined me, and this is what it’s all about. I decided to combine two things: the group of yesterday and today.

Are you still focusing much of your time on film?

Oh, yes. Presently I’m doing Those Who Came Before, and I have other subject areas that I want to do with film. I just finished Lahaina: Waves of Change.

What introduced me to Hawaiian music was Queen Liliuokalani, so right now I’m focusing on that. I want to do something on her because she introduced me to Hawaiian music. That’s the whole thing about life and what needs to be done, so that’s what I’m planning to do. Plus, I’m doing a film story about feed-ing the soul. Playing up in Molokai, we were in the bar and a fellow came by and I heard a beautiful song. When it was time for us to go to the airport, I drove the boys and told them, “I’m going back.” I went right back to the bar and asked the fellow,

“What’s the name of the song?’ And he mentioned the man’s name, Dennis Kala. I said, “Where can I find him?” He said, “Kalaupapa.” So I made arrangements to perform at Kalaupapa (where Hansen’s disease patients live) for the patients there. When the patients came in, they all sat in the bleachers, but there was one man in the front row leaning on the railing. I went up to him and asked him, “Who is Kala?” And he pointed to himself. I asked him if I can sing his song. And he nodded. So I told him that I need the words. So he motioned to the nurse, and she came with a pad and a pencil and she wrote down the words. She wrote down everything he said to her. Then she tore the page off and she gave it to me. And I still have that and I will use that in the film, when I tell the story. Also, when I was there I heard the most beautiful Aloha Oe arrangement, and he was the choir leader and the song-writer. When he led the choir, the patients, they all stood up and started singing — we all cried. It was the most beautiful ar-rangement that I have ever heard of Aloha Oe. This was back in the ’60s, but I have never forgotten that. Dennis Kala was a great man, so I just want to tell his story.

There are a lot of people who influ-enced your career. Who has helped you the most?

My mentor is Sam Li‘a Kalainaina. That’s how I got into documentary films. When he passed away, I wanted to tell people about this beautiful man, who was kind and generous. He loved God and loved people.

What are your words of advice to the younger generation?

Write. Write about what you feel, what you think. It’s important because you’ll come and go, and as time goes by you’ll wish you had done it, instead of forgetting what you thought about. That’s why I keep on talking to myself and I keep on writing my thoughts, because that’s where it is. Whatever comes to mind, do it. But re-member, when you’re dealing with the el-ders, respect and kindness are important. That’s what I tell to the younger ones.

March/April 2008 25

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Great music is just one of the many great reasons to check out Hard Rock Cafe Maui.

Th e Lahaina restaurant is home to stage staples such as Marty Dread, a longtime Maui resident who describes his music as “a cross between Maxi Priest and Garnet Silk with a splash of Bob Marley.” Dread also is the fi rst musician from Hawaii to have his instrument displayed in a Hard Rock Cafe.

In addition to Dread’s performances, Hard Rock Cafe Maui hosts fundraising shows for local causes.

“Every three months our cafe and the corporation embrace a big charity,” says Jill Holley, sales and marketing manager for Hard Rock Cafe Maui. “Basically we throw concerts, and a portion at the door goes to the charity. What’s equally great is that the funds stay home, so it’s a win-win for everybody.”

Regarded as Hard Rock’s most exotic location, the cozy oceanside restaurant has a menu fi lled with great food. Favorites include: Hickory Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich, New York Strip Steak, Blackened Chicken Pasta, Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Que Ribs and Fresh Apple Cobbler.

“When they fi rst started Hard Rock, the idea was to merge the banker and the baker and be a place where a blue-collar and white-collar person can come together,” says Holley. “So it’s really good-quality truck-stop food that people love.”

detailsHard Rock Cafe Maui900 Front St. Lahaina, Maui 96761 Open Monday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; bar open until midnight(808) 667-7400

New CD ReleasesBy Melissa Moniz“Keys of Love” — KapenaRelease Date: Jan. 2008

Kapena’s newest album, Keys of Love, is a compilation of some of the group’s greatest love songs, such as Blue Darling, I Cross My Heart and Danny’s Song.

With more than 20 years of presence in the music industry, Kapena’s lead singer Kelly Boy DeLima is still the middle man of the medley. However,

instead of his two of his best friends, Teimoni and Tivaini Tatofi , rounding off the mix, he now he has his two daughters, Kalena and Lilo, standing by his side.

“Th e songs are all digitally restored and remastered and, like our past compilation albums, I like to do something new on it, so we went in the studio and we rerecorded the song, Don’t Say Goodbye,” says DeLima. “Since my daughter Kalena has been performing, a lot of people has been asking when she is going to record, so I kind of wanted to feature her on a Kapena classic tune in a today kind of arrangement.”

To fi nd out more about Kapena or upcoming performances, visit www.myspace.com/kapenamusic or www.kapena.com

“Dear Mama” — Darren BenitezRelease Date: Jan. 2008

Falsett o extraordinaire Darren Benitez has reason to celebrate as he recently released his album, Dear Mama, a long-awaited 10 years aft er his sophomore CD.

Dedicated to his mother, the album features 12 songs that are a litt le bit Hawaiian, gospel, country and kachi-kachi. Songs include: He Nani Kekaha,

Kamealoha, Ahuroa, Ahe Nani Kauai, Nani Wale Ka Lau Oliva, You Needed Me, El Bom Bom De Elena, E Iesu/Maika‘i No, and What Tutu Said.

Besides breathing a sigh of relief that the album is fi nally completed, Benitez says that the album is extra special because his mom accompanies him on vocals for the song, I’ve Got A Mansion.

“I always wanted to feature her and have her on one of my recordings,” says Benitez. “I actually wanted to have her on my fi rst CD, so this time I got her in the studio with me. You don’t know how hard that was.”

Hard Rock Cafe MauiBy Melissa Moniz

Marty Dread is a regular performer at Hard Rock Cafe Maui

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In Hawai‘i, you’ll most likely find a slew of slippers at a person’s front door. One reason for this is the unspoken rule that you must remove your shoes before entering a home.

The other reason is the year-round slip-per dress code. It’s probably safe to assume that every local person owns at least one pair of slippers. But chances are that they own a few. Whether it’s a plain rubber thong or one with embellishments, slippers are a staple in the local wardrobe. They can be worn with almost anything and to almost anywhere. And they’re comfortable.

Current trends include decorated straps (such as rhinestones and plastic ornaments) and fun, colorful prints on the top of the sole. Some companies are even adding features like a built-in bottle open-er, key holder and a flask. Crocs continue to be a popular choice, as are slippers with a thicker bottom for the women. And then there’s the plain rubber thong that will surely never go out of style.

Featured here are some of the newest styles of slippers available at Macy’s.

Slipper SpectacularComfort, style and function abound in new casual footwear Page 27 (top row, from left)

in chocolate $39.99

colored stripes $24

charcoal/sea foam $40

on strap $19

white slippers $52

with built-in flask $46

(bottom row, from left)

slippers in brown/gum with built-in bottle opener at bottom of sole $46

dark brown $22

slippers in light grey with built-in bottle opener at bottom of sole $46

white slippers with pink jelly straps $29

slippers with built-in bottle opener at bottom of sole $46

slippers with built-in key holder $46

‘foundation’ slippers $17.95

All slippers from Macy’s Model: Lei Kamahele-Beeck Dog: Morgan Ball

Reef men’s ‘dram’ slippers with built-in flask

Reef men’s “Fanning’ Slippers with built-in bottle opener

Reef women’s ‘stash’ slippers with built-in key holder

March/April 2008 27

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print in wine

dress $78

March/April 2008 29

Whether it’s a family reunion, wedding or just a special event, local families often enjoy dressing up in matching aloha wear. And now, pop-ular island wear retailer Hawaiian Moon has added doggie aloha shirts and dresses to its line of clothing.

“We noticed in many family portraits that pets are wearing a dif-ferent Hawaiian print (outfit) from their owners,” says Hawaiian Moon president Aaron Chan on the expan-sion of the doggie line. “And dogs are part of the family.”

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 63 percent of U.S. households own a pet, supporting an industry that spends almost $41 billion.

Hawaiian Moon is a locally owned family business specializing in origi-nal island lifestyle clothing for men, women and children. Sizes start from X-small and go up to 6-XL for men, and from petite to 5-XL for women. Semi-custom orders are also avail-able, and all of their clothing is de-signed and manufactured in Honolulu.

Hawaiian Moon can be found at Ward Warehouse and Waikiki Beach Walk on O‘ahu, and online at www.hawaiianmoon.com

Hawaiian MoonAloha wear for the entire ‘ohana, even the pooch!

By Yu Shing TingPhotos courtesy Hawaiian Moon

March/April 2008 31

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Anew comedy club in Waikiki?Yeah, that’s the ticket!

And if Saturday Night Live veteran Jon Lovitz has his way, he’ll soon be opening that new club at the Ilikai Wai-kiki Hotel.

“It’s going to be the best comedy club with all the top comedians,” says Lo-vitz, who first visited Hawai‘i six years ago and has been coming at least once a year since.

“I just love it here in Hawai‘i,” says Lovitz, who lives in L.A. but is looking to buy a home here.

In addition to bringing top comedi-ans such as Jeff Ross and Russell Peters to headline his new Hawai‘i club, Lo-vitz plans to have an open mic night and help local comedians.

“Frank Kelley, who’s the manager at the Improv at Irvine and is the best manager in the country, will be man-aging this club as well,” adds Lovitz. “The club will be made to look like Hawai‘i in the ’50s. It’s going to hap-pen. I love it here, and I hope people will want to come.”

Known more for his ensemble com-edy work and film acting, Lovitz has been branching out into stand-up com-

edy, including a weekly performance at the popular Laugh Factory on Sunset Strip in Hollywood. He got into the club biz last year with the opening of the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club at Auber-gine in San Diego.

“Dana Carvey is one of my best friends and a great stand-up, and I re-member telling him, ‘I want to do this, but I’m scared. You gotta push me up on stage,’” says Lovitz, who entered the stand-up comedy arena four years ago. “He told me you have to just keep getting up. And he was right, but it did take awhile.”

Lovitz, 50, has a local joke:“I met a girl in Hawai‘i, fell in love

with her, and I told her I wanted to mar-ry her,” says Lovitz. “But she said, ‘No, I can’t marry you.’ And I go, ‘Why?’ And she said, ‘I don’t want people to think I’m with you for your money.’ So, I said, ‘Fine, I won’t give you any.’

“So, we got married and people would say to me, ‘Jon, how are you doing?’ And I’d say, ‘Oh, I’m great, I got married.’ And then they say, ‘Oh, how’s your wife?’ And I say, ‘She’s struggling.’”

His success as an actor didn’t come

easy, and came as a shock to his family. He recalls that his father once told him, “You can’t be an actor with that face.”

Lovitz’s most recent film was the 2007 release I Could Never Be Your Woman starring Michelle Pfeiffer, and he’s also appeared in The Benchwarm-ers, Little Nicky, A League of Their Own and City Slickers II, as well as numer-ous TV shows.

A graduate of the University of California-Irvine, where he studied theater, Lovitz first began acting in plays in high school, but says he was actually quiet as a boy.

“Growing up I was very shy,” he says. “I used to go to a camp, and when I was 13, I got lost for nine hours. I was in the woods, and I finally found my way to a road. I remember feeling bad for my counselor. And then when I got back to the camp, everybody was like, ‘are you OK?’ They all knew who I was. And then the prettiest girl at the camp kissed me on my cheek, and that just brought me out of my shell, and I ended up be-coming the camp clown.”

While pursuing an acting career, Lovitz worked as a waiter and in a retail clothing store, among other jobs. The

March/April 2008 33

road to Hollywood was not a smooth one, but determination and talent took him there.

“I don’t think people realize, if they haven’t done it, how hard it is,” he says. “How much time you have to put into it and mentally how hard it is when your friends and family tell you that you are wasting your life.

“Or they would say to me, ‘Who do you think you are, Woody Allen?’”

Lovitz will always remember those harsh and painful words, but there were some who encouraged him.

“I was in high school and I asked Dana Elcar, who was an actor, ‘What should I have to fall back on? My dad said I should have something to fall back on,’” says Lovitz. “And he said, ‘I don’t think your father would like me to say this, but I don’t think you should have anything to fall back on because if you do, you won’t make it, because it’s so hard to make it that, if you have something to fall back on, you will.’ And he was right.

“(For a lot of these top actors and comedians), it’s so hard to get to where they are today. It’s years and years of be-ing broke, living month to month. It’s at

least 10 years before you get to the level of being hirable.

“I think that’s what I’m most proud of, that I’ve kept it going, that people still know me and still want to see me. July 15 will be 23 years, and that’s tough.”

Lovitz credits The Tonight Show and host Johnny Carson for his big break, and describes being on Saturday Night Live as landing on Pluto.

“I was with (a comedy troupe) The Groundlings, and they put us on The Tonight Show and that got me an agent,” explains Lovitz. “Then, when I got Sat-urday Night Live, it was like a different universe to me. I never, ever thought I’d ever be on the show. Never in a million years. To me, it was so far-fetched. After I graduated from UC-Irvine, I had one job in seven years for two weeks.”

Lovitz was a cast member on SNL for five years, playing a variety of char-acters, including Tommy Flanagan, the Pathological Liar, in which he gener-ated the popular catch phrase, “Yeah, that’s the ticket!”

He describes his humor as a mix of everything. “I make fun of myself. I do political humor. I play the piano and

sing a lot of songs about Bob Saget,” he says. “Sometimes I see something on the news and think that’s funny. I make fun of everybody.

“And I like it because you get to write your own material and perform it. With stand-up I just want to keep getting bet-ter. As for TV and movies, I’m waiting for the right offer.”

When he’s in Hawai‘i, Lovitz enjoys playing tennis and going to the beach. He also likes to shop, eat and hang out at the Four Seasons on the Big Island. And whether he’s on the Mainland or in Hawai‘i, he’s often seen wearing an aloha shirt. His favorite is the silk shirts from Avanti, which he also wore in the movie Rat Race.

“I like wearing my aloha shirts be-cause I like to feel like I’m on vacation all the time,” he says.

But his No. 1 favorite thing about the Islands is the environment. “I love the ocean, the warm weather, the tropical breeze. It’s paradise. I love summer, and it’s like summer here year-round. Pretty much everyone is nice here, and I think it’s because of the weather. It’s hard to be mad when it’s beautiful outside.”

34

From waves to wicked eats, O‘ahu’s North Shore has a culture all its own

NORTHERNSWELL

March/April 2008 35

36

L ong before the waves of the North Shore of O‘ahu drew surfers to test

their will against their might, it was the land itself that made this area so special.

In the 11th century, the Hawaiians sett led here thanks to the fertile soil and natural springs that were advantageous for growing sweet potato and taro. Here in Waimea Valley was the home of the high priest or kahuna for more than 600 years, and later it was in Waimea Bay where Captain Cook anchored before making the fi rst outside contact with the Hawaiians.

It remains a holy place to Hawaiians, the largest heiau (a religious site) on O‘ahu, Pu‘u o Mahuka, still overlooks Waimea Valley and is now a state monument.

All that being said, the North Shore you will fi nd today was actually born in the 1950s, when the surfers of California were lured to the Islands by pictures of Buzzy Trent, Woody Brown and Greg Downing surfi ng big waves in Makaha. In those days, it was the South and West

shores that were famous for their waves. Th e North Shore was considered too big and dangerous.

But once Greg Noll paddled out and successfully rode the monster swells of Waimea Bay, a mecca was born.

“Nowhere else in the world do you have the perfect conditions and conve-nience that you have at the North Shore,” says Randy Rarick, executive director of the Triple Crown of Surfi ng. “It makes it the perfect surfi ng destination.”

Th e sleepy country town of Haleiwa, a home to the plantation workers of the nearby sugarcane and pineapple fi elds, became overrun by California surfers looking to conquer the waves they had seen in newspapers and heard about from friends.

Th at migration still shapes the face of the North Shore. According to the U.S. Census, the percentage of Caucasians living on the North Shore is twice that of the rest of the state. It has become more of a surfi ng community than a

Hawaiian community.“Th e country vibe is still here today,

but it is not like it was in the ’60s,” says Rarick, who has been a North Shore resi-dent for 39 years. “It was super mellow, much slower back then, and everybody knew one another. Now you have diff er-ent cliques, like there is an entire Brazil-ian community out here now.”

Even so, it is still a very small group that lives on the seven-mile stretch from Haleiwa to Velzyland, which is con-sidered the North Shore to the surfi ng community. Local resident and Surfi ng magazine legend Bernie Baker estimates that only about 5,000 people live there year round.

“People get all dreamy-eyed when they hear you have lived here for 40 years,” says Baker. “In the past few years real estate has shot up, and this has become the Gold Coast.”

While the property values have risen, many of the homes have been in the families for generations, allowing the

Haleiwa town is known for its surfi ng and easy-going air.

March/April 2008 37

surfers to keep surfi ng despite the clamor for the land.

“A lot of the surfers that moved out here in the ’50s and ’60s are having grandchildren now,” says Rarick “It’s a gentrifying of the community.”

While the Starbucks and the Mc-Donald’s of the world have moved into Haleiwa, there are still trappings of the local lifestyle evident in town.

Kua Aina Sandwich Shop is still the hott est place to get a burger, even if it is no longer a destination spot since opening a store in Honolulu. Cholo’s Homestyle Mexican with its garish decorations and reasonable prices still fi nds itself packed when residents are done with the waves.

Th e classic shave ice shop Matsu-moto’s has being cooling off visitors for almost a century, and no trip to the country is complete without a stop at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck. It’s the best meal you’ve ever had out of a motorized

vehicle, and days later you still taste the garlic from their classic shrimp scampi.

Foodland may be the home for most of the groceries on the North Shore, but produce stands still abound along Kame-hameha Highway off ering everything from papayas and coconuts to the local favorite, Kahuku sweet corn.

During the summers, the wild waters of the country turn into a lake, giving great snorkeling and diving opportuni-ties everywhere from Pipeline to Shark’s Cove. Th e latt er is perfect for the ama-teur, because in waist-high water one can fi nd a plethora of sea life varying from sea urchins to octopus.

As beautiful as the reefs are in June, none of the North Shore lifestyle would be possible without the winter swells. When the northwestern swells roll in, so do the tourist dollars, as people come to surf or just to watch as they try to con-quer these monsters.

For observing the mastery of the wave, Ehukai Beach, where the Banzai Pipeline can be seen, has no comparison. While Waimea and Sunset Beach have larger waves and longer rides, Pipeline breaks a scant few yards from the sand, so you get an up-close look at the bravery these men and women exhibit when they duck inside that hollow tube.

Th e Triple Crown of Surfi ng is held during November and December when the swells are right, and serves as the Super Bowl of the competitive surfi ng year. Also “the Eddie” is held at Waimea in honor of the late surfer Eddie Aikau. It is for only the most steadfast of souls as the bay has to be posting waves of 20 feet or higher.

And the best part of watching the contests is the price, for while the North Shore itself may be growing more com-mercial, it is still free to watch the waves roll in.

Tasty tacos and sweet shave ice at Cholo’s (left ) and Matsumoto’s (right)

BY RASA FOURNIER

PHOTOS COURTESY OUTFITTERS KAUAI

Bike down from Waimea Canyon

with Outfi tters Kaua‘i

DOWNHILL

CRUISE

March/April 2008 39

A spectacular view of Waimea Canyon awaits bike riders

The promise of adventure awak-ened me even before my alarm

rang at 4:30 a.m. I would be riding a bike down the curving roads of Kaua‘i’s majestic and breathtaking Kokee mountainside. I had everything I needed — my shorts, windbreaker, sunglasses, closed shoes and camera — “You’ll want to have a camera,” the lively voice on the phone had stressed.

I hadn’t spent much time on a bicy-cle since I was a child. Would a novice like me be able to handle the speedy descent? I was by turns anxious and excited as I made the 40-minute drive from Kapaa to Poipu, where I pulled into Outfi tt ers Kaua‘i (808-742-9667, www.outfi tt erskauai.com), the desig-nated 6 a.m. meeting place. Th ere, I

met with two of the friendliest guides a person could hope for and with a spirited couple from Milwaukee, Wis., who would be my fellow riders. Aft er a quick test ride on bikes that the guides assured us have top-quality fail-safe breaks, we loaded into a van for the climb to Kokee.

Th e dark morning and intimate group lent to the sense of adventure and, like children telling ghost sto-ries, we ventured into tales of tsuna-mis, hurricanes and volcanic erup-tions as we enjoyed blueberry muffi ns and a selection of coff ee, juice, tea and more. Various topics and landmarks elicited knowledgeable explanations from our guides about Hawaiian his-tory and culture.

We reached our 3,600-foot sum-mit in time to relish the invigorating mountain chill. As we stood at the lookout over Waimea Canyon, the sun rose, a soft light unveiling the tall waterfalls and deep gullies of the canyon. I could only imagine what depth and vibrant color and shape the aft ernoon light would bring to the angled canyon walls. Th e 2:30 p.m. ride would have to be equally, or, if possible, even more stunning.

Bret Knopf, our guide who would ride at the helm, gave us a brief lesson on hand signals and safety and taught us the “two seconds on, two seconds off ” technique to lessen the chance of overheating the brakes. He would take notice of oncoming cars and signal

40

us when to slow or stop. Ben Culver drove the van behind us, protecting us from the rear. We lined up single fi le, the fastest of the morning’s adventur-er-seekers toward the front. As the group’s youngest, though in my 30s, quinquagenarians Diane and Fermin Burgos motioned me to the front.

Th en we were off . A rush of fresh morning air sped over my face. I was fl ying! It was more fantastic than any roller coaster. Th e smooth roads paved the way to pure exhilaration. Th ere was just me and the verdant mountains stretching down to the sea where whales were splashing, pillars of white spray rising up, and the mys-terious island of Ni‘ihau was silhou-

ett ed in the distance.At a rest stop, Knopf relayed to

us the intriguing history of the se-cluded island — about its people, about their beautiful shell leis — while we munched on Kaua‘i cook-ies and sipped water or juice. Our 12-mile journey not even half over, we again took to the road. The thrill turned meditative and serene as we glided through sloping meadows of tall grass that towered over us. Birds chirped, welcoming the day. Groves of eucalyptus filled the air with their heady scent — “aromatherapy,” smiled Knopf.

“We’ll be going around one more hairpin bend and then it’s all open

from there,” explained Knopf at our next stop. “It’s up to you whether you want to take it fast or slow.” I didn’t want the fun to end, but I also wanted to relish the grand fi nale, so I took the bend slowly and then, like an old pro, I let’er rip. I shot down the fi nal stretch without touching the brakes, and to my surprise Diane was right on my tail. Our brisk morning reached a perfect climax as we rode out of the soft coolness of the mountain and were enveloped in palpable rays of warm sunshine.

“It was worth gett ing up early in the morning,” concluded Diane as we met in the parking lot. “What a great way to start a vacation.”

Th e bike tour off ers a fun, physical way to tour the canyon

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March/April 2008 43

W A I K A M O I

Find rare Hawaiian plants and animals in this Maui rain forest

BY FRED GUZMAN

PHOTOS COURTESY THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

T he fi rst thing you have to know is that my idea of spending time

in the great outdoors is going out to my lanai with a cold beverage on a hot day.

So by accepting an assignment to write a story about the Waikamoi Preserve, I was truly embarking on personally uncharted territory.

I came away from my adventure with new appreciation for the work being done by Th e Nature Conser-vancy and its partners in seeking to maintain and preserve Maui’s origi-nal native rain forest and the many species that inhabit it.

Th e Waikamoi Preserve is a 5,230-acre parcel that serves as a sanctuary for hundreds of native Hawaiian spe-cies, many of them endangered.

Aft er a protracted drought period, the East Maui watershed fi nally was receiving more than its share of rain during the days leading up to my visit to Waikamoi.

We met with Francis Quitazol, who serves as Natural Resources manager, at 6 a.m. on a wet and cold morning at Nature Conservancy of-fi ces in Pukalani.

As we headed up the windy road to Haleakala National Park, Quitazol tells us about his background and passion for the work he does. A local man in his mid-30s, Quitazol earned a degree in agriculture from the Uni-versity of Hawaii at Hilo and subse-quently worked as fi refi ghter batt ling forest blazes around the country.

He’s been at this job for several years now, currently overseeing a crew of six.

“Our job is to keep the habitat in-tact,” Quitazol says. “We try to con-trol what we can and manage what we can. Nothing compares to Hawaii when it comes to diversity of species.

“Invasive species are a major con-cern,” he adds. “So are feral animals, such as wild pigs. Th at’s why we spend so much time putt ing up and maintaining fences.”

And, of course, there is nature’s worst enemy — humans.

“It really makes you wonder what

people are thinking about when they build campfi res during drought conditions or leave their rubbish in pristine areas,” he laments.

Once past the ranger station at Haleakala National Park, we took a quick left to a camping area known as Hosmer Grove, located at about the 6,500-foot elevation.

Quitazol knows these trials like

the back of his hand and is equally adept at handling a four-wheel vehi-cle under the toughest of conditions. He takes us as far as we can go by truck, occasionally making a stop to move branches blocking our path.

It was much worse a month or so earlier, when a huge storm felled countless trees that required Quita-zol and his crew to cut up and move

44

Birdwatching at Waikamoi

phot

o by

Ala

n Ho

lt

March/April 2008 45

the debris.Th en, we are on foot. I am not pre-

pared. I didn’t bring any water. Not any rain-repelling gear. Not even hik-ing boots. A pair of Nike basketball shoes is not the best way to negotiate a narrow, slippery trail.

“Look at all the streams,” Quita-zol notes. “We don’t usually get that many in this area, but the snow we had at the summit a few days ago is starting to melt, and this is some of the runoff .”

It doesn’t take long – a few minutes, at most – to realize I have entered a totally diff erent world. We are sur-rounded by thick koa and huge ohi‘a trees. On a wet morning, there is not much avian activity, but this area also is home to the rare ‘akohekohe, the Maui parrotbill, and the yellow-green ‘alauahio, or Maui creeper. Th e Ha-waiian owl, known as pueo, also lives here, as does the Hawaiian goose, known as nene.

Th is is what this part of Maui looked and felt like several hundred

years ago, before the advent of ranch-ing and development altered the face of the area.

About halfway to our destination, we come across the Waikamoi board-walk, which allows us to walk along planks of wood painstakingly in-stalled and maintained by volunteers and members of Conservancy staff .

Some purists object to the board-walk, saying it detracts from the purity of the experience. But others note that it allows maximum access to a hard-to-reach area while mini-mizing damage by those who leave the main trail and tramp all over the native fl ora.

Th e boardwalk takes us deeper into a forest that, at times, provides a vir-tual canopy.

We fi nally arrive at a deck that serves as an observation area.

“How do you like my offi ce?” Quitazol says half-jokingly before providing detailed information on the many trees, ferns, shrubs and native grasses surrounding us.

Th e Nature Conservancy joined forces with the County of Maui and Haleakala Ranch Company, which has owned the land since 1888, to form the East Maui Watershed Part-nership. Haleakala Ranch Company conveyed land management rights to the Conservancy in 1983. Th is unique partnership protects the native Ha-waiian forests critical to the health of the East Maui Watershed.

One fi nal piece of advice if you decide to tour Waikamoi: Wear rain gear and some comfortable hiking shoes. Waikamoi is the home of some great natural treasures, but is no place for basketball sneakers.

Because the area is remote and rugged private land, access to the pre-serve is limited to guided hikes.

For information, call (808) 572-7849 at least two months in advance. Th e National Park Service also conducts hikes on Mon-days and Th ursdays, as well as on the third Sunday of each month. Call (808) 572-4400 for reservations.

Waikamoi Preserve’s native forest and boardwalk

Phot

o by

Phi

l Spa

ldin

g III

46

Hawaiian tradition continues through the Merrie Monarch Festival

Heart of HulaBY MELISSA MONIZ

PHOTOS BY DENNIS ODA, HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN

March/April 2008 47

48

E very year during the months of March and April, the rainy town

of Hilo blossoms into a vibrant and fra-grant hula haven.

And it’s not the showers that bring these flowers.

It’s the Merrie Monarch Festival.Considered the world’s most pres-

tigious hula competition, the Merrie Monarch Festival has become a staple for Hawai‘i and has set the bar for hula excellence throughout the world.

With hula halau popping up across the globe in places such as Japan, China and Germany, the need to keep hula proper has become more important than ever before.

“Merrie Monarch has helped to put hula on the map,” says Sonny Ching, kumu hula of Halau Na Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu. “It is the most visible hula event in the world, which is also why it’s really important that everyone puts forth something that our ances-tors would be able to recognize as hula. That’s always the thing that I ask myself when I create a new dance. What we do on stage the world is going to look at as hula, and if it’s not correct, that’s what will be perpetuated.”

In an effort to perpetuate traditional hula, Luana Kawelu, vice president and assistant director of the Merrie Mon-arch Festival and daughter of Dorothy “Auntie Dottie” Thompson, longtime director, says, “We have a meeting with the kumu and the judges, and it is stressed with the kahiko (ancient dance) that they keep it pure. We don’t want to lose it.”

Hula began here in the Islands as a form of worship, a way of telling stories, and it was a sacred part of ev-eryday living. With the introduction of Christianity in the early 1800s, hula was banned on the grounds that it was too erotic and evil because it wor-shiped Hawaiian gods.

When King David Kalakaua (nick-named the Merrie Monarch) took the throne as Hawai‘i’s last king in 1874, hula was facing extinction. Credited with the revival of the Hawaiian art form, the Merrie Monarch Festival is dedicated in his honor.

Just as King David Kalakaua revived the dying art form, for the past 40 years the Merrie Monarch Festival has worked hard to perpetuate the tradi-tional culture of the Hawaiian people, of which hula is an integral part.

“We want to uphold the integrity of the hula culture,” says Kawelu. “And hopefully we will.”

The weeklong festival, which peaks with a free hula exhibition and culmi-nates with the three-day hula competi-tion, is the stage where months, years and even generations of preparation come together.

“The learning and the journey there are as important or even more impor-tant than the festival, because we’re teaching these guys about our history and this culture that we love so much,” says Karl Veto Baker, kumu hula of Halau I Ka Wekiu, last year’s overall winner. “Unfortunately, many people who view the hula, they only see this beautiful number and they don’t know and experience how to get to that point. It’s a lot of hard work.”

Although the commitment is to keep the festival true to the Hawaiian culture, there’s a lot that has changed since the first Merrie Monarch Festival, which was celebrated at Hilo’s Civic Audito-rium in April 1964.

“The festival really has developed

since the time we started in the Civic,” says Baker. “I think the positive thing about the Merrie Monarch is it does bring the best of hula to one venue.”

The first competitive Merrie Mon-arch Festival was held in 1971, and in 1976 the kane (men) division was added. By 1979, the Merrie Monarch Festival could no longer fit in the Civic Auditorium and was moved to a new location — Edith Kanaka‘ole Tennis Stadium — where it has remained. The following year, television cameras arrived, and that was the beginning of statewide coverage.

Craft fairs, a music festival, a pa-rade, demonstrations and art exhibits add to the week’s excitement. And in the hula segment of this year’s festival, which is scheduled from March 30 to April 5, another eight prestigious awards will be given out: Miss Aloha Hula, Wahine Hula Kahiko, Wahine Hula Auana, Wahine Overall, Kane Hula Kahiko, Kane Hula Auana, Kane Overall and Overall Winner.

Although winning is a gratifying honor, as Kumu Ching explains, “The winning or losing doesn’t matter. The focus for us is to hone the skills of our dancing and, through the songs, to bring the people, the places and events to life. For that moment, we’ve brought that time back to the present. The goal is

Keonilei Ku‘uwehiokala Kaniaupio Fairbanks during the kahiko portion of the Miss Aloha Hula competition at the Merrie Monarch Festival.

March/April 2008 49

learning how to make your mele live and, of course, that comes with a deep under-standing of what you’re dancing about.”

On what is considered the greatest stage for hula, 12 lovely ladies will com-pete for the Miss Aloha Hula title, and 30 halau have been invited for the group competition. Nicknamed the “Olympics of Hula,” there is much care taken to ensure that the halau competing come from a strong hula lineage and with a lot of experience. So, really, making it to the Merrie Monarch Festival is an accom-plishment in itself.

“A committ ee reviews who they feel should be invited,” says Kawelu. “Th ey look according to previous festivals, and some people send a video. We usually drop the bott om four from the previous year to open up new spots, so basically if you’re above that we invite you back.”

And what an experience it is: “Th e Merrie Monarch is a basket of joy that touches all of your senses,” says Ching. “As soon as you step in you feel the ex-citement, you smell the fl owers — it’s overpowering, and it overwhelms all your senses.”

Halau I Ka Wekiu (kane) under the direction of kumu hula Karl Veto Baker and Michael Nalanakila`ekolu Casupang dance during the kahiko portion of the Merrie Monarch Festival hula competition.

Kumu hula Maelia Lobenstein-Carter (left ) congratulates her dancer, Keonilei Ku‘uwehiokala Kaniaupio Fairbanks (right) who was just named Miss Aloha Hula aft er the competition at the Merrie Monarch Festival.

The night is calm, the house silent and still. As I lie in my bed asleep, I suddenly feel a sense of terror. My eyes fl ash open, wide and searching. Th e feeling of terror is stronger and growing. I can’t move any part of my body. It’s as if I am being held down by an invisible force. Above and to the left of my bed I see a shadowy face staring down at me through my window. My fi rst reaction is to call out to my roommate Willie, asleep in the room next to mine. But I am unable to utt er a single word. Terror becomes panic. My heart races in my chest. My breath comes in gasps. I feel helpless and weak. Suddenly, the terrible weight pinning me to my bed is gone. I leap to my feet and look out the window.

Th e night is calm. Th e house is silent and still. I see no one outside, and then I realize that it’s impossible for anyone to look in my window because it’s eight feet above the ground. I lie back down on the bed and think it all must have been a bad dream. I close my eyes and quickly drop off into a quiet, easy slumber.

Next morning I awoke surprisingly refreshed with no uneasy feeling. I believed the experience was just a bad dream. I didn’t mention the incident to anyone, until now.

Th e house on Ku‘ukama Street is a typical Hawaiian house, open and airy, with a large lanai. I had moved into the corner room of the house six months aft er arriving in Hawai‘i. Dell, the previous tenant in the room, never mentioned anything about strange happenings in the house or my room. Nor had Dave and Willie, the other

tenants. Th ey obviously didn’t know ...A year passed with no unusual

happenings in my room.Th e night is calm, the house silent

and still. My eyes shoot open. A feeling of terror again washes over me. It is happening again. I feel a presence in my room. Again, I can’t move. I am held to the bed by some force. I also feel the force is a malevolent one. In my peripheral vision, I see the silhouett e of a man. He is looking out the window by my bed. He wants to leave the house, but he can’t. I want to grab at the shadow, but I can’t move a muscle. Panic begins to overtake my senses. Th en, as suddenly as the feeling comes on, it disappears. I lie there trying to catch my breath, wondering what the hell just happened to me.

Next morning I told Dave and Willie about the incident. Th ey listened but dismissed it as a nightmare ...

Another year went by before anything unusual happened again but that encounter was the most intense of all.

Th e night is calm, the house silent and still. My eyes fl ash open. Th e shadowy silhouett e stands next to my bed, looking out the window. I sense feelings of extreme loneliness mixed with anger and resentment. Th is presence wants to leave but cannot.

My body is forced into the matt ress of the bed. I am paralyzed physically, but my mind is clear. For the fi rst time the entity seems to recognize that I am present in the room. From the corner of my eye I see him turn slowly toward me and bend over my face. What I see is hard to explain. It

is a black-gray mist that seems to ebb and fl ow within itself. Th ere are no features to speak of, just darkness.

Suddenly my feeling of terror peaks and I hear in my right ear an eerie laugh, a low, gutt eral chuckle that makes my skin crawl. Instantly the force holding me to the bed vanishes and I leap to my feet on the bed screaming ...

A few days later I went home to visit my family in Florida. While I was gone, some friends of Willie’s from Connecticut visited and one of them, Jim, decided to take my room. He stayed only three nights. Each night he experienced the exact same visitations that I had in ascending order ...

About a month aft er I returned from vacation, the owner of the house gave us two weeks notice to vacate the house. She’d decided to move back to Hawai‘i and live in the house again. It seemed strange that she wanted us out so quickly. Later I learned that the woman’s husband, who built the house, died in what had been my room.

Th e house on Ku‘ukama Street is still there. I drive by every now and then just to look at it. I don’t know why, I just do.

Editor’s note: Rick Carroll is a travel writer and editor of the popular “Hawai‘i’s Best Spooky Tales” book series. His work can be found at local bookstores, as well as via Bess Press at www.besspress.com

Th e above story is fr om his book, “Hawai‘i’s Best Spooky Tales: Th e Original.”

The House on

As told to Rick Carroll by Mark Allen HowardPhoto by Leah Ball

50

March/April 2008 51

University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Spring Sports Calendar

Men’s Volleyball14th Annual Outrigger Hotels InvitationalMarch 5: vs. Loyola-ChicagoMarch 7: vs. Loyola-ChicagoMarch 14: vs. UC IrvineMarch 15: vs. UC IrvineApril 3: vs. Brigham YoungApril 4: vs. Brigham Young

All men’s volleyball games are played at Stan Sheriff Center, UHM campus, 1335 Lower Campus Road, Honolulu. All games at 7 p.m., $3-$14. Call 808-944-2697 or 808-956-4482 for tickets.

Men’s BaseballCoca Cola ClassicMarch 7 and 8: vs. Long Beach StateMarch 9: vs. Long Beach State (1:05 p.m.)

March 11 and 12: vs. Alabama BirminghamMarch 18: vs. San DiegoMarch 20 and 21: vs. Fresno StateMarch 22: vs. Fresno State (1:05 and 4:05 p.m.)April 10 and 11: vs. New Mexico StateApril 12: vs. New Mexico State (1:05 and 4:05 p.m.)April 18: vs. NevadaApril 19: vs. Nevada (1:05 and 4:05 p.m.)April 20: vs. Nevada (1:05 p.m.)

All men’s baseball games are played at Les Murakami Stadium at UHM campus, Honolulu. All games at 6:35 p.m. unless otherwise noted. $3-$8. Call 808-944-2697 or 808-956-4482 for tickets.

Hawai‘i Theatre EventsMargaret Cho PerformsMarch 9The comedian brings her one-woman

show, “Beautiful,” to the stage tonight. 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $27, $37 or $47 for tickets.

Hana Hou ConcertMarch 14The Brothers Cazimero entertain. Concert series presented by Hawai‘i Theatre. 8 p.m. $35.

Jazz Dance PerformanceMarch 16The Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, one of the country’s top jazz companies, entertains. Call for showtime and ticket prices.

Gala ConcertMarch 21Chamber Music Hawaii 25th anniversary. Performances by John Kimura Parker, Spring Wind Quintet, Galliard String Quartet and Honolulu Brass. 7:30 p.m. $35-$65.

“Menopause The Musical”April 8-20A national tour celebrating women and “the change.” Tuesday and Thursday 7:30 p.m., Friday 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2 and 8 p.m. $30 opening night, other shows: Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday $30 and $40, Friday and Saturday $35 and $40.

**The Hawai‘i Theatre is located at 1130 Bethel St., downtown Honolulu. For tickets and information, call the Box Offi ce at 808-528-0506.

Blues SundayMarch 2 and 16James Ronstadt and the Shuffl e Kings perform with The Dynamic March 2; Honolulu Blues Corp. March 16. Anna Bannana’s, 2440 S. Beretania St., Honolulu. March 2: 3-7 p.m., March 16: 4-8 p.m. Call 808-946-5190.

calendars compiled by Kerry Miller

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“Shop a Le‘a” EventMarch 3-9Spring fashion and shopping festival. High-profile fashion and trunk shows, receptions, seminars, regional cuisine demos, mall-wide shopping offers and more. Highlight is unveiling of new Nordstrom department store. Visit www.ShopaLea.com for daily events schedule. Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu. Call 808-955-9517.

Melissa Ethridge ConcertMarch 7The rock star, human rights activist, parent and cancer survivor performs her first show of 2008 in Honolulu.Blaisdell Concert Hall, 777 Ward Ave., Honolulu. 8 p.m.. $35-$100. Call 1-877-750-4400 or www.ticketmaster.com

Lea Salonga ConcertMarch 8The Broadway star and world-famous singer entertains tonight.Blaisdell Concert Hall, 777 Ward Ave. Honolulu, 8 p.m. $39 or $49. Call 1-877-750-4400 or www.ticketmaster.com

Ween ConcertMarch 10The Pennsylvania-based rock band performs live. No opening act. Pipeline Cafe, 805 Pohukaina St., Honolulu. $28 general, $50 for VIP loft. Call 1-877-750-4400.

Honolulu FestivalMarch 14-16The city’s premier cultural event, promoting ethnic harmony between Hawai‘i and the Asia-Pacific region. Educational programs, music, dance, arts and crafts, food and more from Japan, Hawai‘i, Taiwan, Australia and more Pacific Rim countries.Hawai‘i Convention Center, Ala Moana Center, Waikiki Beach Walk (all in Honolulu/Waikiki area). Call 926-2424

or visit www.honolulufestival.com for more info.

Incubus ConcertMarch 21The California-based alternative rockers perform live. Indie rockers Silversun Pickups open the show.Waikiki Shell, 6 p.m. $40 for lawn seats (others sold out). Call 1-877-750-4400.

Chinese SpectacularApril 21A Chinese performance series makes its Honolulu debut. Show is a re-creation of ancient arts of the Tang Dynasty, featuring music, dancing, striking costumes and scenery and more. Divine Performing Arts presents.Blaisdell Concert Hall, 777 Ward Ave., Honolulu. 7:30 p.m., $38-$98. Call 1-877-750-4400.

Waikiki Art FestMarch 22-23Art and handcrafted products from more than 75 Hawai‘i artists. Jewelry, clothing, stained glass, quilts,

candles and more for sale. Also, live entertainment and food.Kapi‘olani Park, Waikiki (across from the Honolulu Zoo). Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission. Call 808-696-6717.

Relay For LifeApril 26-27Fundraiser for American Cancer Society. An overnight, 12-hour event. Other activities and ceremonies on site. Breakfast served in the morning.Hawai‘i Pacific University (Windward campus), 45-045 Kamehameha Hwy., Kaneohe. Call 808-262-5124.

March For BabiesApril 26Formerly called “WalkAmerica.” Five-mile walk. Interested walkers can gather pledges to participate. A March of Dimes event to support its mission of helping babies to be born healthy.Kapi‘olani Park (bandstand area), Waikiki. 7:30 a.m. Visit www.marchofdimes.com/hawaii or call 808-973-2155

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Manao Radio BarryfestMarch 2Non-stop entertainment on two stages. Entertainers include Tita, The Rowan Bros., Gypsy Pacifi c, Les Adam, Hula Honeys and more. Family-orient-ed event. Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, 150 Kanaloa Ave., Kahului. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $20 adults, $10 under age 12 and se-niors. Call 808-876-1553.

Maui Arts And Cultural Center Events

The Vagina MonologuesMarch 3A production of Eve Ensler’s award-winning show. Benefi ts Maui’s Women Helping Women organization. Castle Theatre. 7:30 p.m. $25 general, $15 students and seniors.

Bill Nye EntertainsMarch 4The scientist/engineer/comedian/author/inventor, educates about the wonders and fun of science. Castle Theatre. 6 p.m. $5 general, free for students with ID.

Lea Salonga SingsMarch 7The award-winning actress and singer entertains at Castle Theatre at 7:30 p.m. $29-$49 general, VIP packages available.

Margaret Cho OnstageMarch 8The comedienne brings her one-wom-an show, “Beautiful,” to town tonight at Castle Theatre at 7:30 p.m. $27, $37 or $47 for tickets.

Kenny G. PerformsMarch 14The famous saxophonist entertains with his contemporary and smooth jazz tunes at Castle Theatre at 7:30 p.m. $55-$85 for tickets.

Falsetto ConcertMarch 15Amy Hanaialii Gilliom takes the stage tonight at Castle Theatre at 7:30 p.m. $10-$37 general, half price for age 12 and under.

Andy Bumatai EntertainsMarch 29The comedian and late-night talk show host does his comedy routine at McCoy Studio Theater at 7:30 p.m. $25 general, half price for age 12 and under.

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**MauiArts and Cultural Center is located at One Cameron Way, Kahului. For tickets, call 808-242-SHOW or visit www.mauiarts.org

Celebration of the ArtsMarch 21-23A celebration of Hawaiian culture. Seminars, chanting demonstrations, hands-on workshops, children’s learning center, Hawaiian music, hula and more. Kapalua Resort, One Ritz-Carlton Drive, Lahaina. Call 669-6200

Slack Key ConcertApril 23Cindy Combs performs with special guest host George Kahumoku Jr. Enjoy traditional Hawaiian songs and talkin’ story. Napili Kai Beach Resort, pavilion, 5900 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Napili. 7:30

p.m. $45. Call 808-669-3858.St. Joseph FeastApril 25-27Food, entertainment, country store, crafts, plants, auctions and kids games. 1294 Makawao Ave., Makawao, Friday 6-11 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Call 808-572-7652.

East Maui Taro FestivalApril 26-27Cultural demonstrations (including poi-pounding), arts and crafts, food booths, continuous live entertainment, info tent and more. On Sunday is the Taro Pancake Breakfast and talk story presentation.Hana Ballpark, Hauoli and Uakea streets, Hana. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday: breakfast 7-10:30 a.m., cul-tural presentations to follow.

Call 808-264-1553.Full Moon Tidepool ExplorationsOngoing (March 21 and April 18)Pacific Whale Foundation educators invite visitors with them to explore Hawai‘i’s tidepools at night. For age 6 and older. Refreshments provided. Takes place on select full moon eve-nings.Pacific Whale Foundation, 300 Maa-laea Road, Suite 211, Wailuku. 7 p.m., $10 adults, $5 children. Call 808-249-8811 or 1-800-942-531.

Whale Information StationOngoingPacific Whale Foundation staffs this top shoreline whale-watching loca-tion. Get tips on locating whales and current information on recent whale activity.McGregor Point Lookout, Route 30, Hanoapiilani Highway, Maalaea. Daily 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Call 808-249-8811 or 1-800-942-5311.

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Ukulele FestivalMarch 1Hawai‘i’s top ukulele artists take cen-ter stage. Also, special exhibits and a chance to make your own ukulele.King’s Shop at Waikaloa Beach Resort, 250 Waikaloa Beach Drive, Waikaloa. Call 808-886-8811 for time and info.

Girls’ Day Diva FestivalMarch 2Food offered by women-owned restau-rants. Shop at local vendor tables and win door prizes from women-owned businesses. Also, the Brothers Cazimero perform live.University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Performing Arts Center, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo.,5 p.m. Call 808-933-3209.

Lea Salonga ConcertMarch 5The Broadway musical star entertains tonight.Sangha Hall, Hilo, 7:30 p.m., $49 (lim-ited). Call 1-866-468-3399 or visit www.ticketweb.com

Hilo Chamber Music FestivalMarch 7-9Third season. Three performances, all featuring favorite Big Island musicians and their special guests.Palace Theater, 38 Haili St., Hilo. Call 808-216-4722 for times and information.

Kona Brewer’s FestivalMarch 8Thirty Hawai‘i and Mainland brewers serve 60 types of beer. Chefs from local

restaurants offer food. Also, live music, “trash fashion show” and hula. King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Ali‘i Drive, Kailua-Kona. $50 all inclusive. Call 808-331-3033 for time.

5K “Run For Hops”March 8A walk or run, part of the Kona Brewer’s Festival. Proceeds benefi t PATH. Prizes awarded for top adult male, females and keiki age groups. Late entry fee after March 6 ($10). Applications avail-able at Kona Brewing Co., Bike Works and www.konabrewersfestival.comStarts at Kona Brewing Co., Kailua-Kona, 8 a.m., $25 entry fee; includes T-shirt, beer tasting and awards cer-emony. Call 936-4653

International MarathonMarch 16Annual marathon, as well as 10.8- and 3.1-mile fun runs. Runners race along the coast of old Hawai‘i by the Pacifi c ocean. Hilo. Call 808-969-7400 or visit www.hilomarathon.com

Men’s Volleyball TournamentMarch 24-2951st annual Haili Men’s Invitational Vol-leyball Tournament featuring nationally ranked AA players from the U.S.Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, Hilo, (also other locations in Hilo), visit www.hailivolleyball.com

2008 Pops MenagerieMarch 29-30Annual spring concert of Kona Festivale Chorale. Broadway show tunes, popular period music and musical theater. King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel Ballroom, 75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona. Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m. $18 adults, under 12 are free; $20 at the door. Call 808-331-1115 for tickets and info.

Merrie Monarch FestivalMarch 30-April 5Weeklong event, featuring a Ho‘olaulea Sunday, live entertain-ment (daily at noon), exhibition night (Wednesday), hula competition (Thurs-day through Saturday), arts and craft fairs (Wednesday through Saturday) and Merrie Monarch Royal Parade (Saturday).Events at several Hilo locations, parade through downtown Hilo at 10:30 a.m. Call 808-935-9168 for times and schedule or visit www.merriemonarchfestival.org

King Kalakaua CelebrationApril 5“He Launa Aloha No Ka Moi Ka-lakaua.” Hula, singing, ukulele play-ing, storytelling, food, arts and crafts and lei contest. Takes place same day as Merrie Monarch Royal Parade. Kalakaua Park, Hilo. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Call 808-933-9772.

Lavaman TriathlonApril 4-6Olympic distance triathlon along the Kohala Coast. 11th annual. Weekend festivities include Speed Golf Tourna-ment, youth races and a Sport and Fitness Expo.69-425 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waika-loa. Call 808-329-9718 or visit www.lavamantriathlon.com

Kona Earth Day Fair April 19A day devoted to the Earth, featuring information displays, educational presenters, informative talks, as well as live music and entertainment. King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel Luau Grounds, 75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 808-329-1758 or visit www.konaearthfestival.org

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Lea Salonga EntertainsMarch 4The world-famous singer takes the stage.Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, 4191 Hardy St., Lihue. 7:30 p.m. $39 or $49. Call 1-866-468 or visit www.tick-etweb.com

Margaret Cho PerformsMarch 6The comedienne brings her one-woman show, “Beautiful,” to the island.Kauai Community College, Performing Arts Center, 3-1091 Kaumualii Hwy., Li-hue. 7:30 p.m. $47. Call 1-866-468-3399 or visit www.ticket.web.com for tickets.

All Girls RodeoMarch 16The Kauai Cowgirls Rodeo members compete in barrel racing and team rop-ing. Also, food booths, logo sales and family fun.Kealia Arena, Kuhio Highway across from Kealia Beach. 10 a.m. Free. Call 808-639-3091.

“Dreams Come True” ConcertMarch 21Traditional Hawaiian and slack key gui-tar concert, featuring songs and stories. Doug and Sandy McMaster entertain. Hanalei Community Center, 5-5299 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei. 4-5:30 p.m. $20. Call 808-826-1469.

Garden Isle Artisan FairMarch 22More than 40 local artists showcase their handmade items. Also, Hawaiian music all day, plate lunches, shave ice and more.Poipu Beach. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Call 808-245-9021.

Prince Kuhio Celebration of the Arts March 27Cultural displays, hula, live entertain-ment, music in honor of the prince’s birthday.

Prince Kuhio Park and the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, 1571 Poipu Road, Koloa. 9 a.m. Call 808-240-6369.

Kauai MuseumOngoingFeatures exhibits pertaining to the histo-ry of the island, including feathered leis and vintage photos. Permanent exhibit is “The Story of Lanai.” 4428 Rice St., Lihue, E. Kauai, $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 ages 13 to 17, $1 age 6 to 12, under 6 are free. Call 245-6931

Kilauea LighthouseOngoingThe lighthouse is the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian islands. See native vegetation, bird watch and learn about Kauai in the visitor’s center. Kilauea Wildlife Refuge located nearby.Kilauea Road, North Kauai. Wildlife refuge open daily 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Call 808-828-1413.

McBryde Botanical GardenDailyFeatures the world’s largest collection of rare and endangered plants. Visit the liv-ing library where scientists learn about these plants. Also, visit the canoe garden and see the enchanting stream.3530 Papalina Road, Kalaheo. Tours given at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. $20 adults, $10 ages 6 to 12, under 5 are free. Call 808-742-2623

“Release” PartyOngoing, every FridayFlash and Matty Boy present. Rotating DJs, FM dancers and live percussion with Justin James of the New Jass Quartet. 21-plus. Stylish attire strongly suggested.The Point at Sheraton Kauai, 2440 Hoonani Road, Koloa. 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $10, guest list closes at 11:30 p.m. Call 742-1661 or visit www.flashandmattyboypresent.com

West Kauai Craft FairOngoing; WeeklyHandmade paper artist Nancy Dawson makes an appearance. Also, other lo-cal crafters sell handsewn quilts, glass beads, jewelry and more. Waimea, at old Waimea Sugar Mill site across from West Kauai Technology and Visitors Center. Thursday through Sunday 9 a.m. Free admission. Call 335-0663

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Hanalei, Kaua‘i, HI 96714(800) 688-6443

www.savagepearls.com

Exquisite selection of Tahitian South Sea

Pearls set of 18-karat gold. Unique Kaua‘i

style and elegant jewelry from Island artists.

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Women’s 10KMarch 2A 6.2-mile run sponsored by Straub and Kapiolani Women’s Center. 31st annual. Benefits the Kapiolani Women’s Cancer Center. Kapiolani Park, Waikiki, Oahu. Walk begins 7 a.m. Register at www.kapi-olani.org. Call 524-6755 for more info

Cartel ConcertMarch 7The pop/rock band performs live.Pipeline Cafe, 805 Pohukaina St., Ho-nolulu, Oahu, $22 general or $40 VIP. Call 1-877-750-4400 or go online at www.ticketmaster.com for tickets

Spring Fling Skydive PartyMarch 15Presented by 808X and Skydive Hawaii, with discounted tandem sky-dives, professional demonstrations, food, drinks and prizes. Dillingham Airfield, North Shore, Oahu. Visit 808x.com for details.

Incubus ConcertMarch 21The California-based alternative rock-

ers perform live. Indie band Silversun Pickups open the show.Waikiki Shell, Honolulu, Oahu. 6 p.m. $40 for lawn seats (others sold out). Call 1-877-750-4400.

3rd Annual He Launa Aloha No Ka Moi KalakauaApril 5A gathering to honor King Kalakaua on the day of the Merrie Monarch Royal Parade. Featuring hula, singing, ukulele playing, storytelling, food, artists and craft vendors. Kalakaua Park, Hilo, Big Island. Call 808-933-9772.

Plain White TsApril 8The alternative rockers entertain tonight.Pipeline Cafe, 805 Pohukaina St., Honolulu, Oahu, 7:30 p.m., $27 gen-eral or $50 VIP. Call 1-877-750-4400 or go online at www.ticketmaster.com for tickets

East Hawaii Cultural Center EventsEHCC is located at 141 Kalakaua

St. in Hilo. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 808-961-5711 for information on the following events:

20th Annual Young at Art ExhibitionMarch 7-27In honor of National Youth Arts month, Hawaii’s children showcase their work at this all-island event. Opening reception March 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Aloha SundayMarch 9, April 13Sharing the “aloha spirit” and celebrating the community’s culture and arts, the Cultural Center hosts performances, exhibits and activities on the second Sunday of each month.

32nd Annual Big Island Spring Arts FestivalApril 4-25An exhibition of the best in Big Island art. Opening reception April 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

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Kona International Airport at Kea–hole (KOA), Hawai‘i Hilo International Airport (ITO), Hawai‘i

Honolulu International Airport (HNL), O‘ahu

Kahului Airport (OGG), MauiKapalua Airport (JHM), Maui

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March/April 2008 59

Vernal

Moab

Cedar City

Vancouver

SeattleSpokane

Kalispell

CodyJackson Hole

Salt Lake CityRenoSacramento

FresnoMonterey

BakersfieldSan Luis ObispoSanta Barbara

Long BeachLos Angeles

Orange CountySan Diego

Carlsbad

Palm SpringsOntarioBurbank

Tucson

Grand JunctionVail

Aspen Colorado Springs

Durango

Farmington

Albuquerque

Roswell Hobbs

Carlsbad

El PasoDallas/Ft. Worth

AustinSan AntonioGuaymas

Mazatlan

Puerto Vallarta

Guadalajara

Cabo San Lucas

Kona

Hilo

KahuluiKapalua

Ho‘olehuaHonolulu

Lihu‘e

Lake Havasu

YumaPhoenix

FlagstaffHermosillo Houston

New OrleansBaton Rouge

JacksonMontgomery

Savannah

AthensAtlanta

Charleston

ColumbiaMyrtle Beach

Wilmington

Raleigh Durham

ManhattanGreat Bend

Oklahoma City

WichitaDodge City

Garden City

SalinaHays

Lincoln

Omaha

Sioux FallsRapid City

BrookingsHuron

Kansas City

BloomingtonMoline

Des MoinesCedar Rapids

Minneapolis

Milwaukee Grand RapidsLansing

Detroit

WatertownOgdensburg

Massena

SyracuseAlbany

Rochester

PortlandManchester

BostonProvidence

HartfordNewark

New YorkFranklin

DuBoisHarrisburg

AllentownLancaster

PhiladelphiaHagerstown

Cleveland

Pittsburgh

ParkersburgMorgantown

AkronS. Bend

Fort WayneColumbus

DaytonCincinatti

IndianapolisLexington Lewisburg

Charleston ClarksburgNorfolk

Charlottesville Richmond Newport News

RoankoeGreensboroTri Cities

Mobile

Birmingham

Huntsville

MemphisNashville

KnoxvilleAshevilleGreenville/Spartanburg

El DoradoHot Springs

Harrison Jonesboro

Little Rock

Pensacola TallahasseeJacksonville

Fort LauderdaleMiami

Sarasota

Gunnison

Hayden

Eugene

Medford

Calgary

Orlando

Phoenix

Las Vegas

MauiMolokaʻi

Lānaʻi

Hawaiʻi(The Big Island)

Kaua‘i

O‘ahu

Denver

Chicago

Charlotte

Washington

Mesa Air Group Route Map

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Ticketing and Check-in. We request that you check in at least 45 minutes prior to departure. Don’t forget that you may need additional time for parking and security lines—we don’t want you to miss your flight!

You can check in at any go! kiosk or our website: www.iflygo.com, up to 24 hours in advance.

Boarding and Deplaning.All passengers must be at the gate at least 15 minutes prior to departure or there is a chance you may lose your seat.

If you are connecting to another airline in Honolulu, advise a ramp agent prior to leaving the tarmac, who will direct you to a walkway leading to the Interisland and Overseas Terminals.

Exit Row Requirements So ... you were one of the first on board and lucky enough to snag row 8, which is designated as an Emergency Exit Row. This row offers our customers a few extra inches of legroom, but in return we ask for your assistance in the event of an emergency. If you are seated in row 8, you must be able to understand The Passenger Safety Information located in the seatback and follow commands from the crew, be at least 15 years of age and understand English.

Inflight SafetyWe ask that all passengers remain seated with seatbelts fastened at all times. This is for your safety in the event of unexpected turbulence. If you need to use the restroom (located in the rear), press the Flight Attendant call button and ask if it is safe to do so.

Passenger LuggageAll regular paying passengers are allowed up to TWO (2) checked bags not to exceed 50 pounds per bag. With bags that are oversized or overweight, you may be charged an additional fee, ranging from $25 to $100 depending on overage. Due to the size of our aircraft, we cannot accept surf/bodyboards over 6 feet in length. Passengers are asked to keep extremely important items like laptop computers and medication in their carry-on luggage.

Smoking PolicyThe use of cigars and cigarettes while in flight is not permitted. This also applies to anywhere in or around the aircraft, so please refrain from smoking while deplaning. Smoking is only allowed in certain designated areas at our airports, so kindly wait until you are in an appropriate area before lighting up.

On behalf of all 5,000 employees at Mesa Air Group, we’d like to welcome you aboard.The following information is to help make your travel experience easier and more enjoyable. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to ask your flight attendant. Thank you for supporting low fares and flying go! We hope you enjoy your quick flight!

Customer Service customercare@iflygo.com

(800) 637-2910

Reservations(888) I FLY GO2 or www.iflygo.com

or contact your local travel agent

go! Miles questions or comments

gomiles@iflygo.com

General feedbackfeedback@iflygo.com

When contacting go! Please include as much information as possible so that we may better assist you. This should include date of travel, flight number, city pair and your go!Miles account number (if you are a member).

$1.50Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Bottle Water,

Passion-Guava Juice, Orange Juice, Bloody Mary Mix, Club Soda and

Tonic Water.

$2.50*Heineken and Bud Light Beers,

Starbucks Doubleshot Coffee Drink.

$3.50*Vodka, Gin, Scotch & Rum plus your choice of mixer (Juice, Bloody Mary

Mix, Club Soda, Tonic Water) and Cosmopolitan or Appletini by Jean.

In Flight Beverage Menugo! offers a variety of drink items available for purchase onboard from our flight attendant.

go! accepts only cash for these items at this time. (US currency).

*These are the only alcoholic beverages allowed to be consumed onboard the aircraft. All alcohol must be served by the flight attendant only. Regulations prohibit go! from serving anyone under the age of 21 or people who appear to be intoxicated.

Contacting go! / MesaThank you for choosing go! operated by Mesa Airlines. We value your feedback to help us build a better service.

March/April 2008 61

Mesa Air Shutt le was founded by Larry Risley in 1982 and began with scheduled service between F a r m i n g t o n

and Albuquerque, New Mexico using a nine passenger Piper Chieft an. Mr. Risley, an aircraft mechanic by trade, mortgaged his house and fi xed base operation business to start the airline. Mesa has since grown to be one of the world’s largest independent regional airlines.

In its fi rst ten years of business, Mesa grew from a company with one aircraft serving two cities to an organization operating 38 aircraft and serving 63 cities. During this same period, the company transformed itself from a small closely held corporation to a publicly traded corporation on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol MESA. In 1989, the company expanded its operations through a codeshare agreement with Midwest Express and then in 1990 with the acquisition of Aspen Airways. With the Aspen acquisition, Mesa gained its fi rst codeshare agreement with United Airlines and began operating as United Express out of Denver.

In 1991 Mesa purchased Air Midwest, adding US Airways as a codeshare partner, and West Air in 1992, adding additional routes as United Express. Mesa further expanded in 1992 through the signing a codeshare agreement with America West. In 1994 Mesa acquired Pitt sburgh-based Crown Airways, further strengthening the company’s ties to US Airways.

In 1998, Mesa negotiated a new codeshare agreement with America West and relocated its corporate headquarters from Farmington to Phoenix. In 1999 Mesa announced the acquisition of Charlott e-based CCAir, adding more US Airways routes to its route network. Also in 1999, Mesa announced the acquisition of Charlott e-based CCAir, adding additional US Airways routes.

In 2000, Mesa codeshare agreement with America West increased to include 22 regional jets. By this time 75% of Mesa’s operations were being conducted under revenue guarantee contracts with other airlines.

In 2001, Mesa announced an agreement with America West to add up to 40 larger CRJ aircraft and became the launch customer for the new 86-seat Bombardier CRJ 900.

Mesa’s mission is to be the premier high quality, low cost regional airline while also looking to innovate and pursue new opportunities in the rapidly changing airline industry. Mesa continues to grow and recently expanded its codeshare agreement with Delta Air Lines, its United codeshare agreement and the launch of go!, Mesa’s independent operation in Hawaii. go! operates state-of–the-art 50-seat regional jets to provide low-cost, high frequency service to the cities of Lihue, Kahului, Kona, Hilo and Honolulu. go! recently expanded its route network in Hawaii with the launch of service as go!Express operated under a codeshare agreement with Kona-based Mokulele Airlines. Th is new service adds the airports of Kapalua, Maui, Ho’olehua, Molokai and Lanai City, Lana’i to the go! route network.

As of August 1, 2007 Mesa was operating 199 aircraft with over 1,300 daily system departures to 181 cities, 46 states, Canada , Mexico and the Bahamas. Mesa operates as Delta Connection, US Airways Express and United Express under contractual agreement with Delta Air Lines, US Airways and United Airlines, respectively, and independently as Mesa Airlines and go!.

Mesa’s mission is to be the premier high quality, low cost regional airline…

62

go! on the scene

From top to bottom: go! Sponsors X-1 World Champion Event at the Blaisdell Center on January 26th, Mardi Gras at Aloha Tower Marketplace with the go! Street Team, go! proudly supports UH Hilo Women’s Volleyball Team, At Aloha Tower Marketplace on New Year’s Eve, Maria and Richelyn were all smiles at the go! Center Stage

phot

o by

Rya

n O

hara

March/April 2008 63

Kahala Beach at night

THE PRISTINE LAGOONS OF FRENCH POLYNESIA ARE CRITICAL IN QUALITY PEARL CULTURE

AND AN ASSET IN THAT THEY PROVIDE FOR AN ENVIRONMENT UNIQUE IN THE WORLD,

WITH SPECIFIC MINERALS THAT CREATE THESE NATURAL COLORS.

PRESTIGEMAKE A DREAM COME TRUE

Marrying diamonds and Tahitian pearls together, Prestige offers exceptional pieces of jewelry. With a mix of beauty

the Tahitian cultured pearl.

ELEGANCEFIND YOUR VERY OWN

Among thousands of classic shape pearls

in the composition of the perfect jewelry piece for special occasions.

CHARMEDARE TO BE DIFFERENT

The unusual shapes of the baroque pearls are most appropriate for the creation of trendy and avant-garde jewelry. Pearls can be coupled with

cloth depending on your whims and creativity.

01 YOUR TYPE OF PEARL

Consider the size, shape and color of pearl in matching your preferences.

02 YOUR PEARL SELECTION

Tahitian loose pearls in the world.

03 YOUR SETTING

From classic to modern designs, pearls can be mounted on pendants, rings and earrings in either yellow gold, white gold or silver.

04 THE FINISHING TOUCH

They might even let you drill your own pearl if you wish to.

THE EXPERIENCE

TAHITI PEARL MARKET

DISCOVERY LOUNGE

believes it is its duty to share their

showing a 12 minute documentary on the Tahitian pearl.Sales associates are available at all times to answer any questions.

Grand Opening !

March 26th, 2008

w w w. t a h i t i p e a r l m a r k e t . c o m

COLORS THAT ONLYNATURECANPROVIDE.

The interactive approach of the store allows customers to select the right combination of pearls, the one that best expresses their wish. These natural gems are sorted and presented on the basis of color, shape, quality and size. From the round to the baroque shapes, Tahiti

each authentic Tahitian pearl. Sales associates are available to answer any questions and to assist in the selection process.

On the exotic islands of Tahiti and Bora Bora, Tahiti Pearl

with a choice exceeding your imagination. In March 2008,

experience with its Grand Opening in Honolulu, Hawaii.

BEING ONE OF THE TOP TAHITIAN PEARL

PRODUCERS AND RETAILER, TAHITI PEARL

MARKET IS ABLE TO PROVIDE ITS CUSTOMERS

WITH A PROFOUND KNOWLEDGE OF THE

PRODUCT AND AN UNEQUALED SELECTION.

According to Polynesian mythology, Tahitian pearls were the

the god of order and beauty. Tane illuminated the celestial

sent them to Rua Hatu, god of the ocean so that he could

in order to seduce them. He later gave the humans the pearl

C H A R M Eb y T a h i t i P e a r l M a r k e t

THE LARGEST CHOICEIN THE WORLD OFTAHITIAN PEARLS ANDTOP-GEM NECKLACES.COLORS THAT ONLYNATURE CANPROVIDE

w w w . t a h i t i p e a r l m a r k e t . c o m

U.S. dollars, Japanese yen, and travellers’ checks accepted

customizeyour own

jewellery

from a selection of over 70 000 natural color pearlsand mountings within 3 ranges of products :

PRESTIGE,ELEGANCE & CHARME.

Call for complimentary shuttle - Open on Sundays & holidaysPlease, feel free to contact us for a private tour of our pearl farm on the island of Fakarava

T A H I T I - 2 5 , R U E C O L E T T E P A P E E T E ( 6 8 9 ) 5 4 3 0 6 0B O R A B O R A - P O V A I B A Y ( 6 8 9 ) 6 0 3 8 6 0 B O R A B O R A - V A I T A P E W A T E R - F R O N T ( 6 8 9 ) 6 7 5 7 5 7

G R A N D O P E N I N G , M A R C H 2 6 T H , 2 0 0 8H A W A I I - 1 0 0 1 B I S H O P S T , H O N O L U L U 9 6 8 1 3

Decadent Delightful

Divine

Call Toll Free 1-800-935-5510 | Order online: www.bigislandcandies.com