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Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

[{"text":"We did not know this was even possible.  ","type":"text"}]

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<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: TACOMA FIGHT!</title>

Today's social media find comes from jensonkona, who keeps on truckin'.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: TACOMA FIGHT!

We did not know this was even possible.   

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Cino, known for its Italian dishes and seafood in an upscale setting, is launching a family-friendly brunch this weekend. Starting Saturday, Sept. 19, brunch will be every weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Since Victoria Ward Park is a popular destination for families, the eatery’s new brunch offering also includes a keiki menu. Kid-friendly options include hamburgers ($16), chicken tenders ($14), keiki pasta ($14) and more.

The brunch menu features some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes from the dinner menu, along with brunch-only specialties.

The restaurant’s raw bar selection is popular; during brunch, diners can still opt for chilled seafood platters ($85/$135) with snow crab claws, cocktail shrimp, abalone or lobster crudo.

Oysters are also available by the half dozen ($27) or dozen ($54); they’re served with Prosecco mignonette.

Brunch-exclusive dishes range from ricotta toast ($19) and wagyu loco moco ($28) to wagyu burgers ($28) and garden omelets ($24). The ricotta toast is topped with prosciutto, apricot mostarda and arugula.

The wagyu loco moco and wagyu burgers are ideal for those craving something savory. The loco moco features an 8-ounce wagyu patty with local eggs, mushroom gravy and steamed rice. The burger also features an 8-ounce patty topped with local egg, bacon, garlic aioli and onion marmalade, and is served with fries.

Cino’s bestselling pastas from the dinner menu — rigatoni bolognese ($28) and king crab spaghetti ($38) — are also available during brunch. The latter is a favorite among seafood afficionados, since it includes uni (sea urchin).

During brunch, customers can also enjoy Cino’s new cocktails, which were added to the menu last week. New cocktails ($24 each) include basil mezcal sour, mint chocolate and matcha malt.

Brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays

Cino chef 091126

<title>Cino is starting weekend brunch in Kakaʻako</title>

The Ward Village restaurant, known for its Italian specialties and seafood, is starting weekend brunch on Sept. 19. Brunch will be every weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the menu features some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. A keiki menu is also available.

Cino is starting weekend brunch in Kakaʻako

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

Arts & Entertainment

In the 37 years since he moved to Maui, Chuck Bergson, president, CEO and director of Pacific Media Group, says the Hawai‘i media company has grown from "a little, one-radio station you can only really hear in West Maui" to 21 stations across the Islands and a handful of other mediums and platforms.

Its evolution continues with the recent launch of 

, a new network that offers podcasts, social media shorts, YouTube shows and local documentaries, bringing new media platforms together with legacy media.

Radio has always been the core of the business, Bergson told Aloha State Daily during a recent interview at the company's Downtown Honolulu offices.

"But we saw early on that the world was changing, the media landscape is changing, so you have to change with it. You've got to evolve," he says.

Today, Bergson says PMG has four radio stations in Honolulu, six on Maui, five on Kaua‘i and six on Hawai‘i Island — including three in Hilo and three in Kona; offers the digital news sites 

, and advertising at most of Hawai‘i's airports; bought the Maui Visitor Channel and Scenic Hawai‘i; and also publishes visitor guidebooks for the state as well as Maui, Hawai‘i Island, Kaua‘i and O‘ahu.

Bergson compares the newest evolution to a rainbow: at the beginning, he says, are "these wonderful legacy media platforms, and as the world changes and you start to go over the rainbow, you get to the top of the rainbow, and that's where we're now looking to modernize and evolve into this new media environment and ecosystem."

And when you bring legacy media together with new media, "then you have something really special. That's the pot of gold at the end. So that's where we are today."

"There was a great opportunity because it's all kind of happening all around Hawai‘i in little spurts," Josh 

, head of creative content for PMG, told ASD. "You've got podcasts, which I've been a part of, ... and you've got social media, and you've got all of these influencers. It's kind of all there, but no one has really put them together in a space and led from the front. When Chuck started talking about maybe this project we could do, the idea was that there's over 30 years of experience and strength in media through Pacific Media Group. What better way than to do this new project with that grounding?"

As the tagline of its website notes, CULTURE offers content that "moves Hawai‘i forward." And 

 says it all starts with Hawai‘i itself.

"Pacific Media Group has always been about Hawai‘i. It's a company from Hawai‘i for Hawai‘i," he says. "There's no one from the Mainland calling the shots. It's Chuck from Maui. The staff here is from here. That was very interesting, where it was like 'Hey, we're here working to present to the world the stories of Hawai‘i and so the idea was [to] create content that we could produce at a high level, we could then distribute it on YouTube, all the podcasts on all platforms, and then we could create content."

 says the radio used to be the center of communication.

"It told you what was cool, who's the new artist, where's the new concert or event, and since technology has progressed, a lot of that has been dispersed, so why not have the radio stations bring that all together?"

There are three original podcasts made for the CULTURE network: Santo Loco, Sugar Caddy and TRXTR. Original podcasts are "podcasts of people, content that we believe in," 

 says, noting that PMG does the full production. There are two affiliate podcasts as well, which are partner shows carried by CULTURE: Mike Kai Podcast and Headliners Hawai‘i.

"With those five podcasts that we've started on, we feel we have a good base," 

 says. "... There's something for everyone, whether it's entertainment or its mindset, business, golf, sports, whatever it is, we feel like these five wrap a lot of that together and I'm sure we're looking to grow that shortly, as well."

One of the new YouTube shows is "Listening Party," which he compared to a "more artistic" version of NPR's 

"Back to that [idea of] breaking new artists and helping artists get their music out, we do the full production of a live, invite-only event, and the artist plays their music, and as they're playing, they're explaining the thoughts and theories behind it," 

 explains. "They bring up other songwriters, producers, engineers, and they can stop, restart, they can say, 'Hey, this is what it used to sound like.' It's really the craft behind the music so people get to know them well."

The debut episode featuring singer-songwriter 

Another is Behind the Scenes: On Tour, which will take viewers behind the scenes of local artists on tour. Featured first will be a look at tour life with Johnny Suite and the Green. 

"These are everyday local guys that's going to be at Red Rock and they're going to be in Vegas and they're going to be in Washington, and what does it look like to sell out 10,000 people, because these bands are doing that," Duhaylonsod says. "How does that feel? And it should ignite that next generation to go, 'We can do that. We're from right here.' I think that's another testament to what Pacific Media Group is doing here. When you see our content, you should be inspired and you should want to go and be bigger than yourself, and that's what CULTURE is."

Duhaylonsod says the initiative is unique in that it bridges the gap between radio and "what's happening now." The radio's distribution size can also be leveraged to promote the local acts.

"If you just do your own podcast, it's you, your mom and all your family and a couple of friends," he says. "[If] you're doing a podcast with us, it's a massive network behind you."

"Really, what we're trying to do across the board is elevate people — elevate the artists, elevate the podcasters," Bergson says. "There's a lot of talented people that can create things and where the void tends to be in a lot of cases is distribution. How do you get distribution? How do you get it seen? How do you get it heard? So we're trying to do these things with the idea of elevating people. Let's bring them up, bring them along, give them some support, and help that all feed together and complement. With all of us working together to promote things of Hawai‘i through different platforms and different mediums, and talking about different things culturally, to me it's a winning combination. I think not only will the people who live here understand and appreciate it, but the people who love Hawai‘i and value Hawai‘i will enjoy and help us perpetuate this."

CULTURE by PMG brand hero

<title>Pacific Media Group launches 'Culture'</title>

CULTURE by Pacific Media Group offers up local podcasts, social media shorts, YouTube shows and documentaries, bringing new media platforms together with legacy media.

Pacific Media Group launches 'Culture'

rom Sept. 16 to 30, participating Ward Village restaurants will showcase limited-time dishes and special offers.

More than 25 restaurants and businesses are participating this year. Here’s the featured line-up:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"An Di Dzo"}]

: Special menu items include washugyu pho and a French dip sandwich. Diners can add an optional caviar bump to each dish.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Cino"}]

: The Italian-inspired eatery will feature a three-course menu. It includes:

"Cino is highlighting simplicity, freshness and seasonal ingredients for Taste of Ward," says chef Arnold Corpuz. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Cotti Coffee"}]

: With an order of steamed dumplings, customers can get a drink of choice for $3. Cotti Coffee is known for its specialty drinks, like its cloud mousse latte.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Cream & Sugar Hawaiʻi"}]

: Victoria Ward Park Makai, 1020 Auahi St., Honolulu

: This kiosk at Victoria Ward Park features fresh breads and sweets. Enjoy special menu items like cinnamon rolls, pesto tomato focaccia and scallion chili crisp focaccia.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Dean & Deluca"}]

ula Shops, the bakery is featuring special menu items like yame-matcha and white chocolate mousse with matcha brownie, ube coconut tart, Macedonia, whole Montblanc roll cake, and whole green grape shortcake.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Fishcake"}]

: The Kakaʻako spot will feature special beverages from Laʻa Kea Wellness and Aloha Matcha Hawaiʻi

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Ginza Sushi"}]

: The Japanese restaurant — known for its extensive menu comprising sushi, donburi and sashimi — is featuring special offers on its sushi rolls.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Han No Daidokoro"}]

: The popular yakiniku restaurant is offering specialty dishes like A5 Miyazaki wagyu tsukimi yukhoe, Miyazaki wagyu sushi with sea urchin, and Nicolas Feuillatte Brut champagne.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Happy Lemon"}]

: Customers can enjoy the bubble tea shop’s mango sago and bubble waffle.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"House of Mana Up"}]

: The business is featuring an ultimate sweet and savory gift set, along with customizable gift boxes.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Istanbul Hawaiʻi"}]

: Customers can enjoy mersin tantuni, a specialty dish inspired by chef Ahu Hettema's childhood in Mersin. This dish includes wagyu, tomato, onion, mardin sumac, Kahuku parsley, Maui lemon and thin lavas bread.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Jules & Gem Hawaiʻi"}]

: The fragrance shop is featuring coffee-scented products.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Kamitoku Ramen"}]

: The popular ramen restaurant is featuring an exclusive tsukemen dish.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"La Tour Café"}]

: Located in ‘A‘ali‘i Shops, La Tour Cafe is featuring special menu items like falafel banh mi, watermelon mint julep and fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Luna’s Tex-Mex Cantina"}]

: The eatery is featuring al pastor skewers with rice and beans; a torta with grilled carne asada, melted cheese, avocado, chipotle mayo and lettuce; and Jarritos soda and strawberry lemonade.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Māla-Be"}]

: This local Hawaiian business, founded in 2023, is known for its Mediterranean-inspired vegan treats. Specialty menu items include a Mediterranean plate and Hawaiian cookie crumble.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Merriman’s Honolulu"}]

: During lunch, Merriman’s Honolulu is offering miso salmon (served with banchan, garlic rice and a miso lemon vinaigrette). During dinner, diners can enjoy A Taste of Ward surf and turf duo, comprising Manhattan steak with garlic potatoes, local vegetables and a shrimp pot pie.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Mochi Momma HI"}]

: Mochi Momma HI features its signature butter mochi in a variety of flavors. Enjoy special menu items like azuki strawberry mochi, butter mochi biko and Cookie Butter mochi.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Nalu Health Bar & Café"}]

: Featured special menu items include “heartbeet” juice (beets, orange juice, apple juice, pineapple and ginger) and purple bliss smoothie. The latter includes blueberries, bananas, spinach, almond milk and a scoop of acai blend.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Nori Bar"}]

: Nori Bar is featuring a special Nori oishi deluxe platter with lomi ‘ahi (topped with uni and caviar); oyster shooter; mini wagyu don (topped with shoyu, chili oil and green onions); toro shiso hosomaki; ‘ahi tataki nigiri; kanpachi nigiri topped with shichimi; garlic truffle salmon nigiri topped with ikura; seared spicy ‘ahi nigiri with tobiko and green onions; and sashimi (maguro, king salmon and hamachi).

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Ocean Taste"}]

: Special menu items include a lava flow don (chirashi don) and spicy salmon crème brulee torched bowl.

: The eatery is offering a Taste of Ward special menu for two. It includes:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Onkee Korean Grill House"}]

: The Korean eatery will feature a specialty japchae.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Potluck Hawaiʻi"}]

: East Village Shops and South Shore Market, 1170 Auahi St., Honolulu

: This neighborhood lifestyle shop is featuring Truffle & Pop popcorn and Please Come Again Ice Cream.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf"}]

: Customers can enjoy $3 off any fall pumpkin or horchata drink.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Social Honolulu"}]

: The eatery is featuring a tomato bisque with seafood and fried pocho sausage.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Tonkatsu Kuro"}]

: Choose from specialty drinks like lilikoʻi and jeju mandarin orange, lime and jeju green citrus, honey grapefruit black tea and strawberry hibiscus.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Westman Café"}]

: Special menu items include a Cafe coco mocktail (coconut water, espresso cold foam, orange juice, maple syrup and dehydrated orange) and Mānoa chocolate basque cheesecake, served with a tropical compote and vanilla ice cream.

“We really love working with Mānoa Chocolate because of the quality of their product, and it’s local,” says Ryan Ko, vice president/chief operating officer of Westman Group

. “We wanted to offer something simple, approachable and familiar.”

Taste of Ward Nori Bar 091526

<title>Taste of Ward is back Sept. 16 to 30</title>

For two weeks, you can take advantage of featured dishes and limited-time offers at participating Ward Village restaurants and businesses.

Taste of Ward is back Sept. 16 to 30

Ed Rampell

Columnists

According to the Hollywood industry trade publication “Deadline,” showbiz is abuzz with the news that Paramount Pictures is considering making a movie version of “Hawai‘i Five-0.” The brainchild of producer Leonard Freeman, the classic Island-set police procedural starred Jack Lord as Steve McGarrett, the straight arrow chief of an elite crimefighting task force in paradise, ran on CBS-TV 1968-1980. The proposed new version’s “package was put together by Entertainment 360’s Guymon Casady [producer of HBO’s “Game of Thrones”] with the estate of series creator Leonard Freeman,” Mike Fleming Jr. 

 in “The Dish,” the insider section of “Deadline” that breaks scoops. Paramount Pictures and CBS have a corporate relationship; both are owned by the same parent company, Paramount Skydance.

It’s fitting that Destin Daniel Cretton, the director being linked to the possible “Five-0” project, is from Haiku, Maui. Cretton’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” broke box office records this summer, and the Hawai‘i-born and raised helmer is red-hot right now. According to Hawaiian actor Branscombe Richmond, who has his own connection to the legendary crime production and, he says, attended the same church as Cretton on Maui: “‘Hawai‘i Five-0’ in Cretton’s hands is a great choice. I mean, he’s an Island boy, he’s from Hawai‘i Nei, he has the soul and heart of what is ticking here,” Richmond told Aloha State Daily.

“The Dish” dishes that the proposed “Five-0” screenwriters are no strangers to crime movies: Chris Bremner co-wrote two of the Will Smith/Martin Lawrence “Bad Boys” detective buddy pictures; Noah Oppenheim penned 2016’s “Jackie,” wherein Natalie Portman depicts First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy shortly after JFK’s assassination.  

If Paramount Pictures moves ahead with the movie remake, this wouldn’t be the first time Tinseltown tried to bring “Hawai‘i Five-0” from the little to the big screen. From 1992-1997 Branscombe Richmond co-starred as Native American bounty hunter Bobby Sixkiller on the syndicated series “Renegade,” created by prolific producer Stephen J. Cannell, who, along with Kim LeMasters “were the guys who rebooted ‘Hawai‘i Five-0’ [in 1997]. The guy who was McGarrett was Gary Busey [monikered Jimmy Xavier Berk], and the guy who was Danno was Russell Wong. I played Napoleon DeCastro, who would have been known as the Wo Fat of that next generation,” said Richmond, interviewed in Maui by phone.  

The villainous Wo Fat (Khigh Dhiegh, co-star of the 1962 thriller “The Manchurian Candidate”) was McGarrett’s arch-nemesis in the original series. In the 1997 production, DeCastro is the head of the Hawai‘i underworld and suspected of shooting James MacArthur, who’d moved on from being the Five-0 unit’s Danny Williams to the 50th State’s governor.

Along with MacArthur, the 1997 shoot brought together other “Five-0” veterans who’d portrayed characters opposite Jack Lord during the 12-year-run of the crime procedural in paradise to reprise their roles. The reunion included what Richmond called “what a great gathering of people:” Kam Fong as Detective Chin Ho Kelly; Zulu as Detective Kono Kalākaua; Harry Endo as HPD forensic scientist Che Fong; Herman Wedemeyer as HPD Sergeant Duke Lukela; and actor/musician Moe Keale as Detective Truck Kealoha.      

Nevertheless, this largely forgotten Russian mob-themed production has apparently never been broadcast, theatrically released or streamed — it seems no one wanted to “Book ’em, Danno,” as McGarrett frequently told Detective Sergeant Danny Williams. Richmond believes it’s because, “Gary Busey was totally wrong for the role… After they saw it, they put it on the shelf, because you don’t want to tarnish the brand” of a legendary showbiz property.

“Deadline” surmises that another reason the 1997 film went unseen is: “They could never quite figure it out because of lawsuits with CBS and rights issues that led instead to 

 that starred Alex Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park.”

It remains to be seen whether Paramount Pictures and Destin Daniel Cretton will be able to revive the production that includes one of the greatest opening montage sequences in television history, intercutting Hawai‘i’s people, places, waves and landmarks with crimefighting images, set to the unforgettable pounding beat composed by Morton Stevens, who won two Emmys for his immortal composition.

Tania Verafield is an L.A.-based stage and screen actress who acted in two films directed by Cretton before he hit it big with the Oscar-nominated 2021 kung fu epic “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” She auditioned for and was cast, along with LaKeith Stanfield (later Oscar-nominated for 2020’s “Judas and the Black Messiah”), in Cretton’s 2008 student film “Short Term 12,” which he shot while attending film school at San Diego State University and won the Sundance Film Festival’s Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking. 

Verafield added that 2012’s “‘I Am Not a Hipster’ was Destin’s very first feature film. It was a story about his own family… It wasn’t a direct correlation, but the main character has three sisters, and Destin has three sisters… He went back and reused actors he’d already worked with, and I made that film with many of my friends I had worked with through him.”

As a director, Verafield says Cretton is “very softspoken, gentle, creative, joyful, found a way to make everybody feel comfortable and keeping it an easy and enjoyable set. He’s always smiling and very focused when he’s working. He is such a family man. He’s so close to his family in Hawai‘i, and he brings that familial way of being onto a set and creates a family.”

Interviewed by phone in L.A., Verafield added, “I know how important Hawai‘i is to him. He always wears Hawaiian shirts and a lei, he’s just really proud of where he came from. If he has the opportunity to work there, I know he’ll bring a lot of passion to” a big screen remake of “Hawai‘i Five-0.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":" "}]

Ed Rampell and Luis Reyes are co-authors of the new book 

Hawaii Five 0 Logo 16x9

<title>Hollywood ponders movie remake of “Hawai‘i Five-0” directed by Ha‘ikū helmer Destin…</title>

If produced, this wouldn’t be the first time Tinseltown tried to bring the iconic CBS-TV crime series shot in the 50th State to the big screen.

Hollywood ponders movie remake of “Hawai‘i Five-0” directed by Ha‘ikū helmer Destin Daniel Cretton

[{"type":"text","text":"The weekend of shopping local is getting bigger."}]

While the 32nd annual Made in Hawai‘i Festival 

 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, across town, the Best of Hawai‘i Mākeke returns to the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition hall today through Aug. 23. Presented by Hawai‘i's Finest, the mākeke brings together more than 300 local businesses.

According to a recent announcement from the Native Hawaiian-owned lifestyle and apparel company, the market offers "an accessible platform for emerging entrepreneurs and established brands alike."

"Many participating businesses are home-based and have built their business through social media, online sales or at community pop-up events, and do not yet have traditional storefronts or widespread retail distribution," the announcement notes.

“I know firsthand how hard it is to build a business in Hawaiʻi. We started small, worked hard, learned plenty lessons along the way and just kept going,” Paulele Alcon, owner and founder of Hawai‘i's Finest, said in the announcement. “Now we’re in a position to help open doors for other local entrepreneurs who are trying to make it too. This mākeke is our way of giving back, giving them a place to get noticed, connect with customers and grow, while creating a fun, affordable weekend our local families can enjoy.”

Hawai‘i's Finest got its start as a small T-shirt business on Molokai in 2009; today, the brand has eight retail locations across Hawai‘i and Las Vegas, and has expanded into concerts, collaborations and major community events.

With the mākeke, Alcon told Aloha State Daily in an emailed response to questions that the company is trying to elevate local businesses and entrepreneurs.

We have been blessed with a platform and the ability to do amazing things, and we believe that in order to keep the locals local and home, we must buy local, support local, promote local and be together."

When asked about the expected turnout this weekend, Alcon says, "The buzz is out there. This is the biggest shopping weekend of the year — two massive events with the purpose to service our people! We are excited."

"Our goal is to provide Hawai‘i with a place to flourish and with the Best of Hawai‘i we have done that — to get eyes on our locals in order to support our locals. "

Best of Hawai‘i Mākeke is open until 6 p.m. today, Friday, Aug. 21; from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22; and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23. Admission is free and on-site parking is available for $8 per day.

Special VIP Experience tickets are available for purchase that includes early VIP shopping hours from 9 a.m., an exclusive HI Finest Momona Bag, access to the HIFI VIP Lounge, and special offers from 150 vendors. Cost is $70 presale per day and can be found online at 

More information and a list of vendors can be 

Meanwhile, a separately ticketed, all-ages Best of Hawai‘i's Finest Music Festival will be held at the Blaisdell Area on Saturday, with a lineup that includes High Watah, Ooklah the Moc, Three Plus, Johnny Suite, Likkle Jordee, Small Axe, Kapu System, Mauloa Music and Miah Music.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and music starts at 6:30 p.m. Costs start at $20, not including fees.

Blaisdell aerial provided 082126

<title>Best of Hawai‘i Mākeke offers more ways to shop local</title>

The three-day mākeke, presented by Hawai‘i's Finest, returns to the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall this weekend with more than 300 local businesses.

Best of Hawai‘i Mākeke offers more ways to shop local

 just opened today in Waimalu Shopping Center. This is the business’s third and newest location. It features a full-service, sit-down dine-in experience, along with a takeout window. 

The biz is celebrating its grand opening tomorrow, Aug. 15, with a lion dance at 11:30 a.m.

Customers can expect a variety of manapua, along with dim sum, peking duck and plate lunches; this location features an expanded menu.

The business’s Hong Kong-style dim sum selection was crafted in partnership with its sister restaurant, Mei Sum Dim Sum. The dim sum menu comprises spring rolls ($4.95), potstickers ($6.35), shrimp pork hash ($6.35), half moon dumplings ($6.35), shrimp dumplings ($6.35) and more.

[{"type":"text","text":"The business’s classic char siu manapua is a bestseller."}]

Besides manapua and dim sum, customers can choose from a variety of local-style plate lunches. Entrees include ginger fried chicken, kalbi ribs, garlic butter shrimp, hamburger steak and more. Seafood and steak combo plates are also available. 

Island Manapua is re-branding its other two locations in Mānoa and Waipahu as Aloha Manapua.

“Over the years, we’ve grown from being a neighborhood manapua counter into a gathering place for families, friends and our community,” states Christy Tong, owner of Aloha Manapua. “Rebranding as Aloha Manapua celebrates our local roots, our commitment to serving our community, and the relationships we’ve built with our customers. While our name is changing, our dedication to the food and service our customers know and love remains the same.”

The ‘Aiea store will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For the rest of August, customers can take advantage of a 10% discount.

Aloha Manapua shrimp dim sum 081426

<title>Aloha Manapua is open in Waimalu Shopping Center</title>

This is the business’s third and newest location; it’s celebrating its grand opening Aug. 15. Customers can enjoy its signature manapua, along with dim sum and plate lunches. The business is featuring a 10% discount for the rest of the month.

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: TACOMA FIGHT!

Authors

ASD Staff

Reporter

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