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Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

ʻi Festival was an athletic event for sure.

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Karleeoyama

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Preparation is key</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @KarleeOyama, who actually made it to the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Preparation is key

This year’s Made in Hawaiʻi Festival was an athletic event for sure.  Make sure you follow @KarleeOyama on Instagram! For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter!

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

For tweens and teens obsessed with sparkle, Claire's is (or was) the spot.

As a teenage girl in the late 1990s, it was the go-to for the coolest hair clips, sparkly purses and all things that glitter. Even as a 30-something Millennial adult with a continued affinity for all things that glitter, it's where I found my favorite pair of glittery heart sunglasses that I wore without shame until they broke — then I ordered another pair.

But Claire's Holdings LLC, which operates both Claire's and Icing stores across the U.S., will close nearly 300 stores nationwide amid ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.

That includes three locations in Hawai‘i, according to 

 filed in late August: Claire's at Kukui Grove Center in Līhu‘e and two Icing stores in Pearlridge Center.

[{"type":"text","text":"The following Claire's stores across the Islands will remain open:"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"O‘ahu"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Hawai‘i Island"}]

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

The Icing store at Prince Kūhiō Plaza is also on the list of stores that will remain open.

, Claire's Holdings LLC began voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings "to maximize the value of its business."

 noted that this is the company's "second bankruptcy filing 

." The company initially planned "to close hundreds of stores and find a buyer for about 800 remaining locations."

"The U.S.-based company has $690 million in debt, and it has suffered in recent years from increased competition, high rent costs, and new tariffs on imports from supplier nations like China, Thailand and Vietnam, according to documents filed with the U.S. bankruptcy court in Delaware," Reuters wrote.

, the company announced it has entered into an agreement for private holding company Ames Watson to acquire Claire's business operations in North America. As part of that agreement, Claire's "paused the liquidation process at a significant number of stores."

 Claire's stores in 17 countries throughout North America and Europe, and 190 Icing stores in North America.

More information about the company's restructuring can be 

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Claires Stores Logo

<title>Claire's closing hundreds of stores nationwide, including these in Hawai‘i</title>

A handful of the shops, often popular with tweens and teens, will remain open across the Islands.

Claire's closing hundreds of stores nationwide, including these in Hawai‘i

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 at Halekūlani for a two-night-only collaboration the lounge hosted with Milady’s and Clover Club, two trendy New York City cocktail bars. During the event, we got to try several dishes from the Lounge’s revamped food menu — and those spicy crab rolls have been on my mind ever since.

Lewers Lounge recently updated its menu to include four new dishes, according to executive chef Christian Testa.

“These new dishes were inspired by flavors I love and the idea of bringing people together,” he says. “They’re easy to share, full of flavor and made with the best ingredients. Whether it’s the spicy crab roll, the croquette or the tzatziki pani puri with caviar, there’s something fun and special for everyone.”

The croquettes ($25) include light bechamel, ham, red bell peppers and Campari tomato coulis, while crudites and hummus ($29) feature hummus, Upstate Farms vegetables and taro chips. The tzatziki pani puri caviar ($125) is the most luxe addition to the menu, and comprises Greek yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, dill, pani puri and 30 grams of Malossol caviar.

Keep in mind the spicy crab roll is not sushi. This features petite pieces of toasted brioche, crab, mayo, cucumber, celery and chili sauce. It’s like the crab version of a lobster roll — buttery and indulgent, but also refreshing with the crunchy cucumber and celery. These bite-sized indulgences are absolutely addictive, and it’ll be hard to stop at one.

Customers now have the option of ordering either the charcuterie board — Italian meats and marinated olives — or the fromage, which comprises an artisan cheese board, honey and housemade chutney. In the past, the charcuterie board included cheese; now, the boards are separate, so customers can choose based on their preferences.

This cheese board came with four different cheeses — manchego, truffle pecorino, fontina and aged Parmigianno-Reggiano. It’s a tantalizing mix of textures and flavors; I especially enjoyed the nutty Manchego and the pecorino’s truffle flavor.

The poke has been on the menu for a while, but it’s a staple. The shoyu ‘ahi poke always tastes fresh and is served with crispy housemade rice furikake chips.

While the sliders featured during the Lewers Lounge takeover was a special dish created just for the event, customers who enjoyed the savory sliders can look forward to the Lewers burger ($34). The Prime burger comes with bacon, tomato, lettuce, onions and American or Swiss cheese, along with fries.

Pro tip: You can upgrade the fries to truffle fries for an additional $4; they’re sure to please any truffle afficionado. 

Open 7 p.m.-midnight Sundays-Mondays, 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Preparation is key

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Preparation is key

Authors

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Dreams do come true

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Going big

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Take a trip

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Too busy vibing

Most read