Square Kady Pascual Headshot RGZ5762

Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"That doggo has a good hang paw technique!"}]

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

808SurfClips

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Man’s best friend</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @808SurfClips, with the best tandem partner.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Man’s best friend

That doggo has a good hang paw technique!  Make sure you follow @808SurfClips on Instagram! For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter!

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Everyone’s looking to save money and get the most bang for their buck. This series will show you where you can save while still savoring a good meal.

 — available only from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — the restaurant was packed during lunch time.

The restaurant recently announced via social media that, due to popular demand, it was bringing the discounted cold noodles back as a featured November special.

The discount is for dine-in only from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Since cold noodles usually cost $16.95 and spicy cold noodles are $17.95, this is a deal. The cold noodles, known for its light, refreshing broth, include cucumbers and half of a boiled egg.

Meanwhile, the spicy cold noodles — bibim 

features noodles served with a spicy, Gochujang-based sauce. The dish comes with cucumbers, Korean radish and half a boiled egg.

Both cold noodle dishes come with the eatery’s featured banchan of the day. During our visit, we’re served fishcake, radish and fishcake, but we’re told the selection varies.

[{"type":"text","text":"Limited customer parking is available in front of the restaurant."}]

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Lunch special is available from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Chois Garden spicy cold noodles 110125

<title>Budget Bites: Choi’s Garden’s $5.99 cold noodle lunch special</title>

The Korean eatery brought back its $5.99 cold noodle lunch special for all of November.

Budget Bites: Choi’s Garden’s $5.99 cold noodle lunch special

[{"type":"text","text":"A new food court just opened in the Liliha neighborhood."}]

Liliha Food Court recently opened in the former space of Foodland Liliha on School Street. Right now, the food court is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Hours will be extended in November.

The space — which includes seating for customers — currently features five local food vendors, but we’re told more (a bakery and a sushi spot) will be coming soon.

[{"type":"text","text":"Here’s what you can find:"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Desserts from Tiny Pyramid Express"}]

Tiny Pyramid is known for its French pastries; this express location features some of the shop’s most popular desserts, including chocolate peanut butter ($6.50), citrus tart ($6.95) and, of course, its chocolate pyramid ($7.85).

This express location also offers sandwiches ($9.99), pizzas ($8.99-$12.99), and pastas ($12.99).

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Build-your-own poke bowls from Mermaid Poke"}]

Mermaid Poke comes from the team behind Osoyami Grill and Bar and Noods Ramen Bar. The biz offers build-your-own poke bowls and poke nachos (called ‘ahi pokechos).

Poke bowls feature white rice topped with one ($15) or two ($18) poke flavors. Both include two sides.

Choose from unique poke flavors like yellow curry aioli ‘ahi poke, kimchi ‘ahi poke, truffle ponzu ‘ahi poke and more. Sides include crab salad, cucumber, seaweed salad, takuan, pickled ginger and more. You can also add free toppings like furikake, garlic chips, fried onions and masago arare.

The business’s ‘ahi pokechos ($18), or poke nachos, feature spicy or shoyu ‘ahi and kabayaki glaze, furikake and green onions.

Burritos, bowls, tacos and more from Jalapeno’s Authentic Mexican Food

Jalapeno’s Authentic Mexican Food — which has a storefront in Kailua — offers burritos, bowls, tortas, tacos and quesadillas with a variety of proteins. Meats range from chicken and carnitas to asada (steak) and shredded beef birria.

The three quesabirria tacos and consommé ($21.75) is one of the most popular options. You can add cilantro, onions and lime to the consommé to enhance its flavor. You can also opt for additional toppings on your tacos, ranging from lettuce and cheese to corn and jalapenos.

The biz also offers guacamole and chips ($10.50), nachos ($18.50) and loaded fiesta fries ($19.50).

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Homemade Italian dishes from Nonnas Hawaiʻi"}]

Family-owned and -operated Nonnas Hawaiʻi features homemade Italian dishes. Its Italian cocktails will be available soon; the business is still waiting to receive its liquor license.

Right now, a limited menu is available, including ballconi ($13) and mini minestrone shooters ($6). The eatery will eventually offer Mediterranean salads ($9) and build-your-own charcuterie boards ($25).

The ballconi ($13) is a unique option, as it features beef meatballs in a crispy parmesan cone. It’s topped with housemade sauce and Pecorino Romano.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Local favorites from Dave’s Ice Cream"}]

This location is operated by Dave’s Ice Cream Waipio. Choose from a variety of desserts, ranging from ice cream scoops ($4.99-$8.99) and soda floats ($5.99) to milkshakes and ($8.99-$10.49) and sundaes. Sundaes run the gamut from single scoop options ($7.49) to brownie sundaes ($10.99) and strawberry shortcake sundaes ($14).

This location also features a Dubai-inspired menu with treats like Dubai cheesecakes ($15) and Dubai sundaes ($15). 

Liliha Food Court spread 100925

<title>New Liliha Food Court is now open</title>

The food court, located in the former space of Foodland Liliha, features a variety of local vendors. Food options range from poke bowls and ice cream to quesabirria tacos, and Italian meatballs.

New Liliha Food Court is now open

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawaii History

Columnists

Kamapuaʻa, the wild and rebellious demigod, is usually found in Hawai‘i’s lush, rain-drenched forests and valleys. Part man and part pig, Kamapua‘a is a shape-shifter whose most common form is that of a large wild hog. His restless spirit drew the fury and disdain of Pele, the fiery goddess of the volcano, but he pursued her relentlessly.

With his boundless passion, the nature of the pig god’s affinity for cooling rains and verdant lands countered Pele’s tempestuous fire and her lava’s destructive creation. The relationship between the two was filled first with anger and violence and then with wild desire. Eventually, Kamapua‘a could never tame the goddess’ flames, and Pele could not cage the demigod.

In their final epic battle, the pair realized it was impossible to destroy one another. Kamapua‘a proposed a truce, and the pair agreed that Pele would remain on her side of the island where it is hot and arid, and Kamapua‘a would remain on his side, where it is cool and lush, and none shall trespass into the other’s domain. From this ancient feud comes the superstition of carrying pork from one side of the island to the other.

Locals on O‘ahu will be quick to tell you, “Don’t bring pork over the Pali!”

This is a warning that if you should bring pork from Kailua over the Nu‘uanu Pali, you are carrying the kinolau (the embodiment) of Kamapua‘a into Pele’s territory, angering her. Personal stories of car trouble, strange occurrences, and even ghostly encounters from people who had pork in their cars reinforced this belief, with the scary events only ceasing once the pork was removed.

The story of bringing pork over the Pali is just one layer of the complex and spiritual history surrounding this place. If you ask different people why the Pali is haunted, you’ll likely get several vastly different answers, and most of those answers might be true. This haunting, spiritually powerful place has a long and violent history. It’s not just one thing that haunts the Pali; it’s many. 

In 1947, ten years before the first Pali tunnel was completed, a group of young men and women had been discussing the supernatural and learned that, under certain conditions, “spooks” could be seen at the Nu‘uanu Pali. They initially took this information as a joke and decided to test the theory just after midnight. Upon the advice of their Hawaiian friends, they brought with them some raw pork and fish. The night was very dark, and there was no moon.

Just around midnight, they drove up to the lookout, parked their car facing the plaque dedicated to King Kamehameha I, and sat there in the dark, waiting for something to happen. After a short while, one woman alerted the group to a large figure that looked like a man sitting on the side of the hill with his arms locked over his knees.

The driver turned on the car’s headlights, and the figure moved. When the lights were turned off, it suddenly reappeared in a different place. Although the night was dark, the figure was clearly visible, and the group watched in horror as the ghostly man changed his shape to that of an animal. The group tossed the pork out of the car, and in that instant, the awful odor of death and decomposition enveloped them. 

Around 12:45 am, this group of young men and women entered the police station and excitedly shared their terrifying experience with the police lieutenant on the midnight watch. Although the story may have impressed the Lieutenant, his only comment to the newspaper was, “They threw away pork at $1 a pound!”

What or who did these five young adults encounter? Could the strange figure have been the demigod, Kamapua‘a? What is your experience in bringing pork over the Pali?

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Man’s best friend

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Starbucks holiday launch draws crowds for limited-edition cups

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Dreams do come true

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Going big

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Take a trip

Most read

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Man’s best friend

Authors

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Starbucks holiday launch draws crowds for limited-edition cups

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Dreams do come true

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Going big

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Take a trip

Most read