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Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

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<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: It’s October 1st</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @Ekahi808, with a horror story.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: It’s October 1st

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Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Kumu Kahua Theatre is about to expand its entertainment offerings to include its first book club. The group will hold its first meeting on Monday, Nov. 24, to talk about the biography “A Curious Life for a Lady: The Story of Isabella Bird,” by Pat Barr. The first book club meeting starts at 6 p.m. and will take place at the theatre.

The book club was inspired by the theatre’s current production of 

 a story about Bird, a Victorian travel writer who met King Lunalilo during a visit to Hilo. The production stars Julia Avilla LoPresti as  Bird and 

, who played David Kawena in Disney’s live action movie 

 as King Lunalilo. “Outlandish” opened Nov. 6 and runs through Dec. 7.

“The book club was inspired by the play,” 

, a playwright and the office manager for Kumu Kahua Theatre, told Aloha State Daily. “Once we decided to do the play, I started reading a couple of Isabella Bird's books, themselves. She's fascinating because she's a woman who started traveling back in the 1800s, when she was 40. … And here she goes on these world trips at the age of 40, in the 1800s when you didn't even have modern cars and stuff, so she's going on horseback and donkeyback and by these boat trips that take a really long time to get somewhere.”

The style of those books is very much like a travelogue “describing every blade of grass and what the sky looked like that night,” Ward said.

Shortly after that, Ward stumbled upon the biography “A Curious Life for a Lady: The Story of Isabella Bird,” which sums up Bird’s adventures with more narrative. Copies of the book are available for free through the Hawai’i State Public Library System. The book can also be found on 

 and in book stores. One copy is available to borrow from Kumu Kahua Theatre.

The book club is one of several new programs the theatre is rolling out, including an event called Ladies Night, where 

attendees can buy one ticket and get a second one free

 and enjoy special promotions at the nearby Black Shamrock Tavern. The first Ladies Night was held during the production of the play 

“I feel like even a little bit before the pandemic —  people, they have so many choices now, right?” she said. “You can stay home and watch Netflix. You can do a fun bar night where they're showing a movie in the background. You can go to a movie theater. You can go to a play. You can go to a concert. Back in the day, there was one thing, so everybody came to the theater because that was the one thing that was happening.”

Events like a book club can help provide a sense of community, she explained.

“We want to do some activities that kind of enhance the theater experience, so it's not just come in, sit down, watch a play, go home,” she said. “But you get to know people because you're going to go meet for a drink first, and you get to talk to the playwright if they're there.”

Ward participated in Kumu Kahua Theatre’s inaugural Ladies Night for “Smother,” where she spoke with attendees about what it was like to be the playwright. For “Outlandish,” there will be a buy one ticket, receive another free offer for audiences seeing the show on Friday, Nov. 21. The director of the play will be present, she said.

“Everyone will get to talk to the director, meet some of their fellow theater goers, maybe make a new friend,” Ward said. “When we did this last show during ‘Smother,’ I saw people who I know did not know each other until that night — they sat down at the table together to have a drink and split a pizza and chat about ‘Smother’ and about other things too — travel and stuff like that — before they walked over to the theater together to watch the play. It's enhancing your theater experience.”

Refreshments will be served at the book club meeting on Monday, Nov. 24. 

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"Outlandish"

<title>Kumu Kahua Theatre starts book club</title>

Want to read about the Victorian travel writer Isabella Bird? Join Honolulu readers in learning about her adventures through a new book club at Kumu Kahua Theatre.

Kumu Kahua Theatre starts book club

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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

A new izakaya recently opened in Māpunapuna — and it’s related to a popular neighborhood sushi bar.

 — located next to its sister business, Mitch’s Fish Market and Sushi Bar — opened quietly at the beginning of October. While Mitch’s Sushi specializes in sashimi-style fresh fish, sushi rolls and platters and omakase, Izakaya Mitch’s offers more cooked dishes designed to share.

The business is open from 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays, and is currently BYOB. There are designated parking stalls for customers right in front of the restaurant (street parking is also available).

Customers can choose from a variety of seafood, salads, pūpū, kamameshi and nabe. The nabe is designed for groups of four to share.

We start with sashimi ($45), which is an assortment of ‘ahi, salmon, scallop and hamachi. This is one of the few raw dishes you’ll find on the menu. The izakaya strives to offer different dishes from its sister restaurant, where you can still find an extensive selection of sushi.

We also love the dashimaki tamago ($13) — the rolled omelet, coated in dashi broth, is fluffy, light and easy to eat.

Of everything we tried, the crab tempura with matcha salt was one of my favorites. The Hokkaido king crab tempura is perfectly crispy on the outside and is delicious in and of itself, but the matcha salt takes its savory flavor to the next level.

The A5 wagyu steak ($45), cut pūpū style, is delivered to your table and meant to be cooked on the hot stone. The presentation is impressive, and the sizzling steak is buttery and tender, boasting that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture. 

Kamameshi — traditional Japanese rice dishes served in iron pots — are designed to be shared; half and full portions are available.

Choose from a kamameshi with fish of the day, or with saba and salmon and ikura. The saba comes highly recommended. Sometimes, saba can have a fishy flavor, but not so in this dish. When the fish is mixed together with the mushrooms, rice and other veggies in the iron pot, the flavor is balanced.

Be sure to check out the specials of the day; menchi katsu ($18) was featured during our dinner. Its fried exterior was satisfyingly crispy, while the meaty interior is savory and juicy. At first glance, the katsu ball looks petite, but it’s hearty and filling.

We concluded our savory meal with the eatery’s featured dessert — ice cream with sweet potato ($5). We’re told the dessert changes periodically, based on seasonal, fresh ingredients the izakaya is able to obtain. 

Parking available directly in front of the restaurant; street parking also available

Izakaya Mitchs crab tempura with matcha salt 110125

<title>New izakaya now open in Māpunapuna</title>

Izakaya Mitch’s — located right next door to Mitch’s Fish Market and Sushi Bar — specializes in cooked dishes designed to share. You’ll find everything from Hokkaido crab tempura, dashimaki tamago and assorted sashimi to A5 wagyu steak, menchi katsu and nabe.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: It’s October 1st

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: It’s October 1st

Authors

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Starbucks holiday launch draws crowds for limited-edition cups

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