I've been going to the Punahou Carnival at Punahou School for years as it was a mere 7 minute…read morewalking distance from where I once lived. But for this year, it was a different experience, not just travel wise but overall. As expected, parking can be difficult to find for this weekend event. You can either pray to the street parking gods to have a spot available nearby the campus or pay at nearby locations like Central Union Church or neighboring school and churches ranging from $10.00 to up to $30.00. Food items and games (except for the E.K. Fernandez games) can be purchased through scrip. There are many scrip booths available on campus for you to purchase scrip from. Most of the crowd tends to go to the scrip booth at the entrance of the school, but I found it more convenient to go to the other areas like by the white elephant tent or kiddie land as the lines are much much shorter. One key thing to remember is that the booths only accept credit/debit, Apple Pay or Google Pay to purchase scrip. No cash will be accepted. One scrip is 50 cents, a whole sheet of scrip is $10. It does tend to get busy during this event and it is highly expected that you will be waiting in line for the food. Unfortunately this year, the food was just...meh. The regular gyro that costs about 15 scrip had an equal amount of protein and onion (if you know me well enough, I'm not a fan of raw yellow onions). The noodles (that I always look forward to) that costs about 10 scrip with char siu, was bland and didn't have that many char siu pieces. The teri burger (9 scrip, 10 with cheese) was nostalgic but also meh. But the most upsetting food we had this time around was their famous (turned infamous for us) Portuguese bean soup (32 oz. is 18 scrip, limit 2 per person). When we got home and were ready to partake in that so-called hearty, comforting bowl of soup, we were faced disappointment with more broth than the actual ingredients. It was so watery that I was only able to identify only 4.5 pieces of elbow macaroni in that 32 oz! My friend's soup however had a lot of ingredients (she went earlier in the day instead). To make things worse, they moved the soup station further away from everything else, meaning extra walking (without any markings or signages) to just be let down. Although this year's experience wasn't the greatest, it's still the Punahou Carnival, with its usual crowds, usual announcements over the PA, and its nostalgic charm. Hopefully, they'll improve the food quality (the best ones we had from this experience were the malasadas and corn on the cob) and include some signages or arrows to point us of where to go for the hot items instead of letting us go on a hiking adventure up, down, left, and right through the campus.

The iconic Punahou Carnival is like any other popular place so expect crowds, looking for parking,…read morelines, but it's a priceless experience with the right mindset. It's always held the FIRST WEEKEND in February. First, the parking. Only volunteers receive on-campus parking. The public can find free parking on adjacent streets like Dole, Clark, Whitney, Wilder or opt for paying flat rate at Maryknoll School which is a short walk across the street, St. Clements Church about a block west, Shriners Hospital is 2 blocks makai, Central Union Church 2 blocks makai, and St Peter's is 3 blocks makai. Traffic can be crazy around these areas with a lot of pedestrians so extra caution. If I didn't live within walking distance I'd probably Uber over to save time. I give the carnival 4 stars - until the scrips can be purchased online or a QR code. Waiting in line to purchase scrips can be difficult when you're bringing young children. That being said, we purchase more scrip for both days so we don't have to wait in line again. It's fifty cents per scrip or $10 for entire sheet. Credit cards only- no cash accepted. When you enter through main gate there's a scrip booth to the right but also more on the diamond head side which usually isn't as busy. This year there was also one near Bishop Hall (mauka) where more of the keiki games were. I highly recommend the carnival website which gives great info to plan your day. A map shows food, games, bathrooms, scrip booths, art gallery, logo shop, white elephant, plants, fruits/vegs was awesome for us to plan our attack. A list of Punahou games (EK Fernandez is separate) and food booths with amount of scrip needed helped us figure out how much scrip to purchase for both days. It also says which places take scrip or credit cards. The food is basic carnival - which to me always tastes good because of the great memories growing up. Teri burgers, saimin, wok-prepared char siu noodles, malasadas, Portuguese bean soup, Hawaiian plate with kalua pig, rice, poi, lomi salmon, sweet potato, pineapple, hot dogs, spam musubi, corn on cob, taco salad, nachos, mini Haagen Daz ice cream cups, gyros, smoothies, soda, bottled water are all reasonably priced. This is a FUNDRAISER to give financial aid to more students- which are about 30% of the classes. Bathrooms are scattered throughout the carnival and pretty clean. Also have accessible portapotties placed far enough away from activities with portable sinks and soap. Police officers posted at each scrip booth and also entrances/exits, as well as security. The first day on Friday is busy because Punahou and Maryknoll allow students early access. Evenings after-work/school crowd gets busy so if you have small kids it could be a little overwhelming plus walking to your car in dark perhaps bring flashlight as sidewalks are narrow with cracked asphalt, and alerts cars who may be distracted or in a rush to get outta there. Saturday is the busiest since most people have the day off. Not sure why but this year didn't seem as busy- lots of room to walk around and the weather was perfect. It ended earlier at 10:00 PM instead of 11:00. EK Fernandez has their own area for games and rides. You can either purchase at their booth or download QR code and pay for games and rides with your phone. The prizes are nice- really huge stuffed animals and inflatables. Punahou games do not give out prizes at their booths. If you win or as a consolation prize they give out coupons which can be redeemed at the Prize Tent located up top by Bishop Hall (Diamond Head / mauka of White Elephant tent). This was nice because we didn't have to carry it around with us and could redeem upon leaving. The Haku Booth had a sign saying pre-ordered only so check Carnival website for details. They are beautifully made by the students. The Portuguese bean soup and Hawaiian plates are located mauka in the cafeteria. Be prepared to wait in line but it goes quickly as there's a limit of 2. You may sit in the cafeteria to eat or there are groups of tables just outside. They sell small cooler bags if you plan on taking home or we brought our own. There is also a schedule of live music to enjoy. There was NO CHICKEN PLATE this year so we missed that rotisserie chicken cooked at the carnival on campus. The art gallery had moved to Bishop Learning Center because the library was being renovated so we enjoyed checking out the beautiful artwork and paintings for sale which were mostly local artists. In our experience it's always been a very safe and clean carnival- we took our 2 year old granddaughter this year and she loved all the games and a couple of rides like the "hot air balloon" and carousel. Lots of sunscreen, water, and people-watching made it all the more enjoyable.

This is a beautiful place and the guides here are very friendly and knowledgeable of Islamic art…read moreand the history of this property

After years and years of wanting to go, I FINALLY saw the Shangri La Museum up close and personal…read more You need to make reservations online and take the museum's shuttle bus to and from this location. Pay for parking at the Honolulu Museum of Art and check in, then wait for your shuttle in the front of the museum. You'll be shuttled in AC buses. Once you're done, they'll take you back and you have full access to the Honolulu Museum of Art for the same day. That's such a great deal! Two museums for the price of one ticket.

Loved the tour, history and the house. It was amazing. But…read moreas someone who is regular weight and height, but struggling with infertility, to be asked by the docent whether I was pregnant, is hugely hurtful and shows lack of interpersonal interactions. Specially as she was a woman, or even it it were a man, that is unacceptable. I am not expecting. We are going through IVF. I thought everyone from a young age was asked not to ask that kind of question. I loved our visit, but now it's on a sour feeling. Would not recommend bc of conduct of the docent. Otherwise, it's spectacular

Perched high in the mountains of Makiki Heights and nestled in an oasis of eucalyptus trees and…read morelush tropical foliage sits the magnificent Liljestrand House. Getting there is quite the experience of hairpin turns and winding roads, but once you see the low sprawling home, your blood pressure will return to normal. With its Japanese aesthetic and simple clean lines, the home captures the ambience of country cabin meets mid-century modern innovation and convenience. Once occupied by the Lilijestrand family, today the House is a showpiece of architectural excellence best experienced on a small guided tour. We were lucky to have Lisa and Kim as our guides, regaling us with one fascinating story after another along with intimate peeks into the lives of the architect and the homeowners. The breathtaking views from every room in the house is as gasp-inducing as the artwork and amazing nooks and crannies. Betty Lilijestrand oversaw the construction and it's her foresight along with Ossipoff's brilliant design that makes one marvel at their genius. Remember to wear shoes that can be removed easily, and plan to do some walking and taking lots of photos. And ... I imagined if I lived here I wouldn't want to leave! A wonderful experience that I highly recommend! Enjoy!

Always enjoy going to see stars performing here. Recently saw Bini and it was a fun and…read moreentertaining show. The only bad thing was that the soda dispensers failed and they could not serve soda drinks about 30 minutes after opening the arena doors to the public. I added in a video below. Prices have risen also to use the parking garage

Happy that you could purchase from the vendors food, snacks and drinks to bring into the arena…read more Ushers available to Help you find your seats dressed in green and white printed aloha shirts. Security was posted within the audience seated throughout the concert. The ac was strong. An older crowd in the audience. The row in front of us had their heads bobbing to the music. The performer had local guests sing a duet with him, had BYU choir on stage, the Honolulu symphony Orchestra plus his own band performing. Glad there were two large screens to see Josh Groban sing. Helps when large and tall people sit in front of you at the last possible moment. Felt almost like a gospel vibe to me but could be cuz I was not familiar with the majority of his songs.

There are two parts of the Lyon Arboretum. Going up to the gardens and walking to the Falls. When…read moreyou come up to the road, you will come to a booth, they are charging seven dollars for parking for going to the Falls. If you want to go to the gardens, tell them that and they will let you through. You drive up the road, maybe a mile or so. Watch out for the chickens! When you get to the end of the road, there is a little gift shop office area. You go in and pay a couple dollars, I can't remember exactly how much it was. And you can walk the gardens. They are worth it! It is gorgeous there. I bought some quality gifts to bring home for friends at this shop. If you live in the area, there are plants that you could buy. Now going to the Falls, you pay your parking fee and park your car. The path leading up to the fall, according to my kids, is a moderate hike. There are spots where there are high steps and rocky terrain. I believe I was the oldest person on the trail. I could see how some people might have issues getting up and down. The views on the trail and of the fall were beautiful.

I can't believe that I didn't know about this place! This place is a true gem for nature and plant…read morelovers. The views of manoa valley are gorgeous, the gardens beautiful and the serenity unbeatable. I felt like I had the entire place pretty much to myself, just exploring the various side trails. There is a little waterfall at the end of the main trail as well. This place is hidden at the back of manoa valley just past the manoa falls parking lots. Its manoa so its wet and lush, meaning possibly muddy trails and definitely mosquitos. Wear hiking shoes and insect repellent. Check in/pay at the gift shop after you park and they will issue you a parking permit. They even sell plants and seeds for edible plants that do better in our local climate! What a find!!!

we went to mcdonald's drive through and bought pancakes and they didn't give us any butter knife or…read morefork of syrup either absolutely nothing, how dare they do that to us when we go go there almost everyday to buy food from them and they leave out the essentials like that, omg!!! i want to report them to the better business bureau too now for doing this to us this isn't the first time they've done this to us before either too, omg!!!

When i was asked to go I thought nah because they're not very scary. When I saw the Facebook page…read moreand saw how well the costumes were I thought maybe it can still be a good adventure. I have to say this was a good scare. The costumes, props and effects were spot on. Many places are super dark like you can't see your hand 5 inches from your face. I had to take creepy small steps just to feel my way and get through this. Actors were professionally made up. it was difficult to tell if it was a dummy or not. I'm not one to scare easy but this place got me to jump twice. They have learned well how to guide people to the positions where they want them to be to get a good scare. And then when you think it's over, it's just like the in the movies. It ain't. hahahahha Some food trucks are set up in the parking lot so you can grab a bite to eat. Parking is across the street at West Marines. They have security there too for the safety of your vehicle. $15 will get you in but we decided to get the $20 Fast Pass to bypass the line. Special thanks to Kevin for setting this up again this year. Highly, highly recommend everyone going to check this out. Well worth it and better than most of the haunts out there.

Tonight is Na Wai! Yay! Awesome hula to start the evening! So happy to be here and to enjoy the…read moreHawaiian Cultures with malihini and kanaka! Love Kona Nui nights during this hot summer! The aloha here is definitely felt! I just love the sharing of mo'olelo and hula followed by beautiful music of Hawai'i top artists. Come on out to Kona Nui Nights!

A FREE concert on the Third Wednesday of every month?…read more I must check it out! It seems too good to be true! I had seen Lyla D. check in at this Honolulu event in the past. Fortunately, this time, she invited me to go with her and her husband, Ed, on July 20, 2016. The featured guest performer was Hoku Zuttermeister who is known for his contemporary Hawaiian music, including awesome falsetto vocals! We got to the reception table in the lobby of the IBM Building at about 5:30pm for the 6pm show. We were welcomed by the pleasant staff with a warm greeting and a yellow paper band for our wrist! At first, we sat in the last row of canvas beach chairs and enjoyed some overflow of air conditioning from the open door of the IBM Building. Later, when family members of the hula halau left, we were able to move up and sit in the second row! The balmy tropical breeze kept us cool in the open air courtyard. A large white tent kept up protected from the last rays of the setting sun. Aja Gample started off the evening with her smooth vocals and slack key guitar accompaniment. Also of note, was Kumu Hina (I had seen a movie about her) and her hula halau (hula troupe)! There were other hula dancers (children, men, aunties, seniors, etc.) who jumped in and danced to songs sung by Hoku Zuttermeister, including Hoku's mother, Susan! It was such a wonderful event, full of surprises and fun! This time, Lyla got a free ticket for me via wardvillageshops.com - mahalo, Lyla!! Next month, I will be able to acquire my own ticket, now that I know the routine and the location. Free parking is nearby at the Ward Village shops, the Ward Warehouse and Ward Center. The restroom in the IBM Building is convenient and clean. Beverages were available at the bar in the back ($2 soft drink and $6 beer). A shave ice cart provided cool treats for $3 a serving. Besides watching hula and listening to Hawaiian music, we enjoyed each others' company and were allowed to bring in our own dinner! This casual 2-hour event reminded me of the Grand Performances in Downtown Los Angeles, but on a more personal and meaningful level. Our community is able to come together and celebrate Hawaiian culture, language, dance, and music in an inviting and intimate manner! A hui hou!

What a great opportunity to see several Ghibli movies at the Historic Hawaii Theater. Guessing…read morethat most people attending have already seen the movies at least on DVD, but to see it on the movie screen is a great treat that cannot be missed. The real question for many is which movie to see (if not all, right?)- in our case we decided to see "Spirited Away". This has always been a personal favorite and we were lucky to have seen it when it first came to the big screen in 2002. They also have special items for sale on the second floor connected with the Miyazaki movies. Many talented artists have their wares displayed for purchase (Support local!) and as a bonus- they have a free photo booth that takes three pics and includes a Film festival header pic. Nice memento of the festival. Side note: We have been to Hawaii Theater on many occasions but for live performances. Back in the day, before it was saved from being demolished I would go to see Saturday morning kids movies and monster/ Science fiction movies in middle school. The theater is great, restored to it's former glory. The sound system is great, the ushers, concessionaires, and everyone connected with the program is top notch and mostly volunteers. This is a well run operation and is a great venue to enjoy live performances and film presentations. The Miyazaki Ghibli Festival presented by the Hawaii Theater Center is indeed special and very enjoyable. There is one more movie offering on Sunday, 7/10. Check it out if you can. Mahalos to Yelp and the Hawaii Theater Center for the comp. tickets. A great movie opportunity that we really enjoyed.

Here with Nicole S. on the last day of Miyazaki film festival! Totoro, dubbed in English subtitles,…read morethis is such a great end to the series this week. Shout out to Art + Flea for putting this event on with with the help of Hawaii Theater! Some food vendors outside, with a semi-long line for tickets at the box office. I really liked being able to pickup tickets at Will Call! Thanks Yelp!! I really liked seeing so many kids and families here to spend sometime together and watch this timeless classic.