9/27/25 Went to the Young at Heart Expo today and I cannot even remember the last time I was here…read moreat the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. It was my first time attending this event and it was also the last day of a 2-day expo. Event parking was $8 and they take take cash or BC. It is a little confusing at first entering the parking lot because there is a small automated kiosk where you pay for your parking and as I was reading the instructions, a nice young lady in the booth past the kiosk waved me over. She processed payment in a timely and friendly manner. The parking structure is a 3-story just across from the Blaisdell complex. It was full on the first floor with still plenty of available parking spaces. I was fortunate to find one just across from the exhibition hall. Nice to have covered parking! Leaving the structure can be a bit of a challenge if you're trying to leave to the King Street exit. If you take a wrong turn in the structure, you have to go completely around again to get to the correct lane and it's a very long parking structure. The event was free to attend and you can pre-register online & emailed a QR code. What's funny is, as I walked in with my QR code ready, there is no one scanning it, just greeters at the door. So QR code wasn't needed or required to enter. The expo was pretty full with all kinds of vendors. Flu shots were available thru some of the major health companies here like Kaiser, HMSA, Longs, etc. Some vendors had plinko you play for a prize, which was fun. Some were high pressured sales people which I did not care for. There were a couple areas set up for scheduled activities (I.e. pickleball, zumba, tennis), some vendors, and a stage. Jordan Segundo was the emcee and I had just missed the pet fashion show and caught the last 2 songs of Jordan. The facility was pretty clean, bathrooms were ok. The restrooms near the entrance is small, not too clean, and was out of toilet paper. The restrooms in the back by the stage are much bigger and cleaner. Besides the chairs surrounding the stage, there were also a few tables with table cloths for dining. The setting for the facility is nicely landscaped with the fish ponds by the hall and arena. I opted on a wagyu hot dog on a Hawaiian roll from Aloha Wagyu Hot Dogs booth. First time having a wagyu dog & it was ono! It was only $6, good sized, about 1/4 lb that came with mustard and crispy fried onions. They are not the same company in Waikiki called Aloha Hot Dog & Banh Mi. Overall, it was a good experience & look forward to returning for other events.

Checked out the Food and Product show at the Neal Blaisdell Exhibition hall Sunday …read more I haven't come here for a while so i decided to check out their fish pond around the entrance of the Arena and the Exhibition hall. By in the day or ever since I can remember must be long time ago the fishes were more like small guppies and Talapia fish . To my surprise wow there's now Papio and my wife spotted a big Barracuda. Hmmm I think I will go late at night with my fishing pole and do some fishing LOL JK. It was a good turn out at the Food and Product Shows lots of people. Parking was $8 and Entry fee was $6 adult . I dropped a lot of money this weekend but that's ok to support local businesses is a must .

I worked with Fong (through my event planner) for my proposal in late February. Fong is truly an…read moreartist. With relatively limited input she managed to truly capture my girlfriend's personality in her floral work. Despite its size (the penthouse suite at the O'ahu Four Seasons), Fong's work made the location feel intimate and ours. We ended up using some of the flowers in our engagement shoot the next day (she said yes!), and they held up throughout our stay. Listen, Fong isn't cheap, but this is one of those "you get what you pay for" kind of deals. Beautiful craftsmanship with tons of initiative. If I wouldn't be getting married on the other side of the world I would have zero hesitation to partner with Fong again. I'm attaching some samples of Fong's work for us. Enjoy!

The best thing that happened to me was meeting Fong, owner of Floral Inspirations. Fong is…read moreWONDERFUL! Besides meeting her once for our consultation she stayed in constant contact with me throughout the whole wedding process through phone or email. I really wanted to focus my time and energy on making the reception hall look magnificent and from the very beginning she just got my whole concept and executed things exactly the way I wanted. She had me send her examples of bouquets I liked, flowers I liked, flower colors, I sent her a sample of what I wanted my reception to look like and a sample of my invitation, everything possible so that she could really get my theme-- and boy did she get it! I gave her my budget and she worked with it and I got everything that I wanted (think calalillies, monzenita branches, philenopsis orchids, high vases, low vases, lots of bling, etc.). At the last minute I even said that I would like some sort of an arch for my ceremony and I told her I only had $500 for it and she said she could do it and in the end that was the best looking archway I've ever seen with monzenita branches with strands of white orchirds, strands of jewels, and strands with little glass ornaments with a single white orchid in them hanging down from the archway. EVERYONE, and I mean everyone, said that the floral arrangements were breathtaking and that everything looked so posh and luxuirous; that they've never been to a reception like ours before and I attribute this to her designs! At the end of everything I told her that I truly felt like she was my hanai mom and I meant it. She was a dream come true and anyone would be blessed to work her!

I've loved taking photos from when I was in high school, but it's been a long time since I've felt…read morecomfortable in front of a camera. I'm definitely a little more awkward feeling and shy than I used to be, but Mahina made me feel so much more comfortable and confident ! A friend of mine asked me (an amateur) to be a model (gasp lol) for some products she was releasing, bags, tees, etc. so I of course was nervous but so happy to help. We shot at two locations on two separate days, the first being a more private secluded area and the second a much more public walk through town. My friend didn't really know what she wanted to do just that she needed these pieces shot so she could do this next launch but Mahina really stepped up, took control, and helped make the shoot as efficient and comfortable as possible. She was kind, creative, funny, and so sweet ! Mahina totally hyped us up and made us feel good about it throughout the shoot. She has such a fun and lively energy that makes her easy to work with. Overall, these photos were beautiful and really showcased my friend and her business in such a beautiful light (literally and figuratively of course). I've seen some of her work for other artists, weddings, couples, businesses, families, etc. and would 1000% recommend you check her out and book her for your photography needs. She shoots from Hawaii to New York and she does an amazing job !!

I don't know where to begin when talking bout Mahina... she is honestly such an incredible soul. We…read moreare a Queer couple from Virginia who was having a wedding all the way in Oahu, so finding someone just right for us was essential! From the very first time we talked to her (over the phone) and then to our first Zoom meeting, it was like we had known her for forever and hadn't even met her in person yet!! She has such a comfortable nature about her, and she makes you feel so relaxed and natural. On top of all of that, SHE'S SO FREAKING TALENTED!! (Seriously, check out her instagram) Thank you Mahina, for everything you did for us on our wedding day and after. We will cherish our photos forever and can't wait to come back to Oahu to visit. If you are looking for an incredible and flexible photography for your wedding, family photos, baby shower, birthday event, anything, she is your girl.

Awful customer service. She sends emails every year asking to vote for her: ""Please vote for me,…read moreKaren DB Photography under the 'Best Child Photographer' category!" Also, promises free children mini session as a token of appreciation. But once you vote and try to schedule a session she comes up with nothing but excuses!! You will never get your promised free session!! I read online reviews and lots of them says: she doesn't replay... go somewhere else for business.

Very disappointed with her customer service. Unprofessional…read more Tried to book her for a family holiday shoot for 2020 Christmas. She initially responded quickly, but as the date got closer responses would be further apart. Spent money on getting the families haircut, purchasing haku lei, and clearing schedules not only for my family but my sister/moms family. She didn't respond to questions or even have a location set up until a week before shoot was scheduled. The funny thing is she actually texted pictures of location options 2 days before the shoot was to be done, but many of my questions were still left unanswered. I guess she didn't need my business, but in return costed my family and I money in services done in preparation for a ghosted photo shoot.

Just finished another great fundraiser with Kala Kokua Fundraising. We raised over $21,000 through…read moreboth product sales and direct donations. The option to order online was easy and much appreciated by parents, family, and friends. Their customer service is OUTSTANDING!!! We loved supporting local food manufacturers too. Kala Kokua has the easiest fundraising program with the best profit margins around!

Our School has been working with Rod and his team for a few years now, and let me tell you, they do…read morean excellent job supporting and helping their clients get the most from their fundraiser. Our school worked very closely with Rod and are very pleased with everything that he does for us and our school. He goes above and beyond what is expected to help us raise as much money as possible. From bringing samples for us to try, bring his crew to come help and product pick up, even coming personally to deliver extras, Rod makes sure you are 100% satisfied with their product and service. This year our school went with online sales, which was a blessing. No worries about money collection, ticket counting, and tracking. The Kala Kokua website took care of everything. All we needed to do was supply the publicity though our website, and social media platforms. We really could not be more happy with our experience. We look forward to working with with Rod and his Crew for years to come.

Amazing! We reached out to Oshi via referral to have senior portraits taken but also for…read morephotographs for our daughter. Oshi has a vast knowledge of outdoor conditions, settings and best locations to meet current weather situations. When we meet at Diamond head beach, Oshi is very energetic, bubbly and just outstanding with kids. She has a sharp eye for detail and unparalleled creativity! The end product Oshi delivered surpassed our expectations!

Upon meeting Oshi, she was immediately warm and welcoming! I feel like we hit it off right off the…read morebat. I'm not normally comfortable in front of a professional camera or a photo shoot but she made me feel comfortable and full of gratitude for the session. She helped guide me with poses and things to do. She made the session so fun and playful! Upon receiving my gallery I was amazed at how wonderful the photos turned out. She is gifted in her vision and eye for photography. I felt beautiful and the photos turned out beautiful! I will forever be grateful for these keepsakes and photos to have forever. I highly recommend booking Oshi Simpson Photograpy for your next session!

Pawel is extremely kind, professional and talented. His creativity is wonderful and his attention…read moreto details definitely surprised me more than once. I went to take some portraits and he made me feel very comfortable, confident and inspired. The result was extraordinary and it's definitely remarkable. I can't wait to work with him again. I definitely recommend his work as a photographer and filmmaker if you want something both formal or unique.

Oahu films is the best for film in Hawaii! I have worked with Pawel on multiple projects and have…read morebeen 110% satisfied. We worked on a personal project that took multiple days to complete. There is no place this man won't go to get a shot. Even if it means waiting waist deep at night in the ocean! From drone shots to portraits and night shots, Pawel can do it all. Pawel takes every assignment and turns it into a masterpiece. I would highly recommend using Oahu Films for any project you have.

I attended the wedding of my niece here at 3:30 in the afternoon, and what a stunning place to have…read morethe ceremony! In the middle of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the chapel had several weddings the same day, so we weren't allowed in the chapel waiting room (which is downstairs) until exactly 30 minutes prior to the wedding. If this happens to you, there is at least one place nearby that you can sit and have a drink while you wait. We entered from the ground floor, and once inside during our scheduled time, we were told to go upstairs. I did notice an elevator for anyone with issues with climbing stairs (i.e. wearing 4 inch heels or climbed Diamond Head this morning and can't face another set of stairs). There are probably a few other rooms tucked away for the wedding party, as my niece was hidden away somewhere prior to the ceremony. This is a pretty small chapel, occupancy about 50 guests or so, but for a destination wedding, it really is beautiful. I did some snooping to find out that for that hour or so rental of the chapel the cost is $2,500, but that also includes a rehearsal time slot and a wedding coordinator. I do know that my niece booked this chapel in January or February for the November date. After the ceremony, the guests all lined the exit down the back stairs (probably because the next wedding party was on the ground floor waiting for their time). The wedding party all walked down the stairs and off we went to another location for the reception.

[If you want to watch a wedding video highlight of the Ocean Crystal Chapel go here…read morewww.vimeo.com/165262275 ] I got married at the Ocean Crystal Chapel last year - it was a destination wedding from Australia. For anyone who is planning a destination wedding and is choosing this venue purely from the pictures on the internet - don't be alarmed. This chapel is BETTER IN REAL LIFE!!! The day that my bridal part showed up for the wedding rehearsal (which is included in the price) everyone was literally "WOWED" by how beautiful the chapel was. So elegant, romantic, gorgeous, bright it makes your hear skip a beat looking at it. It was the perfect size for our small destination wedding of 50 people - because it's a small chapel it made the place look full with our guests. The chapel is air-conditioned, and there is a waiting room also air-conditioned for the bride and bridesmaids to wait in before the wedding. We didn't use extra flowers - I thought the flowers already included were fine. The wedding coordinator we dealt with was very professional and helpful, great service, good communication by email so absolutely no complaints there. I think we dealt with Stevie Lynne Kumia who I can personally recommend. If you have hesitations about the price - please please just spend the money and have it at the chapel. I initially looked at this place and thought it was too expensive, but my husband encouraged me to have our wedding at this beautiful chapel and I'm so glad we did because it was my dream wedding, all the guests to this day comment on this beautiful chapel and it made me the happiest bride for my dream Hawaiian wedding.