HAWAII FRESH – DIAMOND BAKERY

Took a quick tour of the Diamond Bakery factory - a local bakery specializing in crackers and cookies that got its start in 1921.  There is a great story about how three friends began the company on their website ... www.diamondbakery.com.

The factory is pretty compact – more or less contained in one warehouse. Diamond Bakery uses continuous feed, direct fired ovens for their popular crackers and cookies but workers hand-select, weigh and pack each box to ensure quality and unbroken product.

Diamond Bakery makes Graham, Salty, Saloon Pilot, Royal Creem (my favorite) and Soda crackers.  They also make cookies including the popular animal crackers.

Clockwise from right:  Royal Creem Crackers on the assembly line, Royal Creems on the conveyor belt, Diamond Bakery worker checking the crackers and Animal Crackers.  These four photos are courtesy of Susan Sunderland.

Diamond Bakery does not sell direct to the public but they are available online and you will find their popular cookies and crackers in most stores and supermarkets.

Top national award goes to Aqua Waikiki Wave hotel housekeeper (+video)

Top national award goes to Aqua Waikiki Wave hotel housekeeper (+video)

Na Mele Nei

FREE … The first Sunday Concert promises a delightful afternoon of Hawaiian Music with Hula by the talented OPIHIKAO SERENADERS (they captured fifth place in the 2008 Ka Himeni Ana Contest)

When:   Sunday  July 4, 2010 @1pm, Free and the public is welcome

Where:  Ward Warehouse Amphitheatre

What:    Na Mele Nei Concert        

Who:    The Opihikao Serenaders

Genre:  Hawaiian music  with hula 

Info:     596-8885  NativeBooks Na Mea Hawai‘i, www.nativebookshawaii.com

Sizzling “Hot” Summer Entertainment Lineup at Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa

Sizzling “Hot” Summer Entertainment Lineup at Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa

Dad’s Special day … part deux

Dad’s Special day … part deux

Full Moon Magical Cruise on Saturday, June 26

Here’s a special full moon Maui cruise from Pacific Whale Foundation.

Award-winning professional astronomer Harriet Witt provides expert narration about the Hawaiian night sky aboard the Full Moon Magical Cruise on June 26.. Witt, an international award-winning astronomy writer and speaker, has been giving informative presentations on astronomy in Hawaii since 1990. Don't miss this chance to view the moon and stars with her on a beautiful night at sea!

• The cruise includes hot and cold appetizers (BBQ grilled Maui Cattle Co. beef sticks marinated in teriyaki sauce, Hawaiian-style boneless, skinless chicken strips marinated in special sauce, fresh vegetable crudité platter with Maui onion dip, baked spinach dip with crackers, seasonal assorted island fruits, and a Hawaiian sampler platter) and refreshments. Adults with valid i.d. can enjoy up to 3 alcoholic beverages (Maui Brewing Co. beer, wine, Mai Tais and tropical well drinks) per person.

• 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. from Lahaina Harbor

• For reservations, call (808) 249-8811 ext. 1 or reserve online at http://www.pacificwhale.org/mauiecocruises.

Regular adult rate is $49.95. Discount is available when booking online. Discoujt also available for PWF members.

Available 2010: April 28, May 27, June 26, July 26, August 25, September 23, October 22, November 20 and December 22

What’s happening at the Honolulu Academy of Arts

If you like to spend time leisurely browsing and studying works of art, here is a calendar of what’s available at the Honolulu Academy of Arts:

From Whistler to Warhol:  Modernism on Paper is on-going until July 3

3^rd Annual Chinese Film Festival is on-going until June 30

June-August 2010

Four Thousand Years of Southeast Asian Art
Henry R. Luce Gallery (28)
For its major summer exhibition, the Academy highlights its important but little seen collection of Southeast Asian Art. This exhibition will include approximately 150 works of art from Thailand and Cambodia, many of which have never been displayed at the museum. Visitors will travel through time and regions via three sections: The Neolithic and Bronze ages in Thailand and Cambodia; the Khmer kingdom, which dominated the central Southeast Asian peninsula, including Cambodia and parts of Thailand, from the 9th through the 15th centuries; and the Sukhothai kingdom, generally considered the first major Thai kingdom and the progenitor of the modern Thai state, which flourished from the 13th through the 15th centuries.

This exhibition is a chance for the public to discover a major resource in Hawaii for the study of Southeast Asia, and it promotes a greater awareness and appreciation of Southeast Asian cultural and artistic traditions in the Hawaii community.

July-October 2010

Catharine E.B. Cox Award Exhibition: Sanit Khewhok
John Dominis and Patches Damon Holt Gallery of the Arts of Hawai‘i

As part of its ongoing commitment to the local arts community, the Honolulu Academy of Arts holds about 15 exhibitions a year at the Academy Art Center featuring Hawai‘i talent, the biannual Artists of Hawai‘i juried exhibition and the crown jewel—the Catharine E.B. Cox Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts. This award includes a major site-specific solo exhibition in the museum.

The 2010 award has been granted to Sanit Khewhok. Born in Thailand, Khewhok studied art at Silpakorn University in Bangkok and the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. After working at Bangkok’s National Gallery as Curator of Modern Art, Khewhok joined The Contemporary Museum as Chief Conservator and Collections Manager in 1988, where he worked until 2008. He has lived in Hawai‘i since 1986.

Honolulu Academy of Arts

900 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96814
Phone: (808) 532-8700

Hours
Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4:30pm
Sunday 1-5pm
NEW: Second Thursday of every month 10am-9pm

Museum observed holidays
Thanksgiving Day, November 26,2009
Christmas Day, December 25, 2009
New Year's Day, January 1, 2010
Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2010
Christmas Day, December 25, 2010

Access for patrons in wheelchairs and courtesy parking for disabled persons is available.

Admission
$10 General
$5 Seniors (62+)/Students (12+)/Military (with I.D.)
Free for all Honolulu Academy of Arts members, children 12 and under accompanied by an adult and Hawaii-based teachers. Out-of-state teachers may enter for a discounted rate of $5. (Must show school I.D. or union card at Front Desk.)

Free days
• Bank of Hawaii Sundays: Third Sunday of the month, 11 am-5 pm.
• First Wednesday of every month.
• Military appreciation day: First Sunday of every month free for military personnel and their families. Must show I.D.
Entry to the Academy Shop, the Pavilion Cafe and The Robert Atherton Library is free.

Sizzlin’ choice for Father’s Day – Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Award-winning Ruth’s Chris Steak House Hawaii is celebrating Father’s Day with a special gift. On June 20, Dads who dine at one of five Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses on Oahu, Maui or Hawaii Island will be eligible to win “A DAY FORE DAD” on their respective island.

• Oahu dads will be eligible to win a Round of Golf for 4 at Ko`Olina Golf Resort and Dinner for 4 at Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Restaurant Row or Waikiki Beach Walk

• Maui dads will be eligible to win a Round of Golf for 4 at Ka`anapali Golf Resort and Dinner for 4 at Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Lahaina Center on Front Street or The Shops at Wailea

• Big Island dads will be eligible to win a Round of Golf for 4 at Waikoloa Golf Resort and Dinner for 4 at Ruth’s Chris Steak House at The Shops at Mauna Lani

All locations will be open from 4 p.m. for family enjoyment.

The entire award-winning Ruth’s Chris menu will be offered all evening long, with its array of tantalizing appetizers, fresh salads, unbeatable steaks, fresh seafood, chicken and chops, signature side dishes and mouthwatering desserts.

Each of the Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses island wide also will be offering chef’s specials, including a Steak and Lobster combination for Father’s Day

Sample items from the menu.  Click image to view it full size.

Dads deserve the best so be sure he has a chance to experience fine dining at its prime and follow the sizzle to Ruth’s Chris Steak House. For information, reservations and gift cards, visit www.ruthschris.com.

Oahu-based artists honored at a special exhibit and silent auction at Maui’s NaPua Gallery to benefit the Contemporary Museum in Makiki

Celebrated Oahu artists are the guests of honor at the NaPua Gallery’s special exhibition and silent auction to benefit The Contemporary Museum in Makiki (Oahu) on Saturday, June 26 at the Grand Wailea on Maui. Several valued pieces have been donated for the auction with all proceeds to benefit Contemporary Museum.

Invited artists for the exhibition include:

·       Mark Chai, sculptor

·       Chris Campbell, painter

·       Diane KW Chen, ceramics

·       Yvonne Cheng, painter

·       Vicky Chock, ceramics

·       John Koga, sculptor

·       Wayne Levin, photographer

·       Marty Mitsuda, painter

·       Rick Mills, glass

·       Stephen Niles, painter

·       Franco Salmoiraghi, photographer

·       Esther Shimazu, ceramics

·       Maile Yawata, ceramics

Artwork by several of the invited artists.

NaPua Gallery invites the public to meet the artists and support the silent auction from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be served. Space is limited. Reservations to attend must be made through 808.874.0510. Attendance is complimentary.

NaPua Gallery facilitates complimentary art tours of the Grand Wailea art collection, the largest corporate art collection in Hawaii, for the public every Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. Grand Wailea also hosts an Artists in Residence program where the public can browse and purchase through a display of sculptures, paintings, photography, wood turnings and ceramics from select local artists every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Wednesdays, artist Kata Joos is available to paint original, life-size portraits from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

An advocate of the arts, Grand Wailea is providing a special kama’aina rate for the weekend starting at $259 for the travel dates of June 24 – 28. Hawaii residents may take advantage of this limited offer through 808.875.1234 and mentioning special code “P6.”

For more information about NaPua Gallery, visit www.napuagallery.com or call 808.874.0510.

Bon Dance season starts on Saturday, June 5 at Hawaii's Plantation Village

This is one of my favorite pix, taken in 2005 at Hawaii's Plantation Village, showing various age groups and genders dancing together.

4 pm - Buddhist Ceremony
5 pm - Bon Dancing starts

Food available for sale

Hurricane season in the Pacific is offically underway

Hurricane season in the Pacific is offically underway

Be prepared. Get your list and items together soon.