Tips Hawaii

Makapu’u lighthouse Oahu

Hawaii tip — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:44:33 +0000

Makapu’u Lighthouse is very nice trail to take, including an excellent way to watch the Whales. It is has a spectacular view of the Windward side of O’ahu. The lighthouse was built in 1909 and automated in 1974. A 2-mile paved trail leads to the lighthouse and a fantastic view of the entire coastline and the island of Molokai in the distance. In 2008 – 2009 the parking area was completely redone, for the better.

Do not leave valuables in your car
There is no shade, so best to go in early mornings or late afternoons
It’s a 2 mile hike what is reasonable

Safety Tips for Hiking: Inform a friend of your route and your expected time of return. Never hike alone or go beyond your capability. Always bring water, basic first aid kit and rain gear, just in case. Do not drink stream water which contains biological impurities. Stay always on the trail.

Eddie Aikau 2009 won by Greg Long

Hawaii tip — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:35:47 +0000

The Eddie Aikau memorial surf contest organized by Quiksilver and Monster Energy at Waimea Bay was won today by Greg Long and he took home $50,000 . The Monster Energy surf drop of the day was won by Ramon Navarro from Chile. He dropped in on a monster wave and took is taking home the $10,000 price from Monster and of course the Trophy. Other finalists where Kelly Slater in second place $5,000, Sunny Garcia in third place $5000, Bruce Irons 4th place $3,000 and Ramon Navarro 5th place $2,000,

Invitees for today’s event :

Darryl Virostko (USA)

Makuakai Rothman (HAW)

Ross Clarke-Jones (AUS)

International Invitees

Takayuki Wakita (JPN)

Grant Baker (ZAF)

Ramon Navarro (CHL)

Ibon Amatriain (SPN)

Previous contest winners:

Winter of 1984/1985 – First memorial event in Aikau’s honor held at Sunset Beach, won by Denton Miyamura.

1986/1987 – Eddie Aikau event moved to Waimea, won by Clyde Aikau in onshore 20-foot surf, Feb. 21, 1987

1989/1990 – Event runs in late January, wave heights 25-foot plus. Memorable waves were Brock Little’s crazy tuberide, and the perfect score by Richard Schmidt for his magic carpet drop. Event was ultimately won by Keone Downing.

1995/1996 – Event runs on Dec. 29. Only one of two rounds was held, with no declared winner.

1997/1998 – A large swell came in January. The waves were over 30 feet, which was deemed too big, and ironically and the event didn’t go.

1998/1999 – The event ran on New Year’s day. Noah Johnson, the smallest surfer in the event at 5’3″, was unstoppable on a day of cartoonish proportions.

2000/2001 – The event ran on January 12. Ross Clarke-Jones, an invitee since the beginning of the event at Waimea finally got his just reward in 20-foot plus.

2001/2002 – The event ran in January. Kelly Slater proved that his supreme status is not limited to the world tour.

2004/2005 – The event ran on December 15, just 9 days into the holding period. Booming 25-plus and a maximum capacity crowd for the 20th anniversary event. Bruce Irons won with his ride to the shore which culminated in a mind-blowing, crowd roaring closeout barrel.

Eddie Aikau 2009 contest Waimea Bay Oahu

Hawaii tip — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:04:19 +0000

The Eddie Aikua surf contest is held at Waimea Bay on Tuesday December 8th 2009. Surf is pumping 25-35 feet early morning and the forecast is for 40-50 feet sets later in the day and on Wednesday. You can follow the event live on channel 250 if you are living in Hawaii and have Oceanic time warner cable or on the web by clicking here

The first memorial event in honor of Eddie Aikau was held at Sunset Beach on Oahu in the Winter of 1984/1985 and won by Denton Miyamura.

Lender for Allure Waikiki may be in trouble

gogo — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:03:26 +0000

Corus Bank, the Chicago bank that made the $169 Million loan to Chicago developer Fifield Co. to build the Allure Waikiki, may be collapsing under its weight of it defaulting commercial real estate loans. Corus Bank filed an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today that showed a preliminary Tier 1 capital of negative $157 million with a ratio of (2.1)%. The Bank is considered critically under capitalized at this point. Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act any depository institution that is deemed “critically under capitalized” must be placed in conservator ship or receivership within 90 days. Corus also stated in the filing that it is “highly unlikely that it will be able to obtain additional outside capital…”

Unlike other developers, Fifield does not appear to be in financial trouble itself desite sluggish sales at the Allure Waikiki. They have even taken the aggressive step of opening a sales office in Tokyo this past October to help increase sales. But, with Corus on the verge of collapse, this means schedule payouts for the ongoing construction could be seriously delayed and there is a chance future payments will not be made. This leaves Fifield in a bind to come up with payments for their contractors.

This may all mean more layoffs from this project at a time when Hawaii’s unemployment rate is steadily rising with construction being one of the areas hardest hit in the state. This past June the unemployment rate is already up to 8.1% and the new figures for July will be released August 7, 2009.

The Allure Waikiki is scheduled to be completed in 2010.

Lawsuit filed against Trump International Hotel and Tower by condo owners

Hawaii tip — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:46:35 +0000

Following the articles from Pacific business news and our Tips Hawaii article about the condo owners who want “out”, we learned that Attorney Warren Price announced Monday the filing of a lawsuit

The Trump Tower Waikiki on July 9, 2009

in Hawaii state court against Irongate AZREP BW LLC, the developer of “Trump International Hotel & Tower at Waikiki Beach Walk”. The suit is for Sales Contracts on 11 units.

Attorney Price also said that he will file a similar action in Federal Court on behalf of Japanese buyers who did not buy directly from Irongate, but through an intermediary company handling sales in Japan. Price said this Federal suit would be for Japanese buyers who did not make their final payments on July 10th in Japan, and also for those who did and seek a return of all their money.

Soha living interior store at Waialae Avenue

Hawaii tip — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:08:00 +0000

SoHa Living recently relocated from a large center at the Ward centers shopping area. The old shop was pretty good, nice size and they had some unique higher end furniture. The new shop located in Kahala Mall is a great disappointment. It is very small and has no furniture. Instead it has nick-nacks , such as overpriced plates and cups you can buy at any store such as Macy’s or online for far less. Far more depressing is that they have a large collection of cut corral. Yes, you read it right corral. This is actually unbelievable. The corral has little cards with it that it is farm raised, but it raises eyebrows. Why in the first place would you want to display and sell corral? Surely in this day and age people do not think it is cool to decorate with something so environmentally controversial. They also are selling dead dried starfish which may be not as bad. It is too bad that SoHa lost its uniqueness in this move to Kahala Mall.

[xrrgroup] [xrr label="Uniqueness :" rating="1/5" group="s1"] [xrr label="Prices :" rating="2.3/5" group="s1"] [xrr label="Location:" rating="4/5" group="s1"] [xrr label="Service:" rating="0/5" group="s1"] [xrr label="Overall:" overall=true group="s1" ][/xrrgroup]

[wp_geo_map]

Humuhumunukunukuapau’a at Grand Wailea – Maui restaurant reviews (Hawai’i)

Hawaii tip — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:17:40 +0000

Overlooking a saltwater lagoon with tropical fish results in a fantastic view.

Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa, Maui . Phone 875-1234

Cafe Miro 3446 Wai’alae Ave – Honolulu restaurant reviews (Hawaii)

Hawaii tip — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:13:32 +0000

Cafe Miro serves french inspirated food by Chef Kobayashi.

Four Seasons resort Maui at Wailea – Maui hotel reviews (Hawaii

Hawaii tip — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:09:10 +0000

Tapa bar at Hilton Hawaiian village – Waikiki bar and nightlife reviews

Hawaii tip — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:48:57 +0000

The tapa bar at the Hilton Hawaiian village is a very pleasant location to relax and hang out. During the day, but better in the evenings. They serve all the drinks and some light snacks. Not really a dinner place, but you can grab some food at another Hilton place and bring it over. Service is very friendly but can be slow due to being understaffed. We like to hang out on the sofas and people watch.