Someone told me recently that I was their best source for the latest news on the nerd stuff they like. That caught me by surprise, so thanks for the encouragement! Why was I surprised? Lately I’ve been feeling my attention…
Here are my top 5 ramen shops after Yotteko-Ya: places that fill the void in my heart and belly.
The last bowl. Savoring every drop of the steaming paitan broth. Memorizing the creamy texture on my tongue. Chewing slowly the tender, juicy kakuni meat. Enjoying this meal to its fullest, because it will be my last. Goodbye, Yotteko-ya. The…
If you haven’t already filed your federal taxes, today’s the deadline. We at Frolic Hawaii would like to do our part to ease the pain. We’ve rounded up our favorite old-school cheeseburgers at local diners, drive-ins and yes, dives —…
I spent the weekend at Kawaii Kon 2017, the largest anime convention in Hawaii. It was good to be among my people. Anime, manga, video games and cosplay as far as the eye could see. I witnessed a lightsaber…
A lucky few got to see the hit anime film “Your Name” when it screened at the closing night gala of last fall’s Hawaii International Film Festival. Now’s your chance to catch it. It premieres in Hawaii theaters on April…
Thirteen years and 15,000 otaku after it began, it’s back. Kawaii Kon 2017 happens at the Hawaii Convention Center this weekend, April 7 to 9. So to help you navigate this world of anime, manga, gaming and cosplay — and…
I haven’t done this in a while. It’s in my blood, it’s in my culture. The last time I ate with my hands was two years ago, at the Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce kamayan picnic. Kamayan, you see, is…
What do starving artists and art lovers at Pow Wow Hawaii eat? Tacos! After stints at Chef Mavro, Vintage Cave and Avenue’s Bar & Eatery, award-winning chef Robert Paik has set up a taco truck in the middle of the…
Sponsored A street legend is reborn. Janae takes the track-proven, street-ready 2017 Toyota 86 out for a spin. Successor to the celebrated Toyota AE86, the 2017 Toyota 86 comes with a 6-speed transmission, a Boxer-Four engine, revised differential, and paddle…
New Year’s Eve is just around the corner. Not sure where to go? Here’s our guide of all kinds of parties happening around town. 7th Annual Bud Light New Year’s Eve Party of the Year 7 p.m. – 2…
Who can bring out the nightlife crew while the sun is still up? None other than Honolulu’s leading lady for parties, promotions and entertainment: Christa Wittmier, aka Super CW. Her retirement and birthday party last night at Pure Nightclub featured…
I had promised babes that I would take her to a cafe for breakfast. Someplace she’s never been before. I like surprises, so on a random weekday morning, I took her to church. Sort of. Cafe Fusion is located inside…
A flight across the Pacific, a ride into the city and 12 hours later, here we were: Taiwan. Babes and I immediately got down to business: breakfast. I had my first taste of Taiwan at Jiang Yellow Beef Noodle Shop.…
Tucked in a corner of Kam Shopping Center. I haven’t felt this young in a while. That was my first thought the first time I ate at Teishoku, a Japanese restaurant that opened in July at the Kamehameha Shopping Center…
A cosplayer from the first Amazing Hawaii Comic Con in 2015. Once again, it’s back: the incredible Amazing Hawaii Comic Con 2016 … Part 2. Amid the universe of cosplay, panels, workshops, exhibitors and Pokemon Go challenges coming to the…
My first date with the woman who is now my girlfriend was at Bevy. So it’s fitting that as we close in on our one-year anniversary, I swing by Bevy to celebrate its third. And what an anniversary. Bevy has…
What does a Japanese fisherman say to get attention? “Yacchaba!” That’s according to the owners of the newest Japanese izakaya in town, Yacchaba. And get my attention, Yacchaba did. What secrets do you hold? Besides sake and beer. I’m a…
Clean energy non-profit Blue Planet Foundation held their first Blue Tie Bash at the Hawaii Convention on Wednesday evening. This benefit featured a wine tasting, live entertainment, dinner and both silent and live auctions. The highlight of the evening featured…
We checked out belly dance showcase Goddess Zone on Saturday evening at Doris Duke Theater, hosted by Mistress of Ceremonies Cocoa Chandelier as “The Lady of Wahiahole.” Dances performed in Goddess Zone are inspired from paintings of Hawaiian goddesses by artist Rochelle…
This is one of the marquee signs from the original International Market Place. What once was old is new again. Welcome back International Market Place. More than 1,000 people gathered Wednesday night to preview the newly revamped complex, which opens…
I exercise to eat. That’s why I decided to reward myself with a trip to 9Bar HNL for breakfast after my morning run. I don’t really run that far. Or for that long. Anyways, I woke up my partner in…
The gentrification of Kapiolani continues. The buy me drinky bars in the area have done nothing to stem the tide of milk tea shops. There’s Mister Tea, Taste Tea, Teapresso, Tea Boss. And now there’s a new one: The Friend…
What’s black and white and red all over? The skin of most people at the first day of the Pacific Ink and Art Expo. I strolled through corridors of skin canvases and bloody inking, watching magicians at work. It must…
Harley Quinn and the Joker from the upcoming “Suicide Squad” film were friendlier than expected, considering their suicidal tendencies. And Katana from “Arrow” apparently gave birth to a Hogwart’s wizard, Jedi knight, and a tiny barbarian. Where did I encounter…
I have to be honest. As a child, I wasn’t a fan of Batman. Although I had read Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns” at my local library and recognized the masterpiece for what it was, my young mind couldn’t…
Didn’t we just have another convention? Well, you can never have too much of a good thing, can you? While some fans in the local geek community may be feeling the burnout, I welcome our new convention overlords. I’d rather…
Hayao Miyazaki’s critically acclaimed “My Neighbor Totoro” screens on Sunday, July 10 at 3 p.m. Have you heard the rumor about “My Neighbor Totoro”? The one where Totoro is actually a death god? And everyone dies? Totoro comes to bring…
I tilted the menu because the pig is tipsy. The nightlife scene may be gentrifying along a notorious strip of Kapiolani Boulevard. Open since early June between a nest of buy-me-drinky bars and the adult entertainment store Suzie’s, Tipsy Pig…
Kamehameha. The name evokes strength, power and nobility. A fitting description of the man who united the islands of Hawaii and became its first king. It’s a great way to describe the signature attack of martial artist Son Goku, hero…
Local designers and artists gathered at Kaka’ako Agora Thursday night to share their visions of a contemporary Hawaii, one free of the cliched coconut bras and tiki torches the world knows us by. The idea involved giving participants a white…
Driving from Sandy Beach to the top to Hanauma Bay takes your breath away. So does running from Sandy Beach to the top of Hanauma Bay. Well, running and walking, in my case. But not for the views. I’m talking…
Avengers assemble! Day one of the Amazing Hawaii Comic Con 2016, was noticeably slower than last year, probably due to all the high school graduations happening Friday night. Still, we saw tons of comic book artists, vendors, crafts and…
Once again it’s back: the incredible Amazing Hawaii Comic Con! Not to be confused with the other comic convention in Hawaii. Or the other anime conventions in Hawaii. It can get confusing, which is why we’re here, to help guide…
Abandon all hope, ye who enter here. $3 movie tickets at an actual movie theater? Granted it was only for the soft opening, but I figured it would be a good excuse to check out Regal Kapolei Commons 12, the…
This month’s Honolulu Night + Market featured a collaboration with Pa‘i Foundation’s Maoli Arts Movement (MAMo) highlighting local and Native Hawaiian artisans, retail vendors, and food trucks, live music and a fashion show. …
The Boys Bunch Hawaii hosted their 30th Annual April Foolish FUNraiser at M Nightclub Friday night, featuring live entertainment and pupus, with proceeds benefiting the keiki of Make-a-Wish Hawaii. …
In 2005, I was a lonely otaku. In kinder terms, that’s a passionate fan of a particular interest, usually anime and manga. Why lonely? Because I had no friends who shared my passion. That changed with the advent with Kawaii…
I didn’t take a selfie, but I found a bunch of people who did at ARTafterDARK: #SELFIE on Friday night at the Honolulu Museum of Art. This month’s themed event featured selfie stations throughout the museum grounds and the usual nightlife…
The Boy and the Beast. It’s that time of year again, when your friendly neighborhood otaku start diving into their closets and cosplaying up in preparation for next month’s Kawaii-Kon anime convention. And what better way to get into the…
