"Two Japanee Bruddahs": A Nichi Bei Times column
By Kyle Tatsumoto and Keith Kamisugi

To do our part to encourage people to visit Hawai'i, da Two Japanee Bruddahs, from time to time, goin' give you some of our island tips, da kine only kama'aina know about.

Where's the best place to go for shave ice on O'ahu? Matsumoto's, yeah? Wrong. Actually, Matsumoto's is an institution and you gotta go at least one time fo' buy da Matsumoto's t-shirt.

But, who like drive forty minutes to Haleiwa jus' fo' one shave ice, an den stand in line wit choke tourists fo' thirty minutes? (Okay, a forty minute drive may not be too far, but if you grew up in Hawai'i, it's like driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles.) If you jus' like one good shave ice, go Waiola Store in Moili'ili.

Just five minutes from Waikiki, Waiola Store is a small mom and pop corner market located in a residential neighborhood, near the site of the old Honolulu Stadium (corner of Waiola and Pa'ani Streets).

The shave ice at Waiola Store is finer than snow, not like the crunchy mainland snow cones. There will probably be a long line here too, but it moves fast, and you'll need the time to review the extensive list of flavors and options such as azuki beans, li hing mui or condensed milk. You're in Hawai'i, so try one of their homemade tropical fruit flavors, such as lilikoi, guava, mango or lychee.

Music is very much a part of the island experience, and Hawaiian music doesn't get any better than Auntie Genoa Keawe, the unequaled master of Hawaiian falsetto and "chalang-a-lang" hula classics. Last year, Genoa Keawe was bestowed with the nation's highest honor in folk and traditional arts, the National Heritage Fellowship, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts.

At age 83, Auntie Genoa still performs on Thursday nights at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort (the former Hawaiian Regent Hotel). The audience is filled with young and old entertainers who have come to pay their respects as well as to learn from a living legend. As she spots familiar faces in the crowd, Auntie invites audience members to sit in with her band or to dance a hula or two. For a few short hours, the Marriott is transformed into a true Hawaiian backyard kanikapila.

The highlight of the evening is sure to be Auntie Genoa's trademark "Alika." Guarantee dis one goin' geev you chicken skin, especially when she hit da high note and hold 'em fo' one or two minutes. You not goin' believe your ears, so no miss dis show!

Not too far from da place Auntie play is the Halekulani, one of Hawai'i's finest hotel properties. It's on the beach, but tucked away from Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki's "main drag." Need choke money fo' stay dea, but can go inside and enjoy da hotel, even if you not one guest.

Try the Lewers Lounge, somewhat hidden behind what looks like a nicely appointed living room with fireplace, both open to the outside, facing a large enclosed, grassy courtyard. Inside the lounge, Bruce Hamada leads a combo playing nice, soothing jazz, in a cozy atmosphere.

Or, watch the sunset and sip tropical drinks at the open air House Without A Key. You'll be serenaded by a Hawaiian trio while Kanoe Miller, a former Miss Hawai'i, dances hula. The service is supah good at both the Lewers Lounge and House Without A Key. (Tell 'em da Two Japanee Bruddahs went send you. Maybe dey give you one discount. Or maybe not.) Dis place is good cuz you can walk on da beach aftah.

Talking about da beach, one of da bes' beaches is (no, not Waikiki - da locals no go deah) actually Kailua Beach Park. Named one of the best beaches in the world, it's about thirty minutes from Honolulu, longer if take the scenic route, around East Honolulu past Hanauma Bay and Makapu'u, but well worth the trip. Lotsa locals go deah and the beach is clean and calm. Get planny plate lunch places around deah too.

Da only caution is dat sometimes get man-o-war jellyfish. But, no worry, get warning signs when da buggahs stay. And if you get stung by one, jus' ask somebody to shishi on 'em and da ting feel bettah. Not joking, fo' real.

Finally, if you like go on one real treasure hunt, try find da Magnum P.I. house on your way to Kailua. Located in Waimanalo, near Sea Life Park, you gotta drive around da south point of O'ahu, da long way past Makapu'u. You cannot see da house from the road. Get one big wall in da front, so you gotta around, from da beach side.

But no go inside da property. Higgins goin' come out and fetch his dogs on you!

Watch our future columns for more Hawai'i tips. Aloha!

Kyle Tatsumoto wen go Castle. Keith Kamisugi wen go Mililani. So wot?
Two Japanee Bruddahs is a monthly column in the Nichi Bei Times.

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