January/February 2009
Transcription
January/February 2009
JGMZHP */'-*()5."(";*/& Speed at Sea Rev it up on the Honolulu Screamer boat tour Seaweed Boutique Turning seashells into beautiful jewelry VANNA WHITE +"/6"3:'$"3: The Wheel of Fortune icon makes her mark on the Islands JGMZHP the inflight magazine for go! %FOOJT&'SBODJT 1SFTJEFOU$&0 %BWF,FOOFEZ 1VCMJTIFS %PO$IBQNBO &EJUPSJO$IJFG FEATURES %BSMFOF%FMB$SV[ .BOBHJOH&EJUPS -JOEB8PP "TTPDJBUF1VCMJTIFS (JOB-BNCFSU %FTJHO%JSFDUPS photo by Carol Kaelson FEATURES $PEZ,BXBNPUP 4FOJPS%FTJHOFS -FP(FFOTFO +VEZ4UFSLFM 4BMFT 28 Cover Story: Fortune and Fame TV game show celebrity Vanna White shares her secrets and stories. 32 Speed at Sea Get an adrenaline rush in Waikiki with the Honolulu Screamer boat tour. 36 Kaua‘i Fungi Exotic mushrooms abound at this Garden Isle operation. 'PSJOGPSNBUJPOPOBEWFSUJTJOH QMFBTFDPOUBDU-JOEB8PP BU Cover photo courtesy “Wheel Of Fortune” JGMZHP is published bi-monthly by OAHU PUBLICATIONS INC. 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-500, Honolulu, HI 96813. Phone (808) 529-4700. © 2007 by Oahu Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the written consent of the publisher. Opinions in iflygo are solely those of the writers and are not necessarily endorsed by go! 40 Pu‘u Kukui Experience lush nature scapes at this Maui watershed. 44 From Sea to Summit Trace a bike riding adventure from Hilo’s shore to Mauna Kea’s peak. 4JGMZHP For go! information: Joe Bock, Chief Marketing Officer joe.bock@iflygo.com | 808-838-7900 The Original Hawaiian Slipper Pendant with Diamonds $199 Matching Earrings available $299 Available in 14K Yellow, White or Rose Gold Chain additional OAHU: Ala Moana Center s Waikiki Beachwalk s Hilton Hawaiian Village MAUI: Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center s Lahaina Cannery s The Shops at Wailea s Whalers Village Front Street (2 locations) s Hyatt Regency Maui s Grand Wailea Resort KAUAI: Poipu Shopping Village s Grand Hyatt Kauai BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII: Kona Marketplace s Kings’ Shops s Hilton Waikoloa Village NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES: Pride of America BOSTON: Natick Collection CHICAGO: Oakbrook Center s Woodfield Mall DALLAS: NorthPark Center DENVER: Cherry Creek Shopping Center LOS ANGELES: Glendale Galleria s Northridge Fashion Center NEW YORK: Queens Center ORLANDO: The Mall at Millenia PHILADELPHIA: The Plaza at King of Prussia PLEASANTON: Stoneridge Mall PORTLAND: Washington Square SAN DIEGO: Fashion Valley s Horton Plaza SAN FRANCISCO: Pier 39 SAN JOSE: Valley Fair SEATTLE: Bellevue Square WASHINGTON, D.C.: Tysons Corner Center www.NaHoku.com s 1-866-296-5462 photo courtesy Mark Speck and Kathleen Connelly DEPARTMENTS 11 Editor on the go! 13 Life’s a Beach Surf at Pipeline. 14 Hawai‘i’s Toughest Holes Kaʻanapali North No. 18. 15 Plane Fitness Catch the thrill of windsurfing. 16 Pampered Indulge in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s Abhasa Spa. 18 The Rich Dish Sumptuous Italian cuisine at Sergio’s. 19 Dine with Wine Innovative dishes and wine pairings at town restaurant. 6JGMZHP 20 Off the Eaten Path Cool down at the Islands’ best shave ice spots. 22 In Tune Jazz from DeShannon Higa, and the latest CD reviews. 26 go! Glam Innovative jewelry designs from Seaweed Boutique. 48 Spooky Story Ghostly guitar strumming on the Big Island. 51 On the go! Events calendar 56 go! pages Airport maps and airline information 61 Departures Palm Tree Pendant with Diamonds $379 Matching Earrings available from $399 Available in 14K Yellow, White or Rose Gold Chain additional OAHU: Ala Moana Center s Waikiki Beachwalk s Hilton Hawaiian Village MAUI: Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center s Lahaina Cannery s The Shops at Wailea s Whalers Village Front Street (2 locations) s Hyatt Regency Maui s Grand Wailea Resort KAUAI: Poipu Shopping Village s Grand Hyatt Kauai BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII: Kona Marketplace s Kings’ Shops s Hilton Waikoloa Village NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES: Pride of America BOSTON: Natick Collection CHICAGO: Oakbrook Center s Woodfield Mall DALLAS: NorthPark Center DENVER: Cherry Creek Shopping Center LOS ANGELES: Glendale Galleria s Northridge Fashion Center NEW YORK: Queens Center ORLANDO: The Mall at Millenia PHILADELPHIA: The Plaza at King of Prussia PLEASANTON: Stoneridge Mall PORTLAND: Washington Square SAN DIEGO: Fashion Valley s Horton Plaza SAN FRANCISCO: Pier 39 SAN JOSE: Valley Fair SEATTLE: Bellevue Square WASHINGTON, D.C.: Tysons Corner Center www.NaHoku.com s 1-866-296-5462 Pink Mother of Pearl and Rose Gold Collection OAHU: Ala Moana Center s Waikiki Beachwalk s Hilton Hawaiian Village MAUI: Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center s Lahaina Cannery s The Shops at Wailea s Whalers Village Front Street (2 locations) s Hyatt Regency Maui s Grand Wailea Resort KAUAI: Poipu Shopping Village s Grand Hyatt Kauai BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII: Kona Marketplace s Kings’ Shops s Hilton Waikoloa Village NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES: Pride of America BOSTON: Natick Collection CHICAGO: Oakbrook Center s Woodfield Mall DALLAS: NorthPark Center DENVER: Cherry Creek Shopping Center LOS ANGELES: Glendale Galleria s Northridge Fashion Center NEW YORK: Queens Center ORLANDO: The Mall at Millenia PHILADELPHIA: The Plaza at King of Prussia PLEASANTON: Stoneridge Mall PORTLAND: Washington Square SAN DIEGO: Fashion Valley s Horton Plaza SAN FRANCISCO: Pier 39 SAN JOSE: Valley Fair SEATTLE: Bellevue Square WASHINGTON, D.C.: Tysons Corner Center www.NaHoku.com s 1-866-799-8310 LIVE! SURF! 10JGMZHP v Happy New Year, and welcome to the year’s fi rst issue of iflygo. Th is is a significant year for yers truly because it marks 30 years that I’ve been calling these Islands home. And one of the things I enjoy as the editor of iflygo is sharing the many things I’ve learned to love about Hawaiʻi, while continuing to learn new things and fall ever more in love. As we’re putt ing this issue to bed, once again I’m impressed with the diversity of these Islands and all they have to offer both kama’aina and malihini. On Maui, for example, we hike through the pristine Puʻu Kukui nature preserve, where the batt le is never-ending to keep out invasive plant species that would choke out the native flora, which supports native fauna. What a nature walk this is. Over on Oʻahu, meanwhile, we hop aboard the Honolulu Screamer, a 53-foot power boat that takes passengers for heartracing rides between Kewalo Basin and Diamond Head. On the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, we follow a group of extreme athletes who bike from sea level to the top of a volcano. It’s hard to imagine anything less extreme than visiting a mushroom farm on Kauaʻi. But the taste is fantastic. In this issue we also introduce you to the best shave ice (not “shaved ice,” and also not “sno-cone”) shops and two great restaurants, and the best in Island music. One of the best things about Hawaiʻi is that even in January and February we need sunscreen to enjoy outdoor activities, and so we play one of the 50th State’s toughest holes, learn to windsurf and visit a popular surfi ng beach. And by all means check out the extensive calendar of happenings on each Island. For the cover story, we sat down with Exotic plants at Puʻu Kukui on Maui photo courtesy Kapalua Resort editor on the go! Vanna White, the iconic spinner of the Wheel of Fortune, when she and Pat Sajak were at Waikoloa shooting several episodes of the most-watched syndicated TV show in history. We could have called it “Everybody Loves Vanna.” After reading the story, you’ll probably agree: What’s not to like? We at iflygo are looking ahead to a great year of exploring Hawaiʻi and sharing our adventures and discoveries with readers. Don Chapman, Editor-In-Chief dchapman@oahupublications.com January/February 2009 11 go! the smart way. Look For Daily Web-Only Specials at: iflygo.com Now go! is offering special, super-low fares on select days and flights, special fares that are only available online. So check out iflygo.com and sign up for our email updates! It's the only way to go! More than 82 flights daily between O‘ahu, Maui, the Island of Hawai‘i, Moloka‘i and Kaua‘i. *Restrictions – Special fares are available only online at www.iflygo.com. Tickets are nontransferable and nonrefundable. Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights. Changes can be made prior to scheduled departure for a fee of $20 per person plus any applicable difference in airfare. Fares displayed do not include September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment Excise Tax of $3.50 per segment. A segment is defined as one takeoff and one landing. All taxes and fees must be paid at the time of purchase. All flights operated by Mesa Airlines doing business as go! or Mokulele Airlines doing business as go! Express. Special fares are valid per segment. Other restrictions may apply. 512iflJGMZHP ygo MJGFµTBCFBDI Pipeline Ride the legendary wave of champions 4UPSZCZ(BSZ,FXMFZr1IPUPCZ(BSZ.JZBUB It is confirmed again and again: 1JQFMJOFJTUIFXPSMETNPTU famous wave. In the words of Shawn Thompson, former world champ and winner of the 1JQFMJOF.BTUFSTJUTUIFiCFODINBSL for radical waves.” After watching the 38th annual BillBCPOH1JQF.BTUFSTėOJTIVQPO%FD 12, I saw clearly — again — that winning here has greater impact than anyXIFSFFMTFQFSJPE+VTUBTLOJOFUJNF XPSMEDIBNQJPOBOEOPXTJYUJNF1JQF .BTUFS,FMMZ4MBUFS'PSNBOZPXO ing this title is more important than a world title. *UTRVJUFBDMBJNBTUIFSFBSFNBOZ reputable surf spots on planet Earth. But nowhere else has the theatre and history. Nowhere else has the variety of waves and tubes. Nowhere has as many injuries and fatalities, just 50 feet from TIPSF*UTBXBWFHMBEJBUPSTVMUJNBUF arena, the penultimate pit. ĉ PTFMVDLZTQFDUBUPSTIPPUJOHBOE hollering can feel the raw power of 1JQFMJOFãPđDJBMMZLOPXOBT&IVLBJ #FBDI1BSLãSVNCMFVOEFSUIFJSGFFU They can hear barely legal decibels of CPPNJOHDSBDLJOHHVJMMPUJOFTPGIFBWZ XBUFS4PNFUJNFTPOMPPLFSTBSFTFOU running for higher ground from fastapproaching white water. They feel as though they are a part of something MBSHFSUIBOMJGFBOEUIFZSFSJHIUã 1JQFMJOFJTMBSHFSUIBOMJGF"OEUIPTF chosen few who dare to challenge 1JQFBOEXJOCFDPNFMBSHFSUIBOMJGF as well. Heroes are born here; heroes have died here. The forces that created this miracle wave are as old as the Islands themTFMWFT8JUIBVOJRVFCMFOEPGWPMDB nic reef contours and proximity to the XJOUFSTUPSNTJOUIFOPSUI1BDJėD 1JQFMJOFFBSOTJUTOBNFFWFSZUJNFUIF big west-northwest swells arrive. The abrupt change from deep to shallow XBUFSKBDLTUIFXBWFFOFSHZVQBOE over the shallow coral reef in a cylindrical rotation, a wave that resembles a pipe. Hence we have the ignition of TVSėOHTJNBHJOBUJPO %BSJOHTVSGFSTUSZUPėOEUIBUQFSGFDU iMJOFuUPFTDBQFUIFCBSSFMJOHUVCFBOE get the thrill of a lifetime. Today the UVCFSJEJOHFTQFDJBMMZCBDLTJEF JTBU an all-time high, a true art form. Never before have humans ridden so deep inside the belly of the beast. Yet there was a time not so long ago everyone believed UIBUUIF1JQFMJOFDPVMEOUBOETIPVMEOU be ridden. A mere 50 years ago! ĉ FėSTUEPDVNFOUFESJEFXBTJO 1961, although most surely it had been ridden prior. Then, one decade later, 'SFE)FNNJOHTGPSNFSXPSMEDIBNQ BOEUPEBZB)BXBJ̯JTUBUFTFOBUPS SBO UIFėSTU1JQFMJOF.BTUFSTĉ FSFXFSF TJYDPOUFTUBOUTBOEėWFKVEHFTXJUIB card table and blow horn. The waves, awards and spectators were relatively small, but they went for it and made hisUPSZĉ FXJOOFSXBT+FĎ)BDLNBOB iCBDLTJEFSuPSSFHVMBSGPPUFSPOUIFJO GBNPVTMFěIBOEFSTXBWF)FXBTMVDLZ ã.S1JQFMJOF(FSSZ-PQF[NJTTFE UIFFWFOUCVUUIBUTBOPUIFSTUPSZ /PXGBTUGPSXBSEQBTU1JQFMJOF .BTUFSDIBNQTUPĉ FSFTEJSFD UPS3BOEZ3BSJDLBOEIJTDSFXPGNPSF than 60 people running it. There are tens of thousands of beachfront crowds and millions of Internet eyes and ears. 8IJDINFBOTNJMMJPOTJONBSLFUJOH EPMMBSTĉ FSFTNJMMJPOTJODBTIBEEFE UP)BXBJJ̯TFDPOPNZJOUIFTIPSUTJY XFFLTPGUIF7BOT5SJQMF$SPXOPG 4VSėOH0IZFBIUIFSFTNPSFUIBO JOQSJ[FNPOFZGPSUIPTF athletes that light up the waves and give VTBXFJOTQJSJOHQFSGPSNBODFTĉ BUT a little more than the $1,000 that was GPVHIUGPSJO Sure, things have changed in so many incredible ways. Two things have never DIBOHFEBOEIPQFGVMMZOFWFSXJMM0OF 1JQFMJOFJUTFMGBQVSFIPMZDPOTUBOUJO PVSTVSėOHXPSME5XPPVSSFBDUJPOUP IFSBNB[JOHQPXFSBOECFBVUZ Gary Kewley is CSO (Chief Surfing Officer) of surfnewsnetwork.com, bringing Hawai‘i the surf report for more than 30 years. January/February 2009 13 IBXBJ´JµTUPVHIFTUIPMFT Ka‘anapali North 18 #Z%PO$IBQNBOr%JBHSBNDPVSUFTZ,BABOBQBMJ#FBDI3FTPSU.BVJ When the Wendy’s Champions Skins Game returns to Maui’s Royal Kaʻanapali North golf course Jan. 17-18, the final hole will be worth at least $100,000 — perhaps more, depending on whether there is carry-over money still on the table (holes 13-17 are worth $50,000 each). Fittingly, the closing hole is Kaʻanapali’s toughest, offering difficulties from tee to green. Teams in the alternate shot format are the standup comedy duo of Fuzzy Zoeller and Peter Jacobsen, the defending champs, as well as 2007 champions Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, Greg Norman and Jay Haas, and Bernard Langer and Gary Player. Alternate shots may be the most nerve-wracking of any tournament format, and that will be especially true as these legends come to 18. What makes the 18th at Kaʻanapali North so tough? Let us count the ways that architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. created trouble when he built Royal Kaʻanapali North in 1963. For starters, your tee shot on this par-4 that plays, depending on tees, 445-430-325 yards, is over a lake. Although the landing area is a generous 65 yards wide, two gaping bunkers lurk about 230 yards from the white tees. To carry them both, the tee shot must fly at least 250 yards. The safest play is to the right of the bunkers, but that brings into play the lake, which continues up the right side all the way to the green. The prevailing trade winds blow toward the lake, and the fairway slopes subtly toward that direction. The most direct route to the hole is to play left of the bunkers, which also sets up the best angle for your second shot. But the landing area is only 20 yards wide between the bunkers and several small trees. And out of bounds lurks a few yards farther to the left. From that wide landing, the fairway steadily narrows like a funnel from both sides the closer you get to the green, so you must be accurate even if you choose to lay up short of the green with your second shot. The opening to the green is barely 12 yards wide between the lake on the right and the first of three sand bunkers on the left, so run-up shots must be very accurate. Another bunker hides beyond the green to catch overly aggressive shots. Yet another difficulty is that the triangular green is at a diagonal to the fairway, which puts a premium on both club selection and accuracy. Playing to the left of the green avoids the water, but the mounds around the bunkers make for bad lies and odd stances. And if you find one of those three bunkers, you face a sand shot with the lake waiting just beyond the hole. The green — 37 paces wide at the back, 40 paces from front to back — slopes with the grain of the Bermuda grass toward 14JGMZHP the water, which makes for very fast putts. A couple of small ridges in the green add to the difficulties. No matter how you play it, after your round it’s fun to repair to Kaʻanapali’s tasteful 19th hole which sits above the 18th green. And over a chilled beverage you can watch other golfers struggling with one of the toughest golf holes in Hawaiʻi and one of the three toughest closing holes in the 50th State. The twosome that plays 18 the best will likely earn $100,000, and possibly a lot more.. details Royal Kaʻanapali North Course Kaʻanapali Beach Resort, Maui 2290 Kaʻanapali Parkway Lahaina, HI 96761 (808) 661-3691 www.kaanapali-golf.com The professional golf season in Hawaiʻi starts with the PGA Tour Mercedes Championships at the Kapalua Plantation Course on Maui, Jan. 8-11. The next week, the PGA guys come to Oʻahu for the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club, Jan. 15-18. The Champions Tour moves to the Big Island for the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai Jan. 23-25. The LPGA stars come to Turtle Bay on Oʻahu’s rugged North Shore for the SBS Championship Feb. 9-14, and return in the fall for the Kapalua Classic Oct. 15-19. QMBOFGJUOFTT Wind Riders Sail through the surf and get the workout of your life #Z4BSBI1BDIFDP Many have heard and heralded the numerous health advantages of surfing. So what happens when you add a sail to the mix? A full-body workout that feels like you’re floating through air. “Windsurfing is a challenging thing to learn, so people who enjoy a challenge are in for a ride,” says Carol Naish of Naish Hawaiʻi, a windsurf shop in Kailua owned and operated by the famous watersports family. Carol says most beginners spend a lot of time on the beach learning how to stand. While it may seem simple, proper posture involves using leg muscles for balance as well as upper body — shoulders, forearms and lower back — to control the sail. In fact, you are in a constant half-squat the whole time you are on the board, which means continuous tension of the quadriceps, gluts and even hamstrings. “It takes core strength and coordination,” she explains. “It’s excellent for someone who is working with balance issues because you’re constantly adjusting with the wind. And the fun part about windsurfing is the speed — the stronger wind gives you more of a challenge and speed, and waves give you the chance for aerials.” The Naish Windsurfing School has been teaching the basics of windsurfing and kiteboarding to all skill levels out of its Kailua, Oʻahu, location since 1985. Some words of advice from Carol, wife of former board designer Rick and mother of legendary surfer Robby, include: r'JOEUIFSJHIUTJ[FCPBSEGPSZPVS body and sail for beginner wind speeds (steady, light tradewinds). A good rental or teaching venue, like Naish Hawaiʻi, should offer TQFDJBMJ[FEFRVJQNFOUGPSUIF beginner and intermediate sailor. “A 200-pound man needs different equipment than a 90-pound woman. They’ll even out on the water with the right equipment, which is why a lot of couples enjoy the sport — they can do it together,” says Carol. With the appropriate equipment and the right wind conditions, even the greenest individual can be out on the water within an hour and a half. r%POUSFMZPOBMJGFKBDLFUUPTBWFZPVS life. Carol cautions you absolutely need to be a strong ocean swimmer: “You don’t want to go out on the water on any watercraft without being able to swim back to shore. We do ask that everyone who does take lessons from us be able to pass a swim test.” r'PMMPXUIFHFOFSBMSVMFPGXBUFSTQPSUT %POUHFUTFQBSBUFEGSPNZPVSCPBSE r#SJOHUIFXIPMFGBNJMZi8JOETVSėOH is a great sport for all ages,” says Carol, adding that they have taught handicapped and blind enthusiasts KVTUBTFBTJMZBTBOZPOFFMTFi#FTUPG all, it’s non-polluting and free! It’s a nice family sport; it doesn’t need to be high-performance. You’ll see that a lot more in Europe, as it’s more popular there. Something that they build their holidays around is getting out on the water and playing.” With miles of white sand beaches and pleasant ocean temperatures year-round, the Hawaiian Islands are a haven for the sport. While each Island boasts many watersport stores and schools, here are a few to get you started. Kaua‘i Windsurf Kaua‘i Call 808-828-6838 O‘ahu Naish Hawai‘i Call 808-262-6068 (Toll Free 1-800-767-6068) Visit www.naish.com Maui The Maui Windsurf Company Call 808-877-4816 (Toll Free 1-800-872-0999) E-mail info@mauiwindsurfcompany.com Visit www.mauiwindsurfcompany.com Hawai‘i (Big Island) Ocean Sports Call 1-888-724-5924, ext. 103 Visit www.hawaiioceansports.com January/February 2009 15 QBNQFSFE Abhasa Spa offers outdoor massage cabanas for singles and couples Indulgent Illusion Get treated like royalty at Abhasa Spa #Z%BSMFOF%FMB$SV[r1IPUPTDPVSUFTZ"CIBTB4QB In the heart of Waikiki lies a spa steeped in serenity and history. -PDBUFEBUUIF3PZBM)BXBJJBO)PUFMUIF"CIBTB4QBXJMMCF SFPQFOJOHJOMBUF+BOVBSZDPJODJEJOHXJUIUIFSFOPWBUJPO PGUIFJDPOJDi1JOL1BMBDFuĉF"CIBTB4QBėĨJOHMZTIBSFTUIF 3PZBM)BXBJJBO)PUFMTFNCPEJNFOUPGBMVYFTUBOEBSEPGBMPIB PĎFSJOHNBOZBNFOJUJFTBOETFSWJDFTUIBUBMMPXHVFTUTUPTUBZ BOECFQBNQFSFEMJLFSFHBMJUZ ĉF"CIBTB4QBXIJDIUBLFTJUTOBNFGSPNUIF4BOTLSJU XPSEGPSiJMMVTJPOu JTVOJRVFJOCFJOHUIFPOMZTQBPO0̯BIVUP PĎFSPVUEPPSNBTTBHFhalesĉFTFDBCBOBTQSPWJEFBSFMBYJOH BUNPTQIFSFBNJETUUIFIPUFMTHBSEFOTXIFSFCFBVUJGVMĚPXFST BOEFYPUJDUSFFTBOEQMBOUTFOIBODFUIFTQBTOPUFPGUSBORVJMJUZ 4JYDBCBOBTXJMMCFBWBJMBCMFGPSDPVQMFTBOETJOHMFTUSFBUNFOUT BOEXJMMCFCFBVUJGVMMZMJUBUOJHIUBTXFMMGPSHVFTUTUPFOKPZUIF DBMNJOHOBUVSFPGUIFHBSEFOTBěFSEVTL 4FSWJDFTBSFEJWFSTFBU"CIBTB4QB/BUVSBMMZQPQVMBSBSFUIF TQBTNBTTBHFTXIJDIJODPSQPSBUFUFDIOJRVFTGSPN&VSPQF"TJB BOEUIF)BXBJJBOUSBEJUJPOPGlomi lomi"USFBUNFOUXJUIIPU TUPOFTDBMMFEpohakuJTBMTPBWBJMBCMF"MMNBTTBHFTBSFEPOFCZ USBJOFEQSPGFTTJPOBMTBOEBTTVSFFBDIHVFTUBTBUJTGZJOHTUSFTT SFMJFWJOHFYQFSJFODF #FZPOENBTTBHFT"CIBTB4QBBMTPTQFDJBMJ[FTJOGBDJBM QSPDFEVSFTBOEiCPEZDPDPPOTu$PDPPOJOHJTBOJOOPWBUJWF QPTUNBTTBHFIZESPUIFSBQZUSFBUNFOUJOXIJDIHVFTUTMJF 16JGMZHP XSBQQFEJOBXBSNTIFFUPOBNBĨSFTTUIBUJTMPXFSFEJOUPXBUFS SFHVMBUFEUPOPSNBMIVNBOCPEZUFNQFSBUVSFĉFTJEFTPGUIF NBĨSFTTiDPDPPOuBSPVOEUIFHVFTULFFQJOHIJNPSIFSESZCVU BMMPXJOHIJNPSIFSUPGFFMUIFQSFTTVSFCFJOHFYFSUFEPOUIF NBĨSFTTCZUIFTVSSPVOEJOHXBUFSĉJTQSFTTVSFJTTBJEUPCF RVJUFSFTUPSBUJWFGPSFOFSHZBOEIFBMUI /BUVSBMBSPNBUJDTBOECPUBOJDBMTMJLFMBWFOEBSDPDPOVU BOEKBTNJOFBSFDPOTDJPVTMZBQQMJFEJONBOZPG"CIBTB4QBT USFBUNFOUTĉFTFJOHSFEJFOUTBOEPUIFSBMMOBUVSBMFYUSBDUTBSF BMTPJODPSQPSBUFEJOUPUIFTQBTPXOMJOFPGDPTNFUJDTDSFBNT TFSVNTDMFBOTFSTBOEPUIFSTLJODBSFQSPEVDUT"CIBTB4QBT JOIPVTFTBMPOXIJDIPĎFSTNBOJDVSFTQFEJDVSFTBOEIBJSBOE NBLFVQTFSWJDFTGPSTQFDJBMPDDBTJPOTVUJMJ[FTTPNFPGUIFTF QSPEVDUTJOJUTQSPDFEVSFTBTXFMM (VFTUTBSFBEWJTFEUPCPPLBIFBEGPSTQBSFTFSWBUJPOT'PS QSJDJOHNFOVTBOENPSFJOGPSNBUJPOPO"CIBTB4QBT WBSJPVTBNFOJUJFTWJTJUXXXBCIBTBDPN details Abhasa Spa 3PZBM)BXBJJBO)PUFM ,BMBLBVB"WF )POPMVMV)* JOGP!BCIBTBDPN n Champio m, 2008 Spectator tickets, February 11–14, are available at the gate. 808-792-9333 • www.sbsopen.com Jennifer Rosales, 2005 Champio n Champion im, 2006 Joo Mi K Paula Cre 7 , 200 amer Cham pion orensta Annika S For more information about Pro-Am packages and sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, please e-mail info@sbsopen.com UIFSJDIEJTI Sergio’s Fine Italian food at a new Kapahulu location Story and photo by Don Chapman “Delicate” is a term seldom associated with Italian food. Likewise “subtle.” Big, bold, robust, hearty, spicy — that’s the Italian fare most of us nonItalians know. Then there is Sergio’s in Honolulu, where Chef Alfredo Lee nightly takes diners on a trip to an Italy most of us didn’t know existed — a secret, hidden Italy, as it were. Chef Lee grew up in Tuscany, a coastal region of north-central Italy, going with his grandmother to the market, where she traded wheels of cheese and jugs of wine for produce, and then helping her cook all day. The family name was Conti, but when his artist mother of ChineseMexican ancestry moved him to Mexico for a time, he became a Lee. While he says both Italian and Mexican cuisines depend largely on fresh produce, Italian comes more naturally to him. The chef is so dedicated to “authentic” Italian food, not the Americanized Southern Italian version, he orders many of his products directly from Italy. “But the produce,” he says, “we buy as much locally as we can.” The chef’s kitchen staff also make their own pastas and breads. The first taste of a hidden Italy came in a small gift from the chef, offered to all diners, a single slice of Pizza Margherita, a two-cheese pizza with tomato and basil on a wonderfully thin and crisp crust. This is where the word “delicate” first came up. It’s amazing how much flavor Chef Lee puts into this little pizza. The menu, by the way, offers seven different pizzas and calzones, and next time I’m ordering Pizza Mediterranea ($15) — 18JGMZHP Panzanella salad tomato sauce, mozarella, tiger prawns, grilled zucchini, feta cheese and Kalamata olives. Next we sampled Antipasto Della Casa ($13 per person). It includes a medley of prosciutto and melon, cured meats, Caprese salad (tomato, buffalo mozzarella and basil), tomato bruschetta, roasted eggplant and lightly fried calamari. The last was served with a mild but tasty marinara sauce, not the usual heavy cocktail sauce. All the tastes were indeed very Mediterranean, but nothing I would have previously labeled Italian. For a salad, we tried the Panzanella ($13), a mix of locally grown greens, cucumbers, Greek olives, orange segments, red onions, local vine-ripened tomatoes and spongy croutons with a red wine vinaigrette, salted ricotta cheese and Parmesan crostini. Who but Chef Lee would think to blend all those ingredients and make them work so well together? Sergio’s offers an impressive wine list, and these first two dishes we washed down with a perfect, off-dry sparkling wine, Mionetto Proseco. From the pasta portion of the menu, we shared Guitarrine Al Forno (baked cream pasta, $19), prepared with Hamakua mushrooms, Prosciutto cotta, shallots and cream sauce over handmade spaghettini, topped with melted Parme- san and truffle oil drizzle. Warm, creamy, this is Italian comfort food at its finest, perfectly paired with a nicely acidic Sauvignon Blanc that balanced the richness of the cream. From the menu’s entree listings, we went with a melt-in-the-mouth (after it falls off the bone) Ossobuco ($38), braised veal shank that has been “slowcooked since forever,” according to our waiter. I’ve previously had ossobuco prepared with big, rich, brown sauces, but this was another lesson in subtlety, served in the chef’s own tomato-based sauce over saffron risotto. (Northern Italy dishes are automatically popular in Hawaiʻi, using as they do rice instead of pasta in many dishes.) A Camelot Pinot Noir made a delightful pairing. Sergio’s is conveniently located on Kapahulu Avenue on the outskirts of Waikiki, with lots of free parking. In addition to the large dining room, Sergio’s offers a tasteful private dining room that seats up to 50 people. Fortunately, it’s not hidden at all. details Sergio’s Italian Restaurant 449 Kapahulu Ave. Honolulu, HI 96815 (808) 737-4461 www.sergioshonolulu.com EJOFXJUIXJOF town Fresh ingredients at this O‘ahu restaurant #Z3PCFSUP7JFSOFTr1IPUPCZ+P.D(BSSZ Refreshing and comforting. Those are the two words that come to mind when you experience town, the Kaimuki restaurant (deliberately spelled with a lower case “t”). Chef/owner Ed Kenney has assembled the perfect ingredients to impress both the accomplished foodie as well as satisfy guests looking for comfort food. And it all starts in the ground. I say that because despite all Kenney’s success, he is one of the humblest chefs I’ve ever met. He is a native of Hawaiʻi where he attended Kapiolani Community College’s Culinary Arts Program. He worked his way through many of Hawaiʻi’s top kitchens, including Roy’s, soaking up everything he could “like a sponge.” He also spent an entire year traveling with his wife around the Mediterranean and makes frequent visits to the San Francisco Bay area, both of which influence his culinary philosophies. Concepts of fresh ingredients and simple preparation are reflected in town’s motto, “local fi rst, organic whenever possible, with aloha always.” I began the evening with a super fresh Ahi Tartare with a smoky Risotto Cake drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar. I washed this down with a vibrant Sauvignon Blanc made in Sancerre by Michel Redde. The citrus character made the perfect foil for the oiliness of the Ahi and the minerality of the wine twined together with the smokiness of the risotto to make a superb aftertaste. I couldn’t pass up the sweet local persimmon with prosciutto, crushed almonds, mint and vin cotto (a cooked wine reduction). Th is delicious Italian-inspired combination instantly transported me back there. With a grin on my face, I washed it down with a glass of the simply refreshing Allegrini Soave made with the Garganega grape in the Veneto. It is fresh with pear-like fruit and provides a nice backdrop for the salty-sweet combo of prosciutto and persimmon. And that was just for starters. A special entree this evening was a rare (for Hawaiʻi) handmade Bucatini with Chicken Ragout, reminding me of the hearty and satisfying meals that are served to harvest workers after a full day’s labor. The old vine Grenache-based Chateau du Banneret Chateauneuf du Pape envelopes the fresh tomato ragout and the texture of the Bucatini like a glove. Ever have ‘Steak Fritte’ in Hawaii? Th is is the best one, with lean and perfectly done Kulana grass-fed New York Steak, served with Roquefort Butter, perfectly crisp french fries seasoned with fried rosemary for an added touch, and MA‘O Farms’ organic arugula salad. A hearty red was in order in the form of Cims de Porrera ‘Solanes’ from Priorat, Spain. Risotto and wine Grounded in such sweet simplicity, Kenney’s town is a refreshing ray of light on the landscape of Honolulu. Roberto Viernes is an O‘ahu-based master sommelier. details town 3435 Waialae Ave. Honolulu, HI 96816 (808) 735-5900 www.townkaimuki.com January/February 2009 19 PGGUIFFBUFOQBUI Cool Treats Find the best shave ice places in Hawaiʻi Story and photos by Susan K. Sunderland Our nation is in good hands. It has a President who likes plate lunches and shave ice. Recalling his childhood in Hawaiʻi, President Barack Obama proclaimed on a recent visit, “I’m going to get a plate lunch. I might go to Zippy’s. I might go to Rainbow Drive-In. I’m going to go get some shave ice.” Only a true connoisseur of local grinds would call it “shave ice” — not “sno-cone” or “shaved ice” with a “d”. To enjoy the most refreshing treat in Hawaiʻi, head to a mom-and-pop store in any neighborhood. Shave ice was brought to Hawaiʻi by Japanese immigrants who toiled in the sultry plantation fields. To cool off, they enjoyed a sweet treat made from ice that is shaved to a fi ne powder, shaped into a cone or bowl, and saturated with flavored syrup. In the old days, ice was shaved by hand, like planing a piece of wood. Later, the process was mechanized by hand cranking. A rubber belt and small electric motor powered a main wheel that shaved ice into a holding pan. Only two or three of these machines are left in Honolulu and are now museum pieces. One is on display at the Matsumoto Store in Haleiwa on Oʻahu’s North Shore. Shimazu store owner Kelvin Shimazu says, “All good shave ice is judged by strawberry, and I feel like I make the best.” Do a taste test at his snack shop. There are over 50 flavors of syrup, made by Shimazu himself. 20JGMZHP Making shave ice at Waiola Dave L. of Los Angeles says, “I never thought ice could be so ridiculously delicious.” Here’s a round-up of shave ice landmarks. Presidential entourages welcome. on vanilla ice cream is the winner here. Although the sign heralds more than 50 flavors, we highly recommend Strawberry, the undisputed winner of shave ice tastings. 330 N. School St. Call 808-371-8899. Oʻahu: Aoki’s Waiola One of two popular stops for shave ice in Haleiwa town on the North Shore. Th is third-generation familyrun store has fun selections such as Surf Special (pineapple, vanilla, Blue Hawaii) and Local Mix (pineapple, mango, li hing mui). It also has sugarfree syrup in strawberry, banana and watermelon. 66-117 Kamehameha Hwy. Call 808-637-7017. Matsumoto The other must-stop for shave ice is in Haleiwa, next door to Aoki’s. Th is historic family enterprise scoops out 1,000 servings on a sunny day and rates high on the list of top shave ice places in town. Enjoy the flavors of aloha for under $2. Tom Hanks did, and so did ice skater Kristi Yamaguchi. Try the Matsumoto Special of Coconut, Pineapple and Lemon. 66-087 Kamehameha Hwy. Call 808-637-4827. Shimazu Store In the Liliha-School Street district of downtown Honolulu is a quaint candy store that cranks out a lot of newly fallen snow. It ends up in a huge mound on a paper cone that is fi lled with homemade flavoring. Strawberry There are two locations, one in McCully and another in Kapahulu, just outside of Waikiki. Both feature fi nely ground ice that melts in your mouth. We like the gourmet flavor selections here, like Green Tea, Haupia and Lychee. Add mochi balls to turn shave ice into an exotic dessert. 2135 Waiola Ave. Call 808-949-2269; 525 Kapahulu Ave. Call 808-735.8886. Kauaʻi: Jo Jo’s Ice cream and shave ice combos win patrons’ hearts here. Try vanilla or coconut ice cream topped with coconut or condensed milk-flavored shave ice. Or how about macadamia nut ice cream topped with pineapple, guava and mango shave ice? Purists hail strawberry ice cream topped by strawberry shave ice. Kauaʻi never tasted so good. Kaumualii Hwy (mile marker 23). Call 808-635-7615. Maui: Aloha Shave Ice When I asked a Mauian about shave ice, he bristled and claimed that Maui is famous for Guri Guri, a frozen dairy product that’s a cross between sherbet and ice cream. Indeed this is the preeminent dessert on the Valley Isle. But if you want to chomp on shave ice, head out on the Hana Highway in Paia, in view of majestic Mount Haleakala, to enjoy Aloha Shave Ice in a rainbow of flavors. Get in red (strawberry), white (plain), and blue (vanilla). 77 Hana Hwy. Call 808-579-8747. Smiling line of patrons at Matsumoto’s in Haleiwa Shave ice at Itsu’s in Hilo Big Island: Itsu’s, Hilo The best shave ice and $1 hot dogs are real fi nds at this fishing supply store. There’s always a line out the door for Rainbow shave ice and kim chee hot dogs. We’re not throwing you a line. Th is is the real deal. They even grind the ice the old-fashioned way, with a shave ice machine. That in itself is worth the visit. 810 Piilani St. Call 808-9358082. Scandinavian Shave Ice, Kona Th is has been a Kailua-Kona landmark for more than 15 years. Just a few steps from Kailua Pier and historic Hulihee Palace, it is a popular stop for the resort town’s visitors. Look for the colorful shave ice sculpture at the doorway. Choose from 45 flavors of syrup and 17 types of Big Island ice cream or frozen yogurt. Despite the name of the place, it’s a true Hawaiʻi experience. 75-5699 Alii Dr. Call 808-331-1626. Whatever your aspirations, Borders Express can help you see them through! We've got every topic covered: from fitness to finance, wellness to weddings. You'll discover anytime is a good time to build a better you. 3(* *+(& Royal Hawaiian Center Bldg A, Level 2 (808) 922-4154 January/February 2009 21 JOUVOF All That Jazz Savor the smooth sounds of trumpet player DeShannon Higa By Melissa Moniz Photo by Nathalie Walker DeShannon Higa’s fi rst paid gig was when he was 16 years old. He has since made a professional career with his jazzy trumpetplaying skills, traveling the world and sharing his “heart language.” “Playing is the vehicle for me to speak my heart language,” says Higa. “It gives me the voice to speak what’s deepest in my heart and what I really want to communicate. The connection that I’m able to make with someone in the audience when they get what I’m saying — that, to me, is what keeps me going. I believe that it’s so important to be intentional about everything that you do.” Higa’s passion for music began at an early age. He took up the instrument in fourth-grade band class, and by the eighth grade he remembers telling his music teacher that he wanted to be the “greatest trumpet player in the world.” As kids sometimes do, Higa dreamed big, and it was that thought that allowed him to focus his energies on fi netuning his craft . After high school, the Hawaii-born musician attended Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma to study music and business. After a few years Higa decided to move back home, where he fi nished up his schooling at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa. “Being a full-time musician didn’t really didn’t happen until I graduated college, but ever since then I’ve been a full-time musician,” says Higa. “Full time not in the sense that it’s my only source of income, but full time in the sense that I’m actively seeking gigs, practicing, composing, working on music. So it consumes my life.” These days he performs regularly with three bands — grOOve.imProV.arTiSts, the Royal Hawaiian Band and Bop Tribal. Higa formed the band grOOve.imProV.arTiSts a few years ago, shortly after returning to the Islands after a three-year gig in New York with his lovely and talented wife, Rocky Brown. 22JGMZHP Trumpet player DeShannon Higa rocks his own brand of urban jazz “The move to New York was always meant to be temporary, and it was basically to learn what it is like to be a New York musician and to measure myself against the best musicians in the world to see where I stood and where I needed to grow,” says Higa. “And once I learned those things, we decided to come back here and hopefully bring some of that back home.” Since returning to the Islands, Higa has focused on revitalizing Hawaiʻi’s music scene and expanding the popularity of jazz music. His untraditional approach is captured in all he does, but is most defi ned in his grOOve.imProV. arTiSts group, which some describe as “urban jazz.” Higa describes it as a lot of fun and his way of drawing in listeners of his generation and younger. “In Hawaiʻi, because of our location and culture, we are very resistant to change and new ideas,” says Higa. “We do it, but we do it very reluctantly and slowly.” Besides performing, Higa has been busy recording albums. In December, Bop Tribal released its debut album, which Higa says he is really happy with. Next up is a debut Skin Seared Opakapaka with Basil Oil NOT W O L F G A N G 2008 Mobil Four Star Award 2007 Mobil Four Star Award 2007 AAA Four Diamond Award C A M E R O N YOUR TYPICAL R O G E R Exquisite Italian cuisine oceanside under the Maui stars HOTEL FOOD. N O E L Experience Maui’s newest culinary jewel serving prime, perfectly aged cuts of beef including Japanese Kobe and the freshest of seafood prepared by Chef Noel Badillo (808) 874.8000 • Hawaii’s First and Only Mobil Five-Star AND AAA Five Diamond Resort JOUVOF CD from grOOve.imProV.arTiSts, which is scheduled to release next year. On the non-music side of things, Higa is involved with Kahala Nui, a senior care facility on O‘ahu. “One day a week I work at Kahala Nui,” says Higa. “I really enjoy it — there’s that sense of contribution and helping people in a very real way. The gratification is instantaneous — you’re helping someone get out of their wheelchair into the bus or doing an activity with them, and you see them smile — that’s very rewarding, and that’s why I do it. Once in a while I’ll play music for them, although that’s not my focus, I’m just there to serve. But if that’s what they want, then that’s what I’ll give them.” On stage and off, it’s Higa’s sense of purpose and intensity in all he does that has earned him accolades such as “greatest trumpet player in Hawaiʻi.” And the best part is he truly loves what he does. “There’s a reason why it’s called ‘playing’ music,” says Higa. “We ‘play’ music, we don’t ‘work’ music. I think that’s a very appropriate term. I think life is too short to not do what you enjoy doing, especially if you’re going to do it full time. If you spend your life doing something, you better darn well like it.” Higa’s group Bop Tribal will be playing two gigs in Honolulu in January and February: r+BO/FX:FBSDPODFSUBU8BSET3BěFST r'FC)BXBJAJ4UBUF"SU.VTFVN'JSTU'SJEBZFWFOU The band also plays periodically at the Dragon Upstairs lounge in downtown Honolulu. New CD Releases By Melissa Moniz “With Aloha” — PALI Release Date: December 2008 It’s not one, but two albums that the guys of PALI — Pali Kaaihue, Mark Kawakami, Bradley Kawakami, Ken Lykes and Kaleo Van Titcomb — present for their With Aloha release. Disc one is a “by request” collection of hula favorites, originals, contemporary tunes, instrumentals and even an Okinawan song. The track list includes Walked into Waikiki, Mana, Kawika, Ulupalakua, Hanalei Moon, Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai, Keli‘i Slack Key, E Huli Makou, Ko‘ula, Noho Pai Pai, Misirlou, Wai O Ke Ani Ani and Shima Uta. The group refers to Disc 2 as its “hana hou” CD, which features the best songs from past albums. “I think the best way to describe it is really that of a postcard to the world or a sampling of the diversity of Hawaiʻi’s music,” says Kaaihue. “Between the two discs, we feel there’s something for everyone.” The lone Okinawan song on the album is Kaaihue’s favorite. The song, which speaks about peace, was recorded with members of the Okinawan Minyo Aikou Kai Orchestra. The song details the trials and tribulations the people of Okinawa have gone through, many having lost their lives and those of loved ones, and specifically tells of the separation of a man and woman, knowing that they’d never see each other again. PALI’s last album, Tribute, garnered them their fi rst Na Hoku Hanohano award for Best Contemporary Album, and the guys couldn’t have been happier. They say their friendship is the underlying reason why they are able to continue to produce music people seem to enjoy. As for their goals, producing albums is always a great accomplishment, but they agree that growing as individuals and personifying what other musicians have taught them is most important. “We’re so thankful for the gift of music that Akua has blessed us with, and besides growing musically, we yearn to just be better people and to really personify what the aloha spirit is about to others,” says Kaaihue. For more on PALI, visit www.pali.net. 24JGMZHP “Tropic Rhapsody” — Teresa Bright Release Date: December 2008 Hawaiʻi’s soulful songstress, Teresa Bright, presents another album, which features 12 classic hapa-haole songs that offer Bright’s contemporary twists on traditional music that she and her family grew up listening to and playing. “This is dedicated mostly to my mother’s grandparents’ era, which is the ’30s, ’40s, ’50s and ’60s,” says Bright. “It has different ethnic beats, so it’s more jazz, hapa-haole type of music. We brought all these beautiful old love songs up to date. It’s very simple, but clean.” Bright, who resides on the Windward side of Oʻahu, says “for this album, we had such a good time recording it, and everything went really smoothly.” The release takes classic songs and combines them with other genres Bright holds near to her heart such as swing, jazz and bossa nova. It features tracks such as I’ll Weave a Lei Of Stars For You, Silhouette Hula, Kaimana Hila, Blue Hawaiʻi, Red Sails in the Sunset, Sweet Leilani, Beyond the Reef, Tahauala , Pagan Love Song , Hanalei Moon , On a Tropic Night and Aloha ‘Oe. Bright’s favorites are Silhouette Hula or I’ll Weave A Lei Of Stars For You “only because I love Aunty Nina Kealiiwahamana. I grew up listening to her,” she says. “And the whole time I was recording Silhouette Hula, it was in honor of her.” Singing and performing since she was just a tot, Bright credits her family as being her biggest influences. However, she says, “besides my own family I would say Aunty Genoa (Keawe) has been a big influence. As a girl growing up singing in Hawaiʻi, she was very positive.” To find out more about Bright, visit www. mountainapplecompany.com/teresa or www. tropicalmusichawaii.com. The Only Way to the Top of Mauna Kea is with a... 4 Wheel–Drive Recreational Vehicle! Hawaii’s leader in Specialty Rental Vehicles 5 to 15 Passenger 4WD Available Full Service exciting MOTORHOMES! INCLUDING "" " "! " " Toll–Free: 1 (800) 852-9993 On the Big Island 969-1476 www.harpershawaii.com January/February 2009 25 HPHMBN She Sells Seashells Beautiful local jewelry from Seaweed Boutique #Z:V4IJOH5JOHr1IPUPTDPVSUFTZ-BVSFO$BMEJFSP Lauren Caldiero loves seashells. As a keiki, she spent many days on the beach — surfing, snorkeling and looking for shells with her dad. Now, many of those hand-picked shells have been turned into creative pieces for her Pua jewelry line available at www.seaweedboutique.com “My designs are inspired by nature,” says Caldiero, 34. “It’s all centered around shells. A lot of the pieces are cast shells, such as a solid metal puka shell from a mold. I use shells mixed with 14k pink and yellow gold, and sterling silver. And I have black pearls that I get when I go to Tahiti every few years.” Caldiero is originally from Waimea on the Big Island and moved to Oahu at age 22. She graduated in 1992 from Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy, and then went to Colorado University-Boulder before graduating from the University of Hawaiʻi with a degree in Hawaiian language. She went on to Chaminade University, earned a master’s degree in education and became a Hawaiian immersion teacher at Punana Leo. While teaching, Caldiero started a new hobby: jewelry making. 26JGMZHP )NTRODUCING =N9G 6 ?JK: A 6H:GH@>CI=:G 6EN $EEPCLEANSESEXFOLIATES HYDRATESlRMSANDREDUCES REDNESSALLINONETREATMENT #ALLNOWTOSCHEDULEYOUR TREATMENTANDDONTFORGETTO ASKABOUTTHEINTRODUCTORY “I love to sew and work with wood,” she says. “I’m a hands-on kind of person. I started out with beading but I got bored with that so I bought a welder and I taught myself how to do metals and weld metals together. And then I just decided to incorporate shells into that.” In 2001, Caldiero started the Pua jewelry line and quickly received an overwhelmingly positive response. She eventually left her teaching career and started making jewelry full time. She also opened a home studio and held accounts at various trendy boutiques in Los Angeles and New York, including popular retailer Fred Segal. Pua jewelry also was featured in many national fashion magazines, including Lucky, Nylon, Cosmopolitan, and most recently in InStyle. These days, however, Pua jewelry can only be found at Caldiero’s online boutique (www.seawoodboutique.com) or at her showroom in Honolulu by appointment. “After my daughter was born, I didn’t want to do retail anymore,” she explains. “I only do this part time.” Caldiero and husband Dave Caldiero have a 15-month-old daughter named Opal. The couple also co-owns two restaurants on Oʻahu. “My goal with Pua is to find a balance between having a family and still having a career, but a part-time career between my family and my creative side,” says Caldiero, who is Hawaiian, Chinese and German. “I’m crazy for shells, but I have other creative things at the back of my mind as well, such as silkscreening. And I want to do it all at my pace. For me, this is a lifestyle business that fits in well with all the things I love.” SPECIALANDFREEGIFTS 6K6 > A 6 7 A : : M 8 A J H > K : AN 6I From left to right s0UAKGOLDLINEDCAPIZSHELLEARRINGS4HESEEARRINGS WEREFEATUREDIN)N3TYLEMAGAZINE s0UAKBANGLESWITHPEARLPUKAANDSEABIRDFORSET *EWELRYALSOAVAILABLEINSILVERKYELLOWGOLDANDK PINKGOLD ,ILIHA3TREET3UITE (ONOLULU() WWWHONMEDSPACOM January/February 2009 27 28JGMZHP <EHJKD; 7D:<7C; Get the scoop behind Vanna White’s TV game show success "9953().'4).'s0(/4/3"9#!2/,+!%,3/. W hat’s the secret to the success of Wheel of Fortune, TV’s No. 1 syndicated series for 97 consecutive sweeps ratings periods and winner of five Emmy awards? And what’s the draw for more than 47 million viewers a week? “I think the show is still No. 1 after all these years because it’s a half-hour of family fun,” says Vanna White, the show’s iconic letter keeper. “It’s a time for the family to get together and play the game together, which we don’t have a lot of on TV these days.” She’s speaking from the Hilton Waikoloa Resort on the Big Island, where Wheel of Fortune, America’s No. 1 game show, taped four weeks of shows. Since her debut on Wheel of Fortune in 1982, White has become a household name globally. The nationally syndicated game show is in its 26th season, and according to Wheel of Fortune, surveys have shown that White’s presence contributes greatly to the show’s phenomenal ratings. On screen she wears glamorous gowns, touches a screen (she no longer turns the letters) and claps — a lot. So much, that she’s in The Guinness Book of World Records as Television’s Most Frequent Clapper, averaging 720 claps per episode, which calculates to 28,000 per season. “My job is quite easy,” admits White. “I don’t know what the hardest part is about my job — knowing the entire alphabet? There really isn’t anything hard about my job.” White grew up in the small resort town of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., attended the Atlanta School of Fashion Design and became one of the area’s top models. She eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, and two years later, while competing against 200 other hopefuls, was picked for the job she still holds today. Throughout her career, White has become one of the most sought-after celebrities to showcase top designer fashions. At last count, she has worn more than 5,100 different designer outfits at the puzzleboard. For five of the shows taped in Hawaii, White wears fashions by local designer Anne Namba. “I’m very excited (about wearing Anne Namba’s designs),” says White. “It’s been an honor that she would make clothes for me. Wait until you see them. They’re pretty.” While White has become a well-known fashion icon, ironically her personal day-to-day wardrobe is completely opposite from what people are used to seeing her in. Offscreen she’s usually sporting simple jeans, a T-shirt and flip flops or tennis shoes. In fact, her least favorite thing about her job is wearing high heels. January/February 2009 29 Vanna White and Pat Sajak at the “Wheel of Fortune” set at the Hilton Hawaiian Waikoloa Resort on the Big Island 30JGMZHP “On the show I have some high ones,” she explains. “And we do five or six shows a day, so I’m wearing high heels all day long, and it’s a long day.” Not only are they uncomfortable, they also can be dangerous. White confesses she has tripped several times, but only one was seen on TV. “The puzzleboard is two steps up and I came down to congratulate the winner who just won a new car, and I missed the last step,” recalls White. “And you saw me disappear behind the car. But I wasn’t hurt, I was fine. “They could’ve retaped it, but they didn’t because when I went to congratulate the guy, he said ‘Did you have a nice trip?’So they decided to keep it.” At Wheel of Fortune, White and her co-host Pat Sajak report for duty only 35 days of the year. And while most people immediately think of these two at any mention of the popular show, there is a lot that goes on behind the camera. For example, the September trip to the Big Island included more than 225 staff and crewmembers from Los Angeles and other Mainland cities, plus the hiring of about 200 local crew, including stage crew, production managers, drivers, Teamsters, electricians, greensmen, security, heavy equipment operators and production assistants. In the end, four weeks of shows were taped in only four days. However, crew and staff worked for one month to assemble the stage and load in the set, as well as remove it to be shipped back to L.A. Approximately 1.8 million pounds of equipment was brought to the island, including 37 trailers and containers via Matson Navigation Co., and about 20 trailers or containers via interisland shipping. In December, crewmembers did it all again, but this time for tapings at SeaWorld in Orlando. When she’s not at work, White is busy at home in California being a full-time mom to her two children — 14-year-old Nicholas and 11-year-old Giovanna. She also is an avid crocheter and launched her own line of yarn this fall called Vanna’s Choice, and donates a portion of the proceeds to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. “A typical day for me is I wake up early (around 6 a.m.), wake up the kids, make breakfast and drive them to school,” says White. “Then I do my exercise program and get ready for my day. And four days a month I go to work at Wheel.” Now 51 and still looking fabulous, White says her secret to being healthy is exercise, plenty of rest and sunblock. “For me, I spin on a spin bike, jog and do sit-ups and push-ups five times a week,” says White. “Also, I’m a good sleeper and I definitely put sunblock on every day. Also, I have a good regimen with washing my face — I use a washcloth and scrub really good. And I get facials on a regular basis.” During her recent stay on the Big Island, White says she spent her extra time hanging out in the sun and just relaxing. She enjoys taking family vacations to Hawai‘i, and says she tries to come once a year. “I’ve been to the Big Island, Maui, Kaua‘i, O‘ahu and Lana‘i, and I can’t say I have a favorite,” she says. “They all have something special. There is nothing I don’t like about Hawai‘i. I love the water, the breeze, the food, the people, the climate, the hotels.” A quarter of a century later and White still loves “everything” about her job — and has no plans to leave it. “Retire? What does that word mean?” she says. “There are no plans for that in the near future.” Twenty shows were filmed at the Hilton Waikoloa Village in September, and began airing in November. The fourth week of shows (“Second Honeymoon”) will air in February. In Hawai‘i, “Wheel of Fortune” is seen daily at 6:30 p.m. on KHON2. Vanna White wearing a gown by local designer Anne Namba January/February 2009 31 HE::9 6IH:6 Cruise through Waikiki on the Honolulu Screamer "934%6%-522!9s0(/4/3#/524%39(/./,5,53#2%!-%2 photo courtesy Oahu Visitors Bureau 32 JGMZHP G reg Longnecker has the need for speed, a love of the ocean and a talent for offering locals and visitors exciting ways to enjoy the stunning Pacific. As owner of Xtreme Parasailing and Diamond Head Parasailing and Watersports, which specialize in tandom parasailing rides from 1,000 feet, jet ski rentals and surf lessons, he’s always looking for another way to have fun in the water. Now he’s got a new toy. After years of thought, 18 months of construction, $1 million in total costs — including $35,000 for the paint job alone — the dream came to fruition. The appropriately named Honolulu Screamer is a 53-foot long, 35,000-pound speed-hungry thrill machine that is truly worthy of its name and customer reviews that litter the Internet. “I thought that if I can build a boat that makes people happy and they smile and it’s cheap enough where people can afford it, we’re going to fill the boat up,” says Longnecker. With the word spreading, in addition to hosting family-friendly graduation events and outings in support for members of the Wounded Warriors program, the Screamer is starting to gather a following. The one-of-kind ocean-going roller coaster is powered by twin 1,420 hp Caterpillar diesel engines that spit out 1,000 gallons of water per second through its water jet propulsion system, taking the boat upwards of 40 knots while making the transit from Kewalo Basin to Diamond Head in a time span that city engineers could only dream of. The engines are what separate the Screamer from most fast-moving tour boats, and are the key to the ride’s popularity. Unlike traditional propeller-driven watercraft that use rudders to steer the vessel, the Screamer’s jets are able to immediately redirect water from the engines over a 90-degree arc to quickly change the boat’s direction or to even stop it on a dime. Add to this the vessel’s flat bottom, and the boat is able to pull fishtails and donuts fast January/February 2009 33 The Honolulu Screamer takes tourists on a wild water romp off of Waikiki BOETNPPUIFOPVHIUPHFUUIFOPE PGBQQSPWBMGSPNBOZGBTUESJWJOH BVUPEBSFEFWJMBDDVTUPNFEUPUIF DIBMMFOHJOHUIFJDZSPBETPGUIF /PSUIFBTU &WFSZUIJOHPOUIF4DSFBNFS TVHHFTUTTQFFE&WFSZFEHFDPNFT UPBTIBSQQPJOUBOEUIFTIBSLT NPVUICPXQBJOUJTSFNJOJTDFOUPG OJNCMF88**ėHIUFST&WFOUIF TUSJQQFEQPJOUPGUIFIFMNQPEã UIFPWFSIBOHJOHDPWFSJOGSPOUPG UIFESJWFSãBEETBOFMFNFOUPG NPEFSOBHHSFTTJPOUPUIFPDFBO HPJOHNVTDMFDBS ĉ FUSJQJUTFMGJTSBUIFSTJNQMF -PBEFEXJUIQBTTFOHFSTBOEBěFS BMFOHUIZMJTUPGEPOUTUIFCPBU TMPXMZMFBWFTJUTCJSUIUPUIFTPVOET PGDMBTTJDSPDL0ODFDMFBSPGUIF DIBOOFMNBSLFSTJUJTBMMQFEBMUP UIFNFUBMBTUIFXBUFSĚJFTCZBOE TMPXNPWJOHėTIJOHCPBUTRVJDLMZ TISJOLGSPNWJFX/PXTBGFMZBXBZ GSPNUSBđDBOEGPMMPXJOHUIF JOTUSVDUFEXBSOJOHXIJTUMFUFMMJOH SJEFSTUPIBOHPOãFWFOUPUIPTF CVDLMFEJOã-POHOFDLFSTOBQT UIFCPBUJOUPBEFHSFFIJHIH 34JGMZHP TQJOUIBUTPBLTIBMGUIFQBTTFOHFST BOEMFBWFTUIFPUIFSTIPMEJOHUIFJS CSFBUIT"ěFSBGFXNPSFDPOUSPMMFE TMJEFTJUTPĎUP%JBNPOE)FBEGPS QJDUVSFUBLJOHBOEUPTXBQTFBUTTP OPQBTTFOHFSSFUVSOTESZPSXJUIPVU IBWJOHGFMUUIFGPSDFPGUIFUVSOT QSFTTJOHBHBJOTUUIFJSDIFTUT ĉ PVHIUIFTQFFEBOETQJOTBSF ėSTUBOEGPSFNPTUPOUIFNJOETPG UIFSJEFSTEPOUGPSHFUUPLFFQZPVS FZFTQFFMFEĉ FBSFBJTQPQVMBUFE XJUITFBUVSUMFTBOETQJOOFSEPM QIJOTUIBUMPWFUPUFTUUIFJSTQFFE BOEBHJMJUZBHBJOTUXBUFSDSBě 3FNFNCFSUIJTJTBXFUSJEFTP VOMFTTZPVIBWFBXBUFSQSPPGDBN FSBLFFQJUTUPXFEVOUJMJUJTUJNFUP TIPPU4BMUXBUFSDBOEPTPNFOBTUZ UIJOHTUPZPVSOFX/JLPOBOEUIF 4DSFBNFSIBTUXPXBUFSUJHIUCPYFT UPLFFQFWFSZUIJOHTBGF The Screamer takes out riders every day. Cost is $24.95 for the 45-minute trip. Call (808) 597-8669 for more information. If parasailing is your thing or you’d like to try Hawaii’s gift to sport — surfing— call 737-3599. The Screamer is not for everyone. A list of the rules: r"CTPMVUFMZOPQSFHOBOUXPNFOPO CPBSEUIF)POPMVMV4DSFBNFS r"CTPMVUFMZOPQFPQMFXJUIIFBSU DPOEJUJPOTCBDLJOKVSJFTPSUIPTF XIPBSFTVTDFQUJCMFUPCBDLJOKVSZ r3 JEFSTNVTUCFJODIFTUBMM r$IJMESFONVTUCFBCMFUPTJUJOUIFJS TFBUXJUIPVUBTTJTUBODF r" MMQBTTFOHFSTNVTUTUBZTFBUFE XIJMFUIFCPBUJTJONPUJPO r)PMEPOUPIBUTBOETVOHMBTTFTã UIFZNBZĚZBXBZ r,FFQZPVSIBOETBOEIFBEJOUIF CPBUXIJMFEPDLJOH r#FBXBSF:PVXJMMHFUXFU r)POPMVMV4DSFBNFSJTOPU SFTQPOTJCMFGPSBOZMPTUTUPMFOPS EBNBHFEJUFNT r/PTNPLJOHBOEOPGPPEPS ESJOLPOCPBSE Over 290 stores and restaurants including Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Sears C E N T E R H O U R S ~ MON-SAT 9:30am to 9pm SUN 10am to 7pm ~ Restaurant, department store and holiday hours may vary Honolulu, Hawaii ~ Minutes from Waikiki ~ Pink Line Trolley runs daily from Waikiki to Ala Moana Center every 10 minutes AlaMoanaCenter.com ~ 808.955.9517 ~ Owned and managed by General Growth Properties, Inc. Kaua‘i Fungi Discover a grassroots mushroom farm on the Garden Isle "9+)-"%2,99!-!s0(/4/3#/524%39+!5!)&5.') A nyone who has been to Kauaʻi knows that the essence of the oldest Hawaiian island is found in its people and smalltown communities. Although many corporate businesses have been taking greater interest in Kauaʻi’s economy, family-run businesses are still keeping the island’s uniqueness intact. Kaua‘i resident Philly White seeks to keep that small-business spirit alive through his novel enterprise, Kauaʻi Fungi. “Th is is a litt le more ‘grass roots,’” White says. “We just want to continue to educate people and grow the freshest, best mushrooms possible for the whole state.” After moving to Kauaʻi with his wife Tara and daughter Acacia, White began his mushroom farm and business. “I was living on the island for about five years, and I realized no one had a mushroom farm on Kauaʻi,” says White, who studied mycology at Evergreen College in Olympia. “Some people had the idea to do it, but no one really followed through. So I decided it would be a good market for Kauaʻi.” Kauaʻi Fungi is one of two mushroom farms in the state of Hawaiʻi. The operation produces and sells pink and blue oyster mushrooms. According to White, the blue 36JGMZHP Exotic pink oyster mushrooms are among the products offered by Kauaʻi Fungi The mushrooms grown by Kauaʻi Fungi are touted for interesting flavors and a unique appearance January/February 2009 37 oyster mushrooms have an earthy, spicier taste, while the pink oyster mushrooms are lighter and more delicate. When it comes to deciding which mushroom is the greater sell, people seem to like both equally, he says. However, the pink oyster mushrooms are so stunning visually that White says “people see them and they don’t even want to eat them; they just want to look at them, take pictures of them or wear them in their hair.” Kauaʻi Fungi grows mushrooms in litt le shade structures in Kilauea. White and two employees make their own mushroom spawn in their lab. They inoculate bags of pasteurized wheat straw with those seeds, which then produce the two types of oyster mushrooms. White says he chooses to grow oyster mushrooms because they do well in warm weather. He plans to develop different tropical-strain mushroom varieties at Kauaʻi Fungi, starting this winter with shiitake mushrooms. White explains that it takes about two weeks or less for his mushrooms to mature and be ready for picking. “It can grow from the size of a pin head to the size of your hand in 24 hours,” he says. Kauaʻi Fungi is currently sold at Papaya’s Natural Foods and Cafe, Healthy Hut Natural Food Store and farmer’s markets. He eventually plans to sell at bigger markets like Safeway as well. However, White it makes clear that Kaua‘i Fungi is a small family business and will try to maintain that mentality. “We just want to support our community and be as sustainable as possible,” White says. “Th at’s what we do on this farm, we try to keep the food local so we can feed as much of the communities as we can.” Along with fresh mushrooms, Kauaʻi Fungi sells medicinal mushroom supplements. Different types of mushrooms have different health benefits, says White, who uses the mushroom supplements daily. Kauaʻi Fungi also seeks to help the local community by using its oyster mushroom’s spawn to fi lter out chemicals in the ocean and protect the reef. “A lot of times fertilizers or chemicals would run off from places like the golf course. If we use oyster mushroom spawn, which we would put in big bags, it would actually fi lter those chemicals out,” said White. Kauaʻi Fungi is in the process of receiving a grant for this microfi ltration project. The appeal of Kauaʻi Fungi and its mushrooms is increasing throughout the Islands. “People are understanding that there are local mushrooms that actually taste better than the ones they were raised on,” White says. “We do 38JGMZHP Mushrooms are grown and stored at the Kauaʻi Fungi lab a lot of educating. We tell people how to cook them, and we give them new recipes. Th is is available, this is a much better product, this is grown locally, and people are digging it.” It’s apparent that White’s joy is in his family and his local business. Recently his son, Arlo Denali, was born, and it seems he couldn’t be happier. White sees himself running Kauaʻi Fungi for the rest of his life and hopes his children will one day take over the family business and experience the same joy. White’s enthusiasm to educate and provide fresh produce to the local community is just another reason to love Kauaʻi. For more information about Kauaʻi Fungi, visit www.kauaifungi.com. DIANA KRALL Beethoven Festival Music lovers will relish every moment of the Honolulu Symphony’s Beethoven Festival! Join us for this series of four riveting Beethoven-only concerts and savor the endless pleasures of Beethoven’s eternal music. All Beethoven Festival performances at the Neal Blaisdell Center. THE EROICA SYMPHONY THE VIOLIN CONCERTO Sat., March 28, 2009, 8 pm Sun., March 29, 2009, 4 pm THU. March 19, 2009 at 8 pm FRI. March 20, 2009 at 8 pm Neal Blaisdell Center Andreas Delfs, conductor John O’Conor, piano Leonore Overture No. 3 Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor Symphony No. 3 in E-flat “Eroica” Andreas Delfs, conductor Robert McDuffie, violin Overture to Fidelio Violin Concerto in D Symphony No. 7 in A Matt Catingub, conductor, Honolulu Symphony Pops THE PASTORAL beethoven’s fifth symphony SYMPHONY The incomparable Diana Krall returns to the Pops stage with her cool, heavy-lidded vocals and strikingly sensitive piano playing that have secured her an undoubted place at the top of the jazz charts. Please note special Thursday, Friday schedule. MAHALO TO OUR CONCERT SPONSORS Sat., April 4, 2009 • 8 pm Sun., April 5, 2009 • 4 pm Andreas Delfs, conductor John O’Conor, piano Ignace Jang, violin Yehuda Hanani, cello Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano in C “Triple” Symphony No. 5 in C minor Andreas Delfs, conductor John O’Conor, piano Coriolan Overture Symphony No. 6 in F Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat “Emperor” MAHALO TO OUR CONCERT SPONSOR MATT CATINGUB CONDUCTOR, HONOLULU SYMPHONY POPS ANDREAS DELFS PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR, HONOLULU SYMPHONY For Tickets Call 792-2000 Also available at www.ticketmaster.com & Macy’s www.HonoluluSymphony.com Pu‘u Kukui Experience the natural beauty at this Maui water resource "9"2)!.0%229s0(/4/3#/524%39+!0!,5!2%3/24 40JGMZHP W ater is the lifeblood of Maui’s residents and visitors, quenching their thirst and turning dry leeward regions into fastgrowing residential subdivisions, busy resorts, lush lawns and tropical gardens. While pumps work steadily to tap millions of gallons per day from the Iao aquifer, few people give much thought to how its water began as rain snatched from the clouds by Mauna Kahalawai and its 5,788-foot peak, Pu‘u Kukui. Moisture evaporated from the vast Pacific condenses as it rises up the West Maui Mountains and soaks Pu‘u Kukui with an average of 370 inches of rain per year (more than 30 feet), making it one of the wettest places on Earth. The water then percolates down through porous rock, sett ling in an underground lens of fresh water. The innermost regions of the 9,881-acre Pu‘u Kukui Watershed Preserve receive few visitors as its fragile, nearly pristine environment is protected by a half dozen employees of landowner Maui Land & Pineapple Co. But on rare occasions outsiders are brought in to the cloudshrouded Pu‘u Kukui to see its ethereal environment and its rare, endangered plants. I once ventured into Pu‘u Kukui on assignment as a reporter for The Maui News. Taking off from Napili, it took our helicopter only about 10 minutes of toe-curling flying over pineapple fields, treetops and ridges to arrive at the Pu‘u Kukui summit where a wooden platform not much larger than a couple of king-sized beds served as our landing area. The area was shrouded in clouds, damp and drizzly. The temperature hovered in the mid 50s, more than 20 degrees cooler than what it had been at sea level. A slick, wet boardwalk was covered by a wire grate, giving hikers enough traction for the fi rst stop — a small tent and a wooden landing about 4-by-8-feet wide and long. Initially, clouds obscured any view until, suddenly, a clearing revealed the full extent of Iao Valley, its verdant ridges dropping away from a dizzying height. Soon it became abundantly clear what it’s like to step into one of the wettest places on Earth. Just standing in the moisture-laden air produced drops of water that turned into miniature rivulets on faces and hands. And the rain gauges that measure hundreds of inches of rain yearly probably don’t tell the full story of Pu‘u Kukui’s water-capturing prowess. Another estimated 30 percent of “fog drip” moisture could be added just from the condensation of moisture on Pu‘u Kukui’s massive sponge of moss, ferns and bogs. Leaving the summit takes hikers down a boardwalk that now stretches 4.6 miles down to Haela‘au Cabin, which is 2,980 feet above sea level. Hikers fi rst walk through a silversword bog with rare plants such as the ‘eke silversword (Argyroxiphium caliginis) and the greensword (Argyroxiphium Grayanum), both of which are endemic to the bogs of Mauna Kahalawai. Also along the walk are the white-and-yellow flower ‘awiwi (Centaurium Sebaeoides), a green, leafy plant known as snakeroot (Sanicula purpurea), intricate green ferns known as pauoa (Ctenitis squamigera), the primevalShot of puʻe (Lobelia gloria-montis) plants in Puʻu Kukui Preserve, with island of Molokaʻi in the distance January/February 2009 41 View into back of ʻIao and Olowalu valleys from Puʻu Kukui, the summit of Mauna Kahalawai 42JGMZHP (also known as West Maui Mountains) Mauna ʻEke, part of the state’s Kahakuloa Natural Area Reserve, adjacent to Maui Land and Pineapple’s Puʻu Kukui Preserve looking up‘e (Lobelia Gloria-montis), the glory of the mountain flower that blossoms once and dies, and the splashy, red fi reworks-like blossom of the ohia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha). The largest private preserve in the state is home to 12 of Hawaiʻi’s 150 distinct plant communities, nearly 300 known species of native plants, including seven on the nation’s endangered species list. At lower elevations, the ohia tree can reach 100 feet tall with trunks 8 feet in diameter. But, in the bogs of Mauna Kahalawai, a lack of oxygen leaves the trees starved for oxygen and stunted — only 4to 6-inches tall — a natural bonsai. Further down the trail is Kiowaiokiha, or Violet Lake, the only montane lake on Mauna Kahalawai, which is actually more like a pond than a lake. While Pu‘u Kukui is an ecological jewel and a botanist’s dream, it’s also threatened by invasive species, such as feral pigs, wild goats, axis deer and a proliferation of weeds. Protecting the watershed from degradation by alien species is a top priority for watershed employees, says watershed manager Randy Bartlett . The biggest threat to the preserve has been feral pigs, who feed on plants, spread weeds and cause erosion, all infl icting damage on the watershed. Crews set traps for rats and feral pigs, and employees are beginning an ambitious fence-building project to protect the lower boundaries of the preserve from axis deer. “It’s just a matter of time before we get axis deer up this way,” Bartlett says. Although the preserve remains closed to the public, Maui Land & Pineapple Co. is planning to offer guided eco-tour hikes for residents and guests of the Kapalua Resort. “We haven’t fi nalized anything yet,” he says, but he expects the eco-tours could begin in the fi rst quarter of 2009. Hank Oppenheimer on boardwalk in Puʻu Kukui Preserve January/February 2009 43 FROM SEA TO SUMMIT Trace the steps of a Big Island adventure "9*!#/6!.$%,$%.s0(/4/3#/524%39-!2+30%#+ !.$+!4(,%%.#/..%,,9 44JGMZHP January/February 2009 45 The crew hikes on top of Mauna Loa, with Mauna Kea seen in the background P lanes, ships and cars are great to get to a place of adventure. But an even better adventure awaits when you leave them behind and learn to enjoy the feeling of a trail under your feet and the wind in your face. We are five friends that set aside all other things once a year to get a taste of adventure: Kathleen is in graphic design; Clay is a social worker; Vinicius, a manager at a flooring company; David, a medical administrator; Mark, a researcher; Eduardo, a bike mechanic, and Jaco, a physical therapist. In May, we rolled our bikes onto a fl ight bound for Hilo. Just like the year before, our mission began with a ride on our bikes from the airport to the waterfront, dipping our wheels in the ocean to make absolutely certain we were at sea level before riding up toward Saddle Road. We passed through different climate zones as we made our way up to this road, which crosses between the two giant mountains of Hawaiʻi — Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Both are shield volcanoes with only a 10-foot difference in height. The scenery changed from lush tropical forests near Hilo, to a damp foggy area where ferns covered the ground, and then to a barren volcanic landscape with howling wind and not a plant or tree in sight. After 35 miles we arrived at our destination for the day, Mauna Kea State Park. There, at about 6,000 feet, were a few very basic cabins with electric heaters, bunk beds and 46JGMZHP an electric furnace to cook on. It got chilly early in the afternoon as we made some spaghett i with tomato sauce. We talked about our plans for the next morning and what time we would have to wake up and start riding to make a safe effort to get to the summit of Mauna Loa. There are generally two ways to get to the top of Mauna Loa. One is to approach it from the gradual side, through Volcanoes National Park. It takes two full days from the park headquarters and a one-night stay in a hut on the way up before reaching the summit, which has a hut as well. Since we wanted to reach the summit in two days and by our own power starting at sea level, we decided to take the steeper approach from Saddle Road, lock our bikes together at 10,000 feet, and then start hiking the last 3,679 feet to the summit cabin. When we got up the next day it was still dark outside, and we began the day by riding zig-zag on a broken up, formerly paved road. We got to the weather station at around 11 a.m. and checked our remaining water supply. Drinking water is even more important at a high altitude to keep hydrated and prevent altitude sickness. We locked our bikes and started hiking on a trail marked by stacked lava rocks. We started before noon since it can take six hours of hiking to complete the remaining 6-7 miles at that altitude. We carried backpacks with sleeping bags, dried food and water. The beauty of Mauna Loa is magnificent. Seeing the silent and empty crater is truly amazing. The trail meanders Mark Speck, David Griffith, Jaco Van Delden, Vini Okano and Eduardo Sa, with Mauna Loa seen in the background Riding up from the entry point on Saddle Road to 10,000 feet (the Mauna Loa Access Road) is a rough patch of old asphalt into the crater after it ascends back to the rim, where the hut is located. The last few miles were defi nitely the hardest, even though it is not really steep. We arrived just before the sun set behind the opposite crater rim, which was a beautiful and unforgett able spectacle. Gett ing to the crater after sunset can be very dangerous, since the trail passes some very deep holes that you would not be able to see at night. At the hut, Eduardo made a small fi re of some wood scraps we found. On the fi re we heated our mixture of dried food and water. The hut has bunk beds that we got into right away since it was gett ing very cold. Dizziness and a hangover-like headache kept us from talking about our great day on the mountain. We ascended way too fast, and during the night we paid the price. Most of us did not sleep, and as soon as the sun appeared early the next day, we immediately set off to get down. Just the start of the descend helped us gett ing rid of our headache, and soon after we began poking fun at each other. We found our bikes where we left them and rode down to Saddle Road in less than one hour. Once back in Hilo, we stopped at Ken’s Pancake House, celebrating another great adventure in the open before catching our plane back to reality. January/February 2009 47 TQPPLZTUPSZ The Spirit of Honokane As told to Rick Carroll by Carolyn Sugiyama Classen I was born and raised in North Kohala on the Big Island of Hawaii, and as a child spent many hours playing on the black sand beach of Pololu Valley. Th is is a remote, wet valley (previously used to grow taro and rice) on the windward side of North Kohala, where the road ends at a scenic overlook. No one has lived in this valley and the other valleys to the east for years. During the summer of 1973, I was an archaeology student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, doing research in Pololu Valley on a National Science Foundation stipend. The other researchers and I also backpacked into Honokane Nui, the next valley over, and Honokane Iki, the smaller valley east of Honokane Nui. So I was familiar with these uninhabited valleys and their trails. I lived in Pololu for three months that summer and continued to hike into the valley thereafter. Several years later I decided to hike with three other friends into the valley. We hiked into Pololu, then over into Honokane Nui. I do not recollect meeting anyone on the trail into the second valley. The others wanted to see Honokane Iki but since I was tired, I chose to stay by myself on the pebbly beach of Honokane Nui. I was sunning myself on the deserted beach when suddenly I heard loud guitar strumming. I sat up and looked around and shouted, “Who’s there?” There was no answer. I was startled because I did not see anyone on the beach near me, but the guitar strumming continued. I looked up into the sky. There was no plane or 48JGMZHP helicopter or anything near me. Then the strumming stopped. I did not see anyone else on that beach. When my three friends returned about half an hour later, I did not tell them of the incident, as I was afraid they would scoff at me. Incidentally, none of us had a guitar with us. We then hiked up the ridge between Honokane Nui and Pololu and then way into the back of Pololu to a secret swimming hole I knew of. While we were eating lunch and swimming at this pool, which is way off the main trail, one of my haole friends turned to me and said, “I hear a guitar strumming.” I stared at him and felt chicken skin go down my back. I couldn’t hear the guitar he was talking about and neither could the other two people. Then I told them about what had occurred on the beach of Honokane Nui, now miles away. Frightened by this mysterious guitar strumming, we quickly packed up our knapsacks and hiked out of Pololu. We didn’t hear any guitar strumming after that, and did not see anyone on the trail out of Pololu Valley, but we felt that a spirit had been following us in the trails. Editor’s note: Rick Carroll is a travel writer and editor of the popular “Hawai‘i’s Best Spooky Tales” book series. His work can be found at local bookstores, as well as via Bess Press at www.besspress.com. The above story is from his book, “Hawai‘i’s Best Spooky Tales 2.” Go from surfi ng to shopping with the shake of a towel. Sand on your feet is practically a given. And from sunrise to sunset, views of Molokai and Lanai are served with ice cream or champagne. open daily from 9:30am–10:0 0pm | 661-4567 2435 Kaanapali Parkway, Maui | whalersv il lage.com POUIFHP 0BIV&WFOUT calendars compiled by Kerry Miller Courtesy photo Sony Open in Hawai‘i Jan. 12-18 Features 144 of the world’s best golf professionals playing for top honors in this first full-field PGA Tour event of 2009. Waialae Country Club, 4997 Kahala Ave., Honolulu. Visit www.SonyOpenInHawaii. com or call 1-808-523-7888. Gloria Estefan University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Winter Sports Calendar Men’s Basketball Jan. 3: vs. Boise State Jan. 5: vs. Louisiana Tech Jan. 17: vs. San Jose State Jan. 24: vs. Utah State Feb. 5: vs. Fresno State Feb. 7: vs. Idaho, 6:05 p.m. Feb. 14: vs. Nevada Women’s Basketball 2009 Jack in the Box Rainbow Wahine Classic Jan. 3: vs. Pepperdine, 3 p.m. Jan. 4: vs. Colorado, 5 p.m. Jan. 17: vs. Nevada, 4 p.m. Jan. 23: vs. Fresno State, 7 p.m. Jan. 25: vs. Utah State, 5 p.m. Feb. 6: vs. San Jose State, 7 p.m. Feb. 20: vs. New Mexico State, 7 p.m. Feb. 22: vs. Louisiana Tech, 5 p.m. Feb. 27: vs. Idaho, 7 p.m. **All men’s and women’s basketball games are played at the Stan Sheriff Center on the UHM lower campus, 1335 50JGMZHP Lower Campus Road. All men’s games start at 7:05 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Call the UH Ticket Office at 1-808-956-4482 for season and individual tickets. Improv Comedy Show Jan. 3 Improv troupe On The Spot uses audience suggestions to improvise scenes in a silly, spontaneous way. The ARTS at Mark’s Garage, 1159 Nuuanu Ave., downtown Honolulu. 8 p.m. $14 general, $10 students. Call 1-808-550-TIKS or visit www. honoluluboxoffice.com. The Toadies In Concert Jan. 9 The Texas-based rock band entertains live. Pipeline Cafe, 805 Pohukaina St., Honolulu. Doors open 6 p.m.; showtime, 7 p.m. $25 general, $50 VIP. Call 1-877750-4400 or visit www.ticketmaster. com. New Shanghai Circus Jan. 16-18 A high-flying, intense showcase of acrobatics featuring the best performers from the People’s Republic of China. Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., downtown Honolulu. Friday through Sunday. Call 1-808-528-0506 or visit www.hawaiitheatre.com for showtimes and tickets. Gloria Estefan In Concert Jan. 17 The Grammy Award-winning Latin singer performs live. Blaisdell Arena, 777 Ward Ave., Honolulu. 8 p.m. $65-$100 general, $125 VIP (limited). Call 1-877-750-4400 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. International Waikiki Hula Conference Jan. 17-18 A gathering for hula fans and dancers from around the world, featuring opportunities to learn, share and experience hula from local masters. Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki. Visit www. WaikikiHulaConference.com or call 1-808-923-1094. Pacific Island Arts Festival Jan. 17-18 About 100 Hawai‘i artists and handcrafters display and sell their jewelry, clothing, stained glass, ceramics, quilts and bags, wood products, soaps, candles and more. Also, live entertainment and food served. Kapi‘olani Park, 3902 Paki Ave., Waikiki (across from the Honolulu Zoo). Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission. Call 1-808-696-6717. SBS Open Feb. 9-14 The kick-off tournament for the LPGA’s 2009 season. The world’s best female golfers compete. Turtle Bay Resort, Arnold Palmer Course, 57-091 Kamehameha Hwy., Kahuku (North Shore). Visit www. SBSOpen.com or call 1-808-792-9333. Rita Rudner Onstage Jan. 30 The comic performs her stand-up routine live. Pipeline Cafe, 805 Pohukaina St., Honolulu. Doors open 6 p.m.; showtime, 7 p.m. $30 general, $55 VIP. Call 1-877750-4400 or visit www.ticketmaster. com. The Presidents of the United States of America In Concert Feb. 4 Pop-punk/alternative rockers, The Presidents of the United States of America perform live. Pipeline Cafe, 805 Pohukaina St., Honolulu. 8 p.m. Call 1-877-750-4400 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Chinatown Chase Feb. 28 Ravenchase Adventures welcomes teams for this race through the downtown Honolulu area and Chinatown (think Da Vinci Code, Amazing Race or Raiders of the Lost Ark). Costumes are encouraged. Prizes awarded and block party to follow. Benefits the Hawai‘i Theatre Center. Meet at Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., downtown Honolulu. Call 1-808-791-1397 or visit www. chinatownchase.com to sign up. Courtesy photo The Presidents of the United States of America First Friday Honolulu Ongoing, every first Friday Nighttime tours of art galleries, museums and studios, featuring exhibits, entertainers, live artists and activities. Downtown Honolulu arts district/ Chinatown. 5-9 p.m. Free. Call 1-808-739-9797 or visit www. firstfridayhawaii.com. Hawai‘i Pearl Open February, TBD Courtesy photo Great Aloha Run Feb. 16 An 8.15-mile walk or run with entertainment along the way and a party at the finish. Proceeds benefit several local charities. Begins at Aloha Tower Marketplace, One Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu; Ends at Aloha Stadium, 99-500 Salt Lake Blvd., Aiea. Visit www.GreatAlohaRun. com. Rita Rudner Features 190 top professional and amateur golfers from America and Japan. Four-day event. Pearl Country Club, 98-535 Kaonohi St., Aiea. Free admission. Visit www. Pearlcc.com or call 1-808-487-1557. Pan-Pacific Soccer Championships February, TBD A single-elimination tourney featuring a semi-final doubleheader between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Gamba Osaka (Feb. 20), and a match between the Houston Dynamo and Australia’s A-League representative to follow. The two winners compete on Feb. 23 for the championship. Aloha Stadium, 99-500 Salt Lake Blvd., Aiea. Visit www.PPChampionship.net. Hawai‘i International Jazz Festival February, TBD The world’s top musicians perform side by side with Hawai‘i’s hottest local acts. Call 1-808-941-9974 or visit www. HawaiiJazz.com. January/February 2009 51 POUIFHP .BVJ&WFOUT Photo courtesy Kapalua Resort Mercedes-Benz Championships Wendy’s Champions Skins Game Jan. 17-18 PGA Tour event annually televised on ESPN. Royal Kaanapali Course, 2290 Kaanapali Parkway, Lahaina. Visit www. PGATour.com/Tournaments. Maui Arts and Cultural Center Events **The Maui Arts and Cultural Center is located at One Cameron Way in Kahului. For more information on any of these events, call 1-808-242-SHOW or visit www.mauiarts.org. Kathy Collins’ Death Comedy Jam Jan. 16 The Maui artist performs her one-of52JGMZHP a-kind variety show, depicting her reflections on death, widowhood and some of Collins’ comedic alter egos. McCoy Studio Theater. 7:30 p.m. $25. Maui Pops Orchestra Jan. 17 Island artist Keali‘i Reichel joins the orchestra live onstage in a rare appearance. Castle Theater. 7:30 p.m. $12, $45, $55 and $65. Ozomatli In Concert Jan. 30 The Los Angeles-based group entertains with its unique urban-Latino mesh of salsa, hip-hop, samba, funk, reggae and more. Castle Theater. 7:30 p.m. $25-$30 advance, $30-$35 on day of concert. Da Bruddahs Feb. 6 The comedy duo of James Roche and Tony Silva entertain with their pidginstyle comedy sketches. McCoy Studio Theater. 7:30 p.m. $25. Makana Feb. 14 The popular young slack key artist performs his unique style of contemporary world rock. McCoy Studio Theater. 7:30 p.m. $30. Angelique Kidjo Feb. 21 The West African-rooted singer, composer and performer entertains as part of MACC’s “Global Rhythms Shanghai Circus Jan. 19 and 20 For all ages. Acrobatics, jugglers, contortionists, balancing acts and more. Castle Theater. Monday, 4 and 7 p.m., Tuesday, 7 p.m. $10, $18 or $23. Jake Shimabukuro Jan. 24 The ukulele virtuoso performs everything from jazz, flamenco and blues to bluegrass and classical. Castle Theater. 7:30 p.m. $12, $28 and $37. Rubberband Dance Group Jan. 29 Steve Miller Band Photo courtesy Maui Arts and Cultural Center Mercedes-Benz Championships Jan. 8-11 Exclusive opening tournament features winners from PGA tour events, including Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and more. The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Resort, Plantation Course, 500 Bay Drive, Lahaina. Call events management at 1-866-669-2440. The Montreal-based group performs a collaboration of hip-hop and ballet. Castle Theater. 7:30 p.m. $12, $22 and $32. Series.” Castle Theater. 7:30 p.m. $12, $30 and $47. HAPA Feb. 27 The talented duo of Barry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau perform live, entertaining with strummed ballads and modern acoustic folk/rock. Castle Theater. 7:30 p.m. $12, $28 and $37. The Steve Miller Band In Concert Feb. 28 Blues/rock singer, songwriter Steve Miller and his famous band perform their classic hits. A & B Amphitheater. 7 p.m. $55, $65 or $85 reserved, $125 premium seats (limited number available). 2009 Maui Whale Festival Events Run for the Whales Feb. 7 Choose from a 2K or 5K walk, a 5K run or a half-marathon run. A 2K children’s race is also held. Participants receive a free T-shirt, post-race breakfast and free professional timing. Register at www.active.com or www. pacificwhale.org. Photo courtesy Maui Arts and Cultural Center Keali‘i Reichel Race is from Wailea to Makena, meet at Polo Beach lot in Wailea (next to Fairmont Kea Lani). Call 1-800-9425311. Whale Quest Kapalua Feb. 13-15 Lectures, interactive displays, art and photo exhibits, interpretive walks and whale watch tours. The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Resort, One Ritz-Carlton Drive, Lahaina. Free. Call 1-888-665-9160. Keiki Day of Whales Feb. 20 Hands-on crafts, science and cultural activities for children ages 5-12. Kalama Park, South Kihei Road, Kihei. Free. Call 1-808-244-8390. Whale Day Celebration Feb. 21 A celebration of the humpback whale. Live music, food, crafts with more than 100 local artists, environmental displays, children’s activities, parade and information about whales. Kalama Park, South Kihei Road, Kihei. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Parade is along South Kihei Road. )AM( INA &'" #% '" %" &' $&" 4HISISMYSTORY ! !STORYOF(AWAII´SPEOPLE -&%# ,*# (*3&+&,444 -&%# ,*#"(2 1(*2(*#&'1(*2 ,&(' January/February 2009 53 POUIFHP #JH*TMBOE&WFOUT photo courtesy Hilton Waikoloa Village USTA Challenger Tournament of Champions Jan. 19-23 Golf greats compete in this PGA 54hole-stroke play competition. Hualalai Golf Club, 100 Kaupulehu Drive, Kaupulehu-Kona. Call 1-808417-2770 for tickets. Mitsubishi Electric Championship Jan. 19-25 Top golfers from around the world compete in this stop on the PGA Tour. Hualalai Resort, 100 Kaupulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona. Call 1-800-417-2770 or visit www.pgatour.com. Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival Feb. 7 Showcases the blooming of Waimea’s historic cherry trees. Enjoy Japanese and multi-cultural performing arts, demonstrations of bonsai, origami, sumie, as well as mochi pounding and a craft fair. Parker Ranch Center, Mamalahoa Highway 19, Waimea. Call 1-808-9618706. 54JGMZHP parade, firecrackers, Asian arts, crafts, foods, cultural performances and more. Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Call 1-808-933-9772 or visit www.poshfestivals.com. Hawai‘i Island Chinese Film Festival Feb. 13 A selection of films from and about China are screened. Opening features blessing of downtown buildings, and firecrackers are set off. Palace Theater, 38 Haili St., Hilo. 7 p.m. Free. Call 1-808-933-9772 or visit www.poshfestivals.com. Hilo Chinese New Year Festival Feb. 14 Lion dancers offer traditional blessings along the street. Also featuring a Aloha Sunday Every second Sunday Cultural practitioners, arts, crafters and food vendors fill up the downtown area. East Hawai‘i Cultural Center presents. Downtown Hilo. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 1-808-961-5711. Niaulani Nature Walk Ongoing, Mondays A one-hour guided tour (½ mile long) through old-growth Hawai‘i forest. See native birds, plants. Volcano Art Center at Hawai‘i Volcano National Park, Volcano. 9:30 a.m. Free (donations welcome). Call 1-808-9678222. USTA Challenger January, TBA The best men and women in professional tennis compete in singles and doubles matches. Players to be announced. Hilton Waikoloa Village, Kohala Tennis Garden, 69-425 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa. Call 1-808-886-2222 or visit www.HiltonWaikoloaVillage.com. Hula Hoike photo courtesy Darryl Low ,BVBµJ&WFOUT Kaua‘i Wellness Expo Jan. 24-25 Motivational speakers, mini workshops hosted by professionals focusing on personal, financial and spiritual health. Also, more than 60 exhibit booths offering massage, feng shui, healthy foods and more. Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Center, 4191 Harby St., Lihue. Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $5 one day, $8 both days, under age 12 and seniors are free. Call 1-808-652-4328 or visit www. inspirationjournal.com Hula Hoike 2009 Feb. 7 Performance by the Halau Hula O Leilani, featuring adult and keiki dancers performing ancient and modern hula, as well as Tahitian dances. Crafts and food for sale. Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Center, Lihue. Food/crafts, 5 p.m., show, 7 p.m. $20 general, $10 children. Call 1-808651-0864. Enjoy fun rodeo events like steer roping and barrel racing. Also, recognition of Hall of Fame Cowboys. Behind the old Waimea Dairy, between Waimea and Kekaha (look for signs off the highway). Saturday, noon. $3 general, under age 12 are free. ‘Hawai‘i’s Cowboy Music’ Concert Feb. 20 Enjoy traditional slack key and ukulele songs and stories about the paniolo. Free gift drawing, Hanalei Community Center, 5-5299 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei. 4-5:30 p.m. $20 general, $15 keiki and seniors. Call 1-808-826-1469. Annual Captain Cook Caper Fun Run Feb. 21 Choose the 10K, 5K or 2K run. Shuttle service to start lines from Waimea Planation Cottages is available for those registering before 6:15 a.m. Waimea Plantation Cottages, 9400 Kaumualii Hwy., Waimea. For more information, visit www.wkbpa.org. Waimea Town Celebration Feb. 20-21 Continuous entertainment, food, beer garden, crafts and game booths. Also, ice cream-eating contest, ukulele contest and more. Old Waimea Sugar Mill, Friday, 4:30-11 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Free live entertainment. Call 1-808-338-1332 or visit www.wkpba.org/events.html. Waimea Round Up Rodeo Feb. 21 Waimea Historic Walking Tour Ongoing, Mondays A two-hour walk back in time, learning about where Captain Cook first landed, the changing of the agricultural landscape, Kaua‘i’s last King and more. Registration required. Special group tours available. West Kaua‘i Technology and Visitor Center, 9565 Kaumualii Hwy., Waimea. 9:30 a.m. Free. Call 1-808-338-1332. go!&WFOUT Terror In Concert Jan. 31 The California-based punk/metal band performs live. Tickets on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets. Pipeline Cafe, 805 Pohukaina St., Honolulu, Oahu. 7 p.m. Tickets $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Call 1-877-750-4400 or visit www.ticketmaster. com to purchase or call 1-808-354-ROCK for more information. Terror Courtesy photo Eco Lounge Event for those involved in action sports and sustainable living communities. Third Thursdays (Jan. 15 and Feb. 12) Indigo, 1121 Nuuanu Ave., downtown Honolulu, Oahu. January/February 2009 55 where to find go! Lihu‘e Airport (LIH), Kauai Honolulu International Airport (HNL), O‘ahu GA TE 9 Ho‘olehua Airport (MKK), Moloka‘i AIRPORT LOO P CAR RE NTAL COUN TERS BLIC PU ING K PAR AL HT NIG G ER OV RKIN PA Kapalua Airport (JHM), Maui MIN ER DT AN ISL ER INT Kahului Airport (OGG), Maui HO NO PIIL AN IH IGH WA Y 30 A IR PO RT AC CE SS RO AD TE GA – hole (KOA), Hawai‘i Kona International Airport at Kea 13 Hilo International Airport (ITO), Hawai‘i GATE 7A GATE 2 56JGMZHP Mesa Air Group Route Map Vancouver Calgary Seattle Spokane Kalispell Eugene Massena Ogdensburg Watertown Syracuse Albany Minneapolis Medford Cody Jackson Hole Portland Manchester Boston Providence Rochester Hartford Newark Harrisburg New York DuBois Allentown Franklin Lancaster Philadelphia Pittsburgh Hagerstown Huron Brookings Rapid City Milwaukee Grand Rapids Detroit Lansing Cleveland Cedar Rapids Fort Wayne Akron Des Moines Omaha Salt Lake City Hayden Columbus S. Bend Moline Lincoln Vernal Morgantown Dayton Bloomington Parkersburg Grand Junction Vail Cincinatti Charlottesville Richmond Hays Salina Moab Indianapolis Kansas City Colorado Springs Aspen Charleston Clarksburg Norfolk Newport News Cedar City Lexington Lewisburg Garden City Manhattan Gunnison Durango Roankoe Great Bend Tri Cities Greensboro Dodge City Wichita Knoxville Raleigh Durham Farmington Nashville Asheville Little Rock Greenville/ Memphis Wilmington Spartanburg Oklahoma City Harrison Jonesboro Myrtle Beach Albuquerque Hot Springs Columbia Huntsville Atlanta El Dorado Roswell Hobbs Athens Charleston Birmingham Tucson Savannah Carlsbad Dallas/Ft. Worth Montgomery Jackson El Paso Mobile Jacksonville Baton Rouge Pensacola Tallahassee New Orleans Hermosillo Austin Houston San Antonio Guaymas Fort Lauderdale Sarasota Miami Mazatlan Sioux Falls Chicago Reno Sacramento Washington Denver Monterey Fresno Bakersfield San Luis Obispo Santa Barbara Long Beach Los Angeles Orange County San Diego Carlsbad Lake Havasu Flagstaff Las Vegas Palm Springs Ontario Burbank Charlotte Phoenix Orlando Yuma Phoenix Cabo San Lucas Puerto Vallarta Guadalajara Kaua‘i Lihu‘e O‘ahu Honolulu Molokaʻi Ho‘olehua Kapalua Maui Kahului Lānaʻi Hilo Hawaiʻi Kona (The Big Island) January/February 2009 57 58JGMZHP UIFIJTUPSZPGNFTBBJSHSPVQ Mesa’s mission is to be the premier high quality, low cost regional airline… Mesa Air Shutt le was founded by Larry Risley in 1982 and began with scheduled service between Farmington and Albuquerque, New Mexico using a nine passenger Piper Chieftan. Mr. Risley, an aircraft mechanic by trade, mortgaged his house and fi xed base operation business to start the airline. Mesa has since grown to be one of the world’s largest independent regional airlines. In its fi rst ten years of business, Mesa grew from a company with one aircraft serving two cities to an organization operating 38 aircraft and serving 63 cities. During this same period, the company transformed itself from a small closely held corporation to a publicly traded corporation on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol MESA. In 1989, the company expanded its operations through a codeshare agreement with Midwest Express and then in 1990 with the acquisition of Aspen Airways. With the Aspen acquisition, Mesa gained its fi rst codeshare agreement with United Airlines and began operating as United Express out of Denver. In 1991 Mesa purchased Air Midwest, adding US Airways as a codeshare partner, and West Air in 1992, adding additional routes as United Express. Mesa further expanded in 1992 through the signing a codeshare agreement with America West. In 1994 Mesa acquired Pittsburgh-based Crown Airways, further strengthening the company’s ties to US Airways. In 1998, Mesa negotiated a new codeshare agreement with America West and relocated its corporate headquarters from Farmington to Phoenix. In 1999 Mesa announced the acquisition of Charlotte-based CCAir, adding more US Airways routes to its route network. Also in 1999, Mesa announced the acquisition of Charlottebased CCAir, adding additional US Airways routes. In 2000, Mesa codeshare agreement with America West increased to include 22 regional jets. By this time 75% of Mesa’s operations were being conducted under revenue guarantee contracts with other airlines. In 2001, Mesa announced an agreement with America West to add up to 40 larger CRJ aircraft and became the launch customer for the new 86-seat Bombardier CRJ 900. Mesa’s mission is to be the premier high quality, low cost regional airline while also looking to innovate and pursue new opportunities in the rapidly changing airline industry. Mesa continues to grow and recently expanded its codeshare agreement with Delta Air Lines, its United codeshare agreement and the launch of go!, Mesa’s independent operation in Hawaii. go! operates state-of–the-art 50-seat regional jets to provide low-cost, high frequency service to the cities of Lihue, Kahului, Kona, Hilo and Honolulu. go! recently expanded its route network in Hawaii with the launch of service as go!Express operated under a codeshare agreement with Kona-based Mokulele Airlines. Th is new service adds the airports of Kapalua, Maui, Ho’olehua, Molokai and Lanai City, Lana’i to the go! route network. As of August 1, 2007 Mesa was operating 199 aircraft with over 1,300 daily system departures to 181 cities, 46 states, Canada , Mexico and the Bahamas. Mesa operates as Delta Connection, US Airways Express and United Express under contractual agreement with Delta Air Lines, US Airways and United Airlines, respectively, and independently as Mesa Airlines and go!. January/February 2009 59 5 iflygo 60JGMZHP Kaua‘i boat harbor photo courtesy Hawai‘i Tourism Japan EFQBSUVSFT January/February 2009 61