Master chef Roy Yamaguch serves his amazing Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine at Roy’s Restaurant in Honolulu.

Roy takes great pride in his work and always wants to instill the true aloha spirit in his fine restaurant by offering the best food, service and Hawaiian hospitality.

Chef Roy Yamaguchi opened his very first Roy’s Restaurant in Honolulu in 1988. Roy’s also a proud winner of the James Beard Award, Hawaii’s first-ever.

Roy’s is well known as the Hawaii Kai mecca for the best in Pacific Rim Cuisine. The restaurant has always been a favorite for locals but its popularity meant many visitors can enjoy the complete dining experience.

Roy’s specialty is fine seafood with fresh catch from around the local Hawaiian Islands, including: Ono, Onaga, Opakapaka, shellfish, sushi, as well as hand-cut meats.

Roy’s uses only the freshest local ingredients and mixes them with bold Asian spices and European sauces,with a focus on seafood.

The resulting textures, colors, and tastes leaves his restaurant guests with the complete satisfaction they have enjoyed a truly special meal.

Setting’s upscale casual, and while the star attraction’s a superlative menu, live music and fabulous sushi also rock the stage.

Patrons can enjoy an award-winning wine list that ensures a good pairing to enhance the unique culinary experience.

From the original opening over 20 years ago, Roy’s Restaurant has expanded to over thirty restaurants around the world.

Roy’s Restaurant
Waikiki Beach Walk
226 Lewers St.
Honolulu, HI 96815
808-923-7697

Bernini Honolulu

I heard about this cute little restaurant from a friend, so four of us gave it a try one evening. We finally located it, and I must say, the exterior lighting and appearance of the Bernini Honolulu eatery was very classy and attractive, (reminiscent of Taormina Sicilian Restaurant in Waikiki).

The interior is tastefully decorated as well, very upscale, and attractive. My only criticism of the Bernini Honolulu interior decor and lighting would be to either get rid of the refrigerated display case and its bright fluorescent lighting immediately inside the entrance.

Or, if this display case is necessary, install some cool temp. incandescent lighting inside to highlight whatever you want to emphasize. The fluorescent lighting in the case wages a battle with the rest of the very classy lighting throughout the restaurant.

Now for the important topic — the food:

We first tried a sampling from their Antipasti selection and chose the Chef’s Selection of the Day $28.00 — A trio including Tuna Carpaccio w/ Sicilian Lemon Sauce, Porchetta – Homemade Slow-cooked Pork Ham, and Venetian Style Marinated Octopus and Potato Lightly flavored with Anchovy.

We also ordered Grilled Scallops with Eggplant in a Balsamic Reduction Sauce $14.00 All antipasti selections were quite tasty, however a little sparse with respect to volume. We ordered a bottle of Prosecco, (Flor Prosecco), to accompany our antipasti ($39.00) , which was quite good.

The main dishes we ordered were all under the “Pasta” heading and were all spaghetti offerings including Ricci de Mare – Fresh Sea Urchin – Peperoncino Style $26.00; Vongole Bianco – Fresh Clams in a White Wine Sauce $22.00; Chicken Carbonara – Creamy Spicy Chicken Sauce $18.00; and King Crab – in a Tomato Cream Sauce w/ Broccoli $24.00.

We enjoyed an excellent meal at Bernini Honolulu.

Courtesy of:  Zanzabar Nightclub (Main dance floor)

Zanzabar Nightclub in Waikiki is still one of Hawaii’s best hot spots, once the sun sets over the deep, blue Pacific Ocean.

Zanzabar is located in the middle of Waikiki, inside the Waikiki Trade Center – at the corner of Seaside and Kuhio Avenues.

Even though Zanzabar Nightclub may no longer be as popular today compared to several years ago, the nightclub is still the most famous nightclub in all of Waikiki.

Zanzabar offers patrons state of the art equipment that creates the perfect playground for their very talented DJs to spin sounds that keep the hottest eye candy on the floor all night long.

If you are looking for some privacy, then VIP members can enjoy a sound-proof room and specialized entertainment for non-stop uninterrupted fun.

Popular Zanzabar Nightclub is known internationally, and it’s where both visitors and kama’aina (locals) play together until dawn.

Courtesy of:  Zanzabar Nightclub (VIP Room)

Featuring cutting-edge style, atmosphere, terrific music, clientele, and class, Zanzabar Nightclub is definitely the place to be to dance the night away.

Zanzabar can accommodate up to nearly 1,000 people, so plan to get their early for your best spot. The nightclub welcomes people 21 and over or even 18 and over on certain nights. You can find parking available in the same building for $3 with validation.

Zanzabar Nightclub
2255 Kuhio Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96826
Phone: 808-924-3939

The Blue Pool (also known by its Hawaiian name as Heleleikeoha Falls or Helele’ike’oha Falls as well as Blue Angel Falls) on the Hawaiian island of Maui, could very well be one of the most scenically located swimming pool waterfalls in the world.

The beautiful waterfall  faces the ocean as it’s sheltered by rocks protecting its picturesque plunge pool from the crashing waves. If there was ever a place you could take a dip and contemplate the scenery, this is it!

In Hawaii, it’s rare for a waterfall to fall right into the ocean (or almost). This is one of those rare occurrences where there is a waterfall on one side of you and the sea on the other.

The falls are typically light flowing. If it hasn’t rained for a while, it probably trickles. Nonetheless, the location makes it easy to forget whether the falls are flowing or not.

At one time, Blue Pool was known only to the local folks. Now it is written up in all the guidebooks, and is quite a busy place. Busy isn’t necessarily bad, but Blue Pool is just that – a pool. Small. I recommend that if you want to visit Blue Pool, try to go early in the morning to beat the crowds and catch the sun at the best angle.

Blue Pool is located at the very end of Ulaino Road (about ½ mile west of airport road) on Maui. Ulaino Road is 3 miles long, and is wide and paved for about a mile, then becomes narrow and dirt.

There is a small parking area at the end of the road, with parking enough for about 6 cars.

Although this attraction is sometimes referred to as “Seven Sacred Pools,” there are many more pools than that, and none of them were sacred to the ancients. Still, the basins and waterfalls are a stunning sight within the Haleakala National Park and are a terrific way to cool off after a long day on the Road to Hana.

These beautiful waterfalls and tranquil pools trail through the Ohe’o Gulch and flow into the nearby ocean. The Pipiwai Streams flow into these falls and pools starting inland about 2 miles, with the nicest and easiest to reach pools closer to the shore.

The land where the pools are situated was donated to the Haleakala National Park so that the pools would always be open to the public.

Visited by tourists and locals alike, there are many things to do here such as hiking, sightseeing, cliff jumping, swimming, and people watching. The area is always crowded, so come early to get a spot or stay 10 miles away in Hana to arrive by 10 am.

The Pipiwai trail is one of the best hikes in the island of Maui. It is 4 miles long and takes anywhere from 2 ½-5 hours. There are many stunning waterfalls along the trail, with the last being 400-foot Waimoku Falls.

Please be aware of the weather situation though, as the area is prone to dangerous flash floods, especially if it is raining hard at the higher elevations of Haleakala .

Directions:
Take Highway 30 to Hana which turns into Highway 31 after Hana. The parking lot is located just past Mile Marker #42 on the ocean side of the road.

As 2011 winded down, another New Year celebration – Hawaiian style, is in store for both locals and visitors to Hawaii.

Hawaii has many venues with plans for wonderful New Years celebrations. Hawaii will definitely be a great holiday to spend the New Year.

Anybody lucky enough to be in Hawaii for the the New Year will experience Hawaii in all its festive glory. Enjoy the many island celebrations as well as take time to explore the ravishing beauty of the exotic islands.

The celebration of New Year in Hawaii is unique. There are the awesome fireworks displays but also more traditional events due to the cultural heritage the Hawaiian Islands offer.

In the Hawaiian language, the phrase for “Happy New Year” is “Hau’oli Makahiki Hou”.

Hawaiians celebrate this time of the year and honor the earth for the plentiful food it provides. Since it coincides with the western Christmas and New Year, it’s a special time on the islands.

This particular period of resting and feasting is called Makahiki (mah-kah-HEE- kee) and it lasted about four months in length.

During this period, historically there were no wars or conflicts. Because makahiki also means “year”, the Hawaiian phrase for “Happy New Year” became “Hau’oli (happy) Makahiki (year) Hou (new)”(how-OH-lee mah-kah-hee-kee ho).

DFS Galleria Waikiki

The luxury DFS Galleria Waikiki shopping mall is located in the heart of Waikiki, Oahu.

Known as one of the world’s leading shopping destinations for international travelers, DFS Galleria Waikiki offers the world’s finest brands.

DFS Galleria Waikiki is a 175,000 square foot luxury retail shopping. In addition to best in luxury retail, DFS Galleria Waikiki also offers other shopping experiences, including the new Waikiki Luxury Walk and the all-luxury Duty Free floor.

On the first floor, you can find the Waikiki Luxury Walk. It features top branded boutiques such as Emporio Armani, Coach, Emilio Pucci, Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Chloé, Marc by Marc Jacobs, See by Chloé, and Loewe.

To quench your hunger and thirst, enjoy the Food Hall and Starbucks.

On the second floor, you can find a variety of luxury perfumes and cosmetics, Hawaiian jewelery, sunglasses, fashion apparel, plus stylish handbags and accessories.

Up on the third floor of the DFS Galleria Waikiki, which is better known as the duty free level, you can shop at designer boutiques and purchase high fashion apparel, handbags and accessories, scarves and ties, fashion jewelery, fine watches, and of course liquor and tobacco, all at tax free prices.

Shoppers can access all three floors of the DFS Galleria Waikiki, but only those traveling on a non-stop international flight from Honolulu International Airport, are allowed to buy any duty free items.

Oahu’s DFS Galleria Waikiki is open daily from 9am to 11pm.

Easily one of the biggest attractions on the island of Kauai is Waimea Canyon – it’s been called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” and when you see it you’ll understand why.

Located in Hawaii, Waimea Canyon is more than 10 miles long, 1 mile wide and 3,000 feet deep – and the rosy, warm colors are reminiscent of the Grand Canyon on the mainland. But Waimea Canyon has one big thing that its mainland counterpart could never boast – proximity to world-class surfing.

Like the Grand Canyon in the American Southwest, Waimea Canyon on Hawaii’s Kauai island was formed by a river – the Waimea River – over millennia. But quite unique to Waimea Canyon, the whole process was aided by a major collapse in the earth during a massive volcanic eruption.

The same volcano which created the island of Kauai itself also helped create the rift which became the Waimea River bed. And because the island’s highest peak, Mount Wai’ale’ale, holds the distinction of being one of the wettest places on earth, the river was fed by a steady – and heavy – diet of rainfall, which helped further cut into the earth and create Waimea Canyon.

Today, Waimea Canyon is part of a state park which covers almost 1,900 acres with lots of great hiking trails at all experience levels and a wilderness area. You can get to many great lookout spots from your car, too, if you don’t feel like getting your feet dirty. But if you’re planning to do a lot of driving to see the canyon, be aware that there aren’t any gas stations along the 40-mile stretch of Waimea Canyon Drive – so be sure to start with a full tank!

Waimea Canyon State Park borders another state park in Kauai – Koke’e State Park – and actually the rangers station/visitors center for Waimea Canyon is located in Koke’e State Park. The museum at Koke’e State Park also houses the rangers station, where you can find hiking maps of the canyon and surrounding park lands.

Location:From Lihue, drive southwest on Kuhio Highway (HI-56), which turns into Kaumualii Highway (HI-50), into Waimea. Turn right on Waimea Canyon Drive (HI-550).

Hours: Daily during daylight hours

Surf Lanai Restaurant – The Royal Hawaiian

The Surf Lanai Restaurant is located in the luxurious The Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Oahu. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel is also known as the “Pink Lady” … a truly Hawaiian landmark.

Surf Lanai Restaurant is a terrific outdoor restaurant, that showcases a wide variety mainland classic dishes that are dressed with local Hawaiian ingredients, and served with Hawaiian style.

This upscale, outdoor beachside cafe can be found next to the The Royal Hawaiian Hotel pool.

The Surf Lanai Restaurant serves both a great tasting al fresco breakfast, as well as a delicious lunch service.

Kukui’s Restaurant – Kauai Marriott Resort

Kukui’s Restaurant is a relaxed, open-air restaurant that overlooks the lush poolside setting at the luxurious Kauai Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach.

Both resort guests as well as locals and other visitors can enjoy a casual meal while dining in a tropical setting.

Kukui’s Restaurant serves both breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is served between 6:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Monday to Saturday and from 6:30 am – 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Dinner is available daily from 5:00pm – 10:00pm.

For breakfast, Kukui’s Restaurant features a permanent all-you-can-eat buffet or you can order from their menu.

Breakfast menu selections consist of  Kalbi Steak & Eggs, Fried Rice Omelet, Hawaiian Omelet, Nawiliwili Meat Lover’s Scramble, or The Best Banana Mac Nut Buttermilk Pancake Stack.

We had the buffet each morning during our stay and truly enjoyed the variety of choices including: pancakes, waffles, rice, eggs, bacon, ham, french toast, salads, pastries, breads, fresh fruit, cereals, oatmeal and more. Several tasty juices are also available.

So before you start your day, be sure to enjoy your breakfast at the Kukui’s Restaurant buffet. The buffet is definitely worth the money and Kukui’s Restaurant is clearly our choice for Best Buffet on Kauai.

For dinner, soak in the beauty of Kauai by having a terrific meal near the lush poolside setting and overlooking beautiful Kalapaki Bay.

The dinner menu offers both local Hawaiian and Pacific Rim entrees. You’ll find a wide selection of salads, fresh fish, chicken, steak, pork and even meatloaf.

I really enjoyed the fish special that night and had Mahi-Mahi along with a Tiger Shrimp Crunch Salad. Be sure to leave room for delicious dessert selections. I had the decadent Chocolate Lau Lau dessert and it was fabulous.

The restaurant service is superb as we were consistently treated with gracious Hawaiian hospitality.

For an unforgettable meal, we highly recommend Kukui’s Restaurant on Kalapaki Beach!

For additional information, please visit: http://www.kukuis.kauaimarriott.com

The Halona Blowhole is just a short drive from the center of Honolulu, on the east coast of Oahu. Every day, visitors gather here to see this amazing Hawaiian natural wonder.

Molten lava tubes from volcanic eruptions thousands of years ago formed the natural occurrence known as the blowhole. The lava tubes extend to the ocean, and when the surf is just right, the mighty blowhole can shoot water up to 30 feet in the air. It’s an incredible site.

You cannot actually get to the Halona  Blowhole itself, at least not easily. People can make it down there, but they worked their way across various lava ledges from nearby beaches.  Anyone wanting to try this must be extremely careful.  There have been numerous accidents because people get caught off guard by the very powerful waves near the blowhole.

The lookout off the Kalanianole Highway at Halona presents an exceptional vista of the coastline and outer islands. The location is also a wonderful spot to watch whales at play in the winter season.

Just to the right of the Halona Blowhole is Halona Beach Cove. This scenic location is best known for the renowned love scene between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in the classic 1953 movie, From Here to Eternity.