Hawaii versus Paris - Shave Ice!

Continuing the culinary wars between Hawaii and Paris, Wednesday is my volunteer day at the chapel and school.   Since I didn't have a "culinary experience", I will reprint (in part) a post from SOS Aloha - Shave Ice!   

Hale'iwa on the North Shore is the home of shave ice, including Aoki's and Matsumoto's.  Shave ice is a island treat enjoyed by kama'aina (residents) and malihini (visitors). You can eat it three ways:

- plain: shave ice plus flavoring
- shave ice atop of ice cream
- azuka beans atop of the shave ice
(or all three)

Back in August, my family drove up to Hale'iwa to conduct a taste test between the shave ice giants.  We opted for plain as shave ice is refreshing on its own.

Aoki's is a general store that has served shave ice since 1981. It is probably the favorite for kama'aina as it has easier parking and less lines.  Aoki's shave ice is 25 cents more than Matsumoto's but they serve it with a plastic spoon (Matsumoto's serves its shave ice with a flat wooden spoon).

Matsumoto's is also a general store that has been open for business since 1951. President Obama has taken his daughters to Matsumoto's ... and the tourists have followed. Thus, the lines are longer and parking is difficult.

My children ordered cherry, vanilla, and sour apple.  Hubby and I ordered plain with cherry and lime.  After careful consideration, we all agreed that Matsamoto's flavorings were stronger in the "ice".  Once both ices melted into the cups, it was negligible which tasted better.  We preferred Aoki's plastic spoon to Matsamoto's wooden spoon.   I preferred Aoki's shorter line but hubby said it was worth the wait at Matsamoto's. 

Two families enjoy shave ice!

What flavor would you enjoy on shave ice?   Would you add ice cream and azuka beans?  One randomly selected commenter (from all the posts this week) will win a WHY HAWAII RIVALS PARIS gift box with some of the above goodies. This giveaway is open to all readers. Comments are open through Saturday, February 11. I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 12.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Danno and Steve enjoy shave ice from Kamekona.

Hawaii versus Paris - Hickam Commissary and Aloha Shirts

We are counting down the days to my interview with Amy Thomas, author of PARIS MY SWEET.    Rain delayed my trip to Chinatown ... so I offer you a trip to the Hickam Commissary to showcase food that you probably won't find in Paris.  Almost all military bases have commissaries - food stores.   The commissary originally served the military personnel stationed in remote locations. Today, they are a vital benefit for military families in high cost areas, including overseas.    Hawaii is considered an overseas location and food is shipped from the mainland.   But we do have a few "local" staples ....

... including pineapples!

Poke (poe-kay) is raw fish salad - a popular dish at luau.
The commissary offers fish from the Pacific Rim.
The lower right are oysters from New Zealand!

The sushi chef is ready to make your order!

We have a huge aisle for Asia food.

Soy sauce comes in gallon sizes!

These are packaged snacks I often send to readers.

When I am in the mood for salty, I try the
Japanese snacks, including Wasabi peas.

When I am in the mood for sweet, I try
dried coconut - a favorite of Katie Babs!

Now the chocolate section .... 

We have nany variations of macadamia nuts
in the individual bags ... 

.... and gift boxes.

  

Here are teas I stuff into winners' packages.

What is something  "unique" in your local grocery store?  One randomly selected commenter (from all the posts this week) will win a WHY HAWAII RIVALS PARIS gift box with some of the above goodies.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 11.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 12.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii

The French have berets ... we have baggers in Aloha shirts.
Most are teens saving for college!

Hawaii versus Paris: Shiro's Saimin Haven

Let's continue culinary wars for my interview with Amy Thomas, author of PARIS MY SWEET.   Paris may boast the best bread, cheese, butter, chocolate, and wine .... but Hawaii is the showcase of Asian food.   Hubby joined me for today's adventure to SHIRO'S SAIMIN HAVEN.   

From Shiro's website (at this link),


Open since 1969, Shiro's Saimin boasts over 60 different noodle combinations. Shiro Matsuo, the founder, revolutionized the image of saimin by taking a plain snack and creating a meal in itself. With his quirky imagination, he morphed saimin into an adventure in noodle dining.

We ordered the Chicken Yakisobo Saimin -
chicken breast cooked in yakisobo sauce .... 

.... and a huge bowl of saimin noodles with ham,
vegetables, cabbage, egg and even wontons.

Shiro is known for his "positive" posters on the wall.  

Governor Lingle named Shiro as
"Hawaii's Statement of Goodwill"
for promoting the spirit of Aloha.

Perhaps you are curious exactly what is saimin.  From Wikipedia:

Saimin is a noodle soup dish unique to Hawaii. Inspired by Japanese udon, Chinese mein, and Filipino pancit, saimin was developed during Hawaii's plantation era. It is a soup dish of soft wheat egg noodles served in hot dashi garnished with green onions. Kamaboko, char siu, sliced Spam, linguiça, and nori may be added, among other additions.

I am giving away a Why Hawaii Rivals Paris gift box filled with local treats to one randomly selected commenter from all the blogs this week.  Maybe saimin will be included!  This giveaway is open to all readers. Comments are open through Saturday, February 11, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 12.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Next stop:  Chinatown.

Joe to Steve, "I know a great place in Chinatown."

Hawaii versus Paris: Liliha Bakery's Coco Puffs

I am currently reading Amy Thomas' PARIS, MY SWEET - a memoir of living two years in Paris.   Amy highlights the challenges and the rewards as she eats her way through the City of Light.   Amy joins me at SOS Aloha on Thursday, February 9 - we'll chat about the fabulous Parisian sweets!   

tripadvisor.com

I understand how Amy is torn between two great cities - NYC and Paris (as I am torn between the Hawaiian islands and the mainland).   I understand how a different culture can be so intoxicating.  I understand Amy's obsession with sweets.  To whet your appetite for Amy's interview, I am touring Oahu for culinary delights that might challenge Paris' reputation!

First stop - Liliha Bakery for their coco puffs!   From the bakery's website (at this link),

It's how to make amends with a friend, impress your significant other's family and celebrate a milestone. Liliha Bakery's coco puffs are that kind of magic. The butteriness and creaminess of this chocolate-filled puffed pastry can't be matched nor explained. There's a reason we sell between 4,800 and 7,200every day. And you can now try our new flavor - green tea coco puffs.

On Sunday morning, with no traffic in sight, I drove to "town" (Honolulu) to procure Coco puffs for our breakfast.  I bought six original - chocolate cream inside with custard topping - and six opposite - custard cream inside with chocolate topping.  I'll leave the green tea for the tourists.

Here are my family's observations:

Andrew:  They are very heavy!

David:  I liked the cream on the inside and outside!

Hubby:  It busts the calorie counter.

Coco puffs gained national attention when Chin Ho introduced them to Danno on Hawaii Five O.   Even Danno, "I love all things from New Jersey", thought he had died and gone to heaven.

"Those coco puffs were ono (good)."

Next stop:  Plate lunch.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Wo Fat and Steve McGarrett discuss coco puffs over tea.

Aloha to Sand Island State Recreation Area

Diamond Head from Sand Island

On Thursday, I visited Sand Island - a strip of land that encloses Honolulu Harbor.  It is crowded with the Coast Guard, shipping companies, and other industrial activities.  But the state saved the oceanside beach as a recreation area this link.  

I 

The beach was almost empty.

I bumped into a friend who combs 

the beach for glass stones - can you find
the heart shaped blue glass?

This fisherman hoped to catch dinner.

This keiki (child) watched the fisherman.

Tourists say goodbye to Hawaii.

I found a frog .... 

.... and a car.

They make the perfect pair!

I try to capture the kai (ocean) spirit ..... 

   

.... as it wrestles with the WWII barriers.

Crashing onto the beach.

The Star of Honolulu departs for its lunch cruise.

The Star awaits for the tug and barge to pass.

It sails by the docked cruise ship.

A hydra foil also departs .... 

.... and passes the cruise ship.

The Aloha Tower (center) stands
guard over the harbor.

What would be in a mural to represent your town?   One randomly selected commenter will win a book choice from my convention stash.   This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 10, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 11.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii