New Years Eve in the islands

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Don’t have any plans for New Years Eve? Here are a few events going on around the islands. Why not call and see if they still have some seats available and ring in 2009 with some famous faces?

Foreigner at the Sheraton Waikiki For more info, click here.

The Bangles at Hilton Hawaiian Village For more info, click here.

For more ideas, grab your local paper and check the calendar. They always have a section for New Years Eve goings on. Whatever you end up doing whether going out or staying home, please drink responsibly! Have a wonderful night and Happy New Year to you all!

Obama’s visit could boost Sea Life Park’s popularity

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CNN reported about the Obama family’s visit to Oahu’s family attraction Sea Life Park. Sea Life Park had to lay off some employees earlier in the year so we’re hoping that with the president elect putting it on their itinerary, the rest of Hawaii’s visitors will follow.

Any time we’re on Oahu we like to visit the park because it’s not as commercial as Sea World and the natural backdrop of the mountains and ocean are so relaxing. They have some great programs and chances to interact with the animals. Whether you’re feeding the sea lions like the Obama family or feeling the velvety, gooey backs of stingrays, they have something for kids and adults alike. I highly recommend putting it on your list of things to see if you’re making Oahu your vacation destination

To learn more about Sea Life Park, you can visit their website.

Hawaiian word of the week

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A hui hou- (ah hoo-ee- ho)- Until we meet again

The alphabet contains 12 letters: 5 vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and 7 consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p, w). To simplify pronunciation, sound consonants as in English and break up words so they are easy to say (ie- Humuhumunukunukuapua’a would be pronounced humu-humu-nuku-nuku-apu-a-a)

Pronounce vowels as follows:

a - a in above; e - e in set; i - ee in see; o - o in some; u - oo in moon.

Pronounce vowels marked by a glottal stop (`) quickly ie- o`o sounds like oh-oh! in English.

Stress rising dipthongs (ae, ai, ao, au, oi, ou, eu, ei) on the first letter and end with a short e, i, o or u. ie- oi sounds like oy in soy, ending with a short “i”.

Aloha Friday Recipe: Ahi Katsu with Wasabi-Ginger Butter Sauce

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Ingredients

Ahi Katsu
1/2 lb fresh ahi fillet, 8-inch in length
1 bunch spinach
4 sheets sushi nori
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup flour, plus extra flour for dredging
2 eggs
1 cup water
2 cups panko
Salad oil for deep frying

Wasabi-Ginger Butter Sauce
1 shallot, chopped
1-inch ginger root, chopped
1 tablespoon wasabi
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup white wine
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed

Instructions
Ahi Katsu
Cut ahi into four 8 x 1 x 1-inch strips. Discard spinach stems; wash and dry leaves. Line nori sheets with half of the spinach. Place a strip of ahi crosswise on leaves, top with remaining spinach. Roll and seal with water. Combine the 1 cup flour, eggs, and water to make a batter. Dredge rolls in flour, batter, and then in panko. Heat oil to 375 degree F; fry rolls until evenly browned. Slice each roll into 6 pieces. Place 2 tablespoons Wasabi-Ginger Butter Sauce on 6 individual plates; arrange 4 pieces ahi on each. Makes 6 servings.

Wasabi-Ginger Butter Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine shallot, ginger, wasabi, vinegar, and wine. Cook on medium heat until liquids reduces to 1 tablespoon. Add cream and soy sauce, continue to cook until cream mixture reduces to 1-1/2 tablespoons. Lower heat; whisk in butter cubes one at a time. Remove from heat and strain. Makes about 1 cup.

Recipe courtesy of Chefs Russell Siu and James Gillespie of 3660 On The Rise and Kakaako Kitchen

Mele Kalikimaka from True Aloha!

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Just wanted to take a moment to wish my readers a Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)! I hope you have a wonderful holiday whether you spent it with family or friends. Take time to remember the reason behind it and be thankful for all you have.

If you like the graphic shown here, you can send it as an ecard by going to Pacific Expressions.

Making airport security a breeze…

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Security Screening Tips

New passenger checkpoint screening procedures have been introduced to increase the ability to identify explosives and potential threats to aviation security. These include increased use of explosives trace detection machines, expanded pat-down searches and greater discretion for screeners to refer individuals for additional screening.

• You will be asked to show the agent your boarding pass and identification card prior to divesting to the security screening process. Please remember that you are only allowed 1 carry on bag plus 1 personal item.

• Place all carry-on baggage and any items you are carrying with you either on the belt of the x-ray machine or in the bin provided.

• Put all metal objects IN your carry-on bag or in the bin provided at the security checkpoint. Metal objects includes; jewelry, loose change, keys, mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs).

• Always follow the 311 rule or you will be forced to throw away any liquids that are over 3 oz. You can use one 1 quart sized ziptop bag per passenger with liquids no more than 3 oz. Things like lip gloss or gel based products count. For more information and a list of restrictions, go here.

• Take your laptop computer OUT of its’ carrying case. Place it in a bin, separate from its carrying case.

• Remove ALL coats and place them in the X-ray. This includes suit and sport coats, athletic warm-up jackets, and blazers. If the coat or jacket is used as the innermost layer of clothing, you do not need to remove it. TIP: To help speed the security process, remove all coats prior to reaching the checkpoint. You will save time by consolidating your belongings - divested clothing can now be placed on top of laptops, shoes or other articles in bins submitted for X-ray.

• If your bag is selected for secondary screening, it may be opened and examined on a table in your presence. Do not interfere with the secondary screening of your carry on bag. The screener will advise you when the secondary screening is complete and you may collect your bag.

• Passengers are not required to take off their shoes before going through metal detectors, however if your shoes set off the metal detector, you will have to go through a secondary screening. You may want to voluntarily remove your shoes and place them in a bin provided for the x-ray machine and proceed through the metal detector barefoot.

• Travelers are required to walk through a metal detector unless you require a pat-down inspection for medical reasons.

• If traveler sets off the alarm on the metal detector they will undergo a secondary screening, which requires extra time. To avoid secondary screening remove all metal objects (including belts, sunglasses, objects in your pockets including change, money clips, cell phones etc.) and place them in the x-ray bins before walking through the metal detectors.

• If you require secondary screening the process includes a hand-wand inspection in conjunction with a pat-down inspection.

During the secondary screening process you will be asked to stand with your feet apart and the screener will pass the wand over your entire body without actually touching you with the wand. A pat-down inspection may follow the wand inspection.

Tips courtesy of TravelSmartHawaii.com

Four Foods on Friday on Tuesday

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Given it’s Christmas week, I thought I’d post these early enough so people wanting to participate could do so without having to try to fit it in during the holiday. So hop on over to Val’s and you can participate too! Just a side note, today the man and I have been together for 17 years! Just had to add that!

#1. Do you prefer cooking with electric or gas?

I actually had this conversation with Sam Choy and I said I had an issue with gas cooking and I didn’t know why and he said “maybe because of da kaboom?” LOL I’ve only ever had electric and I’ve had gas in some rentals we’ve stayed in and didn’t like the smell, the fire, the click, click, click, etc. I know it’s supposed to be more even and all that jazz but you’ll likely never see me cooking with it.

#2. How many times a month do you order out?

You don’t want to know. I cook all week so on the weekend we typically eat out.

#3. How do you like your ice - cubed or crushed?

While I like the texture of crushed, it melts and waters down my drink far too quickly for me to feel it’s practical so I stick with cubes.

#4. Share a Christmas recipe.

Here’s a dessert recipe for a Red and Green Holiday Bowl. You can make it ahead and is perfect whether you’re in hot or cold weather!

Hawaiian word of the week

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Mele Kalikimaka-(meh-leh kah-lee-kee-mah-kah)- Merry Christmas

Pronounce vowels as follows:

a - a in above; e - e in set; i - ee in see; o - o in some; u - oo in moon.

Pronounce vowels marked by a glottal stop (`) quickly ie- o`o sounds like oh-oh! in English.

Stress rising dipthongs (ae, ai, ao, au, oi, ou, eu, ei) on the first letter and end with a short e, i, o or u. ie- oi sounds like oy in soy, ending with a short “i”.

Aloha Friday Recipe: Ham with Plum Chutney Glaze

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Ingredients

12 to 14 pound smoked ham
1 cup plum jam
2 tablespoons finely chopped mango chutney

Instructions

Bake ham in oven according to package directions. About 30 minutes before ham is done, melt jam in a saucepan over low heat. Stir in chutney. Brush over ham. Bake 30 more minutes. Makes 15 to 20 servings.

Four Foods on Friday meme #60

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It’s time for Four Foods on Friday! I’m posting this a day early so you can play along on your blog. Swing by Val’s place and participate!

#1. What’s your favorite crunchy food?

Hmm. I suppose crunchy peanut butter, cereal or maybe nachos or something. When I really think about it, I don’t eat a whole lot of crunchy foods. Curious.
#2. How often do you try new recipes?

Once I get in a rut (like I am now) I will search out new recipes or if I get inspired by something like Top Chef or a cooking show I will take a basic idea they had and add my own twist to it. I rarely follow recipes to a tee unless its baking where there’s really no room for error.

#3. Name a food that you almost always have in the house.

I always have the boring staples like milk, eggs and bread. But something I always have regardless is Spam. Yep, Spiced Ham in a can. Most people retch at the thought of Spam but in Hawaii they’re responsible for a big majority of the Spam eaten and with the economy the way it is, Spam is making a comeback on the mainland too. When there’s a tornado warning it’s the first thing I grab along with bottled water before heading down to the basement. Then I know we’ll be covered foodwise if we’re trapped in the basement and it’ll help us retain water too. LOL (I always get light though to help in that department a bit)

#4. What kind of food do you leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve?

A Christmas cookie of some kind…usually gingerbread. Mmm….

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