Hawaii Life | Fresh Local Fish on Oahu by Local I'a

You may think it is easy to get good fresh fish on Oahu. After all, we live on an island, surrounded by the ocean for thousands of miles in every direction with, presumably, plenty of fish. However, it seems that most local grocery stores do not get great fish and often, the fish there is not local. We’ve been really disappointed at the fish available at our local grocery stores. Most of the best local fish is sold directly to restaurants by the fisherman at auction. 

So what is a fish lover to do when the “best” fish readily available on Oahu is found at Costco and imported from the mainland? Try Local I’a.  Friends just turned me on to this great source for fresh local fresh on Oahu. And it’s awesome!

What is Local ‘Ia?

Local I‘a is distribution and subscription based seafood business. They source local, in-season seafood that is caught through pono fishing practices and distributed directly to chefs and consumers. Local I’a was established to increase the awareness of where seafood comes from, highlight our hard working pono fishers, and provide healthy local seafood.

How & How Much is Local ‘Ia?

▪︎ Choose a pickup site that is close to your home or work
▪︎ Choose a subscription, minimum of 4 weeks (can be non-consecutive) 

          1. Kau Share: 4-5 servings, or 1.5 to 2 lbs. of seafood $25
          2. ʻOhana Share: 8-9 servings, 3-4 lbs. of seafood $45

▪︎ Go to your pickup site at the designated time
▪︎ Enjoy fresh, local, pono seafood!

Where is Local ‘Ia?

Pickups are currently at Kaimuki Superette, Kokua Market, Morning Brew in Kailua, Madre Chocolate (downtown location), and Punahou School (faculty and staff only). Possible Northshore and Waimanalo locations coming soon!

Check out their website at http://localiahawaii.com for more information, and even some yummy sounding fish Recipes. Enjoy!

Homes for Sale Near the Waialae Golf Course in Kahala (Home of the Sony Open)

Luxury Real Estate for Sale Near the Waialae Golf Course in Honolulu

There are several neighborhoods of luxury homes for sale near the Waialae Golf Course which you may like to see, when in town for the Sony Open. Some of these Honolulu luxury real estate neighborhoods are Kahala, Diamond Head, Black Point, and of course, the Wailalae Golf Course area. This is a great Honolulu real estate area and there are many homes for sale here. There is the Kahala Mall nearby, with lots of shopping and dining, including a Whole Foods market. This area is just a short drive to any private schools and there are many good public schools in the area. Kahala Beach is nearby, as well as the Kahala Hotel. Other beaches are also nearby. It is an easy commute to Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. The Neighborhood where the Waialae Golf Course entrance is located is called Kahala. But many golf course homes are in the Waialae Golf Course neighborhood itself. These are the luxury real estate currently for sale in these Honolulu luxury home neighborhoods near the Waialae Golf Course, home of the Sony Open.

WAIALAE GOLF COURSE 

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SONY OPEN IN HAWAII - Oahu PGA Golf Tournament

The Sony Open in Hawaii is here again!

One of the most popular golf tournaments to occur annually on Oahu, the Sony Open, starts this coming week, January 11-14. Held at the Waialae Country Club in Kahala, every year, the Hawaii Sony Open PGA Golf Tournament is one to not miss. Tee times can be found on the Sony Open Website

The Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour.  Currently, the Open is held in mid-January, following the Tournament of Champions on Maui. The front and back nines of Waialae are switched for the PGA Tour event, finishing at the dogleg ninth hole. The tournament is currently organized by Friends of Hawaii Charities.  In addition to the usual PGA Tour eligibility criteria, the Sony Open may invite up to three professional golfers from emerging markets.

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Hawaii Life | Culinary Festival on Oahu - 1st Annual Connoisseurs Culinary Journey

Foodies:

For those, on Oahu and beyond, who appreciate the finer things in life, upcoming is the 1st Annual Connoisseurs Culinary Journey on Oahu, to be held May 23-27, 2016. This is a prelude to the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival (to be held on Oahu, October 14-30, 2016), during this 5 day event, 15 couples you will explore food and extraordinary culinary experiences all over the island of Oahu and on the Big Island. But mark your calendars for next year….  Since this was open to only 30 people, it is already sold out.

However, the Hukilau Beach Cookout is Friday May 27, 2016, is open to the public, and still has tickets.

The Hukilau Beach Cookout features a special dining experience with eleven of Hawai‘i’s best chefs serving dishes fireside with amazing selection of wines, cocktails, and beer along Kahala Beach, location to some of the best luxury real estate on Oahu.

Enjoy dishes such as Chef Mark “Gooch” Noguchi’s popular squid luau, Chef Mavro’s bouillabaisse, inspired by his hometown of Marseilles, a poke bar by Poke Stop’s Chef Elmer Guzman, a refreshing pina colada “push pop” by Chef Michelle Karr-Ueoka, and more. In addition, there will be a vast selection of some of the most awe-inspiring and coveted wines in the World. From Opus One, Silver Oak Wine Cellars, Caymus Vineyards, Kosta Browne, Patz & Hall, and many more! Enjoy a night under the stars while sipping on champagne with a twist by Southern Wine & Spirits of Hawaii’s mixologist, Chandra Lucariello called Tiny Bubbles.

This is an oceanside culinary tasting event that you just cannot miss! And if you want to see some lovely Oahu real estate in the area, while you are on-island, please don’t hesitate to call me.

For more details see http://www.hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com/node/733

To see Oahu Luxury Real Estate while on Oahu, call Yvonne Ahearn (B) at 808-721-8088.

Oahu Real Estate Broker Featured on HGTV House Hunters Kailua Real Estate Episode

Kailua REALTOR and Principal Broker of Oahu Real Estate Brokerage, Home Shoppe Hawaii, Yvonne Ahearn, and her clients, Alex and Eliza Olaru, are being featured on the September 1, 2014 episode of HGTV House Hunters, shown at both 7pm and 10pm HST.

The House Hunters clients looked at real estate in Kailua, Oahu (a beach community 14 miles from Honolulu) including a Lanikai beach home and a Kailua home on the Kawainui Canal, as well as a fabulous view home in Kaneohe’s Lulani Ocean area. The Olaru’s budget was about $1.75 million. The episode was produced by the Laura Patterson of Pie Town Productions. Camera, sound, and production assistance by Jeff Santos and Dominic Pipia III, and Christine Kaaloa.

Left to Right: Dominic Pipia III, Jeff Santos, Alex Olaru, Eliza Olaru, Laura Patterson, Yvonne Ahearn, and Christine Kaaloa. Photo by Diane Pizarro. The Kailua home they toured was in the Koolaupoku neighborhood of Kailua and was at 833 Kainui (Duck) Road, on the Kawainui Canal. It was a large, two-story, new construction home, with a gourmet kitchen full of high-end applicances, and had beautiful spacious rooms and bathrooms. Because the Olarus also live with Eliza’s parents, as well as their two sons, the attached apartment in this home was especially attractive, as was the huge interior square footage. It featured an outdoor kitchen and screened lanai, with beautiful Kailua hillside and canal views. This home was listed for $1.75 million. This home had many of the modern features that Alex was looking for and was nearest to Kailua Beach where Alex prefers to spend time body boarding, and where their sons paddle outrigger canoes.

Here are some photos of this beautiful Kailua home:

Photos courtesy of Photo Courtesy of HICentral MLS and Suzy Kruppa, listing realtor.

Photos courtesy of Photo Courtesy of HICentral MLS and Suzy Kruppa, listing realtor.

Photos courtesy of Photo Courtesy of HICentral MLS and Suzy Kruppa, listing realtor.

Photos courtesy of Photo Courtesy of HICentral MLS and Suzy Kruppa, listing realtor.

The Lanikai, Kailua home featured was, of course, in the Lanikai neighborhood of Kailua and was located in the interior of the Lanikai loop. Since it was on Haokea street, this home was immediately adjacent to one of the best beach accesses in Lanikai, making a quick morning stroll on the beach a breeze. This home was competitively underpriced at $1.5 milion and featured an older, but high-end kitchen, a huge 14,000+ square foot lot, and separate cottage. The downside to this single-level plantation style home is that 3 of the four bathrooms in the main house were in need of a remodel. This home was built originally in the 1930’s so had some of the beach house charm, like french doors, that Eliza was looking for. It also was closest to Eliza’s favorite swimming beach, Lanikai.

Here are some photos of this charming Lanikai beach home:

Lanikai Beach Cottage and Back of House as seen from huge yard. Photo Courtesy of HICentral MLS and Listing Broker, Myra Brandt, Kahala Assoc.

Lanikai Beach. Photo Courtesy of HICentral MLS and Listing Broker, Myra Brandt, Kahala Assoc.

Lanikai Beach House Kitchen. Photo Courtesy of HICentral MLS and Listing Broker, Myra Brandt, Kahala Assoc.

The last home shown on the House Hunters episode was something that Home Shoppe Hawaii’s broker thought might appeal to both buyers, Eliza and Alex. Located about 10 miles away, in the community of Kaneohe’s Lulani Ocean area, this home had stunning views of Kaneohe Bay from two levels. The home had many of the plantation cottage type details that Eliza liked, but was completely remodeled and featured the upgrades that Alex preferred. The home had deeded ocean access, just across the Kamehameha Highway, though the beach did not really compare to either Kailua Beach or Lanikai Beach. This home was listed at $1.75M.

Here are some photos of this stunning Kaneohe view home:

Photo courtesy of Photo Courtesy of HICentral MLS and Listing Agent Diane C. Pizarro, Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties.

Photo courtesy of Photo Courtesy of HICentral MLS and Listing Agent Diane C. Pizarro, Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties.Photo courtesy of Photo Courtesy of HICentral MLS and Listing Agent Diane C. Pizarro, Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties.Which amazing house did this House Hunters Kailua couple pick??? Watch the episode tonight and find out!!

OTHER ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC: 

Home Shoppe Hawaii broker, Oahu couple to be featured on HGTV’s ‘House Hunters’

Do You Want To Be a Star on HGTV’s House Hunters?

Hawaii Luxury | Review of the Spa at the Disney Aulani Hotel

As I’ve written before in a Staycation blog post, one of the many perks of living on Oahu, one of the most prolific tourist destinations in the world, is the abundance of great luxury spas (and hotels) in Honolulu and beyond. And the really nice thing is that many of these luxury resorts offer special Kama’aina rates that make it a bit more affordable for Hawaii residents to stay there or at least visit, on a special occasion.

I was blessed, this year, with a Christmas gift of a spa day at the Disney Aulani Hotel, in Leeward Oahu.  In true Disney fashion, the spa at the Aulani reflects not only comfort and elegance, and many special treatments, including services for the entire family, but exceptional customer service.

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Ohia Hawaiian Hardwoods for Luxury Home Decor & Improvement

When you are out looking at Oahu real estate, you may hear the term “Ohia.” It is usually used in the sense of “Ohia” floors or “Ohia” posts.  Ohia Lehua or just “Ohia” is a specific type of very dense Hawaiian hardwood.  It is grown mainly on the Big Island of Hawaii out of barren lava fields and volcanic soil there.  The tree has flowers of white, yellow, orange or red.  It the most abundant tree on the Big Island.  This wood is very, very hard, but also known to be unstable if not properly seasoned.

Kailua Home for Sale with Ohia Post in Front Entry

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Hawaii Luxury Lifestyle May Now Include Trips to Outer Space?

Hawaii luxury real estate enthusiasts may be happy to learn that Hawaii luxury travel may now include rocket trips to outer space. Recently, the Pacific Business News reported that XCOR Aerospace, a Mojave, California-based company may be setting up shop on Oahu with its commercial space travel business.

In the XCOR spacecrafts, tourists and locals who have the means, can take flights of 30-40 minutes each, up into the earth’s atmosphere. These rocketships can fly up to 350,000 into outer space.

The good news for Oahu is that this could create up to 150 new jobs in Hawaii. The bad news for those Hawaii luxury lifestyle connoissuers and daredevils wanting to try their hand at being an astronaut, is the hefty pricetag: $95,000 per passenger! Still, just a drop in the bucket compared with the price of most Oahu Hawaii luxury real estate. (See Most Expensive Oahu Luxury Real Estate, here.) 

Luxury Resort Living at Kukui'ula on Kauai

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Kukui’ula Private Club Community and getting to know the newest luxury resort real estate development in the Poipu, Kauai area.  Kukui’ula means the glow of the kukui or candle nut, which were used by native Hawaiians for their bright and beautiful light, when burned, and the healing properties of its oil.  The name is appropriate, as Kukuiula is unlike anything Kauai has ever seen, both a beautiful and healing place in the sun, evoking a sense of nostalgia and relaxation, which is unparalled in luxury Hawaii real estate and Hawaii resort properties.

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Perks of Hawaii Life: The Hawaiian Staycation

One of the best things about living on Oahu is the opportunity to enjoy the vast beauty, recreational, and cultural activities of Hawaii, all within a very short distance from home.  While most people living on Oahu still have the day-to-day activites of work, school, kids activities, and other obligations, many are fortunate to take the time a few times a year, or even more frequently, for a Hawaii staycation.

Photo from Kauai Staycation

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For The Stylish Wahine: Luxury Stand-Up Paddle Boards

These are so beautiful I just had to post!  For the Hawaii gal who has everything, there are these unique designer stand-up paddle (SUP) boards. These boards are what every fashionable lady needs to enjoy the popular recreational and fitness activity of stand-up paddling on Oahu, or they would even look good on a wall. 

These limited edition stand-up paddle boards manufactured exclusively by  Anthropologie, for “Connoisseurs of Unique Beauty”  can be found online only, and the beautiful floral, snakeskin, paisley and other patterns are designed by Saffron James. These are 10 foot boards (31” wide), made in the USA, and they include fins and a paddle.  There are two more patterns other than those shown.

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The Vintage Cave Honolulu | Private Society Elevating Art, Culture & Pleasur

Updated on Mon, February 18, 2013 by By Yvonne Ahearn (B), Realtor-Broker

Is it an art gallery? Is it a restaurant? Or is it a pricey club? Actually, a combination of all three and yet something more, as well. The Vintage Cave Honolulu (VCH) at the bottom of Shirokiya Department Store at Ala Moana Center is in an unlikely (though convenient) location, but it is definitely NOT the real estate in which is resides that defines this unique experience. 

The Vintage Cave identifies itself as a “private society” in concept and evokes images of ancient European caves in Lascaux and Altamira, where people once recorded their history in the form of art for thousands of years. The caves are symbolic not only as places to create art and record history, but as themselves, being art. For it is in caves where gemstones and rare crystals are created, natural works of art on their own. And the best wines, of course are also stored and aged in caves. Tying it all together is homage to Hawaii’s great affinity to its own caves formed in the birth of the island as lava tubes, decorated with meaningful petroglyphs, symbolic of our island culture and custom.

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Koa Wood Bowls - A Gift of Hawaii's Treasure

Looking for a perfectly beautiful Valentine’s gift or other gift for someone who has everything? Try the Hawaiian gift of a Koa Umeke (Koa Wood Bowl) or Koa calabash. These gorgeous pieces are often displayed in luxury Hawaii homes.

The Hawaiian culture places great significance in bowl making.  Technique and craftsmanship for making bowls was kept secret and passed down quietly and mysteriously.  The functionality of the bowl is important, along with the care in in the craftsmanship. The shape and design must be perfect.  The attention to the umeke shape reflects the Hawaiian culture of sharing and attention to hospitality.

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Niihau Shell Lei - Hawaiian Luxury at its Best

Nai’a Ulumaimalu WatsonI was recently asked about Niihau shell leis. These are Hawaii’s own luxury jewelry. Hawaii’s most prized shells are from the island of Ni’ihau (nee - ee - how) and they are used to make Niihau shell leis and other fine jewelry. Niihau shells are tiny shells, and they come in colors ranging from whites and creams, to pinks, corals and greens.  The shells of Niihau has a certain unmistakable luster and they are harder and more durable than shells from other places. 

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Doris Duke's Shangri La Goes to Museum of Art & Design in NY

Doris Duke’s Diamond Head Honolulu Home on Oahu is a beautiful place to see amazing examples of Islamic art, breathtaking views of Diamond Head and the Honolulu coastline, and luxury Honolulu real estate.

From September 7, 2012 through February 17, 2013, the Museum of Art and Design in New York City will be featuring and exhibition that “showcases objects works of Islamic art from the spectacular Honolulu home of philanthropist and art collector Doris Duke (1912-1993) and new works by six contemporary artists of Islamic background who were recently in residence there.”

This exhiition is organized specially to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Doris Duke and it is the first time that works from Doris Duke’s personal collection have been shown outside of Shangri-La. The exhibit will travel and move on to other mainland locations after its premiere in New York City.

If you are not familiar with Doris Duke and the Shangri-La Center for Islamic Arts and Cultures, in Honolulu, Hawaii, you are missing out. Read More About Shangi-La Here.