user's guide to hawaii -- pt. 2 in an ongoing if intermittent series
This one is kind of mellow, because it's the weekend.
1. Walking is a *wonderful* thing to do in Honolulu, and you will see lots of highly interesting details you wouldn't notice in a car. Honolulu is a very safe place. Just avoid Aala Park (downtown, across the river from the Sun Yat Sen statue) after dark. Don't be afraid to try different little strange-looking food shops, because there are a lot of them and most of them serve very good cooking.
2. Don't miss the Judiciary History Center in the Supreme Court building (a 19th-century former palace with gorgeous marble floors). It's on the ground floor to the left as you enter, and it has *wonderful* displays about the history of Honolulu, as well as a lovingly-crafted N-scale model of early 19th-century downtown. Sometimes, there will be a docent--a highly- knowledgable and friendly volunteer--stationed at the door, and this person will be delighted to share lots of interesting details about Oahu's history, and its legal system, with you. If you run into George Wyman, tell him that Grace who used to work at VIPS (pronounced "vips") sent you and said to show you a Good Time.
3. A shopping trip to Chinatown (should be China-Viet-Laos- Thai-town) is de rigueur in order to immerse yourself in local culture. Especially the labyrinthine indoor produce, fish, and meat markets. Though you might want to skip the experience if you don't like hot humidity, crowds, or loud, sudden noises. Or high-pitched yelling and screaming. (If you need a break, the Golden Palace restaurant, behind the huge red and gold dragon pillars on King Street, is a local favorite-- From 11:00am to 2:00pm all the dim sum (little plates of various Chinese food) are $1.50 each. Three or four plates make a great meal for two people.) The other half of this shopping experience is Shirokiya, the Japanese department store in the Ala Moana Center. Take the escalator up to the second floor to check out all the Japanese culinary delicacies. And Daiei, the Japanese mega-supermarket a couple of blocks mauka (inland) from the Ala Moana Center. A more plebian but more extensive exposition of Japanese staples. As well as delicious produce, baked goods, and more familiar American stuff. They have a corner of $1 aisles full of unbelievably surreal oddities. All for $1 each.
Okay, now for the laconic humor:
4. The guy downtown who asks you for "95 cents for a long distance call to Baltimore!" has been calling Baltimore long distance for at least 15 years. (I've heard rumors that lately his rate has gone up to $1.10.)
1. Walking is a *wonderful* thing to do in Honolulu, and you will see lots of highly interesting details you wouldn't notice in a car. Honolulu is a very safe place. Just avoid Aala Park (downtown, across the river from the Sun Yat Sen statue) after dark. Don't be afraid to try different little strange-looking food shops, because there are a lot of them and most of them serve very good cooking.
2. Don't miss the Judiciary History Center in the Supreme Court building (a 19th-century former palace with gorgeous marble floors). It's on the ground floor to the left as you enter, and it has *wonderful* displays about the history of Honolulu, as well as a lovingly-crafted N-scale model of early 19th-century downtown. Sometimes, there will be a docent--a highly- knowledgable and friendly volunteer--stationed at the door, and this person will be delighted to share lots of interesting details about Oahu's history, and its legal system, with you. If you run into George Wyman, tell him that Grace who used to work at VIPS (pronounced "vips") sent you and said to show you a Good Time.
3. A shopping trip to Chinatown (should be China-Viet-Laos- Thai-town) is de rigueur in order to immerse yourself in local culture. Especially the labyrinthine indoor produce, fish, and meat markets. Though you might want to skip the experience if you don't like hot humidity, crowds, or loud, sudden noises. Or high-pitched yelling and screaming. (If you need a break, the Golden Palace restaurant, behind the huge red and gold dragon pillars on King Street, is a local favorite-- From 11:00am to 2:00pm all the dim sum (little plates of various Chinese food) are $1.50 each. Three or four plates make a great meal for two people.) The other half of this shopping experience is Shirokiya, the Japanese department store in the Ala Moana Center. Take the escalator up to the second floor to check out all the Japanese culinary delicacies. And Daiei, the Japanese mega-supermarket a couple of blocks mauka (inland) from the Ala Moana Center. A more plebian but more extensive exposition of Japanese staples. As well as delicious produce, baked goods, and more familiar American stuff. They have a corner of $1 aisles full of unbelievably surreal oddities. All for $1 each.
Okay, now for the laconic humor:
4. The guy downtown who asks you for "95 cents for a long distance call to Baltimore!" has been calling Baltimore long distance for at least 15 years. (I've heard rumors that lately his rate has gone up to $1.10.)
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