BOAT FLOTILLA IN HAWAII KAI, HONOLULU, MAUNALUA BAY

BOAT FLOTILLA IN HAWAII KAI, HONOLULU, MAUNALUA BAY

Driving over Kalanianaole Highway into Hawaii Kai the day before Memorial Day, one can’t help but notice the island of boats and bright colors of floating devices with people bouncing on them. Welcome to Hawaii Kai’s boat tie-up party. Cool waters, good food and drink (bring your own), and Koko Head and Diamond Head views provide a great way to spend the day with friends and family. Anyone up to boating, paddling or swimming out to the event is welcome.

You can tie up and tie one on around the island throughout the year: watch for flotilla boat tie-up parties off of Waikiki and at the Kaneohoe Bay sandbar on the Windward side of the island.

Cost: Free

Do's and Don'ts: Bring food and drink to share, a designated driver, a swim suit, and good balance to get you from boat to boat. Don't break up the tie-up by leaving in the middle of the day.

The next Hawaii Kai tie-up party is on July 4th http://independencedayatmaunaluabay.org

LE GUIGNOL FRENCH RESTAURANT HONOLULU

LE GUIGNOL FRENCH RESTAURANT HONOLULU

Honolulu's premiere French restaurant, Le Guignol, serves French cuisine in a comfortable, contemporary setting across the street from Thomas Square and cattycorner from Neil S. Blasdell Center. It’s the perfect place to start the evening before a concert or symphony.

Chef/Owner Travis "Ala" Sutton starts his days at 7 a.m. preparing lunch fare on Wednesdays and Saturdays and dinner on Tuesdays through Sundays. Sutton cooks everything that ends up on the table, including such classic French dishes as baked burgundy escargot with roasted garlic and parsley butter, cumin roasted leg of lamb with curry demi glaze and Serbian flageolet beans and caramelized onions, as well as a local favorite, pan-roasted Opakapaka fillet with anchovy and artichoke green puy lentils and Beurre Noisette.

The restaurant has an intimate bistro feel with only 12 tables inside and three on the lanai. Leilani (Travis' mom) greets you and, along with other wait staff, provides attentive service. Dress ranges from casual to dressy—whatever you plan to wear to the concert.

Cost: Roasted Opakapaka $28.95, Escargot $8.95

Do's and Don'ts: Don't forget your bottle of wine; it's BYOB. Do call early to make reservations to avoid settling for fast food before a concert.

Website: http://www.leguignolrestaurant.com/

Menu: http://www.leguignolrestaurant.com/files/15332750.pdf

HAWAII POLO CLUB @ MOKULEIA FIELD ON OAHU'S NORTH SHORE

HAWAII POLO CLUB @ MOKULEIA FIELD ON OAHU'S NORTH SHORE

Mokuleia on Hawaii’s North Shore is home to The Hawaii Polo Club, which holds matches at the Hawaii Polo Field on most Sundays during the six-month polo season beginning in May. The Club celebrated its 43^rd anniversary in 2008 and is part of a nearly 140-year history of polo in Hawaii. Visiting polo teams come from as far away as England and Argentina. And the club has coined its matches, Polo by the Sea, hosting spectators to exciting matches with rolling surf and white sand beaches as a backdrop.

Open to the public, the polo matches are a great excuse to drive to the “country” and relax near the ocean while enjoying the matches and other opening, half-time, and post game activities, including hang gliding demonstrations, food, drink, and bands. Our visit featured the band Green Eggs n' Sam, dancing and dining. Bring your kids or date and check it out this Sunday!

Cost: $8 entry fee

Do's and Don'ts: Get there early for seating with umbrellas; Games start at 2 p.m. (gates open at 11 a.m.). Although food and drinks can be purchased, we recommend bringing a cooler with food and drink. Beach chairs and an umbrella or small tent for shade are good ideas as well. Don’t run across the field during a match!!!

NU’UANU JUDD MEMORIAL TRAIL TO JACKASS GINGER SWIMMING HOLE

NU’UANU JUDD MEMORIAL TRAIL TO JACKASS GINGER SWIMMING HOLE

Looking for a quick stroll in the forest or for a refreshing swim? This is the ticket. Right off the Pali Highway, just outside of Downtown Honolulu, the Judd Trail is an easy hike that runs along Nu'uanu Stream to Jackass Ginger Pond and then continues in a 1 mile loop, with minimal elevation gain. Jackass Ginger Pond is a great swimming hole with a 10 foot waterfall into the pond and a rope swing to jump from into the water, which is up to 8 feet deep in some places. Be warned that this pond is surrounded by boulders, which means there might be boulders in the water. Remember, "sticks and stone can break my bones," so jumping is at your own risk.

Those looking for more of a workout can take an alternative path to a higher elevation, Pauoa Flats, and finally Nu'uanu Valley Overlook (1600 feet) which has views of the Pali, higher peaks in the Ko'olau Range, the Wai'anae Range, Nu'uanu Valley, and Punchbowl.

Cost: Free

Do's and don'ts: Do consider mosquito repellent or walk fast. Don't try anything fancy off the rope.