Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – June 25, 2014

Ho, must’ve been hard last week. Only 1 of 3 were guessed correctly. This week, no food. All scenics. Hopefully, they’re pretty obvious…

Last time‘s Winnahs:
* Uncle Bo’s (carokun)
* Yotteko-Ya (NOBODY)
* Cafe O’Lei at the Dunes Mauna Lani (NOBODY)

Photo #1

Where in Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – June 25, 2014

Photo #2

Where in Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – June 25, 2014

Photo #3

Where in Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – June 25, 2014

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SCOOPS!

* Spotted!
We had a blast at the popular Honolulu Night + Market last Saturday and we just wanted to send our Alohas and Mahalos! Someone told us it seems like we took VH07V to the “next level” at this show and it really felt like it. Super happy with the way things are going and I owe it all to you guys. 🙂

VH07V at the Honolulu Night Market: Summer in the Park 2014!

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* Marcus Cancervive online Fundraiser!
My friend Marcus Reimel is battling a rare form of melanoma cancer called Mucosal Melanoma and needs your kokua through the online fundraiser called YouCaring. This is to help offset his mounting medical expenses. There are 37 days left in his fundraiser and he is almost there! ($19,690 raised of $25,000 goal) Please consider donating:

Marcus Cancervive Online Fundraiser

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* Bill Amis & Miah Ostrowski Basketball Skills Camp
Former University of Hawaii Athletics University of Hawaii Men’s Basketball stars Bill Amis & Miah Ostrowski are holding a skills training basketball camp for Hawaii’s youth from July 17th-19th at McKinley High School. Register and attend the Bill Amis & Miah Ostrowski Basketball Skills Camp today!

Bill Amis & Miah Ostrowski Basketball Skills Camp

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* Thoughts on the woman her tried to “flip” her dog on Craigslist that she just adopted from the Hawaiian Humane Society?
😦

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Weekly VH07V Updates!

* VH07V at the 4th of July Spectacular at Schofield! – 7/04/14
VH07V will have a booth at the 43rd Annual 4th of July Spectacular at Schofield Barracks on Friday, July 4th from 10am-6pm! Visit our booth for special, show only pricing and giveaways and stick around for games, food, rides for the keiki, a car giveaway, and entertainment by Third Eye Blind, Willie K, and more!

Visit VH07V at the 43rd Annual 4th of July Spectacular at Schofield Barracks!

* VH07V at Yajima-Ya “Eat & Shop” Event! – 8/02/14
In August, VH07V will be back again to hold our second “Eat & Shop” event at the Yajima-Ya Lunchwagon lot, but this time, there will be more than just us there! In addition to Yajima-Ya‘s meeeaaaan plate lunches and drinks from Ilandsoda, I’ve invited and confirmed the popular Eden In Love Boutique & Skylar Soares and her HiSky Hats!!! Cool right!?!? 🙂 Can’t wait! So to summarize…

• Yajima-Ya: Udon, donburi, plate lunches
• Ilandsoda: drinks
• Eden In Love Boutique: cute ladies wear
• HiSky Hats: Custom Trucker hats teaching of sun safety.
• VH07V: Men’s, Women’s and Keiki apparel.

Visit VH07V at “Eat & Shop” Event at Yajima-Ya!

* VH07V at Rice Fest! – 9/28/14
It’s a bit out, but since we’ve already locked in the date, I figured I’d mention Rice Fest and VH07V‘s appearance there as well. 🙂 Hope to see y’all there!

Visit VH07V at the 5th Annual Rice Fest!

* Mailing List
If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for our mailing list to get the latest scoops! I promise I don’t email too often (takes planny effort you know da kine! 😛 ).

* Order Online!
Get all of the latest VH07V gear at:

SHOP.VH07V.COM

—

As always, a big mahalos to everyone for your support and for helping to spread the VH07V! 8)

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Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – June 18, 2014

Back and in full effect from last Wednesday’s King Kamehameha day holiday. You guys had da day off too or wot?

Last time‘s Winnahs:
* Cheesecake Factory (carokun)
* Kats Sushi (Lia)
* Maui Arts and Cultural Center (Lia)

Photo #1

Where in Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – June 18, 2014

Photo #2

Where in Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – June 18, 2014

Photo #3

Where in Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – June 18, 2014

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SCOOPS!

* Marcus Cancervive Fundraiser Birthday Bash!
My friend Marcus Reimel is battling a rare form of melanoma cancer called Mucosal Melanoma and needs your kokua. Please consider supporting in one or both of the following ways:

1. Donate to his YouCaring online fundraiser. This is to help offset his mounting medical expenses. At last check they are close to their $20,000 goal with $17,240+ with just 10 days to go.
2. Attend the Marcus Cancervive Fundraiser Birthday Bash on Sunday, June 22nd from 11am-2pm. Advanced ticket sales are now closed but they welcome walk-ins! $40/adults and $20/keiki at the door.

Marcus Cancervive Fundraiser Birthday Bash!

—

* Bill Amis & Miah Ostrowski Basketball Skills Camp
Former University of Hawaii Athletics University of Hawaii Men’s Basketball stars Bill Amis & Miah Ostrowski are holding a skills training basketball camp for Hawaii’s youth from July 17th-19th at McKinley High School. Register and attend the Bill Amis & Miah Ostrowski Basketball Skills Camp today!

Bill Amis & Miah Ostrowski Basketball Skills Camp

—

* RIP Tony Gwynn!
😦

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Weekly VH07V Updates!

* Spotted!
Talented ukulele player Karlie Goya covers Israel Kamakawiwo`ole’s “Kaleohano” song while wearing her Black/Blue Keiki VH07V Tee!

“Kaleohano” – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole cover by Karlie Goya

* VH07V at Honolulu Night Market! – THIS SATURDAY 6/21/14
Visit the VH07V booth at the popular Honolulu Night + Market this Saturday, June 21st from 6pm-11pm and take advantage of special, show only pricing and giveaways!

Visit VH07V THIS SATURDAY at Honolulu Night Market!

* VH07V at the 4th of July Spectacular at Schofield! – 7/04/14
VH07V will have a booth at the 43rd Annual 4th of July Spectacular at Schofield Barracks on Friday, July 4th from 10am-6pm! Visit our booth for special, show only pricing and giveaways and stick around for games, food, rides for the keiki, a car giveaway, and entertainment by Third Eye Blind, Willie K, and more!

Visit VH07V at the 43rd Annual 4th of July Spectacular at Schofield Barracks!

* VH07V at Yajima-Ya “Eat & Shop” Event! – 8/02/14
In August, VH07V will be back again to hold our second “Eat & Shop” event at the Yajima-Ya Lunchwagon lot, but this time, there will be more than just us there! In addition to Yajima-Ya‘s meeeaaaan plate lunches and drinks from Ilandsoda, I’ve invited and confirmed the popular Eden In Love Boutique & Skylar Soares and her HiSky Hats!!! Cool right!?!? 🙂 Can’t wait! So to summarize…

• Yajima-Ya: Udon, donburi, plate lunches
• Ilandsoda: drinks
• Eden In Love Boutique: cute ladies wear
• HiSky Hats: Custom Trucker hats teaching of sun safety.
• VH07V: Men’s, Women’s and Keiki apparel.

Visit VH07V at “Eat & Shop” Event at Yajima-Ya!

* VH07V at Rice Fest! – 9/28/14
It’s a bit out, but since we’ve already locked in the date, I figured I’d mention Rice Fest and VH07V‘s appearance there as well. 🙂 Hope to see y’all there!

Visit VH07V at the 5th Annual Rice Fest!

* Mailing List
If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for our mailing list to get the latest scoops! I promise I don’t email too often (takes planny effort you know da kine! 😛 ).

* Order Online!
Get all of the latest VH07V gear at:

SHOP.VH07V.COM

—

As always, a big mahalos to everyone for your support and for helping to spread the VH07V! 8)

=============================================================

VH07V FB (“Like” VH07V!)

Facebook (Add me! 😛 )

Twitter (Follow me!)

Blog (Random stuffs)

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Like Hawaii Self Storage on Facebook!

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Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – June 4, 2014

OK, so this blog went from celebrating its 6th year anniversary to being dormant for an entire month! Ummm… Sorry ah!

For whatever reason, I had super early meetings/calls/travel every single Wednesday last month, so the Tuesday nights before (the night I usually work on these blogs) was used to go bed early. I have something tomorrow morning again, but it’s been long enough! My two readers need me! 😛

Anyway, sorry for the unintentional hiatus. We back yo. Let’s do this!

Last time‘s Winnahs:
* Kakaako Kitchen (Lia)
* Rocky’s Coffee Shop (NOBODY)
* Maui Coffee Roasters (Lia)

Photo #1

Where in Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – June 4, 2014

Photo #2

Where in Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – June 4, 2014

Photo #3

Where in Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – June 4, 2014

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SCOOPS!

* Marcus Cancervive Fundraiser Birthday Bash!
My friend Marcus Reimel is battling a rare form of melanoma cancer called Mucosal Melanoma and needs your kokua. Please consider supporting in one or both of the following ways:

1. Donate to his YouCaring online fundraiser. This is to help offset his mounting medical expenses. At last check they are close to their $20,000 goal with $16,500 with just 25 days to go.
2. Purchase tickets and attend the Marcus Cancervive Fundraiser Birthday Bash on Sunday, June 22nd from 11am-2pm (See details below).

Marcus Cancervive Fundraiser Birthday Bash!

—

* Bill Amis & Miah Ostrowski Basketball Skills Camp
Former University of Hawaii Athletics University of Hawaii Men’s Basketball stars Bill Amis & Miah Ostrowski are holding a skills training basketball camp for Hawaii’s youth from July 17th-19th at McKinley High School. Register and attend the Bill Amis & Miah Ostrowski Basketball Skills Camp today!

Bill Amis & Miah Ostrowski Basketball Skills Camp

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My New AroundHawaii.com Article: Bubble Tea Mania!

We continue our epic bubble tea journey with 5 more milk tea establishments located in town. We found out about Dragon Tea after the wife saw her friend post a drink photo on Instagram. Since we hardly ever go to Waiks, we thought it would be some time until we got to visit and taste what Dragon Tea had to offer. Luckily, my clothing company (VH07V) got the wonderful opportunity to vend at the popular Waikiki SPAM Jam festival again, so we decided to grab a hotel at the Outrigger Waikiki for the weekend to have a mini staycation since we would be there anyway…

Bubble Tea Mania – The Hunt for Hawaii’s Best Bubble Tea – Part II

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Weekly VH07V Updates!

* Spotted!
Super talented ukulele duo Honoka & Azita posted another crazy video to their YouTube channel on Monday, this time, covering the popular song “Wipeout”. The girls look awesome thanks in large part to their schooling at Ukulele Hale and the filming/editing magic of Shibby Stylee!

“Wipeout” by Honoka & Azita

* VH07V at Honolulu Night Market!
VH07V will be making its triumphant return to the popular Honolulu Night + Market on Saturday, June 21st! Visit our booth from 6pm-11pm for special, show only pricing and giveaways! See you there!

Visit VH07V at the June 21st Honolulu Night Market (Summertime in the Park)!

* VH07V at the 4th of July Spectacular at Schofield!
VH07V will have a booth at the 43rd Annual 4th of July Spectacular at Schofield Barracks on Friday, July 4th from 10am-6pm! Visit our booth for special, show only pricing and giveaways and stick around for games, food, rides for the keiki, a car giveaway, and entertainment by Third Eye Blind, Willie K, etc.

Visit VH07V at the 43rd Annual 4th of July Spectacular at Schofield Barracks!

* Mailing List
If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for our mailing list to get the latest scoops! I promise I don’t email too often (takes planny effort you know da kine! 😛 ).

* Order Online!
Get all of the latest VH07V gear at:

SHOP.VH07V.COM

—

As always, a big mahalos to everyone for your support and for helping to spread the VH07V! 8)

=============================================================

VH07V FB (“Like” VH07V!)

Facebook (Add me! 😛 )

Twitter (Follow me!)

Blog (Random stuffs)

=============================================================

Like Hawaii Self Storage on Facebook!

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Bubble Tea Mania – The Hunt for Hawaii’s Best Bubble Tea – Part II

Part I |  Part II  | Part III

 

We continue our epic bubble tea journey with 5 more milk tea establishments located in town.

 

Dragon Tea

We found out about this hidden gem after the wife saw her friend post a drink photo on Instagram. Since we hardly ever go to Waiks, we thought it would be some time until we got to visit and taste what Dragon Tea had to offer. Luckily, my clothing company (VH07V) got the wonderful opportunity to vend at the popular Waikiki SPAM Jam festival again, so we decided to grab a hotel at the Outrigger Waikiki for the weekend to have a mini staycation since we would be there anyway.

First stop? Dragon Tea!

Outside Dragon Tea in Waikiki

This cute little shop is tucked away on a side street (Nahua off Kuhio, behind the old International Market Place) on the ground floor of the Aqua Waikiki Pearl. Pearl? Coincidence? I think not! 😛 The staff is friendly and the prices are reasonable (16oz for $3.35 or 22oz for $4.35).

16oz Black Milk Tea with Tapioka ($3.35)

They even have a loyalty stamp card (buy 8 cups, get 1 free), offer discounts and specials online and are active on social media. What’s not to love?

Wife says: “I love the milk tea here! The creamy milk tea taste is very similar to kung fu tea. The boba is delicious – firm, but not too soft. This spot is perfect for all the Waikiki tourists – and refreshing after a hot day at the beach.”

Dragon Tea
423 Nahua St
Honolulu, HI 96815 (Street View)
(808) 921-9988
10:30am-10:30pm Daily

 

Taste Tea

Our next stop is one many of you are probably very familiar with: Taste Tea near Ala Moana. With its recognizable sign off Kapiolani Boulevard (buggah even lights up at night!), Taste Tea is tough to miss.

Taste Tea Sign

Because of its convenient location, Taste Tea is often very crowded as well, so expect to hunt for parking and stand in line to get your fix.

Line at Taste Tea

On my last visit there, I noticed that they had several new Milk Tea options like Strawberry, Honeydew, and Chocolate. Since Chocolate Milk Tea is one of my faves at Coffee or Tea? (see Part I http://www.world-wide-ed.com/2014/05/01/bubble-tea-mania-the-hunt-for-hawaiis-best-bubble-tea-part-i),  I figured I’d give it a whirl here. Of course, as luck would have it, they were out when I tried to order it.

Taste Tea was one of the first places that offered its patrons varying serving options like Sweetness Level (Unsweetened–>Light Sweet–>Half Sweet–>Less Sweet–>Regular Sweet–>Extra Sweet), Ice Level (Less Ice–>Regular Ice–>Extra Ice) and Tapioka size (Small or Big), and even lets you taste your tea (hence their name) and approve of it before serving you the full portion. Pretty good service for those who are unsure of what sweetness level is right for them.

The down side to all of these options – at least in my experience – is that they seem to run out of the more popular Big size Tapioca quite often. I’ve been there two or three times when all they had to offer was the Small size, and IMHO, the small tapioca balls just don’t do it for me.

To show the difference between the two though, I took one for the team and ordered one in each option (small and big tapioca). You’re welcome. 😉

MT = Milk Tea, ST = Small Tapioca, BT = Big Tapioca, Less=Less Sweet, Ed = Ed. Not sure who Ted is. 😉

Just like in part I, the boss, er wife has the last say, so here ya go…

Wife says: “I understand why this place is so popular: Customizable tea drinks, large variety of tea options & friendly service! This milk tea is one of my favorites! I love that you can order your drink exactly the way you want it. Drink options include everything from the amount of sugar to the size of the boba. The mini bobas are popular, but I still prefer the regular boba size (mostly because it seems like I’m swallowing the mini ones!).  I also like that you can sample the drink before they seal your cup. You can’t go wrong!”

Taste Tea
1391 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 105
Honolulu, HI 96814 (Street View)
(808) 951-8288
Mon-Thu: 10am-10:30pm
Fri-Sat: 10am-11:30pm
Sun: 10:30am-10:30pm

 

City Cafe

City Cafe was actually a recommendation from my social media friend Nat Nishida (@nanigurl) who read the first part in this series.

 

@worldwideed Great article – can’t wait to see who makes it in Part II and III. Have you tried City Cafe’s milk tea? It’s one of my faves!

— nanigurl (@nanigurl) May 6, 2014

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

 

We’ve been to City Cafe years ago (when wife was preggers with #1), but only to eat their popular Taiwanese Shave Ice. Nat is a bit of a foodie herself so I had to jump on that recommendation real-quick-like.

Outside City Cafe

To me, the Black Milk Tea tasted almost exactly like the one from Coffee or Tea?, which is a Facebook thumbs up in my book.

Tall Black Milk Tea from City Cafe ($2.63 + $0.72 for tapioka)

Wife Says: “This cute little shop makes some surprisingly good tea drinks! The milk tea has a stronger tea flavor than others I’ve tasted, but it’s still taste great! The boba is soft, too. I can’t say that this place is my favorite milk tea shop, but it definitely tastes authentic. I’ll have to give it another try again!”

 

For the final portion in this part of the series, I’ll be featuring two shops that specialize in fresh fruit based bubble drinks (although they do carry blended milk tea options). As a result, there will be no quotes from the wife, for, as we know, no milk tea = no wife. 8)

As mentioned in Part I, City Square Shopping Center alone has three different bubble drink specialty stores. We already mentioned Shaka Shaka Tea Express in part I. Following are the other two.

City Cafe
1518-F Makaloa St
Honolulu, HI 96814 (Street View)
(808) 398-7598
Mon-Fri: 10am-6pm
Sat: 11am-6pm
Sun: Closed

 

Thang II

Thang II is the second location of the popular Thang Coffee & Bubble Tea in Chinatown off Maunakea Street. Conveniently located in City Square Shopping Center, Thang II serves up a wide variety of bubble drinks and snacks.

Quite possibly my favorite fresh fruit bubble drink on the island is their #1 choice, the Pineapple Bubble Drink.

Pineapple Bubble Drink from Thang II

I’ve also tried their Strawberry version, which is also quite delish.

Strawberry Bubble Drink from Thang II

The drinks only come in one (rather large) size, so be sure you’re thirsty before picking yours up!

Thang II
City Square Shopping Center  (TWC WiFi Here!)
1287 Kalani St
Honolulu, HI 96817 (Street View)
(808) 845-2164
Mon-Sat: 8:30am-6:30pm
Sun: 10am-3pm

 

Sweet Fantasies

Rounding out part II is a relative newcomer to the scene: Sweet Fantasies, which is literally right next to Shaka Shaka Tea Express!

Outside Sweet Fantasies

In addition to their bubble drink options, they also offer sandwiches, salads, spring rolls, shave ice, and a whole freezer’s worth of ice cream!

Ice Cream at Sweet Fantasies

But back to the business at hand. We’re here for the bubbles!

Since there was no wife present, I “cheated” on her and went for the fresh fruit, Blueberry Bubble Drink variety. It was good, but a little too sweet for my tastes.

Blueberry Bubble Drink from Sweet Fantasies ($3.99)

Sweet Fantasies
City Square Shopping Center (TWC WiFi Here!)
1199 Dillingham Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96817 (Street View)
9am-7pm Daily

Next month, we’ll be headed to the wessssiiiide of Oahu to review Tea Time, HulaShake, Hula Boba, HI Sandwich & Drink, Lyndliz and the brand spankin’ new, second Coffee or Tea? location in Pearl Kai Shopping Center. Coincidence? I think not!

Brand New Coffee or Tea? Location at Pearl Kai Shopping Center

 

 

Part I |  Part II  | Part III

 

Tarp Surfing in Hawaii – VH07V Style (Click to Play!)