Now that we’re in the midst of summer, we’ve gotsta find ways of cooling off from that hot Hawaiian sun. One way, of course, is to slurp down a local fave known as “shave ice” – or “ice shave” if you’re from the Big Island 😉 (See my article about other shave ice places here). The place I love to go to get my shave ice fix whenever I’m in town is Kaka`ako Kool on Queen Street, next to Fresh Cafe.
Outside Kaka`ako Kool
Opened in June 2010 by antique and collectible fan Keith Tanaka, Kaka`ako Kool is chock full of, well, antiques and collectibles. They sit right alongside the many other offerings Kaka`ako Kool serves like cold drinks, ice cream, chips, crack seed, and much more. It’s like a cool, urban mini mart that happens to sell ono shave ice.
Some of the snack offerings at Kaka`ako Kool
Tanaka goes to the swap meet at least once a week and displays his finds throughout the store. People actually come to the store regularly specifically to see what new toys Tanaka has brought in.
The Thing is quite excited to be here at Kaka`ako Kool
For their shave ice offerings, there are about 25 different flavors to choose from with strawberry being the most popular. Store Manager Jana Park says that the tropical flavors like Pineapple, Mango, and Lychee also do quite well.
Just a few of the many flavors Kaka`ako Kool offers
In addition, you can order locally made, premium haupia or vanilla ice cream, azuki beans, mochi balls, condensed milk, snowcap (condensed milk & evaporate milk), or lihing powder to go along with your shave ice.
So the next time you’re in need of a shave ice fix to beat that summer heat, stop by and say hi to Jana folks at Kaka`ako Kool. There’s lots of parking with 2 stalls right in front and about 15 or so in the garage to the left of the store.
For further info, here’s a profile video the Skinny Hawaiians did on Kaka`ako Kool.
It was a whirlwind 3 day, 2-night tour, but we definitely got to experience Brisbane the only way Hawaiian Airlines knows how: with Aloha. Here are some of the sights and sounds that we were fortunate enough to experience.
Hula dancers giving us a nice sendoff
HA443 departs Honolulu at 10:20am every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and arrives in Brisbane (BNE) at 4pm the following day.
Blessing by Kahu Richard Kamanu
The awesome Hawaiian Airlines crew for our HA443 flight to Brisbane
After about 10 hours in the air, we finally get to the beautiful city of Brisbane
These two (Melissa Chang and Catherine Toth) are happy to be on the ground
Our hale for the next few days was the French based luxury hotel chain called Sofitel Brisbane Central Hotel. Conveniently located in the middle of the city, it was in walking distance to quite a few key points during our trip, including ANZAC Square, which was literally across the street. Here's the view from my hotel room window!
Looking down at ANZAC Square from the Sofitel Brisbane Central Hotel
It wasn't long before we had to get dolled up (I wore a tie!) and head down to the Ballroom Le Grand for the official Welcome Gala.
Hawaiian Airlines Welcome Gala
It was a packed house filled with members of the local (Brisbane) media, tour industry professionals, airline executives, and local entertainers Sean Na`auao and Lehua Kalima (formerly of Na Leo), among others.
Lehua Kalima Sings "Waikiki" at the Hawaiian Airlines Welcome Gala
Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Mark Dunkerley addresses the crowd
And of course, we can't forget about the food p0rn shots! 😉
Bomboocha wok of fried rice!
My serving of fried rice
Poke samplers
Chef Chai's popular Fried Kataifi Prawns
Following the gala, we decided to take a stroll around our neighborhood.
The Shrine of Remembrance at ANZAC Square
Possibly the best named street in all the land: Edward Street. 8)
Since we weren't that hungry, we just got a side of "chips" (fries in the U.S.) to share.
Chunky Chips with Garlic Aioli ($8.90)
After all that eating and drinking, combined with our jetlag, it was time to call it a night. From the expressions on the ladies' faces, I think they agreed.
Cat and Melissa are either extremely drunk or jetlagged. You decide.
And that's it for our first night in Brisbane. I'll be back again soon to post more about our adventures including South Bank, King of Kings Seafood Yum Cha Restaurant in Chinatown, Alfred & Constance, koala and kangaroo sightings at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, The Shelter Bar, and our departure.
![Shave Ice from Kaka`ako Kool [Photo Credit: Marc Orbito of Hungry Eye Photography]](https://i1.wp.com/www.world-wide-ed.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013-07-kakaako-kool-005.jpg)
