Win a FREE Netbook from Oceanic!

I knew that title would get your attention. 8) But fo’ real! It’s legit… and just one of the many things I like chat with you guys about today. They are…

1) The “Show Us Your Hotspot” photo contest from Oceanic Time Warner Cable Mobile

Oceanic Time Warner Cable Mobile is having a neat little photo contest that asks you to show off your “Hotspot” (wherever that may be) using a “My Hotspot” graphic. The winning photo will get a FREE Netbook and 1 year of Oceanic Mobile Internet service! Check it out here: http://andhere.com/hotspot/, but you better hurry because the contest ends this Friday!

Show Us Your Hotspot Photo Contest

2) My new blog on Time Warner Cable’s corporate “Untangled” blog

With my first post up, I am now officially a Time Warner Cable approved blogger for the corporate TWC Untangled web site. Woo hoo, reppin’ us here in Hawaii baby! Here’s my first blog, covering a recent iHeartRadio VIP event at the Road Runner Music Hall.

Oceanic Time Warner Cable hosts iHeartRadio VIP Party

3) My new article on Kalihi’s Ethel’s Grill on Road Runner’s AroundHawaii.com

I posted a synopsis of this article the other day, but here’s a link to the article in its entirety.

Ethel’s Grill – Kalihi’s Best Kept Secret

4) The feature on Rice Fest in this past Sunday’s Star Advertiser.

Hawaii’s Backyard writer Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi wrote a feature article on the Rice Fest in this past Sunday’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser (Travel section). Great coverage!

Fest of rice promises to be twice as nice

5) Rice Fest this Sunday! See you there!!! 🙂

I know I sound like a broken record about this, but as a co-founder of this event, I guess I feel it’s my duty to help spread the word. Hope y’all can make it down! 🙂 Look for all details in a post tomorrow…

2nd Annual Hawaii Rice Festival
Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park
 Sunday, September 11, 2011 @ 10am-6pm 
For more Info: RiceFest.com / Facebook / Twitter
To RSVP: Facebook Event / Twtvite

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Blog (Random stuffs)

Facebook (Add me! 😛 )

Twitter (Follow me!)

AndHere.com (Oceanic Mobile)

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Ethel’s Grill – Kalihi’s Best Kept Secret

Whenever I mention Ethel’s Grill to anyone, the reaction goes one of two ways: sheer excitement, or sheer confusion. Most people either really adore the old school Kalihi eatery or have no idea what I’m talking ’bout (Willis).

Back in the day, when I used to go golfing with my dad and my buddy Reid, we would hit up Ethel’s as our 19th hole. The old school charm and literal "hole-in-the-wall" vibe it gave off was fun and tear-jerkingly nostalgic.

Outside Ethel’s Grill in Kalihi

The food was grindz fo sho, but I never really had that "sheer excitement" sensation that many do… until a recent trip there brought me back to those 19th hole days.

The menu inside Ethel’s

A business meeting with a friend Jon, who is ironically, my golfing buddy Reid’s first cousin, brought me back to Ethel’s for the first time in years. I wanted to chat with Jon about some possible synergies between his company and Oceanic Mobile and since Ethel’s is somewhat near his workplace, he suggested we go there. Loves it!

Oceanic Mobile Works at Ethel’s Grill

Jon is a regular there. He knew Ryoko "Ethel" Ishii (owner) and all da oddah uncles and aunties working that day so we were hooked up with all kine stuffs, including a bag of andagi and a complimentary order of their famous tataki sashimi.

Ethel’s Famous Tataki Sashimi – fresh tuna lightly seared served on a bed of bean sprouts and drizzled with sesame oil and Ethel’s Garlic-Shoyu Sauce ($5)

Jon ordered the Mochiko Chicken and I ordered the Japanese Hamburger Steak, which are both very popular dishes here.

Mochiko Chicken – Crispy Mochiko fried chicken served with Ethel’s Ginger-Ponzu dipping sauce ($7)

Japanese Hamburger Steak – Home-style hamburger patty topped with grated daikon, daikon sprouts, and tangy Ponzu sauce ($7.50)

Each lunch order includes rice, miso soup, green salad and a choice of punch or iced tea (with one free refill).

Green salad and miso soup

Here’s a panning video of the salad, miso soup, Tataki Sashimi and my Japanese Hamburger Steak.

Food from Ethel’s Grill

On the other end of the spectrum, there’s my friend Rick. He had never been to or even heard about Ethel’s. So when I suggested we go there after helping him out with his Lanakila Meals on Wheels route one day, it was safe to say that he fell under the "sheer confusion" group I mentioned earlier.

Needless to say, we went and he enjoyed himself. So much so that when I tried to take a picture of him, he wouldn’t sit still as he was too busy stuffing his face.

Rick enjoying his meals at Ethel’s

So whether you’re a Jon or a Rick, Ethel’s Grill is a great place to grab some super ono, local, Japanese style eats. Just be prepared for limited parking (small apartment building lot in a busy industrial area) and a long wait (only 20-ish seats max).

Ethel’s Grill
232 Kalihi St
Honolulu, HI 96819
(808) 847-6467
Mon-Sat: 5:30am-2pm

Don’t forget… THIS month…

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The 2nd Annual Hawaii Rice Festival
Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park
Sunday, September 11, 2011 @ 10am-6pm
For more info: Ricefest.com / Twitter / Facebook
To RSVP: Facebook Event / Twtvite
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