Behind the Scenes: The Scratch Kitchen at Tiki’s Grill & Bar

At Tiki’s Grill & Bar, we take pride in crafting every dish from scratch, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and the hands of a dedicated kitchen team. One example of our commitment to handmade excellence is our Ginger Chicken Aioli, a flavorful sauce that’s just one of the elements in our special Makana Pupu dish—the gift from our Chef to each table at dinner.

Every morning, our prep crew—the unsung heroes of the kitchen—begin their day by chopping, slicing, and mixing ingredients to create the building blocks of our menu. Scarlett, one of our incredible prep team members, recently prepped a fresh batch of Ginger Chicken Aioli, carefully layering cilantro, ginger, green onions, garlic, and basil before finishing it with a pour of hot oil to unlock its full depth of flavor.

When I asked Scarlett if this was a difficult sauce to make, she smiled and said, "No, but you do have to follow the recipe to ensure that you get everything correct. It does take time to chop the herbs and garlic to the right size." That’s the secret—attention to detail and respect for the process. She was a little shy about being in the photo. 

This isn’t just any sauce—it’s a labor of love. Our prep team produces 500 to 800 portions daily, ensuring that every dish served at Tiki’s carries the same level of care and quality. The Makana Pupu dish, offered as a gesture of hospitality, is a small but powerful representation of our commitment to the Aloha spirit—delivering fresh, handcrafted flavors to every guest who dines with us.

Mahalo to our incredible prep crew—you may not always be in the spotlight, but your dedication makes every meal at Tiki’s a true Ohana Experience.

#TikisGrill #ScratchKitchen #HandmadeWithAloha #makeohanahappen

This morning at 7:30 AM HST, I finally succeeded in making radio contact with Progress Base (RI1ANE) in Antarctica! This moment was a culmination of several previous attempts, all of which had ended in frustration—but not today. With my morning coffee in hand and my trusty setup humming, I was able to reach Igor Taranenko at Progress Station, a Russian research facility situated at the Larsemann Hills Antarctic oasis on the shore of Prydz Bay.  

The Contact
Conditions this morning were not ideal for voice communication, so I used FT8, a digital mode designed for making contacts under weak signal conditions. Using WSJT-X, Igor and I exchanged the following:

• Call Signs: His (RI1ANE) and mine
• Grid Square Locations: This gave the approximate areas we were operating from
• Signal Strengths: I sent -04 and received -17, providing a clear indication of how well each of our signals was propagating.

This allowed both of us to verify not only the success of the contact but also the impressive range of our signals, bridging a distance of 13,595 km (8,447 miles) at a bearing of 297° between my station in Kaneohe, Hawaii, and Progress Station in Antarctica.

I wanted to share a fun and fulfilling activity I did after work today! I headed up to the beautiful Pali Lookout to spend an hour participating in POTA (Parks on the Air). For those who aren’t familiar, POTA is a ham radio program that encourages operators to set up and operate from designated parks. The goal is to connect with other operators around the world while showcasing the natural beauty of these locations. It’s a fun way to combine the outdoors with amateur radio!

I parked my truck right in the parking area where the slot is, and the wind was absolutely blasting—classic Pali weather! It added an extra challenge to the setup, but with my trusty Icom IC-7300 radio and a Ham Stick antenna for 20 meters, I managed to get on the air.

In just 47 minutes of operating time, I made 21 contacts on phone mode (voice). The experience was even better as I added some new countries to my DXCC (a ham radio award for confirming contacts with at least 100 different countries).

Here are some stats from my activation:

• Log Start: 19-Nov-2024, 03:39 UTC
• Log End: 19-Nov-2024, 04:26 UTC
• Operating Time: 47 minutes
• Total QSOs: 21
• Bands Used: 20 meters
• DXCC Contacted: 7, including South Africa, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and Hawaii
• Grid Fields Covered: 11
• Grid Squares Covered: 15
• Farthest Contact (ODX): ZS5WTF in South Africa, 11,650 miles away!

In addition to the long-distance (DX) contacts, I also made a few local connections on VHF, chatting with friends here on the island.

POTA is such a rewarding experience—it’s a great way to enjoy Hawaii’s stunning scenery while connecting with other radio operators around the globe. If you’re ever curious about ham radio or want to tag along on one of these activations, let me know.

Embracing the Spirit of Amateur Radio: My Experience in the June Digital Mode Contest

The first full weekend of June marks an exhilarating event for amateur radio enthusiasts worldwide—the Digital Mode Contest. This year, on June 1-2, 2024, I, KH6ML, had the pleasure of participating from my home in Kaneohe, on the beautiful island of Oahu, using my trusty Icom IC-7300 HF Radio.

Contest Objective

The contest's goal is simple yet engaging: make contact and exchange QSO information with other amateurs using any digital mode (excluding RTTY) that supports the 4-digit Grid Square exchange. The contest spans several bands, including 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, and 6 meters. As a Technician, I was limited to the 10 and 6 meter bands, per FCC rules. One of the unique aspects of this contest is that automated operation is not permitted—each contact must involve direct initiation by the operator on both sides. This rule ensures that the spirit of genuine communication and interaction is maintained.

Contest Period

The contest kicked off at 1800 UTC on Saturday and concluded at 2359 UTC on Sunday. This provided ample time for operators across the globe to connect, exchange grid squares, and experience the camaraderie that defines the amateur radio community.

My Experience: I stuck to two modes: FT-8 and FT-4, Max power was less than 100 watts.

Despite the challenges posed by solar weather, I was able to make 130 contacts, reaching a variety of countries, or as we call them in the amateur radio community, DXCC entities. The thrill of making successful QSOs under varying conditions is an experience like no other. Here are the entities I managed to contact:

• 3D2F - Fiji
• 9M2 - West Malaysia
• BY - China
• DU - Philippines
• EA - Spain
• FK - New Caledonia
• G - England
• GI - Northern Ireland
• HI - Dominican Republic
• HL - South Korea
• I - Italy
• JA - Japan
• KH6 - Hawaii
• KL7 - Alaska
• OZ - Denmark
• PY - Brazil
• SP - Poland
• UA - Russia (EU)
• UA0 - Russia (AS)
• UR - Ukraine
• W - USA
• YB - Indonesia

Contest Details

• Contest: ARRL-DIGI
• Call Sign: KH6ML
• Category: Single Operator, One Radio (SO1R), Low Power
• Operator: SINGLE-OP -
• Power: LOW - Created from: Highest power question (Answer: 100W or less)
• Op Time: 24-HOURS - Created from: Time Category question
• Location: DX
• Station Grid: BL11CJ
• QSOs in Log: 130
• Raw Score: 1,565 (105 QSOs) - Note: The raw score is an estimate based solely on the individual log contents and is not used during subsequent log checking.

Why I Love Being an ARRL Member

This contest was sponsored by the ARRL (American Radio Relay League), an organization that has been instrumental in promoting and supporting amateur radio for over a century. Being a member of the ARRL has numerous benefits that enhance my amateur radio experience:

1. Resources and Education: The ARRL provides a wealth of educational materials and resources that help me stay informed about the latest in amateur radio technology and practices. Their publications, such as QST magazine, are invaluable for learning new techniques and keeping up with the community.

2. Advocacy: The ARRL advocates for the rights and interests of amateur radio operators at the national and international levels. They work tirelessly to protect our frequencies and ensure that amateur radio remains a vital and recognized service.

3. Community: Being part of the ARRL connects me with a vast network of like-minded individuals who share a passion for amateur radio. This sense of community is essential for exchanging ideas, finding support, and fostering lasting friendships.

4. Contests and Awards: The ARRL organizes numerous contests and awards programs that provide exciting opportunities to challenge myself and improve my skills. These events are a great way to stay engaged and motivated in the hobby.

Conclusion

Participating in the Digital Mode Contest was a remarkable experience. It allowed me to connect with fellow amateurs from diverse parts of the world, exchange information, and enhance my skills in digital communication. The contest not only tested my abilities as an operator but also reinforced the importance of perseverance and adaptability in the face of changing solar conditions.

Amateur radio is more than just a hobby; it's a way to build bridges across cultures and geographies, fostering a sense of global community. I look forward to future contests and continuing to embrace the spirit of amateur radio. Until next time, 73 from KH6ML!