441 Blackened Island Swordfish sold to support Localicious Hawaii campaign


Mahalo to everyone that came in supported Localicious Hawaii campaign for the Hawaii Agricultural Foundation (HAF). We Sold 441 Blackened Island Swordfish and Tiki's kicked in a little cash to get us to the goal of 500!

Localicious Hawaii, that aims to recognize local restaurants that are committed to buying local while also raising funds to grow future farmers in Hawaii through ag education.

The Localicious Hawaii campaign ran from March 1 – 31, 2014 to coincide with National Agricultural Day celebrated on March 25, 2014. The goal of the campaign was to raise $50,000 for HAF’s Ag in the Classroom Veggie U program.

Chef Ronnie Natsui is proud to support this Hawaii Agricultural Foundation program with his dish of Blackened Island Swordfish; Cajun spiced sherry cream sauce, Orecciette pasta, Hau'ula haricot vert, shitake muchrooms, sundried tomatoes & peppers.

The program will be offered in Hawaii initially to fifty public school classrooms statewide. In the first year, it will be offered to only fourth graders with the intent to expand it to other grade levels in the future. HAF currently has a teacher on staff that is working with the Department of Education to align the Veggie U kits with Hawaii state science and common core standards.

Funds generated from the Localicious Hawaii campaign will be applied to Hawaii Agricultural Foundation’s Veggie U program that will make available classroom garden grow kits and a robust five-week science program to elementary schools. www.localicioushawaii.org

Dolphin entangled with fishing line rescued by divers in Kona Hawaii


Published on Jan 13, 2013

Dolphin entangled with fishing line rescued by divers in Kona Hawaii

Update: I learned that the hook and all line were removed after I spoke with the diver. I would prefer to correct the video caption, but you tube does not have the option to reload without loosing all your beautiful comments and thought. Blessings to all I can inspire. Martina (Camera Woman)

Nā Kukui Netlinks - Networking and mentoring UH Tim School Students

It was another great year at the annual Nā Kukui netlinks event. This year it was hosted at the Oahu Country Club.

I enjoyed meeting and networking with the student from The School of Travel Industry Management (TIM) at the Univiersity of Hawaii. 

The event was  planned by TIM students from the TIM 316 Events Planning and Marketing course. With more than 150 attendees, this event provides the TIM students with the opportunity to network with a group of professionals in the travel industry.

2014 Ho`okipa is a fundraiser for Kapi’olani Community College culinary arts and hospitality and tourism programs

Ho`okipa is a fundraising event for students in the Kapi’olani Community College culinary arts and hospitality and tourism programs. Culinary  and hospitality and tourism students work closely with their instructors to make this event happen.


Chef Ronnie and I bought seats to support the Kapi’olani Community College culinary arts and hospitality and tourism program. It was a great night catching up with old friends and making new ones.

Ho‘okipa KCC Culinary at Convention Center Chef saying aloha to Jason Peel, Chef Chris Kajioka and Chef Ronnie



2014 Friends of St. Patrick annual “Emerald Ball”

Kevin and I attended the annual “Emerald Ball” hosted by the The Friends of St. Patrick. 

Hosted at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii’s Manoa Grand Ballroom on Saturday. The event featured Irish food and performances by Helen Loftus, Celtic Waves, Hawaii Irish Dance and Kieran Murphy; past St. Patrick’s Day parade chairman Chuck Wall was also honored as Irish Person of the Year.

To see more photo BY KAT WADE / Special to the Star-Advertiser


Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel sold for $183M to Inland American Lodging Group

A story from Stephanie Silverstein Reporter-Pacific Business News


Mar 3, 2014, 3:20pm HST

Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel sold for $183M to Inland American Lodging Group

Stephanie Silverstein
Reporter-Pacific Business News
Email  | Twitter

Inland American Lodging Group Inc. said Monday that it has purchased the 645-room Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel for approximately $183 million.


The hotel will continue to be managed by Aston Hotels & Resorts.

“We are thrilled to add the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel to our portfolio,” Marcel Verbaas, president and CEO of Inland American Lodging Advisor Inc., said in a statement, noting that Oahu is one of the top-performing hotels markets in the country, with Waikiki comprising the most vibrant lodging market in the Islands.

The Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel, located at 2570 Kalakaua Ave. in Waikiki, was previously owned by RHAC LLC, a joint venture between Gaylord Entertainment Co. and RREEF Global Opportunities Fund II. It is the 12th-largest hotel on Oahu, according to PBN research.

The hotel has 23 floors and 645 guestrooms, including 42 suites, 90 percent of which have private balconies overlooking Waikiki Beach. The hotel has 3,300 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space and 19,400 square feet of retail space, which is leased by restaurants including Tiki’s Bar & Grill.

“With its superior location in this high barrier-to-entry market, this asset provides the opportunity to achieve high occupancy levels and premium [revenue per available room] growth,” Verbaas said. “The addition of this hotel not only further improves our geographic diversification but also exemplifies our strategy of increasing our portfolio RevPAR through acquisitions in markets with outsized growth projections.”

Stephanie Silverstein covers tourism, retail and money for Pacific Business News.

Related links:

 Hospitality, Waikiki, Tourism 

Industries:

 Commercial Real Estate 

Tiki's Jesse Katz from Roth & Lancaster Wines Monday March 10th, 2014

Getting ready to begin the Winemakers Dinner Party this evening! We are happy to have Winemaker Jesse Katz here to join us for a fun filled night. #Roth#Lancaster #Winemakersdinnerparty #tikisgrill

Tickets and More info at https://tikiswinedinner.eventbrite.com

 Seating for this event is extremely limited and will sell out quickly. No tickets will be available at the door. Tickets are non-refundable, but may be transferred.

3 hours Free Valet Parking 

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Planning for a wine dinner

Sitting down to plan a wine dinner. Great ideas from Master Sommelier Patrick Okubo of Young's Market Company of Hawaii, Chef Ronnie, Michael Miller, and Teresa Milton.

We are looking forward to having Winemaker Jesse Katz from Roth Winery & Lancaster Estate Winery host a wine dinner party at Tiki's Grill & Bar on Monday March 10th. -- at Tiki's Grill & Bar.