Hawaii Mom Blog

Club Pilates Mililani

noreply@blogger.com (nadiablogs) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 17:00:00 +0000

When I heard Club Pilates was coming to Mililani, I knew I had to join! In the past I had driven to Haleiwa for pilates and Kapolei for yoga, but those distances were keeping me from being consistent with my workouts. Having a Club Pilates right in my neighborhood is incredibly convenient and having a membership is keeping me accountable.

Now that I have taken 12 classes, here is what | love. The instructors are friendly and great.

Some are tougher than others, but all want you to develop good form and succeed. I love the different types of classes and the people I meet in them. I love that we are all normal people showing up for ourselves. Anyone and everyone can benefit from pilates, which strengthens your core and improves posture. I am officially in my pilates era!

Coco's Cravings

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

I was excited that @cocoscravings808 recently popped up nearby so I could once again enjoy Cocobonz!

I was never really a fan of cinnamon rolls until Nat gave me a box of Cocobonz a few years ago.

They are made with milk bread dough, so they are very light and fluffy. A cinnamon + brown sugar + butter mixture is incorporated throughout, with a butter cream cheese whip for that indulgent finish.

Follow @cocoscravings808 on Instagram for her daily auctions and to find out where she'll be popping up!

Mad Pie

noreply@blogger.com (Nat) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Madly Craving Pizza: Our First Visit to Mad Pie

It was Labor Day Monday, and my husband had a mad craving for pizza. The pizza place he really wanted to go to was closed on Mondays. So I did what I usually do when we need a Plan B—I started searching Yelp.

That’s how I came across Mad Pie in Kakaʻako. I had never been before, but the pictures looked good, so we decided to give it a try.

As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by a display of pizzas and cannolis. And let me tell you, everything looked GOOD.

It definitely got us excited to see what we were going to order.

The boys immediately knew what they wanted—cheese pizza, of course. My husband went with the Spinach Garlic Tomato slice, and I ordered the Fungo, which came highly recommended. We also decided to get a Caesar salad to share.

The salad came out first, which was nice to snack on while we waited for our pizza slices to come out of the oven. The only thing I would change next time is asking for the dressing on the side. It was a little heavy on the dressing for my taste.

Then the pizza arrived and we dove right in. The crust is made with sourdough, and it was exactly how I like my pizza crust: thin and crispy. The Fungo was delicious, and my husband was very happy with his choice too.

Even the boys, who are pretty predictable when it comes to pizza, loved their cheese slices. And apparently, they loved my crust too because they kept asking for pieces of it!

For dessert, I had my eye on the cannoli. I wanted to try the plain vanilla, so we ordered one to share. Well, the boys took one look in the box and decided they both wanted it, so they split it right down the middle and loved it.

They were nice enough to let me have a small bite so I could taste it—and yep, delish! I may have to get my own next time.

I'm really glad we ended up trying Mad Pie. Would definitely recommend and would absolutely go back!

MAD PIE

516 KEAWE STREET

Asahi Grill - Ward

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The last time I went to Asahi Grill at Ward was 14 years ago for pre-concert eats.

Chicken Cutlet

I ordered the same thing I did on that visit - Chicken Cutlet, but I failed to upgrade to Fried Rice like I did last time.

Adobe Fried Rice

Mahi + Chicken Katsu Combo

Mochiko Chicken

The food was as good as I remember it to be, and the prices are still pretty reasonable.

Asahi Grill
515 Ward Ave # A

Honolulu, HI 96814

Dragon Burger in Midtown Eats

noreply@blogger.com (nadiablogs) — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Yuzu Kosho Burger

I finally made it to Midtown Eats, a huge dining hall located at The Park on Keeaumoku that is home to thirteen eateries and a bar. There are so many great dining options, but I love a good burger so I decided on Dragon Burger.

Dragon Burger features Kyoto-style smash burger patties and flavors served on milk-bread buns. They offer 4 types of burgers with their most popular being the Yuzu Kosho burger. The burger was juicy, delicious and full of flavor. The fries were also very good. They serve only 150 burgers a day and no burgers on Wednesdays when it's limited to ramen. They are open daily from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm.

Lots of seating in front of Dragon Burger

Donut King - Market City Shopping Center

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

We made an impromptu stop at Donut King in the Market City Shopping Center.

It was my first time at any Donut King (locations also at @kailuatownhi, @kaneohebaycenter, and Waikiki), so not sure if this is typical, but when opened the box, I saw there were a couple of donut holes thrown in.

If you know me, you know I'm not a huge donut fan, but I tried the Croissant Donut, and really liked it! I would definitely order that again.

Chocolate Sprinkle Cake Donut

Toasted Coconut Ube Donut

Croissant Donut

Maple Bacon Donut

Donut King
2919 Kapiolani Blvd

Ste 201A, Honolulu, HI 96826

Visit California: Napa Valley Rydables

noreply@blogger.com (nadiablogs) — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 06:50:38 +0000

Looking for something out of the ordinary while in Napa Valley? Then, Napa Valley Rydables may just be the fun you are looking for! The company offers a variety of guided tours through downtown Napa. The cute furry Rydables or electric scooters are ADA compliant and can hold up to 350 pounds.

Our group of six went on the 6:30pm After Hours tour. After signing waivers and choosing our Rydables, we had a safety brief before we were off on our one-hour adventure. Operating the Rydable was simple and a lot of fun with the group. We even stopped at a cute bar for some drinks and pictures. Although perfect for birthday and group celebrations, Rydables are also a family friendly experience. Read more about their FAQs here!

Fun time in downtown Napa!

Solight Design MEGAPUFF Review + Discount

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 19:22:27 +0000

2026 has been devastating to the islands in terms of storms. First it was the Kona Lows, then hurricane Lala, and most recently hurricane Lowell, and one of the biggest lessons learned is that alternate sources of power are critical. Whether through batteries or solar, we need to find ways to be less dependent on the grid.

I was fortunate to receive Solight Design's MEGAPUFF™ Solar Lantern & Phone Charger - Power Bank to review, which provides a source of light as well as power to charge devices, such as your phone.

It's very easy to operate, and the fact that it can be recharged via solar is a huge plus.

Many of us rely on our phones to communicate and get information, and I think the MEGAPUFF's ability to charge your phone can really come in handy during extended power outages.

Watch the video below for the full review.

You still have time to take advantage of a 20% discount with code LIGHTAFTERLALA2026 (expires September 21, 2026).

I really liked the usefulness of the MEGAPUFF - I ended up buying some to gift (stay tuned for a giveaway!).

Koko Head Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Brunch Koko Head Cafe is always a great idea.

I have so many faves there, and one of them is the Chicky & Eggs. The tempura-fried chicken is complemented by silky French-style scrambled eggs, and the maple Tabasco gives a nice sweet, spicy, and acidic kick that pulls everything together.

Of course we had to get dumplings, and the Garlic Butter Shrimp Dumplings did not disappoint.

The Local Breakfast Plate allows you to choose from a number of options, like Egg Whites, Bacon, a Side Salad, and The Best Hash Brown Ever, which I got to try (I've had my share of hash browns, and it really was the best I've ever tried).

We had a nice brunch, and service was great!

Koko Head Cafe

1120 12th Ave #100

Honolulu, HI 96816

Moonga Asian Bistro

noreply@blogger.com (Nat) — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

With the boys away at camp, we finally had a chance for a little date night! Moonga Asian Bistro in Kaneohe has been on our radar for a while, so we figured it was the perfect opportunity to finally give it a try.

Moonga is a relatively new addition to the Windward side, having opened in 2024. It's an Asian bistro with a menu that covers a LOT of ground—Chinese, Thai and Japanese dishes, along with sushi, sashimi and vegetarian options.

We decided to keep things simple and ordered the Pad Thai, Tempura Appetizer and Chirashi. For dessert, we couldn't resist trying the Tempura Ice Cream.

The food was not bad, and I think the biggest appeal of Moonga is the variety. If you're dining with someone who wants Thai while you're craving sushi—or you're with a group where everyone has a different preference—there are plenty of options to choose from.

I also really liked the atmosphere. It's comfortable and relaxed, making it a nice spot for a casual dinner or date night.

I wouldn't consider this a destination restaurant. But if you're in Kaneohe and looking for a comfortable restaurant with a huge variety of Asian dishes, check out Moonga.

MOONGA ASIAN BISTRO

46-018 KAMEHAMEHA HIGHWAY

KANEOHE

808-367-0697

Visit Alaska: Eklutna Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

If you're visiting Anchorage, I highly recommend a stop at Eklutna Lake, which is just about an hour away by car.

It was absolutely breathtaking (my youngest said it's one of the most amazing places he's ever been to).

There is a self-pay parking station where you pay a fee to park. It's just $5 - don't be like that guy who said "I don't need to pay, I'll only be here for 5 minutes." He ended up staying for at least 20, but even if it was just for 5 minutes, pay the fee. There is a reason behind the fee - maintenance of facilities, trails, etc. Entitled people, especially entitled tourists, is why opportunities get taken away.

But I digress . . .

It was overcast the day we went, so we didn't get to see much of the turquoise waters, but it was still stunning. The glacier flour / mud can get pretty unstable - one of my shoes sunk in pretty deep, and we all had a lot of mud to scrape off our shoes before getting back into our rental car.

You can take the scenic drive along the lake, go on hikes, camp, and even canoe and fish on the lake.

You have to see it in person. It is absolutely breathtaking.

Sushi Izakaya Gaku

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

It was my first time at Sushi Izakaya Gaku, and we had a feast! I didn't realize we ordered so much — the food kept coming! I had so many faves — the croquettes, karaage, kakuni, shumai, tofu . . . and the cheesecake was amazing!

Two of the three of us don't eat a lot of raw fish, but we all enjoyed the Torotaku.

Yudetate Irodori Onyasai

Tofu & Mochi Agedashi

Homemade Shumai

Chawanmushi

Yuzu Daikon Hakusai

New Zealand Spinach & Shimeji Mushroom Ohitashi

Dashimaki Tamago

Torotaku

Tori Karaage

Jaga Butter Mentaiko

Gaku's T.N.T.

Seared Braised Pork Belly Kakuni

Creamy Crab & Pumpkin Croquettes

Yuzu Cheesecake & Vanilla Ice Cream

Warabi Mochi & Matcha Ice Cream

Sushi Izakaya Gaku
1329 S King St

Honolulu, HI 96814

Dough Boi

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Thank you to Nadia for delivering Dough Boi!

Each container includes 10 balls of dough that you can pop into the oven straight from the fridge or freezer.

It's perfect to have on hand for last minute guests or when the cookie cravings strike (and it strikes often in my house).

Check out @doughboi_hi on IG for how to order and to see what flavors are available!

Grandma G's Ono Grindz

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

I was so happy to see Grandma G's Ono Grindz back at Miliani Farmers Market (I hope they keep returning!).

I'm a fan of their Fried Rice Breakfast Plates! You can get it with SPAM, smokies, or Portuguese sausage.

Fried Rice with Eggs + Smokies

Their ahi plates are also very popular.

Furikake Ahi

Panko Crusted Ahi

Follow @grandmagsonogrindz to find out where they'll be!

Seven Brothers - Kahuku Sugar Mill

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

We've gone to Seven Brothers in Haleiwa and Laie multiple times, but for the first time, we went to the Kahuku Sugar Mill location.

Since I don't eat burgers, I got my usual Keiki Grilled Cheese (which comes with fries).

Keiki Grilled Cheese

I always have to get the Crazy Fries, which are topped with caramelized onions, cheese, and their house sauce.

Crazy Fries

Seth's Seven Brothers Cheeseburger

Seek's Deep Blue

The Seek's was topped with bacon, Swiss, bleu cheese, ranch, BBQ sauce, and house sauce.

Shem

The Shem consisted of guac, bacon, American cheese, and the house sauce.

The fam loves the burgers.

Service was amazing!

Seven Brothers Kahuku Sugar Mill
56-565 Kamehameha Hwy

Kahuku, HI 96731

Fun Station

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 15:29:03 +0000

We were near Market City Shopping Center, so we decided to get take-out at Fun Station (known for their Flying Noodles).

We get didn't Flying Noodles, but everything we did get was delish — my fave was the Mapo Tofu Chow Fun!

Mapo Tofu Chow Fun

It was just loaded with tofu.

Fried Gyoza*

The Gyoza was perfectly crispy!

Broccoli Beef*

The beef was really tender, and everything was seasoned well.

Beef Brisket Tendon Mixed Noodle

In fact, all the dishes were seasoned well. We all kept going for seconds.

Signature Fried Rice

Fun Station turned out to be a great impromptu spot for take-out!

Pork Belly & Minced Pork Rice

Fun Station
2919 Kapiolani Blvd

Honolulu, HI 96826

Okata Bento

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

For years I've seen @parkrat's posts on Okata Bento, and I finally made it to this Kaimuki mainstay.

I put in my order for 5 plates, and the woman behind me had 5 items too, so you may have to be prepared to wait, because foods are cooked to order and it's a one-man show (a man who arrived after us ended up having to leave).

The food was tasty, and prices are very reasonable! The bentos come with rice, mahi, luncheon meat, eggrolls, takuan, fishcake, and cabbage.

Chicken Katsu + Chicken Teriyaki Bento

Char Siu Chicken Bento

Gyudon

Cash only!

Okata Bento
3616 Waialae Ave

Honolulu, HI 96816

Trash from the Past Collectors Cottage

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Stepping into Trash from the Past Collectors Cottage was such a treat.

(I found out about them thanks to @imjessburner's post).

It was a walk down memory lane that got me reminiscing about different people, places, and moments in my life.

We talked story with one of the owners (a fellow PC grad), and learned how they converted a house to become a home to an impressive collection of memorabilia, antiques, vintage clothing, old books, and more.

Every time I went into a room, I walked out with more stuff to buy.

Just perusing the items was a lot of fun too — it was like being in a museum.

Go check them out and see what kinds of treasures you'll find!

Trash from the Past Collectors Cottage
43A South Kamehameha Hwy
Wahiawa, HI 96786

Big Island Candies' New Autumn-Inspired Shortbread

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 20:22:42 +0000

Photo courtesy Big Island Candies

Hawai`i-based confectioner Big Island Candies is launching two new, autumn-inspired creations: the Apple Shortbread and the White Dipped Caramel Apple Shortbread. Both will be introduced on Friday, September 4. The cookies will be packaged together as a limited-edition 19-piece combo until the end of December, or while supplies last. These apple-inspired confections will debut ahead of Big Island Candies’ other holiday favorites, offering an early taste of the season.

The new Apple Shortbread delivers a distinctly fall flavor, balancing sweet and tart apple notes, complemented by a whisper of cinnamon. The caramel white dipped version augments the fruit flavor of the cookie with gooey, creamy textures. The 9-ounce Apple Shortbread Assorted Combo will feature ten Apple Shortbreads and nine White Dipped Caramel Apple Shortbreads. The combo box retails for $24.25 at the Ala Moana Center store and $23.00 online, via mail order, and at the Hilo Flagship Store and Factory.

“There’s something about this time of the year when apple, caramel, even something deliciously creamy, just go well together,” says Sherrie Holi, President and Chief Operating Officer at Big Island Candies. “As our customers look ahead to spending time together with family and friends, we hope these flavors will add even more comfort and joy to the season.”

Big Island Candies operates two retail locations in Hawai`i: its Hilo Flagship Store and Factory at 585 Hinano Street, and its Honolulu store on the street level of Ala Moana Center at 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., near the Center Court. For store hours, please call the Hilo flagship store and factory at (808) 935-8890 or the Ala Moana store at (808) 946-9213. To get the latest updates on Big Island Candies, follow @bigislandcandies on Instagram and Facebook or visit the website at www.bigislandcandies.com.

Petite Sweets

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

During our Wahiawa crawl we came upon Petite Sweets, and of course I had to check it out.

Petite Sweets started out doing pop-ups and markets, and last year they opened up their own shop.

I love learning about the stories of people who pursue their passions and put in the effort to make their dreams come true.

It's no surprise that I left with Chantilly Brownies, because I love chantilly!

Petite Sweets
43 S Kamehameha Hwy
Wahiawa, HI 96786

Tango Contemporary Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

I haven't been to Tango Contemporary Cafe in years (13 years to be exact), so I was eager to go for brunch with @livinghilostyle aka the Titanium Queen aka "the First Lady of Hilo."

Salmon and Bagel

Braised Beef Loco Moco

Brunch was great! I had the Loco Moco - the beef was so tender, and I loved the jus instead of the typical gravy.

Service was great too. I need to visit Tango more often!

Tango Contemporary Cafe

1288 Ala Moana Blvd

Honolulu, HI 96814

(808) 593-7288

Visit Alaska: Begich, Boggs Visitor Center

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Because the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel allows you to travel through only during specific times, we had some time to kill before we waited in line, so we went to the nearby Begich, Boggs Visitor Center.

We often stop at Visitor Centers while we travel on long road trips just to use the restroom and see if there are any magnets or keychains we can buy for our collection. We also like to see if there are any cool exhibits, and the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center had many cool things to see - it's one of the the biggest and nicest Visitor Centers we've visited yet!

There were so many exhibits, interactive stations, and even a theater!

It was like a mini museum!

I highly recommend a stop if you're in the area. We learned a lot in the short time we were there!

Begich, Boggs Visitor Center
Portage Lake Loop

Girdwood, AK 99587

Tonkatsu Izakaya Atmark

noreply@blogger.com (Nat) — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

My first visit to Tonkatsu Izakaya Atmark was a birthday treat from my sister-in-law, who chose the restaurant for a special night out. There were seven of us, and we were excited to see what this popular little spot was all about.

When we arrived, the restaurant was completely full. It’s a very small and lively space, so it can get pretty loud.

The menu can be a little overwhelming at first because there are so many choices—from izakaya-style dishes and à la carte items to teishoku-style meals. With seven people, we decided to order an assortment so we could try a little bit of everything.

Everything we ordered was excellent, both in presentation and taste. It was fun being able to sample so many different dishes

One thing I highly recommend adding is the curry sauce. It's available as an add-on, and it's delicious.

And don't skip dessert. The honey toast was a yummy way to end our meal.

Good to Know Before You Go

Reservations are a must. The restaurant is very small and popular, so I wouldn't recommend showing up without one.

Parking can be tricky. There is a small parking lot shared with several other restaurants, and it fills up quickly. Be prepared with a backup plan in case there isn't a parking spot available when you arrive.

Don't forget the curry sauce!

And if you have room for dessert, get the honey toast!

TONKATSU IZAKAYA ATMARK

1232 WAIMANU STREET

HONOLULU, HI

808-736-0034

Golden Pork Tonkotsu Ramen Bar

noreply@blogger.com (Nat) — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

I've been to Golden Pork Tonkotsu Ramen Bar numerous times with friends, but this was my first visit with the boys. Now that they're getting older, I was excited to finally bring them along—and I had a feeling at least one of them would be a fan of the tsukemen.

I was right!

One of the boys ordered the tsukemen, as did me and my husband. He absolutely loved it and even said it reminded him of the tsukemen we had in Japan.

My other son was feeling a little noodled-out, so he skipped the ramen and ordered the chicken karaage instead. We also shared the gyoza and agedashi tofu, giving us a nice variety for the table.

For the four of us, the meal came out to about $100. Definitely more than what we'd pay for a similar meal in Japan, but since we're not in Japan...this will do!

One other thing I noticed during our visit was how much takeout was going out the door. We saw quite a few customers picking up orders, along with delivery drivers coming in and out. So if you don't feel like dining in, takeout seems to be a popular option too.

GOLDEN PORK TONKOTSU RAMEN BAR

1279 SOUTH KING STREET

808-888-5358

Review: LuminAID PackLite Survivor 3-in-1 Power Lanterns

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 19:29:03 +0000

Disclosure: Links are Amazon associate links.

After the Kona Lows, I bought two LuminAID PackLite Survivor 3-in-1 Power Lanterns. I bought the lantern primarily as an emergency power bank, since it can be charged via solar.

The LuminAID is compact and portable, and has a flashlight mode, as well as a red light mode and white light mode. Each light color has different brightness settings and can also flash.

As a power bank, you can charge up to two devices at a time (phone charging cables not included)

Charging any device will deplete the LuminAID battery quickly, and if the LuminAID battery falls below 50% (based on the green battery power indicator), the phones will stop charging (the lantern feature will still work, however).

Charging the unit via solar once the battery runs out can take up to 24 hours, depending on weather conditions.

The included Micro USB allows you to charge it via other power sources (AC, laptop, etc.).

As a lantern, the LuminAID works well, but it does have its limitations as a power bank.

I do think it's handy to have on hand for its solar-charging capability, which could be especially useful during extended power outages.

You can purchase on Amazon.com or on the LuminAID website.