Happy September gang! Errryone having a great 3rd quarter thus far? I hope so!

We hit triple digits in comments again with 157 last week! Very Coolio!

And… in case 497 times wasn’t enough… I’ll mention again that we’re still on our Rice theme (for these next two WIH Wednesdays) in honor of… what else?:

Muhahahaha!

Since I’m feelin’ extra “ricey” today… you get two bonus shots to make you that much hungrier. Apologies! Hehe!

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – September 1, 2010

Points for Photo #2…
* Location?: 1 point
* General area?: 1/2 point
* Nearby road(s): 1/2 point each
* Month photo was taken?: 1/2 point
* Day of the month photo was taken?: 1/2 point
* Year photo was taken?: 1/2 point
* Exact time photo was taken?: 2 points
* Google Street View Link?: 1 point

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – September 1, 2010

Points for Photo #3…
(Hint: it’s my featured article this month for AroundHawaii.com. Because it’s so easy, each point for photo 3 must be earned by a different person… Yeah, I know… it’s my little way of making more of you read my article. Sneaky buggah yeah? )
* Location?: 1 point
* General area?: 1 point
* Name of dish?: 1 point
* Price of dish?: 1 point
* Nearby roads: 1 point each
* Google Street View Link?: 1 point

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – September 1, 2010

Hint: Ho`omau kaukau.

Da “Where In Hawaii” Winnahz Circle (Round 2)!

• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 25, 2010: masako – 2 points (Location: Michinoku & Little Village), rayboyjr & masako – 1/2 point each (Area: Kapiolani & Chinatown), rayboyjr & masako – 1/2 point each (Street: Kapiolani Blvd & Smith Street), masako – 1 point (Month: July & December), masako – 1/2 point (Day: 19th), masako – 1 point (Year: 2010 & 2004), masako – 2 points (Google Street View Links here and here)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 11, 2010: masako – 1 point (Location: Senor Frogs), masako – 1/2 point (Area: Waikiki), masako – 1/2 point each (Streets: Kalakaua, Lewers), masako – 1/2 point (Month: September), masako – 1/2 point (Day: 20), masako – 1/2 point (Year: 2007), masako – 1 point (Google Street View Link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 4, 2010: Paco – 1/2 point (Area: Waikiki), Alman68 – 1/2 point (Month: November), Alman68 – 1/2 point (Year: 2007)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 28, 2010: Takeshi – 1/2 point each (Streets: Kapiolani, South, South King), Takeshi – 1/2 point (Closest Bar: TJ’s), Takeshi – 1/2 point (Closest Restaurant: Kabuki), Takeshi – 1 point (Google Street View Link), che – 1 point (Building: Bank of Hawaii), che – 1/2 point (Area: Downtown), che – 1/2 point (Year: 2010), Paco – 1 point (Google Street View Link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 21, 2010: Takeshi – 1 point (Place: Seagull School), Takeshi & Paco – 1/2 point (Areas: Downtown & Kalihi), Takeshi – 1 point (How many: 3 statues), Paco – 1 point (Creative Graffiti: WWE Wuz Hea!) che – 1/2 point (Month: March), tweetpeep22 & AlMan68 – 1/2 point (Year: 2010), Takeshi – 1 point (Google Street View Link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 14, 2010: kickerbear – 1 point (Place: I Love Country Cafe), kickerbear – 1/2 point (Area: Ala Moana), kickerbear – 1 point (Dish: Furikake Mahi), kickerbear, Paco, Alman68 – 1/2 point (Favorite dishes), AlMan68 – 1/2 point (Month: September), che – 1/2 point (Day: 7th), AlMan68 – 1/2 point (Year: 2007), Takeshi – 1 point (Google Street View Link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 7, 2010: Takeshi – 1 point (Park: Kailua District Park), AlMan68 – 1/2 point (Area: Kailua), Takeshi – 1 point (My position: Shortstop), AlMan68 – 2 points (Blue Player & Position: Mike, 3B), Takeshi – 1 point (Month: August), masako – 1/2 point (Day: 12), Takeshi – 1/2 point (Year: 2007), Takeshi – 1 point (Google Street View Link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 30, 2010: bB – 2 points (Dish: Ha Gau), pink lady – 1 point (Name: Happy Day), pink lady – 1/2 point (Area: Kaimuki), masako – 1/2 point (Month: July), masako – 1/2 point (Day: 29), masako – 1/2 point (Year: 2007), pink lady – 1 point (Google Street View Link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 23, 2010: Masako – 1 point (Name: Zippy’s), Masako – 1/2 point (Area: McCully), Takeshi – 1 point (Google Street View Link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 16, 2010: Masako – 1 point (Name: Diamond Head (Trail Hike)), Masako – 1/2 point (Area: Diamond Head), Takeshi – 2 points (What it said: Elev. 703.556), Takeshi – 2 points (Who I went with: Wifey and Second Cousin Teppei), Masako – 1 point (Why: Touring/Hiking), Takeshi – 1 point (Google Street View Link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 9, 2010: 9th Island Cuz – 1 point (Name: Pali Lookout), bB – 1/2 point (Area: Pali), Takeshi – 1 point (Year: 2010), Takeshi – 1 point (Month: May), Masako – 1 point (Why: Testing Road Runner Mobile), rayboyjr – 1 point (Google Street View Link)

* Wanna see the results from round 1? It’s all right here!

Da Leadahboard (Round 2)!

• 20.5 – Takeshi
• 17.5 – masako
• 05.5 – AlMan68
• 03.5 – Paco
• 03.0 – che, kickerbear
• 02.5 – pink lady, bB
• 02.0 – rayboyjr
• 01.0 – 9th Island Cuz
• 00.5 – tweetpeep22

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Eh, no fo-get yeah? Be sure to read my latest article titled “Opal Thai Food Wagon – Haleiwa’s Hidden Gem“… Especially if you want easy points for photo #3 above!

Opal Thai Food Wagon – Haleiwa’s Hidden Gem

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- Ed

1st Annual Hawaii Rice Fest
Waterfront at Aloha Tower Marketplace
September 11, 2010 @ 12pm-8pm
For more Info: RiceFest.com / Twitter / Facebook
To RSVP: Twtvite / Facebook Event

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Have a happy VH07V Wednesday y’all! Don’t forget to post your guesses below!

When wifey and I spontaneously decided to have date night out in Haleiwa the other night, I did what any unassuming young American would do: I checked out Yelp one fast one. At the top of the list was this curious place called Opal Thai Food. Curious because 1) it was a wagon and 2) it was a wagon that didn’t serve your banal Haleiwa shrimp. What are the chances?

No offense to you non-locals, but my strategy when it comes to review sites like Yelp is to give higher precedence to da kama`aina. We’re usually quite honest about our eateries and tend not to get caught up in the hype of a place. After that, like most, I take into consideration the rating level and the number of reviewers rating it. Opal Thai Food had a winning combination of all: great reviews from us locals, high ratings (4.5 out of 5), and a high review count (currently at 75).

Done. We were off to visit our north shore neighbors for some curious Thai food for din-din.

Opal Thai Food Wagon in Haleiwa

Ed’s Tip: If you Google their listed address, it’ll actually show that they’re somewhere near Matsumoto’s Shave Ice. The Opal Wagon is actually more in the beginning of Haleiwa (coming in from the south), across the street from McDonald’s, where some of the other shrimp wagons are.

We started with their Spicy Glaze Garlic Chicken Wings (with deep fried basil) appetizer.

Woah.

Talk about nom-nom-licious!

Spicy Glaze Garlic Chicken Wings (with deep fried basil) – $7.95

I’m not even a basil fan, and I loved the way the flavor of the deep-fried basil matched up nicely with their sweet, semi-spicy glaze. This is a MUST TRY!

Next up, we ordered our two go-to Thai dishes: Shrimp Pad Thai and Yellow Chicken Curry, with a side order or Sticky Rice.

Shrimp Pad Thai Noodle – $8.75

Yellow Chicken Curry – $8.25, with a side Order of Sticky Rice – $1.75

Like what some of the Yelp reviewers wrote, the wagon’s proprietor Opal was very friendly. He brought over a tub of a dry chili flake mixture and suggested that we add it to our Pad Thai. Later, he came over and poured the cucumber/onion namasu looking side dish (see above photo) into our curry and said that it’ll enhance the flavor. It did.

Opal seems to have a pay-after-you-eat methodology, much like sit down restaurants. We felt a little guilty digging in without paying for anything, but we just went with it. I’m convinced that he does this so that he can speak to each customer as to how they enjoyed their meal.

If you’re a big eater, you would probably think that the portions are on the small side. We did come near the end of the night (they close at 6pm with last call at 5:30pm) though so that may’ve possibly had something to do with it.

Ed’s Tip: Since you’re pretty much “roughing it” and dining on their outdoor tables, you may experience some annoyances from your friendly neighborhood fly or 6. You may consider asking for a take-out plate so you can close/cover things as you eat or take it with you if da little buggahs get to be a little much for you.

Overall a great find that we will definitely return to for future date nights.

Our Yellow Chicken Curry, Shrimp Pad Thai and Spicy Glaze Garlic Chicken Wings in front of the Opal Thai Food Wagon

Ed’s Tip: BTW, bring your Road Runner Mobile connection because it works here as well!

Opal Thai Food Wagon
66-460 Kamehameha Hwy
Haleiwa, HI 96712 (map)
(808) 381-8091
Hours: Wed-Sun 11am-6pm (last call at 5:30pm)

Don’t forget… THIS month…

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Diamond G Rice presents the 1st Annual Hawaii Rice Festival
Waterfront at Aloha Tower Marketplace
September 11, 2010 from 12PM-8PM
For more info:
Ricefest.com / Twitter / Facebook
To RSVP:
Twtvite / Facebook Event
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Growing up with a mama with mad cooking skillz (and no written recipes), I was never really exposed to recipes and the art of putting them together. Now that I’m a bit older, I have a strange desire to be like Mike her and learn how to cook with my eyes closed.

But since I gotsta start somewhere, I’ve been going with tried and true recipes and then adding my own little touches to them. I think I’ve done a-ight with my own takes on Jambalaya, Furikake Salmon and my famous (in my own mind) homemade poke…

My Homemade Poke

… but I’m still in my cooking infancy. Let’s use this forum to share some of our favorite recipes with each other so we can all become better cooks together… or at least try! Hehe!

So we got the well-known, local miso chicken marinade recipe right? (1 cup miso, 1 cup shoyu, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup beer!). That’s always an easy/quick one.

And then we got the secret ones: Aunty Eunice’s Broccoli Salad, Johnny Mac’s Sriracha Flap Meat Marinade, RRRRich B’s wifey’s Peanut Butter Brownies, and Mama’s Recipe for a Happy Marriage… (Sorry, even if I may know some of them, I’ve been sworn to secrecy and will get murdered if I divulge anything, so please don’t make me tell you. LOL!)

But here’s one that turned out to be a pleasant surprise. We actually found this one on the back of a Chex cereal box and decided to try it. BRAH! Broke da mout’! Fo’ real! She go! No joke! (And I’m not really a sweets person…)

Chex Muddy Buddies
Prep Time:15 min
Start to Finish:15 min
Makes:18 servings (1/2 cup each)

Ingredients:
9 cups Rice Chex®, Corn Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combination)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Preparation Directions:

1. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Substitution: Peanut butter and chocolate are a favorite flavor combo, but peanut butter lovers can substitute peanut butter chips for the chocolate chips to intensify that flavor.

Chance um and let me know how it goes.

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No fo-get! Help a brutha out. Share your favorite recipe in the comment area below k? And Cup-O-Noodle no count yeah!

Shooooooooooooooots! Happy Monday y’all!

=============================================================

- Ed

1st Annual Hawaii Rice Fest
Waterfront at Aloha Tower Marketplace
September 11, 2010 @ 12pm-8pm
For more Info: RiceFest.com / Twitter / Facebook
To RSVP: Twtvite / Facebook Event

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Wow, did I really forget to post a WIH blog last week Wednesday??? I can’t believe it! I just checked my date sequences and noticed that it skipped a week. Sheesh, I must *really* be out of it.

Sorry about that gang.

To make up for it, I’m posting two for y’all this week! Like before, they will be Rice-themed in honor of the wonderful:

Hehe!

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – August 25, 2010

Points for…
* Location?: 1 point
* General area?: 1/2 point
* Nearby roads: 1/2 point each
* Month photo was taken?: 1/2 point
* Day of the month photo was taken?: 1/2 point
* Year photo was taken?: 1/2 point
* Exact time photo was taken?: 2 points
* Google Street View Link?: 1 point

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – August 25, 2010

Hint: Big Street. The first photo is actually from my forthcoming article for AroundHawaii (to be published on September 1st), as if that helps any.

Da “Where In Hawaii” Winnahz Circle (Round 2)!

• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 11, 2010: masako – 1 point (Location: Senor Frogs), masako – 1/2 point (Area: Waikiki), masako – 1/2 point each (Streets: Kalakaua, Lewers), masako – 1/2 point (Month: September), masako – 1/2 point (Day: 20), masako – 1/2 point (Year: 2007), masako – 1 point (Google Street View Link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 4, 2010: Paco – 1/2 point (Area: Waikiki), Alman68 – 1/2 point (Month: November), Alman68 – 1/2 point (Year: 2007)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 28, 2010: Takeshi – 1/2 point each (Streets: Kapiolani, South, South King), Takeshi – 1/2 point (Closest Bar: TJ’s), Takeshi – 1/2 point (Closest Restaurant: Kabuki), Takeshi – 1 point (Google Street View Link), che – 1 point (Building: Bank of Hawaii), che – 1/2 point (Area: Downtown), che – 1/2 point (Year: 2010), Paco – 1 point (Google Street View Link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 21, 2010: Takeshi – 1 point (Place: Seagull School), Takeshi & Paco – 1/2 point (Areas: Downtown & Kalihi), Takeshi – 1 point (How many: 3 statues), Paco – 1 point (Creative Graffiti: WWE Wuz Hea!) che – 1/2 point (Month: March), tweetpeep22 & AlMan68 – 1/2 point (Year: 2010), Takeshi – 1 point (Google Street View Link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 14, 2010: kickerbear – 1 point (Place: I Love Country Cafe), kickerbear – 1/2 point (Area: Ala Moana), kickerbear – 1 point (Dish: Furikake Mahi), kickerbear, Paco, Alman68 – 1/2 point (Favorite dishes), AlMan68 – 1/2 point (Month: September), che – 1/2 point (Day: 7th), AlMan68 – 1/2 point (Year: 2007), Takeshi – 1 point (Google Street View Link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 7, 2010: Takeshi – 1 point (Park: Kailua District Park), AlMan68 – 1/2 point (Area: Kailua), Takeshi – 1 point (My position: Shortstop), AlMan68 – 2 points (Blue Player & Position: Mike, 3B), Takeshi – 1 point (Month: August), masako – 1/2 point (Day: 12), Takeshi – 1/2 point (Year: 2007), Takeshi – 1 point (Google Street View Link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 30, 2010: bB – 2 points (Dish: Ha Gau), pink lady – 1 point (Name: Happy Day), pink lady – 1/2 point (Area: Kaimuki), masako – 1/2 point (Month: July), masako – 1/2 point (Day: 29), masako – 1/2 point (Year: 2007), pink lady – 1 point (Google Street View Link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 23, 2010: Masako – 1 point (Name: Zippy’s), Masako – 1/2 point (Area: McCully), Takeshi – 1 point (Google Street View Link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 16, 2010: Masako – 1 point (Name: Diamond Head (Trail Hike)), Masako – 1/2 point (Area: Diamond Head), Takeshi – 2 points (What it said: Elev. 703.556), Takeshi – 2 points (Who I went with: Wifey and Second Cousin Teppei), Masako – 1 point (Why: Touring/Hiking), Takeshi – 1 point (Google Street View Link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 9, 2010: 9th Island Cuz – 1 point (Name: Pali Lookout), bB – 1/2 point (Area: Pali), Takeshi – 1 point (Year: 2010), Takeshi – 1 point (Month: May), Masako – 1 point (Why: Testing Road Runner Mobile), rayboyjr – 1 point (Google Street View Link)

* Wanna see the results from round 1? It’s all right here!

Da Leadahboard (Round 2)!

• 20.5 – Takeshi
• 12.0 – masako
• 05.5 – AlMan68
• 03.5 – Paco
• 03.0 – che, kickerbear
• 02.5 – pink lady, bB
• 01.0 – 9th Island Cuz, rayboyjr
• 00.5 – tweetpeep22

=================================================

- Ed

1st Annual Hawaii Rice Fest
Waterfront at Aloha Tower Marketplace
September 11, 2010 @ 12pm-8pm
For more Info: RiceFest.com / Twitter / Facebook
To RSVP: Twtvite / Facebook Event

=================================================

Have a happy VH07V Wednesday y’all! Don’t forget to post your guesses below!

So the other week, my beloved blunt friend Todd tells me that my blog is boring these days and that I needed to spice things up. He misses how I used to post every day.

Granted posting Where In Hawaii every Wednesday has become somewhat repetitious, I had to remind him that to post that one blog a week, I still had to:

1) take the photo
2) edit the photo
3) collect and calculate the stats from the week before
4) write the blog
5) read each and every comment
6) reply to each and every comment
7) rinse and repeat

Oh, and did I mention that I wasn’t getting paid a penny for this, and that my new position at work (my real job) is owning me?

I wasn’t complaining really. I actually agreed that I should be blogging more, but I just had to let my friend know the dealio, real quick-like.

So here I be. Attempting to keep y’all troops entertained. With Cat’s shocking announcement last week, it looks like there are less and less of us bloggers doing so dese days das why! :\

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What Ever Happened To…?
So in honor of Todd, who is single btw (*grin*), let’s do a “What Ever Happened To…” blog today about meeting people/places. The idea behind “What Ever Happened To…” is to let us take a trip down memory lane and take a look back at how things were back in the day. If this goes well, we can continue it with different topics. Today’s topic: Meeting People/Meeting Places.

When I was growing up, cruising Waiks was where it was at. We would go round and round and round on Kuhio Ave – for hours on end – in the hopes of talking to those hotties in da Honda. Some of my old older co-workers used to talk about this thing called socials where clubs/groups from one high school would go out with clubs/groups from another high school. I have no idea what that is, but the concept sounds ingenious! LOL! Anyway, in the comment area below, feel free to post your favorite place to meet people. Maybe even share the story of how/where you met your wife/husband/bf/gf? Lord knows, Todd needs the help. Ahahaha!

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Are You Ready for Some (Fantasy) Football!?
On a side note, we’re starting up the WWE Fantasy Football League again. If you’re interested in playing with us, post your interest in the comment area below and I’ll send you the invite. Last year’s rankings:

1) kuya.d
2) BananaFysh
3) mypassionbucketisfull
4) Coconut Willy
5) che
6) bB
7) WWE
8 ) NeedaHobby
9) soogs
10) Stickit

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Shooooooooooooooots! Happy Monday y’all!

=============================================================

- Ed

1st Annual Hawaii Rice Fest
Waterfront at Aloha Tower Marketplace
September 11, 2010 @ 12pm-8pm
For more Info: RiceFest.com / Twitter / Facebook
To RSVP: Twtvite / Facebook Event

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