Lama pa'ipa'i on the Lanai – an Aulani TR -Aloha and Mahalo Aulani! Link to PTR 11/5

[MEK]

Jeff and I were in San Fran all weekend to watch the America's Cup and between that and work, I am behind! Hope to get caught up soon and that everyone had a lovely weekend

That sounds like so much fun! Hope it was. Better than what I was doing this weekend and that would be working.

 

[eandesmom]

That sounds like so much fun! Hope it was. Better than what I was doing this weekend and that would be working.

Oh I worked on the plane on the way there, on the plane on the way back, last night...a few phone calls from my FIL's Friday afternoon...so I'm paying for it. Slammed like crazy. Leave again tomorrow on another work trip. No wifi outbound though so I should be able to do photo editing and write a few updates. LOL!

But it was an absolute blast!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Just popping in to say that you and Jeff are clearly very hip. Monkeypod gets mad props in the October issue of Saveur magazine as being on the cutting edge of Hawaii "pau hana" (aka happy hour; literally means "to stop work" in Hawaii pidgin). I think this is my new catch phrase.

The magazine provides a recipe for the Ho'opono Potion, a mix of tequila, Aperol, cucumber and fresh lime juice.... may have to try it. Research and all.

Anyway, as I'm reading the article all I could think of was how much you guys had enjoyed it there.

 

[eandesmom]

Just popping in to say that you and Jeff are clearly very hip. Monkeypod gets mad props in the October issue of Saveur magazine as being on the cutting edge of Hawaii "pau hana" (aka happy hour; literally means "to stop work" in Hawaii pidgin). I think this is my new catch phrase.

The magazine provides a recipe for the Ho'opono Potion, a mix of tequila, Aperol, cucumber and fresh lime juice.... may have to try it. Research and all.

Anyway, as I'm reading the article all I could think of was how much you guys had enjoyed it there.

Oooh let me know, that sounds yummy!

I have to say....after last night...food wise, monkeypod has a rival! I'm actually in Hawaii now for work, and one does have to eat. In the name of research and all lol. Slightly lessens the pain of being so close yet so very far from Aulani.

 

[englishrose47]

Oh what a tough Job being in Hawaii ! Oh wait a minute all my trips are sorta work !!!!

 

[eandesmom]

Oh what a tough Job being in Hawaii ! Oh wait a minute all my trips are sorta work !!!!

Well...,you should see my feet! I will spare you all the pictures but lets just say 9 miles of walking yesterday, much of it in work pumps, new ones too boot...well, it's not pretty. But...compared to the hassle and cost of renting a car, dealing with traffic, parking and a bazillion one way streets...no real regrets. They will heal. That said the financial and business district of Honolulu really is like any other..sketchy parts and all and surprisingly in the actual business part of downtown, not at all full of cabs.

 

[eandesmom]

Hi all! Live from Waikiki! I may get an actual sunset tonight if I can keep the phone alive. I tried to do a live update last night but between photobucket issues and suddenly slow wifi, I went to bed instead. It's been an insane 2 day work trip, I fly back tomorrow but I will likely so a mini delayed live update either tonight or Sunday before resuming our regularly scheduled report.

 

[jedijill]

How did I miss you had to go to Hawaii for work? I wish I could go to HI instead of NJ for work trips.

Jill in CO

 

[natebenma]

So I am finally caught up on your report and I encounter... a cliff hanger!!!



I MUST know if you get to snorkel at the nature preserve. Snorkeling is one of our favorite vacation pastimes and I am feeling Jeff's frustration.



Wow! Nice job completing the hike on Koko Head. What a lot of work but beautiful payoffs at the top! I loved all of the different gorgeous views. You guys looked great up there.

I know what you mean about the way down being way worse than the ascent. We climbed Coba, a pyramid in Mexico a couple of years ago. The climb up was difficult, but my son was so freaked out about having to go back down that we didn't even stay up at the top- he immediately wanted to get the trip back down completed. When you are facing forward, and seeing the sights, and maneuvering the steep descent, it is very scary! We made our way down on our bottoms.

Looking forward to hearing about your most recent short trip to Hawaii and to hear about the rest of your Day 6!!!

 

[englishrose47]

How did I miss you had to go to Hawaii for work? I wish I could go to HI instead of NJ for work trips.

Jill in CO

I would rather do Hawaii for work than Albany!!!

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Work and life have been crazy busy lately! Just checking in and trying to get caught up a little. Hope you are having a relaxing weekend!

 

[eandesmom]

How did I miss you had to go to Hawaii for work? I wish I could go to HI instead of NJ for work trips.

Jill in CO

Well it was a bit of a last minute thing and it's a very short trip. I landed late weds night and flew back yesterday at 1 so not even 72 hours...

I've been to NJ on work trips and 80% of the time, HI is no different...in office buildings or a banquet room. If lucky the other 20% can be spent sneaking away once the work is done.

So I am finally caught up on your report and I encounter... a cliff hanger!!!



I MUST know if you get to snorkel at the nature preserve. Snorkeling is one of our favorite vacation pastimes and I am feeling Jeff's frustration.

Sorry! I hadn't uploaded the rest of the day to PB! In fact it is uploading now

Wow! Nice job completing the hike on Koko Head. What a lot of work but beautiful payoffs at the top! I loved all of the different gorgeous views. You guys looked great up there.

I know what you mean about the way down being way worse than the ascent. We climbed Coba, a pyramid in Mexico a couple of years ago. The climb up was difficult, but my son was so freaked out about having to go back down that we didn't even stay up at the top- he immediately wanted to get the trip back down completed. When you are facing forward, and seeing the sights, and maneuvering the steep descent, it is very scary! We made our way down on our bottoms.

Exactly!!!!!!! A client was telling me about a few hikes around the crater that sounded like half hike.'..half rock climbing....yikes, no thanks. I think he will be a good resource though for future trips, knows them all that's for sure.

Looking forward to hearing about your most recent short trip to Hawaii and to hear about the rest of your Day 6!!!

I will get to the rest of the day I promise! Before the next work trip on Wednesday. GAH!

I would rather do Hawaii for work than Albany!!!

Albany yes but NYC...I don't know...I'd be a bit torn as I've not been to the Big Apple in far too long.

 

[eandesmom]

Work and life have been crazy busy lately! Just checking in and trying to get caught up a little. Hope you are having a relaxing weekend!

Well most of yesterday we spent in travel back home, trying to get caught up today. Fall is always the craziest time of year. Mostly good crazy though!

 

[Pinkocto]

A rival for Monkeypod, I hope you took pictures

Sad to be in paradise and have to work. Hope you got a little relaxing in

 

[franandaj]

Somehow, I always remember turning my work trips into trips to get in something else, but they were always to such obscure locations that there was always an extra day of driving or flying involved each way because they were always to the Music Educator's Association Conventions. Since Music Educators are always cheap they were always in the far ends of every state or province. Since I did mostly Canadian shows, they were in high school or middle school gyms, so I missed the downtown business districts and shady areas!

Looking forward to Day 6 and any of your work trip you want to share.

 

[eandesmom]

A rival for Monkeypod, I hope you took pictures

I did!

Sad to be in paradise and have to work. Hope you got a little relaxing in

A little I had a nice Friday night.

Somehow, I always remember turning my work trips into trips to get in something else, but they were always to such obscure locations that there was always an extra day of driving or flying involved each way because they were always to the Music Educator's Association Conventions. Since Music Educators are always cheap they were always in the far ends of every state or province. Since I did mostly Canadian shows, they were in high school or middle school gyms, so I missed the downtown business districts and shady areas!

Looking forward to Day 6 and any of your work trip you want to share.

Oh I've been there! I used to work in so many small (er) towns it was hard to turn it into anything. Certain cities though, yes I try! Nice to miss shady areas that's for sure but on the flip side, you end up in chain restaurant heaven with nothing terribly interesting to see.

 

[eandesmom]

Note that this update is called (almost) live from Honolulu. Because it IS! Ok, it was. I had great intentions but photobucket and the wifi at my hotel didn't cooperate.

It is/was not however, live from Aulani. Or live from Waikiki. At least this first update isn't.

I am (was) working.

I swear

I have blisters to prove it

Actually my blisters may have blisters

But since we are on the subject of Hawaii and I did do some things today that may be of small interest to some who plan to visit Aulani and the island of Oahu, and are thanks to others (City food porn and some Hawaii Historical stuff) I thought I would do a live update!

Long story short, I took over this market for my company last spring. While we are looking to grow our presence here, we rarely send marketing over because well…it’s expensive! And...we keep getting told by our local team that "that approach" (whatever they mean by that) doesn't work here. Well the approach that was being used wasn't working all that well. We had a team of 3 plus an admin/marketing, the latter who supports me (in theory). Long story short 1 left to go elsewhere which was a bit of a relief to all (great guy but the numbers were BAD) and we let the admin go last week. Which honestly wouldn't have been that big of a deal except for the fact that the ONE tradeshow event we've been doing for years over here is…tomorrow. I’d been thinking about pushing to attend as well, it’s my job to grow the market and well, until I actually meet with clients and see for myself what’s going on…that's a little hard to do. I was informed that they’d be cutting the person a couple of weeks ago. Not a surprise and a relief to me, bless her heart, she's just not the right person for what we (and I) need. That said she hikes Koko head at least once a week. Yep, she is one of the crazy people that run up and down that thing. But she "couldn't" call clients directly. Like on the phone. To say hi, thanks, how are you.
Hmmmn.

Anyhow...they did let her go, last weds. However no one bothered to confirm that with me! I've since found out the glitch in that as to why I didn't know earlier,l but that's a story for another day and a sad reflection on our IT department. Once I knew it was happening I'd made the case to go (I'd already made it before that actually as the writing was on the wall, we actually expected her to follow the guy that left) so that part wasn't a big deal. The part that was/is was finding out where all the stuff I'd need for the event was (no offense guys but it's like asking you guys…where the good china small bowl for olives is...you aren't even sure what I’m talking about! Or most of you lol) and letting the event folks know I'd be the main contact instead of both of us being there. With the guy leaving, actually a very amiable thing...he's taking his few jobs with him and we will still refer to him as it is a line of business we aren't keeping...I spent the week before my San Fran jaunt buried in transferring things the way I wanted it done. Which was a bit more documented than I think others had in mind but...I'm a big fan of CYA...especially given the nature of our business. That meant I had little time to set up meetings out here. With the dire warnings that you couldn't actually get meetings and call on people "because it’s Hawaii…things are different here" I was a bit concerned. For no reason. Every single client I contacted made time for me. And brought their entire teams. Holy cats, I ended up meeting with almost 40 clients and that doesn't include the actual trade show I came out for. Like an idiot…I decided not to rent a car. I despise driving in rush hour, and downtown. I deliberately chose a hotel within walking distance to our office and to the event and it appeared walkable to all my appointments. I arrived easily enough and took the "speedi shuttle" to the hotel. I had pre-arranged that and have to say, for $12.95 it was pretty darn painless. I landed about 8 and was in my room by 9. Which, to my great dismay turns out to have no room service! GAH. As a solo business traveler I rely on that. All I had eaten that day was a yogurt , a sandwich and some chips. I was starving! So up to the fancy skyline view restaurant I went, sat at the bar, had a glass of wine a caasar salad and a side dish of lobster mac and cheese. I admit. It didn't suck. In fact, one of the best caesar's I'd had in a long time.

A side note on my hotel. If you are aren't staying at Aulani or are maybe considering a split stay and looking for something that is actually fairly centrally located, relatively reasonable (by Honolulu standards) and decent and clean, this fits the bill. It’s about 2 miles each way to Waikiki or to the Financial district or downtown. It is next to the mall if that's your thing and is across from a lovely beach park that makes for a nice run or beach if you don't want the madness that is Waikiki.

At any rate I read a little and crashed I had a busy day that was full of walking ahead.

I just wasn't wearing the right shoes.

BUT they were so stinking cute I got compliments everywhere I went and that’s almost worth it. LOL!

And oddly enough, the financial district and the capitol district area aren't full of cabs (who knew?). Anyway...I hadn't really planned to do an update about this trip but all that walking had me in some new places.

But first, let's talk about the walking. It's a funny thing, I swear I mapped this out before and literally it was like 1.1 miles between appointments. Yet now, when I go back and actually map what I did….it’s 8.04. Add walking back from dinner… 9. 5

Which in "work shoes" as comfy as they are…and as cute as they are..



Is not the best idea. To be fair, 4 miles of it were not in said work shoes.
Now granted. I had some side trips, some by choice, some by opportunity and some by necessity. We will get to that. Where did I walk?



First to the office to assess what we had and didn't have (still have things missing which is nuts given the size of the office), then got a ride to the 1st appointment. After the first appointment I thought it might be a good idea to buy a little thing of baby powder as I could tell I was going to have issues. So I did. I should have bought some heel inserts...but I didn't. I didn't originally plan to do an update, or take a bunch of pictures. But a funny thing happened between appointments. One, I was hungry. I'd planned to pick up lunch while walking around but didn't have a plan as to where. It occurred to me that perhaps Mark’s burger joint might be in my travel path.

It wouldn't have been.

Except I took a wrong turn.

With it in my direct line of site about a minute after looking up the address, well I had to go in!



Being the odd duck that I am, I did not go for a burger. Instead I went for Ahi on Rye.



It was quite good and definitely hit the spot. Best fish sandwich ever? No, but it was good, as were the fries.

After my next appointment I had a couple of hours to kill. Thanks to the no longer employed admin I'd already run some errands that morning in between appointments finding places to print flyers I'd need for the following day. Not ones at the quality level that they should have been (amazingly her idea of "good" local printing and mine were vastly different) but at least I'd have them since somehow she had maybe 4 out of the 8 I though appropriate for this event on hand and what she did have looked like it had been printed on her home computer. Mapping it out I figured that I could either make it to the last appointment and cab back, or head back to the hotel in the opposite direction and then cab to the last appointment and back. My feet voted for the latter idea. I also needed to pick up some display baskets and a basket for a raffle prize. Apparently she just threw the swag out on a table not in any kind of container? No clue and the guys were of no help. After hitting Pier One to take care of that and another stop to get Band-Aids, I went back to the hotel to get rid of my bags. And nurse my feet.

It was NOT pretty. I literally had enough time to dump my bags, bandage up my feet and toss in some sandals for after the appointment and hop in a cab. Unfortunately there were no cabs to be found once I left the last meeting. I changed shoes. They were vastly better but…had a flat hard sole. There was a drugstore and I got more/different Band-Aids for later and walked on assuming I'd see a cab at some point. Nope. Oh well, guess I'll keep walking! A funny thing happened. Earlier, I had basically walked this same route but had mapped the most direct one, which took my down Queen street. Which was a fine street until it lost sidewalks. Then well, it wasn't so great. Google maps or the AAA map had wanted me to take King, which seemed to take me out of the way but since I was starting further north than before I figured why not.

Bonus prize! Let's have a nice unexpected stroll through the Hawaii Capitol Historic District, full of lovely landmarks and history!

First up

IOLANI PALACE
Iolani Palace, the official residence of Hawaii’s monarchy, is a marvel of opulence, innovation and political intrigue that tells of a time when their Majesties, King Kalakaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani, walked its celebrated halls.









Tours were over for the day.

Post Office



The Supreme Court



City Council



This invited me in

Kawaiahao Church

I loved this monument to the people’s king that succeeded Kamehameha both in succession and then by popular vote as he refused to take it on lineage alone. He wanted to be buried with the people, not at the Royal Mausoleum.









About Kawaiaha‘o Church

“On July 21, 1842, 5,000 worshippers, led by Kamehameha III, gathered to dedicate this “Great Stone Church.” It became known as the “Westminster Abbey of the Pacific,” and during the days of the monarchy, it was called “The Church of the Ali‘i.” Today, it is often referred to as “The State Church of Hawai‘i.”



Neat tribute to the original missionaries









Missionary settlement





I ended up walking all the way back. Again. As I walked, some of the bandages from earlier started to come off. I made the mistake of pulling some off…bad idea.

For some reason while walking I found this amusing. I can't say why but I did.



Third time passing this center, tried to take a picture of the sign advertising the upcoming Hawaiian belly dancing competition but could never time it right. You can almost see one of the office buildings I was in earlier.



I cut through the insanity that is the Ala Moana Mall, which my hotel happened to be connected to. Not only was it insane, it is under construction.



Continued in next post

 

[eandesmom]

Continued from previous


Walking through the food court…samples from Honolulu cookie slowed me down a little, and I did pop into a shoe store and saw an idea for my December park shoe.





However I knew where to go having done a Band-Aid run there already. I figured I’d earned a few treats…so bought myself some.





I bought Jeff and the boys some too though apparently I didn’t take any pictures of that.

For Jeff

and for the boys (and the office front desk)

I poured myself a glass and dealt with my feet. Now, I’ve never tried liquid bandage stuff before but given the sheer volume and locations…I figured it was worth a shot.



HOLY CRAP did it hurt.

A LOT

But...it helped.

A LOT.

I sat on the lanai with my wine for a little bit and then got some more work done.















The drag about being in Hawaii on business is that the rest of your company is on a very different time zone...and you are late on things! It never fails too that when you are out of town…urgent things come up that only you can do. With as much done as I could bear I changed and headed out to dinner. I’d had this place on my radar for our Aulani trip in case we came downtown and it wasn't far. Normally I'd have walked. I’d been actually looking for it all day and had passed by it no less than three times…one block off. I took a cab there…which made my feet happy. The hard sole sandals, while they hadn't aggravated the existing blisters, had created either bruising or the beginnings of blisters on the bottoms of my feet, I couldn't yet tell. Needless to say I switched shoes but really wish I’d have packed my Noats.

I was going here



It is in an odd spot, close to 2 malls, really close to the Kua Aina Sandwich but next to this big indoor farmers market. It has a small patio, a bar and then seating but a very bar like ambiance all around. I didn't feel like being inside solo so opted to sit outside. It was my kind of menu.

I had

Roasted Beet Salad pickled onions, goat cheese, grape tomatoes, mac nut, sherry vinaigrette



And

3 each Blackened Island Fish Slider miso aioli, coleslaw, bread and butter pickle (Mahi was the fish)



I had debated between the sliders and the Chicken and Waffles crispy fried chicken, apple fennel slaw, maple bacon drizzle, fries, of course, the beet salad was a given. My server voted for the sliders.

I found myself highly entertained by the couple next to me. Clearly a first or second date...bonding over having a zombie apocalypse plan. "Really, you have one too? I can’t believe it!" I was DYING! There is another date in their future I am sure.

I have to say...

This place gives Monkeypod a run for its money on the food scale. I ate well this trip and this was by far, my favorite meal. The beet salad, which doesn't show well in the picture was chock full of them with the most amazingly flavored grape tomatoes. The sliders were absolutely to die for and I was pleased I’d done ahi at lunch so I could have the mahi for dinner! Incredible. Belly happy I walked back to the resort. The mall was still going strong but I had an early day. I read a little and was soon in bed.

Ok, I was planning to do all of this at once but had to head out to do youth group shuttling, squish a run in, make dinner, etc. but the rest is at least written and photos uploaded so that’s something. Day 2 & 3 tomorrow and
then back to our regularly scheduled report, from the plane on Wednesday if I have to!

 

[emmysmommy]

Oh my gosh! Your poor feet from all those miles you walked. Cute shoes but I'm still learning about comfort over fashion since I go to conferences with a change of shoes but then don't change into them because they just don't go as well.

I hope the rest of your business in Hawaii goes well. Being in a different time zone - so far behind everyone, even the West Coast, certainly puts you at a disadvantage. Sounds like you handle it very capably!

Oh, and nice photo of your laptop and glass of wine on the verandah!!

 

[MEK]

Your story makes my feet hurt just thinking about it. That is a heck of a lot of walking even with the perfect shoes (I find walking sort of annoying when you can get there so much quicker by running).

Thanks for posting pictures of the sites and, of course, the food. The beet salad looks amazing.

That is definitely NOT your usual wine glass.

Sounds like a productive and fun business trip!