PICS: Ala Moana Center’s 4th of July Celebration

Photos by FL Morris / fmorris@staradvertiser.com

People enjoy the July 4 fireworks display off Ala Moana Beach park from the parking deck at Ala Moana Center.

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Thousands of local residents and visitors to Oahu flocked to Ala Moana Center’s annual 4th of July celebration, a day-long event that started at Centerstage with live entertainment and moved to the makai parking deck before culminating with a fireworks display off Magic Island.

Entertainment on the makai parking deck stage included Makana, Anuhea, Natural Vibrations and Amy Hanaialii. Read more

Take a Bite: Weekend Specials

Star-Advertiser Staff
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Here are some stops to consider for weekend eats:

» Otto Cake: Celebrates its 1st anniversary July 4 with a gift of free pancakes for those who drop by between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. that day with canned food for the hungry. Otto Cake’s claim to fame is its cheesecakes, which has recently expanded to include more than 35 new flavors.

Check it out at 1160 Smith Street; regular hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.

» Longhi’s: If you want an easier way to enjoy the Fourth of July fireworks from Ala Moana Center, enter the mall early and make your dinner reservations at Longhi’s for a tableside view of the fireworks show, which begins at 8:30 p.m. over Magic Island. The regular menu will be available from 4 to 6 p.m., then from 7 to 10 p.m. there will be a five-course set menu priced at $85 and $95 per person.

On the menu will be a white prawn cocktail, ahi carpaccio, walnut and pancetta pansoti with asparagus and Parmesan, followed by a choice of one of four entrees: ahi au poivre, shrimp and scallop Longhi, chicken Mediterranean, or filet mignon with Bernaise sauce. There will also be a dessert.

For reservations, call 947-9899.

ELSEWHERE AT Ala Moana Center, pick up a 20 percent savings pass at the customer service office fronting Centerstage, or print one out at www.alamoanacenter.com for 20 percent off one regular-priced item per participating restaurant, per day, through Monday.

Participating food vendors are:

» Crack Seed Center (seeds only)
» Donburiya dondon (excludes drinks and side orders)
» Island Vintage Coffee
» Lin’s Hawaiian Snacks (crack seed from jars only)
» Lupicia
» Patisserie la Palme D’Or (whole cakes and individual pastries only; excludes special orders)
» Soba-Ya (excludes drinks and side orders)
» Taco Del Mar
» The Pacific Place Tea Garden (specialy iced tea or coffee drink, shave ice or acai bowls only)
» Yami Yogurt (medium cup or wheat cone only)

PICS/VIDEO: Hawaii’s ‘Most Inspired Bartender’ crowned

Photos by Bruce Asato / basato@staradvertiser.com

Better Brands Hawaii’s Joey Gottesman addressed the finalists in the Hawaii qualifier of Bombay Sapphire’s “Nation’s Most Inspired Bartender” competition — from left, Christian Self, Eric Martinez and Deliah Asada — before the winner was announced.

Star-Advertiser Staff
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The heavy hitters of Honolulu’s bar community were all in the lineup on Tuesday, when Bombay Sapphire and Better Brands Hawaii brought the state qualifier of Bombay’s “Nation’s Most Inspired Bartender Search” at Pearl Ultralounge. More than a dozen local bartenders were in the running for a trip to Las Vegas and entry into the national finals for a shot at $10,000.

Continue past the pictures below for a video shot during the competition. Read more

PICS: ‘Skyy Blue Summer’ launches at Pearl Ultralounge

Photos courtesy Malia Leinau/HNLNow.com

Star-Advertiser Staff
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Pearl Ultralounge has partnered with Skyy Vodka to host “Skyy Blue Summer” every Friday at the Ala Moana Center nightspot.

Doors open at 8 p.m. each week, with special guest DJs and suprise guests. A relaxed dress code is also in effect for the summer. Call 944-8000 for reservations or visit www.pearlhawaii.com.

Hot 93.9 morning duo Flash and Maleko hosted the opening night party on Friday; Maleko is also co-owner of Star-Bulletin partner website HNLNow.com. Read more

Do It: Shop a Le’a

Fashion show features Ala Moana merchants

Star-Bulletin Staff
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Ala Moana Center’s third annual Shop a Le‘a, billed as “Honolulu’s … premier fashion event,” wraps up a full week of events tomorrow and Sunday.

Ala Moana Magazine’s 2010 Runway Show will feature a variety of spring styles straight from the pages of the mall’s in-house magazine, with items from mall merchants like Betsey Johnson, Banana Republic, DKNY, T&C Surf and more.

In addition to seeing the latest fashion on the runway, local residents are invited to enter to win a spa getaway trip for two in Sedona, Ariz., valued at $2,500. Shoppers who spend more than $200 will also be eligible to receive a free organic cotton tote bag at the mall’s customer service center.

>> Where: Centerstage, Ala Moana Center
>> When: 5 and 7 p.m. March 27; also 2 p.m. March 28
>> Cost: Free
>> Info: 955-9517 or www.alamoanacenter.com

Inside HILife: In the Mix

Audissey wins Mai Tai battle

IT WAS a murderers’ row of local DJs at Ala Moana Center’s Mai Tai Bar last weekend.

Last Sunday’s final round of the second annual “Hot Island DJs Spin-Off” featured three competitors who are well known within the local club community, while a fourth established himself as a worthy opponent who will certainly enjoy more work in the months ahead. I was lucky enough to be asked to judge the finals alongside DJ G-Spot and
Anheuser-Busch Sales of Hawaii marketing director James Baloaloa.

After four weeks of competition in December, a field of nearly 20 entrants was whittled down to leave DJs Audissey, Bozu, Flip and Jahson the 45 Revolver to duke it out for a shot at $1,000 cash and a mix CD deal with Flip the Bird Entertainment. Event organizer Alan Arato also confirmed that the winner will enjoy more bookings at the Mai Tai Bar throughout 2010.

For some reason, returning champion DJ Flip was forced to go first — what, no consideration for the fact that he won the whole thing in 2009? — and subsequently suffered from a slight case of nerves and a sketchy mixer.

He did, however, get the crowd pumped with his “Rocky” theme music and Manny Pacquiao-like victory lap around the bar at the start of his set, while special guest MC Big Mox blew up the spot when he jumped on the microphone for a verse over the beat from Pharoahe Monch’s “Simon Says.” I was also impressed with the sheer number of family members Flip brought to support him.

Click here to read the rest of this week’s column.