FEB 28
2015
Mitch’s Fish Market and Sushi Bar, located just off Nimitz Highway, is about 30 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas. Mitch’s won the 2014 ‘Ilima Awards for Best Sushi Restaurant.
Head chefs Hideo Mitsui and Masakazu Murakami perform their art by skillfully building masterful sushi rolls behind an open counter. While several options are available, the most renowned is the Chef’s Special. At $75 per head, it’s no small undertaking. However, the platter comes with a number of traditional rolls such as maguro, slamon, ama ebi, and hamachi, as well as a serving of lobster sashimi. Furthermore, the plate typically includes a daily caught special.
Mitch’s is open from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm daily, and reservations are strongly recommended. For more information, check out http://www.mitchsushi.com/.
FEB 26
2015
Olomana is a series of three mountain peaks in eastern Oahu, about 45 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas. The peaks are connected by the Olomana Trail, a hike that affords excellent views of Diamond Head and Oahu’s southeastern coast.
The trail is quite rocky but follows a relatively shallow gradation, with a few steep but short stretches, as it ascends and descends each of the three peaks. While the interim hike itself is quite nice, the real accomplishment comes from successfully summitting all peaks.
Hikers are strongly encouraged to carry water and wear appropriate footwear. Hikers should plan to spend at least four hours to complete the full hike.
FEB 22
2015
The Hawaii Bicycling League is Oahu’s preeminent group of cycling enthusiasts. The league leads several training rides and hosts periodic races and other competitions.
Their major upcoming training ride, “Bike to Train” begins in Blaisdell Park, about 30 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas, and visits Ewa Beach and Electric Beach. The ride will take place on February 28 and includes several enjoyable stops for ice cream and a Mexican lunch along the way.
Total cycling duration is approximately 6 hours. Tickets for lunch, ice cream, and the interim train ride can be purchased online. For more information about this particular ride or other Hawaii Bicycling League activities, check out http://www.hbl.org/.
FEB 19
2015
The Manoa Valley Theater, located just past Honolulu in Manoa Valley, is about 40 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort.
The theater will host a production of Peter and the Starcatcher next month, from March 5 through 22. The fantasy piece includes an extravagant musical score. The play tells the story of the infamous Peter Pan as an imaginative prequel to the well known story and explores the origin of the Lost Boys.
Tickets cost $39 for adults, $34 for military, and $20 for youths under age 25. For more information about showtimes or to purchase tickets, check out http://www.manoavalleytheatre.com/9.html.
FEB 16
2015
Hawaiian Watersports is one of the premier sites for introductory windsurfing on Oahu. They have two offices, one on Kailua about 45 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas, and one in Honolulu, just thirty minutes from Ko Olina.
Hawaiian Watersports provides all necessary equipment for windsurfing, and requires only that participants be able swimmers. The lightweight rigs are designed to be user friendly for the most novice of water sports enthusiasts.
Rentals are available in 1.5 and 3 hour increments for both individuals and small two to four person groups with tiered pricing. A complete list of prices and details is available at https://www.hawaiianwatersports.com/windsurfing/lessons/.
FEB 13
2015
The Bishop Museum, located in Honolulu just thirty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort, will host an exhibit titled “Dinosaurs Unleashed” starting at the end of this month. The interactive exhibit will last through early September.
The family friendly exhibition features a number of dinosaur artifacts, the most popular being simulated “live” dinosaurs from the Mesozoic Era, including a mother Maiasaura and of course, a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The exhibit explores their livelihoods and examines their eventual demise.
Admission to the museum costs $19.95 for adults, $16.95 for military, and $14.95 for children. The museum is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Wednesdays through Mondays.
FEB 9
2015
Nakamoto’s is a weekly pop up restaurant at the Saturday Waimea Hawaiian Homestead Farmers’ Market, located in Waimea about 40 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort.
Run by Bobby and Joung Nakamoto, the mini-restaurant seats 50 eager breakfast enthusiasts every weekend. Specialties include omelettes with fried rice, eggs Benedict, bibimbap, curry and rice, and sushi. The specialty omelette changers each week with different seasonal flavors for extra freshness. Visitors often meet the Nakamoto’s themselves, who prefer to remain involved in day to day cooking.
Parking is available nearby with easy access to the highway. Other nearby vendors often offer samples as well to complement the Nakamoto breakfast.
FEB 6
2015
The Doris Duke Theater at the Honolulu Museum of Art, located in downtown Honolulu about thirty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas, will host the fourth annual African American Film Festival from February 7-22.
The festival is designed to celebrate African American History Month. The festival begins with an opening “night on Broadway” reception with a delicious dinner spread and screening of “August Wilson: The Ground on which I Stand”. The month of film includes a number of thoughtful, uplifting, and moving films as well as workshops designed specifically for actors and screenwriters.
For more information or a full schedule of film screenings, check out http://honolulumuseum.org/14862-4th_annual_honolulu_african_american_film_festival or call (808) 532-8768.
FEB 3
2015
Pow! Wow! Hawaii is a week long showcase to celebrate artistic expression in Hawaii and the impact art has on its viewers. The festivities will take place February 9 through 14 at various locations across the state, many of which are easily accessible from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort.
Pow! Wow! explores a wide range of artistic expression, ranging from contemporary art to music to mural painting. The events are designed to be inclusive, connecting and integrating viewers and artists. Participating artists come from local Hawaii, as well as more distant corners of the world to join together to celebrate art.
For more information or to check out a full schedule, visit http://powwowhawaii.com/.
JAN 30
2015
ESPN 1420’s annual Jersey Fun Run will take place on January 31. The run begins at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, about thirty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas.
Participants are encouraged to wear a sports jersey of their choice to support favorite teams. The run includes an interactive 3 km course that extends onto the Hawaiian Airlines Field. Furthermore, the event includes a number of engaging, family-friendly activities such as prizes, giveaways, a competitive obstacle course, and live entertainment. Entrants may also enter team uniform contests and a touchdown dance competition.
Proceeds benefit the Hawaii Special Olympics. For more information or to register, check out http://www.active.com/.
