JUN 16
2014
Arancino is among Hawaii’s most refined Italian restaurants with three locations across Oahu: the Beachwalk, Arancino di Mare on Kalakaua Avenue, and Arancino at the Kahala, all within easy distance from the Ko Olina Beach Villas.
Arancino was chosen as the Critics’ Choice Best Restaurant in Oahu for 2013-2014. Japanese-born head chef Daisuke Hamamoto trained in Florence, Italy with dreams of running his own restaurant in Hawaii. The menu features classic, Napoli-style dishes such as bagna cauda, spaghetti astice, and a range of fresh pizzas. Dessert is not to be missed, with favorites such as homemade tiramisu and panna cotta.
For more information, to see a menu, or to make a reservation online, check out http://www.arancino.com/.
JUN 12
2014
The Honolulu Zoo, located on Kapaulu Avenue about 30 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort, is hosting the Wildest Show in Town now through August 13.
The evening concert series will take place at the zoo itself, and features names such as Raiatea Helm, Jimmy Borges and his Jazz All Stars, and Manoa DNA. Visitors can combine their enjoyment of the musical spectacular with a visit to the zoo’s animal kingdom.
The family friendly concert event takes place each Wednesday. Zoo gates open at 4:30 pm, and the concert lasts from 6 to 7 pm. Admission costs $3. Small guided tours of the zoo facilities are offered for free to the first thirty attendees. For more information, check out http://www.honoluluzoo.org/.
JUN 9
2014
Kaena Point, located near Waianae about 45 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas, is a popular viewing point overlooking the Pacific coast.
The scenic lookout statiosn of Kaena Point can be reached by a popular hiking and biking trail. The trail is about three and a half miles in legnth and of moderate difficulty, taking between one and three hours to hike according to hiking speed and photographing frequency. The route traverses the shoreline, crosses huge boulders, and passes by windswept cliffs.
Visitors are encouraged to carry water. Kaena Point is free to the public and open year round, and parking is available near the trailhead. For more information, check out http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/hiking/oahu/index.cfm?hike_id=21.
JUN 5
2014
Waimea Bay is among Oahu’s most popular tourist attractions. Located near Haleiwa on Oahu’s North Shore, Waimea Bay is about 50 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort.
Waimea Bay gained fame through its prominence in Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffet music, and is aptly characterized as a surfer’s haven. Novice surfers are cautioned against riding the aggressive waves. Instead, many visitors choose to hang out along the beach while watching experienced surfers turn out tricks along the coast. Swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and picnicking are also popular activities at the bay.
Nearby parking is available but limited. The bay is free and open to the public year round.
JUN 2
2014
Vintage Cave, a renowned Oahu restaurant, was recently named a finalist for Hawaii’s Hale Aina restaurant awards. The restaurant emanates a theme of returning to the earth through its cave structure. Located in Honolulu, Vintage Cave is just thirty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas.
Vintage Cave’s tasting menu features authentic dishes such as avocado and abalone, shinsato suckling pig, and smoked banana with the goal of showcasing the freshest products available. Wine pairings are also available and designed to enhance the entire culinary experience. Each dinner is further enhanced by the extensive art collection located in the restaurant.
For more information or to make a reservation, check out http://vintagecave.com/ or call (808) 441-1744.
MAY 29
2014
Honolulu’s Museum of Art, located about thirty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas, is currently hosting an exhibit titled “War Torn Hearts: Political Propaganda in Japanese Romance Novels”.
The exhibition explores romance novels from Japan’s Meiji Period, which lasted from 1868 through 1912. Many of these stories featured strong female protagonists as they faced heart-wrenching plights. Kuchi-e woodblock prints were a popular art form during this era, and often depicted scenes from the ongoing Russo-Japanese war. Their appearance in romance literature at the time articulated the parallels of a woman’s internal battle and Japan’s external war.
The exhibit is open to the public and included in the price of admission. Admission costs $10 for adults, and is free for children 17 and under. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am through 4:30 pm and Sundays from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. For more information, check out https://honolulumuseum.org/.
MAY 24
2014
Te Moana Nui is a new indoor stage production in Waikiki, located just thirty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort.
The performance includes song and dance, elegant costumes, and traditional storytelling of hold Hawaiian folk lore. Meaning “the vast ocean”, Te Moana Nui seeks to integrate the tales of Hawaii’s modern and ancient people, along with the various influences on the islands from across the Pacific. The accompanying dinner menu features traditional Hawaiian foods, including furikake crusted mahi mahi, poi, and freshly roasted local vegetables.
Doors open nightly at 5:30 pm and pre-show activities, ranging from flower craft to storytelling, take place until the buffet dinner begins at 6:30 pm. The show starts at 7:30 and lasts for approximately one hour. For more information or to make a reservation, check out http://www.temoananui.com/.
MAY 21
2014
Le Bistro was recently named the Bronze Medalist among Oahu restaurants in the 2014 Hale Aina Awards. Le Bistro is an innovative French restaurant located on Kalanianaole Highway, just thirty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas.
Le Bistro’s menu features a fricasse of shellfish, steamed fresh Hawaiian onaga, red wine and peppercorn short ribs, and decadent desserts such as the famed apple tart. Many menu items take classic French recipes twisted with a Hawaiian touch while featuring seasonal, fresh produce and seafood. Several traditional French recipes, including onion soup and escargot, are still featured prominently on the menu.
For more information or to make a reservation, call (808) 373-7990.
MAY 18
2014
The Bishop Museum, located just 30 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort, is currently hosting an exhibit about the guitar.
The exhibit examines the sounds, science, and history of the famed instrument, and includes models of guitars dating as far back as the 17th Century. Additionally, instrumental ancestors to the guitar are featured, including a Persian tanbur and Renaissance lute. Hawaii’s own ukulele is featured along with a discussion of its relationship to the more widely played guitar.
The exhibit is open to the public and included in admission to the Bishop House. Admission costs $19.95 for adults and $14.95 for children. The museum is open Wednesday to Monday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and parking is available at no extra charge. For more information, check out www.bishopmuseum.org.
MAY 14
2014
The annual T&C Grom Surf Contest will take place this year on May 17 and 18 in Queens, Waikiki, about thirty minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas and Resort.
The competition is sponsored by Town & Country Surf, Hawaii. The competition is open to young surfers ages 12 and under looking to showcase their skills, though their is also an adults “Expression Session” event designed to share creativity. It is a popular show for non-surfers looking to appreciate budding talent as well. Prizes include trophies and award packs
Admission for onlookers is open to the public. For more information, check out http://www.tcsurf.com/grom14/index.html or contact enquiries@tcsurf.com.
