Hangin' with Hawaiians |
There are a few things you should know if you ever want to break the ice with Hawaiians and let them know you're on your game, so here's a cheat sheet for you: Spam MasubiBefore you skip this in disgust, keep in mind that 87 percent of Hormel's national Spam sales occur in Hawaii, so no sneering, please! All the fixins' are hereSpam, rice, nori, sometimes with egg, sometimes not, and a smattering of teriyaki sauce. Sure this snack has enough sodium nitrite to corrode your stomach lining, but it's the bomb. Checkers and PogoAn essential component to many a childhood memory for those that grew up in Hawaii in the late '60s and '70s. Checkers and Pogo were two beloved hosts of a very popular weekday, after-school children's program. Featuring two very unhip guysone portly and bespectacled (Checkers) and one short and beared (Pogo), this duo entertained an entire generation of latchkey kids with their bizarre collection of bad puns, animated shorts, cornball skits, and awkward sing-a-longs ("Merry Un-happy Birthday!"). It all resulted in a refreshingly surreal viewing experience, and a most cherished childhood memory for countless Hawaiians. Li Hing MuiGo to any Hawaiian snack store and you'll find several items treated with "Li Hing Mui" in the title. They've got "Ling Hing" dried plums, mangos, cherries, and yes - even protein shakes! What kind of treatment these snack foods get with "ling hing," I'm not exactly sure. It's basically just sugar, salt and licorice, but they make snacks hit the right mark between sweet and tart, and it's outrageously addictive. Don HoWord to the wise: Don't greet a Hawaiian with a rendition of "Tiny Bubbles," or you'll be in for a rude awakening. We have yet to meet a Hawaiian who has anything positive to say about the man. Perhaps they find his halting pigeon English and flat, monotonal singing style (which conjures up the laziest of Hawaiian stereotypes) a bit of a turnoff. Don't say you weren't warned. Hawaiian Eye, Hawaii Five-O and Magnum P.I.These are the three most popular and recognizable network shows that were filmed on the islands. Although the leads for these programs were played by "haoles" (white guys), bemoaning the fact that all indigenous Hawaiians and/or Asians were featured in only secondary roles will give you the opportunity to come across as politically sensitive. |
Aloha
You have to be pretty myopic if you haven't noticed the strong Hawaiian population in the Valley. With roughly 60,000 of them, not to mention about a quarter of a million visitors a year from the great pineapple state, it's hardly a wonder that they've lovingly referred to Las Vegas as "Neon Honolulu" or the "ninth island of Hawaii" (good for you if you can name the other eight islands).
The story of how and why so many Hawaiians chose Las Vegas as their home choice in the mainland has to start with the late, great Sam Boyd. As legend has it, Boyd, who long had a love affair with Hawaii, retired in that state in the early '80s. Ever the entrepreneur, it wasn't long before he started to sponsor some package tours to Vegas, the cornerstone being some inexpensive comps and room rates at his propertiesmost notably his downtown casino, the California Hotel. Soon, Hawaiians were visiting the city in droves.
As the decade drew to a close, Hawaii's economy went south and its unemployment rate began to skyrocket. Vegas, with its explosive population growth, relatively cheap housing and low cost of living, became the mecca for dislocated Hawaiians trying to start life anew. In the last 15 years, the influx of islanders to the Valley have been so steady that fits of hyperbolelike comparing Hawaiian migration here to the Okie movement began to abound.
Exaggerations aside, there's no denying that Hawaiians have settled quite well into the city and have woven their culture (complete with bakeries, eateries, clothing and jewelry stores) into the mainstream, creating a lively learning experience for those inclined to explore Neon Honolulu.
Entertainment
If you can allow one disclaimer, let it be the karaoke listing. "Know any good karaoke places in town?" is one of the questions most local people ask. So for their and objectivity's sake, here's a brief rundown of some karaoke joints in town, which also feature live Hawaiian music sometimes, plusthere's a few radio stations radio programs devoted to island tunes:
Aloha Bar
2605 South Decatur Boulevard, #110
702-364-0064
Karaoke times vary.
Lally's of Las Vegas
1750 North Rancho Drive
702-648-6897
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.
Las Vegas Club
18 East Fremont Street
702-385-1664 or 1-800-634-6532
Hawaiian Karaoke every Friday 8:00pm - midnight
www.playatlvc.com
Pupule's
4650-A East Sunset Road
702-436-PUPU (7878)
Hawaiian karaoke Tuesday - Sunday
Aloha Friday Concert
Friday, May 28
6:00pm - 10:00pm
Barley's Casino & Brewing Company
4500 E. Sunset Road
Free Aloha Friday Concert featuring Hawaiian Reggae Band Pau Hana from San Diego, Las Vegas' Sonsiu & Big Family Records.
702-458-2739, Ext. 202.
Got P.O.I (Points of Interests)
KLAV AM 1230
12:30pm on Sundays
Request Line 702-731-1230
www.klav1230am.com
A variety of Hawaiian music, interviews, and news. The programs pacing has all the fluidity of a medicine ball, but it is informative.
Also, check out It's Aloha Sunday on KLAV, a mix of Hawaiian Music, talk and news, 6 - 7 p.m. Sunday evenings.
Little Grass Shack
KUNV 91.5 FM
Your favorite island jams from 5 a.m. - 9 a.m. Saturday mornings. Las Vegas' only FM Hawaiian radio show.
Internet Radio Based in Las Vegas:
Aloha2go Radio
http://aloha2go.com/radioshow
Pipeline 2 Paradise
http://www.pipeline2paradise.com
Restaurants
While most of us Vegans might use the word "local" to describe things related to this city, Hawaiians have a more transient take on the word. To them it captures a little more than that. To them, "local" means anything that represents any cultural aspect of the 50th statein short, they take the word with them wherever they go. So an islander could be in Jackson, Mississippi, but when they mention "local food" or "where locals hang out," rest assured they're referring to Hawaiian cuisine or hanging spots and nothing remotely related to the Deep South.
Now that we have that clear, let's kick off this guide right, and talk about the grub. A Hawaiian (local) menu is much like Hawaii itself, reflecting a hodgepodge of almost every Asian race: Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, as well as Portuguese and American touches. (Note: The foods are a bit high in sodium and fat.)
Aloha Kitchen
2605 South Decatur Boulevard
702-364-0064
4745 South Maryland Parkway
702-895-9444
www.alohakitchenlv.com
A real highlight for great, affordable Hawaiian cuisine. Both restaurants have identical menus, the standouts being Kalua Pig (roasted, shredded served on a bed of cabbage) and the terrific lumpia shanghai (Filipino egg rolls stuffed with ground pork, chopped onions and minced carrots).
Aloha Specialties
California Hotel and Casino
www.thecal.com
12 Ogden Avenue
702-382-0338
It says a lot about an eatery when their appetizers can get you stuffed! One of the cornerstones of great local food for the past decade, there's not a bad item on the menu. Still, if you need a recommendation, go with either of the teriyaki rice bowls (chicken or beef, with mushroom and onions, both under $4!). As for the appetizers, spam masubi (Spam sushi, I kid you not!), or the kim chee (fermented Korean cabbage) are quite satisfying. You might have to wait up to an hour on Friday and Saturday nights to get in, so they must be doing something right.
Grace's Hawaiian Cafe
2129 Industrial Road
702-384-7223
Service-oriented eatery with some good grub. Try the poke (pronounced "pokay"), a glorious appetizer with a neat mixture of soy sauce, raw tuna, chile, onions and lomi lomi, a sharp salmon tartar. It's more filling than you think.
Hawaiian Hale
2439 South Valley View Boulevard
702-362-6922
This cheerfully low-rent eating stop might be woefully low on decorations, but you can relax and enjoy the laulau (salted butterfish served on a banana leaf ); and loco moco (a fried egg, hamburger patty, and steamed rice topped with brown gravyit's a breakfast item, honest!)
Hawaiian Plantation House
10940 South Eastern Avenue
702-990-6341
A quiet treasure. Loaded with good food such as various teriyaki dishes, swordfish, coconut baked fish, and much more. Other selling points are its quick service and 24-hour bar.
Huli's Hawaiian Style Restaurant
113 West Lake Mead Drive
702-567-5353
Let's cut to the chase: Their huli huli chicken (chicken marinated in soy, fruit and teriyaki sauce) is to die for, and saimin (a ramen-type noodle soup, with bits of egg, fish spam) is equally fine.
L & L Hawaiian Barbecue
687 North Stephanie Street
702-433-0240
7891 West Tropical Parkway, Suite 120
www.hawaiianbarbecue.com
The McDonald's of Hawaiian fast foods. The presentation couldn't be simpler: plastic take out boxes and cheap plastic utensils. But the food, like shrimp curry, fried mahi mahi, teri pork chops, spareribs, short ribs, saimin, and chicken katsu, more than make up for that.
The Hawaiian Seafood Luau
The Palms Hotel and Casino
702-942-7777
4:30-10 pm, Wed
$15.95 per person.
A bit of a cheat, sure. Complete with strolling Island musicians, and food servers in garishly colored Hawaiian flowered shirts, it's all a bit ersatz, but who cares when the food is so damn good? The buffet is packed with delicious seafoods: clams, crabs, jumbo shrimps, oysters, andwell, you get the idea.
Ross J's Aloha Grill
4451 East Sunset Road
702-435-5600
Ross offers the classic stuff in enormous portions think of the closing sequence on The Flinstones when the dinosaur ribs tip over the car and you'll get the ideaand it's the katsu dishes that really stand out.
Yoko Sushi - Hawaiian Mix Plate
2351 North Rainbow Boulevard # 103
702-435-5600
Yoko might be a bit out of the way if you don't live in the northwest, but it's worth the drive for the mahi mahi (not your typical dolphin fareYoko serves this plate with a great salty kick). All platters are served with mac salad and two scoops of rice.
Snacks and Sweets
Ale'as Manapua
3650 East Flamingo Road
702-450-0015
An amazing assortment of baked goods from the islands, with manapua (steamed red BBQ bun) being particularly seductive, and the guava cakes rock.
Beef Jerky Store
112 North 3rd Street
702-388-0073
www.beefjerkystore.com
There's every type of jerky you could possibly want; there are more li hing goodies hanging on the walls then you would no what to do with; there's even a terrific selection of sugar-free candies and healthy all-natural nuts.
Las Vegas Jerkys, Etc.
Plaza Hotel
702-385-7991
Jerky, candy, cookies, bagel chips, nutsyou want 'em, they got 'em.
Vegas 808
California Hotel
Las Vegas, NV 89101
702-388-8855
www.thecal.com
Located on the second floor of the California Hotel, one of Boyd Gaming's signature properties Downtown, this small shop offers a divers collection of jerky, candy, nuts and dried fruit.
Shops, Stops and Reading
Aloha Swim & Sport
7501 West Lake Mead Blvd.
702-233-0045
Top-of-the-line selection of Hawaiian gifts, shoes, dresses, hats, bags and jewelry.
Hawaii's Store
2439 South Valley View, #130
702-368-0808 or Toll Free 877-398-1688
Like the folklore of the crazy aunt whose attic hid many splendidly awkward treasures, this store has an eclectic mix. Jewelry, an enormous collection of Island music, muumuus, Hawaiian shirts so popularized by the characters from M*A*S*H and much more. Not to be missed.
Hawaiian Gift and Craft
Fantastic's Indoor Swapmeet
Booth #H-14
1717 South Decatur Boulevard
702-309-9100 or 702-806-1104
Gleefully kitschy selection of Hawaiian gifts and crafts: puka shells, grass skirts, lauhala handbags, bamboo chimes, and many other accessories.
Hilo Hatties
www.hilohattie.com
Desert Passages Mall, Suite 255
702-733-6900
An excellent stop for all kinds of Island themed calendars, books, CD's clothing, jewelry, fabric, etc. find out what's happening in the city for "local" culture:
ABC Store
www.abcstores.com
Hawaiian gifts, clothing, accessories, coffee.
23 Fremont Street
702-380-3098
Fashion Show Mall
702-732-2358
Desert Passages Mall
702-733-7182
4560 South Arville Street, C-9
702-248-7416
It's not just the Kona coffee, Hawaiian Sun Fruit nectars or coconut cookies that keep me coming back to this popular general store from Hawaii. Truly, you'll get a kick out of the friendly "locals" who work there, and who are virtually walking bulletin boards for the Hawaiian community in the Valley. Fliers and brochures about Hawaiian activity abound in their stores, so check it out.
www.alohavalley.com
Billed as "Your Island Connection in Las Vegas," this site is best for its events sectionlisting concerts and meetings around the Valley.
Ohana Magazine
2485 West Wigwam Avenue, #112
702-434-0544
www.ohanamagazine.com
Back in 1996, relocated kamaaina, (native born Hawaiian) Mel Ozeki decided to put together a a magazine for Hawaiians who were not just located in his new hometown of Vegas, but across the mainland. You might not have seen his magazine in your dentist's office, but with a nationwide subscribership of over 10,000, Mel has done quite well. His writing is a bit stiff, but when it comes to consolidating so much information about Hawaiian activity across the nation in an 18-page bi-monthly. Mel's the man!