community « champuru.net

Friendship Star

My friend, Jan, a professional artist and calligrapher, will be teaching a class on how to create this beautiful Friendship Star, just in time for Valentine’s Day! If you’re interested in attending the class, here are the details:

Date: Saturday, February 6, 2010
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Place: A Place in Time, 48 Maluniu Avenue, Kailua
Cost: $20
Call 261-2882 to register

All materials are provided except basic supply kit: double sided tape, glue stick, small portable paper cutter, bone folder, scissors, ruler, and pencil.

Hope to see you there!

Making Strides

This is a cause that is dear to my heart. My mother is a two-time breast cancer survivor. When I saw that Renee at Happy Hearts Mochi is participating in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, I jumped at the chance to contribute to this worthwhile cause. Although I cannot participate in the walk myself (it’s the day before Baby Champuru’s first birthday party), I made a small donation to show my support. You can sign up to join the Hawaii Twitter Team: 808 Tweeps or simply make a donation.

Mililani Farmer’s Market

I believe strongly that we should support our local economies by buying locally grown produce at farmer’s markets. We are fortunate to have a great farmer’s market in our community (Mililani, Hawaii) that gathers vendors every Sunday morning from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. Besides fresh produce and flowers, farmer’s markets often have prepared foods like fresh baked breads, snacks, and even plate lunches. Find one in your area and check it out. Support local farmers, buy local!

Fabulous Foodie Fundraiser

3660 on the Rise

Olive Oil Poached Black Cod*, 3660 on the Rise (2006)

Ukwanshin Kabudan, the Okinawan performing arts group that I belong to is doing a fundraiser that any foodie would love. 3660 on the Rise in Kaimuki is offering a three-course dinner consisting of calamari, seared ahi salad, choice of butterfish, shortribs, or tempura catfish, and a duet of desserts, with choice of soft drink. All of this for the low price of $50, which includes tax and tip. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of dining at 3660 you know that this is a great deal. The food is as delicious as it is gorgeous. 3660 ranks among the top on my list of favorite fine dining restaurants.

The tickets would make a great gift since it’s all-inclusive and the recipient doesn’t even need to worry about leaving a tip. Costs are incurred only if something is ordered off the menu. Father’s Day is coming up… Or do you have a graduate you’d like to treat?

I’m accepting payments via PayPal. Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing tickets. (Be sure to include the desired quantity.) It would help our group tremendously — and you’ll be in for a wonderful treat at a truly fabulous restaurant.

Note: Tickets must be used by the end of September 2009.

* The dish pictured above is not being featured on this special menu. It’s just a photo of a previous visit to 3660 on the Rise, shown as an example of the beautiful and scrumptious dishes they serve.

Chinatown Hawaii: Hula Boba

Hula Boba

Hula Boba
65 N Pauahi Street, Honolulu
Located on Pauahi Street, between Maunakea and Smith St.
Near Char Hung Sut
Chinatown, Hawaii
Ph. 808.521.5213

Hula Boba

Hula Boba is another gem that I would have never found if not for the recommendation of my friend Arnold. Located on Maunakea Street in Chinatown, this little Taiwanese-style dessert shop offers boba (bubble drinks) and snow ice, a unique shave ice dessert made with soy milk. I opted to get the azuki (red bean) topping with condensed milk. The regular size, which is quite large, was only $3. The large size was only a dollar more.

Shave Ice machine

The soy milk block is shaved just like shaved ice and tastes light and slightly creamy. It’s a great alternative to ice cream for lactose intolerant folks like myself.

Toppings

Select your choice of toppings: green mango, halo halo, honeydew, kiwi, lychee, mango, mulberry, passion fruit, peach, pineapple, red bean (azuki), or strawberry. I opted for azuki.

Condensed Milk

Don’t forget to finish it off with some condensed milk! Photo above shows the azuki + strawberry topping combination with condensed milk. Photo below is my order with azuki only.

Shave Ice with Azuki and Condensed Milk

Hubby is a huge fan of bubble drinks and opted for the coffee smoothie boba. As a self-proclaimed boba connosieur, he gave it the thumbs up!

Boba

Next time you’re in Chinatown, cool off with a unique dessert from Hula Boba.

If Chinatown is out of the way, Hula Boba also has a location in Waipahu: 94-340 Waipahu Depot St, Waipahu, HI 96797, (808) 677-6930. Located where the old Bigway Supermarket used to be.

(Thank you to Arnold who contributed photos #3-5 and for recommending this stop on my Chinatown jaunt.)