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Winter in Waikiki

Posted on February 15, 2010 22:17 by rnr

Waikiki sunset (Jan. 15, 2010)  

--RAP 




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Roaming Gnome Visits Hawaii

Posted on August 5, 2009 07:29 by rnr
After more than 100,000 votes, Hawaii beat out Jamaica and Cancun to host Travelocity's Roaming Gnome! Folks in Hawaii were pretty excited to welcome the little guy, as people were feverishly spreading the word through their social networks to help bring him here. I think I voted at least a dozen times and have to say, it is fun to win one against the competition once in awhile. Take that, Jamaica and Cancun! 
 
While on Oahu, some highlights on his itinerary included surfing lessons in Waikiki, visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center, taking in the Aha Aina show at The Royal Hawaiian, and eating pork chops at Side Street Inn. He wasn't shy when locals and visitors wanted to take photos with him. Check out his FB page for evidence. 
 
Met the Roaming Gnome--who's wearing his beach outfit--over breakfast at Duke's Waikiki. 
 
This marketing campaign was designed to generate buzz, but are mainlanders inspired enough by this adventure to book a trip to the islands? Let's hope so. According to Travelocity, the Roaming Gnome loves Hawaii so much, he's giving $75 off 5-night flight and hotel packages with the code "HIGNOME75."
 
We all know Hawaii is beautiful year-round and welcoming to all kinds of visitors, gnomes included.  
 
--RAP  



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Chai from the Bay!

Posted on February 4, 2009 23:18 by rnr

Cuisine on Hawaii consists of more than fish and poi. A whirlwind media tour of Vancouver, San Francisco, Sacramento, and L.A. gave me the chance to spread this message to some of our key visitor markets via the media. I always enjoy meeting with media on the mainland to share what's happening on Oahu, and find out stories and content people are seeking.  

One of the highlights of this trip was working with Chef Chai Chaowasaree. Chai is known for his tasy Hawaiian fusion cuisine at Chai's Island Bistro and authentic food at Singha Thai Cuisine. He also appears on his own show in Honolulu: "Dining Out with Chai." With about a week's notice, a lot of back and forth with show producers, and several frantic phone calls to Chef Chai, we were able to book him on two Bay Area TV shows. 

Chef Chai and View from the Bay host Janelle Wang (center) pose with me for a photo before the cooking demo gets underway. This kitchen is actually one of two identical pieces that rotate on and off the set. 
 

Chai with Sacramento and Co. hosts Judith and Melissa. Like the lei from Cindy's Lei Shoppe? And sauce pan from Ikea?  

Chai is one of the 12 Hawaii Island Chefs committed to supporting local farmers. He just released a beautiful new cookbook, The Island Bistro Cookbook, filled with a decade's worth of his favorite recipes. Chai, a local celebrity in his own right, whipped up some delicious golden prawns on both View from the Bay (airs on ABC affiliate in San Francisco and eight other ABC affiliates across the U.S.) and Sacramento & Co (airs on ABC affiliate in Sacramento). He assures us that his recipes are easy and tells us his favorite farm to table Oahu ingredients are farm-raised baby abalone and hearts of palm. 
 
To wow yourself, view Chef Chai's kataifi prawn cooking demos by clicking on the following:
 
 
Sacramento & Co. (scroll to Jan. 28 show and click on "Oahu Visitors Bureau")
 
To visit Chai's website and/or order The Island Bistro Cookbook, visit www.chaisislandbistro.com. 
 
Thanks again to the crews from ABC for being so wonderful with us! 
 
--RAP  



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