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C E L E B R AT I N G 4 0 Y E A R S O F G A M I NG A N D DI N I NG S P E C I A LS T H R O U G H O U T T H E Y E A R Includes: Sansone Richmar Plaza, 9555 S. Eastern Avenue, Suite 150 Phone (702) 776-6900 • Hotel accommodations| Toll-free • Free (877) shuttle to 531-3711 Sam’s Town | alohapacific.com and the Strip| twitter: @apfcu • 3facebook: meals per personalohapacificfcu per day,
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Federally insured by NCUA
9TH ISLAND
*Rate effective 4/1/16 & subject to change. Program mayConnection be modified or canceled any time. Membership ($5 in Regular Savings) required. Subject to credit approval. APR = Annual Your Direct to Las at Vegas! Percentage Rate. See branch for more information about applicable fees & terms. Some restrictions may apply. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) offer is a promotional rate of 0.35% APR for 12 months, then 3.50% APR for 48 months. After 60 months, the APR is variable. The current index rate is based on the prime rate published in the Wall Street Journal, plus 1.00%, adjusted quarterly (5.00% min. & 18.00% max), with a 10-year draw and 30-year amortization period. Maximum line: $250,000. Applies to owner-occupied properties with required insurance. Maximum loan-to-value of 80% in Hawaii; maximum loan-to-value of 70% in Nevada. Estimated 3rd party fees (ALTA policy, appraisal, trust review & attorney, etc.) for a $250,000 HELOC are $500 to $2,500.BoydVacationsHawaii.com APFCU offers up to $500 closing credits against all 3rd party fees with an initial draw of $10,000 or more at closing; all closing credits paid by APFCU must be reimbursed if the loanHonolulu is closed before 36 ·months opening date. IT’S GOOD TO 808-591-4777 Neighbor from Islandsthe 800-548-8951 CONNECTED ı BConnectedOnline.com SM
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CONTENTS VOLUME 8 | ISSUE 2 | MAY/JUNE/JULY 2016
2
LAS VEGAS ENTERTAINMENT
LIVING ALOHA
6 SHOWCASE
32 REAL ESTATE
A day tripper’s guide to Fourth of July
26 FROM HAWAI‘I, WITH ALOHA Island companies hit it big in Las Vegas
10 VEGAS CALENDAR
34 FIND YOUR TRUE NORTH
A three-month guide to events in Sin City
A home away from home
14 DINE ON THIS & THAT
36 UH SPORTS
Alder & Birch + Due & Proper
Wanderlust O‘ahu nurtures mind, body and soul
16 JUBILEE
39 INTERNATIONAL MARKET PLACE 2.0
The Las Vegas showgirl is history
Keiki Carlos
18 THE PARK
45 HEALTH
A one-of-a-kind oasis in the desert
Reincarnating Waikiki’s iconic shopping plaza
24 WHAT’S NEW AT THE CAL
48 KAMA‘AINA SPOTLIGHT
Improvements underway at the California Hotel & Casino
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Try before you buy Goodwill Goes GLAM!
26 Local products find a home in Vegas
“15 Craigside opened up a whole new world for us.” Gene & Roberta Kaneshiro 15 Craigside residents
Photo: Santorini, Greece
“Since retiring from running Columbia Inn, we’re finally free to travel. 15 Craigside makes it so easy to pick up and go! No house sitter needed. We just close the door and we’re off. If you want a worry-free lifestyle with guaranteed lifetime care, this is the place to live.”
Call 533-5416 and get packing.
arcadia.org/15Craigside
Volume 8 | Issue 2 | MAY/JUN/JUL 2016
Bill Smith Vice President / General Manager Vacations Hawaii
PUBLISHE RS
Jamie & Naomi Giambrone Element Media, Inc.
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER E. S. Adler
MANAGING E DITOR Kevin Whitton
ART DIRE CTOR Keith Usher
E DITOR
I want to take this opportunity to thank so many of you who took time out from your busy days to write to us about your experiences on our Las Vegas charter packages. Many of the letters that we receive express appreciation for the service that customers and their families received during times of illness or other distress. Others concern overall impressions. A first-time customer recently wrote to me stating, “I recently flew with my family to Las Vegas and experienced Vacations Hawaii’s exceptional hospitality for the first time. I was really amazed at the friendly and helpful reception every step of the way, from arrival at the airport of origin and at our destination. Vacations Hawaii’s personnel were stationed every step of the way, causing no anxiety or stress on me. I had heard of your company’s friendliness and expertise over the radio, but never gave it a second thought. After experiencing it for the first time, I am very impressed with the service you provide and will recommend your services to anyone who will listen to me. Thank you for a job well done.” Other letters concern the services that customers received while making their reservations in person or by phone. A senior customer recently wrote, “My spouse and I have traveled with Vacations Hawaii for years and we are commending your entire staff for exemplifying aloha services to your patrons. Vacations Hawaii has provided customers with courtesy, understanding and endearing services, particularly to the seniors. Your kind and thoughtful staff has made traveling such a joy. We love them and thank you for providing such a great service.” Another group that receives numerous, well-deserved compliments are the flight attendants of Omni Air International. Here’s what one customer had to say: “Omni’s flight attendants were amazing. I had never experienced such great service in all my travels and I commend you all for great customer service. They went above and beyond.” Customer feedback is extremely important to us as it provides us with an excellent gauge to measure how we are performing. We enjoy hearing from you and send a warm mahalo to those who have already shared their experiences with us.
Lauren McNally
CONTRIBUTING W RITERS Kim Baxter Jayda Elazier Natalie Mounier
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Darryl Watanabe
SALE S
E.S. Adler Naomi Hazelton-Giambrone Janet Kerrebrock
ADMINISTRATION Athena Keehu Sally Shaner
PUBLISHE RS’ ASSISTANT Enjy El-Kadi
ELEMENT MEDIA INC.
1088 Bishop St. #1130 Honolulu, HI 96813 808.737.8711 info@elementmediahi.com
VACATIONS HAWAII
1585 Kapiolani Blvd. Suite 900 Honolulu, HI 96814 808.591.4777 boydvacationshawaii.com
©2015 by Element Media, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the written permission of the publisher. The views expressed in Las Vegas Bound do not reflect the opinions of Element Media or Vacations Hawaii.
Las Vegas Bound @vegasboundmag 4
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4 Great Ways to Buffet!
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Photo: Courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau
15-CPB
ROCKETS OVER THE RIVER Vegas’ neighboring town of Laughlin hosts its annual Rockets Over the River fireworks show on Fourth of July. Starting at dusk, the pyrotechnic display shot into the dark desert sky, with the bursting colors reflecting off the tranquil Colorado River for a stunning celebration. Free for public viewing along the Laughlin River Walk, Rockets Over the River features patriotic music choreographed to the fireworks display and simulcast over speakers by Laughlin’s hotels and local radio stations. WHERE: Laughlin WHEN: July 4 › Free › visitlaughlin.com
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15-CPB-1017 LVB_Alternate Energy-v2.indd 10/26/15 9:47 AM - 1 -
(Cyan) (Magenta) (Yellow) (BlacK)
Lawrence Pai Vice President Senior Business Banking Manager Central Pacific Bank
Bruce Ekimura Owner and President Alternate Energy
“Alex”
Our bank helps power our company’s growth. “We’re one of the largest residential PV installers in the state, but it wasn’t always that way,” reveals Bruce Ekimura, President of Alternate Energy. “As one of the earliest PV installers in Hawaii, we were well positioned to grow when the industry exploded.” “To support the growth, Central Pacific Bank helped us secure a commercial real estate loan for a warehouse that could accommodate our expanding operations. Lawrence, our business banker, believed in us when no one else would.” Long lasting relationships are built from the ground up. It starts with learning and understanding your goals, then providing the right tools to help you grow.
808-544-0500 1-800-342-8422
centralpacificbank.com
Photos: Courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau
BOULDER CITY DAMBOREE Looking to celebrate Fourth of July away from the chaos of the Strip? Head to neighboring Boulder City for its annual Damboree. Kicking off with a Rotary pancake breakfast at Bicentennial Park and a celebratory flyover by Boulder City Veterans Pilot Group, the daylong bash includes a Fourth of July Parade, complete with a designated water-play zone for cooling off and/or duking it out with your fellow paradegoers. The parade ends at Broadbent Memorial Park for midday Independence Day ceremonies, games and entertainment, but the party continues into the night at Veterans Memorial Park with activities, food, live music and a fireworks show at 9 p.m.
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WHERE: Boulder City WHEN: July 4 › Free › bcnv.org/351/Damboree-Celebration › 702.293.9256
You Asked... We Answered...
NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
Photos: Courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau
Where we serve
Asian Fusion Cuisine and so much more!
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MAY/JUNE/JULY 2016
May MAY 14–15 Romeo & Juliet
Photo: Bill Ebbesen
Nevada Ballet Theatre transports audiences to 15th-century Verona with its critically acclaimed production of Romeo & Juliet, bringing the tragic tale of star-crossed lovers to life through lush sets and inventive choreography. Prior to both performances, NBT will host a discussion and multimedia presentation offering attendees an inside look at one of Shakespeare’s most notable works. The Smith Center $29–$139 nevadaballet.org 702.749.2000
MAY 19 The Cure
MAY 18
Returning with a vengeance after its recent threeyear hiatus, The Cure crosses the pond this summer armed with new music. Led by frontman and principal songwriter Robert Smith, the band will stop in Vegas for one show during its North American tour. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas $50–$125 cosmopolitanlasvegas.com 877.893.2003
Photo: Courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau
Wayne Newton
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After more than five years out of the spotlight, Mr. Las Vegas returns to the stage with his allnew production, Wayne Newton: Up Close and Personal. The famed Sin City entertainer will showcase his musical talents in addition to answering audience questions and sharing stories from his 50-year career spanning more than 30,000 shows in Las Vegas. Windows Showroom at Bally’s Las Vegas From $75 caesars.com 702.777.2782
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MAY 26
Las Vegas Epicurean Affair The annual Las Vegas Epicurean Affair returns to The Palazzo, where renowned chefs and cocktailers from nearly 80 local restaurants, bars and nightclubs convene poolside to deliver a savory evening of gourmet cuisine and expertly crafted libations. Proceeds benefit the Nevada Restaurant Association’s educational and scholarship programs. The Palazzo $110–$160 palazzo.com 702.414.9000
Photo: Courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau
MAY 28
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Fremont Street Experience will launch its annual Rock of Vegas summer concert series with a hard-rocking performance by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. The group released its latest record, Unvarnished, in 2015 and has had eight platinum and gold albums and nine top-40 singles, including the Billboard number-one hit “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Fremont Street Experience Free admission vegasexperience.com 702.678.5600
MAY 28
Brews & Blues Festival
MAY 22–JUNE 12 Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez has extended her sold-out residency at Planet Hollywood to include 120 shows over the next three years. Lopez launches her second set of performances this May, bringing to the stage hit songs such as “On The Floor,” “Jenny from the Block,” “Get Right” and “Love Don’t Cost a Thing.” The Axis at Planet Hollywood $59–$219 caesars.com 702.777.2782
Head to Brews & Blues at the Springs Preserve three miles from downtown Vegas for unlimited craft beer samples from regional, national and international microbrewers and live music by The 44’s, Shanda & The Howlers and The Lucky Cheats. Designated drivers who won’t be sampling get in for $15. Springs Preserve $35–$75 springspreserve.org 702.822.7700
MAY 29 The Who
Rounding out the holy trinity of British rock alongside The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, The Who is considered one of the most influential rock groups of the 20th century, and lead singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend are keeping the legacy alive. The band’s rescheduled 50th anniversary tour, The Who Hits 50, concludes in Vegas. The Colosseum at Caesars Palace $96–$500 axs.com 866.227.5938
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June JUNE 7–25 Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey has added new dates to her first headlining Vegas residency. The best-selling female artist began her stint at Caesars Palace last May in conjunction with the release of her latest album, #1 to Infinity, a compilation of Carey’s 18 Billboard number-one hits. The Colosseum at Caesars Palace $55–$250 axs.com 866.320.9763
JUNE 10–19
JUNE 11
Vegas Fringe Festival
Junefest 2016 with Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
Venture off the beaten path at the seventh annual Vegas Fringe Festival, a performing arts showcase presented by Las Vegas Little Theatre. Located five minutes from the Strip, the theater will host a lineup of small, offbeat productions on its main stage and avant-garde black box theater over two weekends in June. Las Vegas Little Theatre $15 lvlt.org 702.362.7996
Henderson’s annual Junefest music festival is headlined this year by four-time Grammy Award winner Pat Benatar and guitarist Neil Giraldo. The husband-andwife duo has released several multi-platinum, platinum and gold albums and 19 top-40 hits, including “Love Is a Battlefield” and Benatar’s top-10 cover of “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” Sunset Amphitheater at Sunset Station Hotel & Casino $29–$99 sunsetstation.com 800.745.3000
JUNE 11
Reggae in the Desert Featuring live music sets, an onsite beer garden and a Caribbean food court and bazaar, Clark County’s annual Reggae in the Desert festival brings together some of the biggest names in reggae music. Past performers include Steel Pulse, Israel Vibration, Eek-A-Mouse and Barrington Levy. Clark County Amphitheatre $30–$35 reggaeinthedesert.com vegasevents702@gmail.com
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JUNE 16–19
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s “Greatest Show on Earth” arrives in Vegas to present Circus Xtreme. Ticket holders can meet the performers and see the circus animals up close during a pre-show one hour prior to curtain. Thomas & Mack Center $20–$50 ringling.com 702.739.3267
JUNE 14–19 Cabaret
Under the direction of Sam Mendes (Skyfall, American Beauty) and co-director/choreographer Rob Marshall (Nine, Chicago), whose 1998 production earned the Tony Award for best Broadway revival, New York City’s Roundabout Theatre Company presents the 1966 hit musical Cabaret as part of the company’s 50th anniversary season. The Smith Center $29–$129 thesmithcenter.com 702.749.2000
July JULY 8–10
UFC Fan Expo As part of UFC International Fight Week, thousands of fans from all over the world celebrate their passion for mixed martial arts during the UFC Fan Expo. Attendees meet with some of the sport’s biggest names and participate in exhibitions, training sessions and other special events. Las Vegas Convention Center $35–$65 ufcfanexpo.com 888.464.9950
JULY 8–18
NBA Summer League Samsung’s NBA Summer League at the University of Nevada Las Vegas is a series of off-season scrimmages during which National Basketball Association teams showcase their high-draft picks in addition to trying out the NBA hopefuls on their rosters. Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion $20–$25 nba.com/summerleague 702.739.3267
JULY 27–31 RollerCon
Step out of the desert heat and into the heat of competition at RollerCon, an annual roller derby convention where thousands of spectators, vendors and skaters of all skill levels gather from around the world to raise hell on wheels. Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino $19–$149 rollercon.com 808.796.3564
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THIS&THAT
By Lauren McNally
Alder & Birch
A modern take on the classic American steakhouse The wrap-around façade at The Orleans Casino’s new eatery Alder & Birch features rich wood paneling that evokes a stately grove of the restaurant’s namesake trees. A grand, stone-clad fireplace anchors the cocktail lounge and main dining room’s rich visual textures of polished wood and blackened industrial metal. A collection of framed, antique cookbooks hangs on the wall behind the bar and a chandelier glistens above each of the dining room’s glass-screened booths. Linger before your meal in the welcoming lounge, where you can partake in a selection of craft beers on tap, choose from a carefully chosen selection of more than 100 fine wines from around the globe or whet your appetite with one of the restaurant’s signature cocktails. Alder & Birch’s maple manhattan blends Knob Creek smoked maple bourbon with maple syrup, sweet vermouth and bitters, playfully garnished with a candied bacon strip.
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Start with social hour-friendly appetizers like the kobe-beef meatballs and chilled wild Baja prawns. For the first course, try the watermelon salad topped with goat cheese or the savory threeonion soup flavored with all-natural apple cider and an abundance of cave-aged Mifroma Gruyere cheese. The double-cut Kurobuta pork chop—widely considered to be the highest-quality pork in the world—is a robust second-course option, pan seared with a touch of sea salt and herbs, accompanied by Granny Smith apple slices glazed with a touch of all-natural apple cider. For the classic steakhouse experience, there’s 21day dry-aged prime beef, including the house signature Wagyu Coulette sirloin, a cut prized for its exceptional flavor and tenderness. Complete your meal with the decadent banana rum cake topped with rum sauce, or the restaurant’s signature crème brulee with house-made raspberry champagne sorbet.
Photos: Courtesy of Boyd Gaming
DINE ON
Photos: Anthony Mair
Due & Proper
English pub fare and libations at Green Valley Ranch
Spanning 2,500 square feet at The District at Green Valley Ranch, this pub in Henderson features the ambiance of a dim English pub and a name pulled from the film Gangs of New York. The outside patio is lined with stained-wood picnic tables for brunching and a gambling wheel transplanted from Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel for determining your next shot. Inside, the bar’s dark brocade walls are lined with wacky surrealist paintings and gangster-era black and white photographs. Mismatched brocade furniture is huddled around battered trunks standing in for tables and wrought-iron light fixtures are suspended over leather-backed booths. As for the eats, Due & Proper’s menu covers the standard wings, sliders and chili fries as well as traditional English grub like fish sticks and bangers and mash. There’s also an array of more elaborate sharing plates, from devilled eggs and crab fritters to beef skewers plated with an artful smear of sriracha. The Southwest
flatbread is served on a wooden board with chipotle aioli and topped with marinated chicken, microgreens, sweet cipollini onions and pickled jalapeno. The grilled goat cheese comes with wedges of warm pita bread and a mini mason jar of tomato jam. Go for the Dance with Johnnie cocktail for a mix of Johnnie Walker
Black, rosso vermouth, green tea syrup, Thai basil and black pepper, or try the Black Tot for a sweet libation made with Jamaican rum, orgeat syrup and lime. The Three Piece Suit is a more buttoned-up concoction containing London dry gin, herbal liqueurs and bitters.
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The Las Vegas showgirl is history 16
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show,” Mackie says. “You have to change all of the costumes. You have to change everything, and that’s never been the point of Jubilee. It’s an oldfashioned, tits-and-feathers show that we loved doing. I hope we see it again, but I doubt it.” There has been ample debate about how to advance the showgirl artistry in Las Vegas in the face of Jubilee’s closing. The consensus has been that the medium can still draw an audience healthy enough to support a couple of dozen dancers and a more streamlined production. But at Bally’s, the theater needs an overhaul, and the entire operation would have to be taken down and built anew. The costumes are still property of the hotel, stored now in the pit beneath the famed Jubilee stage. The great sets from the “Samson” and “Titanic” numbers also are stowed away. Traditional showgirls, who have been here for more than 40 years, “are becoming extinct,” says Hal Rothman, a history professor at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas who has studied the city’s entertainment culture. There is no shortage of showgirls, actually, only a shortage of places for them to work, Rothman says. Experts on the showgirl culture say one reason the shows have trickled away is that they are too tame. They show women in topless costumes mixed in with musical numbers, but it is more a tease than anything else—“an illusion of availability,” says Joanne Goodwin, an associate professor of history at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Showgirls, says Mr. Rothman and other historians, were essential to the Strip in the 1950s. They gave life to the mechanical clang of the slots and added color to a dusty landscape. The early showgirls often weren’t trained as dancers, Rothman says. That changed in the decades ahead as dance training and athleticism became prerequisites. The showgirls became perfection itself. And that is the epitaph for Jubilee—may she rest in peace.
Photos: Courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau
Vegas’ famed showgirls are history. They are Las Vegas’ favorite mascot: elegant and alluring, strong and sophisticated. They strut, spin, kick and glide, floating under 30 pounds of crystals, making the impossible look easy. But the show has aged. It sought relevance in production updates and new choreography, injections of entertainment Botox that didn’t so much fix a problem as smooth out wrinkles that were part of the show’s enduring charm. Jubilee’s closing doesn’t simply mark the end of a show that has spanned three decades on the Strip and survived various eras of Las Vegas entertainment trends. After Les Folies Bergere ended its nearly 50-year run in 2009, Jubilee has been the last remaining showgirl revue in Las Vegas, a vestige of a bygone era and the only true representation of a cherished city icon. While models will still don the attire to pose for tourist photos on the Strip or walk the red carpet, when the Jubilee ladies take their final bows next month, the Vegas showgirl as we know her will cease to exist. The news was the week’s second shock for the production’s 150-plus cast and crew members. The show’s co-founder and longtime manager, Fluff LeCoque, died December 10 at age 92, just two days before the impending demise of the show was announced.. A trained singer and dancer, LeCoque first performed in Las Vegas in 1947 at the long-gone Last Frontier hotel. “It is really the end of an era,” says Diana Eden, part of the legendary design team behind Jubilee’s elaborate costumes. But Jubilee’s fate is sealed. Its billboards have come down, its cast and crew will move on and its glorious costumes—Swarovski starbursts, cascading feathers, regal plumage—have gone into storage. Bob Mackie, another of the production’s designers, is not in favor of revamping the production to make the showgirl a more contemporary figure. “You can’t go contemporary because you have to change the whole
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AN
BY NATALIE MOUNIER
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Photo: Courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau Photo: Courtesy of MGM Resorts International
he Las Vegas Strip may be known for its glittering lights, luxurious resorts and jaw-dropping attractions, but now there’s an entirely new way to experience the city’s famed Strip. Nestled between Monte Carlo Resort and Casino and New YorkNew York Hotel & Casino, is The Park, an outdoor dining and entertainment district designed to feel like a microcosm of the surrounding desert landscape. Unveiled this past April, The Park offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of the Strip, allowing guests to relax and unwind in a shady avenue flanked by an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars. Eschewing the Vegas tradition of replicating foreign locales such as Paris and Venice, The Park is inspired by Vegas itself—the city’s context, history and landscape. Stunning desert landscape and cutting-edge design are in harmony at The Park. Standout elements such as monumental shade structures, theatrical lighting, water features and multihued meta-quartzite stone sourced from a local quarry
in the desert foothills 30 miles south of the Strip offer a modern interpretation of a desert landscape. Because of its porous physiology, meta-quartzite absorbs and dissipates heat, making it cooling to the touch, making it an ideal stone for constructing outdoor spaces in hot climates. The stone ranges in tone from fiery rusts and golds to burgundies and plums, and has been crafted into some of The Park’s most integral design features. The centerpiece of the Strip’s new pedestrian park is Bliss Dance, a 40foot sculpture of a dancing woman created by artist Marco Cochrane. Inspired by Cochrane’s first experience at Burning Man in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, Bliss Dance glimmers under the sun by day and is illuminated by 3,000 colored LED lights by night. “The Park’s nighttime identity offers an antidote to the over-the-top displays surrounding the landscape,” says Leni Schwendinger, the lighting designer and artist that was part of the design team behind the four steel structures towering above
The Park. Ranging from 55 feet to 75 feet tall, these monumental shade structures were constructed strategically throughout The Park to offer refuge from the intense desert heat. Perforations in the steel—inspired by patterns and textures from the desert environment— cast playful shadows on the colorful pavement during the day and emiting an intense glow at night. The structures “transform” into enormous cactus blooms beaming with colorful light every quarter hour, acting like visual chimes to let you know the time of day. Acacias and honey mesquites trees also provide shade from the desert sun, while pink hesperaloes, yellow damianitas, purple salvias and a wide variety of other flowers bloom in giant, geode-shaped planters throughout The Park, bringing the desert’s native flora to the heart of The Strip. From a double water wall standing as tall as eight feet, to low water tables gurgling and splashing in the background, water features pay homage to the Las Vegas Valley’s past as a wetland oasis in the desert. LasVegasBOUND
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Photos: Courtesy of MGM Resorts International
DINING AT THE PARK The Park’s restaurants and bars make for colorful patio culture along the promenade.
BEERHAUS The Park’s own Beerhaus is a laidback remix of an American beer hall. Featuring outdoor areas with vantage points of all The Park’s activity, Beerhaus offers farmto-table eats, an impressive craft beer list, live music and game areas for bocce ball, darts and ping pong.
Established in 2004 in New York City’s Madison Square Park, Shake Shack® is a modern-day “roadside” burger joint known for its all-natural burgers, flat-top dogs, frozen custard, beer, wine and more. This Vegas version boasts patios overlooking The Park and, appropriately, New YorkNew York’s Brooklyn Bridge.
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Photos: New York-NewYork Hotel + Casino
SHAKE SHACK
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN
Photos: Courtesy of MGM Resorts International
This one needs little introduction. If you’re in the mood for something easy, familiar and consistently scrumptious, CPK’s hand-tossed, hearth-baked pizzas and creative shared plates, pastas, salads and entrées are a sure bet.
SAKE ROK Inspired by Japan’s vibrant pop culture and fashion movements, the Sake Rok experience includes interactive servers who doubling as entertainers, spontaneously breaking into dance and lip-sync serenades while keeping the sake flowing late into the night as the restaurant transitions into a chic bar and lounge.
This fast-casual, gourmet waffle restaurant from Orange County serves up light, airy, authentic Brussels waffles. Bruxie waffles are paired with quality seasonal ingredients to form waffle sandwiches, offering both savory options, such as buttermilk fried chicken, as well as a variety of sweet choices like strawberry crème brûlée.
Photos: Bruxie
Photo: Sabin Orr
BRUXIE
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Gary
$30,000
$21,942
Paul
$20,000
Ronald
$45,000
Walter
$13,000
Margaret
$10,000
Rolie
$10,000
Pearl City
Chiyoko  Hilo
Honolulu
Honolulu
Kahului
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Ewa Beach
Robertina
$28,000
Jane
$14,167
Waipahu
Wahiawa
Malcolm Lihu‘e
$8,000
Island residents win big at the California, Fremont and Main Street Station Casinos. We hope to see your picture here soon!
Corey
$10,575 Leslie Honolulu
James
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Boyd Gaming Executive Chairman Bill Boyd, left, with California Hotel & Casino Vice President and General Manager David Lebby, right, at the ribbon cutting for the Cal’s new front desk on April 15.
WHAT’S NEW AT
THE CAL
BY LAUREN MCNALLY
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On April 15, the California Hotel & Casino held the first of several ribbon cuttings planned for the Cal in 2016. Nearly every public area in the property, including the valet station, porte cochère and casino floor, will soon unveil refreshed and re-energized elements inspired by modern Hawaiian colonial design. Distinctive elements include bright metallic finishes, luxe textures like alpine white granite and a dark, rich wood finish to accent existing molding throughout the casino. The project will be followed in 2016 by a complete redesign and upgrade of the Cal’s nearly 500 hotel rooms and suites. Additional food and beverage projects
on the horizon include the debut of a new hotel bar. As you may have heard, the hotel’s Cal Club snack bar is now closed, but you’ll find many of the familiar to-go items at the counter in the Market Street Café. Renovations to the Redwood Bar & Grill will begin in June. During the construction, Main Street Station’s Pullman Grille room will be serving steaks, chops and seafood off the Redwood Bar & Grill menu—they’re calling it the Redwood at the Pullman. As for the California Noodle House—you asked, they answered— inventive Asian Fusion is now served seven days a week at the Cal.
LAS VEGAS BOUND MAGAZINE
The food, fun and lifestyle of our Aloha State
HAWAI‘I COMPANIES BRING ALOHA TO VEGAS Wanderlust O‘ahu UH softball starter Keiki Carlos The new International Market Place
ISLAND COMPANIES
HIT IT BIG
IN LAS VEGAS
BY LAUREN MCNALLY
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Many beloved Hawai‘i brands have dipped their toes into the Vegas market. Some, like Maui’s Honolua Surf Company and Roy’s Las Vegas, were acquired by mainland corporations in the process. Others, like Hilo Hattie and Cinnamon Girl, have since downsized or abandoned ship for one reason or another. Several companies, however, have either found lasting success in Las Vegas or are in the process of further expansion in hopes of sharing their unique brand of aloha with the ninth island for years to come.
L&L HAWAIIAN BARBECUE Local-style comfort food The term “Hawaiian Barbecue” was coined by L&L founder Eddie Flores, Jr., who purchased the first L&L eatery—known locally as L&L DriveInn—in 1976 as a gift to his mother. Teaming up with business partner Johnson Kam, Flores took the business to the mainland as L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, bringing national attention to Hawai‘i’s unique local cuisine. Countless Hawai‘i transplants can now savor L&L Hawaiian Barbecue’s “onolicious” plate lunches at more than 40 L&L locations throughout the Las Vegas Valley. Like Hawai‘i itself, L&L’s signature dishes are a distinctive fusion of Eastern and Western influences rendered with unique island flare. They can be found at 200 restaurant locations worldwide for the same low prices and in the same generous portions as back home because they’re infused with an ingredient unique to the islands—the warm spirit of aloha.
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HONOLULU COOKIE COMPANY Gourmet cookies inspired by the islands Keith and Janet Sung wanted to craft the perfect gift for visitors to bring back as souvenirs and for locals to share with friends visiting from out of town. The Sungs launched their line of premium shortbread cookies in 1998 after years of perfecting the recipe. Their trademarked pineapple shape, natural island flavors such as lilikoi, coconut, kona coffee and macadamia nut and elegant, individually wrapped packaging was a hit. The Sungs opened their first brick-and-mortar in Kalihi in 2001, strategically building their customer base and product offerings before expanding to their first off-island location at the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian and The Palazzo in 2014. Baked fresh in Honolulu at dawn and whisked off to Vegas, the products bound for the ninth island include a line of cookies shaped like clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades and packaged in boxes made to look like dice, though they’re local at their core.
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MARTIN & MACARTHUR Fine koa furniture, accessories and gifts crafted by local artisans When founder Jon Martin launched Martin & MacArthur in 1961, he set out to make the most beautiful furniture in the world with what he believed to be the world’s most beautiful wood. Founded on the belief that sustainability is the kuleana, or responsibility, of the company, Martin & MacArthur crafts every single piece of furniture locally, employing more than 35 Hawai‘i craftsmen at its furniture workshop in Honolulu. Besides fine furniture, Martin & MacArthur creates personal accessories such as koa wood watches, koa rings, koa sunglasses, fine koa jewelry and koa-leather handbags. The company has expanded to 14 retail stores, including a flagship in the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. The company is launching two more stores in Las Vegas over the next year and plans to operate a total of 12 locations in Sin City.
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ABC STORES Convenience stores stocked with aloha ABC Stores is not your average convenience store. With its friendly service and wide selection of products from Hawai‘i and beyond, ABC Stores makes it easy and convenient to get your fix of the islands in addition to groceries, gifts, souvenirs and everything in between. On a trip to Miami Beach, ABC Stores co-founder Sidney Kosasa noticed that visitors were choosing to shop at local convenience stores rather the high-priced hotel shops. He envisioned that Waikiki would, like Miami Beach, be packed with visitors someday, and the ABC concept was born—stores conveniently located for visitors and stocked with merchandise sold at fair prices. Sidney and wife Minnie Kosasa opened the first ABC outlet on Waikiki Beach in 1964; today there are ABC Stores on every major Hawaiian island and more than 60 in Las Vegas, as well as locations in Guam and Saipan.
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ALOHA SHOYU Condiments born in Hawai‘i Established by five local Japanese families during World War II, Aloha Shoyu has grown to become a leader in soy sales sales in Hawai‘i— no small feat for a state that loves its shoyu. Over the years, the brand has grown to include a variety of sauces, marinades and vinegars available to consumers nationwide. Juxtaposing the company’s deeply rooted island heritage with its Japanese origins, the name Aloha Shoyu is now known in households across the country, and the brand’s local roots and authentic flavor have made it a favorite among kama‘aina and mainlanders alike. Aloha Shoyu officially opened the doors of its new production warehouse in North Las Vegas in April of 2015.
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REAL ESTATE
A HOME AWAY FROM HOME BY RANDY HATADA Randy Hatada is the owner and broker at Xpand Realty & Property Management. As a Las Vegas resident born and raised in Hilo, he especially enjoys assisting kama‘aina with their real estate needs. randy@xpandrealty.com Big Island. Hawaiian music has also made a major impact here in Las Vegas. Its unique sound, contagious rhythm and smooth vocals can be heard at local restaurants, on the radio, at backyard barbecues and at Hawaiian music festivals and cultural events like Pure Aloha, May Day and the Mayjah Rayjah, to name a few. Hula is no stranger to Las Vegas, either. There is an array of halau hula (hula schools) where you can learn the dance or sharpen up your skills, and you can watch live performances at local festivals, weddings, casinos, churches and, again, the right barbecue! Spend any time at Boyd Gaming’s casinos downtown and you’ll swear you were in Hawai‘i. It’s a one-stop shop for local food, music, hula, aloha shirts and “slippahs”—you might even get lei’d.
Photo: Randy Hatada
Hawaiian culture flows through the ninth island like an ocean breeze. From food, music and dance to traditions, slang and attire, kama‘aina bring their rich culture wherever they go. I think it’s safe to say that wherever local people reside, the Hawaiian culture follows. Las Vegas residents can identify Hawaiian Pidgin English immediately. I’ve lived in Las Vegas for 16 years now, but people still ask me all the time if I’m from Hawai‘i. Even after wrestling with my tongue for many years, I’m still proud to get the question. I hear Hawaiian words all the time out here, often in reference to local food. Local Hawaiian food has grown increasingly popular in the valley. If you walk into a local restaurant, you’ll find all kinds of people eating laulau, slurping oxtail soup, tucking into some poke with rice or devouring malasadas. I’d be willing to bet that most Vegas residents are familiar with Hawaiian-style shave ice—or “ice shave,” since I’m from the
Wanderlust O‘ahu targets mind, body and soul
Photos: Ali Kaukas for Wanderlust Festival
BY JAYDA ELAZIER
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Wanderlust is more than just a yoga festival. Packed morning to night with workshops, hikes, mala-making workshops, slack lining, hoops and poi balls, campfires, cleanses, dancing and live music, there’s never a dull moment at Wanderlust. Due to popular demand, Wanderlust 2016 offered more than double the amount of meditation classes than last year and added a number of new classes to its lineup of activities, including poi dance workshops that weaved poi and hoop basics with yoga and dance. Participants learned about the therapeutic benefits of these playful practices that powerfully restore and re-pattern the nervous system. For those who like to start the day with the new morning sun, sunrise classes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday included partner acrobatics, hooping and a “beach-buddy boot camp.” For the night owls at the festival, Join Slooh, University of Hawai‘i Astronomer Robert Jedicke and Yogi Ali Grimes led guided tours of the night sky, setting up telescopes on the beach for up-close looks at Jupiter. For the more adventurous attendees, Wanderlust debuted an all-new stand-up paddleboard class for yogis of all skill levels. Wanderlust’s Speakeasy series, a one-of-a-kind lecture program featuring today’s mindful thought leaders, included guests such as Emory Hall, who discussed the power of travel photography, Sky Kubby, who extolled the virtues of a raw chocolate diet, and award-winning journalist Susan Casey, who explored the relationship between dolphins and humanity. Local chef Lan Thai, owner of Happy’s Hawai’i Green Catering owner, creator of Drunken Master Chef’s Farm-to-Chopstix Craft Beer tour and this year’s guest chef for Wanderlust O‘ahu, gave a talk about her Eastern roots and Western upbringing. Lan described how the three aspects of food—growing, cooking and eating—played vital roles in her vibrant culture and history, and what we can learn from them for a
better future. Known for her Farm-to-Chopstix events throughout Hawaii, Lan fused Hawaiian, Asian and Mexican influences for the festival’s beachside barbecue, a feast of fresh-caught fish and seasonal sides paired with a bonfire and live music. Wander Tribe bonus classes were organized by Wanderlust’s wayfarer ambassador and studio partner teams to encourage local community connection. In these 12 classes, attendees learned to do a traditional Hawaiian oli chant, therapeutic uses for essential oils and how to choose your perfect career. Local jewelry company Silver & Sage hosted mala-making workshops that combined light yoga practice with the art of mala making, during which each participant learned the properties of natural stones while designing or choosing custom-made malas. Central to the Wanderlust experience is the festival’s wide variety of musical performers, from epic main stage evenings to intimate pop-up shows. This year included live performances by Citizen Cope, Trevor Hall, Kirtronica, Elijah Ray & The Band of Light, MC Yogi, DJ Sol Rising and DJ Drez. Whether through music, yoga or self-guided attention, Wanderlust is a celebration of mindful living designed to guide you toward your true north, says Wanderlust founders Jeff Krasno and Schuyler Grant, who launched the first festival in Lake Tahoe’s Squaw Valley in 2009 and have since expanded the event to include seven festivals around the country. The husband-and-wife duo’s vision for the festival was a based on the notion of finding one’s personal “true north,” which Krasno describes as a journey rather than a destination. Finding your true north, Krasno says, is about the moments during that journey “when you’ve aligned what you’re doing with what you love to do, and time evaporates.” Where better to find your true north than on O‘ahu’s fabled North Shore?
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Photos: UH Athletics
UH SPORTS
Four-year starter Keiki Carlos steps up to the plate for Rainbow Wahine BY KIM BAXTER
U
niversity of Hawai‘i softball coach Bob Coolen can’t remember the last time he saw Keiki Carlos sitting out a game. Not as she’s been a stalwart with the Rainbow Wahine for the last four years. Not as she led Mid-Pacific Institute to back-to-back state titles while earning back-to-back Gatorade Hawaii State Softball Player of the Year honors. Not even when she played summer ball in a mainland tournament and
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had to pitch in 10 straight games. In her four seasons at UH, Carlos has been on the field for all but one matchup. It was the first game of her career, and the veteran coach chose to sit her since she was starting the second game of the day as a pitcher. Four years later, that one game on the bench is a blip, an aberration in what has become a revered career in Manoa, because the Mililani native has since become a mainstay in the
UH lineup. Carlos started the remaining 57 games of that rookie season and all 104 games as a sophomore and junior. She is on pace to start more than 200 straight games in her outstanding UH career. “My mom and dad always told me to never be satisfied, and that’s a thing that I really try to live for and capture in whatever I do, whether it be school, on the field or off the field,” says Carlos, whose goes by the shortened version of her middle name,
Keikilani. “I try to make that my goal.” The 5-foot-3, softspoken Carlos has always been a star. After picking up the sport as a toddler in the garage with a plastic bat and a Wiffle ball, she quickly bounced onto UH’s recruiting radar as a freshman at Mid-Pac, whose softball field is less than a mile from the 1,200-seat Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. As a Mid-Pac freshman, Carlos announced her presence on the state
Photos: UH Athletics
level with a dominating 15 strikeouts in the HHSAA first-round win over Hilo. In the back-to-back state championship runs, she was the winning pitcher in all six tournament games. Carlos also crushed a solo home run for the only score of the game in her senior year semifinal game against Kapolei. She came to Manoa— choosing UH over Oregon State—with a big reputation and even bigger skills. “She brings the epitome of local talent,” Coolen says. “She is one of those players who, when you see her play and you understand her enthusiasm for the game, her drive for the game, her intensity for the game, those are the players you want to keep home to play and not
go to the mainland and have a career somewhere else.” Carlos was recruited to UH as a player who could pitch or play in the field. Though her debut came on the mound, she failed to replicate her high school success as a pitcher. She pitched in just eight games as a freshman, allowing a bloated 6.67 ERA and 27 walks in 21 innings. Her sophomore season was just as frustrating. Her nine pitching appearances led to a 7.36 ERA and 45 hits in 25 2/3 innings. But Carlos never sulked or pouted. When she wasn’t pitching, she was patrolling right field, bringing her dynamic right arm to that position and contributing 42 assists in 161 games in Continued on next page
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her first three seasons— an impressive number considering last year’s Major League Baseball leader had just 17 outfield assists in 148 games. “She’s an athlete. That was something that, when we were recruiting her, we knew that if the pitching didn’t work out, we would have her bat in the lineup and the ability of her arm and playing ability to play any other position,” Coolen says. “And she’s stabilized right field.” Carlos has also become a local favorite. While UH softball fans will root for any team success, there’s something special about having it come off the bat and arm of a local product. Carlos is one of five Hawai‘i
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players on this season’s team—her high school teammate Nicole Lopez typically hits just before her in the lineup—and gets some of the loudest applause at the games. She can sometimes be seen dancing hula in the outfield during a break in the action. She is regularly sought out for photos and autographs at her younger sisters’ softball games at Maryknoll. Moments like that, she says, reaffirms her decision to stay home and play all those games for UH. “It’s an awesome feeling to know that I’m really reaching out to those people here,” Carlos says. “And I don’t think I would’ve made the same impact anywhere else. It’s surreal.”
Whatever your feelings are about the old International Market Place, chances are you’ve navigated its shady labyrinth of souvenir stands in the heart of Waikiki. Crammed with loud aloha shirts, puka shell lei and bobble-head hula dancers, the open-air flea market went from charmingly kitschy hotspot to aging tourist trap in the 56 years since it opened. But with an end of an era comes the dawn of new one; in a bold move to rebrand the neglected marketplace as a high-caliber retail and dining destination, the International Market Place was closed in December 2013 for a massive overhaul that left only Queen Emma’s banyan tree standing. When the new International Market Place opens in August 2016, it will bring modern buzz to a piece of prime real estate formerly frozen in time. Before Waikiki became an international vacationing destination, it was the stomping grounds of royalty. The land where the market is situated today was once owned by Hawai‘i’s first elected monarch, King William Charles Lunalilo, and later served as the summer home of Queen Emma, beloved humanitarian and wife of King Kamehameha IV. The queen willed the land to a trust that she established to support her legacy, the state’s largest private nonprofit hospital known today as The Queen’s Medical Center. In 1955, The Queen Emma Foundation agreed to lease the land to tiki bar inventor Donn “The Beachcomber” Beach, whose $1.5 million investment launched International Market Place in 1957. The marketplace became a prime Waikiki attraction bustling with bargain hunters, diners and revelers. Over the course of its 56-year run, the International Market Place was home to some of the best people watching on the island and a nightclub scene crawling with the biggest local entertainers of the era—Don Ho, Martin Denny and Ed Kenney. Through it all, the 60-foot banyan tree towering over the Kalakaua Avenue entrance stood a revered living mascot. Over time, however, the marketplace lost its luster, and the center was officially shut down at the end of 2013 to make way for an upscale retail, dining and entertainment complex debuting this
INTERNATIONAL MARKET PLACE 2.0 From kitschy to classy, the International Market Place reopens with a new focus on design, cuisine and fashion
Photo: Kevin Whitton
BY LINDSEY KESEL
Queen Emma’s banyan—an iconic symbol of the market and once home to a radio broadcast studio perched in a treehouse—thrives amidst the construction of the new International Market Place. LasVegasBOUND
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Rendering: International Market Place - Taubman
August. The new International Market Place will house some 75 retailers on its first two levels and a third-floor grand lanai lined with world-class eateries like Michael Mina’s Stripsteak and Roy Yamaguchi’s Eating House 1849. While the reimagined marketplace features a decidedly contemporary aesthetic, loyal fans of the original International Market Place may be pleasantly surprised to discover a one-of-a-kind meeting place of past and present. The new International Market Place is infused with hundreds of references to Hawai‘i’s history, native culture and natural landscape. Glass, stone, wood and metal surfaces were rendered with creative twists inspired by traditional colors, designs and textures. Quotes from Queen Emma are transcribed onto the glass walls of the elevators, and patterns inspired by native Hawaiian kapa fabric frame the storefronts. Ornate water features celebrate the importance of wai ‘ola, or life-giving water, and a variety of indigenous and endemic plants are incorporated into the shopping center’s verdant landscaping. The six-acre site also integrates a variety of sustainability measures to reduce its carbon footprint, including light-colored roofs to resist heat gain, highefficiency cooling, trickle irrigation, drought-tolerant plants, LED lighting and a recycling program. The center’s smart monitoring system works to manage and conserve energy, and electric car-charging stations and bike parking cater to the eco-conscious traveler.
The shopping center’s Banyan Court was constructed around the infamous banyan growing at the center of the property. A new treehouse is tucked within its massive aerial roots and branches in a throwback to the one that used to house a radio-broadcasting studio during the marketplace’s golden age. The Queen’s Court is situated in the heart of the shopping center against a lush backdrop of monkeypod trees, coconut palms and other native flora. A large sculpture commemorates Queen Emma, King Kamehameha IV and their son, Prince Albert. Plaques inscribed with poems, songs and intimate details from her life are located throughout the courtyard. Beside a large central stage designed for music, dance and other cultural performances, a tranquil pool alludes to the ancient navigational practice of gazing into the water to read the night sky. In the Mauka Court, a striking water feature symbolizes rain washing down from the mountains. A replica of an ancient stream flowing from mauka to makai can be seen peeking though the floors. “The Hawaiian phrase e komo mai, ‘come and belong,’ was our guiding mantra,” says Ron Loch, vice president of planning and design for Taubman Centers, the retail developer that spearheaded the project. “Design and history go hand in hand and we wanted the finished property to welcome everyone while creatively honoring generations past. A lot of people have a strong emotional connection to this place, with fond memories of a first date or first concert, and we wanted to honor those ties.”
What is the history of Manoa Cottage and Manoa Cottage Kaimuki? Manoa Cottage and Manoa Cottage Kaimuki are sister facilities, both owned by Sandra Shim. The difference between them is the level of care. Manoa Cottage started in 1995 as a single care home in Manoa. It now consists of three adjacent care homes, which share a common patio area. They have provided care in a home-like environment for years. Manoa Cottage Kaimuki opened nearly three years ago as a skilled nursing facility offering a higher level of care. Although it relishes the Manoa Cottage brand, it is located in the KaimukiKapahulu area near Kaimuki High School. Manoa Cottage Kaimuki specializes in the care of residents with dementia, memory loss and Alzheimer’s-type dementia.
What kind of services and specialized care does each facility oer?
Q&A WITH CALVIN HARA Executive Director and Administrator, Manoa Cottage
What are some of the most important considerations that must be met when providing care at a nursing home? Compassion and the highest quality of kupuna care is at the top of the list. Our kupuna have taught and shared their rich culture with us. We must care for them in their time of need, with the best caregivers and support staff offering 24-hour compassionate care. Manoa Cottage Kaimuki is pleased, as a newer facility, to offer 24-hour care in a homelike setting and in a neighborhood familiar to all, close to many family members and close to doctors and hospitals in Honolulu. As many kupuna are entering their 80s and 90s or even becoming centenarians, the onset and prevalence of memory care needs necessitate specialized care from a nursing facility such as Manoa Cottage Kaimuki.
The two communities are two steps of a continuum of care. We provide support in daily activities among our 24 residents at Manoa Cottage. This support can include medication, bathing and dressing assistance. Our residents may not be able to live independently at home. At the care home, however, we provide assistance so they can remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. Our nursing home is able to care for residents who need more intensive assistance with not only their daily activities but also their health care needs. This location has a registered nurse on duty 24/7, which allows us to truly take care of the special medical needs of our kupuna. What sets Manoa Cottage Kaimuki apart is its specialization in care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Many long-term care facilities find it challenging to care for people with the complex behaviors associated with dementia, especially when caring for the rest of the elderly population. Because of our small size, we are able to delve deeper into the associated behaviors and focus on behavior modification. We find this helps us to treat the related behaviors with little or none of the usual medications.
How many residents do the facilities accommodate? Manoa Cottage is licensed for 24 residents with private and semi-private room configurations. Manoa Cottage Kaimuki is licensed for 27 residents and has private, semi-private and shared rooms.
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SODERHOLM BUS & MOBILITY
on the commercial market for the first 24 years, Denise and Erik Soderholm took the company into the personal mobility arena after realizing the extreme lack of accessible vehicles and adaptive transportation resources available for individuals in Hawai‘i. Providing valuable transportation options for Hawai‘i’s senior, disabled and special needs communities, Soderholm Bus & Mobility continually conducts extensive research and training. We maintain and forge partnerships with premier accessible transportation manufacturers in order to offer consumers the best selection of state-of-the-art transportation options. We have accessible and ADA vehicles from BraunAbility, VMI, ElDorado Mobility, MV-1 and TransitWorks. The ins and outs of the personal mobility market are well covered by Soderholm Bus & Mobility’s selection of equipment including scooter and wheelchair lifts, hand controls, turnout and transfer seating options and wheelchair securement solutions. Our technicians are among the best with ASE certifications. We provide full installation, warranty and repair services at our shop on Dillingham Boulevard. Additionally we offer repair service on all major Hawaiian islands, Guam and Saipan. “It’s a hard market and we’re not afraid of it,” says Denise Soderholm, president of Soderholm Bus & Mobility. “As a disabled individual myself for the past 14-plus years, I understand where they are coming from. My life didn’t end when I became disabled, it just changed—that’s all!”
Driving Freedom and Independence The statistics are staggering—one out of five people in Hawai‘i suffer from limited mobility issues and almost 30,000 of these individuals are dependent upon a wheelchair every day. According to the 2014 U.S. census, 16.1 percent of Hawai‘i’s total population is 65 years old or over. That’s more than 228,000 people. Even more notable, approximately 40,000 people in Hawai‘i are over 85 years old and 10,000 are over 100 years old! We all have places to be. On a daily basis, we’re commuting to work or school, running errands for ourselves or family, visiting doctors or simply trying to savor the weekend outside of the house. For the disabled and sometimes the senior communities in Hawai‘i, simple tasks most people take for granted can be challenging. Without the proper equipment, caregiver’s risk injuring themselves in the process. There’s good news for those faced with such circumstances. Soderholm Bus & Mobility, at 2044 Dillingham Boulevard in Honolulu, offers solutions to help those in need gain driving freedom and independence. Incorporated in 1989 and focusing
DRIVING FREEDOM & INDEPENDENCE Come see us for your mobility needs: Accessible Vehicles Hand Controls • Seating & Transfer Solutions
Wheelchair Securement Wheelchair & Scooter Lifts • Multiple Brands
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PICK YOUR CHASSIS, WE’VE GOT THE CONVERSION FOR YOU! SODERHOLM BUS & MOBILITY Visit us at our dealership at
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WHY DO PEOPLE CHOOSE TO DO A TUB CONVERSION? Each year in Hawai‘i, countless members of the elderly community suffer serious injuries after experiencing mobility-related accidents within the home. One of the leading causes of accidents among seniors with impaired mobility is bathtubs built too high for them to safely step over. As Hawai‘i’s middle-aged and older population increases, members of the community are taking a proactive approach to ensure a longer and safer future. Island Bath Works’ tubconversion service can reduce the step-over height of an existing tub to reduce risk and avoid the emotional toll of a fall, without major demolition or construction hassles. It is a customizable, noninvasive process from beginning to end, can be finished in one day and costs approximately 75 percent less than building a new shower.
Island Bath Works helps seniors live safely and independently in their own homes. The company’s walk-in tub conversions enable safe entry and exit in and out of the bathtub, removing a portion of the bathtub side to create an entryway with a low, four-inch curb. Island Bath Works offers a 10-year warranty on labor and materials and a five-year warranty on refinishing. The firm can convert bathtubs on O‘ahu as well as the neighbor islands.
“Our goal is to help people take the necessary preventative measures before it’s too late.” 44
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Eric Thompson Island Bath Works 808.927.9228 sales@islandbathworks.com islandbathworks.com
HEALTH
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY BY KELIKA ISHOL Kelika Ishol is the director of sales, marketing and resource development at Good Samaritan Society Pohai Nani and has over 18 years of experience in retirement communities and nonprofit development.
future neighbors, sample the cuisine, try an exercise class— maybe even play a game of hanafuda. By the end of one week, you’ll know if you’re making the right decision. I once worked with a senior who was reluctant to move into a retirement community. She didn’t like the idea of living in an old folks’ home. Even at 80 years old, she was still going for morning jogs, attending her annual church festivities and actively volunteering at the local library. But she did not enjoy dining alone, and was spending quite a bit of money eating out. Her home also had a few burnt-out light bulbs that she had difficulties changing. She knew it was only a matter of time before there were other things she couldn’t do for herself. So she took me up on my offer to “try before you buy” and quickly learned that a retirement community is not an old folks’ home at all. She moved in and is now our community librarian!
Photo: Pohai Nani
Customers can’t always test drive products before purchasing them. Vehicles are among the few big-ticket purchases you can try before you buy. A home, on the other hand, can be beautifully staged at the open house, but you won’t truly know what it’s like to live there until after you move in. I remember moving into a beautiful new home only to discover that a gang of neighborhood roosters crowed for 10 minutes straight every morning, first at 3 a.m. and then again at 6 a.m. I also learned that the toilet leaked, the bathtub drain clogged and the neighbor’s dog barked all evening. I certainly would not have made the move if I knew these details ahead of time. It’s the same for retirement communities. How do you know that it’s the right place for you? Is it nice and quiet, or do the chickens crow in the middle of the night? Fortunately, most retirement communities have a guest suite that you can temporarily stay in to feel the place out. You can meet your
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KNOW BEFORE YOU
GO
What to expect on a Vacations Hawaii experience to Las Vegas ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION
CARRY-ON LUGGAGE
You are required by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to provide an acceptable form of identification at check-in and at the security checkpoints in Honolulu and Las Vegas. Acceptable forms of identification include photo identification issued by the US Federal or State Government or US and foreign government-issued passports. Additionally, the identification must contain a name, date of birth, gender, expiration date and some tamper-resistant feature. Bus passes, library cards and fishing licenses are among the forms of identification that are NOT acceptable.
In addition to one personal item (briefcase, purse, laptop computer, backpack) each person is allowed one piece of carry-on luggage. The maximum dimensions for each piece of carry-on luggage is approximately 9 x 14 x 22 inches and the weight restriction is 25 pounds. No more than three ounces of liquids, aerosols or gels may be included in carry-on luggage. Additionally, all of the above items must be consolidated in a single quartsized zip lock bag, which must be placed separately in the security bin during the security screening process.
CHECKED LUGGAGE l In Honolulu, check in two hours prior to departure at Omni Air International’s ticket counter located in Lobby 6 of the Honolulu International Airport.
l PLEASE BE AWARE THAT : • Baggage that needs to be checked needs to pass through the agriculture checkpoint before heading to the ticket counter. • In addition to affixing the hotel tags provided by Vacations Hawaii, all checked luggage must be tagged with your own personal identification tag. • You are allowed two pieces of checked luggage with a maximum weight of 50 pounds and maximum dimensions of 62 linear inches (length+width+height). • A fee of $25 will be assessed for each of the first two pieces of checked luggage on each flight segment. Passengers who check in more than two pieces of luggage will be charged $100 per piece for each additional item of checked luggage per each flight segment. • In addition to the checked baggage fees set forth above, Vacations Hawaii may, in its sole discretion, accept oversized or overweight luggage when space is available, subject to the payment of a fee of $100 per piece on each flight segment. Checked baggage that exceeds a maximum outside linear dimension of 62 inches and/or exceeds a maximum weight of 50 pounds constitutes overweight luggage. Items heavier than 70 pounds will not be accepted for transportation. • First Class passengers and Emerald cardholders in Boyd’s B Connected program will be allowed two pieces of checked luggage at no charge, except for oversized and overweight pieces described above, which will be subject to fees. • Styrofoam coolers will not be accepted unless packed within an outside box or container. Special rules and restrictions govern the transport of dry ice.
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SPECIAL NEEDS (Wheelchairs, Oxygen, Oxygen Concentrators) Customers with special needs should make their reservations with Vacations Hawaii as far in advance as possible and should request the special services available to them. Arrangements can be made for special seating and handling at the same time that your charter reservations are made. Wheelchairs are available through the porter service at both Honolulu International Airport and McCarran International Airport for the convenience of passengers. Arrangements can be made in advance to rent wheelchairs for use in Las Vegas. Customers also have the option of taking their own personal wheelchairs with them as checked luggage on the chartered flights. Oxygen can be provided at a cost for any customer who provides Vacations Hawaii with a prescription that has an acceptable flow rate and meets the government’s criteria when the request for oxygen is made. Oxygen concentrators are allowed on the airplane but are subject to restrictions concerning the make and model of the concentrator and the amount of battery-charge available. Consult with a Vacations Hawaii representative for a full description of terms and restrictions.
DEPARTING HONOLULU
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Again, once at Honolulu International Airport, please check in two hours before departure at Lobby 6. A 5 1/2-hour flight will take you from Honolulu to Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport. The charter approaches Las Vegas from the south, giving passengers a clear view of the Strip and Downtown as the plane descends for its landing.
ARRIVING IN LAS VEGAS
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The flight arrives at Terminal 1, where a Vacations Hawaii ground agent will greet you, answer any questions
NEED ASSISTANCE? l If you need any help while you are in Las Vegas, please contact the Duty Escorts at the Vacations Hawaii office in the Main Street Hotel and Casino. Escorts are at the office 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You may also call 702.249.8404 for assistance.
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and direct you to the buses that will take you to your hotel. At the hotel, you will be greeted by another agent and proceed to the front desk to retrieve your meal-ticket book and room keys. Your luggage will be brought to your room shortly. During your stay, there are countless ways to stay busy with gaming, shopping, day trips, sightseeing, free shows and more. For a list of some possibilities, contact your hotel’s bell desk representatives.
On the day of your departure, your luggage will be retrieved from your room by the bell desk. You will meet in a designated room and await the buses to take you back to McCarran Airport, Terminal 1. At the terminal, you will need to retrieve your luggage (or use a SkyCap) and take it to the check-in counter. Check in with the Swissport counter agents. There, you will be issued your boarding pass and luggage claim tags and directed to the proper departing gate. Once you arrive at the Honolulu airport, your luggage is typically sent to Baggage Claim E. An announcement will be made in-flight to let you know where to pick up your baggage. <
Passenger Entrance >>>
EXIT
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LAVATORY
2D 3D 4D
2F 3F 4F
7D 7E 7F 8D 8E 8F 9D 9E 9F 10D 10E 10F 11D 11E 11F 12D 12E 12F 14D 15D 16D
EXIT
LEAVING LAS VEGAS
LAVATORY
14E 15E 16E
14F 15F 16F
2H 3H 4H
2K 3K 4K
7H 8H 9H 10H 11H 12H 14H 15H 16H
7K 8K
First Class Rows 1 – 4
9K 10K 11K 12K 14K 15K 16K
Premium Class Rows 7 – 16
LAVATORY
LAVATORY
17H* 17K* 18D 19D 20D 21D 22D 23D 24D 25D 26D 27D 28D 29D 30D 31D 32D 33D 34D 35D 36D
| 1-877-718-8901
Omni Flight Departure & Arrival Information
18E 19E 20E 21E 22E 23E 24E 25E 26E 27E 28E 29E 30E 31E 32E 33E 34E 35E 36E
18F 19F 20F 21F 22F 23F 24F 25F 26F 27F 28F 29F 30F 31F 32F 33F 34F 35F 36F
18H 19H 20H 21H 22H 23H 24H 25H 26H 27H 28H 29H 30H 31H 32H 33H 34H 35H 36H
18K 19K 20K 21K 22K 23K 24K 25K 26K 27K 28K 29K 30K 31K 32K 33K 34K 35K 36K
Coach Class Rows 17 – 36
LAVATORY
Thank You For Choosing Vacations Hawaii! LasVegasBOUND
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Photo: Goodwill Hawaii
KAMA‘AINA SPOTLIGHT
GOODWILL GOES GLAM! Hawai‘i’s best kept secret is a secret no more STORY BY KELLEY CHO
Goodwill Goes GLAM! is a oncea-year bargain hunter’s paradise. The 20,000-square-foot sales floor is a treasure trove of the best items that Goodwill Hawaii has to offer. It takes a full year to find the best of the best to stock GLAM! These include name-brand fashions, designer shoes and hand bags, vintage housewares, one-of-a-kind collectibles and the island’s best collection of aloha shirts, all at very affordable prices. What used to be a bargain hunter’s best-kept secret now attracts more than 3,000 people every year. By 9:45 a.m. on opening day of sales at Goodwill Goes GLAM! presented by Bank of Hawaii Foundation, hundreds of shoppers will be lined up outside the entrance along the Neal S. Blaisdell Center concourse, eagerly waiting to get first pick of merchandise curated from Goodwill stores 48
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island-wide. The serious shoppers even come equipped with their own wagons. Proceeds go to support Goodwill Hawaii’s mission to help people with employment barriers reach their full potential and become self-sufficient, so you can feel good about every purchase you make knowing it goes to a great cause. The fifth annual Goodwill Goes GLAM! presented by Bank of Hawaii Foundation will take place at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall from July 22 to July 24. Doors are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $4 each at the Blaisdell Box Office or half price at any Goodwill Hawaii store beginning in June. Free parking will be available at McKinley High School. For more information, visit www.higoodwill.org/ glam or call 836-0313.
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BoydVacationsHawaii.com 7/28/14 11:39 AM
o how do you choose the S right senior living community? Fun is important. So is comfort. But what about those deeper questions? Questions like whether our lives will have as much meaning and purpose? We’re the Good Samaritan Society – Pohai Nani, part of the nation’s largest not-for-profit provider of senior care and services. And we’d like to help you answer those deeper questions that belong at the very center of your search.
To learn more about our community in Kane’ohe, call (808) 247-3448.
The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society provides housing and services to qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, disability, familial status, national origin or other protected statuses according to applicable federal, state or local laws. All faiths or beliefs are welcome. Copyright © 2014 The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society. All rights reserved.