There’s a Chicken Problem When…
Newly paved sidewalk is already and permanently marked with chicken feet tracks.
kailua
Target Lineup for NES Classic
I can only guess that this lineup outside of Target Kailua is for the NES Classic that releases today. Seemingly limited availability is driving up demand for this nostalgic gaming system. I doubt everyone in line will be happy. This picture was taken at 7:45am.
Update: The Kailua Target location had approximately 12 units available (it may have been 20 but eight mysteriously were not part of sellable inventory). Some in-line were there since midnight.
Update 2: GameStop Windward Mall had 17 units that were snapped up quickly.
Update 3: Best Buy in town seemed to have been the best bet with 40 Classics up for grabs. Opening at 10am, you had to wait in line but if you had a ticket, you were good.
Update 4: Amazon literally sold out in seconds.
Update 5: Don’t worry if you missed out. There will be more chances says Nintendo.
The Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition system is a hot item, and we are working hard to keep up with consumer demand. 1/3
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) November 11, 2016
The Curb Now in Kailua
Wow, the shakeup of small businesses in Kailua just doesn’t stop. Sadly, Island Yogurt is leaving the Windward neighborhood, but Bee & Tea from Chicago opened their first Hawaii store on the same Hekili Street. Also opening on Hekili is The Curb that’s “keeping it fresh, hot, and cool with intentional coffee.”
Now I don’t quite understand their tagline, but hey, I’ll try some coffe with intention. The Kailua location just opened on Wednesday, so they’re still working out some issues on their fourth business day. Umm, yeah, gotta get a trash can inside the store and also an area with napkins would be good. But that wall art is cool, and I do really dig the whale wallpaper.
Their menu is tight and focused, and I went with a nitro cold brew since I don’t know where else I can find this on the Windward side. I’ve never had the foaminess of a nitro, but it’s interesting. There’s a different feel to this drink and subtle flavor changes to this cold brew. I’m not sure if this drink is for me though.
Next time, I’ll go for an espresso drink and fill my Belly.
Bee & Tea Beckons the Age of Milk Tea in Kailua
So the Age of Froyo is done after a seven-year war. Following froyo is the Age of Milk Tea. Already popular in town, Kailua joins this era with the introduction of Bee & Tea. I won’t go into the store’s background and menu since you can read great coverage here and here.
Only open one week, the store was buzzing with patrons inhaling their boba-filled drinks.
Yeah, I’m no fan of boba or milk tea drinks, preferring my coffee, so I opted for a lemonade instead. But hey, that lemonade with lychee and mango was worth it! Refreshing with the sour bite offset by the sweet lychee and mango jelly. The jellies weren’t mushy either. They were firm, holding their shape, some even in the shape of little stars. Heck, as I neared the bottom of my drink, I got a spoon out to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
The Bee & Tea menu is kinda overwhelming with drinks alone. Milk tea, cold brew coffee, shakes, smoothies – there’s a lot to look through. Personally, I think they should forgo the coffee offerings since there are so many other coffee options in the area, even a few doors down with the opening of The Curb. There’s also bao served, and really, I don’t get it. I guess the bao is a complementary food item that is the savory to the drinks’ sweetness? I just don’t envision the crowds coming to Bee & Tea for bao. But then again, I’m terrible at predicting food wants.
I do have to go back and try one of the signature milk teas, but until then, here are some pictures of Bee & Tea Kailua.
You can also follow Bee & Tea Kailua on Instagram @beeandteakailua and Facebook.
Island Yogurt Kailua Closing
Went for some froyo today at Island Yogurt in Kailua only to see this sign.
While we don’t froyo often, Island Yogurt was our go to spot with a variety of flavors and convenient parking. They’ve been there for several years (well as Orange Tree originally) but the rent just got too high.
When the Froyo Wars started in 2009, I wondered who would make it and who wouldn’t. From the list of contenders, I honestly don’t know who’s left standing, but Yogurt Mama is still holding it down in Kailua.
The Age of Froyo is essentially done superceded by the Age of Milk Tea and the continued climb of coffee…
Build Your Body at Volcanic Rock Gym
No, I’m no rock climber and didn’t know abou the Volcanic Rock Gym near Punahou and in Kailua. The smaller Kailua location is all about climbing. Featuring walls of varying heights and angles, this smallish space is maximized with challenges, and the climbers there are maxed out themselves. Every regular that came by was fit and well muscled – backs, legs, arms, you name it. So obviously if you want to build up your body, climbing at Volcanic Rock Gym is what you need to do.
Target Kailua Getting Self Serving
Now this is a very welcomed change to the Target location on the Windward side. Check this out.
Yes, that is a self checkout station. One of several in fact that’s being installed where the previous express registers were. If you’ve shopped at Target Kailua, you know of the line imbalance. There’s usually one or two open regular cashiers and one express cashier. But most of the buyers have a handful of items, so that express line is packed and not so express. The buyers with carts overwhelm the regular cashiers. Needless to say, buying stuff is a time consuming hassle.
These self check out stands have got to help. I’ll report back in a week or two…
Macy’s Kailua Now Up to 50% Off
The closing of Macy’s Kailua continues with items discounted as much as 50% off. But… I don’t know where these items are. Instead, I find mostly regularly priced items with marginal markdowns. A $65 pair of Hurley and Nike shorts at 20% off is still expensive.
Nonetheless, the store is gradually emptying out. G Shock watches are all gone with only high end watches left. The aloha shirts are wiped out unless you’re looking for off sizes.
But this look is still available if you’re so inclined.
Chicken Crossing the Road
For whatever reason, I find this video of a chicken running across the road of the Target Kailua parking lot very entertaining.
Maybe she was amped up from that Starbucks coffee.
Macy’s Kailua Closing
Nothing lasts forever, but Macy’s in Kailua made a good run at it. In the heart of Kailua downtown for as long as I can remember, this smallish Macy’s was always an excellent backup. Sure, they didn’t have everything like the Ala Moana location, but this store had enough. Oh and finding that particular size was usually successful at Kailua. But soon, very soon this historic Kailua location will be closed.
Here are a few shots as of January 22, 2016. Items are on sale but not really. Mostly everything is 25% off but the prices are full retail to begin with so the discounts aren’t that great. Maybe later, the cuts will be more, but with other Macy’s locations that can be transferred to, I doubt unreal deals are to be found.
What Will Be at the Corner of Hahani and Hamakua?
Not sure what will be at the corner of Hahani and Hamakua in Kailua, but finally some action is taking place. For a long time, the ground was dug up then sat there covered.
The area has been uncovered and cleared so we’ll see soon enough.
Maui Mike’s Fire Roasted Chicken Coming to Kailua
There was Great Harvest then Z’s Bakery. Soon enough this spot in the Enchanted Lakes Shopping Center will be home to Maui Mike’s Fire-Roasted Chicken. The transformation from bakery to chicken fire roaster looks almost done, so I’m guessing they’ll be open by December?
The Yelp reviews are excellent. Can’t wait to try me some fire-roasted chicken!