A favorite 60 year old – Ala Moana Shopping Center!

Posted on September 3, 2021 by Aunty

A pal from high school sent this video link about the Ala Moana Shopping Center. We used to hang out there, with Liberty House being THE cream of the crop. Carol and Mary was also cream of the crop but they looked down on me – local girl who didn’t look rich. McInerneys was another snobby store and downstairs, Lynn’s had THE best pastrami sandwich on rye with dill pickles as well as delicious Chinese plate lunch choices like Panda’s of today.

I could spend all day there even though I only had $5 in my purse because I did a LOT of window shopping. The current owners are a Canadian company – Brookfield Properties. Over the years, Ala Moana Center has changed. Gone are the old stores that I liked (and didn’t like), but it is still an exciting place to shop and look.

Brookfield has plans to build 5 skyscrapers up to 400 feet high on the property, if they can. The current limit is 150 feet high. I will be watching this and hoping that they don’t get their way. We don’t need more high rises at million dollar price tags. Plant trees instead, please!

What do you love to see in Hawaii?

Posted on May 29, 2019 by Aunty

Aunty loves to see the ocean, mountains, sky, trees, and wonderful old buildings with character. What do you love?

If you love those modern buildings made of mirrored glass popping up higher and denser, then good for you – because that is what the developers are building, with the blessing of our city council, mayor, and departments.

If you don’t like them and want a rather easy way to say so, then please fill out an online survey that the Department of Planning and Permitting is conducting for the island of Oahu – called the Honolulu Public Views Study. They are collecting this information until this ~~Friday, May 31~~, so time is of the essence. Survey extended to June 15, 2019, hurray!

The link is:808ne.ws/citysurvey

Maybe this will help us keep our island saner and safer from the skyscrapers that threaten to turn us into a metropolitan concrete and glass corridor. Maybe, or maybe not. At the very least, we get heard.

Viva Aloha Las Vegas!

Posted on October 17, 2016 by Aunty

Aunty and Olaf in Vegas

Aunty just returned from a 5 day trip to Vegas. Unpacking suitcases is both fun and a bother, though this time it was easy because ALL of the packed clothes were used, and thus needing to be washed, the only store visited was Trader Joes, and one suitcase was dedicated to supplies, tools, and projects from the fabulous Clay Carnival that Donna Kato puts on year after year.

Aunty’s packing post was helpful just before leaving on the trip, though a blow up seat cushion was missing and Aunty’s butt was not as comfortable during the semi-long flight that landed around midnight. One little Lorazepam pill that first night worked wonders, and when the 6:30 am hotel wake up call rang, Aunty was up, feeling well rested, and ready to hit the classrooms.

A bunch of us went to see the Michael Jackson ONE show at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. Since it was the late show at 9:30 pm, we first ate at the hotel’s Citizens Kitchen & Bar for dinner, and BAM! it was the best food that we all had during the entire trip! Everything we ate there – fish and chips, mahimahi tacos, chicken wings – were cooked perfectly, seasoned perfectly, and devoured even though the servings were very generous. This restaurant gets Aunty’s 5 stars, really, truly.

The Michael Jackson ONE show was absolutely fantastic. We had center stage 2nd row seats, very close to the stage and the performance. They were great seats because we could see all the details of muscle, wrinkles (some of the performers were older than expected), hands, emotion, and props. Actually, all seats are good, with different perspectives. A seat farther from the stage would give a broader view as some of the characters were zoomed in from the ceiling onto the stage, and the light show could be seen in entirety. Aunty doesn’t want to spoil any expectations so will not go into more detail, but it was SO well done, it couldn’t have been better. One of the biggest surprises to Aunty was when some flying caped things turned out to be Chinese acrobats! It is a gotta go see show, especially if you like Michael’s music and memory. You can even buy his lighted glove in the souvenir store for $30, which Aunty did, wistfully and happily.

Donna’s polymer Clay Carnival was 4 FULL days of instructors and projects, ideas and inspiration. This event has sparked Aunty’s creativity drive, so Aunty will soon be in her workroom cranking out polymer clay beads, swirls, and whatever else comes cranking out. That means less Korean drama watching, but perhaps, that is a good thing.

As always, for this homing pigeon Aunty, the highlight of the trip is coming home and getting back into old routines. Old routines that now have a little bit of an urgency and appreciation for what we have. This was a good trip, visiting the light fantastic, walking on the edge, and landing on familiar ground.

Take you back

Posted on July 16, 2016 by Aunty

See you this Sunday?

There is a song called the Molokai Slide with the lyrics, “Take me back, (take me back), back to da kine…..” that the following film reminded me of. Nostalgia for those days gone by when Hawaii was more for real than now.

This was put together by a talented George Mihal (dunno who that is) and is actually color footage from 1959-1960, which is unusual for that time era since we didn’t even have color tv yet!

I kept imagining what I was doing or if I saw that parade or knew of anyone in the crowd. I must have been 7 or 8 years old, growing up in Palolo and about 8 minutes in, a fantastic little local parade of monks and dressed up little kids and lots of Japanese people congregated for what looks like the grand opening of the new Palolo Hongwanji Temple – was I even there? Maybe! Maybe not. But that was kinda neat!

We lived in simpler times. We did not have the opportunities then that we have now, but still, it was such a wonderful place to grow up with “the tropical moon and the lazy palm trees” and the smiles, the luaus by the sea, mo’ bettah da kine.

When you have about 20 minutes, try watch the video. Let me know if you spock yourself in it or somebody you know. Some of those Palolo priests were super young looking back then, and now they must be kinda really old.

Hawaiian good stuff to sign up for

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Aunty

An almost freebie

News flash for those who like to get Hawaiian Miles: Signing up for a new Hawaiian Miles credit card will get you 50,000 miles after you spend $1,000, but this is for a limited time. Even my friend at Bank of Hawaii (who also issues this card) didn’t know about it.

An easy way to get this deal is to go to HawaiianAirlines.com or click on the Hawaiian Airlines ad to the right of this column, sign in with your Hawaiian Miles membership number (or sign up for one first), and then after logging in, click on the “Apply now” tab and fill out the form. If you don’t log into your Hawaiian Miles membership first, you will not see the deal – which is only available until November 30, 2015.

50,000 miles! Annual fee of $89. Must spend $1000 in first 90 days. Aunty has been declined twice in the recent past and been a bit huhu (angry) at the Hawaiian Miles credit card people but then figured, for 50,000 miles, no get mad, just try again. And this time, they said OKAY!!! **Update: this is a rather goofy offer and not everyone gets the 50,000 miles. Aunty called customer service when a friend was only able to get 35,000 miles and was told by the card’s customer service that some people have the offer (randomly?), and that they just need to check every once in a while on their account for the deal.

Just make sure you use credit wisely. Pay it off in full every month and on time. Then, use your miles for free trips, upgrades, or give away to friends and family. Also comes with a one time 50% companion booking if you have a buddy that you want to travel with during the next year.

A fun good freebie

Another good Hawaiian sign up is Hawaii.com. Pal Fay told me about this one. Sign up is free and you can really accrue a LOT of points at start up. After that, it is kinda good fun to get the emails, then click on the powerlink from the email and ta-dahhh, you get 1000 points, almost every day that you click!

Photographers (Jalna, you should try!) can enter their pictures of Hawaii and win too if picked.

Once a week, you can play find the pineapple and that will win you 5000 points! Sometimes Aunty explores the well written articles on the website – some interesting tidbits of information that are good to share while socializing with friends.

Points can be used to enter sweepstakes for stuff like a holiday stay (good for Mainland folks who want to come to Hawaii) or coffee, nuts, all kinds of stuff, all for FREE! Aunty has tons of points and planning to use all of them to stuff the ballot box in her favor one of these days. Meanwhile, Aunty keeps clicking and hopes that people that she knows become winnahs!

(side note: drawing for the pamphlets/booklets will take place on Sunday. Please email Aunty@hawaii.rr.com if you want to be entered, or leave a comment on that post and your name is put in the pot!)

Lithuania and beyond – with only a backpack?

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Aunty

One of Aunty’s favorite daughters is off to Lithuania for an entrepreneur camp (all expenses paid except for getting there). After the 4 day camp, she plans to join groups that feed and house for labor during the day, and then backpack across Europe with a friend for a few months. A real adventure, almost like Bilbo Baggins without dragons and dwarfs.

Some tips from friends include ALWAYS saying “Bon jour” when entering a business in Paris, and bringing your own bandaids because they are terribly expensive in Europe ($10 for a small pack). Bring postcards from Hawaii to show off, since Hawaii is so foreign to foreigners and other tourists.

Make copies of your passport, credit cards, travel docs and give them to someone at home. Keep a copy in your luggage. If your documents get lost or stolen, you will be able to retrieve the information to show at the American Embassy.

Aunty’s own travel tips included what to pack, though being limited to a backpack made most of the items moot. Aunty does NOT plan to travel with only a backpack, and life in the senior lane requires comfort and leisure.

Here are Aunty’s travel packing tips copied and pasted:

Aunty is a late packer for flights – which is a very bad habit. Minutes before leaving the house for the airport finds me scrambling for last minute things to take, and I invariably forget something that I need, and thus have made a list of things to pack. Aunty’s carryon bag is always ready to go – just needing last minute additions like makeup, charging cords, address book, cereal, snack. Here’s Aunty’s packing list:

For the carryon bag

Toiletries such as toothbrush, small toothpaste, makeup, shower cap, deodorant, tweezers, nail file (small ones pass the TSA inspections).
A folding fan – just in case the terminal, airplane, room, etc. gets hot and stuffy – you will be glad you have this little portable tool. Aunty usually keeps a fan in her purse (Aunty has a big bag).
Makeup stuff, sunscreen, moisturizer, vaseline (if you get real dried up), eye drops,
Headsets (though Hawaiian Airlines and others do provide free headsets now, and you pay to watch on your own individual screen)
iPad, iPod or something to play with or read or do
Socks in case your feet get cold, jacket or scarf. Aunty brings a 45”x60” piece of rayon or polyester fabric to act as a blanket because sometimes the airline blankets feel and smell yucky. (note: Hawaiian Airlines now does not provide pillows and blankets so if you do get chilled on flights, bring something to keep warm.)
A set of plastic cutlery like knife and fork that comes packaged in bentos (in case you need eating utensils in the hotel), disposable chopsticks.
Instant coffee packs so you can have a fast cup of coffee with just a cup of hot water. Aunty packs either Nescafe that already comes with cream (from San Francisco), or some Vietnamese coffee packs (from Chinatown).
Small ziplock bag of cereal. A cup of coffee and a bowl of cereal is Aunty’s breakfast, every day, for the last 30 years. It makes for a very easy start of the day.
Jewelry and accessories that coordinate with outfits. Just bring what you will wear.
Rubber slippers – can be used to walk around in your hotel room or when going to the spa.
One set of undies – just in case your luggage gets lost, at least you have one clean one.
Folded up extra plastic bags. Aunty also has her “Tokyo” bag – a folded vinyl bag that can open up and act as an extra suitcase in case you bought so much stuff that you need another suitcase
Essentials: charging cords for phones, computers, iPads, cameras (Aunty sticks them in a zippered funky cosmetic case and when I keep it in my carryon bag even if empty so when I see it when packing, I remember to put all those essential cords in it before leaving.)
Address book, my little notebook of all my user names and passwords if I plan to use the computer, your laptop or iPad if you are like Aunty and have to log in and do computering.
1 empty water bottle with cover. After you pass TSA, you can then fill up your water bottle so you have water when you want on the plane. Sometimes the water bottle might “sweat”, so a bottle wrap might be a good idea to keep the bottle insulated.
Blow up things like pillows for the back, neck, etc. Whatever will make you comfy. Because they are blowup, they don’t take up a lot of space in your bag.
Snack for the plane – I love to take Manabu musubis – those perfectly salted rice balls are fantastic ambassadors of good will – I always bring extra to share with seat mates and/or the nice flight attendants on Hawaiian Air.
Maps of the place that you are going to. Having a compass also helps since the Mainland use directions such as north, south, east, west – unlike our Hawaiian directional navigations of mauka (mountain), makai (ocean), Ewa, Diamond Head.

In your purse (bring a big one)

Men might think that we women have bags that are too big, but we can be lifesavers with our big bags when the little needs come up. I usually empty out my regular handbag and pull out the stuff I usually use like my wallet (only take 1 or 2 credit cards that you will use), lipstick, cell phone, pens, business cards, pills, camera, bandaids, mad money (because when traveling we should be a bit mad and spend a bit foolishly, imo).
Your “drugs” such as medications, vitamins, etc. Aunty brings a plastic pill box with 7 days worth of compartments, each with my daily dose of Strontium, Super Food, and Intestinal Correctional Formula 1 (I know, I know, too much information…)
Reading glasses. If you have bifocal glasses, bring a pair of reading glasses to make movie viewing easier on the personal screens because of the angle of the screen otherwise you will have to lift your chin and watch – which is a drag, or you can wear your bifocals upside down and look weird.
Aspirin/Advil, whatever you think you will need just in case.
Li Hing Mui or ginger for air sickness and also because it tastes good. Chewing gum and hard candy are good too.
Sunglasses, watch, voice recorder (in case you have a great idea or a memo to remember), notebook, pen.

For your Checked in baggage

1 set of clothes per day or event, pack fewer bottoms than tops and try to coordinate so they mix and match. If Aunty packs too lightly – then Aunty has a good excuse to go shopping for clothes at our destination (poor Aunty, lol!)
Undies – tops and bottoms.
1 bathing suit if you plan to go to the spa and enjoy the jacuzzi/steam room/etc.
A hat for protection from the sun. Uncle likes to wear a baseball cap on the airplane – keeps his eyes shaded and protected from the air flow from the vents.
Sleeping and/or comfortable clothes while in hotel room (Aunty must admit this is what I always forget.) I call these my bodobodo clothes that I normally wear around the house.
Shoes and extra socks – make sure you bring comfortable practical shoes or sandals
A bottle of unopened water, wrapped in a towel and sealed in a plastic bag. This is for the first day at the hotel before you get to a store to buy water – otherwise you will probably pay for the hotel room bottle of water which is rather pricey.
Your gifts from Hawaii to the people you will visit. Aunty always packs little treats from Hawaii to give to the hotel desk clerk, taxi driver, maid. It makes them happy and that is always good karma. Mele Macs by Island Princess are round balls of exquisite delight and always welcome. Remember to take these out and put in your bag after retrieving your luggage from the carousel so it is ready to give from the start.
Garlic pepper dried ahi poke from Yama’s, pulehu tako, pipikaula, poi, pancake taro mix. Never go empty handed when visiting – that is one local rule. Aunty uses ice packs to keep the perishables cold (frozen poi also acts as an ice pack) and wraps the entire bag in newspapers, or paper bags, then in plastic (or cooler bag) and puts it in a corner in the suitcase. The baggage area of the plane gets super cold during the flight, like being in a refrigerator, and so your food arrives safe and still chilled.
Aunty just learned another great tip for keeping things such as flower leis cool if carrying them on the plane – instead of using cold packs (which might be disallowed) – use bags of frozen vegetables! Mahalo to Sly of Le Flowers on King Street for that great and useful tip!

Here is what Aunty does to make sure her stuff doesn’t get smashed or banged up in the suitcase. Put one of those cardboard crates that Costco has for packing our purchases at the checkout into your suitcase. Get a box that fits the depth of the suitcase as high as possible and still be able to zip the case closed. This will really strengthen the walls of the suitcase. Aunty has brought back cookies from Trader Joes intact and unsmashed because they go right next to the box walls and the middle is packed with the less fragile stuff such as clothing, shoes, etc.

Peak into the North

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Aunty

Aunty finished watching “Doctor Stranger” on DramaFever.com recently. It was about Korean doctors’ love drama trauma and we had background glimpses into North Korea since some of the characters originated from there. A link from the Palm Beach Letter (one of many newsletters that Aunty subscribes to) took Aunty to a time-lapse video of North Korea’s capitol done by British filmmakers, with approval from the North Korean government.

Looks pretty good, doesn’t it? Modern, clean, happy, purposeful people in a centralized economic Communist country.

Click here to see smuggled out photos of more of the real North Korea. Velly intelesting. Indeed.

Here’s another interesting video, rather chilling one of a former North Korean labor camp escapee. Jalna had it on her blog awhile ago. He was born and raised in the very hush hush unreal existence, doomed from birth by a government of cuckoo dictatorship. Lucky we live in the USA.

Hawaii, through a very local lens

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Aunty

Pal Fay has a pal Jalna who is a photographer of everything. When I just want to enjoy something for the sheer pleasure of enjoying and taking a break, I take a look at Jalna.blogspot.com and it transports me to the true localness of Hawaii, beautifully.

Her photographs are so well done, they are delicious and habit forming. They are also bad for my compulsive collection behavior, as Jalna and her sisters go to the swap meet and pick up treasures that I start to think that I need to have too! As a result, I started buying marbles after an especially detailed and wonderful posting of Jalna’s marbles that had names like Superman, Corkscrew, Popeye, and more .

Aunty’s eBay purchase of Sally Hansen’s polish. I was gonna include the marbles I bought too, but I lost them………

Her review of Sally Hansen’s Salon Manicure nail polish with the silver cap made me go out and buy one from Longs Drugs – and she was right! It is a great nail polish because the brush is flat and wide. So Aunty bought more on eBay – if you see any colors you want to try, let Aunty know! (note: the picture on the right was taken by Aunty – Jalna’s photos and skill are those of a master and of master quality.)

Occasionally she will post a recipe of a dinner that her husband (sounds like a great guy!) made or of a product that she likes. Her June 3, 2013 post was for a great microwave mochi recipe, super easy, super fast, and super ono looking! She shares the best of whatever she comes across, and this recipe was from her sister’s mother-in-law. Such an awesome local family.

She has photos of food, weather, marauding rabbits, events such as her class reunion, and of course the swap meet, with commentary that makes me wanna laugh or sigh.

When you are ready to get a taste of the wonderful typical pace of Hawaii living, visit Jalna, and enjoy. It is like wading in jello, in color and in excellent focus.

Lei time

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Aunty

star&rose May 1st was May Day. May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii…(there is a song to that).. Graduations are happening all around the State of Hawaii. What that means is a whole lot of lei making and giving.

Friend Tutu asked where I buy my flowers/leis. I have 2 places that I frequent.

Le Flowers on 2567 King Street between Kuni Island Fabrics and Siam Imports has inexpensive leis such as the braided flat ginger lei that looks like a work of art and smells heavenly. If I am going to the Mainland and taking leis, they give me their freshest ones and help pack them together so they keep better. The staff is always nice and fast there. They do not take phone orders but they always have a nice selection of leis as well as cut flowers.

Flowers by Jr Lou & T

Flowers by Jr Lou & T is close by – across the street on the next block at 2852 King Street. Our good friend Tommy Holmes used to always go there for his flower leis for his dates. That was over 20 years ago! Nowadays, if I am looking for a special lei such as pikake or maile, I always go to see them first. One year, when #3 child was graduating from a California college, Hawaii had rained for 40 + days straight. As a result, NObody had any fragrant flower leis, and I was set on bringing up a nice pikake lei for her. Calls everywhere said “sorry, no pikake”, except for Jr Lou & T!

Occasionally I cruise through downtown Honolulu to check out other lei vendors. Somehow their quality is not up to par or price with my two favorite Moiliili florists. I used to go to Sweetheart’s Florist at 69 N. Beretania but I haven’t gone there in years. I remember them for having very nice leis that were simple and beautiful.

For price though, I can’t beat the free ones that we get after we pick from our rainbow plumeria trees, stephanotis, or the pakalana from the vines. Aunty will be posting a video on lei stringing soon.

Wishing all of you a very fragrant and wonderful May Day, a few weeks late. Meanwhile, here’s a shot of my pal Lani Chun‘s pakalana and puakenikeni leis – done in polymer clay! Lani is a wonderful artist who sells out of her fabulous leis at many craft fairs. Enjoy!

First Class – Or almost

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Aunty

Whenever I am on a plane, I get antsy and wish I had this or wish there was a way to get more comfortable. I want planes to have seats that convert into beds and cloudlike cushioning with fine cotton down blankets and pillows. I’d love to have popcorn and an unobstructed view of the movie screen as well as a guilt free indulgence of reclining my seat and not worrying that I am scrunching the knees of the guy sitting behind me. And I want my food soon after takeoff not after the snack/headset card and the beverage cart. Airlines don’t provide this for Aunty, so Aunty prepares for flights in order to get comfortable.

Please check out Aunty’s Travel Saving Tips for little ways to save money while traveling, and Aunty’s Travel Packing Tips for what and how to pack for your trip. Please continue reading this page for Aunty’s style of travel:

Fly First Class

It makes a huge difference on flights over 5 hours. Almost every flight out of Hawaii is longer than 5 hours, so Aunty uses her booking skills to fly first class at least on the way back from a trip.

Hawaiian Airlines is Aunty’s favorite airline because it is local and they feed you for free. The quality of food has gone down, in Aunty’s opinion, but still, it is pretty good compared to no food at all. Their Hawaiian Miles program is the best in that it is easy to get miles with the Hawaiian Miles VISA (up to 35,000 miles with a new card, and 1 mile per $1 spent), free and easy to transfer miles to someone else, and upgrading to first class is easy to do if you have enough miles.

[See Aunty’s post on getting more Hawaiian Miles from other sources.]

Aunty finds her round trip coach flights on Hawaiian Airline’s website. If you fly enough to qualify as Pualani Gold or Platinum, or are in the Premier Club, you can “hold” these flights for 2 days. Then, call the toll free reservation number for Hawaiian Airlines (1-800-367-5320) and ask how many miles it will take to upgrade to first class for one or more of the flights. If they say 25,000 miles, that is a good “price”. If I am sure I want to go on the specific itinerary, I then book it online, and then ask reservations (you must call them) to upgrade that flight segment to first class using miles. This “good price” of miles is only available for the first 6 reservations in first class, so it must be done early on. After that is will cost 50,000 miles.

Another way to reserve a first class seat besides paying big bucks for it is to book that segment of your trip using miles. 40,000 miles is the lowest I have seen it for a first class seat, confirmed. Considering that it is just 10,000 miles more than upgrading using miles makes this a viable option, and another reason to get more Hawaiian Airlines VISA cards. Please be responsible with your credit cards and aware that they carry annual fees. They will also hit your FICO credit score so cool it if you are planning on taking out a home loan.

Still another way to upgrade is to check in for your flight 24 hours prior to its departure on the Hawaiian Airlines website. It will give you an option to upgrade and/or change your seat. Say yes (you can always get out of it) and if seats in first class are available, you can upgrade for about $300-400. This is a great option if you “bought” your original itinerary using miles for economy seats (as low as 17,500 each way) – it would be as if you paid ~$350 for one way, and used 17,500 miles to upgrade. You will also automatically get to check in 2 bags for free – so you “saved” $60!

First class on Hawaiian Airlines is wonderful. Leg rests that have foot rests attached to keep your legs comfy, complimentary digi players with good ear muffs to whittle away the time with movies, really good food served hot and on real plates, big comfy leather seats and attentive flight attendants with free drinks whenever you want. [Note: not all airlines are as good, and some are better. Please leave comments below on your experiences with first class on different airlines.]

They say that once you ride first class, you never want to go back to coach. It is true, but at least half the time, Aunty sacrifices and rides coach. The other half of the time, Aunty gets to ride in style.

If it can’t be first class, make it almost first class

Pay a little extra for your seats. On United, you can upgrade to Economy Plus seats. 5 extra inches makes a difference, really does. Once you are on the airplane sitting in a seat that has more leg room, you will be patting yourself on the back for spending the upgrade fee. On Hawaiian Air, if you do web check in 24 hours prior to the flight, you can pay a bit more and sit in one of those bulkhead seats. I like row 11 seats, just behind first class, so I can watch first class passengers get their hot towels, wine, entrees, desserts, digi players, etc. I tell myself I’ll be sitting up there next time and half the time I am, using miles to upgrade for my return leg.

Recently, because Aunty has Pualani status (fly a lot per year), upgrades to those bulkhead and exit rows are free if they are available. Aunty got upgraded to seat 33C, an aisle seat with plenty of leg room. Hawaiian Airlines’ new Airbus planes have seats that are 4 across in the middle (yuck), and on the bulkhead rows, only the middle arm comes up, so even though the seat next to me was unoccupied, Aunty was stuck in a one-seater instead of being able to really spread out and lie down. Still, it was a good flight and Jeannie sitting in 33G was good fun.

Gadgets that help

I pack my 1st Class Sleeper – it’s a blow up cushion that takes about 10 breaths and it envelops my back and sides. It’s pretty good, but I usually don’t blow it up and use it if I am alone. It also squeals a little when deflating after landing, but it does make for a more comfortable back and sides, though not for the butt. It costs about $35 and sometimes less on Amazon.com. It helps to have Uncle with me so I don’t feel so weird blowing the thing up and settling myself in. If I fly first class, I don’t need stuff like these – more incentive to fly first class.

I also have a self-inflating seat pad made by Therm-a-rest that really helps my butt from hurting from the hard seats. (I got it from Amazon.com for about $24.) Hawaiian Airlines’ new AirBus planes are nice with their individual movie screens and straight seat backs, but their seat cushions are really hard so the Therm-a-rest seat cushions are good to have on those new planes.

Aunty recently bought the Travelrest pillow. It cradles against the side of your head so sleep comes easy and necks aren’t tortured. It blows up with just a few breaths and is deflated with a touch of a button. Aunty will be making a slipcover for it since it is made of flocked vinyl and Aunty rather have cotton next to her face when sleeping. It’s small and will fit easily in the carryon bag. [update on this pillow – it doesn’t work very well, or maybe Aunty needs to learn how to adjust it. It also loses air. 2 strikes and Aunty tossed it away.]

Almost like first class food

I try to buy musubis from Mana Bu’s on King Street to take on the plane if I have an afternoon or later flight. They are extra delicious on the plane. Or, I make my own musubis (not as good) or small sandwich or snack because sometimes I get hungry before the inflight meal is served, or the inflight meal just doesn’t appeal to me.

Zippy’s zip packs also make a pretty good airplane meal. It is a bit offensive when you first open it up on the plane because of the spam/beef/fish, etc smell, but it is ono when you are hungry.

Hawaiian Airlines is one of the few airlines to still serve food for free inflight in the economy section. They also have food for purchase. DON’T get their sushi and teri chicken platter. Mooshy rice, cold chicken with teri sauce that migrates under the sushi. Yuck. Save your money and take the free food instead.

Bring an small empty water bottle – make sure it is empty so it passes security. Fill up after you clear security. My favorite water bottle is Evian – not because of the water inside, but because of the bottle top. Instead of having to unscrew the top and drink or pulling up on the top to open, I simply flip and suck. Sounds terrible, but really, it is the best. I stick the bottle in the pocket of the seat in front of me so it is readily available throughout the flight.

First class sound

I bring my own Bose head sets – get the over the ear ones. The on the ear ones are smaller but after awhile, my earlobes get sore. If you have an iPad or iPod, download some good music, or use the airlines’ video and/or audio options. It helps a lot to cut out the airplane’s drone and escape into pleasant favorite songs. Don’t be like Uncle though. He starts singing and humming or beating his water bottle in time to the music. Not appreciated by the person in front.

More tips on using Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Air also has an option to purchase Hawaiian Coach Plus seats. The seats aren’t bigger, you just have the ability to change your flight dates and times without penalty if the cost of the flight is the same as when you booked. Another advantage of this option is that you get to check in 2 bags for free (saving you $60.) If you will have bags to check in, book your flight this way. Just this week, I had to change a flight to a day later. $16 (!) is what I paid! Some other days were free and some were more, but no change order fee of the typical $150 and very easy to do online on Hawaiian Airlines’ excellent website.

Another advantage of being a member of Hawaiian Miles is how you can use your miles for someone else, and also the ability to share your miles with anyone (or vice versa) at no extra cost. United has a good mileage program, but it costs quite a lot in usage fees if you book and upgrade. It also has a hefty fee if you share your miles. The way to get around that on United is to book the flight for the other person yourself using your mileage account.

IF United makes any changes to your itinerary (i.e. time or route change), you then have the ability to change your flight to another day, time, etc. at no extra charge or change fee. Good to know. The earlier you book your flight, the more chances there are that there will be schedule changes within the airline. I am not sure if this rule applies to all airlines, or only UAL specific. Will let you know if I find out more.

If all else fails, zone out

My flight attendant pal Starley told me about Lorazapan – a prescription sleeping pill that knocks you out and doesn’t make you feel drowsy after. My artsy pal Wanda told me about No Jet Lag (from Whole Foods) that banishes jet lag. Well, on a recent trip with Uncle, we had the dreaded redeye from Honolulu to San Francisco leaving at 11:00 pm. We packed some home made musubis, and I brought along Lorazapan and No Jet Lag. I took one Lorazapan right after takeoff. Didn’t feel a thing, still wide awake and telling myself to go to sleep. Then I ate a musubi, had some water, and chewed on a No Jet Lag. I was out and did not wake up until we were landing. First time ever that I slept that deeply on a plane. Chewed another No Jet Lag and then another a couple of hours later. Instead of feeling horribly tired and weary, I felt great. Thank you Starley Barley and Wandaful!

Don’t get airsick

Once in a great while I start to feel nausea from a rocky approach landing or inflight during turbulence. Li hing mui (salted dried plum) and ginger help, but if I don’t have those with me, a little acupuncture pressure point does wonders to ward off air sickness. In the area between your thumb and forefinger, where it makes an inside corner, squeeze with the thumb and forefinger of the opposite hand about a knuckle’s length in. Squeeze medium hard and alternate. This is also good for helping to ease headaches. The bigger your headache, the more sensitive this spot will be when squeezed. Squeeze for 5 seconds, release for 5 seconds, and repeat over and over, alternating to the other hand after about 3 squeezes.

I really do love flying on Hawaiian Airlines. I used to resent the fact that they outsourced the reservations and web support to the Philippines – for after all, shouldn’t our only remaining local airline be local all the way? However, I have come to realize that the agents on the other end of the phone in the Philippines are very very good. Recently I had a problem redeeming an e-certificate online, and had to call the toll free number to remedy. The agent Nelia spent a lot of time on the phone with me, was super polite, very attentive to my needs, and never once revealed any exasperation in her attitude with me. As I get older, it seems like the young people get more impatient with me, so it is very refreshing to be treated with respect and patience. Hats off to Hawaiian Airlines for training their agents to be consistently customer service oriented. Be nice to older folks – one day you will be older too.

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by Aunty

a lot of stuff about almost everything

Category Archives: Travel