The week before Christmas

Merry Christmas!

One blustery (but warm) day we went to Tanaka Saimin on Nimitz Hwy to have saimin.

R had the Hawaiian Stew special, which is soupy stew with taro potatoes.   Very nice!

M and I had the Tanaka Saimin which comes with shrimp tempura, macaroni-pootato salad and teriyaki beef.
The wontons were plump with ground pork.

The owner makes these wonderful trees every year, full of thematic objects, like this Minion tree.

Monday, we went to Denise's Hula School's annual Christmas party at the Okiniawan Cultural Center in Waipio, our first visit there.

She is so creative in her hair floral arrangements and dress, that everyone wanted to take pictures with her!

As part of the Pacific area program, she represented Japan with Naginata.

The Filipino dancers were so graceful...

..and the Samoan number was stirring.

Maori Poi Ball ladies were fun!
It was a great program, very relaxing and full of entertainment,
but no hula, except for the last number, White Christmas, danced by all the teacher's students.

Continuing with our exploration of the new Ewa Wing at the Ala Moana Mall, we tried Forty Carrots, at Bloomingdales.

There is a section for just taking out their famous  exclusive frozen yogurt and juices.
The eat in area is very open to people passing by.

Freshly pressed juices.  My "Holoholo" vegetable juice was spinach, kale, parsley, celery and cucumber - an amazing  blend with no one flavor dominating.  M had the "Dakine"-apple, beet, strawberry and kale.  Delicious.  (No fiber, though)

My Lamb (whole roasted with garlic) French Dip...

..and M's Shortribs with mashed potatoes.

And for dessert, their famous frozen yogurt...so light it's possible to eat the whole bowl.
My choice was chocolate and plain with chocolate malt balls.
M had strawberry and peanut butter with chocolate arare and oreo bits.
They grow on you, so we'll be back.