In The Mix
Pa‘ina has ono
grinds and suds
New kid on the block
LOOKS like University of Hawaii students and Honolulu party people have another choice for cheap beer. Pa'ina, which recently opened at Puck's Alley, is also upping the ante among its competitors with new options for customers wanting to party in Manoa.Pa'ina should be a hit with Hawaiian music fans. The brother-and-sister ownership team of Nicole and Nate Wong is aiming for live bands four days a week, and promises no cover all night. That's a definite plus for those of us watching every dollar in this kind of economy.
But hold up -- it gets better. Not only is the night spot open until 2 a.m., but Pa'ina has air conditioning, too, addressing one gripe I've always had with a certain pizza joint in the area. On the Saturday I stopped by, Hui Ohana was on the stereo system while a few people were playing darts. All the familiar names were available: Jack, Ron, Alize, Midori, even Jose, too. I ordered my standard $3 draft and was pleasantly surprised when bartender Aina Vallejo brought me a 34-ounce mug. They also offer a 128-ounce pitcher, touting it as the "Biggest in the State."
Another plus is Pa'ina's menu, available daily until 1 a.m. Along with standard bar fare, items like New York steak ($8), chicken katsu ($5), kalua pig spring rolls ($5) and even a house salad ($2) are available. For $7.50 check out the Hawaiian plate -- kalua pig, lau lau, lomi lomi salmon, rice and poi. Talk about kanak attack, I'll bet it's only a matter of time before Braddah Sam and Lina Girl are in there grinding.
Satellite television, karaoke and video games are also available. I'll be back, especially when I'm looking for local-style food during the late evenings. Call 989-6977 to find out about possible entertainment during the week.
Making the band, J-pop style
IF you've ever caught yourself wishing that were you singing and dancing in those music videos on television, here's a chance to get into the music business in Japan. Coconut Musume, a J-pop trio with a number of successful albums in Asia, are looking for a fourth girl to be in the group. Members Mika Todd and Lehua Sandbo are from the islands, and the group's record label is hoping to find someone from Hawaii to join them during tryouts scheduled for January.If you're interested, an online application is available at www.CoconutMusumeMaru.com. The deadline to apply is Monday. Call 781-7782 for more information.
Out and about
CHRISTMAS Day was rather memorable this year, as it was the first in a while that I had the entire day off. Got to spend the afternoon sipping mimosas and blazing the hibachi with New Wave Broadcasting's Cedric Duarte and KPOI afternoon jock Fil Slash before heading off to spend time with family. It was a truly relaxing day, and I hope you and your family enjoyed Christmas as much as I did.With a lot of people home for the holidays and wanting to go out, there's no shortage of parties going off each night leading up to New Year's Eve. Island Rhythm 98.5 and D'va Clothing will be at Don Ho's in the Aloha Tower Marketplace tomorrow night starting at 10 p.m. Kool Change will perform, and those at the club get a crack at $2,000 in prizes plus a longboard from Local Motion.
Saturday will kick off a new night at the Ocean Club as flyers circulating around town announce the debut of "The Piranha Room." A fashion show will take place with models from Kathy Muller along with hair and makeup by stylists from Chop and M.A.C cosmetics. Call Ocean at 531-8444 for details.
Want to try something different this weekend? Before you head out Saturday night, stop in at Koko Crater Coffee Roasters at the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center from 6 to 9 p.m. DJ Dat-Mot presents "Nocturnal Soundscapes," described as a night of electronic music from the past and present. Have some coffee, watch the turntables spin for a bit, and proceed to the next spot -- not a bad way to start the evening.
As far as New Year's Eve goes, there are all sorts of options available. Check out a nightclub, see a movie, or even take a cruise at midnight while toasting the New Year with champagne. For a full roundup of what's going on, see tomorrow's Mauka-Makai section of the Star-Bulletin, or drop me an e-mail for some suggestions.
THAT'S what's "In the Mix" this week. Have a great New Year's Eve, party safe, and watch out for those roadblocks and traffic cameras. Get at me if there's something going on in your neighborhood. See you in 2002!
In the Mix drops every Thursday in the Star-Bulletin.
Contact Jason Genegabus at jason@starbulletin.com.