HOT SPOTS
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Clockwise from right are Kyle Oshiro, Sara Tomonari, Misa Hamamoto, Steph Chang, Nicole Altman, Janice Tabuso and Kris Lyn Hashimoto, doing what college kids do at the Mai Tai Bar.
I'M sure we've all heard about the good old days, when our parents were young and everything cost a nickel -- including beer. Soakin’ up suds, chillin’
By Ryan Blood of Hawaii Pacific University
at the Mai Tai Bar
Where can today's typical college student (meaning "broke as a joke") go when they want to have a drink, but don't want to take out another student loan to suck some suds? It isn't necessary to revert to the prehistoric days to find good deals on tasty alcoholic beverages. There is a place where those in the know go to put back a few.
Every night, from 8 to 11 p.m., college students flock to the Mai Tai Bar at the top of the Ala Moana Shopping Center, where the drink specials cater to both sexes.
There are girly froo-froo drinks like Lava Flows and strawberry daiquiris for only $3 (I must admit I like to steal a few sips when my girlfriend isn't looking!). For the guys, there are great beer specials, where the pitchers are only $6 each.
The best thing about Mai Tai is the chill atmosphere. There are plenty of couches to sink into with your friends and there is always live, local music that some people dance to and others regard as a backdrop to their conversation.
So what else do we do? I've talked about one favorite pastime. Everything else falls into the "minor details" category. In a future Hot Spots installment, I'll fill you in on the other half of the food-and-drink equation. I wouldn't be a respectable college student if I didn't learn a thing or two about eating free.
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