Morocco cozies up
to Hawaii officials
to form alliance

THE state of Hawaii and the state of Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer in Morocco are exploring a sister-state relationship for mutual economic, social, governmental, educational and cultural exchange.

This isn't the first you've heard of this if you're a legislature geek who reads all those concurrent resolutions that fly around during the session. This one was introduced in both houses in February. Now an official Moroccan delegation is in town for a tour and more meetings and dinners than you could shake a stick at.

The delegation's itinerary is heavily focused on tourism. Last night the delegation, along with some community leaders and officials from the University of Hawaii and the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, dined at Shangri-La, the Doris Duke estate at Black Point.

The home has become a museum of Islamic art and the showpiece of the Doris Duke Foundation, which seeks increase awareness of Islamic arts and culture. It is also a field-trip destination for UH students in Arabic studies, architecture, religion and philosophy, said Jenny Samaan, system director of the UH Office of International Education.

The delegation has visited Ko Olina, Hilton Hawaiian Village and has met with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and officials from the UH Travel Industry Management School. It has more meetings set up with DBEDT and others including Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona.

Gourmet grub

The two formal dining choices, which the magazine calls "Big Deals," were Orchids at Halekulani and 3660 on the Rise. The two "Good Deals" casual eateries that "the locals would rather keep secret" are Little Village Noodle House downtown and Ono Hawaiian Food on Kapahulu Avenue.

Russell Siu and Gale Ogawa, co-owners of 3660 on the Rise, are both Gourmet subscribers but had to wait to hear about their list inclusion from customers.

It proves that part of Gourmet's stated intention works: They want travelers to have a heads-up on where to go eat in unfamiliar surroundings. "Which is great, but we would like the local people to know this too, that there's somebody worth going to here," Ogawa said.

Local people certainly know about Little Village and Ono Hawaiian Food. Unless you're there early for lunch, there will be a wait for a table at Little Village, and the lines snaking out the door at Ono Hawaiian Food are legendary.

Little Village co-owner Jennifer Chan was initially surprised to learn of the listing from customers and since then the feedback from diners who had seen the magazine has been "okay," she said.

Son and floor manager Brian Chan said more immediate feedback has been seen in recent days since Little Village was featured on "Tasty and Meatless," a show about vegetarian dining that airs on Oceanic Time Warner Cable Channel 16.

Ono Hawaiian Foods Inc. President Toyohiro Shimabukuro also was surprised to learn he was on the list. "These things always happen, but we don't advertise, like that. Everything's by word of mouth."

The Kapahulu eatery was featured in a mainland newspaper article alongside fine dining restaurants such as Roy's, Alan Wong's and Indigo. He was aware somebody was taking pictures "and the next thing you know we were in the New York Times!"

"We've been very fortunate," Shimabukuro said of the restaurant established by his mother, Sueko Oh Young in 1960. "She just made 90 but she's still the boss ... she uses my legs, so I can do the chores for her," he laughed. Still sharp, Oh Young is updated on the business every evening and communicates with the restaurant's suppliers, he said.