Secluded spot offers gorgeous view
It’s worth the 15-minute trek from my beat-up ride to enjoy the same view as the million-dollar homes dotted along the Portlock coast known as China Walls. On any given day there’s a YouTube moment, no matter what the gods may offer, whether a green-flash sunset, whales breaching or surfers skimming the jagged coastline on temperamental waves. OK, so I’m a lawn chair athlete, but I share in the adrenaline rush of those who plunge from the Walls’ steep cliffs into a thrashing ocean, gasping as they take that leap, crossing my fingers that they make it back OK. Even without such drama, located at Hanapepe Place, just beyond what’s formally known as Koko Kai Mini Beach Park, it’s a peaceful pau hana spot with one’s beverage of choice dressed in a brown paper bag and some brie or ahi shoyu poke, if that makes for a better pairing. Just make sure: no loud music and clean up after yourself. Gotta be pono with the neighborhood. — Ruby Mata-Viti
Ono natural food on menu
One of my favorite stops to grab a healthy snack or meal is the deli at Kale’s Natural Foods. Your options range from a pina kale-ada ($7) of organic banana, coconut milk, pineapple and kale to a beet burger served with walnut pesto aioli and dijon. There are also Indian and Thai curries, Kulana free-range beef chili and soups like ginger chicken with wild rice. On a recent morning I got the Spanish omelet ($9), a hearty mix of breakfast potatoes, spinach, chicken sausage, provolone, paprika and thyme served with brown rice, quinoa and fruit. Try unique pastries such as the ulu (breadfruit) and cashew cake, which has a mochi-like consistency. Kale’s (pronounced "kah-lei’s") is next door to Safeway at the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center. Call 396-6993 or visit www.fb.com/kalesnatfoods for updates. — Nina Wu
Mochi balls perk up teas at Kokonuts
Bubble tea. These drinks are satisfying refreshment in a variety of flavors, with the "bubbles" — tapioca pearls — as the main attraction. But what if you don’t like standard-fare bubbles? Well then, Kokonuts in Koko Marina Shopping Center is the place to go. They offer more than two dozen delicious flavors, but the best part is that you can sub tiny mochi balls in place of the pearls. My favorite is a creamy coconut tea (16 ounces, $4.25) topped with toasted coconut. The mochi makes it extra delicious. Kokonuts is open 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call 396-8809. — Chaunny Sen, Waikele
Shop holds bounty of ‘Dog’ treats
I can’t say I’ve watched his TV shows that often, but Hawaii’s Duane "Dog" Chapman is one of those quintessential "only in America" stories that you gotta love: a former convict, now a bounty hunter, and a media celebrity to boot. There’s all that tough-love pathos playing out in front of you, with the tension of the chase, the confrontation as the "skip" is apprehended, and then the attempt at redemption as Chapman tries to get the fugitives to see the error of their ways. All this is celebrated at Da Kine Dog House in the Koko Marina Center, where you can get sweatshirts, T-shirts and other clothing adorned with the Dog’s unmistakable visage. Call 395-4737. — Steven Mark
Quench thirst and relax at Cha Cha Cha Salsaria
A lot of people come to Hawaii Kai for a bit of nature — a hike up Koko Crater, snorkeling at Hanauma Bay or bodysurfing at Sandy Beach. I say enough of nature; come to Hawaii Kai for a drink. Sure, it’s the heart of suburbia, but here are two words as powerful as the words "happy hour": free parking. You can hunker down at one of several places that border Koko Marina. Mrs. G and I like to have margaritas at Cha Cha Cha Salsaria in the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center. You can get them in a lot of flavors, but we’re purists and go for the regular version, on the rocks. We sit outside where you can watch canoe paddlers, SUPers and the occasional drunken boater. Sometimes there’s music, but it isn’t the draw for us. It’s just a relaxing way to start a Saturday evening. Pay $3.75 for an ample margarita during happy hour, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, and till closing on Mondays. Call 395-7797. — Mike Gordon
