5 Things We Love is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. What are you loving this week? Send a brief description of your latest favorite thing, where to find it and how much it costs, along with your name and contact info to features@staradvertiser.com.
1. Party all night from Chinatown to Waikiki
There is no other holiday like Halloween when it comes to dressing up, and that’s especially true in 2013, as Oct. 31 falls on a Thursday night and party promoters are preparing to pull out all the stops. Don’t feel like paying a cover charge? Head to Waikiki or Chinatown, where it’s easy to just hang out on the sidewalk and watch the craziness unfold. But if you have the budget to go with your costume, consider VIP service at M Nightclub at Waterfront Plaza for the "Haunted Mansion" party or head to The Modern Honolulu for Addiction Nightclub’s "Modern Experience: Dia de los Muertos" costume party. Reggae fans will want to check out The Republik, where Ooklah the Moc and Mike Love will headline a night of live music with a $500 costume contest. Get more information about all these events and more on the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s entertainment website, honolulupulse.com
—Jason Genegabus
2. ‘Jaws’ endures as perfect horror tale
It’s a mystery to me why some folks loathe horror movies. It’s a particular kind of thrill to feel your heart pounding as Linda Blair’s head spins. But in my book, no demon can top the chills generated by the hungry, 25-foot great white in "Jaws," brought to life in 1975 by Steven Spielberg and now available on DVD and Blu-ray. Based on the novel by Peter Benchley, "Jaws" is more than a cheap scare — it’s a classic tale of man struggling to overcome nature. Roy Scheider as police chief Brody battles his fear of the water as he ventures to sea alongside scientist Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and seaman Quint (Robert Shaw) to hunt the shark that’s terrorizing the sleepy beach town of Amity. Like Brody, the audience grapples with primal fear in the face of untamed nature: Who is not breathless when the predator tugs at a skinny-dipper on a twilight swim? Who is not frozen in terror as a doomed Quint slides into its cavernous jaws? Punctuated by those two iconic musical notes, the film is perfection.
—Joleen Oshiro
3. Festive bling dresses up digits without big price tag
Whether your Halloween party crowd skews kitschy or classy, the ring selection at Red Pineapple in Ward Center will complement your costume in style. I especially like the fun, flashing, soft gum ring with moving eyeball ($6) and the glittery spider ring ($16). Call 593-2733.
—Donica Kaneshiro
4. Book offers entertaining treat for littlest monsters
When my kids were wee ghouls, I used to delight in the holiday-themed book displays in the children’s section of bookstores — no more so than at Halloween. Over the years we developed quite a library of spooky tales, such as "Halloween Pie," "The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything" and "The Hallo-Wiener." But the one I drag out every Oct. 31 is "My Monster Mama Loves Me So," by Laura Leuck and Mark Buehner (HarperCollins, $6.99 paperback, $16.99 hardcover). This tender and funny bedtime story features such rhymes as: "She tucks me tightly into bed/then asks me if my spider’s fed/and hangs my favorite bat above me/That’s how I know my mama loves me!" It’s a little trick (or treat) I use to remind them that no matter how big and scary they get, their monster mama will always love them.
—Christie Wilson
5. Indulge in Otto’s seasonal cheesecakes
It’s no wonder fans of Otto of Otto Cake have followed him from Chinatown to his new home in Kaimuki. His pumpkin cheesecake is creamy and light with a delightful graham cracker crust. He uses real butter, cream cheese and fruit for his creations and stirs the batter with a whisk, the old-fashioned way. Pumpkin cheesecake is perfect for Halloween and the holidays to come; Halloween flavors include Snickers, candy corn, caramel apple and Butterfinger. It’s $5 per slice or $15 to $35 for a whole cheesecake, ranging from a manageable 6 inches in diameter to a coma-inducing 10 inches. Order at least 72 hours in advance. Otto Cake is at 1127 12th Ave.; 834-OTTO (6886).
—Nina Wu
