Monday, July 29, 2013

North Shore Shrimp Trucks


Click to listen to Episode 5 of our TIM 302: Secrets of Hawaii Podcast: North Shore Shrimp Trucks

North Shore Shrimp Trucks

When you think of Oahu's North Shore, a few things come to mind-high surf, exotic and historic scenery, and beautiful stretches of beaches. But what you might not know is that the North Shore is also famous for its shrimp trucks. These individually owned and operated trucks provide some of the freshest shrimp and prawns on the island. Beginning in 1993 with the development of aquaculture farms in the town of Kahuku, shrimp and prawn farming helped the shrimp truck business gain success. These locally grown jumbo prawns are sold to local restaurants and are also offered to the general public via the humble shrimp trucks and shacks along Kamehameha Highway with Butter & Garlic Shrimp Scampi being a popular favorite among all in the business. Although there is a vast variety of trucks out there, each with their own signature styles and flavors, we will premiering our top 4 picks:
1. Giovanni's Original White Shrimp Truck (one of the first and most popular!)
2. Macky's Sweet Shrimp Truck
3. Romy's Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp
4. Shrimp Shack



1. Giovanni's Original White Shrimp Truck


Locations
56-505 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku 96791
66-472 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa 96712

Hours of Operation
Kahuku: 10:30 am-6:30 pm
Haleiwa 10:30 am-5 pm

Menu Items Include
The Original Shrimp Scampi: 12 shell-on shrimp marinated in olive oil, fresh chopped garlic, and lemon butter. Served with two scoops rice drizzled with a garlic lemon butter sauce and caramelized chunks of tasty garlic.
The Hot & Spicy Shrimp: 12 deliciously cooked shell-on shrimp marinated and smothered in a fiery hot tasty red sauce served with two scoop of rice.
Lemon Butter Shrimp: 12 shell-on shrimp sauteed in a butter, lemon sauce with two scoops of rice.
Plates plates sell for $13
Jumbo Garlic Hot dog
Refreshments: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Iced Tea, Passion Orange, or Bottled Water
Shrimp Scampi
Hot & Spicy Shrimp


Lemon Butter Shrimp


For additional menu items and more information: visit Giovanni's Original White Shrimp Truck




2. Macky's Sweet Shrimp Truck


Location
66-632 Kamehameha Hwy,
Haleiwa, HI 96712



Hours of Operation
Open daily 
9:30 am-6:30 pm


Menu Items Include
Original Shrimp
Lemon Pepper Shrimp
Coconut Shrimp
Spicy Hot Shrimp
Butter Garlic Shrimp
Plates range from $10-15

For more information: (808) 780-1071




3. Romy's Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp


Location
56-781 Kamehameha Highway
Kahuku, HI 96731

Hours of Operation
Open Daily
10 am - 6 pm

Menu Items Include
*Choose between either jumbo prawns or juicy shrimp upon availability
Butter & Garlic Sauteed: prawns or shrimp smothered with a butter-garlic sauce on two scoops of steamed rice. Served with a Shoyu spicy dipping sauce
Sweet & Spicy: laced with sweet spicy sauce in either mild, spicy, or extra spicy dipping sauce with two scoops of rice
Fried Shrimp: 10 pieces of peeled and wrapped in egg-roll wrappers and deep fried to a golden brown. Served with two scoops or rice and sweet spicy sauce.
Steamed Prawns or Shrimp: either 1/2 pound or one whole pound of steamed prawns of shrimp served with any two sauces and two scoops of rice.
Sun Fish: fried crispy with two scoops of rice and sweet spicy and shoyu spicy sauce.
Plates range from $12.75-$16.75
Sauces: Shoyu spicy, Sweet spicy, Cocktail, Butter Garlic, Butter, Shoyu, Vinegar
Sides: Tossed green salad (Ranch, Italian, Thousand Island Dressing), Kahuku Sweet Corn, Chilled Pineapple, Pani popo "Buns in Coconut" (traditional Samoan Dessert)

Butter & Garlic Sauteed Prawns
Sun Fish

Steamed Jumbo Prawns
Romy's Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp Check them out for available online coupons!


4. Shrimp Shack!



Location
53-360 Kamehameha Highway
Hauula, HI 

Hours of Operation
Open Daily
10 am - 5 pm

Menu Items Include
Pan Fried Shrimp (Garlic Shrimp)
Spicy Shrimp (Mild, Medium, Hot!)
Coconut Shrimp: served with a guava honey sauce
Grilled Mahi in Molokai sauce w/Grilled Onions
Surf & Surf: 1/2 Mahi, 1/2 Shrimp
Whole Snow Crab
Shrimp & Crab: one whole Snow Crab and 10 shrimp
Mussels: poached in garlic butter and beer
Calamari: in a tomato basil sauce
Steak & Shrimp: 8oz. New York Strip Steak, 7 pieces of Shrimp. Served with rice and grilled onions
Prices range from $10.75-$23.75
Chili & Rice
Chili Dogs
Hot Dogs
Kahuku Sweet Corn

Refreshments
Tropical Floats: Guava, Strawberry, Pineapple, Orange 
Kona Iceberg: Hot Kona Coffee serve over vanilla ice cream


Steak & Shrimp

Pan Fried (Garlic Shrimp)






Coconut Shrimp

For additional information, visit Shrimp Shack!

Tips

-Most trucks are CASH ONLY!
-Bring some wet naps with you for the finger-licking good shrimp!
-Be sure to visit the beautiful beaches on the North Shore


Saturday, July 27, 2013

Lanikai Beach




Lanikai beach:

Lanikai means “heavenly sea” in Hawaiian and it is located in Lanikai in Kailua on the windward coast of Oahu, Hawaii. Lanikai is one of the best beaches in the world and recognized as being a great place to watch moonrise over the Mokuluas, it is a popular local and tourist attraction, w the beach is relatively empty on the weekdays and extremely crowned on the weekends.

Kailua is situated behind the Kaiwa Ridge. The early history of Kailua served as an ahupua'a (according to Kailua Chamber of Commerce website click here): a land segment created by Kamehameha III that runs from the mountain to the sea; that was essentially a basic source of sustainability for the early Hawaiians. Using the rain water that percolated down from the top of the mountains, they were able to create a substantial irrigation system that could water their crops (mostly taro) and eventually drain into the sea. This water was nutrient rich and would attract their food source from the sea. 

The prime location of Kailua often attracted the ruling monarchs or ali'i meaning those of chiefly status. Many legend were born here, including those of the menehune (meaning) known for working at night in the marshes surrounding Kailua. 

Located just off the beach of Lanikai are the twin islands on Na Mokulua. You can kayak out to what is popularly known as the "Moks" and swim/ explore the island. Located on the back side are places where you can jump off it to the water. Just be careful as it is more dangerous when the current is strong.

Lanikai is a popular local and tourist attraction with the beach relatively empty on the weekdays and extremely crowded on the weekends. Often times you will see people doing photo shoots on this famous beach. It is ranked among one of the top 10 beaches on TripAdvisor mainly for its soft white sand, and crystal clear blue water. 


Activities:
There are many activities you can enjoy at Lanikai:
·      Snorkeling (Snorkeling among the coral heads in the shallow water and sea creatures in the deeper water)
·      Swimming (The waves are never too strong, makes it a good swimming spot, and the beautiful clear water is a plus)
·      Kayaking
·      Stand up paddle
·      Biking
·      Family Panic and gathering (It’s a great family panic spot, where the family can enjoy the beautiful ocean view while spending their quality time together at the beach)

Lanikai is also a popular spot for wedding and photo shoot, many photographers and models have been seen doing photo shoot at the beach.


Need to know:
·      Lanikai beach offers no public facilities, such as restrooms, showers or water fountains
·      Never leave any valuables in your vehicle
·      Never touch any sea living organisms
How to get to Lanikai:
·      Bus: any bus heading to the Kailua beach side, then transfer in Kailua to bus number 70 to Lanikai beach
·      Car: From the Waikiki take H1 to the Pali Highway (61), take the Pali Highway over to the Windward side of Oahu. Drive towards Kailua beach and take Kawailo Road to Aalapapa Drive, then make a one way loop between Aalapapa and Mokulua encompass Lanikai
Parking:
·      Onekea Drive
·      Nearby neighborhood (do not block people’s driveways)
·      Street parkings



Click below to meet Will who will talk a little more on Lanikai!




For more information on Kailua, HI click here

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Farmers' Market

Click the audio below to hear our very own Chey introduce you to the wonderful farmers markets here on Oahu!


Types of Farmers’ Market

Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation Markets
·      Founded it’s first farmers’ market in 2002
·      Sell flowers and food only (no crafts allowed)
·      Must be grown or made on Hawaiian soil
·      High quality products, carefully chosen vendors, live music and food to-go

People’s Open Markets
·      Founded in 1973
·      City and county institution
·      All produce must cost at least 35% less than it would at retail
·      Vendors sell only unprocessed produce and seafood
·      All produce is locally grown and of high quality
·      Two vendors are allowed to sell some Mainland-sourced overstock


Days, Times & Locations

Mondays and Fridays

·      Mahiku Farmers’ Market at King’s Village
o   Fridays and Mondays, 4pm – 9pm
o   131 Kaiulani Ave.
o   808-225-4002


Tuesdays

·      Royal Hawaiian Center Farmers’ Market Tuesdays on the Rooftop
o   Tuesdays, 4pm – 7:30pm
o   808-922-2299


Wednesdays

·      Honolulu Farmers’ Market
o   Wednesdays, 4pm-7pm
o   777 Ward Ave
o   808-848-1921
·      Windward Mall Farmers’ Market
o   Wednesdays, 2:30 – 7:30pm
o   46-056 Kamehameha Hwy
o   808-235-1143
o   http://www.windwardmall.com/event/farmers-market-every-wednesday/


Thursdays

·      Mahiku Farmers’ Market at the International Market Place
o   Thursdays, 4pm – 8pm
o   2330 Kalakaua Ave
o   808-225-4002
·      Kailua Farmers’ Market
o   Thursdays, 5pm – 7:30pm
o   609 Kailua Rd
o   808-848-1921
o   http://hfbf.org



Saturdays
·      Ala Moana Farmer’s Market
o   Saturdays, 9am – 1pm
o   1450 Ala Moana Blvd
o   808-955-9517
o   http://www.alamoanacenter.com/Events/ALA-MOANA-FARMERS-MARKET

·      Hawaii Kai Farmers’ Market (Makeke o Maunalua)
o   Saturdays, 9am – 1pm
o   Kaiser High School, 511 Lunalilo Home Road
o   808-388-9696
o   http://www.alamoanafarmersmarket.com/hawaii-kai.html 
Kapiolani Community College Farmers’ Market
o   Saturdays, 7:30am – 11am
o   4303 Diamond Head Road
o   808-848-1921
o   http://hfbf.org

North Shore Country Market
o   Saturdays, 8am – 2pm
o   59-360 Kamehameha Hwy
o   808-673-3296
o   www.northshorecountrymarket.com



Tips
·      Vendors always welcome small bills and/or correct change, particularly at the beginning of a market
·      Get there early. The most popular vendors may sell out and pack up long before the market has ended
·      Bring a bag to put your produce and/or goodies in so less unnecessary plastic bags are used
·      Bring a cooler too keep anything cold if you do not plan on going home right after you leave