Debris from Japan’s tsunami predicted to hit Hawaii shores

by Maria Kanai

courtesy U.S. Navy/Specialist 3rd Class Dylan McCord

Tsunami debris from Japan floating on the ocean and making its way to Hawaii.

According to Jan Hafner, scientific computer programmer at the International Pacific Research Center, debris from last month's tsunami in Japan is expected to hit the shores of Hawaii in about two years.

Destroyed remnants of Japan's coastal towns such as cars, wood, construction material, houses and roof tops are moving across the Pacific Ocean riding powerful currents, such as the Kuroshio, which flows at one meter a second. At the moment, the debris has moved already a few hundred miles off the coast of Japan and is floating to America.

Based off a diagnostic model by UH scientists, the debris will reach Hawaii in two years. By then, the debris would turn into a "North Pacific garbage patch", which will piece away and continue to filter to Hawaii shores for about five more years. At the moment, the garbage patch is the size of Texas or even bigger.

In regards to this prediction, a project is being planned by Nikolai Maximenko to start tracking debris by placing transmitters on pieces from the tsunami. Gisela Speidel, who also works at the International Pacific Research Center, says, "It [the project] will help to determine where the different objects travel and how quickly and how they break apart. Such tracking will help government agencies to implement strategies to deal with the debris."

When asked what students at UH Manoa can do to help, Spiedel says, "Let us prevent trash from getting into the ocean in the first place. When at the beach, or boating, every one of us should make sure our trash is not left on the sand or thrown into the water…clean-up days by different community groups and schools are very important to deal with the immediate problem on hand."

Japan's tsunami has had a worldwide impact, and Hawaii is not an exception. However, Speidel hopes that this incident may possibly turn out for good.

"Our oceans were becoming more and more polluted already before the tsunami, perhaps the current disaster help to will bring governments and industries that contribute to marine debris together to begin to deal with the ever growing problem of garbage in our oceans."

Eat The Street For Japan

by Maria Kanai
photos by Rie Miyoshi

Last week my photographer Rie Miyoshi and I attended the third Eat The Street, a lunch wagon rally event organized by Poni Askew of Streetgrindz.com. This month, the event was for a cause. In light of the terrible earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan, the lunch wagons donated either a portion or all of their proceeds to the American Red Cross to aid relief efforts. It was an awesome way for people to help out a recovering country while enjoying some delicious street food. Here's how it went!

There were some changes from the last ETS in February. First of all, it was even bigger! 32 lunch wagons instead of last month's 26. Trash cans were set up in the middle, tables were set up for easy eating, and the lines actually were fairly short…except for Gogi's Korean Tacos truck! As usual, this was a crowd favorite.

This was another thing that was different! Local artists Lightsleepers worked on a beautiful, Japan-themed painting on twelve canvases that were to be auctioned off, the money once again being donated to the American Red Cross.

The first truck we went to was Shogunai Tacos. Most of the lunch trucks had a Japan-themed dish, and I got Shogunai's Osaka Jo. It was delicious, with the perfect fusion of Mexican and Japanese. The ginger pork was flavored nicely with the shoyu and lemon, and I loved the furikake and bean sprouts. It was actually really filling at $6.50, and my friend and I split one between the two of us.

The biggest surprise of the night? The line at Melt was actually manageable, and I got to try out their famous sandwiches for the first time! I think the lines were short because of their limited menu; Japanese beef curry, their famous tomato soup, and just one Melt sandwich, which was a Kabocha and Bacon melt.

You can see the kabocha (pumpkin) covered with delicious Gouda cheese. The bread was perfectly toasted with a nice crunch, and the cheese, well, was melting in my mouth. It certainly lived up to its hype. However, I did think $9 was a little pricey...

Then I ran into Poni Askew herself! Although she was busy running around organizing everything, she was able to take some time to answer some question. She let me know that she plans on holding these events at the last Friday of every month. As for the changes, she is going to take them slow. "We want to ease into the momentum, and not change too much at once."

We wanted something sweet, and we had loved the icecream at Aloha Ice Cream Tricycle. We got the watermelon icecream this time, for $4. Once again, the cookie crust at the bottom did it for me. I'm usually not a big fruit-flavored-icecream fan, but there were "chocolate" seeds for my chocolate fix.

SOUL Patrol's very own Chef Sean Priester! They were cooking food right outside the truck. SOUL's Japan themed dish was togarashi-spiced catfish with Japanese cucumber relish.

We got the Mexican paella for $7 at Camille's on Wheels, just to take a break from the tacos. The rice was filled with plenty of shrimp, chicken, and shichimi! It was just the right amount of spicy, and the different meats and seafoods were perfectly flavored.

Me and Onopops' Mexican Chocolate. It had an interesting tangy flavor to it that I wasn't quite used to. The chocolate is grown in Hawaii, and I bought the popsicle for $3. I just wasn't used to the strong aftertaste, kind of bitter and very thick, so this wasn't my favorite, even though I look very happy.

Over $7200 was raised for Japan, from a combination of food sales from the lunch wagons and separate donations. Once again, this was the biggest Eat The Street yet. At least 3500 people showed up to eat and participate to help a nation in need, making it an unforgettable night. Keep a lookout for the next event, which is planned to be held on the last Friday of April!

Don't Miss This: Eat The Street For Japan

3/31 Thursday - Eat the Street for Japan!

This is the third "Eat The Street" event, held on Thursday from 5 to 9 pm at 555 South Street in Kakaako. This time, there will be a $2 fee, a portion of which will be sent to the American Red Cross to support Japan's tsunami and earthquake relief efforts. 27 food trucks will be attending, offering Japan-themed specialty foods like Mexican edamame, furikake chimney cakes, and ume thai basil popsicles. There will be live art by Lightsleepers, and their proceeds will also be going to the American Red Cross.

Tragedy in Japan: An international student's perspective

by Maria Kanai

I am sure I speak for all Japanese international students in Hawaii that the earthquake and tsunami that hit our country on Friday caused a great deal of pain and fear for all of us with friends and family back home. As of now, death tolls have risen to 801 and are expected to exceed 10000. For the past 24 hours, I've been checking the news regularly and I feel torn between a desire to go home and a strangely guilty sort of relief that I am safe here in Hawaii. 

For me, the worst of it is over because I've managed to get in contact with loved ones and confirmed that they are safe. For others though, the lack of communication with those in Sendai and other areas in Japan must be frightening, and I can only be very thankful that my friends and family are all safe.

I found out about the earthquake during dinner with my roommate at home, whose sister called and let us know about what had happened. I remember thinking it was probably just another earthquake; it shouldn't be a big deal. We have so many earthquakes in Japan on a regular basis, and I've never known an earthquake in my lifetime big enough to cause much disaster.

My roommate and I went to our computers to check if anyone we knew were online. Then we both saw the facebook statuses and online news, and I realized the enormity of the situation. It then became crucial to get in touch with everyone we knew.  We tried calling, but the phone lines were down, so chatting and Facebook became the only means of communication.

I soon discovered that my friends and church were all fine, but I was still in the dark about what had happened to my family. For about an hour and a half, I was unable to get in contact with my father or my sister. That hour and a half was torture. It was easy to spring to horrible conclusions when you have no idea what happened, but I kept praying. During that time, I heard all about the earthquake from my friends in Japan.

"The building started shaking sideways, like as if you're on a boat," said my friend Elly Ishihara, whose school Kanto Christian International School (my school too) was evacuated under the principal's orders immediately after the shaking began. The students fled outside to an open area and watched as "cars that were parked rocked back and forth, the poles shook, and there were people outside huddled together."

Hearing the earthquake directly from a friend made the earthquake even more real. To my relief, I managed to finally get in contact with my sister and father at around 9:00 pm Hawaii time. They were both fine, but my brother-in-law was stranded in Tokyo and at the time no one could get a hold of him. He had to walk home for 6 hours, and just came home this morning. Thankfully, convenient stores were passing out free food and water for help.

I would never take communication for granted ever again. My heart goes out to those who are still unable to reach their families. My father, Hisamitsu Kanai, was very calm over the phone, and told me that "Japan has had its share of earthquakes and tsunamis. We are used to this sort of thing, we will pull through."

It's the first time a disaster of this magnitude hit my home during my lifetime, and it's painful to watch the news and recognize the places that were destroyed. 

Please everyone take care, and keep praying for Japan. 

Blurring the Lines at the M.I.A. Art and Literary Series

by Maria Kanai

courtesy rie miyoshi

The last M.I.A. event at Mercury Bar was a collaboration of Tin Fish Press and Hawaii Review,
and over fifty people came out to hear the authors read short stories and poems. Now at Fresh Cafe,
Jaime Gusman believes that M.I.A. can finally reach its true potential. 

Ever read a story out loud? What about a poem? Or better yet, ever read your own story or poem to a listening audience? The moment you speak the words off the page, that’s when the magic happens.

courtesy jaime gusman

Gusman's poems are featured in the current 

issue of the Tinfish literary journal. 

It becomes a one-of-a-kind performance, which is exactly what the M.I.A. events are about. Since its small opening at Mercury Bar on October 2009, M.I.A. has developed into a diverse turnout of readers, writers, and musicians alike.

The M.I.A. Art and Literary Series was started by Jaimie Gusman, a poet hailing from Florida, currently pursuing her PHD in Creative Writing/Poetry. She got the idea from her experiences in the University of Washington, where students would work through different genres and give performances that “fed off each other.”

When she realized that UH Manoa had no art scene specific to the English department in the creative local community, she decided to take action.

“A big part of being in that sort of profession [writing] is that you have to do public reading," Gusman says. "The practice was really good for us, and I realized they didn’t have that here, so I asked to put it together.”

She believes M.I.A. gives writers an opportunity to improve their craft and get the kind of feedback they can’t receive in a safe, classroom atmosphere. Compared to the mainland, Gusman thinks Hawaii’s writing community is smaller and inclusive, but that has its advantages.

“All the writers kind of know each other, and it’s hard to be part of the writing community in general and not know the sub-community within that community," says Gusman. "You go to those readings and you know those people and everyone supports each other. I think it’s largely supportive and it’s easy to get your voice out there.”

courtesy jaime gusman

The next M.I.A event is on March 17, 2011, so mark your calendars. It’s sure to be a great reading, with a new location and new authors. For more information, visit miahonolulu.wordpress.com. And if you’re interested in volunteering or performing, contact Jaimie at miaseries@gmail.com!

But it’s not just writers who can participate. Local musicians perform as well, resulting in a show of words and music that’s uniquely M.I.A. (which by the way, stands for Mixed Innovative Arts). For Gusman, it’s all about blurring the lines between genres.

“I think music and visual art is part of writing in a large part,” she says. “I’m all for short skits, or more improv or dance. Since Fresh Café is more of a bigger space, you could do a lot more with it. I’m interested in just blurring the genre lines and having everything be fun and something that people can go to and think, “I’m going to hear something new and different every time I go to MIA. That’s what I really want.”

Poni Askew: Visionary Behind "Eat The Street"

by Maria Kanai

Twenty-five lunch wagons and vendors. 3000+ people. A parking lot the size of a city block. The second "Eat The Street" was no doubt the biggest food event in Hawaii, offering hungry customers everything from French crepes to Gogi Korean tacos in a massive, all-out food truck rally that took place last week.

maria kanai / KA LAMAKUA

Poni Askew is the talented visionary behind "Eat The Street", a food truck rally that she hopes will become a monthly event.

So, who came up with this ingenious idea?

Meet Poni Askew, organizer extraordinaire and the inspired mind behind the feast events. Poni studied Hawaiian language and Hawaiian studies at UH Manoa for two and a half years and was on her way to becoming a Hawaiian immersion teacher, when she moved to Nashville for 13 years where she did bookings for the music and talent industries. 

Since then, she's shifted from the entertainment industry to food and beverages. Despite her deviation from college plans, she says she's now found her niche. (And no matter how you look at it, this is encouraging news for us college students.)

"I'm in my place, that's my element," she says happily, "It's fun. Meeting everybody, getting out there, meeting different people.  The people [lunch wagon owners] are entrepreneurs, motivated people starting a new business and making it work. I have a lot of respect for them."

It all innocently began with streetgrindz.com, a website Poni and her husband Brandon opened last September as a place to list the lunch trucks in Hawaii. As fate would have it (or more likely, very clever planning), the lunch wagon craze hit Hawaii around the same time and Street Grindz was in the middle of the momentum.

"Unless you're driving around between 11 to 2 pm, you don't get to eat at these food trucks."

"It's the specialty lunch wagons that are coming out. You've got Korean tacos, Melt, Xtreme tacos; something you can't eat every day. Also," Poni adds with a smile, "These trucks have this "the more the merrier" kind of thing. They like to travel in a tribe, and they believe if you build it [a lunch wagon], more people will come.

The more, the merrier is right. Poni hit the same idea with "Eat The Street."

"The next smart thing to do was to start pulling them together," Poni says, "Unless you're driving around between 11 to 2 pm, you don't get to eat at these food trucks. The hours are part of the beauty of the lunch wagon; short, fast hours. It's a catch 22. With "Eat The Street", we're bringing them together on a Friday night, and Kaka'ako is near downtown, so it'll be a great pau hana spot for the weekend."

Since then, it's been nonstop for Poni. Her driving force is her determination to get Hawaii recognized for its street food. "Everybody's getting wild about food trucks in LA, but we've been doing it for so long. We've put our claim on the map for our destination to eat street food too, and we can't let LA take our trophy away from us," she laughs, half-jokingly. "We have great food in Hawaii!"

---

To see more of Maria's Eat the Street coverage, check out her review here!

Photoshow: February Eat the Street

Story by Maria Kanai

Photos by Rie Miyoshi

If you’re a food lover like me, you’ve probably heard of January’s “Eat The Street,” Hawaii’s first food truck and street food rally ever.

Sadly, I wasn’t able to make it, but then I learned that Poni Askew, the mastermind behind the rally, was planning another one for February 25th…except this time, it would bigger, sporting partnerships with Nonstop Honolulu and Kamehameha Schools. And in the case of food, bigger is always better, right?

I counted down the days. I invited all my friends in selfish hopes for a food buddy. I even interviewed Poni herself! When the great day arrived, I was ready for some good feasting.

courtesy rie miyoshi

When we got there, the event was just starting, so the lines weren’t too bad. Well, most of the lines. Superstars Gogi Korean Tacos and Melt had people across the full length of the Kaka’ako parking lot.

 

courtesy rie miyoshi

So my friend and I stopped by T.A.S.T.E first. They’re the ones who started it all, with their unique fusion of Asian and Mexican food. As an international student from Japan, I appreciated the light Asian flavors; not too heavy, and perfectly blended. My favorite was the char siu with shoyu aioli and hoisin vinaigrette (left). The rib eye with Kal Bi marinade and wasabi dressing (right) was pretty good too, and I loved the wasabi dressing. At $3 per order though, I thought it was a little pricey.

courtesy rie miyoshi

The Gogi line was an hour and a half. We were there for 6:00 to 7:30 pm, but we delegated friends to grab more food from Dixie Grill.

courtesy rie miyoshi

We got a pulled-pork sandwich for $6. The meat was perfectly cooked and soft, and tasted wonderful with their famous Dixie Grill spicy sauce. It was perfect to curb our appetite during our Gogi wait.

courtesy rie miyoshi

There was a flash mob! Student from the drama club in Nanakuli School performed for us in the middle of the parking lot, dancing hip hop to Lady Gaga and Katy Perry.

courtesy rie miyoshi

Fairy Cakes Hawaii is new to the street scene. Their debut “whoopee pies” for $4 looked delicious, and I was sad that I didn’t get a chance to try them.

courtesy rie miyoshi

Despite the crowd, the atmosphere was very relaxed and comfortable, and the huge space really helped keep things moving. There was good music, and as the night wore on, it got cooler and thankfully, the weather held up.

courtesy rie miyoshi

Around 7:30 we finally made it to the front of the line! We got the Gogi Quesadilla with BBQ Chicken for $5 and a BBQ Short Rib tacos for $2. The chicken was nicely flavored, and the Korean + Mexican tastes were unique. The taco was tiny though, so I was glad to have gotten the four quesadillas. It was worth waiting for the hype, and I was glad I finally got to try it.

courtesy rie miyoshi

Sold-out Melt. They were one of the first to run out of food, which wasn’t surprising considering how long their line was. They come to UH though, so I still have a chance to try their famous grilled gourmet cheese sandwiches.

courtesy rie miyoshi

Aloha Icecream Tricyle for desert. We got their Mauna Kea Deelite for $4. My favorite part was their crumbly crust, which made the three layers of icecream seem more “pie”-ish. Their chocolate fudge combined with coconut flavors was wonderful. (In the background, you can see Ed Morita, who blogs for Nonstop Honolulu. He took our picture and we talked story with him after!)

courtesy rie miyoshi

I got a “Romeo et Juliet” crepe for $7 from Le Crepe Café. My crepe had generous amounts of nutella, strawberries, and bananas, with a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top. Delicious way to finish off an awesome night!

Sierra Dew: Meaning Through Art

courtesy sierra dew

"With anything new

I always look back to my original goals of
creating with meaning and intention."

by Maria Kanai

Ever stop on your way to class to admire the clothes and jewelry sold in the vendors at the Campus Center? Although it's easy to join the massive lunch rush (especially with the construction bottling us students through), definitely keep a look out for Sierra Dew.

She occasionally can be found near Jamba Juice, sporting a playful fedora and modeling her own signature leggings and tunic outfit. Local boutiques have been known to come to UH Manoa to sell designs at an affordable, college-friendly price, and Sierra's unique line of Hawaii-inspired accessories and clothes is perfect for any trendy fashionista.

Maui-born Sierra Dew studied Apparel Product Design and Merchandising at UH Manoa and then transferred to Polimoda Fashion School in Italy. After interning with Betsy Johnson in New York City, she started "Sierra Dew Designs" in 2008 and has since then successfully seen her company grow into a signature lifestyle brand in the local fashion and art industry.

courtesy sierra dew

Sierra teaches keiki how to stencil at an
Earth Day workshop.

"When I was a kid I was always doing craft projects at home, learning new skills always really excited me," she says in our e-mail interview. "When I started learning how to sew, I wanted to make everything." 

And she does just that. From jewelry, handbags, dresses, and t-shirts, she makes everything with her own hands. Her cheerfulness and her keen eye for art in nature shine through in her fashion line: vibrant colors, unique designs, and that signature "Sierra" stand-out edge.

So what inspires her? Despite her fun-loving, carefree personality, Sierra's fashion is much more than just having something cute to wear.

"I've always thought that fashion and art should reflect current social and political situations," Dew says. "I think that addressing local issues like genetically modified foods, water and land issues, waste management is very important.  It has always been the artist's way to create meaning through art."

Sierra claims Hawaii's beauty and diversity play a "big role" in her inspiration. "Most of my T-shirt designs are reflective of growing up here," says Dew. 

She continuously strives for "new ways to incorporate my own style into the perfect combination of print, color, and design." She needs to constantly move forward within the competitive market, and in some ways, she wishes she had learned the ruthlessness of the industry in school.

courtesy sierra dew

Sierra displays her print art on the left, which she 

created as a message about child labor and 

the garment industry.

"It's nice that teachers are so encouraging (and now that I do some teaching I can understand), but sometimes it would be more beneficial for them to give students the realities of the market. All of a sudden when we are out of school, we aren't being coddled any longer and it can be shocking."

Her advice to future fashion designers of Hawaii: "Be grounded and honest with yourself about the "reality of your venture…it is very important to have a plan!

"Be passionate! I really have learned how important it is to follow your gut instinct and your heart!"

Sierra's future plans include holding more workshops and collaborating with the local youth and 808 Urban. Her increasing involvement in the community and her meaningful designs make her an inspiration for any aspiring fashion designer. 

To see more of her designs, visit her website at http://www.sierradew.com. 

Behind the Set of Hawaii 5-0

Interview and photos by Maria Kanai

maria kanai / KA LAMAKUA

Priscilla Stafford is an Academy for Creative Media grad 

making her way into the local film industry. 

Meet Priscilla Stafford, a 22 year old graduate of UH Manoa and full-time production assistant (PA) on the set of Hawaii 5-0. The remake of Leonard Freeman's vastly popular show premiered September 20, 2010 and has since won the People's Choice Award by becoming one of the CBS's highest rated new shows of the year.

Priscilla was born in Yokohama, Japan and moved to Hawaii for college in 2005. She graduated with a double major in ACM and History at UH Manoa in Spring 2009 and has since successfully been pursuing her dreams to work in the film industry. We asked her how she got in and how she got her start.

MK: How did you get involved in Hawaii 5-0?

PS: Someone referred me to work on the pilot and so I came in to work two to three days, but I was able to make an impression and was hired full-time.

MK: What do you do as a PA?

PS: I'm specifically a set production assistant. We're in charge of the set, the walkies, we give information to actors, as well as the crew, be in communication with the production office, we manage the background/extras. Basically we're the first ones there and last ones out.

MK: What do you think about the show?

PS: I think it's a fun show! It's kind of silly sometimes, but the dialogue is fun, the characters are fun. I don't think it's a serious, dramatic TV, you know what I mean? I like how they show Hawaii, it's someplace I know, and it's fun for both people who live here and for people who don't.

MK: What is the most exciting thing about working on set?

PS: The fact that every day is new is always exciting. The work is never the same; it feels same sometimes, 'cos you work with same people, same actors, but we have guest stars, and new directors, sets, storylines, and stunts. Every single day is new and fresh, and that's what keeps it exciting as an art form. It's not a 9-5 job where you kinda do the same thing every day.

maria kanai / KA LAMAKUA

Production assistants hold a meeting on the
set of Hawaii 5-0.

MK: What is the hardest thing about working on set?

PS: The long hours, just trying to make time to rest and have your own time.

MK: How many hours a week do you work?

PS: Average between seventy to seventy-five hours a week.

MK: What are Alex and Scott like? How is it working with them?

PS: They are both really nice guys! Alex is very good with people and very personable. He gets along well with everybody. He's easy to talk to; he's very clear what he needs and what he wants on set. He's not afraid to speak his mind on matters like that. Both Alex and Scott know all the crew members by name, from the drivers to us PAs. Scott is really funny, fun-loving, he likes to joke around with people, he brings his dog to set (laughs).

MK: What is the most valuable thing you've learned from ACM at UH Manoa?

PS: Working as a team in projects, being able to think ahead, plan production. Most people think filming is just film, on that day, but you don't realize how much planning goes into just one little scene. ACM really gears perspective on how much time and effort you put into everything, from pre-production production, and post-production.

MK: What is one thing school did not prepare you for?

PS: The sheer size and just how much hard work it [working on set] would be…You're not taught to be able to network or meet, work with professionals. There are internships, but it's very hard once you're full-time.

MK: Do you have any advice for aspiring ACM-ers who want to enter the entertainment industry?

PS: I highly recommend working as a PA for a little while. I think it's a great opportunity to know what it means to be in production. It's always good to see what it's like from the lowest rung, and then go for what you want to do. Don't wait and be willing to PA for a little bit, just for the experience. Don't get side tracked.

MK: What's your ultimate dream?

PS: My ultimate dream is to direct. My half-way point dream is be an AD. But along the way, I would like to do my own projects, work on my photography, and always remember that my profession is an art form, not just a business. I want to constantly remind myself of that, even in the little ways.

Hawaii 5-0 will keep shooting until April, and may be picked up for a second season later this year. Keep a lookout for the next new episode coming up on Monday at 9 on CBS!

Mockingjay: A Book Review

by Maria Kanai

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Age Group: Young Adult

Rating: 2.5/5

"Mockingjay" is the final installment in the teen trilogy "Hunger Games" by author Suzanne Collins. Its long-anticipated release in August 24, 2010 sold over 400,000 copies in the first week. After reading the second book "Catching Fire", I had to admit I was slightly hesitant to pick this one up. As I stated in my last review, I was not entirely impressed with the unoriginality and lack of character development. However, "Catching Fire" ended at a painful cliffhanger. I couldn't leave the Hunger Games yet!

Our heroine Katniss Everdeen still survives, but not by luck. She learns about the mysterious District 13, and their involvement in her escape from the Quarter Quell. District 13 plans to overthrow the Capitol, but the people need Katniss to finally choose her place as the leader of the rebellion. As war breaks loose and the death toll continues to rise, the line between allies and enemies starts to blur.

This book ties up the loose ends left at the end of "Catching Fire." We learn all about District 13, more history on the Capitol, and the ultimate showdown between the rebelling districts and the Capitol. The triangle between Peeta, Katniss, and Gale is resolved, and I was incredibly happy with her decision. As for character development, we learn more about handsome Finnick, the tribune in the Quell I know every single female reader fell in love with. Haymitch also is amazing. We find out his involvement in the rebellion, and he turns out to be an amazing character.

"Mockingjay" had a lot to live up to. It should have resolved many of the issues in Katniss' character. Her indecisions, her inner scars after the hunger games, and her continuous manipulation by the Capitol. She should have come a full circle, a winner in the face of her difficulties.

She didn't.

The message of the entire "Hunger Games" trilogy is that war is unforgivable, and those involved can never come out unscathed. "Mockingjay" pushes that message straight in your face over and over again. Katniss is manipulated by both the Capitol and District 13, spends most of her time in rehab, and in the unbelievably shocking conclusion, is beaten down once again. Where was her triumphant journey as a heroine? Maybe this was Collins' intent, but I personally believe that this book would have benefited more with Katniss changing, her situation changing, and then coming out successful. Also, there were too many characters created only to be killed off. I stopped caring for them, and grew rather numb to the deaths.

What was wonderful about the first book was its depiction of the grim realities of war, yet there was humor and hope for those involved. Katniss' strength and determination made her a character you wanted to cheer for. When you take those away, which happened in "Mockingjay", you're left with a rather depressing book that you wished you hadn't read.

A satisfying conclusion to a best-selling trilogy? Unfortunately, no. Worth reading? Yes, but definitely only because of the cliffhanger in the second book.

(By the way, there's a movie coming out in 2012! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/)

ARTafterDARK: Show Me The Bunny

by Maria Kanai

courtesy rie miyoshi

DIY Chinese firecracker decorations 

Since its opening in 2004, ARTafterDARK has been an enormously successful monthly event of nighttime art, food, and drinks. Organized by young volunteers passionate for art, the parties bring an eclectic group of social networkers, hipster urbanites, and art-loving families every last Friday to the Honolulu Academy of Arts. The beautiful architecture, cultural art, and open courtyards create a sophisticated, yet chill atmosphere for young and old alike to relax, enjoy the art, and meet new people.

So what makes ARTafterDARK so popular?

"The place, architecture, and the exhibits," said a regular volunteer at ARTafterDARK. "Definitely people-watching."

"The combination of nightlife and culture," said another loyal AAD fan, "I love that the themes are different every month, and that the art is based on different cultures."

"The different kinds of people," said an older couple, "We love that you can bring kids here."

courtesy rie miyoshi

Luce Pavilion fills with people as musicians like
DJ Cottontail pump techno beats. 

This month, ARTafterDARK kicked off the new year with the theme "Show Me The Bunny", showcasing Chinese culture with art by Andy Lee and lion dancing by Au's Shaolin Arts Society. The place was decorated with Chinese lanterns and was packed with its usual diverse crowd. I ran into old friends, made new ones, and even got my picture drawn by an aspiring artist! Various booths offered free prizes in fortune cookies, create-your-own Chinese New Year decorations, and contemporary Chinese food hosted by Town and Downtown restaurants. Fantastic music was provided by DJ Roxy Cottontail, and plenty of people were grooving to the beat in the Luce Pavilion.

Whether it's your first time or your fiftieth, ARTafterDARK does not fail to impress. There is always something for everyone, and that's important for the diverse mix of people living in Hawaii. Mark your calendars for the next event, "Uma Noite de Carnaval" on February 25th. For more information, go to their website: http://www.artafterdark.org. Hope to see you there!

Food Finds: Zaratez Mexicatessen

By Maria Kanai

maria kanai / KA LAMAKUA

Zaratez Mexicatessen 

3121 Mokihana St.
(off Kapahulu Ave., next to Waiola Shave Ice)

Open Tues - Fri 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed Sunday/Monday

I am an avid Mexican food lover. There is something about the combination of meats, spices, and tortillas that I can't resist, and I can honestly eat tacos every day if I could! So, you can imagine my excitement when I heard about Zaratez Mexicatessen.

Tucked away behind Genki Sushi on Mokihana Street, Zaratez Mexicatessen is a lunch wagon serving authentic homestyle Mexican food by chef Paul Zarate. Since it is slightly difficult to find unless you know where it is, I was curious to find out how Zarate gets the word out.

The key to their popularity? "Twitter, facebook, and Living Social coupons," says Zarate. "Also word of mouth."

Sure enough, one happy customer said that she had heard about Zaratez Mexicatessen from Living Social and brought her coupon for dinner. (So, make sure to check up Living Social for some nice deals!)

"Our most popular dishes," says Zarate, "are the burritos and carne asadas."

maria kanai / KA LAMAKUA

My $7 Carne Asada Burrito, a whole meal of rice, beans, beef, 

and cilantro wrapped in a large flour tortilla.

I was starving, so I got a carne asada burrito. For a reasonable $7, it was very filling and incredibly tasty. The meat, beans, and rice were well seasoned within the large flour tortilla, and the salsa was spicy and had a unique flavor that went perfectly with the meal. Since the burrito was so huge, I was afraid I was going to make a mess, but it stayed together until the last bite. I loved the homestyle authentic taste, and I was stuffed and happy!

Although challenging working full-time running his own lunch wagon, Zarate says the most rewarding thing is being able to do what he loves and serving people food. He is currently working on future plans on opening up a small shop up the street this summer. I hope that works out, because I am definitely a fan. I can't wait to go back to try out all the other foods on the menu, which consists of tacos ($2.50), burritos ($7), quezadillas ($6), mulitas ($3), with different meats such as carne asada, carnitas, pollo asada, and chorizo.

You can follow them on facebook at www.facebook.com/zaratez or twitter @zaratez.

Book Review: Catching Fire

Age Group: Young Adult

Rating: 3/5

By Maria Kanai

"Catching Fire" is the sequel to the bestselling YA trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I couldn't wait to start reading it, and picked it up immediately after I was done with "Hunger Games." You can read my review for it here.

The book starts off immediately where the first book left off. Katniss Everdeen has survived the hunger games, but she is still in danger. Her open act of defiance against the Capitol has sparked a rebellion across the Districts. She must still play by the Capitol's rules in and out of the arena and her friends, family, and district are all under direct threat.

Suzanne Collins takes this second book as a chance to explore and flesh out the world of Panem. We see more of the history behind the 12 Districts, the political power structures, and more hunger games. The writing is so vivid and detailed that Panem was remarkably realistic. As for character development, I especially loved Haymitch's transition from a distant mentor to a close ally with a hidden past. He is by far my favorite in the trilogy as the gruff, jaded teacher who cares more than he chooses to show.

That being said, "Catching Fire" was a bit of a disappointment. My biggest problem was the rehashing of the hunger games. It made sense to have the hunger games in the first book because, well, the title, and more importantly, they were a critical example of the Capitol's tyranny. Throwing Katniss into the bloody arena once again felt like overkill, and dare I say it, more sensational rather than working towards the plot. The violence was old and familiar, and after a while, the deaths felt thrown in and unimportant.

Also, what was with the relationship between Peeta, Katniss, and Gale? All I could think of was Bella, Edward, and Jacob. Katniss switches from one to the other when it pleased her, and it did nothing to make me connect with her. Her character development in this second installment was difficult to pinpoint. She seems confused throughout the story. I wanted to see her make the shift from a girl vainly fighting against tyranny to a heroine who makes the choice to take her stance as an influential, revolutionary leader. Instead, she continues to compromise with herself, her friends, and the Capitol. I was left wondering where the resourceful girl determined to save her little sister went, and whether she would come up in the third installment, "Mockingjay." I sure hope so.

Did "Catching Fire" live up to its predecessor? No. Should you read it? Well, if you liked the first book, you will probably have to find out what happened! Unfortunately, it was a bit of a letdown for me.
Keep a lookout for my next review for the final book, "Mockingjay."

Hunger Games: A Book Review

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Genre: Young Adult

Rating: 4.5/5

Book Review by Maria Kanai

Winter break is my favorite time of the year to catch up on reading. There is something very appealing about curling up in a warm blanket at home on a cold day with a good book. So, I took my Christmas money and gleefully made a trip to good old Borders to pick up "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins, the first book of a bestselling YA trilogy that gained huge popularity since its original release in 2008.

Katniss Everdeen is a sixteen year old girl living in a futuristic world where the tyrannical government of Panem holds annual "hunger games" as a violent means to keep the districts in check. The book opens quietly enough, but then by the end of the first chapter, it throws you straight into a fast-paced, hard-hitting story without a break. Then, of course, it leaves you with a cliffhanger, and I was desperate for the sequel after putting down "Hunger Games" at four in the morning.

I don't even know where to start. I have to admit my skepticism when I first heard of "Hunger Games." Most young-adult books surrounded by so much hype are often disappointing, and I was prepared for another "Twilight" (no offense to Twilight fans). But this book was a darkly pleasant surprise. The plot may not be entirely original (think a female teenage "Ender" meets "Battle Royale" with "The Gladiator" thrown into the mix), but Suzanne Collins throws in enough new twists and turns for a refreshing story. The world of Panem is believable as a futuristic North America, and it was easy to pick up on the not-so-subtle messages against war, tyranny, and reality TV (seriously).

But more than the plot, the characters clinched the book for me. Suzanne skillfully depicts characters with enough dimensions and developments that I couldn't help but empathize with all of them. I was rooting for Katniss throughout the entire book and cared for everyone she cared about. Great writing, Ms. Collins. Character-driven stories are the best.

Although "Hunger Games" is technically YA, the story is captivating for any age. After I finished, it took a while for me to recover. Be warned: "Hunger Games" was not light reading at all. It was an intense ride from start to finish, with pretty dark themes and some particularly gruesome deaths.

Is "Hunger Games" worth its hype? Yes. Should you read it? Yes! Have the sequel near at hand to grab. Don't say I didn't warn you; the trilogy is incredibly addicting.

Keep a look out for my next review of the second book, "Catching Fire."