Let Hawaii Happen!

Aloha - today is a day that has been anticipated by many for a long, long time: Southwest Airlines is now selling flights from the 8 California cities to Hawaii; the new destination has rolled out with remarkable sale fares - and other airlines are matching the special rates. So if you've dreamed of visiting Hawaii (and chances are, you have!) why not contact me now to plan your visit to this American Paradise? As a certified Hawaii Destination Specialist, I would be delighted to help you plan! Read on for free or budget-friendly activities in Hawaii...joan@tastefulvoyages.com

Something Free in Waikiki? Absolutely!

With so many free things to do in Waikiki, there is really no reason to fork out a lot of cash on activities. From torch lighting and hula shows to hands-on classes in Hawaiian arts and crafts, this visitor “Mecca” has a lot of offerings to keep you busy – and entertain and educate at the same time!

Here are some of my favorite “free” or inexpensive things to do in Waikiki...

1. Aloha Friday at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki - Each Friday afternoon, the Hyatt presents a Polynesian show with hula dancers, a Samoan fire-knife dancer and hands-on demonstrations of lei making and Polynesian art tattooing. Other afternoons during the week bring cultural classes like ukulele playing and storytelling...and you don’t have to be staying at the resort...although it is a lovely choice!

2. Kuhio Beach Torch lighting and Hula Show – Four nights each week at sunset, the blowing of the conch shell summons folks to the Kuhio Beach hula mound near Waikiki’s famous statue of Duke Kahanamoku. There, you witness a traditional torch lighting ceremony followed by an hour of free, feel-good hula by talented local dancers and entertainers. 

3. Royal Hawaiian Band Concerts – Founded by King Kamehameha III in 1836, this one-of-a-kind ensemble serenades crowds with songs of the islands – past and present. Look for them each Sunday afternoon in the bandstand inside the 500-acre Kapiolani Park. The park itself is a fabulous free attraction, popular with picnickers and joggers.

4. Royal Hawaiian Center Classes & Entertainment – Take ukulele or hula lessons, learn how to make traditional Hawaiian quilts, weave a lei using fresh tropical flowers or try your hand at the art of lomi lomi massage, all at this multi-level shopping center. It also presents live music and hula shows most evenings...open to the public! See www.royalhawaiiancenter.com for schedules.

5. Sunset on the Beach – Waikiki Beach turns into a huge outdoor theater presenting free, family-friendly movies on a 30-foot screen about once a month. Late afternoon, live entertainment kicks things off, with vendors and food trucks selling affordable and “ono” (yummy) eats. Be sure to check the online schedule at www.waikikiimprovement.com 

6. Wildlife and Fireworks at the Hilton Hawaiian Village – There’s no charge to watch the Hilton’s wildlife experts feed the penguins and turtles that live on its grounds. On Friday evenings, the resort presents visitors and locals alike with an Oceanside fireworks show, which is best viewed from the beach....a colorful and exciting way to have fun for free in Waikiki!

7. People-Watching – This is my own favorite pastime in Waikiki so I thought I would add it. Hawaii is a melting pot of cultures and you will see just about everything you could imagine – and more that you couldn’t even dream up! Visitors from Asia will be on the beach early in the morning practicing Tai chi and exercise...Street artists line Kalakaua Avenue in the evenings, providing some incredibly original “selfie” opportunities (don’t forget to tip!) and older couples in their matching Aloha-wear walk hand-in-hand next to surfers and goth-looking youngsters...Take it all in!

Keep in mind that you don't need a passport to visit Hawaii...and rental cars are typically quite reasonable - another favorite activity is to drive the perimeter of the island, stopping as the spirit moves you - perhaps near Pipeline on the North Shore to watch daring surfers ride the huge waves - or sampling freshly prepared Garlic Shrimp and Shave Ice at the Shrimp Trucks near Haleiwa - or standing over the beautiful Waimea Bay - or driving Tantalus and Round Top Drive for breathtaking views, or visiting the Byodo Inn, a replica of a Japanese Buddhist Temple in the Manoa Valley... Don’t let the fear of “I heard Hawaii is super expensive!” keep you from planning that vacation! I am well informed on these, and many more, free and budget-friendly options to keep you going from sunrise to sunset! Just do it! 

Hang loose,

Joan

Strawberry Shortcake - Cooking Demo - Pride of America, Hilo, Hawaii

There are tons of things to do on board a cruise ship.  One of my favorites is to attend cooking demonstrations typically presented by a member of the ship's Chef Team.  On our recent Hawaiian Cruise on Norwegian's Pride of America, the recipe demonstrated was Strawberry Shortcake.  The Chef was assisted by the cruise director.

Pre-Demonstration:  Mise en place - the cooking term for everything prepared and ready for assembly.  Even though the cake was pre-baked, the Chef demonstrated making the cake batter from scratch, by hand. 

The cruise director introducing the chef

Chef using a flat whisk to mix the cake batter

Switching from the cake batter to the pre-baked cake

I actually discovered a kitchen implement that I don't own:  a rotating cake stand.  Very helpful for slicing that singe baked cake into three layers, using a long serrated knife

After the cake has been cut across into three separate layers, Chef is brushing some Amaretto (which he kept referring to as Di Saronno) on the cake layers to moisten the cake

Topping the first layer with whipped cream, which had "stableizer" added to it.  Stableizer keeps the cream from getting runny and helps it hold its shape when used as a frosting. 

After topping the first layer with whipped cream, Chef added some chopped strawberries which had been macerated (soaked) in Amaretto

Second cake layer being carefully added

Third layer has been added

Chef using a flat spreader to apply a thin, even coating of whipped cream to the side of the cake

More whipped cream for the top layer

Chef using the flat spatula to even the top of the frosting (whipped cream)

Chef saved the crumbs resulting from slicing the cake layers; here he is gently patting cake crumbs on the side of the cake.

More whipped cream!  Scooped into a pastry bag and being piped in a decorative pattern to the top of the cake

Our cruise director had a different idea - a cake that looked like a volcano (as we would be sailing by the lava flow later that evening.)

Pouring some strawberry juice to mimic "lava"

Chef with a more traditional garnish

Et Voila!  The finished product

Plenty of tasty samples - and it was delicious!

The Recipe:

CHEF'S STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

Ingredients:

• non-stick vegetable spray, for coating the cake pan
• 1 1/2 cups cake flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 2 pints fresh strawberries
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1 recipe whipped cream frosting (below)
• Amaretto Liquor (optional)

Whipped Cream Frosting:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cups confectioner's (powdered) sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Whipped Cream Stabilizer

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees with a rack in the middle of the oven.  Lightly coat 2 9-inch cake pans with nonstick vegetable spray.  Line the bottoms of the pans with a circle of baking parchment. 

Into a large bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and salt together, 3 times.  In a small saucepan, bring the milk and butter to a boil.  Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract.  In a separate mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until pale yellow, fluffy, and doubled in volume.  While still beating, drizzle in the hot milk mixture.  Fold the flour mixture into the milk and eggs.  Spread the batter in the prepared pans and bake for 15 minutes, or until golden, the center springs back when lightly touched, and a cake tester comes out clean.  Set the pans on a rack to cool.  Run the tip of a knife around the edge of the cakes in the pan to loosen them, and turn them out of the pans.  Peel off the parchment paper.

Whip the cream until lightly thickened.  Add the confectioner's sugar, stabilizer and vanilla and whip to the consistency of shaving cream.

Wash and dry the strawberries.  Pick out the 12 best and set aside.  Stem and slice the rest.  Brush the top of the first cake layer lightly with amaretto (if desired.)  Spread a 1/2 inch layer of whipped cream on top of the first layer.  Lay the sliced berries on top of the cream.  Place the second cake layer over the first.  Brush with amaretto (if desired.)  Frost the entire cake with whipped cream, reserving some for garnishing.  Place sliced almonds on the outer sides of cake, top cake with whipped cream florets (using a pastry bag) and the 12 reserved whole strawberries.