Shot over to Farmers Market at Ward Center today for lunch. My dad had told me last week that Tropics Fish and Vegetable was closing. Sure enuff in big bold letters on a banner was "Mahalo for 56-years" from the Tanoue family.I guess it was inevitable given the expansion and "modernization" of the mall area but does that make it pono?Gawd, I can't even begin to count how many times I shopped there. How many dinners, lunches, party's that I cooked using ingreedaments from Tropics. Where else can you easily find salt meat? Friggin' great, no X-cellent quality dried ahi and aku? How about their fresh fish, poke and sea food?As far as I know the whole market area is on the demolition list. Making way for "new" stores and shops. Sometimes the word "new" just plain SUCKS! 56-YEARS for da cripes sake! Is nothing sacred?Spent lunch with my numbah-one wahine at Haili's Hawaiian Foods. Poi, ake', he'e and a'aama crab! Oh, forgot da chili peppa wata too. Asked the Haili's wahine where you folks going go? The answer was a cold, "I don't know brah".My dad grew up in Ka'ka'ako back when Ilaniwai was chock full of local families. Back when Iolani Luahine taught hula to my Aunty Genie and Aunty Vernie not far from Mother Waldron Park. Back when my tutukane swapped pineapple swipe for a few gallons of gasoline during the war.My dad remmebers how things were, where Gabby Pahinui lived, where he and Monkey Man hung out, where back in the late 40's their world made the move towards "modernization".Yeah, all things come full circle huh?Still sucks!
Here's the start of my pooah 'ting list:
Blaisdell hotel restaurant: my dad used to take me there for soup when I was little.
Kam Bowl: where I pretty much grew up. [Well, while we are on the subject: Classic Bowl, Kalihi Bowl, Bowl-a-Drome, Kapi'olani Bowl]
Flamingo Chuckwagons: my uncle boy used to carve da prime rib
Tower video, Tower Records I used to work for these guys.
Aala Park - we used to go there after church on Sundays, now it's kinda---y'know...
Waikiki 1, 2, and 3 theaters, Cinerama, Kapi'olani and King theater, Kam Drive in, uh---all the drive ins....
Da Cannery: Where I pretty much grew up, since my dad worked there. I did the requisite summer 16 hour grave yard shift....
Dutch Girl Bakery: on Liliha street, great custard pies.
The little chinese restaurant on Liliha street that I used to go to all the time for great pork hash and fried rice...
uhmmm.....wot else? Can you tell that I'm all about the places I used to go eat?
Noe
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Blaisdell hotel restaurant: my dad used to take me there for soup when I was little.
Kam Bowl: where I pretty much grew up. [Well, while we are on the subject: Classic Bowl, Kalihi Bowl, Bowl-a-Drome, Kapi'olani Bowl]
Flamingo Chuckwagons: my uncle boy used to carve da prime rib
Tower video, Tower Records I used to work for these guys.
Aala Park - we used to go there after church on Sundays, now it's kinda---y'know...
Waikiki 1, 2, and 3 theaters, Cinerama, Kapi'olani and King theater, Kam Drive in, uh---all the drive ins....
Da Cannery: Where I pretty much grew up, since my dad worked there. I did the requisite summer 16 hour grave yard shift....
Dutch Girl Bakery: on Liliha street, great custard pies.
The little chinese restaurant on Liliha street that I used to go to all the time for great pork hash and fried rice...
uhmmm.....wot else? Can you tell that I'm all about the places I used to go eat?
Noe