At the Farmers Market

Saturday, November 1, 2025

We took the Waikiki Trolley to the Farmers Market near Diamond Head. My calves were still screaming from yesterday’s hike — every time I looked up at the crater, I kept thinking, Did I really climb that?

I’d heard great things about this market and was glad to finally see it. Plenty of food stalls. We started with a Portuguese sausage sandwich, then spotted a stand from The Pig and the Lady, a Vietnamese spot we’ve eaten at before. We grabbed a bowl of Bún Chả (pork and noodles), wandered a bit more, and then caught the trolley back to the hotel.

The rest of the afternoon was pool time. Finding a seat was ridiculous — at any moment, 80% of the chairs were empty but “reserved” with a single towel like we were back in grade school saving seats at an assembly.

What really stood out, though, was how many people spent the entire time staring into their phones. I made it a point to actually be there: the sound of the ocean, Hawaiian music drifting in the background, the Royal Hawaiian’s pink umbrellas, the breeze, the smell of flowers and sunscreen. Meanwhile, everyone else seemed mentally somewhere inside Facebook. Why come all the way to Hawaii just to fall into the same screen you stare at at home? Continue reading →

Diamond Head

Friday, October 31, 2025

We grabbed the Waikiki Trolley in the morning and hopped off at Diamond Head. The plan was simple: look around, not hike it. When I looked up at the ridge, I said out loud, “Yeah, there’s no way I’m going all the way up there.” The driver claimed the hike was “about a half hour.” No chance — it’s longer, and I knew it.

We weren’t prepared for a hike at all — no water, no hats, no sunscreen. We figured we’d walk a little way up just to see how it felt. One step led to another, and with a few breaks along the way, suddenly we were much higher than expected. I kept thinking, If people older than me are doing this, I don’t have an excuse. At some point, we were committed.

We made it to the top, and the views were absolutely worth it. I was proud of myself. Going back down didn’t require as much cardio, but it was just as rough on the legs.

Along the way, I noticed couples hiking with babies strapped to their backs and even toddlers making the climb. It reminded me how different parenting looks these days — people don’t put adventures on pause just because they have kids. Continue reading →

October 30, 2025

I’ve eaten at Charles Phan’s The Slanted Door in San Francisco a few times — both the original location and the newer one on the waterfront. The food was incredible, and I remember thinking it was unlike anything I’d had before. Then I went to Vietnam and realized Vietnamese cuisine is essentially French technique blended with Southeast Asian flavors. It made me wonder: was The Slanted Door truly that groundbreaking, or was it simply the first time many of us experienced upscale Vietnamese food beyond pho?

Ironically, every time Charles Phan cooked at the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, his dishes ended up near the bottom of my list. I hate saying that — I have huge respect for him, the restaurant was fantastic, and he has always been incredibly kind whenever I’ve spoken with him. But festivals are unpredictable. The chefs aren’t in their own kitchens, they’re working under pressure in tiny booths, and somehow we still expect perfection on every plate.

Still, I’m enough of a fan that I wasn’t going to miss a tribute event in his honor — and it delivered. A lineup of talented chefs served dishes inspired by his work, and the food was excellent. We also got to see Roy and his wife Denise, along with Aya. Even though Sophon and I traveled to Japan with Roy and Denise, I still feel a sense of awe knowing them. They are down-to-earth, genuinely good people. Continue reading →

Thursday, October 30, 2025

What a full day. We went to breakfast right when the restaurant was supposed to open — or so I thought. The place was already packed. I asked the hostess what time they opened, thinking it was 6:30. She said a couple of big tour groups were staying at the hotel, so they opened half an hour early.

I ordered eggs benedict — solid breakfast — and the view of Waikiki and Diamond Head  was unbeatable. Not just picture-perfect, but entertaining. An older woman was doing stretches that turned into a full moon display, and then twerking.  An older man nearby was performing something that looked like Tai Chi mixed with voguing. Paradise really does attract every type of character, especially those escaping reality.

After breakfast we went for a walk.  I spotted a Waikiki Trolley sign that said “Scan Here” for hop-on hop-off passes, so I checked it out. The price was reasonable for a four-day, four-line pass, so I bought it. We started with the Blue Line, which circles the other side of the island. Our driver, Sam, was great — funny, knowledgeable, and full of local stories.

I realized I’d already driven to most of the places he pointed out over the years, but it was nice to just sit back and enjoy the ride. After that, we hopped on the Red Line for the historic loop. It was a great day! Continue reading →