A good read.
Busy weekend for restaurants with Mother’s Day, Graduation
Join Max as he explores Tiki's Grill & Bar in Honolulu during the busy Mother's Day and Graduation weekend. Watch as Director of Operations and Partner Michael Miller discusses the growing demand for reservations, their special menu offerings, and how they're catering to local families during these challenging times. Don't miss out on this insider look at Hawaii's thriving restaurant scene!
by: Max Rodriguez Posted: May 7, 2023 / 07:06 PM HST / Updated: May 7, 2023 / 10:46 PM HST
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Next weekend is expected to be a busy one for Hawaii restaurants, not only will it be Mother’s Day but graduations are also taking place on the same weekend, but those waiting last minute to make reservations may still be in luck.
The Tiki’s Grill & Bar Director of Operations and Partner Michael Miller said business is picking up, especially with the summer months approaching. He said reservations are coming in for Mother’s Day Sunday brunch, but they still have some availability during the later evening hours.
Miller said, “If you don’t have a reservation it may be up to an hour-long that day because most of the places that have been around that are doing a great job are going to be busy.”
Other places like 53 By The Sea have been fully booked since a couple of weeks ago. The restaurant manager Royce Takahashi said they are planning on being fully staffed.
“A lot of it is a mental game as well,” Takahashi said. “But the staff here you know they’ve, they work very hard and it’s nothing that’s really new to them. As long as you come in with a good mindset, a game plan for service it should go, it should go smoothly, knock on wood.”
Restaurant kitchens have been preparing for this coming busy weekend for months. From creating a fixed menu or buffet, and making sure the ingredients are available.
Miller said they also factored in the cost of the items on the special menu and how much customers are willing to pay for a meal. He understands many local families are working hard to just pass by during economic hardships.
“If you look at our pricing compared to some of our other friends in the industry, we priced ours below theirs,” Miller said. “And we did that on purpose because we didn’t want to gouge families so we thought ours was fair, to help cover our costs, make a little bit of money but really give a great experience.”
The Hawaii Restaurant Association Executive Director Sheryl Matsuoka is asking folks to notify restaurants if they need to cancel, other people may be looking for that reservation.
Matsuoka said, “My recommendation is to call the restaurant, many times you can call the restaurants and they will say, ‘Hey guess what someone just canceled I can put you in on these times,’ a lot of times if you do call you might be able to get a reservation." Many restaurants will be updating their availability online as the week goes on, they asked that customers to continue checking if there is a certain time they want.
In Hawaii, Ohana is of utmost importance, and taking mom or tutu out for Mother's Day is a cherished tradition. At Tiki's Grill & Bar, we consider it our kuleana (responsibility) to host a memorable experience for the whole family. That's why we change our style of service to a buffet and welcome so many kama'aina and visitors. In this behind-the-scenes look, we'll share how we prepare for a Mother's Day celebration at our restaurant.
Step 1: Reflecting on the past
Our preparation starts with reviewing notes from previous years, including chef and manager insights, guest counts, online reviews, and staffing notes. We evaluate what worked and what could be improved to ensure we're offering the best experience possible for our guests.
Step 2: Scoping out the competition
We reach out to other establishments and gather information on their offerings for Mother's Day. By building a competition grid, we can understand what others are providing in terms of hours, menus, service style, and pricing for both keiki and adults.
Step 3: Collaborating with our entire team
The preparation for Mother's Day at Tiki's Grill & Bar is truly a team effort. Our chefs Ronnie, Jason, and Mikey reflect on past successes and consider new menu ideas, ensuring that we can source ingredients at prices that allow us to make a profit. Meanwhile, Jenni, our manager in charge of holiday planning, coordinates with Jennifer on staffing, building the OpenTable plan, writing scripts, and managing dozens of logistical details, from ordering tablecloths and linen napkins to ensuring we have crab crackers on hand, planning the flow in OpenTable, and handling the logistics of payments.
However, it doesn't stop there; it takes the whole management team's dedication and expertise to plan and execute a successful Mother's Day celebration. From the bands providing live entertainment to the dishwashers, every member of the Tiki's Grill & Bar family plays a vital role in making the day special. The synergy between the various departments is essential for smooth operations and an unforgettable experience for our guests.
Step 4: Crafting the menu
Our team assembles a mouth-watering menu, including various stations, hot foods, and a salad/cold bar. Some highlights include Alaskan Snow Crab Legs, a "Build Your Own" Omelet Station, Hand Carved Salt Crusted Prime Rib, Togarashi Seared Salmon, and a Poke Bar featuring Ahi, Marlin, and Salmon. To top it all off, we offer an extensive assortment of desserts, including Lilikoi Cheesecake and sheet cakes.
Step 5: Coordinating with other departments
While Jenni oversees the holiday planning, it takes the coordination of eight other managers and departments to pull off this incredible feat. From the front of house to the back of house, every team member plays a crucial role in ensuring a successful and enjoyable Mother's Day celebration.
Step 6: The big day
With everything in place, we open our doors to welcome families looking to treat their moms to a special Mother's Day meal. As guests arrive, our well-prepared team works together seamlessly, delivering an unforgettable experience for all.
At Tiki's Grill & Bar, we take our kuleana seriously when it comes to providing a memorable Mother's Day celebration for the whole Ohana. https://www.tikisgrill.com/mom
PRO TIP no matter where you take your family make your reservations in advance.
ALOHA fellow ham radio enthusiasts! Gather 'round, and let me regale you with the tale of my most thrilling (and somewhat hilarious) experience using my ICOM IC-7300 transceiver. With only 100 watts max power and a G5RV jr wire antenna that's seen better days, I managed to make a mind-boggling 52 contacts on 20 meters, parking on 14.268 MHz. The pile-up was massive, chaotic, and incredibly fun – it was like the Black Friday of ham radio!
Working a pile-up like this can really train your ears to pick up call signs amidst the cacophony. It was like playing "Where's Waldo?" with my ears. And I must say, I've become quite the auditory detective.
Here's a list of the countries and their prefixes that I managed to make contact with during my adventure:
As dinner time approached, I signed off with a mixture of pride and the realization that my wife was probably plotting to hide my radio gear if I didn't get to diner soon. I quickly wrapped up and rushed to dinner, grateful for my ICOM IC-7300 and the trusty G5RV jr wire antenna for making this amazing (and amusing) pile-up adventure possible.
If you've been considering upgrading your ham radio setup, I highly recommend giving this combo a try. Who knows? You'll be the next one to share your own pile-up escapades, and we can swap stories over a virtual cup of coffee.
Until next time, 73, happy DXing, and remember to keep your spouses fed!
17 meter Activity Group -
17 meter Activity Group -
If you want to have some fun or try out a new antenna - these are the guys to check out! They start on 17M at 17:30z every afternoon. Lots of check-ins from across North America and usually around the world. Great group of folks here. Check it out!
From Gary; K5IGO
Join us daily on the Activity Groups. Open to all. It is not a net, just a bunch of guys getting together daily to check propagation on these great bands. No roll call, just a list gathered up daily. Stop by and check us out. 73
17m - 18.157.50 at 17:30-18:30 UTC
15m - 21.383 at 18:30-19:00 UTC
12m - 24.970 at 19:00-19:30 UTC
10m - Freq is usually picked that day at 19:30 UTC -
Please feel free to share this video: as you see fit.
Exciting news for the Lana'i High and Elementary School! Students communicated with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through Amateur Radio. This incredible opportunity was part of the ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) Program, which aimed to inspire students and promote STEM education.
The live connection with the ISS was facilitated by HAM operator Jan Poppeliers ON4ISS in Belgium, and the interview featured astronaut Warren Hoburg KB3HTZ. The amazing event was watched live on the ARISS YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ARISSlive/videos
This marks the first ARISS contact for Hawaii in 20 years! Teachers Danyel Erickson and Tricia Calhoon have been preparing their students for this momentous event with science clubs, field trips, stargazing events, and guest speakers.
Also visiting and sharing with the students is our astronomer friend Heather, callsign AH7RF.
Amateur Radio, or "Ham" Radio, allowed communication across town, around the world, and even into space without relying on conventional communication infrastructure. It was a great source of electronics experimentation, public service, and fun!
If you are in Hawaii and interested in obtaining your license to communicate with the ISS, you can find more information at http://hameducation.org/education/
For more info on ARISS, you could visit www.ariss.org, and for more on Amateur Radio, check out www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio..
Mahalo,
Michael Miller KH6ML
Aloha, food lovers and community enthusiasts! We are excited to share the heartwarming experience of our Tiki's Grill & Bar Ohana, who recently volunteered at the Hawaii Foodbank to sort and organize produce and packaged foods.
This act of kindness and generosity is an extension of the warm Aloha spirit that the Tiki's Grill & Bar Ohana embodies. As a local business, we believe in not just serving mouth-watering dishes but also in contributing to the well-being of the community we call home.
The day was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and the joy of giving back. Our team members formed an assembly line, working together like a well-oiled machine to sort and pack the food items. The experience was an excellent opportunity for bonding and getting to know one another better, strengthening the sense of Ohana within our team.
Mahalo to chef Jason and manager Drew for organizing this wonderful event and to the entire Tiki's Grill & Bar Ohana for their hard work and dedication. Your spirit of giving back and your commitment to the community are truly inspiring.
We look forward to more opportunities to serve our community and share the Aloha spirit, both within our restaurant and beyond. If you would like to join us in our efforts to support the Hawaii Foodbank or other local organizations, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Until our next adventure, let's continue to spread the love, warmth, and joy that make the Aloha spirit so special. Mahalo!
During the 2023 ARRL International DX Contest, I was able to make 133 successful contacts with amateur radio operators in North America, including Canada. Although I had to take breaks to work on some household projects, attend to a few work-related items, and spend time with my wife, I was still able to achieve my personal best with a score of 19,950. However, I am wondering if my score will place in any category.
The competition was fierce, with international stations participating in the mix. Nonetheless, the contest allowed me to expand my knowledge of DX propagation, improve my operating skills, and enhance my station capabilities.
Overall, participating in the 2023 ARRL
International DX Contest was an unforgettable experience that allowed me
to learn, grow, and connect with other amateur radio enthusiasts in the
community. As a member of ARRL,
I am proud to support the ARRL Contest Program, the world's largest,
with many events from HF through microwave. Membership also
grants free access to the National Contest Journal, the ARRL’s online
archive of QST articles, and the Technical Information Service. I look
forward to participating in more contests in the future and building my
skills and understanding of propagation patterns and radio overall.
As a side note:
Radio contesting can provide valuable training and experience for
emergency communication (EMCOMM) situations. Contests simulate a
high-pressure environment, requiring quick thinking and efficient
communication skills. These skills are essential in real-world
emergencies where communication is critical and every second counts.
Contesting also helps hams to develop skills in operating equipment and
antenna systems, setting up portable stations, and deploying quickly to
remote locations, all of which are crucial in emergency communication
scenarios. By participating in radio contests and training exercises,
hams can enhance their abilities to operate effectively in emergency
situations, making them well-equipped to support their communities when
the need arises. Thus, radio contesting can be an essential part of
preparation for real-world emergencies and EMCOMM.
#ARRL
#DXcontest #amateurradio #KH6ML #IC7300 #G5RVJr #N1MM
#propagationpatterns #stationcapabilities #DXpropagation #HFband #MFband
#emcomm #emergencycommunication #contesttraining #quickthinking
#efficientcommunication #skillsdevelopment #portablestations
#remoteoperations #supportingcommunities #buildingourskills #hamradio
#QSTarticles #NationalContestJournal #technicalinformationservice
Customers were able to choose from a selection of delectable main course dishes, including the Macadamia Nut Crusted Island Fish with basil cream, asparagus, roasted grape tomatoes, and Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, or the Vegan Pasta Primavera with San Marzano tomato sauce, balsamic roasted garden vegetables, and fresh tatsoi. Other options included the Truffle-Yaki Salmon, Thai Shrimp Puttanesca, Coconut Chicken, Guava Glazed Baby Back Ribs, Fork Tender Beef Short Ribs, and Slow Roasted Prime Rib.
Customers indulged in the Valentine's Surf & Turf for $99, which included a sous vide Petit Filet Mignon and Tristan Lobster Tail with Roasted Maui Pineapple & Bacon Brussels Sprouts. The meal ended on a sweet note with the Snuggly Divine Chocolate Fudge Cake with raspberry coulis and locally crafted vanilla gelato.
The restaurant encouraged customers to follow them on Twitter @tikisgrill, Instagram @tikisgrill and @chefronnie, and Facebook at Tiki's Grill & Bar, and to use the hashtags #tikisgrill and #PR to share their experience.
Otoshi is a unique part of Japanese dining culture.
Have you ever visited a Japanese restaurant and found yourself faced with an unexpected fee called otoshi at the beginning of your meal?
To clarify, otoshi is not a side dish, appetizer, or drink; it is an automatic fee that comes with sitting down at a table in some Japanese establishments. Some restaurants even have signs stating "otoshi wa kanrisha ni narimasu," which means "otoshi will be served by the server."
Otoshi is not always a simple fee. It can range from a small plate of pickled vegetables to a full-blown seafood platter. And the best part? You didn't even order it!
The reason behind this practice is to encourage diners to start eating and drinking right away, rather than lingering and taking up valuable table space. So, in a way, you're paying for the privilege of having a seat at the table. #culture #restaurants #JapaneseDining #DiningCulture #Restaurants #uniqueexperience #Japan #travel