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This is a truly impressive store, located at the Ward Warehouse. It boasts a huge collection of books about Hawaii and the Pacific (possibly rivaling the Bishop Museum's gift shop) with a vast...
This is a truly impressive store, located at the Ward Warehouse. It boasts a huge collection of books about Hawaii and the Pacific (possibly rivaling the Bishop Museum's gift shop) with a vast array of topics ranging from the history of the islands, including arts and crafts, language and literature, culture, natural history, cooking, plants, mythology and folklore and more. I recently became interested in the volcanoes and ecology of Hawaii so I am sure to find material here relating to those subjects. Other unique features of the store include hula items, weapons, and medicinal plants, weekly Na Mele Nei concerts, and a schedule of demonstrations, workshops and classes for those interested in learning about the Hawaiian culture. Merchandise you typically find at other gift shops can be found here, too, alongside the works of contemporary Hawaiian artists. Take a seat in one of the designated reading areas and immerse yourself in this fascinating culture!
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This is my kind of store, full of Hawaiiana and tropical-inspired merchandise. It's a quaint and cheerful shop with plenty inside to look at. You can find almost anything here for those people on...
This is my kind of store, full of Hawaiiana and tropical-inspired merchandise. It's a quaint and cheerful shop with plenty inside to look at. You can find almost anything here for those people on your list who are hard to shop for. There is stuff for the kitchen, souvenirs, pineapple-theme decor, hula girls, and much much more. There is even a Lanikai Beach line for those who have fond memories of the area and want to preserve it forever. Come here to buy something to brighten up your home with a little aloha!
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Jeff Chang Pottery and Fine Crafts features the work of artisans from both the Hawaiian islands and the mainland. In each gallery you can expect to find exquisite creations... I almost did not want...
Jeff Chang Pottery and Fine Crafts features the work of artisans from both the Hawaiian islands and the mainland. In each gallery you can expect to find exquisite creations... I almost did not want to touch anything for fear of breaking something. A work area at the rear of the store (in Kailua) allows patrons to observe artisans at work. There are items made of glass and clay... vases, figurines, bowls, and more, as well as jewelry, gifts, and collectibles. A lot of the work derives inspiration from Hawaiian culture and history. Come in to browse and take home the work of talented artists and craftsmen.
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I have been a member of First Hawaiian Bank for about a year now and have been satisfied with their service. I have a branch near my home but when I am out and about on the island, I've always been...
I have been a member of First Hawaiian Bank for about a year now and have been satisfied with their service. I have a branch near my home but when I am out and about on the island, I've always been able to find a FHB branch to deposit or withdraw money (I hate withdrawing from other machines that charge high fees, which is pretty much all of them these days). I use their online service to manage my account, and I like how they display scanned checks that have been processed. The only gripe I have is that it seems to take forever to for credits and deposits to go through. I need to constantly be on top of my checkbook so that I know the exact balance. Other than that, great customer service, decent hours (even open on Saturdays), and a variety of products and options make it an easy institution to bank with.
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Wickerworks is located on the second floor of the Windward Mall in Kaneohe. Walking through the store feels like you are transported to an island-style home; every inch of the store is covered with...
Wickerworks is located on the second floor of the Windward Mall in Kaneohe. Walking through the store feels like you are transported to an island-style home; every inch of the store is covered with home furnishings, decor, and gifts. You can find pineapple and palm-tree motif merchandise, and baskets of all shapes and sizes. The staff greets you with a friendly welcome and will offer assistance but feel free to just walk around; they don't pressure you or follow you around like a lot of furniture places.
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The MOSH in downtown Jacksonville is a place I never truly appreciated until I grew up and had kids of my own. It's always been a neat and cool place to me but when you experience it through your...
The MOSH in downtown Jacksonville is a place I never truly appreciated until I grew up and had kids of my own. It's always been a neat and cool place to me but when you experience it through your kids' eyes, it becomes something different -- it inspires you to learn more about the world so that you can answer the endless questions your kids ask you. Like other good museums, the MOSH has it's mix of permanent and seasonal displays and exhibits. Kids and adults learn about all sorts of topics ranging from general subjects to things local and regional. The MOSH hosues its own planetarium for those interested in the heavens. The MOSH is conveniently located downtown, right on the St. John's and by Friendship Fountain. After a visit to MOSH, you can stroll down the Riverwalk or cross the river to shop at the Jax Landing.
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I didn't go here for a tat but to have my belly button pierced. I've had it done twice; the first time lasted a few years and then I had to remove my ring due to my first pregnancy. Several years...
I didn't go here for a tat but to have my belly button pierced. I've had it done twice; the first time lasted a few years and then I had to remove my ring due to my first pregnancy. Several years (and two kids) later, I wanted to get my navel pierced again and so I went to Big City Tattoo. I'm usually intimidated in tattoo shops but the guy I spoke to (and who did the piercing) was helpful and friendly. He made sure to place the new hole away from the old scar tissue. Except for a slight sting, the procedure didn't hurt and the guy was quick and precise (and wore gloves!). A reputable place to go in Jax, with 3 other locations in town (I think).
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Dr. Patel has been our family dentist for as long as I can remember. I don't live in my hometown anymore but my mother and brothers still go there for any dental work they need, including...
Dr. Patel has been our family dentist for as long as I can remember. I don't live in my hometown anymore but my mother and brothers still go there for any dental work they need, including check-ups, cleanings, fillings, etc. On several occasions they have needed to be seen immediately/needed emergency care, and Dr. Patel almost always allowed them to come in even if she had no openings. I remember Dr. Patel being very patient and cautious, and she would explain what she was doing when necessary. I always felt comfortable with her, even though I generally hate having any dental work done. Dr. Patel's staff is wonderful, too; my mom is even close friends with her receptionist .
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Even though it's expensive, this excursion is worth the money, more so because we only paid for 2 adults (our two kids were free) through a tour guide service that had a buy one, get one free...
Even though it's expensive, this excursion is worth the money, more so because we only paid for 2 adults (our two kids were free) through a tour guide service that had a buy one, get one free activity deal. We decided this was one thing we wanted to do because our son loves anything to do with the ocean. This seemed like the perfect opportunity for him to experience his interest. All of us ended up thoroughly enjoying this excursion, from beginning to end. The trip from the shuttle to the submarine was exciting in itself (very scenic view of Maui's mountains, and flying fish all around) and built our antipication. Our guide was wonderful, funny, and knowledgeable. As someone who has a fear of water (and cannot go in deep water) I felt safe in the submarine and grateful that I could "experience" the underwater world this way. We descended to 150 feet, saw coral reef life, and even a moray eel. It was beautiful, peaceful, and just amazing to be down there. I highly recommend a trip on the Atlantis!
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We stayed at the Royal Lahaina as part of a complete package put together by our travel agency and if given the option to choose a place to stay, I probably would not have picked this resort. While...
We stayed at the Royal Lahaina as part of a complete package put together by our travel agency and if given the option to choose a place to stay, I probably would not have picked this resort. While it is nice (we stayed in a 2-bedroom cottage close to the beach) the prices are outrageous. An afternoon meal consisting of burgers and kid's food at the Royal Ocean Terrace Lounge cost an arm and a leg, and I couldn't believe we had to pay for parking ($10/day!). The parking lot is not the greatest, either... the stalls were so narrow that you had to be careful opening your door or risk hitting your neighbor. The day we checked out they made a mistake and double charged us for parking (an extra $20 to our bill) but fortunately, when I called they were very courteous and took care of the problem. I did like the location -- it is at the very end of a whole complex of hotels and resorts but within convenient distance of Lahaina's shopping and restaurant district.
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