ISLAND LIFE SHORTS
FROM THE HIP
'The road to happiness'
Advertiser Staff and News Services
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In the heart of Waikiki, tucked away on the third floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center, is Doraku, "the road to happiness." The impressive setting features Japanese-style dinner booths, a community table fashioned out of a 300-year-old tree, a patio overlooking Kalakaua Avenue and a glittery, tantalizing bar. And the food? It ranges from traditional Japanese to exotic specialty sushi rolls such as the Cuban beef roll, which impresses because of its local lettuces and beet garnish, among other taste treats.
Owner Kevin Aoki grew up in the service industry, helping his father run the Benihana empire, managing many of the Benihana locations including Miami and Hawai'i. "There is nothing I knew but the restaurant business," says Aoki, who holds a degree in marketing from New York University. After living in Miami for many years, Aoki opened the original Doraku Sushi restaurant.
"I came back to Hawai'i because I fell in love with it. When I saw the location, my instincts made me know I wanted to bring the second Doraku here," says Aoki, who also plans a third location in Malaysia.
Aoki also has produced a Euro-Asian-lounge album that is available at the restaurant. "I want to uplift people's lifestyle, making people feel good about themselves through food and music," he says. Doraku Sushi, 2201 Kalakaua Ave., Royal Hawaiian Center; 922-3323.
— L.M.
POOL PARTY
The beach is pretty much always an option for us here in the Islands. But as summer heats up, why not stay cool poolside with a weekend cocktail? Every Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., the Vertical Junkies put on SOAK, poolside in the cabanas at the Ohana West Hotel. (It's moved from the Wyland, but still in Waikiki.)
This is one way to indulge your inner tourist — feel like a jet-setter as you hang out poolside, listening to lounge, house and electro by DJs Willis, Ernie and guests while enjoying specialty drinks. This pool party is far from a casual affair; although it's not mandatory, those who attend dress to impress, and enjoy the heat. Cover charge: $5. Ohana West Hotel, 2330 Kuhio Ave.; 922-5022
— Lacy Matsumoto
RELEASES
ROOTS SOUND
With more than 40 solid tracks of pure conscious cultural reggae music, this mix CD includes a fusion of modern and classic ethnic sounds. Featuring Ras Mikey, Isouljahs and Lion Fiyah, the tunes are also remixed by O'ahu artists Ryan Mystik and King Kaikua, and produced by local surfer and DJ Zacharijah from Solomonic Sound.
Playing at practically every reggae event possible, the Isouljahs band can be dubbed one of Hawai'i's most popular entertainers. The combination of Ras Mikey's unique voice, Zacharijah's quality selections, and the collaboration with the other local artists makes this a must-have.
— L.M.
SALES & BARGAINS
— Pualana Lemelle
'LOVE LETTERS' BOOK FICTIONAL
A consumer alert for the millions who have seen the "Sex and the City" movie: There is no such book as "Love Letters of Great Men," which Carrie Bradshaw reads while in bed with Mr. Big.
The closest text in the real world apparently is "Love Letters of Great Men and Women: From the Eighteenth Century to the Present Day," first released in the 1920s and reissued last year by Kessinger Publishing, which specializes in bringing back old works.
Richard Davies, press manager for AbeBooks
.com, an online seller that features used titles, said he's received hundreds of queries about the book's existence. Enough readers have been directed to the Kessinger anthology, on AbeBooks and elsewhere on the Internet, that it ranked No. 134 on www.Amazon.com last week.
In "Sex and the City," an early scene shows Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) poring over the imaginary collection, although citing real letters by Beethoven and Napoleon among others. Big (Chris Noth) later takes passages from the book as he expresses his love, by e-mail, to Carrie.
— Associated Press
