When you visit Oahu, I recommend you stop at Dole Plantation.

Located on the outskirts of Wahiawa Town, it is along the way to the North Shore.

You will find a replica of a Cane Haul Train. These trains were used to move sugar cane between the fields and the actual sugar mill. It is a pleasant ride for anyone.

You can find more types of pineapples than you thought existed. Many different exotic plants with botanical gardens are there.

I particluarly like the maze, which is lots of fun. make sure you don’t get lost.

You can alos find a store completely stocked with all things Hawaii.

I created a short movie of my visit.

You can watch it at this link:

Dole Plantation Movie

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Dot’s Restaurant is one of the best kept secrets on Oahu.

The food is good, and the cost is reasonable. With so many chain restaurants clogging up the Island, Dot’s is truly a ray of sunshine.

What makes Dot’s so special is that it is one of the last family owned restaurants on Oahu. You will find a varied menu of local favorites as well as specials. The staff is warm and friendly and really practices the Aloha spirit.

I like that fact that a meal at Dot’s is just that: a complete meal. Your meal will start a homemade soup of the day or salad. Your main course will be served with a beverage such as soft drink or coffee. Dot’s ends your meal with a dessert.

Dot’s menu is a a mix of local Japanese food, with seafood items as well as family favorites thrown in. Everyone will find something they enjoy here.

One of the signature dishes at Dot’s is the Sizzling Hamburger Steak. This is delivered to your table in a cast iron pan. (Be careful now, it’s hot and sizzling!) The dish is covered with a wax paper, so as not to splatter at your table. The meal continues to cook as it is placed on the table.

Dot’s is off the beaten path, but certainly worth the visit. Locals from around the Island make their way to Dot’s to sample the great food.

And in case you were wondering, there really is a Dot. She is mostly retired now. She stops in the restaurant ocassionally to check on things

I created a short video about Dot’s. you can view it right here:

Dot’s Restaurant Wahiawa, Hawaii. 

I would greatly appreciate your comments about Dot’s or any other restaurant you feel should be recommended. 

My friend La’ai gave me a lesson on how to make a haku lei. Now I do not have much talent when it comes to crafts. But as La’ai went through the process, I was quite impressed at how easy it seemed.

She gathered some ti leaves and a bunch of plumeria flowers. She knew how to find all of the necessary materials.

She started by pulling the ti leaves into strips. She explianed to me the haku lei uses a braiding method to create the lei.

I was quite amazed at how fast she was able to create the lei. She was quite nimble as she braided the plumeria right into the lei.

She explained that the haku is a very special kind of lei. It can be worn either on your head or even your wrist.

You can watch the entire process at this link:

How to Make a Haku Lei

I have also created several other vidoes. I plan on posting them at

Hawaii Secret Dot Com 

Living in Hawaii sometimes feels like you live in another country while still living in the United States. Let me explain.

 Everyone in Hawaii celebrates all U.S. holidays. Whether it’s Christmas, New Year’s, The Fourth of July, or Easter. The residents of Hawaii love celebrations and traditions. Holidays are a part of lifeand culture.

Given the fact Hawaii is the 50^th state; there is no surprise that all national holidays are observed. Unlike the other 49 states, however, Hawaii residents always manage to put their own unique spin on every celebration. While every holiday and celebration will always have the traditions of the rest of the United States, each celebration takes on a Hawaiian twist with unique flavors.

For example, go to any home in Hawaii for Thanksgiving and you will most definitely have turkey. But served alongside the turkey may be rice and macaroni salad instead of mashed potatoes. You may also find laulau which is a traditional Hawaiian food made with pork, chicken, and / or fish wrapped in taro leaves and then steamed. You could also have Japanese food, Korean food or Filipino food. The ethic background of the family, will determine the type of food served.

In Hawaii, New Year’s Eve will have the obligatory count-down and toast at mid-night but will also have additional aspects which are unique to Hawaii. This may include barbeques, serving sashimi (raw fish) and other types of ethnic food.  At many households in Hawaii, lighting off numerous fireworks to chase away evil spirits is also practiced.

Memorial Day has its own unique celebration. Traditionally, Memorial Day is a day to honor those who died in War. Started after the Civil War, Memorial Day, became part of the nations fabric right after World War One.

While there was some controversy when first introduced, Memorial Day has become a celebration of all fallen Veterans. The people of  Hawaii embrace this remembrance. Graves of fallen soldiers are decorated with fresh flowers as well as flower leis. (A garland of flowers connected by string). All manner of community groups get behind this effort. This can be noted at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (38,000 graves) also known as Punchbowl Cemetery as well as the Hawaii State VeteransCemetery (5,700 graves). 

To get ready for this holiday, over 43,000 leis have been assembled from volunteer groups across the state (Honolulu Star-Bulletin 5/27/07). Two thousand Hawaiian Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, will be placing a lei and a small American flag on each grave. Local people use this day to not only to honor veterans, but to remember all family who have passed on. As you drive on the roadways of Hawaii, you will find all manner of fresh flowers  for sale, that can be purchased to be placed on graves. These flowers include various heleconias, and gingers.

Memorial Day in Hawaii is a day of remembrance: the living  celebrate those who have given their lives to their country as well as all family members who have died.

Albert Grande

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