petite sweets

fair warning to those who have resolved to eat healthy in the new year: consider yourself advised to skip this post which has the potential to sabotage your plans ever so sweetly. cari from miemiko had tipped me off on the latest cupcakerie to hit the islands last summer, and i am happy to report that i finally had a chance to sample the offerings at cake couture cupcakes during my latest visit home.

pastry chef carmen emerson-bass, known for her elaborate wedding cake designs, is the confectionery mixologist behind the charming aina haina spot where delightful cupcakes are whipped up six days a week in flavors ranging from the traditional (chocolate & vanilla) to the unexpected (chai spice & orange creamsicle).

red velvet * egg nog * peanut butter

the case was almost bare when i stopped by in the late afternoon so plan on arriving earlier in the day if you have your heart set on a particular flavor fix. cupcakes start at $2.50 a pop and an even more gourmet selection (think decadent chocolate ganache, lemon curd filling, etc) will attempt to woo you from the adjoining case.

take a peek at the rotating menu before you go and remember custom cupcake orders are also welcome.

racing in the new year

looking to do something a little off the beaten path to ring in 2008? lucky you, it appears there is still time to snap up tickets for the new year's eve edition of ravenchase!

gather up your best code crackers and have fun exploring the nooks and crannies of town and chinatown during the second annual quest for father time. cryptic puzzles and mysterious characters help guide you to the final pit stop where players will enjoy a fabulous new year's bash along the honolulu waterfront.

• when: tonight @ 7pm
• tix: $125/$100 (kama'aina rate)

click rewind to learn more.

aloha harvest

i hope everyone enjoyed a lovely holiday! it seems i am still playing catch up with life and emails so finds from my trip home will kick off in the new year. since this last visit home was so last minute, i realized i never got around to sharing a bit more about aloha harvest (the oahu charity that was the recipient of the donations raised during the kokua auction).

if you are the one in charge of planning parties for work or play, read on. aloha harvest puts a twist on the traditional food bank by accepting prepared fare in addition to the usual canned goods and packaged food. no matter if it's a fancy catered affair or a big potluck with your peeps chances are leftovers will abound so here's the 411 on how to prevent all that good food (and money) from going down the drain.

once your event winds down, simply give aloha harvest a ring with the details of what is remaining on the buffet (fyi - you can also schedule a pickup in advance). a driver will be sent to pick up your food donation and will then deliver it to one of the many social service agencies who have partnered with aloha harvest so all that extra prime rib (or your aunty's famous lumpia) can help feed folks who may otherwise go without.

keep aloha harvest's number handy for upcoming new year's celebrations/sugar bowl shindigs and the continuous rotation of class reunions, weddings, baby's first luaus, and office parties (let's hope their donation number is on the speed dial of every caterer, event planner, hotel, restaurant and cafeteria on oahu who may still be sending quality food to waste away in waimanalo gulch).

click here for more details.

p.s. donations are also tax deductible

giveaway announcement

just popping in to announce that stacey from honolulu is the lucky recipient of the etiquette tee and joie studio letterpress note card set!

many mahalos to everyone who entered the holiday giveaway (and for the sweet notes that some of you included with your entry). it was neat to discover just where h|h readers call home (hint hint: it's a 50/50 split between the islands and mainland).

congratulations, stacey!

holiday giveaway

while i readjust back to pst, i have a little holiday surprise thanks to a generous elf who won one of the kokua auctions with the intention of gifting it to me and my fella for xmas. one of the goodies was an etiquette tee which we already have, so, with her blessing, a little giveaway plan has been hatched.

one lucky h|h reader will receive a state of mine tee (brown/size large) along with a set of lovely mahalo letterpress note cards from joie studio.

to add your name to the pot, email aloha [at] hapahale [dot] com with your name & hometown by 6a pst on fri, dec 21st. please put h|h giveaway in the subject. the winner will be announced on friday.

{mahalo nini + tina!}