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August 7, 2026

Special Olympics Hawaiʻi Celebrate 35 Years of Tip A Cop with Newly Rebranded Tip A Hero Event

In celebration of its 35th year, Special Olympics Hawaiʻi’s Tip A Cop fundraiser is entering a new chapter as Tip A Hero — a rebranded event that brings together more first responder agencies, restaurant partners and community supporters while continuing its mission of supporting Special Olympics Hawaiʻi. The event takes place Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 9, at six California Pizza Kitchen locations, three Goma Tei locations, two Olive Garden locations, one Maui Brewing Company location, and The Counter on O‘ahu.

During Tip A Hero, first responders around the island serve guests at participating restaurants by delivering meals and busing tables to raise awareness and resources for Special Olympics Hawaiʻi athletes and programs. The event will take place during the following dates and times:

California Pizza Kitchen – Ala Moana Center, Ka Makana Aliʻi, Kahala Mall, Kailua Town, Town Center of Mililani and Pearlridge Center

● Friday, August 7: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Saturday, August 8: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Sunday, August 9: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Goma Tei – Ala Moana Center, Kahala Mall and Pearlridge Center

● Friday, August 7: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Saturday, August 8: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Sunday, August 9: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Kahala Mall and Pearlridge
Center — 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

Maui Brewing Company – Kailua Town

● Friday, August 7: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Dinner only)
● Saturday, August 8: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Dinner only)
● Sunday, August 9: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Dinner only)

Olive Garden – Ala Moana Center and Ka Makana Aliʻi

● Friday, August 7: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Saturday, August 8: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Sunday, August 9: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

The Counter – Kahala Mall

● Friday, August 7: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Saturday, August 8: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Sunday, August 9: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

“We are excited to introduce Tip A Hero, a new name and expanded vision for an event that has brought our community together for 35 years,” said Tracey Bender, Director of Development for Special Olympics Hawaiʻi. “While the name has changed, the heart of the event remains the same — bringing our community together to support Special Olympics Hawaiʻi athletes. We are deeply grateful to the off-duty, volunteer first responders who not only make this event possible but who bravely serve our community every day. We invite everyone to join us for a great meal while making a meaningful impact for our athletes.”

Since its inception, Tip A Hero has raised $603,518 for Special Olympics Hawaiʻi. Proceeds from this fundraiser will help Special Olympics Hawaiʻi continue to provide year-round sports training and competition and health, wellness and leadership programs for more than 3,000 athletes statewide with intellectual disabilities, free of charge. Since 1968 Special Olympics has been changing attitudes about the talents of people with intellectual disabilities and raising awareness to build an inclusive and unified community.

For more information on Tip A Hero, please visit www.sohawaii.org. Follow Special Olympics Hawaiʻi on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsHawaii.
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Introducing the Executive Business Lunch at Orchids Halekulani

Orchids Lunch with a View

Orchids at Halekulani may be best known for their amazing Sunday brunch, but they also serve lunch during the week. They have recently introduced an Executive Business Lunch menu that will rotate monthly and feature new seasonal dishes throughout the year. Available Monday through Friday, the Executive Business Lunch offers a two-course prix fixe menu with a choice of appetizer and main course or main course and dessert. The experience is designed to be enjoyed during the lunch hour, which makes it perfect for business meetings and client lunches.

Hawaii Mom Blog was invited to taste the inaugural menu showcasing a selection of Orchids favorites like the vine-ripened Kamuela Tomato Soup and the signature Orchids Burger. Although I was stuffed from the delicious meal, I just couldn't resist Halekulani's heavenly Signature Coconut Cake. 

If ordering the Executive Business Lunch, all guests at the table must order the prix fixe menu. While the full Orchids lunch menu is still available, the two menus cannot be combined. You can easily call the hotel to make dining reservations or use Open Table. 

Two-Course Prix Fixe $52

Vine-Ripened Kamuela Tomato Soup

Crab Salad New York Croissant

Mozzarella di Bufala Campana


Gnocchi Portofino

Orchids Burger

Catch of the Day

Halekulani's Signature Coconut Cake

Gelato


Orchids at Halekulani Hotel
2199 Kalia Road
Honolulu, Hawaii
(808) 518-2019


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Visit Anchorage: WooHoo! Ice Cream

After a disappointing dinner near our hotel and not wanting to patronize the restaurant longer than we needed to by ordering dessert, we headed to WooHoo! Ice Cream to lift our spirits and satisfy our sweet tooth. 

It's a small shop with a limited number of flavors,

Cookies & Cream

Nutella
I had the Cookies & Cream, and I loved how it was loaded with cookie pieces.  It was rich, creamy, and just what I was looking for.

WooHoo! was a great place to visit, with a friendly employee, and the customers were friendly too!  



WooHoo! Ice Cream
5881 Arctic Boulevard
Anchorage, AK, 99518
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August 6, 2026

Black Sheep Cream Co.

Black Sheep Cream Co. is one of my favorite ice cream shops on the island.

Buttah Cakes
The Buttah Cakes is my go-to.  Super creamy, indulgent cream cheese cream with pieces of butter cake.   Get it in the housemade waffle cone!
Guilty of Strobbery

Go Shawty it's Your Birthday
Black Sheep is a fave for quality ice cream in creative flavors!

Black Sheep Cream Co.
94-1235 Ka Uka Blvd.
Waipahu, HI 96797
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August 5, 2026

Lunch at Rigo

 It had been a while since my last lunch at Rigo, so I was excited to return and see what was new. One thing I noticed right away was that the parking lot is now valet only. After seeing how busy the restaurant was on a weekday afternoon—and how small the parking lot is, I can see why they have valet parking only.

I met up with a couple of friends, and one of them insisted that we order the crostini to start. It featured toasted bread topped with prosciutto, fresh papaya, mascarpone cheese, and macadamia blossom honey. 

I'll admit, I was skeptical. Two of us at the table aren't even fans of papaya. But after one bite, I was happily proven wrong. The sweetness of the papaya paired beautifully with the salty prosciutto and creamy mascarpone.  I never would have thought to order this.

Before our entrées arrived, each of the lunch specials came with a fresh salad to start. Crisp, fresh, and lightly dressed.

For our entrées, we ordered different dishes from the July Specials menu: Shrimp & Shiso Cream, Lamb Ragù Puttanesca, and the Seafood Caldoso. 



Every dish was nicely plated and packed with flavor. I really appreciate how the pasta was prepared al dente!

To finish, we each ordered the gelato/sorbet, where you get to choose two flavors. I went with vanilla and raspberry, and the combination was light, refreshing, and the perfect ending to our lunch.


This visit left me wondering why I'd waited so long to return. Hopefully, it won't be nearly as long before my next meal at Rigo.

RIGO

885 KAPAHULU AVENUE

808-735-9760

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Visit Anchorage: The New Peanut Farm

The New Peanut Farm was right near our hotel, so we decided to visit for dinner one evening. 

It's a seat-yourself establishment, and we almost didn't eat there, because it took a good 20 minutes for our server to come by.  

Once she did come, however, she was friendly.

Chicken Wings

Alaskan Halibut and Salmon Combo

Corn Fritters

Fried Pickles

Southwest Eggrolls

Yukon Burger

I wasn't very hungry so I just munched on some of the apps, which were pretty standard, but good.

The overall dining experience, however, left much to be desired.  Other than not having a server come by upon seating for some time, after we got our food, we still did not have any silverware or napkins, so we had to wave down another server.

The table and floor were sticky, and it took a while for us to get our check too.

The New Peanut Farm
5227 Old Seward Hwy
Anchorage, AK 99518
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August 4, 2026

Diamond Head Chocolate

A couple of decades ago, someone gave me chocolate-covered graham crackers from Honolulu Chocolate Company, which later re-branded to Diamond Head Chocolate, and I was a fan ever since. 

I had no idea they opened up a location in Waikele a few years ago, so I recently visited. 




It's a chocolate-lover's dream - OREOs, fortune cookies, bark, berries, wafo rolls, and more are covered in chocolate to satisfy your chocolate cravings. 

They have pre-packed treats as well as a display of chocolates and other goodies you can buy by the piece (like the chocolate-covered graham crackers). 
Stop in for omiyage or for the perfect chocolaty treat!

Diamond Head Chocolate
94-798 Lumiaina St #416
Waipahu HI 96797

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