So what's the LAST thing you worry about before a trip to Hawaii?

Yup, you go it. The Weather. Why even bother to check you know it's going to be beautiful. Hell the great weather is the reason you are going in the first place, paradise on earth and all that.

But being the compulsive over-planner I am, I checked. Today's headline is: "State Agencies prepare for Hurricane Daniel's arrival". Seesch. :rolleyes:

Some restaurants to try on O'ahu:

- Wailana Coffee House: It's in Waikiki but they have the best pancakes on earth. Seriously, I love this place. It's old, kitchy, the waitresses are crunchy but it's a great retro place.

- Zippy's: Just try it once. It's the hangout that everyone in Hawai'i goes to. It's open 24 hours, too. Their chili is one of their famous items. Another, to me anyway, are their bundt muffins that they sell in the bakery. Highly recommended.

- Hee Hing: In Kapahulu. Good Chinese food.

- Rainbow's: For a nitty gritty plate lunch. It's a local surfer hang out. Love it.

- Matsumoto's: Shave ice at the North Shore. The best shave ice. If their line's too long, Aoki's is just as good and is a couple of doors away.

- Kua A'ina Burger: Near Ward Warehouse near Ala Moana Beach Park. They have great burgers.

- Farmer's Market: Again, across the street from Ward Warehouse. They have Hawaiian food there... I dare you... ;)

- Ono's Hawaiian Food: Kapahulu again. Authentic no frills Hawaiian food restaurant. They have poi. Yum yum, poi! :)

- Turtle Bay Hotel: On the North Shore, the hotel serves a great brunch on the weekends. It's pricey but the food is really, really good. Stay away from the Orange Roughy, though. They're almost extinct. :D

If you're going to eat in Waikiki, I preferred Eggs'n Things to Wailana Coffee House but they're both good.

The first place I ever ate in Hawaii was the Waikiki Sizzlers. Because it is open 24 hours and I got dropped off by the cab at 6 a.m. I wouldn't recommend you go out of your way to eat there, though.

I was going to recommend Sam Choy's little place on the Big Island but I can't find any listing for it and don't recall it's exact name and can't find a listing. I also see that Choy is no longer involved with the Poke Festival at the Hapuna Prince resort either. I hope he didn't close that restaurant; unlike his restaurants in Honolulu it had a good local feeling and the poke was really good.

Thanks for the recommendations (and for forgiving me my transgretions)

They all sound good, except for the Sizzler perhaps... I'll have to add some of them to my list along with that Hawaiian classic The Pecos River Cafe. :D

It's a good thing I'm not one to look for signs in the universe that foretell of evil things.

First, as mentioned above, there was the hurricane. Now I check in to see how that went and what do I find?

Earthquake

So listen up Mother nature, GOD, Buddha, Shiba or the Maytag repair guy. I'm going on vacation. Get used to it.

Thank you.

Did I mention that I have a geographic voodoo doll and that I've been poking Hawaii?

I told you BACK OFF! You are not going to scare me. (too much)

So let's review:

Three days ago: Hurricane on the way
Two days ago: Earthquake rattles island
Yesterday: E-coli in the water.

I can hardly wait to see what today brings....

Ah, of course:

Bet you can't guess where I'm supposed to stay....:rolleyes:

You're pre-disastered - what's the chance of any of this happening again once you get there?

At the Hilton Hawaiian the protesters would be about 5 miles away to be on public property (obvious exageration, but I doubt the protests were noticed by guests much).