Excellent venue supporting foreign trade in the State of Hawai'i! Home of the Homer A. Maxey…read moreInternational Trade Resource Center at Pier 2, 521 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813.

Holy Heck Batman- this place is almost the hardest place in the world to find the first time. And…read moreI knew exactly where I was going. You go behind the old CompUSA towards INS but on the road by INS, You see a guard house, you are supposed to go to the right of the guard house- we did, but we went on the inside of the chain link fence. Wrong! You are supposed to follow the road that is on the outside of the chain link fence by the guard house. Inside is the truck off loading docks. Also went up the metered parking just to see if the place was open as we were early. Yes it is open, yes it is really right behind wall number 2 but no you have to drive around the said fence to get to the door that goes to the conference room. There is free parking if you come early to events. Otherwise- there is no parking in the area anywhere close if the lots there are full. Bathrooms are super CLEAN!!!!!! It is as if they just opened. Wow they are spacious and nice. Meeting room, normal- nice, tech friendly, but Darin's keen eye spotted the 1 thing different. There are load supporting beams at triangle angles on the far side of the room, yes you are in a building that is super close to the ocean and needs that support in areas. It can be cold for some people in the room. I was happy as can be coming from a car in the hot sun to a room in AC- nice for me. We had a SBA State DEBT meeting called HISTEP in this location, that seems to be a 11 part series. I came to #3 in the series to check it out for a friend that now has a business and know resources to help my employers do business internationally. Answering unasked questions- no it is not a for the public kind of building, but as the State DEBT or SBA for specific foreign trade business meetings for chances to meet there. Random suggestion- google maps and a diagram printed map may not help you find this place- Everything is on the ocean so that doesn't help give bearings either. Suggestion- go with someone that has been there before- just to save car lot spaces if nothing else.

I attended the wedding of my niece here at 3:30 in the afternoon, and what a stunning place to have…read morethe ceremony! In the middle of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the chapel had several weddings the same day, so we weren't allowed in the chapel waiting room (which is downstairs) until exactly 30 minutes prior to the wedding. If this happens to you, there is at least one place nearby that you can sit and have a drink while you wait. We entered from the ground floor, and once inside during our scheduled time, we were told to go upstairs. I did notice an elevator for anyone with issues with climbing stairs (i.e. wearing 4 inch heels or climbed Diamond Head this morning and can't face another set of stairs). There are probably a few other rooms tucked away for the wedding party, as my niece was hidden away somewhere prior to the ceremony. This is a pretty small chapel, occupancy about 50 guests or so, but for a destination wedding, it really is beautiful. I did some snooping to find out that for that hour or so rental of the chapel the cost is $2,500, but that also includes a rehearsal time slot and a wedding coordinator. I do know that my niece booked this chapel in January or February for the November date. After the ceremony, the guests all lined the exit down the back stairs (probably because the next wedding party was on the ground floor waiting for their time). The wedding party all walked down the stairs and off we went to another location for the reception.

[If you want to watch a wedding video highlight of the Ocean Crystal Chapel go here…read morewww.vimeo.com/165262275 ] I got married at the Ocean Crystal Chapel last year - it was a destination wedding from Australia. For anyone who is planning a destination wedding and is choosing this venue purely from the pictures on the internet - don't be alarmed. This chapel is BETTER IN REAL LIFE!!! The day that my bridal part showed up for the wedding rehearsal (which is included in the price) everyone was literally "WOWED" by how beautiful the chapel was. So elegant, romantic, gorgeous, bright it makes your hear skip a beat looking at it. It was the perfect size for our small destination wedding of 50 people - because it's a small chapel it made the place look full with our guests. The chapel is air-conditioned, and there is a waiting room also air-conditioned for the bride and bridesmaids to wait in before the wedding. We didn't use extra flowers - I thought the flowers already included were fine. The wedding coordinator we dealt with was very professional and helpful, great service, good communication by email so absolutely no complaints there. I think we dealt with Stevie Lynne Kumia who I can personally recommend. If you have hesitations about the price - please please just spend the money and have it at the chapel. I initially looked at this place and thought it was too expensive, but my husband encouraged me to have our wedding at this beautiful chapel and I'm so glad we did because it was my dream wedding, all the guests to this day comment on this beautiful chapel and it made me the happiest bride for my dream Hawaiian wedding.

Jasper Wong's other venture besides POW! WOW! Hawaii is Lana Lane Studios, a community arts center…read morein Kaka'ako which is a repurposed warehouse that Lana Lane leases fromKamehameha Schools since 2012 which has become a creative workspace, private studios, and shops for aspiring artists and Hawaii's youth.There was also a music/DJ stage full of entertainment and a pop-up store where people could purchase POW! WOW! Hawaii merchandise. During the Pow! Wow! Hawaii Finale, Lana Lane was the venue for the Secret Walls battle between two teams of local and international street artists where they were given 90 minutes to create a team inspired mural using nothing but black and white Montana spray paint cans. In most cases, people just get a glimpse of a finished painting or mural. This is a great way to see street artists' different styles, interpretations, and skills on the fly. Careful though, as some people could possibly get high from the paint fumes though, LOL!!! ALOHA!!! Shaka Meter: \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ 5 Here is a clip of the 2015 Secret Walls Battle at Lana Lane Studios this past February. http://powwowhawaii.com/blog/secret-walls-pow-wow-hawaii-2015-video/

Logan (our son) was able to attend a Jackson Pollock workshop through a collaboration between Lana…read moreLane Studios and Blk Coral. Logan had an amazing time and I'm sure all the other kids and families did as well. They were able to splatter, spill, wipe, smear and roll around to their hearts desire. The team at Lana Lanes and BlkCoral did a great job of hosting and teaching our little ones to let out their inner artist. It was a great concept and I highly recommend following them in the future. We love our painting and it was a wonderful memory/weekend. thank you to the staff at Lana Lanes for cleaning up our mess after!

I worked with Fong (through my event planner) for my proposal in late February. Fong is truly an…read moreartist. With relatively limited input she managed to truly capture my girlfriend's personality in her floral work. Despite its size (the penthouse suite at the O'ahu Four Seasons), Fong's work made the location feel intimate and ours. We ended up using some of the flowers in our engagement shoot the next day (she said yes!), and they held up throughout our stay. Listen, Fong isn't cheap, but this is one of those "you get what you pay for" kind of deals. Beautiful craftsmanship with tons of initiative. If I wouldn't be getting married on the other side of the world I would have zero hesitation to partner with Fong again. I'm attaching some samples of Fong's work for us. Enjoy!

The best thing that happened to me was meeting Fong, owner of Floral Inspirations. Fong is…read moreWONDERFUL! Besides meeting her once for our consultation she stayed in constant contact with me throughout the whole wedding process through phone or email. I really wanted to focus my time and energy on making the reception hall look magnificent and from the very beginning she just got my whole concept and executed things exactly the way I wanted. She had me send her examples of bouquets I liked, flowers I liked, flower colors, I sent her a sample of what I wanted my reception to look like and a sample of my invitation, everything possible so that she could really get my theme-- and boy did she get it! I gave her my budget and she worked with it and I got everything that I wanted (think calalillies, monzenita branches, philenopsis orchids, high vases, low vases, lots of bling, etc.). At the last minute I even said that I would like some sort of an arch for my ceremony and I told her I only had $500 for it and she said she could do it and in the end that was the best looking archway I've ever seen with monzenita branches with strands of white orchirds, strands of jewels, and strands with little glass ornaments with a single white orchid in them hanging down from the archway. EVERYONE, and I mean everyone, said that the floral arrangements were breathtaking and that everything looked so posh and luxuirous; that they've never been to a reception like ours before and I attribute this to her designs! At the end of everything I told her that I truly felt like she was my hanai mom and I meant it. She was a dream come true and anyone would be blessed to work her!

We had our 180+ all day summit and pau hana at the JCCH ballroom today. It was an amazing day and…read morepau hana. David Webb and his team went above and beyond for us. The food was good, parking was easy. I just can't say enough how wonderful the service and professional the staff was. Thank you JCCH, Bamboo Catering/David and team!

Just got home attending my friend's daughter 6th birthday! first, parking, not a lot parking and…read moreshared with other businesses. located on the 2nd floor, stairs are located on the left side of the building (near papa john's). the place is just enough for less than 10 girls. they have a lot of costumes for kids, my daughter was kinda stress not finding one for her size (size 16) but she did and even made 2 outfits change. They have a rack for grown ups too! not a lot of shoe options but the accessories are endless! first, after all the girls are done changing, lisa did their hair using gel, pins, hairspray. the other lady did their make up ( a simple blush-using cotton pads, lips (using qtips) and eye make up glitters. She also painted their nails. Every one get their picture taken first.. After that, the girls sat down on the dining table with Lisa teaching them proper etiquette and table manners. the birthday girl have the bell to ring if the guests need more food. they all have individual teapot with lemonade, cheese, crackers, carrots, grapes, sausages, pb and j, tuna sandwiches. in the end, the bday girl blew her cupcake cake and every one got a cupcake with animal crackers and gummy worms on the side. my daughter is 8 and she had fun. i was busy taking pictures, and lisa also gave us (parents) some crackers, cheese, lemonade and grapes. on the other side of the tea party set-up is her store where she sells used clothes that was fixed or pre-loved. i know, the place is kinda old but the kids doesn't mind and at the end of the day, it's their happiness that matters! i think if u have a kid less than 5 years old she would absolutely love it! it was fun. and for me, i get to just relax for 2 hours.. (that's the kind of bday party i want) lol..

As I taped up my daughter's 5th portrait from Lisa Rose, I realized a review is long overdue …read more.. we've attended both birthday parties and taken advantage of their drop in "open house" events. This place never gets old for the girls :) You enter this charming dress up doll house and the magic begins ... the girls pick the perfect frock, shoes, jewelry, purse, wand, etc. & then each gets their makeup, nails, and hair done. Lots of giggles, posing, and princess fun ensues They next walk the runway, strike some poses, and get a official Lisa Rose portrait taken :) Then off to the tea party on the big Alice in Wonderland dressed table ... the girls get treated to the whole shebang of tea party fun along with some fun etiquette quizzing and practice. If you attend or throw a party crafting is part of the itinerary. Parking has never been a problem in the lot in front and they do have their own restroom facilities in house. I highly recommend every little princess experience the magic here and look forward to reading your reviews ... please note they do have dress up options for any little Prince invited as well :) Watch their Facebook page for open house updates if you don't plan on throwing a party here ... it's a great way to get to experience the place for $15 - $20 a princess. Thank you Lisa Rose for all the memories made at your place ... xoxox!

As a Queens RN, I am lucky enough to be able to attend a lot of conferences and meetings here…read more Located on the Queens campus, is this large conference center. I have worked at other hospitals and I must say that this conference center is amazing!! There are multiple rooms and an auditorium inside this conference center. Queens employee or not, if you have the chance to attend a conference here, take the chance! You'll be comfortable and enjoy your day of learning!!

First, park in Queen's Physician Center III. This is the closest parking to the beautiful…read moreconference center. If you visit ends after 7 p.m., the parking attendant leave with the gate open--so free parking! The seating in the auditorium is very comfortable and has retractable tables for note taking.

Since Chef Davina has taken over the Galley by the Sea at Hawaii Yacht Club, the food and service…read morehave been absolutely remarkable. It's a completely different dining experience than we've ever had at HYC before. We dined at the Galley last night and started with two appetizers: fried manchego with serrano romesco sauce and a hummus plate. Both were incredible. We had the red wine braised short ribs and cacio e pepe pasta for our main courses. They were perfectly cooked and so good that we wanted to lick our plates clean. The service was excellent. We can't say enough great things about Chef Davina and are so excited to try more of her incredible dishes at the Galley by the Sea!

I had the great fortune of having Davina Day, owner of Gourmet Day, cater my wedding rehearsal…read moredinner and wedding day dinner on 12/18/2014 and 12/19/2014. What a great idea! I had no idea that catered food could be so thoughtfully prepared. She and I were able to communicate for a few months before the event via email and she gave me so many different tasty "sample menus" to choose from. She cooked on-site and even stayed throughout the event. She was lovely and had great attention to detail. Not only was ALL the food a hit (appetizers, dinner, dessert), her presentation of the meal was immaculate. Linens were done well and a water station made the event look sleek. Gourmet Day added so much to the celebration! Mahalo!