Drive up Wai’alae Avenue toward Palolo Valley and you’ll pass strip mall after tiny strip mall. Aside from the all-night gas station or the occasional fast food drive-in, there isn’t much sign of life as the evening gets late. But tucked away behind one of the strip outlets is a 40-year local institution known as the Aloha Lounge.

Using the term ‘lounge’ these days without including the ‘Ultra’ precursor usually implies a dark, dank atmosphere with soft mood lighting accompanied by that mild sense of pervasive despondency. Not here. The Aloha Lounge might the most well-lit bar you’ll ever come across–the better to see how clean it is. Seriously. It’s pristine like a bingo parlor, complete with long, pushed-together tables, lined with conference room chairs. Two pool tables that are the playing field for the weekly 8-ball tournaments line the back walls, while locals huddle over a corner-table card game. The karaoke machine is always on, just in case anybody feels like busting out ‘Mona Lisa.’ (It happens more often than you think.)

There are no available statistics on karaoke and divorce rates, but it seems that a wobbly, sharp rendition of, say, ‘Endless Love’ dedicated to a loved one can’t possibly strengthen the partnership. But here it can–and it does. Aloha Lounge exists not for the casual club drinker cum delusional pop star, but for friends, lovers and spouses who croon ‘Georgia on My Mind’ to their sweethearts, who’ve apparently had enough wine to find it endearing. Funny thing–it is endearing. Aloha Lounge works as a gathering place for old friends and as a quiet spot for couples that want to get out of the house for the evening. Weekends fill the place up to near capacity, and their Wednesday pool tournaments are filled with people who might have to wait for the bartender to finish her turn before they can get their next drink.

‘It’s a 100 percent local bar,’ says owner Ann (who likes to keep things on a less formal first-name basis). After buying the place from a girlfriend, she’s now gearing up for her nine-year anniversary this month, for which her regulars have all promised to bring food.

It’s easy to see why the community embraces it, what with the relaxed atmosphere perfect for the older set.

At one point, the karaoke machine played the ’80s dance remix of ‘Venus,’ and the entire crowd waved their hands in the air–only this time it was to get the song to stop. The problem? ‘It sounds like Michael Jackson,’ was the complaint.

For whatever reason, the Aloha Lounge has remained a tucked-away secret, escaping the nearby university set, who could use the spacious booths, good lighting and quiet atmosphere for some late night cramming (with liquid inspiration) instead of an obnoxious hookup joint. And though the locals certainly seem to enjoy meeting new people, they don’t seem to miss the big crowds. And who can blame them?

Aloha Lounge

3435 Wai’alae Ave. 737-7261

Getting in: 21+ Bring ID; no cover Dress Code: T-Shirts, slippahs, something nicer if you’re bringing a date. Soundtrack: Hawaiian Spirituals, classic crooners. Sightings: Be warned–it’s entirely likely that you’ll run into an elder family relative. Signature Drink: Beer over ice

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