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Image: Christa Wittmier

Five golden years

by Christa Wittmier | Oct 14, 2009


[www.thirtyninehotel.com]

So, my hair is still in a post-party sweat-dreadlock from Saturday night. I tried to comb it out but woke up late for work and just shoved it in a bun. God, I hope it comes out. If not, at least I lost my mane to a good cause. Friggin’ thirtyninehotel. There’s a reason everyone loves that place. It’s the same reason everyone loves the pizza at J.J. Dolan’s. It’s just that good. You don’t even need to be arty or some hipster, everyone fits in there. Honestly, I can’t really pinpoint the exact thing that makes it so damn special, but the world-class sound system, outdoor la-nai and freakishly family-like staff is probably part of it. Man, Saturday night there was good. Everyone in the neighborhood made a point to stop in and say happy birthday, too. Who knows what would have happened on Hotel Street if that spot didn’t materialize. It almost didn’t. Gelareh Khoie looked at the space and loved it but knew there was no way she could afford it. I’m starting to believe more and more in fate or whatever, because a few small turns of events made the impossible happen, and here we are today–five years later, with sweaty hair dreadlocks and ringing ears and a bunch of other individually unique and amazing bars to visit on Hotel Street and in the neighborhood. Thank you, Universe. And hard work and money, too.

Leave it to Chinatown to bring together a collection of the island’s most interesting alternative tasters, too. For an entire week I thought the event was an alternative food thing, like for vegans and stuff. The Alternative Taste Street Festival. What would you have thought? Well, it was for the LGBT community, which was even better. I was able to eat Murphy’s beef sliders and watch some of the island’s best drag queens perform in the middle of the street. Way better than beans and rice and organically grown vegetables. Fire dancers, aerialists, bands, palm readers and being able to walk across the street from Bar35 to The Manifest without getting a jay-walking ticket; i.e. the coolest Friday ever.

All the lame rainy weather managed to hold off just long enough to enjoy the block party, and get me super pumped for this time of year.

Holy crap, the Hawaii International Film Festival! I was so scared they might not even have it this year, stupid economy, but I saw the program and it looks even better than ever. I’m preparing my mind to be thoroughly screwed up in the best possible way. The shorts programs are already selling out thanks to multiple submissions from some amazing local talent, including USC alumnus Christopher Yogi, who will be screening his MFA thesis project Layover, On the Shore. Anyone not so hyped on films about Hawaii should really see this one. I really don’t need to read the synopsis to know it’s going to blow my mind–the USC School of Cinematic Arts only accepts a handful of students each year and has a long list of Oscar and Emmy winners on its alumni roster. Pawing through the program online and watching the trailers, I have a list of must-sees that must be seen. There’s got to be a way to juggle all these work events with all these holiday events with all these films. Watch this space.

Celebrating Hawaii, nature, culture and wellness for over 35 years!
SURFER, The Bar

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