With all of the Olympic hysteria going on (and the lack of comments from my Kauai related posts ), I’ll switch it up a bit for this week’s Fave Five list to include an Olympic star from Hawaii: Bryan Clay. Clay captured gold in the decathlon this year, the last American to do so since Dan O’Brien did it in Atlanta in 1996.

Anytime a local boy (or girl) does good, it makes me proud to call Hawaii my home. Here’s my current list of fave Hawaii Athletes.

1. BJ Penn - the ultimate bad @$$ in MMA. His stand-up is wicked and his ground game is off the chain. He is regularly mentioned when a “best pound for pound fighter” debate occurs and is easily in the top 10 of best MMA fighters of all time. The best part is that he stays humble and always recognizes Hawaii in everything he does. True local boy who remains true. You gotta love it!
2. Colt Brennan - Bruddah turned this town upside down with the announcement of his returning, the leadership in our undefeated season and potential Heisman run. Now with his drafting from the Washington Redskins, we will continue to root him on.
3. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson - this athlete has gone “Hollywood” on us, but we still love him nonetheless. He still does the shaka and mentions Hawaii periodically.
4. Jason Elam - Anytime you can use a guy from Hawaii on your Fantasy Football team (and he does well no less!), it’s golden!
5. Bryan Clay -you can’t argue the title of “world’s greatest athlete” for this Castle High grad. Doing in big on the International Level. Mad respect!

Who’s yours?

Our undefeated Waipio team is currently leading Mill Creek, WA 4-3 in the top of the 3rd inning in the Little League World Series United States Semifinals. Tune in to ESPN (Digital Channel 0222) or HD ESPN (Channel 1222) and support our local boys in the hunt for the championship!

Missed the action ’til now? No worries! Catch up on all of Waipio’s previous games in the series on Oceanic Time Warner’s On Demand service on Digital Channel 0221! Here’s what’s available now:

• LLWS Pool Play Round 1: Waipio vs. Connecticut (from Friday, August 15)
• LLWS Pool Play Round 2: Waipio vs. Tampa (from Sunday, August 17)
• LLWS Pool Play Round 3: Waipio vs. Rapid City (from Monday, August 18)

GOOOOOOOOOOOOO Waipio!

So my friend just forwarded me this article: Spanish basketball team poses for offensive picture, which shows the Spanish Basketball Team posing for a team picture, while slanting their eyes with their hands. I’m still baffled by it and trying to figure out why they would do such a thing. Personally, I’m pretty offended, but I wanted to send a feeler out there and see what you all out there thought of it as well. Post your comments below…

After watching an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, I got inspired to give this cooking thing a try. Cooking, like real estate, is one of those things I feel I would be good at if I gave it a go. You know how you just have that feeling? Anyway…

After scooping a top secret(?) Portuguese Bean Soup recipe from a couple of co-workers (mahalos to Matt and Lance!), the lady and I took it (and the “ingredaments”) to the parentals’ crib yesterday afternoon to try it out. They summoned me to help them set up their wireless network, so in exchange, I “borrowed” their pots, pans and electricity to do the deed.

It got rave reviews, but I’d still like to perfect it, especially the process. Buggah took hours upon hours to finish. *sigh*

Now I know I can’t get outta here without sharing the recipe and/or some shots of the dish, so I will duly oblige. But since I don’t know how top secret the co-workers’ recipe is, I’ll protect my life and type up a generic one modified from a recipe the lady has in a book.

1-2 pounds smoked ham hock
2 cans kidney beans
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
3 cans beef broth
2 cans tomato sauce
3 large potatoes, cut into cubes
4 carrots, cut into cubes
1 Portuguese sausage
1 head cabbage

(In the voice of Aunty Marialani) In a large pot, place the ham hocks, kidney beans, garlic and onions, and cover with water. Simmer for approximately 2 hours (skim off fat while cooking). Pull out ham hocks, strip meat off bones, and replace in pot. Dispose of bones. Add the rest of the ingredients (except cabbage) and simmer for 1-2 more hours. Add cabbage and cook until soft and part of soup. Optionally: add elbow macaroni.

The “ingredaments” for step 2

Photo of soup cold (yeah, I forgot to take it hot)

Talk to me:
* Any tips or secrets on how to make your Portuguese Bean Soup a winnah?
* Any recipes of your own to share for the married couple to be?
* How did you spend your weekend?

Have a happy Monday ya’ll!

Last night, the curtain closed on another Kalakauan classic. Slammers, the popular sports bar/good eats joint closed its doors to the public at this location. The good news is that it it only temporary as they prepare to re-open under the name Kanpai Bar & Grill on Ward Avenue (across Sports Authority where the old Dixie Grill and more recently Tio’s used to be). Those who frequented Slammers for the past 3 years, came for one last night of drinks and good times. See the scenes below. Go and support Kanpai Bar & Grill when they re-open k? They are currently targeting early September.

Slammers’ Sign Go Bye Bye

The last few markers

Da Notice
No fo-get to also read my new AroundHawaii.com article: Açai in Ha-wa-ii - Part I.

Açai in Ha-wa-ii - Part I