'Hawaii Five-O' vs. 'Magnum, P.I.'

By • November 15, 2010 • Musings, The Daily Dish

It’s the question that comes up often in small circles of die-hard TV junkies: which Hawaii-based detective show is better — CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0” or the classic “Magnum, P.I.”

Both are set in Hawaii. Both boast an ensemble cast. Both are CBS shows. Both have a generally accepted attractive single male lead who shows a lot of chest and solves crimes with a gun and a smirk.

But there are striking differences. “Hawaii Five-0” features an elite group of cops; “Magnum, P.I.” centers around a private investigator. Tom Selleck, who plays Thomas Magnum, leads a fairly luxurious lifestyle that includes Rolex watches the fictional Coops beer; Alex O’Loughlin, who plays Det. Steve McGarrett, seems a bit more, well, minimalistic. Magnum drove a Ferrari 308 GTS; McGarrett barrelled down Oahu roadways in a 1974 Mercury Marquis Brougham. And I don’t think there were any frozen corpses or dead cops in imus on “Magnum.”

So which is it: “Hawaii Five-0,” either starring O’Loughlin or Jack Lord? Or do you prefer Selleck’s “Magnum, P.I.”?

***

From tonight’s show:

Highlights

• Scott Caan, a la Danny Danno Williams, sticking up for Jersey. Nothing wrong with the Shore!
• Death by trolley. That had to be the biggest surprise of the show.
• Kelly Hu. Always nice to see her. But I do think the women need larger roles.

Lowlights

• Too many missing characters. What happened to McGarrett’s sister? Or Masi Oka? Or the woman McGarrett was rolling around on the beach with? Where did all these folks go?
• Another confusing plot with the obvious bad guy. But I’m guessing the plot isn’t important. It’s all about how entertaining the show is.
• Too much bromance. I liked it at first. But now the constant bickering between McGarrett and Williams is getting a little tiring. I want them to kiss and make up already!

***

To read all of Cat’s blogs, visit www.nonstophonolulu.com/thedailydish. Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish or send her an e-mail at [email protected].

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'Spiritual' lessons we've learned

By • November 15, 2010 • Musings, The Daily Dish

Growing up in Hawaii, we learn a lot of things.

Morning traffic always slows arbitrarily by the Middle Street merge. Just because it’s sunny in the morning doesn’t mean it won’t rain later. And don’t eat anything that comes out of the Ala Wai Canal.

But we’re also taught other, well, intangible things that have more to do with the Island’s spiritual culture.

We were talking about this last night — why do we always talk about ghosts and spirits at night? — and it got me thinking about the superstitions we share and where they come from.

Here are the ones I can vaguely remember:

  • Don’t whistle at night. It calls ghosts.
  • If you’re visiting the volcanoes on the Big Island, you must leave an offering for Pele such as ohelo berries or whiskey.
  • Don’t sleep with your feet facing the door. Night Marchers, the ghosts of ancient Hawaiian warriors — or maybe it’s the menehune — will drag you out.
  • Don’t build a house where the front and back doors are aligned. Night Marchers may use your house as a path.
  • Don’t take pork over the Pali. Not sure if it’s only raw pork.
  • Don’t put the eye gunk of dogs in your eyes. (I can’t believe you have to tell people that.) You will see ghosts.
  • Don’t point at graveyards.
  • Be nice to any older Hawaiian white, especially if she’s wearing a white kihei and needs a ride.

Do you remember hearing this growing up? And are these superstitions exclusive to Hawaii — or are there similar stories in other parts of the world?

***

To read all of Cat’s blogs, visit www.nonstophonolulu.com/thedailydish. Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish or send her an e-mail at [email protected].

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FUUD: Pablo's Cantina in Ward Centre

By • November 12, 2010 • Musings, The Daily Dish

It’s not every day you come across an Irish-themed pub that serves Mexican food.

But that’s exactly what Pablo McGinty’s is, a pub-slash-cantina that’s popular on the Mainland.

Too bad that’s not what opened last month in the space vacated by Compadres Bar & Grill in Ward Centre.

Instead, we have Pablo’s Cantina, a Mexican-style restaurant with maybe a couple of Irish-themed dishes such as Guinness beer-battered fish and chips and a solid lineup of beer. Not that I’m complaining — but the fusion would’ve been interesting.

The principal owner, Oahu native Steve Hamile, is a part-time Lanai resident who wanted to move this Long Beach, Calif.-based chain of Irish pubs to Hawaii. He saw the void left by the closing of Compadres, a fixture in the Ala Moana area and famous for its Taco Tuesdays, which offered cheap tacos and drink specials. (Pablo’s is bringing that traditional back, by the way.)

In all, the food was, well, good enough. It didn’t blow my mind, but Pablo’s did offer some unique dishes that are worth trying. And you can’t beat the prices — you get a lot of food for a fairly reasonable price — the hours — open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. — or the bar selection.

It’s a great place for hanging with your friends — there was ’80s music by Cyndi Lauper, Billy Joel and The Cure playing on the house speakers — or meet with coworkers. Not the best date spot — but still, a fun restaurant to check out before watching a movie or heading home after a long day at work.

Here’s what we ate:

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Pablo Cantina, Ward Centre, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd. Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Phone: 808-591-8307

***

To read all of Cat’s blogs, visit www.nonstophonolulu.com/thedailydish. Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish or send her an e-mail at [email protected].

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Introducing Cat Chat

By • November 12, 2010 • Musings, The Daily Dish

People have asked me, “Why don’t you do TV?”

And my answer is always the same: “I don’t own a hairbrush.”

That’s partly true — the other part being that I never felt I fit into the traditional TV mold. I don’t sit nicely, I don’t wear heels and — yes — I don’t want to brush my hair if I don’t have to. But I do see the value and allure of videos, especially in the ability to visually share a story or connect with readers, many of whom I’ve never met IRL. (That’s “In Real Life” for you non-geeks!)

So we came up with a concept that better fit my personality — and my distaste for mascara: a weekly online TV show on Nonstop Honolulu, with me dishing with a guest about everything from relationships to reality TV. From a couch, no footwear necessary.

Welcome to Cat Chat.

Our first episode features self-described local geek (and all-around nice guy) Ryan Ozawa (@hawaii) who, like me, is addicted to CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0.” So we met up to talk story about the show and about the upcoming reunion of the fictitious Kukui High School tomorrow night at Oceans 808 at Restaurant Row.

Check it out — and tell us what you think! We hope you enjoy it!

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv4l9l6315A

Subscribe to Nonstop Honolulu on YouTube »

***

To read all of Cat’s blogs, visit www.nonstophonolulu.com/thedailydish. Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish or send her an e-mail at [email protected].

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ASK DR. DISH: Male shortage

By • November 10, 2010 • Musings, The Daily Dish

Question: A September 6 post … highlighted the growing acceptance and pride among small breasted women (and much of the public at large) that small is beautiful, too.

Well, Dr. Dish, I’ll be blunt: I’m a mature man who’s hung like a hamster (about half of average US adult male size, as measured in both basic states), but I’m inspired by the small-is-beautiful movement among women regarding their busts. Unfortunately, when things first get to the point of physically intimacy with me, women tend to have one of two basic reactions, neither of which is good: false statements of reassurance that I am not small; or honest expressions of negative reaction (some rather extreme).

Is there a good way to ease a partner into this intimate knowledge before physical intimacy is imminent, while seeking to determine whether there may be a mutual very-small-is-ok understanding? Not every woman has to embrace tiny as an ideal, or even acceptable, characteristic in her male partner in a committed and intimate relationship, but there must be some way to mitigate the risk of unpleasant surprise and its hurtful consequences.

Dr. Dish, what should I do as future relationships progress, and I know that you and your team of expert advisers at Nonstop Honolulu can treat this often, but not openly, talked about subject with tact and sensitivity? What’s a little guy to do?

Answer: Honestly, I don’t think most women care that much about male size.

I think — and correct me if I’m wrong — but the whole size thing is something guys are more concerned about than something women actually discuss. Guys talk about size; women talk about shoes, irritating co-workers and your inability to listen.

Not to say that there aren’t women who put a lot of emphasis on these superficial things. I mean, there are guys who encourage their small-breasted women to get boob jobs, right? (Those two need to find each other.)

But in my experience, my girlfriends don’t sit around and talk about the size of their mates. There are much more interesting things to talk about — and much more important qualities of partners we desire.

I’ve done blogs in the past about deal-breakers when it comes to relationships — and never, not once did a woman post something along the lines of “bigger family jewels, please.” Never happened.

But I could be wrong.

Anyone got something to add? And please be tasteful, respectful and appropriate. It’s a family show here!

***

To read all of Cat’s blogs, visit www.nonstophonolulu.com/thedailydish. Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish or send her an e-mail at [email protected].

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Here’s a secret: don’t bathe
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‘Long hair not appropriate for grown-ups’

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