Tag Archives: Hawaii

Business, International, Tourism

WAIKIKI’S ABC STORES TO BE RENAMED XYZ STORES

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imageHonolulu, Hawaii (The Adobo Chronicles) – For cities in the U.S. mainland, there is a Starbucks coffee shop in every street corner. In Waikiki, there is an ABC Store not just  in every street corner but two or three within the same block. These 7-Eleven type retail shops are among the most recognizable tourist traps in Waikiki.

That is about to change. Beginning on January 1, 2015, all ABC Stores marquee signs are coming down and will be replaced with “XYZ Stores,” thanks to the brilliant marketing strategy of the developers of the upcoming and upscale International Market Place on Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki.

The developers are responsible for the demise of the old and historical International Market Place, nestled in the middle of Waikiki that featured cottage-type stalls under banyan trees, selling wares from Aloha shirts and kukui nut leis to fresh-cultured pearls and ukeleles. The demolished site is now being reconstructed and  a new, multi-level shopping complex will rise featuring high-end retail establishments like Saks Fifth Avenue.

The old and demolished International Market Place
The old and demolished International Market Place

As part of the overall marketing strategy for the new complex, the developers have proposed to change the name of all ABC Stores to XYZ Stores in order to attract more shoppers belonging to the X & Y (Millennial) generations. “The baby boomers are getting older and the future of retail shopping is now in the hands of the younger generation,” the developers said.

Soon to rise: New and ultra modern International Market Place
Soon to rise: New and ultra modern International Market Place

Only the store signage will change. XYZ Stores will still sell souvenirs, t-shirts, chocolates, coffee, sunscreens, flipflops, beachwear as well as food & beverage.

The cost of replacing the store signage from ABC to XYZ will be borne by the International Market Place developers. A true investment for the future.

 

 

 

Business, Technology, Tourism

TECH BILLIONAIRES BUYING ENTIRE ISLANDS IN HAWAII

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Map showing Maui, Lāna'i and Moloka'i
Map showing Maui, Lāna’i and Moloka’i

Maui, Hawaii (The Adobo Chronicles) – The islands of Maui are slowly but surely falling into the hands of tech billionaires like Oracle’s Larry Ellison and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg.

Ellison, who recently stepped down as chairman of Oracle Corporatiom, had previously bought the entire island of Lāna’i and has started to build his dream retirement home in what he plans to rename Ellis Island of the Pacific.

Now, The Adobo Chronicles has confirmed that Zuckerberg has closed escrow on the island of Moloka’i. The 30-year old Facebook founder and CEO has no plans for retirement at the moment but he has already laid out elaborate plans to build a Facebook Fantasy Island that is sure to relegate Disneyland into a mere “small world.”

Zuckerberg’s plans were revealed just as he made headlines in San Francisco after his neighbors complained about the ongoing construction of his home in the city. It has been reported that Zuckerberg has bought four other properties surrounding his home and has spent the last year and a half developing his expanded residential compound. Neighbors have complained that they could not even park their cars in front of their homes because of road blocks and heavy equipment parked in the area.

With Ellison and Zuckerberg now owning the two islands in Maui, residents of nearby Kaua’ i have expressed concern that their garden island, too, will soon be owned by another tech billionaire.  Who could it be?

We’re guessing Apple’s Tim Cook. And we predict that he will rename Kauai the ‘Little Apple of the Pacific.’

Film and TV, Language

LEA SALONGA TAKES TO FACEBOOK ABOUT BEING CALLED ‘TITA,’ HAWAII FAN CLUB DISBANDS

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Honolulu, Hawaii (The Adobo Chronicles) – Tony Award-winning Filipina actress Lea Salonga who shot to prominence by originating the role of Kim in the musical ‘Miss Saigon,’ took to her Facebook page to complain about being called ‘tita.’

‘Tita’ is a tagalog word that means ‘aunt’ or ‘auntie.’ It is widely used not only by nephews and nieces but as a sign of respect for an older relative, friend or co-worker. It is also a term of endearment among and towards gay men. But the diva thinks otherwise. Here’s what she posted on Facebook.

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As Salonga’s post went viral and reached Filipinos living in Hawaii, her 10,000-strong fan club immediately disbanded in protest of her rude comment.

In Hawaii, it is very common to call someone ‘auntie’ whether or not the person is a relative.  It is, like ‘tita,’ a sign of respect and aloha.  Women in Hawaii, in fact, feel honored being called ‘auntie.’

Lea Salonga fan club president Jonathan Kealoha Pryce said, “We’re done with her. If she doesn’t want us calling her ‘tita’ or ‘auntie’ then we don’t want to have anything to do with her.  We wish her good luck in her aging career.”

Salonga has yet to respond to the news about the fan club disbanding in Hawaii.

Next time, divas, think twice before you post something on social media.