Where To Get Your Collecting (And Munchies) Fill In Hawaii

 

Yes, I actually own non-blue tank tops.

 Aloha everybody. The L.A. sun is a real scorcher and the Dodgers have the day off, so I find myself longing for those Hawaiian ocean breezes and sunsets.

I previously mentioned that I was lucky enough to hang out with some folks who grew up on Oahu, so I had the extra benefit of checking out some spots that are popular with the locals. 

One of my missions was to find great macadamia nut pancakes for breakfast.  Little did I know the place they took me would open my taste buds AND my collector's eyes. 

Dis place is da kin', bruddah

Boots and Kimo's is located in Kailua, on the Windward Coast area of Oahu.  It's a small place, and I mean small - but it's very popular - and I mean popular.  

I know this is a sportscards-centric blog, but I gotta drop this one on ya. If you like macadamia nut pancakes, you gotta go there! These are the best ever, bar none! But go early, the place is small and the waiting list gets real big, real fast. 

Returning to our collecting topic, apparently the owner of the place is a collector as well.  The tiny restaurant is covered wall to wall with autographed memorabilia and Wheaties boxes.  Check it out...

I spotted a few boxes that I own myself.

 Every wall has these boxes and autograped helmets. There are autographed jerseys galore as well...

Did I mention the popularity of San Francisco here?

Actually, these Montana to Rice jerseys are pretty sweet.

 Every table in the place is adorned with an NFL logo...

And then, you go to the restroom, and you get these...

Sweet, framed, uncut sheets.  Very cool.  Unfortunately, they were hung pretty high on the wall and I couldn't get a shot that would eliminate all of the glare.

But it's not all football and baseball at Boots & Kimo's.  You want hockey? They got hockey...

 Sure there was lots of sports memorabilia - lots of helmets and jerseys, card sheets and logos...but where was something for me???

All I had to do was look up.  My table mates were not too shabby...

I had breakfast with Mr. Mantle and The Kid. 

What a great place to eat.  Aloha. 

Back From The Island Paradise

Aloha, everybody.  Hawaii was fabulous, exciting, fun, dramatic and a real blast. I can't wait to go back again. 

Here's some quick observations from my trip:

If you're like me, an L.A. Dodger fan who has no access to your beloved team on television, just book a flight out of LAX and watch the game in one of the airport bars. Problem solved.

70% of L.A. Dodger fans have no access to the Dodgers on TV, but apparently, the 95% of THE WORLD passing through LAX can watch them.

I only caught the All-Star Game in snippets, but it seemed first-time AS Dee Gordon kicked some 'A' on the bases and with the leather. 

When Gordon scored the first ASG run of his career, he was greeted by a pumped up and emotionally high NL dugout.  However, Yasiel Puig, the man at the far end of the dugout, had a sour puss look and appeared jealous. He didn't even high five Gordon.

 There are SF colors everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE around Oahu, especially the Windward Coast and North Shore areas where I spent most of my time. A lot wore 49ers gear, but most wore Giants colors. It was like being constantly surrounded by enemy flags. Dodger fans, if you're headed to Hawaii - REPRESENT! 

More on this next post

If you're going to get married there, have a sunset ceremony, as did my friend.  The sun is much too brutal for afternoon pics wearing gowns and tuxedos on an open beach.  I saw a few wedding parties cooking out there in the afternoon. 

 Girls in bikinis and gorgeous sunsets will quickly take your mind off the fact there aren't any baseball games on. 

Next post: I found something sports-related for us on my trip! 
Aloha!

ATBATT's Going On A Road Trip

I'm happy to report that I will be taking a week off and heading over to the land of pineapples and cuties in hula skirts.

My close friend is getting hitched over in Hawaii and I'm lucky enough to be joining the happy occasion. 

So why do I bring all of this up to all of you? Whenever I take a trip during baseball season, I try to involve something to do with baseball or collecting while I'm in a new place.  

In my last post I mentioned trying to attend a baseball game when I was in Taiwan. Now that I'm going to Hawaii...I'm wondering what can I find to feed my baseball and/or collecting habits? (I'll be on Oahu all next week.)

So I put it to you, my fellow bloggers, collectors and precious readers...do you have any tips for me while I'm over there? 

Do you know of any unique baseball museums, card shops or what nots to check out? Are there any of you out there who live in Hawaii who would be interested in meeting up over a cold beer - or one of those fancy drinks with an umbrella? 

If not...I'm sure I can tough out a week of watching hula dancers. Although I do hope the Polynesian Cultural Center has a TV in the bar so I can watch Puig mashing in the Home Run Derby! 

Aloha, everybody!