A Few of my favorite things

We have been living in a 90 degree, and rising, hot, humid paradise this summer in the 96815. The weather has me feeling like not doing much of anything, except trying to keep cool and avoid melting into the steamy Waikiki sidewalk. A few days back, I mustered up the courage to leave my spot in front of the fan and head to one of my favorite places, the Halekulani, during my favorite, cooler time of day: sunset. On the open air lanai of House Without a Key, swaying hula dancers, live Hawaiian music and the setting sun grace the stage nightly. I left home in the simplest breathable outfit I could think of - a cotton tank dress. By the time I made it to Kalakaua Avenue, I was feeling a little bare and bland. Passing Duke's Marketplace, the alleyway lined with overstocked carts selling typical souvenirs and trinkets, I decided to pop in to quickly accessorize. For $15, a few strands of coral and turquoise paid the perfect compliment to my favorite Ki-ele 96815 necklace and pearl. love. bracelets. Finally, off the sweltering streets, I'm enjoying a late afternoon sea breeze gently rolling in from Gray's beach and drifting over the Halekulani's poolside oasis. I don't even need to look at the menu; I'm having my favorite - the Mai Tai. Fresh lime juice, a rum trio and hints of orange over crushed ice perfectly swirl with the accompanying sugar cane stick in my glass. These are just a few of my favorite things...

Photography by Jessica Tronoski and The 96815

The Breakers

In a sea of new construction, luxury high-rise hotels, and world famous designer shops, is the hidden gem, The Breakers Hotel. One of the last two-story, low-rise accomodations in Waikiki, it remains unchanged and well-preserved in time since the early 1950's. Shy on frills and fluff, the rooms, spacious and clean, offer kitchenettes and a cozy lanai to take in the tropical ocean air over a morning cup of coffee. Step back in time and relax, unwind, unplug. I forgot all about life in 2015 with its modern day nuances and distractions during our time at the charming seaside bungalows. The mood here just didn't allow for it. You'll find guests leisurely reading by the courtyard pool and the hotel staff to be both kind and accommodating. The lovely General Manager, Mrs. Ethel Nada, became one of the hotels first employees when she made the voyage from Japan to Hawaii as a young teen. Now, some 60 years later, she looks over the property as if it's her own.

Hopelessly smitten by the idea of a glamorous mid century Waikiki - the architecture, fashion, people, and atmosphere - inspired our summer style shoot at the Breakers. Flowing kimonos, high wasted bikini sets and a pop of color piece comprise my 1960's Hawaiian vacation wardrobe. Style for me is a personal choice. It might not always be on trend or in the latest fashion magazines, but it is an expression of how I am feeling.  So, while I am excited for the progression of the 96815, with the boom of new businesses, hotels, restaurants and shops, a bit of me wants to hold on to what this place used to be during my favorite era. Thankfully, Tim, one of the managers at The Breakers, said there are no plans to change or remodel. The Breakers will remain as is; just a happily old, now one-of-a-kind, hotel in Waikiki's ever changing landscape. 

Charm & Character  -  The Breakers Waikiki. 

XOX, 

The 96815

The Breakers Waikiki, ph. 808-923-3181, 250 Beach Walk, the 96815.

Photography by Jessica Tronoski

Lei Day

Last Friday marked May 1st and the beloved Hawaiian holiday, Lei Day. I had plans to attend the Lei Day celebration in Waikiki, but when it finally rolled around I was in a little bit of a funk. The last thing I felt like doing on this beautiful spring day was celebrating, but I made a plan and I was going to stick to it. When I arrived at the festivities on Waikiki Beach in front of the Royal Hawaiian and Outrigger hotels, I was greeted by a scene of smiling faces, as elegant women danced hula and a soft tropical breeze carried the scent of fresh plumerias. The charmed voices of Danny Kaleikini, Anuhea and other local musicians filled the air, as we paid tribute to the admired beach boys of Waikiki, past and present. I love these guys and girls; their warm grins and genuine salutations of "Aloha" make my day when I'm walking the beach in the 96815. Despite feeling a little down in the dumps, May 1st in my favorite place was turning out to be absolutely lovely. It was really hard to not be hopeful in this setting, no matter what I was going through. When a helicopter flew overhead and dropped hundreds of orchids on the crowd, I knew everything was going to be ok and not just on Lei Day. 

The Zimmermanns

It is almost impossible to live in Hawaii and not maintain an active lifestyle. Ever stop and really take a look around? It seems like everyone is either running, biking, surfing, swimming, hiking, on their way to or just finishing up some sort of workout. Maybe that's why the people of Hawaii are known for their friendly, easygoing demeanor; we spend a lot of time working out the kinks and increasing our dopamine! When I moved back to the 96815 after a few sluggish years in NYC, I was looking for a new perspective for my mind, body and soul, which led me to the Zimmermanns. I'm not really one for indoor gyms with fancy equipment, so the HI Life Athletics outdoor workouts, led by the fit power couple, Marc and Sara Zimmermann, seemed like my perfect get-in-shape match.  On any given day, alternating between Kapiolani Park or Ala Moana Beach Park, in the company of swaying palm trees and ocean views, you can find one of their total body workout classes taking place.

Marc, a former professional soccer player from Germany, has years of educational fitness experience and an extensive list of certifications, from nutrition to sports rehabilitation. Boot camp with Marc can be pretty intense, but, in the end, rewarding. Attend a few classes a week and you'll be looking svelte and feeling strong in no time, not to mention positively improving your mind and body. When he isn't leading a group of sweaty, happy participants, Marc provides private personal training sessions to select clientele in their homes and in the beautiful Hawaiian outdoors. 

Between all the burpees, push ups, and squats in boot camp, strengthen your body's foundation, increase flexibility and relieve stress with yoga, core and yogalates with Marc's better half, Sara. Her lifelong passion for health and well being comes through with every movement. Sara recently and officially launched "Kova Yoga,"  her own brand of Vinyasa-based practice, that uniquely combines a fluid, fast-paced style, while focusing on alignment. Kova Yoga also provides teacher trainings, where aspiring yogis can choose from two different class structures to gain the knowledge, confidence and certification they need to begin leading on their own. Sara describes her practice as being  for EVERYBODY and EVERY BODY. According to Sara, "you don't have to be flexible or a Buddhist to practice Kova Yoga, nor do you have to study Sanskrit names for hundreds of poses. Yoga doesn’t have to be a way of life, it can just be something good you do for your mind and body; but if you keep practicing, it WILL change your life."

It is Sara and Marc's shared enthusiasm for healthy living that led them to each other. They were part of the same social circle during a stint in LA. Sara says, "we probably passed each other on runs before and thought, 'hmm that person is cute.'" It wasn't until a year or so down the road, when Marc was working as a National Fitness Manager for SportsFit World by MS Dhoni in India that he offered Sara a teaching opportunity half a world away. She accepted and today they reside together with their beautiful daughter, Zoey, and adorable kitten, Ipo, in the heart of the 96815, a place they previously and presently both hold dear. When they aren't encouraging you to hold that pose for 30 seconds longer or to complete one more set of sit ups, they can be found at home, picking fruits and veggies from the yard, mastering new workouts and being a perfectly fit, healthy family. 

The 96815 Tip: Looking to get in shape with Sara and Marc? Visit www.hilifeathletics.com and sign up for their monthly unlimited group class membership for only $39! If you are just visiting the 96815 and want to check it out, drop into a class for $10. 

For all the info on Kova Yoga, including teacher training, visit www.kovayoga.com.

Photography of Sara and Marc at home by Jessica Tronoski