UPDATE: March 10 2018, I am no longer hosting (or a part of) Island Style TV. It was nice for the month of January and I had some brief appearances in February. Hope you enjoyed the first few episodes -- in particular Episodes 3 and 4 (which you can find online). 

So... What are you doing Saturday nights at 6:30pm? Got 30 minutes to catch up with me? Cause I am headed back to television to host a brand new TV show!!!

That's right I am putting the microphone back on and will launch a new series called Island Style TV on KITV, Saturday nights at 6:30pm. 

Who: The show will feature local people, events, chefs, business owners, storytellers, musicians and more and will be hosted by yours truly.

What: I love sharing positive messages, interesting stories and compelling messages. These segments featured in the show will highlight everything that we love about Hawaii while highlighting the local people and businesses behind it. 

Where: I am going to start off statewide and eventually head abroad as well, can't say where just yet - stay tuned.

Why: Because supporting each other, learning from one another and offering inspiring messages can really make a difference. I love talking to people, getting to know the details about them and how they came to be where they are today. I will chat with some of Hawaii's hottest chefs, business owners, interesting people and more! Mahalo to KITV for inviting me back on the air!

KITV Announces New Weekend Lifestyle Show
Island Style TV debuts Saturday, January 6th
​HONOLULU - KITV is proud to announce the return of award winning journalist, news anchor and Miss Hawai’i 2004 Olena Heu to statewide television, hosting a brand new weekend lifestyle show, ISLAND STYLE TV.
ISLAND STYLE TV will air Saturday evenings at 6:30 p.m. following ISLAND NEWS, and leading into ABC primetime programming. Host Olena Heu brings you the best of Hawaii’s unique island lifestyle and culture. ISLAND STYLE TV is a weekly show that takes a new look at the stories behind the local people and businesses that create the food, fashion and fun that make Hawaii unique.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Olena Heu holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Speech and Communication and first launched her television hosting skills close to 15 years ago. After several years working in radio, television broadcast and local nightly/morning news the television personality launched her own marketing and communications business in 2014. Now the entrepreneur and avid food, lifestyle and travel writer, is excited to continue to run her business while returning to television “to share great stories, meet new people and showcase an inside look at everything we love about our island home.”
News Director Mike Darrah says, “It just makes sense. We add content that’s made in Hawaii, is about Hawaii, and is delivered by a respected journalist.” Heu will also appear on Good Morning Hawaii with previews of upcoming Island Style TV episodes.
A key component of ISLAND STYLE TV on KITV is a commitment to identifying stories from across the Hawaiian Island chain that are filmed completely on-location and outside the T.V. studio. Being filmed on-site will help our storyteller, Olena Heu, connect with the people, places, and events that make up Hawaii’s local communities. Social media and community engagement, along with 4K digital content production on all media platforms, will also be a big part of ISLAND STYLE TV. We want YOU to be a part of the show! Follow us @IslandStyleTV and online at www.kitv.com/islandstyletv
ISLAND STYLE TV with Olena Heu on KITV 6:30 p.m. Saturdays beginning January 6th, 2018.

If you're ever headed to the north shore of O'ahu you must stop off and try a snow puffy. These delicious sweet treats are heavenly layers of puff pastry filled with custard cream, topped with an overwhelming amount of powdered sugar and a drizzle of chocolate. They are light, flaky, sweet, creamy, chocolatey and the perfect boost of sugar for your next adventure. 

They are a bit hidden but well worth the search!
Paalaa Kai Bakery 
66-1425 Kaukonahua Road, Waialua, HI 96791
​Try to stop in during the morning hours as they usually sellout. 

It may sound silly, but I am not a huge jewelry person. I always wear my wedding ring but I often forget to put on earrings and I almost never wear bracelets or a watch. But when I do, my style is chic, simple, beach, island-inspired and delicate. 

I was excited to hear Lisa Bridge (designer and new President & COO of Ben Bridge) was debuting a line of jewelry inspired by and created for Hawaii. The Lisa Bridge Hawaii Collection is truly a gem in this sea of jewelry retailers. 

The 32 year-old great-great granddaughter of Ben Bridge has long been a jewelry designer and spent her summers in the islands. She feels Hawaii is a very special place in her heart and thus created this new line of jewelry to showcase how the islands inspired her craft. The beauty of Hawaii paired with the warmth and spirit of the people helped her create the vision for this line. 

Worn by celebrities Carrie Ann Inaba (also a Hawaii native), Cheryl Burke, Jodie Sweetin and more. Lisa utilizes the Rhodochrosite (which reminds her of the Hawaiian sunsets) in many of her pieces; also the stone is said to have the power to heal the soul and symbolizes both love and empathy. 

A special Meet & Greet event Trunk Show will be held at Ben Bridge Jeweler Ala Moana Center -- Friday, December 1st 5-8pm. 5% of the proceeds from sales that evening will also benefit Make-A-Wish Hawaii. This is open to the public, refreshments will be served and a sneak peek of the new Lisa Bridge Hawaii line will be showcased along with Lisa Bridge, James Donnelly & Demetria Caston (from Make-A-Wish Hawaii) in attendance. 

http://www.benbridge.com/lisa-bridge-hawaii

Celebrating 10 years with 10 days, Restaurant Week Hawaii is back! November 10-19, 2017 -- More than 70 restaurants from casual to fine dining (even a few fast food outlets have signed on) take part in the effort to raise funds for the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Diamond Head. Restauranteurs, chefs and culinarians can together join the movement to not only support local farmers, local businesses and local education but also the livelihood that marks Hawaii as a notable culinary destination. Diners can experience set-menus, specialty dishes and promotional items during this annual event.

I had the honor of revisiting a true gem during the launch of Restaurant Week Hawaii. Stage Restaurant has put together an imppressive 3-course tasting dinner for $60 (add $30 for wine pairings).
ACT1- Choice of:
Sashimi: Hamachi, Coconut Milk, Lime, Basil & Chili Pepper Ogo
or
Escargot: Hamakua Alii Mushroom, Cauliflower Lemon Purée, Parmesan Crisp, Arugula and Toasted House-made French Bread.
ACT2- Choice of:
Kurobuta Pork, Soy Glaze, Maui Pineapple Compote, Sweet Potato Purée, Brussel Sprouts and Applewood Smoked Bacon.
or
King Salmon, Butternut Squash Purée, Sugar Snap Peas, Shiitake Mushrooms, Teriyaki Butter Sauce.
GRAND FINALE:
Peaches & Cream- Lemon Panna Cotta, Grilled Peaches, Oatmeal Crumble and House-made Tahitian Vanilla Bean Rum Ice Cream.
or
Chocolate Tart- Peruvian Dark Chocolate, House-made Koloa Hawaiian Coffee Rum Ice Cream, Salted Caramel and Whipped Cream.

I enjoyed the Hamachi, Salmon and Peaches:

Stage is open Tuesday-Saturday 5pm-8:30pm, reservations are suggested.
1250 Kapiolani Boulevard
Honolulu, HI
2nd Floor of the Honolulu Design Center
​237-5429

Many years ago the thought of drinking tomato juice made me cringe, then I discovered the Bloody Mary. Thing is, if it's made well you won't be overwhelmed with tomato flavor, it's more savory and delicious than it is like drinking a juiced vegetable drink. 

My favorite place to score a solid Bloody Mary is at Hula's in Waikiki. Located across the street from the Honolulu Zoo this eatery and bar serves happy hour all day and a special Bloody Mary bar during brunch. But I like the plain and simple bloody that you can get any day and any time. What makes it so good? Well they add delightful celery salt and a perfectly crisp yet tart pickle instead of celery, because let's face it who really eats celery?! 

The flavor is a good combination of savory with acid, salty and the addition of celery salt with the pickle is key. They pour a generous serving of vodka in it too, so after 2 I am usually good. 

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY - Happy Hour 10AM – 6PM
​$5  Well  .   House Wine
$6  Mai Tai  .  Bloody Mary  .   Mojito  .   Miller Lite Pitcher
$7  Long Island
$12   Mai Tai Pitcher  .  Bloody Mary Pitcher
$14  Long Island Pitcher