Located in Rotorua, New Zealand - Wai-O-Tapu is a national park of jaw dropping proportions. The Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park is an all natural wonderland highlighting an active geothermal area featuring volcanic remnants that teases the eyes and stings the nose. Created thousands of years ago this completely all natural landscape features 18-square kilometers of volcano craters, mud pools, green sulphur lakes, hot springs, and the Lady Knox Geyser (which erupts daily at 10:15am). 

When you arrive there is ample parking and if you go in the afternoon, be sure to bring an umbrella and some water. It can be very hot and very much like the dessert. There is a strong sulfur smell some people were slightly sickened because of the heat, the smell and the sulfur fumes. But it is not that bad. 

The visitor center is state of the art and has AC, restrooms and lots of things to buy from natural body products to amazing paintings and of course trinkets. The are open everyday, 365 days a year, tickets for entry range from $11 to $32.50. Once you enter the park it is like any national park with some trails, slopes, steps, outlooks, limited shade and lots of photo taking opportunities. 

Be sure the really enjoy the views, the Champagne Lake was phenomenal and breathtaking. The natural state of the former volcano is really unique to see and the colors are so vibrant. You make have to wait for the wind to shift as depending on the way the wind is blowing you can see less or more of the crater. When the wind blows the sulphur away, it reals brilliant colors and vibrant hues of green, blue, orange and yellow. 

The Devil's Bath is also a fluorescent green pool which is truly a sight to see. There are many tourists from all regions and of course lots of cameras, selfie sticks and etc. If you take your own course away from the crowds you will find it peaceful and tranquil. As with any other park please keep your litter to yourself, be sure to stay hydrated and eat prior. Be prepared for some mild walking. I would recommend shorts and covered toe shoes. 

You can choose one-three routes for your walk, which can take 30-75 minutes. Noted as one of the most surreal places in the world it definitely is a must see.
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
201 Waiotapu Loop Rd
RD3
Waiotapu, Reporoa, Rotorua, New Zealand

https://www.waiotapu.co.nz/

Gosh, I must've been in elementary school when my mom took me to an allergist to find out the source of my allergies. The test came back and I was allergic to various things including pollen, dust and wheat. While over time I've heard much of the human race is allergic to wheat, or eventually grow out of it as a child and into adulthood... There are many people out there that are noticing a difference when they eliminate wheat or gluten from their diet. For me, I actually don't practice any elimination, I think as a result I may have one nostril that is habitually clogged, but I found that I can live with it. Overall, people tend to feel better when they eliminate wheat and gluten from their diet and I have found there are great options when it comes to making this decision. Before we dive into this I also want to note that there is a difference between wheat and gluten. Gluten is a protein found in grains including wheat, wheat is a grain that contains gluten. So what does that mean exactly? Well, if you are allergic to gluten there are other items that may have gluten in them besides wheat. So it's best to get checked to find out what you are allergic to and how to best avoid those things. 
Fabulous health food store Down To Earth has a wide variety of wheat free and gluten free items. I wanted to showcase some of my favorites so you can try them with ease as well. 

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or in the medical field, these are my opinions and views alone and if you have any serious concerns please consult your doctor. 

I recently put together an episode of Da Best Hawaii featuring Lobster King, I had been before and they are known for their Chinese cuisine and of course fresh lobster, but what I didn't know is they have a huge selection of fresh crab. In fact, they have released a total of 6 variations of crab... much to my enjoyment (because my husband doesn't really care for seafood).

I got to devour all the flavors of crab in one sitting. Just kidding, we had a tasting with a bunch of my foodie friends and got to share and sample all the different crab recipes. So here ya go! I will showcase which crab recipe it is and let you know my favorite as well. 

Overall, this was a crabtastic meal! You have to put in all the work to get the meat out, but it is so worth it. 
For more on Lobster King and how this restaurant came to be watch Da Best Hawaii - https://youtu.be/npUaeBgLSNA
They have an interesting story - Korean bar owner comes together with a Chinese seafood seller. 

Not going to lie, my Driver's License was about to expire and I hadn't done anything to prepare. If you haven't heard - the requirements to getting a renewal have become a lot more stringent and are not as easy as showing up and taking an eye exam. But I found the process to be less painstaking then I had expected, thus I decided to write this blog to help others find their way through. 

1. You will need to fill out an Application form, you can find this online and fill it out in advance or fill it out in-person.
2. You will need an valid original or certified copy of your Birth and/or Marriage Certificate 
3. You may use a current Passport as a form of identification 
4. You will need to show your original Social Security Card
5. You have to prove your residence in Hawaii by way of 2 documents: unexpired ID, tax returns, utility bills, bank statements, rental agreements, payroll check, insurance cards, car registration, etc
6. All the above will show documentation of your: legal name, date of birth and principal residential address and everything needs to match - the name and the address.
7. Place all these items in a folder or bag, removing the excess envelopes, clips and etc. 

Now the fun part, you can renew your license up to 6 months prior to the expiration... But for some, like me, you forget all about it and realize you are going to be driving with an expired license soon. With that, if you visit online - the appointments fill up and depending on the location could have a 3-4 week wait. Here's the link: http://www.honolulu.gov/cms-csd-menu/site-csd-sitearticles/33564-csd-appointments.html 
You can also opt to get in line today, but for me the online version to do this wasn't working, so I had to go down in person, which if you plan right can be a pleasant experience. 

1. Head down before they open and get in line, then while you're in line you will get a number. 
2. Once open the line moves somewhat quickly, those getting Driver's Licenses (without an appointment) are given a ticket with a date and estimated time for your day-of appointment. Mine said number 24 at 10:45am, so I left, ran an errand or two and returned at 10:30am. 
3.  When I got back the number on the screen said 21. Once it hit 23 I went inside and sat down. Then at exactly 10:45am they called my number (extremely efficient and on schedule - this was great). 

I found this process to be very easy and well organized. Keep in mind that they may not be as on schedule as it was for me on that day, but it was well executed. As far as the number of people in the line in the morning, I believe it is limited, so if you don't get a number that morning you may have to come back again. You can also get an eye doctor vision clearance and skip the eye test on-site as well. Also, you receive a paper copy of your new license which doesn't come in for a week or two and the paper copy is not suitable for travel. 

*Disclaimer, I don't work for the city or state and this was my personal experience. This is my understanding of the requirements to the best of my ability. 

My master's degree is in communication, all of my life I have been in the service/hospitality or communication industry -- and there are a few things that I have noticed about people that never ceases to amaze and surprise me. I figured, I should write a blog about these things because I deal with them each and every day -- plus they are good reminders so you won't become frustrated, discouraged or disheartened in the future. 

1. People Are Inherently Selfish - hey I get it you gotta look out for #1, even Mother Teresa said she is the "greediest person" because of the feeling of kindness that she felt -- overall no one is going to care about the things you care about more than you... and you can't expect them to either because their priorities are focused on making it through their day and their life. 
2. Take The Easy Road - no matter how simple you can make something or even if you have completely spoon fed them, people will still do things based on what is easiest and most convenient for them. People like to do what saves time, energy and money and they will do things that are easier and provide that for them. 
3. We're too reliant on Labels - when I was in Miss America people called me Miss Hawaii, when I was on the news people called me The News Lady, after that people didn't know what to label me so they went back to calling me a former Miss Hawaii - i was like "can't I just be Olena?" Why do we need a label to validate who we are and tell people what our worth is?
4. Empty Promises - I can always tell when someone is going to flake or if they temporarily make plans by saying "maybe" or "might," if you don't want to do something say you can't or won't be able to do something. Don't just say it or put it out there if you had no intention of following through. Maybe we can have happy hour on Wednesday or Lets try have dinner next week -- usually doesn't pan out and nothing happens so it's honestly just a waste of words. 
5. Friends Flow - many many years ago I heard that friends flow in and out of your life. This is so very true, you have friends in different stages of your life and most of the time they are based on your activities, actions and those friends with common interests and who like to do the same things. Once your life changes (marriage, children, moving) your friends will change too. For some, they still have the same friends from childhood (often their lives are parallel) but for others it just flows and depends on where you are in your life right now. So don't be afraid to let it flow and let it go too! 

Wow, 2018 sure did have its peaks and valleys!!

I cried really hard, loved even harder, laughed until my stomach hurt and realized I can no longer drink wine/sake/champagne anymore (it literally makes me sick, some kind of allergic reaction or something)! 

I can honestly say that looking back, 2018 was filled with some truly treasured memories, amazing explorations and once in a lifetime opportunities.

As we move forward into 2019, it's important to me to be forever grateful, mindful, kind and truly live this life and each day as if it was your last. One thing I have learned, and reiterated in my mind, was to live without regret, take those chances and opportunities you wanted to take and don't hold back. Time here on Earth is short and we need to do what we can to maximize every second of each and every amazing day. 

Feeling any of these lately: anxious, irritable, short-tempered, agitated, worried or stressed? They say the holidays, while the most wonderful time of the year, can also be a very stressful and uneasy time of year. People are rushing, time is ticking and there's a lot going on. In recent years I have started to feel a sense of unease. It's hard to describe, almost like nervousness paired with agitation and sprinkled with irritability. I am not sure why this is happening and it came on all of the sudden. Sometimes I would try to remind myself to breathe, take a moment, do yoga, meditate and relax... But my mind is going, my phone is pinging and there's so much to do. You have to convince yourself to make time to have 'me time' and be sure to get enough rest/sleep, eat healthy, get exercise and surround yourself with positive and uplifting people... but sometimes you can't do all those things or make time for them. So, I decided to visit the neighborhood Down To Earth - Organic and Natural Products store in an attempt to find some all-natural remedies. (Disclaimer: I am not a physician and if you feel anything is life threatening and you are in danger - please go to the doctor). 

The Kakaako Down To Earth Organic and Natural Product Store, is really convenient and they have free or validated parking. The associates are so friendly, well educated/informed and really made me feel comfortable explaining my situation. They have an abundance of natural remedies and options. 
Here's what I tried:
Anxie-T by LifeSeasons a combination of roots and other supplements these capsules are aimed at calming and nourishing the nervous system. 
Calm A.S.A.P. by gaia HERBS is made using a selection of natural flowers and is supposed to help reduce anxiousness. 
Aromatherapy Room & Body Mist - Relaxing Lavender by Aura Cacia is made from flowering lavender oil and water. 
Nu Leaf CBD oil - made from Hemp non-psychoactive cannabinoid oil (does not cause a high) is supposed to help with pain, inflammation and relaxation.  

When needed, I would try the supplements individually. I would often not take a full dose and just do a half dose to see how it was. Then as time progressed I would try taking the full dose. I separately utilized the different natural products and overall felt a more relaxed feeling and was less on edge. The one that I believe worked the best by far was the CBD oil, of which I had heard a lot about but had never tried before. I also did some research prior to application. Essentially I found that the CBD oil was extremely helpful in allowing me to feel more myself, less irritable and more at ease. I would find myself singing in the car while driving, not as anxious and I also had a better mood with less grouchiness feeling. 

A fairly new kid on the Kaimuki block, Restaurant XO now sits in the former spot of an old Waialae Avenue Chinese restaurant, with all new decor, a brand new dining room, art installations, fresh tables and chairs, along with a brand spanking new bar  - this place is sure to be the next hot spot. I featured them in my summer edition of Hawaii.com's Best New Restaurants - for the summer months 2018, if you wanna take a look. 

Now on to the review... I may dare to say this is my new favorite new restaurant. First and foremost, the menu is a blend of contemporary, ingenious and inventive as it blends a menagerie of diverse flavors, ingredients and local comfort foods. At first glance you'll spot items like Spam, Adobo, Lup Cheong and Crispy Rice, but look closer and you'll find Buratta, Black Truffle, Sous Vide Duck, Cured Egg Yolk and fine Caviar. How do these un-seemingly unrelated ingredients come together? Beautifully. In a nut shell they compose dishes that are exquisitely delicious, perfectly cooked and immensely familiar. Price points are $9-$26, so while you're eating what looks, tastes and feels like ultra fine dining you're still enjoying something that is relatively moderate in price. Add to that the extremely generous portion sizes, as these items are also prepared family-style so sharing is a must, and this is an experience all its own. 

Since taking over the space in the summer of 2018 they jumped over hurdles and lept over speed bumps, now after a renovation and investing thousands of dollars into new equipment, decor and more the restaurant has a look, feel and vibe all its own and it is worth checking out for sure. 

​Here are some new items along with some delicious favorites. 

I LOVED the Buratta with Proscuitto and Tomato Jam, Lemongrass Sausages, Loaded Potato Au Gratin, Tomato Risotto, Adobo Fried Chicken and Buttermilk Shiso Fried Chicken, Fried Bass, Sous Vide Duck, Seared Steak and XO Scallops. The Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Ala Mode is addicting!

On a recent trip to Japan I was walking down the street in Shinjuku when I stumbled upon a cafe. This is not an ordinary cafe as there are pets in the windows. I had visited an animal cafe before in Thailand that featured many exotic animals (foxes, raccoon, etc), dogs and cats but this one in Japan was exclusively for bunnies! 
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I have a thing for bunnies and rabbits because honestly, I love anything that is furry. I opted to pay $25 for an hour of time to be able to hold, cuddle and pet as many bunnies as my heart desired and here's what it was like...
​
First off you walk up the stairs to an exclusive bunny floor one other floor had cats. There you are greeted by a worker who asked you to take off your shoes and gives you a blanket to hold. Then she shows me the cubby-holes with a broad range of breeds, ages and genders to choose from. I of course went for the largest and fluffiest bunny first. 
The cafe is quiet with light music, it is clean and while the bunnies are in moderate sized cages they have food, water and hay. The greeter also let some out to run around and let me hold the first bunny. Some of the bunnies were a bit hard to get to sit still while others just sat there. I am an animal lover so of course I wouldn't want to make an animal do something it didnt want to do, so if it wanted to roam freely and didn't want to be held then I would let it go. 
There was another bunny that had small babies and the worker put them all in a basket and presented them to me. I got to hold 2 baby bunnies while the others attempted to run around on the floor. They were so cute and they barely knew how to walk, hop and scoot around with their soft legs and furry feet. 
Overall the experience went by extremely fast and all of the bunnies were very kind and loving. One that I was interested in was known to bite so I opted not to hold him. I believe included in the fee is a drink, but I opted not to have one since all I wanted to do was hold, pet and play with the animals.