But this isn’t just any coffee. Charles Asselbye, one of the owners, is a roastmaster. He knows his beans and the coffee is never more than 10 days old. Also, their pastries and cakes are baked fresh onsite daily by Monica Chapman. They’ve also got sandwiches and acai bowls, but I was way too full to try any of those!

They know their coffee and pastries so intimately, they can recommend a perfect pairing — much like you would with wine and food. We stopped in to try some pairings (twist my arm!) and got to know the guys behind the brew.

Their grand opening is this Saturday, May 19, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a special offer for social media users (click here for details). In the meantime, visit HawaiiIRL.com to see us talk more about Island Brew; you can also get a closer look at the food we ate, here.

Island Brew Coffeehouse
377 Keahole St.
808-394-8770

I first met you at the DFS Galleria in Waikiki, where we were both watching a University of Hawaii fashion show. What did you take away from that experience and Hawaii’s budding fashion scene?

The first thing I remember was the moment the two young students created gorgeous dresses out of flowers. I thought it was so Hawaiian and perfect for spring. Hawaii has a lot to offer in terms of fashion.

What’s your own personal style when you’re in a place like Hawaii?

Well we were staying at the Halekulani, which is such an elegant place in itself. So I definitely packed appropriately for that, as well as some of our other night activities, like the Honolulu Symphony concert. I like staying casual but elegant at the same time. In traveling so far to a place like Hawaii, you definitely need to pack items that travel well and won’t wrinkle.

You traveled a lot growing up, with your dad in the Navy. Were you ever stationed here in Hawaii?

We were never stationed in Hawaii, but I felt an immediate connection to it when I first visited as a child. We were on a ship leaving Japan, heading back to the continental United States, and we stopped in Hawaii for a bit before continuing home. I remember loving it so much here.

Did all of your international travels growing up influence your sense of style and fashion?

I would like to think so. I have a very gypsy boho style myself, which probably reflects from my travels. I love the brand All Saints!

What’s been your favorite Oscar’s dress to date?

Of course, the gorgeous Randolph Duke gown (the dress she accepted her Oscar in) has to be one of my favorites. It really doesn’t matter who the designer is, or how much the dress costs. The bottom line is that you need to wear the dress; the dress can’t wear you.

You’ve done it all, Broadway, television and film. What can we expect from you next?

I have a few smaller television projects coming out throughout the year. I also finished a movie, “If I Were You,” which will be released in a few weeks.

Kickin Kajun
1518 Makaloa St.
808-946-2787
On Facebook at Kickin Kajun Restaurant

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGN31bbg8Q0

You want more? Here are some of Melissa’s comments on still shots from the outtakes.

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Outtake commentary: M+M Eats Kickin' Kajun (1 of 13)

I didn't realize this at the time, but Mari wanted to review this place with me because she thought I'd be mortified to eat there. You see, I'm a dainty eater (very different from Mari's style), and she thought I wouldn't want to eat with my hands. Surprise, surprise. —Photo by Melissa Chang

The writers did an excellent job bringing the dirty cops storyline full circle and forcing Chin to make a decision no one should have to make. It was like “Sophie’s Choice,” island style. Not only that, we finally learned that Shelburne is indeed real and someone who no one could have expected. With this season’s conclusion, fans are no doubt already counting the days to Season 3.

Here’s the final look at The Good, The Bad and The Weird for Season 2.

The Good

• Grace Park in a bikini in the opening scene. Male viewers soon will be needing to replace worn out “Pause” buttons on their remotes.
• Chin’s interaction with his wife, despite being brief. Sometimes, we forget these characters have lives outside of the police force. Of course, his wife becomes a key player in the plot to follow.
• Bringing back Tom Sizemore and Billy Baldwin to re-introduce an early Season 2 story line as well as Chin’s sketchy past. Did the writers have this story arc in mind from the beginning? If so, my hats off to them. Brilliant way to end the season.
• Terry O’Quinn is back, and he has answers. Finally!
• An order of tofu shrimp sounds really good right about now.
• The female villain? Hottest bank robber ever. Well, after Val Kilmer in “Heat.”
• Kamekona bringing Max a “Live Long and Prosper” balloon in the hospital. A man should always remember the little details. Major brownie points.
• Danno taking his daughter to Diamond Head lookout. I’m revealing a little information about myself here, but that is my personal “go-to” place to think and sort things out. Also, a very effective location for dates.

The Bad

• Come on, a toothpick? Really? If you’re not Chow Yun Fat, you’re not going to pull it off.
• Beginning with last week’s episode, I never could believe that Kono would date Adam Noshimuri. How does a romance like that even start? “Hey, Kono, I know my dad’s a big-time crime boss and murderer and everything, but damn, you’re hot! Let’s go out!” “Uh…I’m supposed to arrest guys like you, but…I never could resist a bad boy. Okay!” Not to mention he ties her up and leaves her in an empty house. Yeah, he’s marriage material alright.

The Weird

• Hey, I didn’t know HPD was right across the street from Taiyo. I bet those cops grind chicken katsu curry and kim chee fried rice every night. Don’t forget to order the gyoza set.
• Kono rocking the “Farrah” hairstyle. I kinda dug it.

Well, that’s it for Season 2. It was an up-and-down season, but despite all the nitpicking we do, fans love the show for showcasing the islands and are grateful that it’s on the air. Thanks everyone for reading my recaps each week, and see you for Season 3!

#1 – “The Dark Knight Rises” (July 20)

Director Christopher Nolan concludes his Batman trilogy with what appears to be the darkest film of the three. With a cast heavily recruited from his previous film, “Inception” (Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard), and the introduction of new characters Bane and Catwoman, I’m hoping “The Dark Knight Rises” can match, if not exceed, the intensity and quality of “The Dark Knight.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8evyE9TuYk

#2 – “Prometheus”(June

“Alien.” “Blade Runner.” “Thelma & Louise.” “Black Rain.” The early films of versatile director Ridley Scott are cinematic masterpieces that are still relevant today. While his latest offerings have been hit and miss, the early footage of “Prometheus” promises a return to classic Scott suspense. The film’s marketing campaign teases with just enough juicy clips to keep fan boys hungry, and with a stellar cast — Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce and the original “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Noomi Rapace — I can’t wait to see how the film plays out.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1byZkbNB3Jw

#3 – “GI Joe: Retaliation”(June 21)

The first “GI Joe” was campy, cartoonish fun, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing considering the source material. But the second installment looks to be a balls-out relaunch of the franchise. Most of the characters, except for Duke (Channing Tatum), Snake Eyes (Ray Park) and Storm Shadow (Byung Hun Lee,) have been discarded. Brought in to replace them are Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Bruce Willis. Yeah, I‘d say that’s an upgrade.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNUBV9trDoA

#4 – “The Expendables 2″ (Aug. 17)

“GI Joe: Retaliation” isn’t the only film Bruce Willis is adding heavy testosterone to this summer. He also appears in “The Expendables 2,” the sequel to the 2010 action blockbuster. In addition to the “only-one-name-needed” original cast (Stallone, Statham, Jet, Dolph), the sequel includes Chuck Norris, and expanded roles not only for Willis, but Arnold Schwarzenegger. But it’s Jean-Claude Van Damme who I can’t wait to see back on the big screen. Playing the villain, I want to see the Muscles from Brussels inflict as much Van Dammage as possible.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip_CYHdyUBs

#5 – “Ted”(July 13)

A story about a boy and his teddy bear, only they’re both grown-up adults. That’s the intriguing premise for “Ted,” a comedy written and directed by Seth MacFarlane of “Family Guy” fame and starring Mark Wahlberg. Every summer needs a filthy comedy, and it looks like “Ted” will fit the bill this year. The early trailer was so bizarre I immediately noted it as a must-see. This can be really good or very very bad.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fbo_pQvU7M

Other summer films of note:

“Battleship” (May 18) – Looks like “Transformers” at sea. Filmed in Hawaii.

“Men in Black 3” (May 25) – Sequel to the hit sci-fi comedy franchise.

“Snow White & the Huntsmen” (June 1) – A gritty telling of the classic fairy tale.

“Rock of Ages” (June 15) – ’80s rock music and a shirtless Tom Cruise. Can’t go wrong.

“Brave” (June 22) – Pixar’s first film with a female lead.

“The Amazing Spider-Man” (July 3) – Relaunched already?

“The Bourne Legacy” (Aug.t 3) – Jeremy Renner replaces Matt Damon in the action franchise.

“Total Recall” (Aug. 3) – Colin Farrell stars in this remake of the Arnold Schwarzenegger hit.

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Eat the Street Honda Autoplex (1 of 30)

Musical performance by B.E.T.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxpYb2_W9Sk

Photos by Travis Okimoto.

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IGNITE @ The Hyatt (1 of 26)

-Photo by Travis Okimoto