Post #86851 by Sabina on Sun, Apr 18, 2004 11:50 AM

I wrote this for over on the MD/DC/VA page, but wanted to let it become part of this thread as well.

Naturally it helps a little if you had ever been to the Honolulu- but here are a few pictures off my site to give you a feel for the Honolulu in it's thriving final year-

http://www.sevenpleasures.org/gallery/Honolulu-VA

Also on the second page I just added a photograph of the black and white version of the drink menu, normally it was colored.

Mike and I did make it back in town before the final closing, so here's our small tale of our 'last days of the Honolulu' (insert mental image of similar to SHAG's Kahiki painting here).

We tried to make it three days before closing, but got down to Virginia MUCH later than we intended, by the time we drove by the restaurant, the parking lot was full and double parked in several places, and the line was out well into the parking lot. We pretty much knew we had no hope of getting in. Instead we swore to return eariler in the day the next day, and drove over to Mango Mike's- also in Alexandria.

Lest anyone get the wrong idea Mango Mike's is no Honolulu 'substitute'- nothing could be- but we knew that as we had been there before. It's more Caribbean, and it's mixology is more of the 'island drinks' varriety, BUT they do have some Tikis carved by Tiki Murph and the place has a little bit of the vibe with exposed rock in places, foilage, and some tiki related mugs. The food is good, too.

Sabina's first rule of the post Honolulu era- any drink in a Coconut is better than no drink in a Coconut.

So- in search of our 'fix', we returned to Honolulu the next afternoon. The first good signs were that parking was still possible and that the line wasn't out the door yet. So we waited and actually managed to get a table.

Let me back up for a minute, though. Stepping into the relatively bare walled anteroom was quite a shock! The fountain was still there (and yes, we dropped in final pennies with wishes!), as was some of the art and a huge thank you card signed by many, but otherwise, the cool quiet was replaced by a bright light and the hustle of those waiting in line.

Mostly, we saw regulars who had been coming for years- not the hipster crowd at all. One woman was commenting on how despite the fact they had been coming for years, she had sort of a set of staples she ordered over and over- which made me smile as I too, never seemed to stray far from my favourites.

Anyhow, eventually we got in. Instead of the calm soft aloha there was constant scurrying. Still very aloha, but not the same aloha. There was no music, and there was a frantic sort of energy to the place. It was no longer the same Honolulu we remembered- and will always remember this last visit as somehow 'not the same' as our other fond experiences. Not worse or wrong- just categorized very differently.

It's probably not much consolation for anyone who didn't get to make it at the end, but remembering Honolulu as it was- before the thatch was gone and the anteroom was undone- back when Honolulu was in normal swing was more relaxed and more what I at least will remember.

The last hurrah with the MD DC VA crowd is really what will stay with me not only as my last Honolulu meal- but my last Honolulu with friends.

We had thought we would be able to catch a quick dinner and leave before the real dinner rush set in, instead we waited patiently. We memorized every last detail and just enjoyed being there. It took longer than we thought, but I did manage to get one last David Chan Mai Tai, made by the master's hand. Any wait was worth that.

Mike had asked to see a drink menu and realizing it was our last chance, we took a picture of the menu- something in all our visits we had neglected to do. By the near end most of the colored drink menus had wandered off I guess.

Eventually, we realized how late it was getting and that we wouldn't be able to stay. Mike had just a liittle of my drink since he was driving, and thanked Mrs. Chan and left. Already the line was well out the door- and we knew the next people would appreciate the table.

All in all it was a fond farewell.

Or so we thought.

But surprise, it wasn't over yet! We had been on the road at the time of the end of the auction so we had sent in an auction form. Having not heard anything we didn't think we won anything- surprise- after the Honolulu closed we got an e-mail saying we had won one of the clamshell lights near the booths along the back wall.

The day we went to pick it up, we walked in and the first 'thing' we saw was none other than Vern. How like the Honolulu that you walk in and see a friend!

It felt VERY strange to be in the Honolulu with the lights on, no music, no regular quiet crowd AND no busy frantic crowd. Just piece by piece watching little bits and pieces leave in bags with at once both joyful and mournful new owners.

Mrs. Chan showed us a copy of the menu from when it first opened- at the bottom it urged people to bring their friends next time.

Finally, we pre-ordered a few bottles of the Mai Tai mix, and took one last look around.

All in all, sureal.

But all in all, a fond farewell.

Or so we thought.

Until yesterday, when we got a phone call...

it's not finalized quite yet, and I don't want to jinx it, but IF this comes together this week, we may have some interesting pictures to share soon