Seattle's island flavors make Yelp's top 50
State of play: Yelp just dropped its first-ever list of the Top 50 Hawaiian Restaurants in North America — and four Seattle-area spots made the cut.
Why it matters: Hawaiian cuisine is more than just poke — it's a blend of cultures and comfort, from plate lunches and spam musubi to purple rice and loco moco.
What they did: Yelp's list highlights a mix of traditional and fusion fare, curated by the company's Elite Squad, a group of active vetted users known for thoughtful reviews, quality photos and support for local businesses, per Yelp.
Dig in: Here are the island-inspired standouts that made the list:
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Axios
2 days ago
- Axios
Seattle's island flavors make Yelp's top 50
Seattle is bringing aloha vibes to the mainland. State of play: Yelp just dropped its first-ever list of the Top 50 Hawaiian Restaurants in North America — and four Seattle-area spots made the cut. Why it matters: Hawaiian cuisine is more than just poke — it's a blend of cultures and comfort, from plate lunches and spam musubi to purple rice and loco moco. What they did: Yelp's list highlights a mix of traditional and fusion fare, curated by the company's Elite Squad, a group of active vetted users known for thoughtful reviews, quality photos and support for local businesses, per Yelp. Dig in: Here are the island-inspired standouts that made the list:
USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Cirque du Soleil 'Auana' is worth a trip to Hawaii. Here's why
Cirque du Soleil's "Auana" offers plenty of thrills – Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil 'Auana I'll admit that I wasn't sure what to expect when my boyfriend and I decided to attend a performance of Cirque du Soleil "Auana" during a trip to Honolulu. We spend a lot of time in Las Vegas, and we've seen our share of Cirque du Soleil shows. We love them and didn't doubt that the show would be entertaining; we just thought it might feel like another Vegas experience rather than a Hawaiian experience. This wasn't the case. Cirque du Soleil "Auana" manages to walk a mesmerizing tightrope of excitement and thrills rooted in authentic Hawaiian culture. Without giving too much away, the production begins before you're aware the show has even started. This sets the stage for an immersive experience where performers flit between the stage and the ceiling, often blurring the line between performance and reality. Where is Cirque du Soleil 'Auana' performed? "Auana" offers all the thrills associated with Cirque du Soleil – Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil 'Auana Cirque du Soleil's "Auana" opened at the end of 2024 at the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel in Honolulu. The 784-seat theater was custom-designed for the production. The audience is positioned around a three-sided stage known as a 'thrust stage.' It's a more intimate environment than the Las Vegas productions, which generally seat over 100 guests. The immediacy of the venue sparks an instant connection between the performers and the audience. Advertisement How is 'Auana' different from other Cirque du Soleil shows? A team of experts ensured authenticity in Cirque du Soleil's Hawaiian show – Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil 'Auana When Cirque du Soleil expressed interest in creating a show in Waikiki, one of the top priorities for cultural creative director Aaron Salā was to ensure that Hawaiian culture was represented authentically, with respect, and in depth. The team behind the show includes cultural leaders and creatives, such as Kumu Hula Hiwa Vaughan, who choreographed the hula, and renowned designer Manaola Yap, who served as the show's official costume designer. Director Neil Dowrward eagerly immersed himself in the culture, as he received a crash course in all things Hawaii. The result is a creative vision deeply informed by the islands' traditions and values. Cirque du Soleil's "Auana" unfolds across eight chapters, drawing inspiration from Hawaii's moʻolelo stories, which have been passed down through the oral tradition from one generation to the next. We watched as a character known as Trickster embarked on a journey through space and time, transporting us from the Polynesian migration to the 'golden age of tourism.' Advertisement Auana means 'to wander' in Hawaiian. The word also describes modern hula, which combines flowing movements with musical elements, such as the ukulele and guitar. Music and hula are integral to the show. 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It seems improbable enough that he would be able to balance and 'surf' on top of it, but if you've ever seen a Cirque du Soleil show, you know that just when you think a feat is impossible, they make it even harder. Advertisement When more cylinders were added, I gasped along with the audience as he maintained his balance on a tower of rounds that seemed as tall as he was. Another favorite scene brought comic relief as volunteers from the audience joined Trickster onstage in a celebration of Hawaiian pop culture. (I'm being deliberately vague because it's a fun moment when it all comes together and you realize what's happening.) The story culminates in a spectacular finish, with two warriors performing stunts, leaping in and out of enormous, moving cylinders in feats so daring that the audience moves from gasps to applause every few seconds. I wanted them to stop because I worried they might harm themselves, but I also wanted them to continue, because it was so exciting. Their exhilarating performances left no doubt that "Auana" was as much Cirque du Soleil as it was authentically Hawaiian. Advertisement I rarely have the desire to attend a show more than once, but I plan to see "Auana" again the next time I'm in Oahu. I won't be alone. Salā says the show is a hit with both visitors and locals. 'Audiences have particularly enjoyed the blend of cultural elements ... with Cirque's signature acrobatics," he says. "This fusion has created a memorable experience that resonates deeply with diverse audiences.' How to get tickets for Cirque du Soleil 'Auana' "Auana" is an awe-inspiring show in Hawaii – Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil 'Auana
Geek Wire
2 days ago
- Geek Wire
Self-driving shuttle being tested at Seattle airport for trek between terminal and light rail station
A driverless shuttle, pictured here with a quality assurance engineer onboard, makes the run on the walkway between the Sound Transit light rail station and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as part of a 90-day test pilot. (SEA Photo) Travelers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) looking for some relief from the walk between the Link light rail station and the airport terminal could soon hop on a driverless shuttle. The airport is currently testing a 90-day pilot program — the first of its kind at a major airport, according to a Port of Seattle spokesperson. A low-speed, electric-golf-cart-style vehicle is used to carry passengers and their baggage. Made by a company called Carteav, the vehicles are widely used at resorts and theme parks around the nation. They rely on navigation technology, sensors and computer vision and are intended to work safely in areas with pedestrians. During the pilot, the carts are occupied by a quality assurance engineer at all times. The program is running in conjunction with a current driver-provided cart between the light rail and the terminal. According to SEA, the distance between the airport and the light rail station is 950 feet. That's equivalent to a New York City block, 379 steps on a pedometer, or hole No. 6 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon, the airport says. But that walk has been a sore spot for travelers who have expressed 'a strong desire for more service between these two locations to help with mobility and accessibility, predictability, and ease,' according to SEA. A blog post on the airport website further explains why there's no moving walkway, why the station wasn't built closer to the airport, and more. A new ground transportation center is included in the Port's Sustainable Airport Master Plan and would feature an indoor moving walkway — as seen at 2:45 in this video. The autonomous carts are scheduled to run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. SEA will be gathering feedback from travelers on-site with surveys for pedestrians in the area as well as those who use the vehicle in testing. Self-driving, electric wheelchairs are already in use at the airport for mobility challenged travelers.
