"Lucky we live Hawaii" is a saying that you often hear around my parts. It usually refers to the fact that we live in a wonderful tropical paradise that most people pay money to experience. It is a phrase that is also used sarcastically to reference the fact that our cost of living in Hawaii is amongst the highest in the nation. However, in this case it happily refers to the fact that Hawaii is one of the few locations hosting the Joy of Sake event this year. On August 23, 2007 at the Hawaii Convention Center, a few friends and I will be indulging ourselves in what is billed as the largest sake tasting event outside of Japan, the Joy of Sake. Boasting over 300 great sake "in peak condition" and delicious food from some of the best restaurants in Hawaii, this event is a sake enthusiast's dream come true.
While I had not planned for this, I am proud to say that I was the first person to buy tickets for this event from the Marukai Dillingham location. Also unplanned was the fact that my friend Dean had the honor of being the first person to buy tickets from the Maruaki Ward location. (Of course we both know that they sell these tickets online and at a few other retail locations in Hawaii, but it's nice to feel like we were first for something.) The only negative thing about this function is the fact that they have scheduled it for a Thursday night. Those of us who work for a living (me) will have to work the next day.
So this is where I will be a few weeks from now, with ochoko in hand and a big smile on my face. Obviously I will report back on my experience in a later blog posting. See you there!
