Author: Malia Yoshioka

Malia Yoshioka is a freelance food and travel writer from Hawaii, slowly eating her way around the world and currently based in Istanbul. Born and raised in beautiful Upcountry Maui, she created Shoyu Sugar to share her hometown favorites with visitors and kama’aina alike. Consider this your insider guide to the best things to do, see and - most importantly - what to EAT in Hawaii and beyond!

Amtrak Coast Starlight: Portland to Los Angeles

ByMalia Yoshioka

The first time I can remember catching a real train (the Sugar Cane Train and the Pearlridge Monorail don’t count) was the summer after I graduated from high school, when I spent three months backpacking around Europe before heading off to college. My friend Meghan and I bought the Europass option that allowed us 8…

destinations · food · foodie · landmarks · Seattle · things to do · travel · travel planning · travel tips · Washington

Things to Do in Seattle: An Afternoon in Fremont

ByMalia Yoshioka

The 2014 AWP Conference took place this year in Downtown Seattle at the Washington State Convention Center. It was a great location, just minutes from the Pike Place Market and with easy access to public transportation to take you elsewhere if you desire. We were fortunate to have great weather the first day or so,…

destinations · food · garden · Seattle · things to do · travel · travel tips · Washington

Where to Eat in Downtown Seattle

ByMalia Yoshioka

For me, the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Seattle – no, not Nirvana, grunge, or even good beer – is fresh seafood. Sure, it’s a bit corny that the fishmongers in Pike Place Market still put on their show for the tourists where they toss around huge salmon like a…

California · destinations · Los Angeles · Portland · train travel · travel · travel

Ghost of the Train

ByMalia Yoshioka

It’s just after 4am and the train stops in Chico, CA. We’ve now crossed the 13 hour mark, almost halfway into my 30-hour train ride. I’ve gotten maybe five straight hours of sleep, which is quite amazing and more than I’d hoped. I’m sure I’ll nap again before the journey is up, but for now…

California · destinations · Ireland · Los Angeles · Oregon · Portland · Seattle · train travel · travel · travel planning · Washington

Hitting the Road

ByMalia Yoshioka

A few weeks ago as I struggled to determine what direction my life would take next, I had absolutely no travel plans on the horizon. Yet as always seems to be the case in times like these, somehow the stars aligned so perfectly that even I was amazed. In less than a week, I pieced…

art · food · foodie · hawaii · honolulu · things to do

Valentine’s Day 2014 in Honolulu

ByMalia Yoshioka

Whether you are coupled up and looking for romance or seeking a night out on the town with friends for Single’s Awareness Day, Honolulu has a variety of tasty options for celebrating Valentine’s Day in 2014. (I’ll be adding to this list as I hear about others – feel free to send your tips or…

food · foodie · hawaii · maui · nostaglia · recipe cards

Comfort food: Grandma’s Corn Chowder

ByMalia Yoshioka

A bowlful of comfort – creamy corn chowder with bacon the way my grandmother made it.

food · foodie · hawaii · honolulu · support local · things to do

Hawaii Food and Wine Festival 2013

ByMalia Yoshioka

Food lovers in Honolulu know that there are a few events worth marking in your calendar. Restaurant Week in November. Taste of Marukai. Joy of Sake. Made in Hawaii Festival. Eat the Street. And then there’s the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival. It’s truly in a different category than those listed above, because of the…

food · foodie · hawaii · honolulu · things to do

Quest for Honolulu’s Best

ByMalia Yoshioka

This month’s Honolulu Magazine is probably one of my favorite issues, ever. I have subscribed to the magazine for years because I love the historical portraits of Honolulu over time, unique perspectives on people and places that make our city so diverse, as well as some of the Honolulu’s best food writing. This month’s issue…

food · foodie · hawaii · honolulu · shopping · small business · support local · things to do

Made in Hawaii Festival 2013

ByMalia Yoshioka

Despite the crowds, ridiculous parking fee, and the fact that I spend more than I budget every time, I love the Made in Hawaii Festival and I continue to go every year. It’s a chance to support local small businesses and to see what’s new from around the state. This year there were more vendors…

art · destinations · New York City · things to do · travel · travel planning · travel tips

Visiting Rain Room at the MoMA

ByMalia Yoshioka

You might say I’m crazy. I just waited over three hours – in the rain – to stand in a room full of artificial rain for all of ten minutes. Oh, the irony. Sweet, sweet irony. Was it worth it? I have to say that it was. But not for the reasons I thought. I…

food · foodie · garden · healthy · support local

Cheers to Good Health!

ByMalia Yoshioka

After the glorious excess that was Birth Month, I’m finding a need to gain some balance back into my life, especially in my eating habits. I won’t lie, April was a month with some truly amazing meals shared with some of my nearest and dearest, many of which I still need to post. Starting with…