At a Loss...

    ...for words.

When this blog was started back in April of 2004, Hawaii's food blogosphere was a lot smaller.  There were probably just three of us around at that time -- Larry (The Free Range Gourmet), Chika (She Who Eats - formerly of the Big Island and now in Japan) and myself.  Since these early beginnings, it was my intention to bring a small taste of Hawaii to the rest of the world by presenting the wide array of ethnic cuisines found here.

A little more than a year ago, my day job (the real one!) became all consuming, leaving little time for me to indulge in this passion of mine.  More recently, I find myself with so much to say, but with no way to put those words into print.  With more time on my hands than I have had in the past, it seems as though my thoughts and words have dried up.  Somewhere a long the line my passion had died.  In short, I feel like I may have lost my "appetite". 

These days, you will find quite a number of food bloggers writing about Hawaii and the 'onolicious food found here.  Here are a few:

Scott at A Sybarite in Paradise,
James at Big Island Grinds,
Da Weekend Foodie,
Larry at The Free Range Gourmet,
Alan at ma'ona,
Jupiter at NattoKun,
Anuhea at The Cuis-Zine,
Kathy at A Passion for Food,
Ty at The KCC Foodie,
Pomai at The Tasty Island,
Pia at Lunch Time Grinds,
Sonia at Sonia Tastes Hawaii,
Jenny at Journeys of a Foodnista,
Pikko at Adventures in Bentomaking,
Dale at LocoKineGrindz,
Jacob at Food is Cheap,
and Cheap Places to Eat in Oahu Hawaii

Oh, and there is no way that I could forget my friend Gail over at Hawaii Diner.

Thank you to all of you that have visited this site in the past.  Your support of me, and this site, has been overwhelming.  For those of you that discover this site from the time of this posting, please feel free to look around and leave a comment or two.  As always, please give Hawaii's food bloggers your support. 

I hope to be back soon.

8/16: Thank you all for the comments and emails.  I cannot thank you all enough for your support of both me and this site.

Comments

[Kirk]

Hi Reid - I hope you find your muse! I still check faithfully everyday.....after it was you who encouraged and inspired me to start blogging!

[spotty]

Thanks for all of the good reads and good eats! Enjoy, and hope to see you back some time.

[James Rubio]

Reid, I think I can relate with you. When I first started blogging, I was so excited to post about what I ate as soon as I get home. Taking photos of food in a discreet ninja way in a crowded restaurant was a big rush.

Now, it's hard for me to bring back that fresh excitement of food blogging for me... I blame it on my work. But even when I do have time it's not the same.

I'm hoping this is just a phase for me, and especially for you. Without your blog I don't think I would be blogging myself. You inspired so many people. So keep grinding!

Thanks for sharing this. The weird thing is that I was going to post something similar, but never had the guts. I just wish I knew where the passion went...

[KarinGal]

Oh no! I just moved here last month and was so excited to find your blog...it's like Cliff's Notes for Hawaii dining. Well, thank you for the links and I hope you find your voice -- and your appetite for all things wonderful here in paradise -- once again very soon.

[Scott]

Hey, we all need a break. Post when you can.

Thanks for the plug! Boy has my hit count gone up.

[babe_kl]

awwww reid, this is just too bad :( hope you'll find your "appetite" back

[ms]

I really enjoyed it while it lasted! Thanks sooooo much. I'm sad you'll be stopping.

[mochi mochi]

Oh Reid, good luck to you and thank you for all the hours of *drooling* over your photos and tasting all your words. You are a true communicator. You have introduced the world to the best in blogging and encouraged thousands to emulate you. Take care, enjoy and hope to see you back one day. Mahalo

[keona]

O ..O This is not a Sayonara post is it???? :( I have always enjoyed your posts and trips and plan to visit a lot of the restaurants you frequent on my next trip to Hawaii. Do you by any chance have a list of those restaurants and the Island they are on, on your site anywhere???
Thanks.

[Molly]

Sorry to see you go (forever?); your blog was one of the ones I looked forward to. I hope you still have many happy eating adventures (even if they are un-documented).

[coco]

aww.. this was my all-time favorite food blog :( i love how everything is sorted into sections and theres a nifty little search engine too! i hope you come back soon

[Gail]

A hui ho, Reid. I hope to see you back soon. It is I who must thank you, in more than equal measure, for your generous support since we launched. May all of your meals be interesting, if not delicious!

[blu_hi]

I'm sad that your blog will stop - at least for now! I find your commentaries to be one of the best, most honest and straightforward, and your tastes are definitely similar to my palate! I've enjoyed your blog for about 2 years now - take care and hope you come back!

[Kathy]

Hey Reid!
I don't know what to say...except that I will miss your posts dearly! Your blog was the first food blog I've read religiously, and is one that I (and I bet a ton others!) could only aspire to be :) I've read your blog for a good year (telling everyone I knew that they just "have to visit Ono Kine Grindz' site!" ) before getting the guts to start up my own. I'm happy to hear that you "hope to be back soon" - cause I know I'll miss reading on your updates. Till then, eat well! :)

[RONW]

you've done well, Reid.

[lauren]

Hi, I hope you change your mind... one possible solution is to find a couple of other folks you like and that also enjoy food writing and dev. this site into a group blog.

with others to bounce your ideas off of and to take up the pressure of writing and updating content you may give yourself time to find your passion again!

hope you reconsider.
-Lauren

[jenny]

I sincerely hope this is see you later rather than farewell! This blog is the first I have found, and remains my go-to food blog! I will still visit everyday in hopes of seeing more posts from you. In fact, your inspiration has pushed me to start my own blog. :)

[Cassaendra]

Sad to read that you will no longer be continuing this amazing blog.

Your descriptions and wonderful food-tography were really entertaining and something I looked forward to reading at work during lunch. :) I especially looked forward to your entries from your travels around the world.

Take care, and hope to see the food blog itch return.

[Sahaira]

Hey, long time reader first time poster :) I found your site while looking for a recipe for Pho, and I've been hooked ever since! I've spent many long hours reading your archives, hoping to someday visit Hawai'i just to try some of the places you've been to! Too bad Iowa is so far away :P At least we still have archives to read. Thanks for getting me through so many boring days, Reid!

[Kat]

Hi Reid! Thank you for all the years of great posts! I will continually check your blog for restauarant recommendations because truthfully you probably visited more places than I'll ever get to! Take time and enjoy life!

[brian]

hi reid,
i'm a california native but try to make it to the islands as often as my budget and vacation time allow (usually at least once a year) and i always check your site for great places to eat when i visit. i know how tough it is to keep up with the blogging. i hope you get your desire back some day. you have a real talent for this!

[Fran]

I've enjoyed your blog and your great photos Reid. Enjoy your time "not" blogging!

[Cathy]

Hi Reid - I think that is sort of a natural progression in blogging, but I hope you'll hang on to the blog for those times when you are moved to post a beautiful photo or say a few words. I'll be watching and waiting!

[daweekendfoodie]

Reid...you will always be the one and original. Thanks for being the inspiration for us all. Many a night has been spent eating dinner in front of the computer while reading your posts and trying to decide if that restaurant would be good to go to next. Hope "soon" is not that long...enjoy your break!

[joo]

dear reid,
thank you for all your hard work and dedication to this site. your reviews have caused many eating binges and added many pounds.

may you find peace and happiness in all your future endeavors.