I recall years ago someone on here offering a pinball tech a place to stay in Hawaii (not sure which island) free of charge if they came out and fixed his games. I'm not sure if those games were location or home use.

Even if no pinball enjoy Hawaii, what an amazing place!

I think I would just forget about pinball for a week or two and enjoy the island.

Couldn’t agree more. I’ve been there several times. Oahu, Maui, big island. As much as I love pinball, if I saw a machine I’d probably just point and say “oh look, a pinball machine” and just keep moving along. There’s way too much to see and enjoy. Hope you have a great trip @toddsolus!

Every vacation should involve looking for pinball on the road!

When I was there in 2019 Lucky Strike on the top floor of Ala Moana had 3 or 4 pins. Don't know if they still do. It is kind of like a Dave and Busters. Speaking of which, I think there are a couple of Dave and Busters there, maybe they have some pinball?

I’ll admit to doing a quick search whenever I drive anywhere over an hour. You know. just in case.

Yes, Kauai

There is a Hawaii thread here somewhere… I’ll see if I can find it.

Thread is 9 years old but some posts within the last year https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pins-in-hawaii

I’ve been fortunate enough to go to hawaii a bit and I’d agree looking for a pin is usually the last thing on my mind… but the jet lag can be pretty bad and it takes a couple of days to adjust… if the place was open early I’d probably spend a couple of hours there in the early mornings as I usually just end up walking the strip in Waikiki when I can’t sleep but once that suns up… I’d be out of there

I have had a few customers from Hawaii, not many thou.

I was on Oahu 3 years ago and there were a handful of games in hotels and restaurants in Honolulu. I didn’t see a barcade, just a game or 2 here and there.
It would be the perfect island for a barcade. Oahu is a popular destination for families and there will be plenty of foot traffic all year.

Just thinking about it makes me want to go back. It’s by far the nicest place I’ve ever been.

I spent a nice chunk of time on Oahu this year. Not much pinball around. The best place I found was 'The Hangar', but it's on an Army Base, so off limits for most. I think if you had a spot in Waikiki, it could do well because of the amount of food traffic. I would certainly go.

My recommend would be to find a space next to the Cheesecake Factory. The line to get in to that place is always absurd. I really don't know why people are lining up for their mediocre microwaved food, but without fail, it's always got the biggest crowd.

The cheesecake is good though, I like key lime anything and it does have something for everyone… when we go to Waikiki we usually go once to pick up cheesecake and take it back to our condo to eat and watch the fireworks from the roof.

The biggest racket in Waikiki is that breakfast place right on the main drag, went there the last time we were there… view is awesome but the food was your average greasy spoon, can’t really screw up bacon and eggs. There is a place around the corner for half the price that is just as good and no line, just no view.

Edit: oh… agree a place next to Cheesecake factory would do well anywhere on that strip would do well… rent would be crazy you’d think though maybe the big mall would be cheaper.

Denny’s?

Eggs’n’Things on Kalakaua is the place that always has the long line and the other place I don’t remember the name to they are usually handing flyers out in front of Eggs’n’Things.

Rent on that strip is nutty.

My friend and I were going to open a place there. So glad we didn’t, covid would have wrecked us. We did find a place closer to the college.

You opening a spot on Oahu?

Not currently, need another trip to lure me back in.
I think the potential is high.

Been to Maui 4 times last 5 years, only found 1 pin, at a mancave store. Acdc, he did let me play a few games tho!!

Pdxmonkey toddsolus I moved to oahu about a month ago. Came across this thread because I was going to start one up about trying to connect with anyone else here who is into, operates, or has pins to try to cultivate more of a scene (I was in Los Angeles until December of last year and I'm in serious pin withdrawal). I would gladly dump many dollars into any barcade you open and help out to drum up interest in the community.

Since this thread is pretty recent, I'll see if we can't keep the dialogue going to connect pinheads here to start playing together, even if only on the machines already here.

I met Billygrippo a couple weeks ago at Jerry's Pizza Mill, so that's at least two of us kicking around. Gonna tag any other users listed as on the island. Hell, I'll tag anyone listed in Hawaii because maybe we could meet up at brewery in Kauai with the most pins in the state (7) for a tournament and send someone to the IFPA nationals!

bluehens
achase
carrsensei
PinballHiro
Jags
MattFlaco
pgfesq
Whirlwinder
Kahanaohana
Thestrangebrewer
speyerk001
KonaPinball
garykahn
zhu808
HI-TZ

Looks like a lot of these accounts are inactive. If you know other people on the islands, tag em.

So, who wants to meet up for some games?

I’ll be there in the winter for a visit.

Got a buddy outside Kapolei, couple on Maui too. But zero pins between all of them so not much help.

Scouting potential locations?

Rock Island Cafe located at 1911 Kalakaua Ave had a Wizard of Oz the last time I went (feb 2020).

rock_island_cafe_kalakauan (resized).jpg

Sounds good. I've been hearing the big island has the best diving in the state (and some say among the best in the world) so it's already on my short list for a visit. PinballMap only shows a single machine on location. Are there others?

I've been here a few times. Machine has some issues including castle door that won't open. I left a note with the staff for whoever operates the machine, though don't know if it's been fixed up. Assume the code could use an update, as well.

Tagging some more folks from the map

pinbach
chuck96740
Selion
bp_se7en
Radam
88Fingers
ZolaWiseyLamps
johnleblanc
Gogowanda
kbinsted
ZoomRiver
DaKineGamer

I played a Creature at a store around Kona a few years back ( yes I know thats not Oahu)...

If i can remember where I will post it.

It played nice...

I seem to remember it was round the Tommy Bahama Restaurant there wherever that is... in the same complex.

I remember this because I hate Tommy Bahama but had a few afternoon drinks there.

Nice. Do you know anyone else on the island with a collection?

There used to be a massive arcade in Oahu, Cosmic Fantasy. I'm not sure when it closed, but here's some 1992 video that features pinball, as well as Sega's R360 cabinet for G-LOC.

Pretty sweet name

Recent stops around the island. Anyone else playing here?

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IMG_20210707_212051 (resized).jpg

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Many thanks to Wally69 for hosting a tournament last night and to everybody who came out.

FYI, there's a Mandalorian Pro at Barbers Point Bowling Center. Trying to find out who the operator is.

Howzit! I'm way late to this Hawaii thread... I'm the last one on the list, "HI-TZ" (Hawaii-Twilight Zone). Sorry, I don't login as much as I should. I bought a decent TZ about a year, year and half ago. It had some issues but nothing major -- can't be too picky on an island! I uploaded some pics below. I'm not a pinhead or collector, just bought it for our teen boys. I'm very happy with the machine so far. It has so many features that can be customized. The game never gets old. Reach out any time. I'll try to login in more often. :-0. Laters!

HI-TZ Pin1 (resized).jpg

HI-TZ Pin2 (resized).jpg

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HI-TZ Pin4 (resized).jpg

good to hear from you HI-TZ and congrats on the great pickup - nice find for and island! Shoot me a message if you want to get a heads up about the next local get-together. Some of the guys are pretty handy with pins, so maybe they could help you out if there are any lingering issues on your TZ

Aloha @bluberryjohnson, Did you visit, and we talk about a tournament at the brewery recently? Otherwise, I never got a message if you sent me one. I don't check here too often, but I thought it sends an email if I get a message.

I run the brewery on Kauai (Kauai Island Brewing Co). I'm having a problem with Addams Family, that I'm not able to fix, Also got an issue with Indiana Jones and Wizard of Oz. I might be able to fix WOZ, but the other 2 are beyond my skill level.

You mentioned there's some people around that know about fixing machines? If they ever make it to Kauai, Please have them get in touch with me.

Or if you make it out here- say Hi. Might be able to join you for a beer and a game.

Hi Thestrangebrewer I made it by in early September but only for about a half hour and didn't connect with you in person. I'll ask the couple guys I know here if they ever make it over to your island.

The bar “top of the hill” in kaimuki went down, so I was researching the rent. Couldn’t figure out the rent on it, but a place down the street about the same size, was 8k/month….ouch!