Weather in Hawaii is pretty awesome. And when I say “pretty awesome,” I mean gray, wet, and rainy. This is a view of Koko Head crater, which is thankfully dormant for the last 10,000 years.

What do you do when it’s gray/wet/rainy? I choose to eat tasty morsels of raw fish, i.e “poke.” Here’s a 1/2 lb. of Ahi Poke w/ Limu (seaweed), and Tako Poke w/ Limu (Octopus w/ seaweed).

Homemade food is always the best, period. Moms came through on this one with her homemade gyoza. Nice and crispy out of the pot, with homemade pork filling. Supposedly the gyoza wrappers are air flown from Japan, but I think she might have been embellishing. I think I ate this whole plate.

She also made some bomb Ajitsuke Fried Chicken. Marinated on the inside, crispy on the outside. I’ll take this over Roscoe’s any day.

Unfortunately, she doesn’t make collard greens. She does make some tasty sushi rice. Leftovers of this stuff with some seaweed makes for some awesome onigiri.

I’m not really a cream puff fan (nor a dessert guy), but I was impressed moreso by the presentation of this one. My mom brought home some of these cream puffs from La Palme D’Or, and it was packaged with a gel ice pack. For some reason this impressed me, I always wondered why the guy at the Chinese Food & Donuts guy never hooks me up the same way. Small details go a long way.

On Christmas Eve, went with the family to a dinner at 3660 On The Rise. That night they had a buffet, which included an oyster bar. All you can eat + oysters = looking like a glutton in line.

They also had a made-to-order poke station, which I again ate as much as possible of. I think that was the most healthy I’ve ever eaten at a buffet. Didn’t bother to eat anything from the “hot” line.

Okay okay, enough about food (since I guess some haters could care less about what I eat). As usual, I always stop by and visit my homeboy Sean @ Munkywurks, a local Hawaii tuning + install shop. I always admire my Hawaii brethren who run shops across an entire ocean from the Import Mecca (i.e Socal). That’s a whole other post, but pure logistics makes it pretty difficult for Hawaii shops to compete against mainland-based shops. In addition, a lot of Hawaii customers (along with the majority of customers in our industry), are unfortunately always wallet driven, which makes them less loyal to the shops down their street. Long story short, support local small business when possible!

Twas a bit dark, but I always am enjoy checking out his 86. Just like cream puffs, the often overlooked details go a long way. I’m so used to seeing busted ass Corollas, so when you see one done right, it always makes you have hope in the U.S scene.

While I was here, I got working on a R/C replica of Dom’s S15. Oh wait, my bust, this is an old Integra R/C from 10+ years ago. LOL. If you’re wondering why it’s low down, but with sunk ass wheels, it’s cause originally I bought this as a Tamiya ready to run EG Civic kit. The Integra body was something I got started on, then kinda lost interest in R/C cars. What’s even worse is that this is ELECTRIC, not gas. So embarassing, but I love going through old stuff and finding some pieces of nostalgia.

For all the old school heads, here’s one that sums up the Hawaii weather at the moment. This is some real music from the soul, courtesy of The Dramatics. I wish everyone a happy holidays, and please party safely while ringing in the new year.

I must apologize for myself to those who look to this website for photos, news, excitement or inspiration. I fear that the following does not provide any of the aforementioned.

I was speaking to Stephen of Alpinestars at PRI when he said something that struck a chord within me. He said that he believes it is difficult to make a career out of the thing you’re most passionate about. All of the things you experience by being behind the scenes can often cause you to lose interest or even grow a distaste for it. Instead, it could be more prudent to have some amount of interest in what you do, but not so much that the politics or negative attributes cause friction and, ultimately, a divide between yourself and your passion.

Truth be told, some part of me had been thinking that before he said it aloud, but I didn’t want to admit to myself that I agreed. I had always been a firm believer that you should be immensely passionate about what you do as a career. Not only because you’re better at something when you’re interested in it, but also because you spend a significant portion of your life doing it. So, to be unhappy with it would imply that a good amount of your life was being spent unhappy. It was because of my belief in this notion that I pursued a career in this industry. It was because of my love for cars, but I’ll be honest and admit that it’s taken it’s toll upon me.

The truth is that I cannot help but contemplate what Stephen said to me that day. I envy those who can make a career out of what they’re passionate about, but perhaps it’s only the truly lucky that succeed in doing so. There are always aspects to things you may not like. To think otherwise would be naive. And I suppose that there are those who can look past undesired elements of working within their passion, but there also exist those who simply cannot. In the end, I’m left with more questions than answers. What I do know is that deep within me I still have a passion for cars, racing and true motorsports. What I do not, is how that fits into my career choice.

Stephen left me that day with a quote which he said was unrelated, but strangely made a lot of sense. I leave you all with the quote as well, for this shall be my last post of 2007 and beyond. “There is always someone that doesn’t want to be with the most beautiful girl in the world, and it’s the guy married to her.”

Believe it or not, Craftsquare didn’t produce mirrors for the EVO 9. However, they were kind enough to begin production for North America upon our request.

Here’s the first and only sample set that just arrived today. Comes standard in black. I just hope they begin producing these for the X, STi and GTR soon. Let the copying begin!

For those going to Tokyo Auto Salon in January of 2008, Kyoho always hosts a private exhibition at the Hotel New Otani Makuhari (Shell Room) on 01/11/2008 Friday only. It is invite only so any dealers/media interested in attending, email me at kent[at]brand-endless.com

Sample sticker for the TM-02 packaging arrived.. The first sample set for the S15 arrives early January in Gun Black and Hyper Silver.

There are still people out there that’ll ask strange questions like, “Why do the 17″ Advans produced by Enkei cost $400 more than a 20″ chrome Enkei wheel?” Because one is produced from Enkei Japan and the other is stateside Enkei’s way of cashing in. I ain’t hatin’. Here’s a list of some of the products that Enkei Japan produces for others..in Japan.

1) Yokohama Advan Series
2) Yokohama Tire AVS Series
3) OZ Superturismo GT-EVO
4) Lorinser (Lorinser S-Class w/ Lorinser RSK 6 pictured first above)
5) AC Schnitzer (AC Schnitzer GP 3.10 w/ AC Schnitzer Racing Type VI pictured second above)
6) Takechi Project Hart Series
7) G-Corporation High-End Series (2PC., 3PC.)
8) Crimson Racing Sparco NS06 Cheetah (no association to Sparco Italy)
9) Lineasport (Crimson Co., Ltd.)
10) Myrtle Louis (Crimson Co., Ltd.)
11) Fabolous Genesis
12) Motorsports IRS
13) easyRiders TMW
14) easyRiders Tecnocast

This is for the style-conscious wheel connossieurs that prefer that high-quality, multi-piece wheel. Especially those with generously polished lips. You have to clean your wheels often and your environment will usually constitute how often. With AME wheels, specifically, they all have a clear coat over the entire wheel to protect the metal. However, by not protecting the clear coat, chemicals can eat through it and ultimately damage the metal surface causing undesirable staining, blotchiness or fogging to occur. This usually occurs from a substance that is either too alkaline or too acidic and can range from using astringent wheel cleaners, liquid chemicals used in sprinkler systems, foreign substances that splash during driving and even rain in some cases, but not limited to. When cleaning, always clean and dry with a non-abrasive soft cloth and rinse when cool with clean water. If using a wheel cleaner, be very careful in choosing one that isn’t too acidic. Dish washing soap generally isn’t bad since it’s not too harsh and intended to come in contact with your hands. AME performs litmus pH tests on claims that come from customers and the majority of the time it’s evident that a foreign substance either too alkaline or too acidic has come into contact with the surface for too long. Japanese wheels are like girls. They’re sensitive and you have to take care of them. Take care of them and they’ll take care of you.

Tom from Eneos E-mailed me after reading about how much I admired their model from PRI. Turns out their model was none other than Miss Tianna Ta.

Although the MAT process is a primary element of the complete Enkei wheel making process, explaining the total wheel-forming process and the objectives for each step will produce a much more clear picture.

The MAT process is only applied to produce the rim/barrel portion of the wheel. This is significant because up to 80% of the stress occurs towards the outermost portion of the barrel. (Imagine a plastic cup. The bottom of the cup represents the face of a wheel. The top of the cup represents the outermost portion of the barrel. Now put the cup on its side and imagine where most of the tension would occur.) MAT essentially is an Enkei proprietary method of Flow Forming, but on a different level and currently performed only in Hamamatsu (for the aftermarket sector). Most manufacturers using the flow-forming (aka spun-forged, rim-rolling) method utilize a Low Pressure (LP) type of casting combined with the flow-forming process. Enkei’s MAT process differs in that 1) It utilizes an improved, Enkei proprietary method of Gravity Die Casting (GDC) (which has been coined GDC+MAP) combined with 2) the MAT flow-forming process that undergoes a series of precision constructive phases that improve the mechanical properties of the material. Standard flow-forming does not effectively alter the molecular micro structure.

Why Gravity Die Cast (GDC) instead of Low Pressure (LP) Cast?
Low Pressure casting injects aluminum into the mold from the face first and fills up the remaining rim/barrel portion of the wheel afterwards. This allows the face of the wheel to become strong by hardening first. However, it does not allow the rim/barrel portion of the wheel (the most crucial area) to be as strong because it has less time to harden. Hence, the most important area of the wheel is weaker.

In contrast, Gravity Die Cast allows for aluminum to be poured in from the rim/barrel portion of the wheel slowly filling it up and hardening first, ultimately creating a strong rim/barrel.

What is Gravity Die Cast (GDC) + MAP?
It is Enkei’s proprietary version of the standard GDC process combined with other processes dubbed MAP. First of all, Enkei uses A357 aluminum ingots combined with a special blended material to further increase the strength and life of the aluminum. Before being poured into the mold, the temperature is increased to xxx degrees. When pouring, Enkei uses a tilt method with precise angle and consistent rotation to decrease air bubble formation and increase overall balance. After the pouring, temperatures is decreased to xxx degrees for cooling. However, this occurs much quicker than standard casting processes allowing for a more balanced material content. Specific positioning and releasing of “pin mechanisms” enable this advanced cooling technology. Imagine sugar water and how the content between the top and bottom can easily differ. Basically, the quicker the better. The temperature is then increased back up to xxx degrees and then quickly dropped to xx degrees for the final cool off process. This helps to evenly spread out the silicone content throughout the material.

The levels of speed and the automated time and temperature management processes are highly advanced.

Finally, the MAT process is employed. A portion of the rim/barrel is cut off leaving behind only stubs. These stubs then forego the MAT process improving the micro structure of the aluminum creating a “Metal Flow” resulting in a stronger and more rigid rim/barrel. Imagine that this “Metal Flow” represents the material with a web/thread/weave-like linear flow creating an environment difficult for an impact to fracture, tear, split or sever the material. The complex GDC+MAP combined with the MAT process helps improve the wheel structure greatly. This is why AME specifically chose Enkei to produce the new TM-02 wheel debuting soon.

They did it! The ugly Z did it!

The Endless ST.1 Z33 took 1st again at Round 6: Sugo. Even with one more round left in the series, the Endless Z33 is so far ahead in points that no matter what happens at Round 7, they’ve secured the Championship.

Many congratulations to the team. Pretty damn badass. Just wait till they do it next year with the new GTR..

People need to stop running smoked lights/lenses. My reasoning you ask? Cause there is no good reason for doing it. I hate to sound like my mom, but smoking the lenses poses a safety hazard to yourself and those around you. I see this on a daily basis (here in Socal), on EVERY kind of car, from piles to pieces. In addition, the whole “black out everything” theme was only cool when Michael Knight did it. It doesn’t make your car look good. Just leave your lights ALONE. Leave the “stealth” look to the U.S military. Yep, don’t look so shocked, I can still see you. It takes very little effort to just take a car and make everything black from the wheels to the lights. Try harder, use color combinations to create a theme, rather than saying to the world that you’re from Snoozetown.

My ever growing obsession with Muse has led me to learn that they covered Nina Simone’s “Feeling good.” Love it.

For those of you that don’t know, Nina Simone’s music forever changed the face of R&B, jazz and folk, which ultimately influenced Hip Hop and even Rock in this case. She was the preistess of soul in addition to being a civil rights activist. Still drawing a blank?

Try this. True Hip Hop heads will immediately recognize.

Real Hip Hop. Not the packaged and homogenized Hip POP you get on the radio these days..

Benson IM’d Logan.

SileightyM****: hey, spam musubi, i talked to pancit dominic.  we both agree that you are lonely.