Ask the Super Bowl XLIII champion Pittsburgh Steelers, the Hawaii State Legislature's Democratic majority or that tipsy guy at your neighborhood bar who thinks its okay to get punchy when he's sitting at a table with friends, and they'll agree: There's strength in numbers.
ONE MIGHT think Nadya Yamasaki is crazy for opening a new bar as Hawaii's economy faces its biggest challenges in more than 15 years. But more than a decade of experience selling alcohol taught her an important lesson, which led to the opening of Kanpai Bar and Grill on Sept. 12.
GOING OUT for a meal is one of life's pleasures, yet typically among the first "nice-to-haves" that disappear when money is tight. With many downsizing their dining budgets, visits to spots like Mitch's Fish Market and Alan Wong's have been replaced by take-out sushi and $6 Subway sandwiches.