I’ve heard of this in passing but never understood anything about it.
Since the recent unveiling of the 2007 MINIs (aka. R56) MINI has created a few mini movies titled Hammer and Coop. It resembles a parody of the hit television series Knight Rider in which Detective Michael Knight solves crimes with his sidekick, a black Trans AM named K.I.T.T. (Knight Industries Two Thousand).
With many “co-pilot” requested pit-stops along the way, we managed to cover some 300 miles of Oahu roads in 6-hours, Kahu’s first around the island drive.
Early in our cruise Kahu found his first “twisty” experience near Hanauma Bay, and I quickly realized the negative effect of the hard run-flat tires. My dealership upgraded the standard rim and tire package to 16″ R32s with the run-flat tires. Although useful if I had purchased the Cooper S, which doesn’t come equipped with a spare tire, my Cooper with the run-flat option AND additional spare set doesn’t make sense. The run-flat tires have a harder sidewall which prevents tire collapse should the inner air-tube become compromised, but it also prevents the sidewall from flexing during high cornering loads, meaning reduced traction. None-the-less, it was still fun pushing the corners at speeds in slight-excess of the posted limit 
Once we got through the traffic-heavy Waimanalo, Kahu got his first taste of an open-road-experience … well more like an appetizer. Burdened by traffic once again, we made our way into Kaneohe to our first pit-stop, Valley of the Temples graveyard for our annual Christmas visit to my grandparents.
Continuing our Motoring experience we made our way to Chinaman’s Hat via the coastal drive of Kahalu’u. Since the first day of ownership I’ve always felt like a GIANT standing next to my MINI, so we decided to perpetuate this fantasy by taking some distance-enhanced pictures next to Chinaman’s Hat.
Continuing our coastal drive we Motor On into Kahuku for our next pit-stop, the infamous Giovanni Shrip Van. Located directly across of Kahuku High School, literally on the side of the road, this is a favorite with both locals as well as a must-have for tourists. At $12 a plate, this isn’t a place Rachael Ray would be featuring on her $40 a Day Show, but it worth the drive, crowd, wait and flies. My first visit to Giovanni’s a few years ago I made the rookie mistake of offering to pickup a plate for friends and family. Not only was the order request overwhelming but my wallet felt the pinch too. Since that learning-experience I have made a self-imposed rule … if you’re not making the drive with me, you ain’t getting a plate.
With a stomach full of garlic shrimp we made our way through weekend beach traffic at Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay … choppy and blown-out … into Hale’iwa Town. With luck on our side we were anticipating a nice cold shaved-ice from another local and tourist favorite, Matsumoto’s Shave-Ice … no such luck. Parking was non-existent and the line into the store was snaking it’s way around the adjacent parking lot. Decided to pass-up the shave-ice and decided on juicy pineapples at Dole Plantation instead.
Into Wahiawa we go and another open-road experience for Kahu to stretch his legs a little.
Back in 1877 Jim Dole came to Hawaii with $1,500 in his pocket and purchased 61-acres of land in Wahiawa to begin what is now known as Dole Plantation. After a big meal, a few slices of pineapples will help your body’s digestive process. I learned this while on the Pineapple Express, a educational train ride that runs though the Plantation property.
One last stop … Kahu meet Kahu.
11;30pm – 15 hours since my Saturday began – the day is finally over.
