R&D

THIS PLACE IS CLOSED NOW. SAD… but they had a great run! It was only meant to be a 1 year test project and it went on for 2. Go over to Morning Glass in Manoa for the same great brewskies.

The Morning Glass Coffee peeps and the drinks and sandwiches they serve up are wonderful. They are genuinely friendly and kind.
On the other hand I came into contact with a petite asian woman who seemed to have some sort of leadership role with the place. She exchanged words with me and she was extremely rude and unkind. You know, there is a way to talk to paying customers and the shrillness of her tone and unpleasant disposition is not the way.
Too pretentious anyway. Taking my $ elsewhere!

I went here for the first time today and had an amazing experience.
Upon entering, there’s a spacious display of various merchandise like food magazines, washi tape, notebooks for Evernote, cookbooks, city guides (Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Sydney, and so on), cute mini animal page sticky notes, and many more items. The store has a feeling of an artsy café and reminds me of Berkeley.
We were greeted by a very nice Barista at the counter. Ordered a cup of the house coffee/​coffee of the day with their organic almond milk, which I learned from the knowledgeable barista, it naturally separates while mixing. It was delicious.
The coffee was of a very high quality premium drip and was über smooth. The table area was spacious and comfy. Food is served starting at 9:30am which I’ll need to try next time as I was only in the area for a short time due to an appointment.
They have excellent music taste as well. I would definitely come back to study here, as the atmosphere is very supportive of getting work done and they have plenty of outlets near the wall.

Yes, a coffee spot with personality and swag. R&D was suggested to me because of their Stumptown coffee beans, and me being fresh from the NW was very excited about this. :) And when the coffee is strong and good, there is no need for fancy toppings, syrups, and additions. R&D provides deliciously brewed coffee… the way it’s supposed to be.
The Kakaako location is smaller than Manoa, but offers freshly made breakfast sandwiches (come early!) and scones. I’ve devoured the bacon, egg, arugula breakfast sandwich on ciabatta and it went down nicely in 5 minutes (they put some kind of sweet jelly, which makes it!).
After ordering have a seat and enjoy their free wifi, library, and art. This is a great spot and a must-​visit!

I wish I had more time off during the day to come here to enjoy the quietness, open space, and free wi-​fi. Love the fact that Morning Glass is their coffee provider especially since they serve Stumptown coffee. My favorite beverage is their iced vanilla latte which is so smooth and savory. They also make their own vanilla syrup. While your there take a second from your studys or focusing on facebook to stretch your legs, and rest your eyeballs. They have a great selection of unique books and specialty magazines that you might find interesting.

R&D is a local experiment by Interisland Terminal (
) meant to be a productive space for the modern creative.
Since 2011, the space has become a cornerstone of the rapidly developing Kaka’ako and is one of the places to be when it comes to surrounding yourself with the indie movers and shakers of Oahu’s art and tech scene. R&D is also know as a venue that hosts art galleries, pop-​up shops & film screenings.
I’ve personally worked out of the place for months and it accommodates my needs as someone working in this digital era. There’s free wi-​fi, delicious coffee & teas and an ever revolving crowd of artists & business folk. It’s also located in a nice middle ground between the downtown business world and the night life of Waikiki, which is ideal for the people who already frequent this spot.
Other than a chill work space, I very much enjoy holding meetings here because of the atmosphere. It’s less hectic than a Starbucks, but more energetic than a library. It’s a happy medium that the community (myself included) has embraced.
This Indie Go Go video pretty much sums up R&D (
).
If you like surrounding yourself with people who get things done, R&D is a great spot to frequent.

I love art. There’s something about an artist’s ability to express themselves through various mediums that inspires me; I love that there’s no right or wrong answer & how art can have a different interpretation for everyone viewing each piece.
I’m not always able to make my way to Kaka’ako, but I love following the local businesses in the area, who help make it a great community; I follow Interisland Terminal on Twitter & was thrilled to learn about Dana Paresa’s «Uncontrollable Urge» New Works Exhibit. Thank goodness for Interisland Terminal’s tweets which gently reminded me Dana’s exhibit was coming to an end.
As soon as, I read Matthew Dekneef’s «Crazy For You» article in the Honolulu Weekly, I knew I had to witness this exhibit for myself & I’m happy I was able to view Dana’s new works exhibit before it closed (the last day to view her artwork is THIS Friday (06.07.13). I was immediately attracted to the fact that Dana wasn’t afraid to portray individuals with social disorders, because sometimes, I feel like I’m «crazy.» I have some peculiar habits: I triple check to make sure my phone, wallet & keys are in my purse before leaving the house, I have a strange obsession with organizing sugar packets & whenever I make a knot, I always tie it three times.
Thank you Dana for creating black & white ink drawings of people with psychological disorders & helping me feel less «crazy.» Your «Uncontrollable Urge» New Works Exhibit was a breath of fresh air & made me realize, it’s okay to have semi-​OCD habits, because my quirky tendencies remind me I don’t have to be «perfect.»
If you’re in the mood for art & culture, check out Dana Paresa’s «Uncontrollable Urge» New Works Exhibit held exclusively at Interisland Terminal. «Uncontrollable Urge» is viewable to the public from Friday (05.10) — Friday (06.07.13).

I spent most of the day working here today and I have only positive things to say. Stumptown Coffee was great. The Caramel lattes came highly recommended by a new friend. She’s been known to buy one and go over to Starbucks to study with friends. I have to say, mine lived up to the hype. However, R&D is a great place to work. It’s quiet, lots of tables, easy access to coffee, plenty of outlets, free wifi, chill staff and patrons. They also have a neat selection of coffee table books and cookbooks as you enter the shop. I’m thinking I’ll be back to work a bit tomorrow morning before my meetings.
Also — I saw lots of people there with outside food and even drinks. No one with Starbucks coffee though.

Had the privilege to come to R&D during Hawaii’s Cocktail week to sit in on a Crème Yvette mixer sampler event. The space is minimalist — bookstore up front, coffee in the back. Clean lines and relaxed atmosphere.
They also regularly participate in Honolulu’s Night Market, so there are chances to peruse the place after hours!
Would definitely come back to try the coffee.

Great coffee, good people, is the best way to describe this lovely little coffee find in up and coming Kaka’ako! I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to find my way to a place that I can only describe as a home away from home. Coffee shops are a beautiful thing as they exist so that you can whittle away time away from the problems of home and work.
A few fantastic things you’ll find:
+Morning Glass Coffee: Delicious coffee & yummy scones! (strawberry is my pick!)
+Beautiful Books To Devour: For those book collectors who adore a good coffee table book, you will be in mini-​heaven. Not a gigantic assortment, but MAN I want every single food book they’ve got!
+Art In Hidden Places: Right now there’s an earth exhibit that you can pop into for a quick bite of art and this room rotates out exhibits monthly.
In a world where we don’t have much time for the frivolity of creativity and art, R&D serves it up in easily manageable bites you can consume in a flash. Stay for a bit, enjoy the simplicity of the space and you too will find a way to spark your inner creative muse.

The most amazing coffee you can get in the area. Starbucks and the like are pretty much sewage in comparison.
More importantly; books. Brick and mortar book stores are going the way of the broad-​faced potaroo, and R&D may very well have found a way to keep the romance and affinity of physical books alive and lusty. They curate their book collection with interesting, compelling, intelligent, and mind-​detonating collections of paper that will stimulate any information-​hungry patron of arts and culture.
It’s easy to look at this space, and have a quick affair with their coffee, but look deeper, take it slow, and you’ll feel that slow-​burn, i’ve-been-looking-for-you-all-my-life type of love with their ambitious book collection. How can you not love a place that carries the complete molecular gastronomy collection?
If R&D were a girl, I’d spend months trying to build up the courage to hold her hand for the first time. I’d buy her flowers in secret and leave it at her doorstep. There’s nothing that she could ever do wrong, and I feel like the luckiest guy in the world to sip a cup of coffee and flip through the pages within.
I love you R&D. Please don’t ever leave me.

With Starbucks popping up everywhere, even five within a mile of R&D, true craft and artisan coffee shops are becoming near impossible to find. Thank goodness for R&D for fighting the good fight to bring us freshly made scones and artisan coffees. all for less than Starbucks.
Here’s why you should support R&D and bring your coffee dollars here:
— They have a curated changing menu of coffee beans, from local small batch roasts to internationally sourced flavors and They ALWAYS have Stumptown coffee, some of the best in the country. Each cup is made from freshly ground coffee beans when you order it, crafted for you.
— Both the coffee and scones (which are baked that morning with changing flavors) are from the well-​respected Morning Glass Café in Manoa. These are real homemade-​style scones, not mass produced stone-​hard wannabes.
— There are only 3 possible baristas that work here. All three are awesome and will remember you and make great suggestions or whip you up something based on your tastes.
— It’s a best kept local secret, so there is rarely a line.
— It’s never more expensive than Starbucks.
— R&D is also an awesome bookstore with a curated selection that includes micro-​published and local books, has free wifi and plugs, and is a great place to do a little laptop work or reading. They also host cool screenings and events.
I work on the same block and literally go there everyday and have never been disappointed. The quality, preparation and result delivers coffee with the aromatics and flavors as nuanced as fine wines, which is the way great coffee is meant to be enjoyed.
Do yourself a favor and give R&D a try and if you aren’t impressed and can find me around, I’ll pay for your cup.

Best coffee ever!
The coffee is truly legit and R&D provides a cool albeit hipster place to get some caffeine, browse books, and get work done. I like that you can bring in outside food as well. All in all, no complaints here. Wish thy we’re open more to cruise but eh, all good…

Stumbled upon this place since I was in the area — R&D is a hidden gem! I walked in, and was greeted with a «How’s it going?» from a worker sitting down who blended in with the crowd. That already eased the awkwardness of walking into somewhere you feel like you don’t fit in… She was really nice, and took our order right away. I’m not a huge coffee drinker, but I must say, their coffee was on point! I ordered their Iced Mocha and everything is freshly made.
I hate to compare this place to somewhere like Starbucks, but this is a great alternative with the ‘artsy’ atmosphere (as mentioned in other reviews).

Love the atmosphere and how they’re attracting creative minds to the Kakaako community. I must check this place out during normal business hours since I visited during their screening of the documentary, «Shut up and play the hits».

Funniest shit ever.
So I’m sitting here in R/​D as I type this out and the first thing that I said to myself before coming here was that I wanted to check it out and be all artsy fartsy with my Mac.
After I read Ka’imi L.‘s review, I laughed because he said he felt all indie and shit, which is exactly how I feel right now.
Love this space, I think they were very innovative with how they set it up with the big tables and benches.
The coffee is great then again it’s Morning Glass Coffee… DUH. The barista (the one with the mustache) really went above and beyond to make my first experience at R/​D a memorable and awesome one. They are really knowledgeable about their coffee and methods, which is key to making a great cup of coffee.
I love that they have books, notebooks and magazines that you can’t really get just anywhere. Makes me feel all exclusive and shit.
I think next time I need to bring a pillow for my ass though since the bench is made out of wood.

It’s not an accident every review is praising R&D! It’s everything you want from a creative space… distraction free, cozy, friendly, and to the point.
It’s certainly evident that the events are something to check out! From documentary series to speaking engagements I can only see good things coming out of this endeavor!
… I only wish I would have thought of it first. Aw well… I guess I’ll just have to take part in it instead. (Which is the whole idea.)

Creatives unite!
I’ve found my new haven for quiet time, coffee, and inspiration. (And it isn’t your local SBUX.)
I first heard about R&D when my graphic designer Aunt recommended I try this place. R&D is a hop-​skip-​and-​a-​jump away from my workplace, so on my lunch break I walked a few blocks to find it in the shady area of Kaka’ako.
To my surprise, this place carries Washi Tape! R&D, you rock!
I was able to look at some of their other goods and they carry quite an interesting selection. They had moleskin journals and datebooks, non-​mainstream magazines and books, and other cool stuff.
I had a nice chat with a few of the owners and they were really nice! I loved R&D so much I want to come back with my laptop just to act all cool and indie and shit. Haha, anyway I highly recommend this place instead of going to Starbucks! Haven’t tried their food or drinks but I will definitely check them out when I return!
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PROS: They carry Washi Tape, GREAT vibe/​atmosphere going, breezy
CONS: Sketchy area of Kaka’ako
TIP: Go here instead of Starbucks to study/​work!

A work in progress for progressive works, this café /​meeting place /​exhibition venue is hosted by local multi-​media social & cultural arts co-​operative «Interisland Terminal». The minimalistic décor doesn’t too heavily impact your senses, while the funny, friendly staff infuses you with creative juices — and Morning Glass Coffee too!
I come here for the free wi-​fi, as well as the underground– & understated– celebrity sightings. Plus the surrounding neighbourhood is blowing upp with art in all forms, either in galleries, shops, or even lining the streets! The dry erase tables, small library of books for sale, and wild conversations that ignite out of nowhere, all make for an inspiring environment.
My new favourite soft drink is their Homemade Soda flavoured with Lime & Ginger. And though I’m not a coffee drinker, I’ve taken to sipping on Mochas for my caffeine fix. Today, while waiting as barista Erica mixed my drink, I tipped over to the gallery next door, and got caught upp in a conversation. Not wanting my drink to get too cold, Erica sought me out, and brought my drink over to me. So nice, her.
Check out their site for a schedule of monthly film events and guest artist appearances. Stop by to find local projects like Aloha Friday & Ho Stage zines, or even free copies of the Star Advertiser. Or just show upp to hang out & make things happen. It’s a space free of pretense, with lots of promise & potential!

YAY for Morning Glass selling their goods in Kaka’ako! In addition to their caffeinated beverages, the coffee corner also serves up MG’s signature cookies and scones. Deliciousness abounds. The coffee is tasty and strong as is, but every once in a while, I’m also tempted by the sweet frothiness of an iced latte flavored by Morning Glass’ homemade vanilla syrup (the cinnamon isn’t available at R/​D).
Erica, the barista, is super sweet, and, as Ray L points out, very coffee-​savvy. I love that she’s come over to this location in addition to working the Manoa café.
The bookstore side of R/​D offers a wide variety of foodie literature you’d have difficulty finding anywhere else on island, including everyone’s favorite new food journal, Lucky Peach. A lot of the books are expensive (suggested retail price), but they’re always worth taking a look at.
So what’s not to love about an independent café that serves quality coffee at a decent price, with a smile? The fact that they don’t open on Mondays, that’s what. I mean, I get that Erica needs a day off once in a while, but Monday is the one day out of the week where most of us need the most caffeine.
A welcome addition to my work ‘hood!