May 02 2008
Beat of Hawaii was at the Kauai Museum today for their 28th Annual Lei Day Celebration. I hope you like our pictures of some of the contest winners. It turned out to be a beautiful day of flowers, music, dance and Aloha.
Apr 29 2008
The ancient stones of Mookini Heiau (temple) call to your soul and connect you to a time long ago. Our journey here has not been easy. We encountered potholes in the road as big as the heiau itself. Several cars that followed us in have turned back. We kept going and completed the final mile on foot.
Apr 19 2008
Experience the culture of Bhutan in Honolulu between now and May 23.
Make a prayer flag, observe sacred dance, meet a guide from Bhutan, try on a Bhutanese robe, see art never on exhibit before and participate in daily rituals with monks.
We did all of this in one afternoon last week at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.
Their lastest exhibition, “The Dragon’s Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan,” is the most ambitious show ever launched by the Academy.
A video of the exhibit follows:
Apr 07 2008
Looking for a unique stop when visiting the Kona Coffee Farms? I was and found the H.N. Greenwell Store. With the help of costumed interpreters, I was soon shopping in the 1890’s.
This is a living history museum so everyone gets in on the act. After a short orientation, I took on the role of a Hawaiian rancher. To help in this process, I was given period garments, a shopping list, and items to trade.
Apr 02 2008
Here’s a picture of the culprit. I was making the bed today and felt something large crawling on me. After a loud yelp and shake of my leg, this 7″ long centipede fell off me and quickly made its way across the room.
The centipede managed to sting me in the process. This Aloha hurts!
Mar 30 2008
Our favorite swimming beach, Hanalei Bay, had flat water for the first time this season. It’s a 75 minute drive each way from our home. We jumped in the car eager to swim a mile at one of the best beaches in the USA. Apparently, we were not the only ones excited to swim. As we approached the beach this sign greeted us:
What would you do?
a) Ignore the sign and jump in with the shark
b) Change plans and go for a walk instead
We actually did both and took moderate caution. Instead of swimming from the pier, we walked down to the first lifeguard station to get the full story. The Tiger Shark had been spotted at 4pm Saturday swimming in shallow water and under the pier. As it had been almost 24 hours since the sighting, we decided to swim laps close to the lifeguard station in case there was a problem.
Why was the shark around? It appears that a fishing boat cleaned their nets in the Bay which attracted the shark.
Hanalei remains our favorite beach for long distance swimming between April and October. We go there twice a week in season. If you’re there, be sure to look for us.
Mar 29 2008
In Hawaii the 26th of March is a state holiday to celebrate Prince Kuhio’s birthday.
Prince Kuhio was born on Kauai in 1871. The great grandson of Kauai’s last ruling chief, Prince Kuhio was in line to become King when the monarchy was overthrown in 1893.
Today we were at his birthplace to observe the protocol of honoring Prince Kuhio through giving ho’okupu (offerings). The commemorative ceremony was conducted by the Royal Order of Kamehameha.
Here are some interesting facts about Prince Kuhio:
Details: You can visit Prince Kuhio Park and Monument on Kauai’s South Shore. It’s located on Lawai Road near Po’ipu. Established in 1928, the park includes Ho’ai Heiau.
Mar 16 2008
My paternal ancestors are among the first foreign settlers in Hawaii (but that’s another story).
It’s an interesting coincidence that my maternal great grandmother, who never stepped foot in the Hawaiian Islands, would be the one to gift me with her Hawaiian Quilt.
Hawaii was close in heart to my great grandmother.
The year is 1925 and the setting is a rural community in Eastern Washington.
A young couple from Hawaii, the Kanekoa’s, has moved into town to work on the railroad. Their next door neighbors are my great grandparents, John and Sarah Eaton.
A friendship develops and the two women share a passion for quilting. Mrs. Kanekoa gifts my great grandmother her Hawaiian quilt pattern.
What happens next is an example of how Mrs. Kanekoa’s Aloha, and my great grandmother’s ingenuity, has been passed down through the generations.
My great grandmother made many braided rugs and quilts during her life. She fell in love, however, with the Hawaiian quilt.
During the Depression my Great-Grandma started making Hawaiian quilts and then raffled them off to put food on the table.
In the early 1950’s, Great-Grandma made her last Hawaiian quilt. The purpose of this quilt was to be a gift to her family. I’m now the proud recipient.
When Great-Grandma was making this quilt, I’m sure she never imagined that it would someday be in Hawaii and in her Great Grandson’s home.
Every time I see and touch Great Grandma’s Hawaiian quilt, it connects me to her and to my past. I see her expert quilting and craftsmanship. The quilt is a reminder of the friendship between these two women and their gift of Aloha.
Do you own a Hawaiian quilt? If so, I’d enjoy hearing your story.
Mar 08 2008
Beloved Polihale State Park was reopened this week. It had been closed for much needed road and plumbing repairs. The infamous potholes have been (at least temporarily) filled with rocks. Roadwork and other renovation and beautication by the state in concert with local groups will be ongoing for several more weeks. 
Polihale is the not-to-be-missed spectaclar beach on the far west side of Kauai. It features a broad sandy beach tucked under the foothills of the Na Pali coast, and is perfect for sunset.
It’s reached by driving west past Kekaha. Here are specific driving instructions.
Suggestions:
Mar 08 2008
Daylight Saving Time (DST) starts Sunday but not here in Hawaii.
According to Hawaii Answers, we tried it in 1933 for three short weeks. No one knows why.
With our tropical location, DST is not necessary. We’re closer to the equator than the mainland so there’s less of a difference in the amount of daylight between seasons.
When you’re calling anyone in Hawaii during DST, remember that we’re three hours earlier than west coast.
For some fun facts on Daylight Saving Time, read Huffington Post.
Oh, and if you like my Aloha shirt watch, I found it at our popular ABC Stores in Hawaii. It’s a great way to keep Hawaii close to you.
