Community website by MBC/Ernest Abrams. Call 808-739-9797 for advertising/sponsorship#KaimukiHawaii
Kaimuki, Hawaii
News Item- Powered by MBC NewsMaker
Walking In Waikiki with Cloudia Charters -"The Hula Beat Goes On"
- Tweet
Walking in
Waikiki
With Cloudia Charters
With Cloudia Charters
The Hula Beat Goes
On
Even here in
the middle of Earth's widest ocean, we have neighbors who are seasonal
residents. Soon the humpback whales, and the dear Canadians
(Neighboris
Northis) will be returning to their Summer
haunts. The Whales continued their long economic contribution to Hawaii as stars
of film, TV, and tourism - which they undoubtedly enjoy more than the old days
of whale hunting. The gentle Canadians too, contribute much to the economy and
ecology of Waikiki. These affable creatures often return to the same nest
(condo) year after year, building warm relationships with us year-rounders. Then
you wake up one morning and they've taken wing. . .
This Winter's theme was
Whales
Gone
Wild! Our
visiting cetaceans flipped, flapped and slapped the waters rather close to shore
this season. Folks really enjoyed the extra exuberant displays! So glad the
humpbacks enjoyed their Hawaii winter sojourns. The Canadians seemed to have a
lovely time this year as well. Aloha till next year. . .
The improvements at the
Outrigger Reef
Hotel are complete, and I gotta say they did
a nice job. From the welcoming Polynesian roof out front, to the museum quality
displays throughout the lobby, the Outrigger is showing it's "born-here" pride
alongside the world class Halekulani and the Royal Hawaiian down the lane. A
Tip: Swing by their new poolside
Kani Ka Pila
Grille nightly from 5:30 to 8:30 for food,
drink, and the very best Hawaiian musicians performing today. . .
It is generally agreed that the world's coral reefs
are stressed to a dangerous degree and may even be in danger of disappearing
entirely. This interests me because these isles that I love were designed and
built by a committee of coral and fiery lava. We plants, animals, & humans
all came late to this party. Geologically speaking, we're just the hair and
make-up of Hawaii. The real tragedy of extinction is losing treasures we have
not yet comprehended; They are a blank check we throw away un-cashed. For
example, it had long been thought that the reefs in our Hawaiian waters were no
more than a century or three in age. Well, scientists using mini-subs (OK
"Submersible Vehicles") have recently discovered that some of our local
Leiopathes corals are more like FORTY TWO CENTURIES old! They are among the
oldest living things on this planet right up there with California's five
thousand year old bristle-cone pine trees. Another species of coral, the
youthful
Gerardia,
has been discovered to be a mere two thousand, seven hundred years old. It's not
even collecting coral social security yet! (Coral reefs
are
communities of
social
creatures.) What other wonders hide right under our noses and
waves?!
This morning I walked Waikiki beach, stopping for
breakfast at "Micky D's" on Kuhio Avenue. Spearing a slice of pineapple,
listening to the babble of Japanese tourist families, and humming along with the
piped-in Hawaiian music, I thought: "Lucky we stay Hawaii!"
All those sleepless nights finally paid off. And,
honestly, weren't they fun? Camping on remote
Big
Island
(Hawaii) beaches, talking story deep into the night, as the
hoku
(stars) surge and spiral above. . . From June to December for 20 years now,
volunteers have spent island-hot days in coastal Puna and Ka`u trapping
mongoose, feral cats and rats. For these are the culprits who feast on the
hatchlings. Our local population of
Hawaiian Hawksbill Sea
Turtles was in obvious decline. Finally,
local citizens decided to act: Not only culling predators, but even guarding
nest sites for long nights until conditions were fulfilled. Sometimes, wrapped
in purpose & wonder on those velvet nights, they even witnessed an
immemorial scene: female turtles emerging from the surf, hauling inch by inch,
to the high water mark where they lay, and then bury, their 150 eggs. Volunteers
listened to their labored breathing in the dark, a sound more ancient than the
first baby's cry. Then the mama turtles resumed their submarine flight, never
knowing that guardians were standing by. Inter-species angels. And today, turtle
numbers are climbing again. One small victory in the pilgrimage of conscience. .
.
Must be the season! Gingers are suddenly blooming
EVERYWHERE; Red Torch Ginger, delicate Pink Shell Ginger. Once again O`ahu dons
her Spring aloha wear of blossoms. . .
Happy Belated; Honolulu Town is so much more than a
mere tourist destination, and we certainly have some fine non-hotel institutions
to be proud of. January 11th, 1851 is considered the birthday of the
Honolulu Fire
Department (H F D). King Kamehameha III,
whose decree was published on that day, was known to role up his sleeves
alongside volunteer firefighters back when they wore red shirts. Many other
luminaries have carried the axe, from King Kalakaua, the "Merrie Monarch," to
Alexander Joy Cartwright (the father of baseball, who is buried here!). But it
has always been the people of our island metropolis who have been the true
backbone of HFD. Today's Company Number 4 was founded in September of 1857 and
staffed entirely by Hawaiians. China Engine Company Number 5 (January 1861)
consisted of Chinese. One hundred and three years ago, on April 19, 1886 the
Great Chinatown Fire gobbled up many Honolulu city blocks. King Kalakaua himself
helped to fight that one, inspiring everyone by his conduct on that day. On
December 7, 1941 two HFD captains, John Carreira and Thomas S. Macy, were killed
in the Pearl Harbor attack along with hose-man Harry T.L. Pang as HFD battled
flames at Hickam Airfield. Six firefighters wounded in the attack received
Purple Heart medals; The only civilian fire fighters ever awarded this military
honor. Honolulu even enjoys the protection of it's own fire boat, the
Moku
Ahi. So
let's salute the people of the Honolulu Fire Department; The only department in
the USA founded by Royalty, that grew up in a Territory, and flourishes today in
a modern city. Thank you H F D !
But what if you get sick? There
are other
exotic destinations to visit, but here you can be confident of cutting edge
& timely medical care thanks to Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV. The two
monarchs did not disdain to humble themselves, visiting private homes all over
O`ahu to solicit funds for a modern hospital on Crown Land at the foot of
Punchbowl
Crater. 2009 is the 150th Anniversary (1859) of
the founding of The QueenÕs Hospital (today: The
Queen's Medical
Center). The only hospital in the nation
with a royal pedigree, Queen's serves all of Hawaii and the Pacific. One can
scarcely read Honolulu history, or literature that is set here:
From Here to
Eternity,
House of Many
Gods,
Molokai,
or my own Aloha Where You Like
Go? without "visiting" this hospital that is
such a major part of our community. Walking into Queen's is to enter the fabric
of Honolulu in a unique way. You're likely to notice a
Kupuna (
senior citizen) softly playing a ukulele in the lobby beside a portrait of the
Queen herself. Here we interact with so many ethnicity's and life stories:
neighbor islanders wary of the big city, tourists from every nation who find
themselves unexpectedly and deeply ill, so very far from home - all find solace
and Aloha here at Queens. . . Feel better soon DAD!!
Festival Season! Tonight's da night (April 16). I'm
too excited! TV's all across Hawaii will be tuned to KITV for three solid nights
this weekend of the world's best in Hula, the 46th Annual
Merrie Monarch
Festival. Tonight a solitary dancer will be
crowned Miss Aloha Hula. Friday night will see groups performing the Kahiko
(Ancient) Hula, and Saturday is the night for 'Auana (Modern) Hula competition.
I've been watching for over 20 years, and this is a major high point in my year!
For more about the festival, and to watch it online, click here:
Next month will find me at the Hawaii Book & Music
Festival on the historic civic grounds beside Honolulu Hale (City Hall).
Authors, including
Molokai
and
Honolulu
author, Alan Brennert will be there, along with wonderful musicians, activities
and FOOD! I would go even if entrance AND parking weren't free! (link
below)
There's always so much beauty, so many snack choices,
and so much to enjoy right here at life's greatest beach. Deals abound right
now, so E Komo Mai! Come on over. I'll be looking for YOU. . .
. . . as I'm
Walking in
Waikiki. . .
A L O H
A! Cloudia
Questions? Ready for an appointment?
Featured Product/Service
- RELATED LINKS
- Kaimuki Hawaii.Com Home Page
View our featured events, news, businesses and primary links on our home page. - Featured Sponsors
Great offers from our sponsors who support the Kaimuki Honolulu, Hawaii community. More...
Kaimuki Hawaii Directory
View Kaimuki, Hawaii primary directories. businesses, non profits, public, government and jobs.- Calendar
Check out things to do in Kaimuki on the calendar of events. - News and Newsletters
Keep up with the latest news and happenings in your Kaimuki community. - Kaimuki Hawaii Featured Pages
View our directory of feature pages showcasing all the great things Kaimuki, Honolulu, Hawaii has to offer. Go Green in Kaimuki, restaurants, shopping, WiFi Hot Spots, fitness, health, real estate, home and garden, 80+ more directories... More...
Please send questions about this website to
Copyright© 2005 - 2018 KaimukiHawaii.com. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use / Legal Disclaimer / Privacy Statement
Site Designed and Managed by MacBusiness Consulting
Terms of Use / Legal Disclaimer / Privacy Statement
Site Designed and Managed by MacBusiness Consulting