Contact Us  Subscribe  COUPONS 
  • Kaimuki, Hawaii
    News Item

  • Powered by MBC NewsMaker
  • Walking In Waikiki with Cloudia Charters -"The Hula Beat Goes On"

Courtesy of Cloudia Charters Author of Aloha Where You Like To Go?

Walking in Waikiki
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

Like Our Facebook

  • 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