Your Aloha Preview - November - ""In the Curlicue of a Winter Storm"" - Kaimuki

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Your Aloha Preview - November - ""In the Curlicue of a Winter Storm""
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Courtesy of Cloudia Charters Author of Aloha Where You Like To Go?

Walking in Waikiki

With Cloudia Charters

"In the Curlicue of a Winter Storm"

Mark Twain said that the coldest winter he ever knew was a Summer in San Francisco, but last night I sure "froze" here on my boat in Waikiki. Why, I even had to get up and put on a T shirt! The weather people may claim that temps only went down into the upper 60s (f) but it felt like a strong hint of Winter to my pineapple blood. I do love invigorating Winter here at Da Beach! Usually Waikiki remains in a golden strip of coastal sun, but the whole isle has lately been watching for sudden downpours, as an early seasonal storm has been in the neighborhood for the past day or so. When heavy sea clouds pour their rain on our steep mountains, it rushes into the narrow valleys, causing flash flooding very quickly. Amazingly, while the seas around us have have been kissed by squalls, we islanders are safely nestled in the curlicue of the winter storm, enjoying the best weather on the planet. Lucky we live Hawaii! But even when those seasonal rains do come, they cleanse the palate, release heavenly scents, and generally spiff up our natural beauty. The Hawaiians say that rain is a blessing, but even so, it rarely lasts all day (especially in Waikiki). And when the continent slumbers under a cold mantle of white, we will be cooling on the brow of a friendly Trade Wind, as all the sea sparkles compete in concert to dazzle the happily fried brains of us beach people. Don't worry, when you get off the plane here it will feel like a perfect Summer's day. And here comes Santa in an outrigger canoe!

. . . As many as ten thousand of them may be expected. They show up every year. No, not the Kolea (the golden plover: the original snow bird, Summering in Alaska, wintering here in paradise). No, not the Canadian snowbirds either. The majestic humpback whales have returned once more, to calve, to nurse, and to enjoy our island waters. In their faithfulness, they remind us of ancient cycles, and we celebrate them with awe. Welcome!

. . . Yes, nothing feels quite like a sparkling, bright, winter's day in Hawaii! And though the flow of visitors has not been as high as in recent years due to our economic challenges, Honolulu has been anything but a ghost town! Every day happy people, visitors and local, play together at our beaches, and stroll the avenues, sampling a "tasting menu" of musical & artistic events. And don't forget the unique mix of fine dining, and "hole-in-the-wall" eateries that make Hawaii a cultural and culinary treasure trove. . .

. . . Big Wave athletes, too, are "on island" awaiting their next chance to "ride mountains" in the Triple Crown of Surfing. The North Shore is hopping! Watching these amazing athletes and the awesome waves is almost as exhilarating as riding them.

. . . Passing of an age: When I lived in Kona in the 80's I used to see a dapper old fellow walking along the road. He was always decked out in lei, a woven hat, and sporting many Hawaiian bracelets and rings. "That's Uncle George," folks would say with a specially reverent tone in their voices. Part Hula expert, part cultural conservator, he was declared a "Living Golden Treasure" by the State of Hawaii, and anNEA National Heritage Fellow. That was nice, but redundant. Every local person already knew that Uncle George founded the Merrie Monarch Festival, the "Olympics of Hula" held every Spring in Hilo. This will be our first year without him, as he passed this Fall. The highpoint of the 3 day festival for many was the penultimate moment as the judges tallied their results. While dancers, theirKumu Hula, and devotees waited, tired and excited, Uncle George would always ascend the stage to dance impecable , masterful, and joyful hula that charged the atmosphere with an eternal happiness. Yes, Uncle was beloved in a way that is hard to express in this modern day and time. He was a bridge to the treasures of Old Hawaii. Here is a link to a sweet slide show of Uncle as we like to remember him: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq-csSt1iXc. . . .

When the first New England missionaries arrived in HawaiÔi in 1820, the aliÔi wahine (chiefesses) admired their textiles and requested that the missionary women teach them how to work western fabrics. The missionary women showed the aliÔi wahine piecework that was ultimately made into quilts. By 1835 quilting was widespread among Hawaiians, and the decades of the 1860s and Ô70s saw the evolution of the first traditional Hawaiian Quilts. Applique patterns taken from nature make these quilts unique in the world. In 1893 the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown, and though the Hawaiian Flag continued to be flown as a symbol of the Provisional Government (1893), the Republic of HawaiÔi (1894), the Territory of HawaiÔi (1900) and the State of HawaiÔi (1959), the standard's crown motifs (and other symbols of the Hawaiian monarchy) were removed. Loyal Hawaiians, and other local citizens, wielded their sewing tools in protest, and the Hawaiian Flag Quilts they produced remain beloved symbols of Hawaiian patriotism. Some wonderful examples of these quilts have been donated to museums , though most of these treasured family heirlooms remain out of public sight, passed lovingly from one generation to the next. The Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1970s brought a renewed interest in these cultural objects. In honor of 50 years of Hawaii Statehood, you can enjoy a very special exhibition of Hawaiian Flag Quilts at the Mission Houses Museum on King St. through January 2. http://www.missionhouses.com . . .

I'm very happy to report that although the City couldn't justify the discretionary expense in this time of budget tightening, the landmark Christmas tree atop the Pu`u of Kaimuki http://comfortspiral.blogspot.com/2009/07/view-planes.html will be visible again this year from Hawaii Kai to Ewa Beach thanks to community efforts and volunteers from Hawaiian Electric Company. The 40 foot tree will be lit as the climax Kaimuki Christmas Parade on December 3rd.

Then, Honolulu City Lights http://honolulucitylights.org will kick off on Saturday December 5 with an electric parade, concert, and of course, the lighting of the civic Christmas tree at Honolulu Hale (City Hall).

Yes, Santa and the Mrs. are cooling their feet in the fountain once more, and the Brothers Cazimero will be packing them in to their annual concert at the historic Hawaii Theater http://www.hawaiitheatre.com/ on December 11, 12, & 13. I will definitely be there, how about you?

Holiday shopping? Sometimes you can find the best gifts at the most unexpected place, like Honolulu's great museums! Iolani Palace has two gift shops http://iolanipalace.org. The Honolulu Academy of Arts http://honoluluacademy.org is famous for it's World Bazaar of unusual craft objects from around the globe, and the Bishop Museum's Shop Pacifica http://bishopmuseum.org has replica historic implements and weapons, feather lei and hatbands, as well as hundreds of titles from their in-house press, that is Hawaii's oldest book publisher and one of the oldest scholarly publishers in the Western Hemisphere. . . Kids up to 48 inches tall are squealing with delight as they ride the Pearlridge Express at the eponymous mall, and Ala Moana Shopping Center has a full slate of holiday activities as well.

Of course, YOU might just want to lie in the sun which is a great way to avoid holiday overload! And even better, the holiday delivers to the beach once more as Santa arrives on Saturday, December 12 @ 9:00 a.m. You can help to welcome the icon when he lands at Waikiki in an outrigger canoe (by the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel on the Beach) and enjoy keiki (childrenÕs) hula, music, and even a complimentary photo with the jolly old elf himself! Free and open to the public. . .

New this year: the inaugural Na Hoku O Hawaii Music Festival will be held here May 26-30 in connection with the gala Na Hoku Awards that honor the best in Hawaiian Music. Exciting! And finally, a tip of the hat to my favorite revolving eatery, Top of Waikiki http://www.topofwaikiki.com/ for being awarded a 2010 Hale `Aina Award! The great staff, eclectic menu, and unique views of Waikiki make this one place that never disappoints. Look for me havingPau Hana (Happy Hour) pupus at the bar the very next time you are out and about . . . Walking in Waikiki. . . ALOHA!

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Kaimuki, Hawaii News Item

Your Aloha Preview - November - ""In the Curlicue of a Winter Storm""

Kaimuki, Hawaii
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