Month: May 2014

Voyaging Canoes

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This past week, Hilo welcomed two voyaging canoes, Hokule’a and Hikianalia.  Due to weather conditions, the canoes have not left Radio Bay, but will depart shortly.  The Malama Honua  (“to care for our earth”) voyage will circumnavigate the world within a time frame of THREE years.  I commend the navigation team for their bravery and leadership in promoting indigenous learning and sustainability.  To learn more about the voyage and to track the location of the canoes, you can visit the Polynesian Voyaging Society. Visit other blogs participating in Bastet’s Pixelventures – Frame: http://wedrinkbecausewerepoets.com/2014/05/19/bastets-pixelventures-may-20-2014/

Weekly Photo Challenge: Twist

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“Twist” is filthy with meaning: it’s the unexpected, it’s surprise, it’s even an amazing ice cream choice. What does “twist” mean to you? This past week, I was up close and personal with the long aerial roots of a young banyan tree. Since I was in a public space, I couldn’t possibly swing from it, like I did when I was child, so I pushed it to and fro, and enjoyed watching it sway. When I caught the clump of roots to push it again, I looked down to see black bugs, the size of small cockroaches, swarming from the center of the roots, even crawling over my hand. I had unknowingly awoken them and they began to swarm, panicked that their home was under attack. I suppose what’s fun for one person, isn’t fun for everybody… Weekly Photo Challenge: Twist | http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/twist/

Romantic Tango in Buenos Aires

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I love dancing, but I also love watching couples dance the Argentine Tango.  The intensity of the dance is very moving and can transpose you to another place.  During my visit to Buenos Aires, we spent an entire day in the district of La Boca.  It is such a unique neighborhood.  And it is said through many romantic stories that the tango originated from La Boca.  I love the bright colors of the  buildings along the shoreline painted in bold colors.  You can also find artisans painting or singing along the sidewalk.  My favorite is coming across the impromptu tango repertoires performed by the dancers.  You can never tell when a couple of dancers will show up and brighten your day with a lovely tango.   Visit other blogs participating in Bastet’s Pixelventures – Romantic: http://wedrinkbecausewerepoets.com/2014/05/12/bastets-pixelventures-may-13-2014/  and Frizz’s “T” Prompt: http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2014/05/20/tagged-t-2/

A Wahine Wednesday Holoholo

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Here’s to family, cheers to art. Here’s to an excellent adventure and the stopping never start. Jason Mraz Looking back, you could say that I started my holoholo last year, March 13, 2013. On that dreary, cold Southern California morning, my friend and I committed to surf 52 Wednesdays as a way to restore the stoke – the joy, the excitement, the peace you get while surfing – to our lives. Somehow, somewhere along the highway of life, we forgot to take the time to re-energize our souls with what we love best – our love to surf. So, we surfed our 52 consecutive Wednesdays, sometimes alone but more often with friends, and reclaimed our stoke. We called our journey Wahine Wednesday. In the early stages of Wahine Wednesday, we would talk, joke and truthfully dream about taking a Hawaiian surf trip: blue skies, turquoise seas, warm water… The ultimate surf trip with our fellow wahines, the gals we surfed with when we found our stoke the first time oh so many years ago. I …

Lost in Santiago de Chile

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Leaving my small town of Hilo, to live in Santiago de Chile in South America was a pretty big culture shock for me.  Although I was caught up in my classes and learning to navigate a city in a foreign language, I was always in a trance when it came to all the people who surrounded me on my daily commute to downtown. I enjoy people watching, but this took it to a whole new level.  Every day I was surrounded by thousands of people.  Living in the capital city of Chile with a population of about six million people was a bit of shell shock for this small town girl.  But, I thrived in the anonymity.  I loved that I didn’t know them.  I could stare and they would never remember me.  From the balcony of my apartment, I had a clear view of Plaza Italia and the entrance to the metro. I was always shocked how protests would always spring up at different times of the year.  If it wasn’t due to elections, …

Spring Activity in Hilo nei

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In one of our previous posts, Spring is in the Air, we noted that it is always difficult to differentiate between the seasons here in Hawai’i.  But, based on the school calendar, we know that school will get out soon, so it’s always great to indulge in a few outdoor activities.  Here are a few photos from this weekend’s mother’s day outing at Moku Ola (aka Coconut Island). After a full belly, we walked to the opposite end of the island to the rock wall tower structure which looks like the remains of a wharf or pier to watch as the youth climbed and jumped into the ocean. Our overseas guests wanted to also join in the fun. As good hosts, we had to show them how it was done.  Just climbing up the first level of the structure on shaky legs, I had a boost of adrenaline rushing through my body to help me make the jump.  Rogene and I were not as brave as Adrel who jumped from both levels, including the highest one. The day was very calm, with hardly any trade …

Pele, Goddess of Fire

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Hawai’i Island is known for its active volcanoes where Madam Pele, the Goddess of Fire resides. We are always very conscious of mother nature and pay tribute to her in many hula dances and meles (songs).  During the 2014 Merrie Monarch Festival, Hilo’s Hālau Nā Lei Hiwahiwa ʻO Kuʻualoha honored Pele through their hula kahiko performance. Pele, the goddess of Fire.  You move me to feel the passion of life. Visit other blogs participating in Bastet’s Pixelventures – My Favorite Photo:  http://wedrinkbecausewerepoets.com/2014/04/28/pixelventures-april-30-2014/

Weekly Photo Challenge: Spring!

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Share a photo which describes what spring means to you. The light during today’s late afternoon hike at Puʻu Huluhulu was absolutely magical. Spring is here! Weekly Photo Challenge: Spring! | http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/spring-2/

Writing Challenge: Flash Fiction

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Write at least one six-word story and one piece of flash fiction.   300-word flash fiction This morning, she perfunctorily put on the black dress she had laid out the night before and vowed to herself in the mirror that she would hold it together today. All eyes would be on her and she didn’t want to give those cruel strangers the satisfaction of watching her cry. Thanks to him, she was in an awkward situation. His wife and three children had not known about her until the end, so when she entered the funeral home, a hush came over the room and people leaned in to whisper furiously, probably wondering what nerve she had to even show her face. She adjusted her black wide-brimmed hat and put her dark glasses back on, then found a seat toward the back of the room. A big, fat tear sat atop her lower lashes, so she blinked to allow it to fall. It ran down her cheeks and landed on her hands, which were crossed on her …

A Merrie Hangover

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Itʻs been a little less than a week since the close of Merrie Monarch and I can honestly say that itʻs been the most hectic one I’ve ever experienced. The exhaustion, however, was well worth it since with it came so many wonderful moments, especially those spent in the company of my hula family. I miss the surge of energy that comes with Merrie Monarch, but I do appreciate the calm when it’s over. We had several appearances and kuleana (responsibilities) during the week. These pictures were taken from our noon time performance at the Naniloa Hotel last Tuesday. Mahalo to Maria for these beautiful images! Also, if youʻre interested in watching snippets of that performance, mahalo to Joanna Ehu Mazurek for capturing these dances on video with a vintage filter. My hula family and I also spent a little bit of time with our Māori cousins of Te Waka Huia and were glad to have met and know them over the course of the week. Here are a few images from their performance in the Merrie Monarch hōʻike on Wednesday night, again, compliments …