Monday, February 23, 2009

My Town Monday

Click on photos to enlarge!



"O Lord, help me not to despise or oppose what I do not understand."
William Penn


"Our ambition should be to rule ourselves, the true kingdom for each one of us; and true progress is to know more, and be more, and to do more."
Oscar Wilde






"A moment's insight is sometimes worth a lifetime's experience."
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.




















Honolulu Hale (hah-lay, a polynesian "house.")


I love walking around my town of Honolulu. We have cool one-of-a kind restaurants like Helena’s Hawaiian Food on North School Street. Chef Helen Kwock Chock passed on last year, but her family maintains the recipes at her wonderful little ‘hole in the wall’ restaurant that was a favorite of gourmand James Beard. He ate there at every opportunity, presenting Helen with a respected “Beard Award,” and inviting the unassuming grandma to New York City to prepare a meal for the world’s great foodies. Nuff said? Eat at Helena’s!




So what’s with the lines of hungry people in front of chain restaurants here in Waikiki? You can eat that stuff back home, or anywhere! Why not try wonderful food with warm service at my favorite Bombay Indian Restaurant (Ala Moana by Hobron Lane)? Besides Helena’s and Bombay, there are so many other little culinary gems in our town, like the singular shrimp tempura at Hifumi in chinatown. After a recent concert, blues man Taj Mahal eschewed fine dining for the comfort food at tiny Liliha Bakery Coffee Shop (Kuakini off Liliha street-open all night). . . When you are here, eat somewhere local and unique, you!




Like Seinfeld’s George, I’ve always wanted to pretend to be an architect. I had a wonderful opportunity to do just that recently as I strolled along on a downtown architectural walking tour offered by the Honolulu Chapter, American Institute of Architects. Who knew that our city hall, Honolulu Hale, is a sort of Italian castle? Check out the fortified elements in this beloved Douglas Fairbanks of a building the next time you’re there. We walk by historical riches every day here in Honolulu town, though the surpassing beauty of green mountain, eloquent sky & seas oft upstages them. And don’t forget US! Everyone is beautiful here. Just look around at us!



The US Census reports that Hawaii leads in ethnic diversity, with “minorities” around 75% of our human treasure. “Minorities,” what does that even mean when there is no overwhelming “majority?” Whatever you call us- it (mostly) works. . . "Imagine" having a president who grew up in such a place. . .



Were those night marchers a while back in Kaneohe? Even today, distant drumbeats and chanting are sometimes heard in certain districts after midnight. The chiefs of old still inspecting “their” lands. But no, this time it was modern warriors, OUR folks, Kaneohe Marines training in the dark before going into a war zone. Out of respect for the public, cadences were not called so quiet was maintained. Nonetheless, many local residents paid their respects from front yards, and were frankly awed by the Mana surrounding these citizen soldiers. However you may feel about this war, or that police action, we all admire and appreciate those so young who make such a commitment to serve. . .



Sitting by my computer as I write this, a ripe mango tempts me. I picked it up off the grounds of the Mission Houses Museum from trees that real Queens admired long ago. History, beauty, sustenance, aloha, all offer themselves freely under isle skies. You see, in Hawaii living a rich life is less about money than it is in most other places. Sure, our visitors and we can find here all the things that money can buy (in abundance!) but Honolulu’s real treasure is found in our environment, and in each other; it’s about attitude, engagement and down-home enjoyment of all the cultures that make up our unique chop-suey island. . . the sorts of things you discover. . . when you’re walking in Waikiki. Aloha!

17 comments:

Dina said...

Very moving, your love for your place.
I remember my teacher in Chicago public school so happy that Alaska and Hawaii would soon become states. She said that would prove a thing or two to the prejudiced white majority on the mainland.
We were maybe the first generation to be taught brotherhood in school.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful descriptions of the REAL paradise of Hawai'i -- the sincere kindness and calm beauty of all of the people. A real honor to know and visit such a place. Your rays are shining through my 25 degree Kansas night. When I've traveled, I've always avoided eating at restaurants or seeing sights that could be "done back home." Mahalo for uncovering lots of little joys in Honolulu. DrumMajor

Dave King said...

That last paragraph is so cheering. It is what everyone should be able to say about their place, but few seem able - or willing - to do so.

Junosmom said...

Yes, I believe that to be true, that true happiness is not through things, rather it is an appreciation of the life around us.

Anonymous said...

Your photos and description of your wonderful home are a pleasure to read, thank you.

Simple living and a grateful heart are truly a gift to yourself and those around you.

Charles Gramlich said...

The foods we think are exotic here are staples and common where you live it seems.

Daryl said...

You raise an excellent point .. and it doesnt just apply to restaurants ... people who visit NYC go to 'theme' or chain restaurants that are EXACTLY like the ones back home and shop at the same stores they can find in their local mall .. I do not understand this .. why travel if you arent going to taste/shop that city/state/country's own specialties?

Travis Erwin said...

Jealousy is an ugly thing, but I'm riper than that mango with it right about now.

Maria Verivaki said...

food is a very important aspect of culture - the way we eat says a lot about us

Barbara Martin said...

Whenever I travel I like to partake of the local food. A couple of favourite foods from Hawaii that I can never get enough of here are macadamia nuts and properly rippened fresh pineapple.

debra said...

Visions of blue skies and warm mangos are tempting me as I look out at more snow! I also have trouble understanding why people would eat mass produced generic food when real stuff is available!

pattinase (abbott) said...

Your goal for next week is to find something that won't make me jealous.

Anonymous said...

So great the way you describe everything so vividly. It would be wonderful to know the language. I think it would feel very nice in the mouth speaking it.

Feisty Crone said...

Wishing I was there tonight, Cloudia. Beautiful description of your home.

Cloudia said...

Dina: thank you for that memory. your is a special generation indeed!

Drum Major: You are wise. Now MARCH!

Dave King: You understnad that magic is un boundaried!

Junosmom: Wisdom and beauty!

Mary: So well said, dear.

Charles: Yes. Aren't "norms" fascinating?

Daryl: Sistah!

Travis: I'm a bit jealous of your writing...

Med Kiwi: Right. I enjoy your blogposts around food!

Barbara: Pineapples, as you probably know, are symbols of hospitality and are found in much historical decorative design. But fresh after a sail-sea journey? Hah! Columbus thought they looked like a pine cone but tasted like an apple when he first saw them in Guyana. Thanks for your comment.

Debra: Smart Gal! Thanks for stopping by. Welcome.

Pattinase: Perhaps my homeless post, or a look at island prices vs wages. It's still a plantation in some ways. . . .

Deborah: The Hawaiian language is beautiful and is being saved from extinction by younger generations attending Hawaiian Language Charter Schools (Punana Leo.

!!Aloha Friends!!

magiceye said...

love the ambiance you have created in the post! and the pictures are terrific!

Sepiru Chris said...

Great post, Cloudia. I echo Dina at the top... your love for Hawaii shines through the screen.

Hope the mango was good.