Why Thank You

Aloha Welcome!

Click on photos to enlargeResidential Kapahulu

"I lift my eyes unto the hills"

Yellow Hibiscus, State Flower of Hawaii

"Famous are the flowers of Hawaii"

Look, I won an award!

“I feel that this award was not made to me as a man, (sic) but to my work -- a life's work in the agony and sweat of the human spirit, not for glory and least of all for profit, but to create out of the materials of the human spirit something which did not exist before. So this award is only mine in trust.”
William Faulkner

The lovely blogger, AKELAMALU of Everything and Nothing has granted me the award above!

Why thank you, Ake.

Though I am honestly rather scrappy, I'll play by the rules by posting ten things about me that you may not know. Then if you remain awake, you can visit my gal pal Ake at:
http://akelamalu.blogspot.com/


And now for our game,

10 things about me that you may not know:

1. I worked overnight for years.
2. Bad aloha wear can make me somewhat nauseated.
3. Though I adore my home, Hawaii, I miss snow, blizzards, and ice storms, and can watch them on the weather channel for hours with the air conditioning on HIGH.
4. As a Medical Reserve Corps volunteer, I will be tapped to assist in any major disaster or pandemic.
5. I left home at age 14 to hitch hike around and experience life for a summer month or so. My parents weren't happy but acquiesced when I explained that I was a writer, and moreover could easily run away.
6. I had an apartment, and a job, while attending secondary school at age 16.
7. I was at Woodstock.
8. My first drivers license (age 16 again) was for motorcycles; I only obtained a car endorsement years later.
9. At first, I hated Hawaii and wanted to leave. 22 years ago.
10. A "near death experience" in 1997 taught me things that influence my life to this day. I don't fear death. . . or life!

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Pau Hana

Da Perfec` Time of Day!

“The primal duties shine aloft, like stars;

The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless

Are scattered at the feet of Man, like flowers.”
William Wordsworth

Cyril Pahinui & Aunty Mo`okini

“It is up to us to live up to the legacy that was left for us, and to leave a legacy that is worthy of our children and of future generations.”
Christine Gregoire

Ben Ka`ili

"We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies."
Shirley Abbott

Seniors dancing Hula

"It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons."

Johann Schiller

Pau Hana means "after work" time.

Today it mostly means "happy hour" but we still say: "I'll meet you pau hana" and another local person knows what we mean.

Yesterday sure was a day of work, even if most of the heavy lifting was emotional. My Dad was released from Queen's hospital to hospice-at-home care here in Waikiki. My job was to keep my mom from losing it, and to drive multiple errands at inconvenient times. Let's just say that it was hectic and leave it at that, OK?

Secretly, I hoped to make it to Cyril Pahinui's pau hana birthday gig at Kanikapila Grill at the Outrigger Reef Hotel. Gabby, or "Pops" as everyone called him, was Cyril's father and a giant of Hawaiian music. His ki ho`alu (slack key) guitar stylings, and his unique -but deeply Hawaiian- vocal style preserved and inspired to such a degree that it would be impossible to imagine our musical legacy without him. Cyril, a great artist in his own right, has a new Grammy nominated CD He`eia. I know there would be old timers, great music, and tons of authenticity if I could just make it there. I wasn't disappointed!

As the sky mellowed to dusk I happily found myself in a miraculous little remnant of sweeter times. It felt like a back yard jam, and all the Kupuna (seniors) were there; how I love their rare Hawaiian faces!

The Nahe Nahe (sweet, melodious, soft, gentle) sounds of guitar, ukulele, and beguiling lyrics in the Hawiian tongue worked the old healing magic on me as they always do. I was positively oozing well-being by the second song. Surely, this is what the angels listen to at home.

You no need be young or thin to dance Hula. And when da Kupuna get up to dance, everything crystallizes in an exquisite Manawa Kolu, an everlasting "Now" of perfection. Everything shines then with beautifully felt meaning, and gratitude surges like the eternal surf only steps away.

I knew that I was going to hear wonderful music, but discovered an unexpected vein of pure gold when Ben Ka`ili and Bruddah (Brother) Ocean got up to play and sing for the first time in Waikiki. They have a regular weekend gig at the Emerald Orchid on the Big Island and sure brought the "good stuff" here to da city with them! Their guitars rang out filling young and old with delight.

Ho! Good times!

There are links below to take you to a few selected videos of beloved Hawaiian songs and performers. Take a few minutes to just savor

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Dennis Pavao sings Holei about Kalapana on the Big Island of Hawaii. My niece was born there:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_vQX7pX7Dg

Gabby sings da classic Hi`ilawe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=694_eDShgOg

Dennis Pavao sings Ka Manu ("the bird")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r_R3KNN-Uw

Cyril's Website:

http://www.cyrilpahinui.com/

Defiant Green

Aloha, Welcome!

Click on photos to enlargeTubers

"The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they're going to have some pretty annoying virtues."
Elizabeth Taylor

Washington Place, Queen Emma's Home

till she died in 1917

“A beautiful lady is an accident of nature. A beautiful old lady is a work of art.”
Louis Nizer


Self Portrait with Fallen Lei

“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”

Morrie Schwartz

I find small pleasures where I may. Today my finger nails are painted shiny, greenish, defiant gold.

When I was young and feckless

the mature couples I saw

sitting quietly in a restuarant

seemed sad

and lacking anything

to say.

Now I know

the pleasure

of simply be-ing

together

when nothing

needs

be said.

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Play Ball

Aloha, Welcome!

click on photos to enlarge

Morning in Waikiki!

"Modern man thinks he loses something - time - when he does not do things quickly. Yet he does not know what to do with the time he gains except kill it."

Erich Fromm

This young man changed America

"If anyone can figure out a way for me to collect my royalties posthumously, I will hurry up and reincarnate."

Noel Coward

He grew into a leading citizen of his adopted home town

"In the end, people will act more on their personalities than on their politics." Chris Fox

The roots of baseball lie far to the east.

Its legends are enshrined in Cooperstown New York, but every year on April 17, true devotees of "America's pastime" make their way here to Honolulu.

Gathering at historic Oahu Cemetery before a handsome pinkish monument, they oft find baseballs, bats, lei, and even baseball cards, waiting there on the hallowed ground for them. For this is the grave of Alexander Joy Cartwright, the inventor of the game of baseball. This year marked the 189th anniversary of his birth.

He served as trustee of Queen Emma's estate, President of the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce, and was 40 years Chief of the Honolulu Fire Department, dying just a year before the overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy. These facts of his life describe the very coming-of-age of our city.

But it is what he accomplished before taking ship for Hawaii that assures his place among the immortals. In 1845 he and some friends founded the Knickerbocker Baseball Club in Hoboken New Jersey where they played at the aptly named Elysian Fields. It was during those Summer afternoons, that AJC formalized the new game's rules, differentiating it from English "Rounders" or any other game. His creation has been by called "The Perfect Game" for over a hundred years.

The influential Spalding family supported the myth that Abner Doubleday, a Civil War general, was the game's inventor. But the Hall of Fame, and scholars of the game agree: Alexander Joy Cartwright is the rightful father.

This year Alexander Joy Cartwright IV was here on the island with us. And his sincere pride was evident.

Not far from Waikiki, in the Makiki neighborhood, recreational leagues play the game at Cartwright Field, a Honolulu City Park. I bet lots of kids (and adults) never give the field's name a second thought. But fanatics of the game are lobbying for a AJC postal stamp, and there is talk of launching a web site. I wish them all the best.

As for why the gentleman made such a momentous move in those days of sailing ships around "The Horn?"

I just think of the crowded 19th century City of New York, and of the sweet smelling trade winds that refresh our town; I think of the lovely character of these islands and her people and one thing becomes abundantly clear.

With the middle name of "Joy" AJC evidently had much in common with the citizens of Honolulu, where joy will always have a home. . .

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You Already Are

Aloha & Welcome!

Click on photos to enlarge

Another beauty by Ted Trimmer

"Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn." Gore Vidal

Solemn Hawaiian Ceremonies

"Travelers, there is no path, the path is made by walking."

Antonio Machado

Ulu (breadfruit) leaf; a popular Hawaiian Quilt pattern!

"If you don't risk anything, you risk even more."

Erica Jong

My dad is being moved from the hospital to hospice-at-home care tomorrow.

They live around a mile from me, but despite my efforts and the support of the wonderful hospice folks, my mom will be alone with all of it.

Though I berate myself for my lack of finances that could make this all so much easier, and feel guilty for not doing more, nevertheless I'm exhausted from the "too little" I've already done!

But this blog, and all of you, are my somehow secret garden. Here I can repair and recreate among like-minded humans. The Grandpa http://wordmechanic.blogspot.com/ has kindly sent me a published volume of his poems, A Matter of Mind;

and lovely Jenn Jilks http://myreflectionsmusings.blogspot.com/ has thrown me a lifeline in the form of her book, Living and Dying with Dignity - A Daughter's Journey Through Long-Term Care.

Let me share a few thoughts from my notebook:

Sometimes I ask myself: WWDLD? What would the Dali Lama do?

What you fear to be

that you already are

welcome it home

to see it's disguised beauty.

Aloha my friends! And forgive me for my lapses in commenting on your wonderful blogs. Just know that I'm lurking about the blogosphere in my stolen moments and take great pleasure in all of you.

You know who you are ;-)

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My Town Monday: The Grand

Aloha, Welcome!

Click on photos to enlarge A Sweet Little Boutique Hotel

"It's not necessary to go far and wide. I mean, you can really find exciting and inspiring things within your hometown."

Daryl Hannah

Great View of DH from the Grand,
"Front Row Seat"

"As I get older, I get smaller. I see other parts of the world I didn't see before. Other points of view. I see outside myself more."

Neil Young

From Across da Street, Zoo parking, da Park, and Queen's Surf Beach.

Nice!

"A stair not worn hollow by footsteps is, regarded from its own point of view, only a boring something made of wood."

Franz Kafka

Proposed Site of My Dotage!

Location Location LOCATION!


A favorite little "boutique" hotel of mine is the fortunately located Waikiki Grand Hotel (http://www.waikikigrand.com/)
at the corner of Kapahulu & Kalakaua.


Directly across the street from Kapiolani Park, the Honolulu Zoo, and steps from the Queen's Surf beach area, the Grand boasts Hula's Bar & Lei Stand, and Teddy's Bigger Burgers on site.



The Hustle & Bustle of Waikiki Beach meets the giant green park here. Check the epic view (close!) of Diamond Head from the Grand's tenth floor sun deck! Bonus: guests at the Grand often hear animal noises from the zoo close by.


Which brings us to: Rumor Alert! Credible sources whisper that Violet the orangutan was spotted wandering outside of her zoo enclosure after hours a while back. Incredibly strong and smart, the "forest people" will reportedly hide hand tools they find (or steal;-) and use them to escape. Maybe she just wanted a room upgrade to the Grand. Clever staff prevailed on Violet's mate Rusty to help lure her back. . .


Someday, the favorite husband and I would like to retire at the Grand. I could cross da street and visit the orangutans every day!

For more My Town Monday posts, click on:

http://traviserwin.blogspot.com/

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Bi-Ped Captives of Duality

Aloha Welcome!

Click on photos to enlarge Sunday at da Beach

"You never find yourself until you face the truth."
Pearl Bailey

"Life is what happens while you are making other plans."
John Lennon

Reflected Palm

"A smile is the shortest distance between two people."
Victor Borge

Want a Schnack? Downtown Honolulu

"The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook."
William James

Definition from Hawaiian Dictionary by Pukui & Ebert; University of Hawaii Press:

"Aloha: Love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy, pity, kindness, sentiment, grace, charity; greeting, salutation, regards; sweetheart, lover, loved one, beloved, loving, kind, compassionate, charitable, lovable; to love, be fond of, to show kindness, mercy, pity, charity, affection; to venerate; to remember with affection; to greet, hail. Greetings! Hello! Goodbye! Farewell! Alas!"

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