News to Amuse

A L O H A, FRIENDS!

click on photos to visit Hawaii instantly Reach!

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

Dr. Seuss

Parsley Planet


“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Maya Angelou

I liked her cute little outfit!

"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."

Darwin




For the first time in over 40 years, a nation has decided to change the

side of the street that they drive on.



Today is the second day of a two-day national holiday in

S A M O A.



The island nation will now be driving on the

Left Side, British style,

like Pacific neighbors Australia and New Zealand.



Have your figured out why they are making this change?



Steering-wheel-on-da-left American cars

are expensive to ship!



Samoan officials hope that expat Samoans in Oz & N.Z.

(of which there are many)

will send used cars home to their rural relatives.

It is hoped that this change will thus give the country

an economic shot in the arm.





Experts claim that doing things in new ways,

like brushing ones teeth with the unaccustomed arm,

is good for the brain-

forging new connections and maintaining cognitive flexibility.



How might you improve

YOUR

life by seeing things in new ways,

trying on new perspectives?





Thanks for visiting today!




A L O H A! Cloudia

The Streets

A L O H A!

E Komo Mai - Come In

click on photos to expand your consciousness" God made the Idiot for practice,

and then He made the School Board."

Mark Twain

Those are Waikiki's Magical White Towers

down there in the distance.

(Diamond Head is cut off at the far left)



“Love has a hem to her garment that reaches the very dust.

It sweeps the streets and lanes, and because it can, it must.”
Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"I don't think I NEED another drink!"


“I have been waiting. I have been searching.

I am a man under the moon, walking the streets of earth until dawn.

There's got to be someone for me. It's not too much to ask.

Just someone to be with. Someone to love. Someone to give everything to. Someone.”
Henry Rollins


<>< )=( ><>

When you live the streets,
or love the streets,
it's easy to forget
that each building on the block
is more than just your back drop;
That each one is a solar system
revolving around a business,
a mission, a family -
each window is a world
and some souls never leave their room.




Open your eyes, you windows!
Let realization in as the light.
To save a life is to save a whole world;
And
each smile is a
Tiny Rescue.

A L O H A! Cloudia

Glad it's Sunday

It's ALOHA Sunday-

W E L C O M E !

click on photos because. . .

" It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."
J. K. Rowling

"I know who I am.

No one else knows who I am.

If I was a giraffe, and someone said I was a snake, I'd think, no,

actually I'm a giraffe."

Richard Gere


“One small cat changes coming home to an empty house to coming home."
Pam Brown

“Friends will keep you sane, Love could fill your heart, A lover can warm your bed, But lonely is the soul without a mate.”
David Pratt

"A lonely boat, a single line, my heart is full of home."

Du Fu

"There is a difference between happiness and wisdom:

he that thinks himself the happiest man is really so; but he that thinks himself the wisest is generally the greatest fool."
Sir Francis Bacon

“Poetry is the journal of a sea animal living on land, wanting to fly in the air”
Carl Sandburg

The Kolea (Golden Plover)

will arrive here from Alaska soon for their Hawaiian winter.

"Do not let Sunday be taken from you.

If your soul has no Sunday, it becomes an orphan."

Albert Schweitzer


"The chief proof of mans greatness

lies in his perception of his own smallness."
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

"The only queer people are those who don't love anybody."
Rita Mae Brown

"Experience is not what happens to us,

rather it is what we do with what happens to us."
Anthony J. D'Angelo

"There are no traffic jams when you go the extra mile."
Anonymous

It's been quite a week!

I'm bushed.

But posting a photo, a quote, and a note is what I do.

So cool of you to stop by and leave your Aloha.

Your comments make me smile.

Much appreciated, you lovely people!

We'll get back to kings, cabbages, and worthy thoughts tomorrow, eh?

Today is for quiet moments of lazy laying about.

Enjoy your day!

A L O H A! Cloudia

From the Beach to the Cliff

A L O H A!

Come On In. . .

click on photos to tavel through history

Kamehameha the Great (the 'lonely one') invaded Oahu in 1795

On his deathbed, King Kamehameha the Great said:

"I have given you -- the greatest good: peace. And a kingdom which -- is all one -- a kingdom of all the islands."

Hard to believe that this peaceful coast has seen invasion

by a fleet of war canoes.


“Then on the shore

Of the wide world I stand alone, and think

Till love and fame to nothingness do sink”
John Keats

Snack Break!

"...the avocado is a food without rival among the fruits,

the veritable fruit of paradise."

David Fairchild

"I'm standing for my ancestors"

"To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born

is to remain perpetually a child. For what is the worth of a human life unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?"

Marcus Tullius Cicero

Their bones LIVE!

"If you could see humanity spread out in time, as God sees it, it would look like one single growing thing--rather like a very complicated tree. Every individual would appear connected with every other."

- C. S. Lewis

"Those who do not look upon themselves as a link, connecting the past with the future, do not perform their duty to the world."

Daniel Webster

<>< )=( ><>

In 1790 (20 years before his 1810 unification the Islands) Kamehameha invited Englishmen John Young and Isaac Davis to join his forces, even welcoming them to marry into his family. Both men were regarded as "Ali`i or chiefs, and are today interred at Mauna Ala, the Royal Mausoleum. (Non-natives continued to intermarry, assimilate and contribute to the multi-cultural Kingdom of Hawaii.)

Kamehameha's last great battle was fought on O'ahu in 1795 at Nu'uanu Pali. (TOP)

There his invading army defeated O'ahu's

King Kalanikupule;

ultimately driving hundreds

(perhaps even thousands) of Oahu defenders to the edge

of the famous precipice.

The Big Island and Maui invaders had the decided advantage of cannons and guns wielded by Englishmen and a specially trained cadre of Hawaiian warriors. Spears, shark tooth daggers, and other traditional stone-age weapons (some now tipped with metal) were also used in the battle, of course.

Kalanikupule's men (and few women) warriors who were not killed outright either jumped or were pushed over the edge, tumbling to their deaths on the rocky cliffs far below. The most famous remembrance of that event is the huge oil painting by artist Herb Kane shown above.

No one knows the final resting place of the

"Napolean of the Pacific."

Kamehameha's bones were entrusted to a family retainer who hid them on his Big Island of Hawaii in the old fashion.

The bones, or iwi, are held to possess great Mana, or spiritual power. They are hidden in caves so that enemies may not use the bones in rituals. A descendant of that trusted retainer guards the Royal Mausoleum to this day.

A L O H A! Cloudia

I Love Liliha

A L O H A Greetings!

Welcome to Honolulu's neighborhood of

L I L I H A

click on photos to visitThe "I" is a poi pounder, the heart is an anthurum flower.

The Hawaiians of old divided the land into pie-shaped sections called

"Ahupuaa."

These ran from the peak of the mountain, broadening out as they reached the coast.

Thus the local village people would have access to the produce of the forests, the plain, and sea.

The Liliha / Nuuanu corridor is one of my favorite such neighborhoods in our Honolulu, embracing Honolulu Harbor, Chinatown, working class commercial and residential Liliha Street itself, and the foothills of Nuuanu.

The histories of the Hawaiians, the pre-statehood Chinese, Japanese, and Americans, all live richly in this area that contains the Royal Mausoleum (sacred burial place of Hawaii's Monarchs) legendary Kunawai healing spring & pond, Kuakini (formerly "The Japanese") Hospital, which was the first such hospital supported by Japan's emperor, as well as Hawaii's oldest lychee tree.

24 hour Liliha Bakery is a beacon to the whole island, and her coco puffs pastries are the stuff of legend. Further along Kuakini Street, a well used cinder block, neighborhood, Chinese Temple is right across the street from a Japanese Buddhist Temple & School, all just a few doors down from the Pizza Hut. Did I mention the four consulates?The Area is named for this lady: Liliha, Governor of Oahu under Kamehameha.

(It was her father, Hoopili, who created the Royal Mausoleum)

When his forces landed on Oahu at Waikiki, Kamehameha fought the local warriors all the way up into this valley.

The famous Battle of the Nuuanu Pali saw the local defenders spill over the cliff (or Pali) rather than surrender. To this day, the Pali Highway carries a supernatural aura that is felt by drivers, particularly at night. Do NOT carry pork over the highway either, but that's a whole other (ghost) story ;-]

Saturday's I Love Liliha Town Festival

opened with a traditional Lion Dance

at Kawananakoa Park.

Abigail Kawananakoa is the descendant of Hawaiian royalty, and would have a clear claim to the (overthrown) crown of the Kingdom of Hawaii. http://www.keouanui.org/Desc3.html#

She has spent recent years acquiring dispersed royal possessions and gifting them to the Iolani Palace.

There was a controversy a few years back, when a national magazine photographed the lady sitting on the throne. A fine man named James Bartels, who had dedicated his life to the heroic restoration of the palace, left his job in the resulting ruckus.

Mz. Kawananakoa has used her considerable personal wealth in aid of the Hawaiian patrimony and people - especially in recent years. Most recently she purchased one of Liliuo's golden bracelets, a very early example of the Hawaiian heirloom jewelry

worn by local women to this day, me included.

Mr. Bartels has since passed, but will never be forgotten for his unique contribution to the restoration of the pride of Hawaii.

One cannot pass by the palace, let alone enter it, without feeling

the undeniable presence of so many loyal hearts!

Boy Scout Troop 201 paraded the colors as we sang:

"Hawaii Pono`i" and the "Star Spangled Banner."

Listen to Hawaii's anthem here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmvFnvZd-VY

or here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gqexDy2UHg

Yummy Shave Ice!

We love our "grinds."
That means "Kau Kau" or "food" to you. It also means to "EAT."
You like go grind aftahs?
If you are in a western US state, you may have eaten at an "L&L Hawaiian Barbecue." The first L&L in the chain was a humble "plate lunch" place right here on Liliha Street. Saimin, one of our foremost local comfort foods, was also invented here. You can read about saimin at:

http://comfortspiral.blogspot.com/2009/04/comfort-in-bowl.html

The world's greatest civic band was there too!
Established 1836 by a King, and playing a unique repertoire of Monarchy era marches, Hawaiian music, western classics, Okinawan songs and MORE!
Can you tell how much I love the Royal Hawaiian Band?
They are a WHOLE other post!

Listen to my favourite "Kalakaua March" here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKv2VY2msgQ

Leader, Mr. Nakasone (Pearl City High School's beloved former band teacher) conducting outside as usual.
They march in parades too!
Note the proprietary aloha print.

There was an exhibition of Kung Fu by the youngsters.


"I do not fear the 10,000 kicks you have practiced once, I fear the 1 kick you have practiced 10,000 times."

Shaolin saying

Our kids are special!


"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man." Rabindranath Tagore

"You are worried about seeing him spend his early years in doing nothing. What! Is it nothing to be happy? Nothing to skip, play, and run around all day long? Never in his life will he be so busy again."

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile, 1762

We also love our Kupuna (seniors)

and PETS!


"A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails." Donna Roberts

Liliha Bakery:

http://lilihabakeryhawaii.com/

Jim Bartels:

http://archives.starbulletin.com/2003/04/22/news/story11.html

Iolani Palace:

http://www.iolanipalace.org/

Liliuokalani's Bracelet, A Video Report:

http://www.kitv.com/video/20679841/index.html

Mahalo for your visit today! Cloudia

50 Years of Hawaii Fashion

A L O H A!

click on photos, et voila!

Welcome to Hawaii Style

Our University of Hawaii teams are nicknamed "Rainbows."

This shirt from the early Sixties carries the familiar cheer:

"Go `Bows!"

Reyn Spooner still makes top tier Aloha Wear for discerning locals.

This "Statehood Shirt" from 1959 shows the Hawaii flag, the Nene Goose, Hibiscus, and other proud emblems of the isles.


Subtle. . . for the Sixties!

Groovy, man!

Don't be uptight!




Late Sixties:

Those "Sleeves" are hanging strings. Swingy!

Pop Art comes to da beach!




The graphics and bright color blocks got heavy, Dude

in the Seventies...







I took these photos at the "Fifty Years of Fashion" exhibit at

Ala Moana Shopping Center, celebrating 50 years of both Statehood, and of shopping at "Hawaii's Center," the worlds best people-watching venue, that I can see from my boat.

The garments were on loan from the University of Hawaii's "Historic Costume Collection. "...one of the largest assemblages of garments, textiles, and related artifacts of any American university. It consists of the following four sub collections: Asian, Hawaiian, Ethnic, and Western. "

<http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/costume/>








When the missionaries landed in Hawaii, they dressed just like they had at home. They covered their bodies, not a bad idea in the sub tropical sun, but in black, somber costumes of heavy wool. What's more, they insisted that the Hawaiians cover themselves similarly. The "Mother Hubbard" begat the Mu`u Mu`u. Kiawe trees are sometimes called "missionary thorns" here in the islands because it is said that those Calvinists planted them so that the Hawaiians could be induced to wear shoes (I don't!). This would also have the additional advantage of forcing them to work for money!



With so many cultures brought here to provide labor for King Sugar on the plantation, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean attire have always been part of the Honolulu street scene.





Up to the Sixties, businessmen in Honolulu wore coats and ties - just watch re-runs of HAWAII 5-0. Denizens of our courts continue to dress like their mainland counterparts, though defendants and witnesses are not regarded as disrespectful for appearing in the local attire (Clean t-shirts, work clothes, flip flops). Most men here don't own a suit (or a winter coat ;-)





In Hawaii , for the most part, clothes are less important than your grooming and how you carry yourself. After all, that fat character in ugly beach wear might just be a vacationing Supreme Court Justice from Ohio or Stuttgart. This is not to say that I would not dress properly for a business meeting, interview, or court appearance, but there is much more latitude in Hawaii. Famous writer and professor of Hawaiian Studies, Haunani Trask, is NEVER seen in western clothes at all. She wears a sarong EVERYWHERE. At home, my husband and I adhere to the same local standards of dress. I tie my sarong under my arm-pits, he wears his around his waist with a t-shirt; and yes, I have gone in public wearing only that. In fact, on mainland trips I pack sarongs for lounge/sleepwear, and have even scandalized my hosts by wearing it to dinner! I take being a Hawaii person very seriously and expect the same respect a Scotsman wearing a kilt would demand.

OK, I'll dress properly should you invite me. When in Rome. . .





Tasteful aloha shirts (we know the difference!) dress slacks, and closed shoes are executive work wear here today. And just as one needn't be thin or young to dance hula publicly, I can always hide behind a tasteful, tailored mu`u mu`u and look quite respectable.



ALOHA, my over-dressed friends!! Cloudia

I'm BACK, Baby!

A L O H A, Friends!

Welcome Back to Waikiki

click on photos for the full treatment

I am back from my journey to a strange place. . .

"When the baby looks around him

It's such a sight to see

He shares a simple secret

With the wise man

He's a stranger in a strange land

Just a stranger in a strange land

Tell me why

He's a stranger in a strange land

Just a stranger in a strange land - "

Things are starting to look like they normally do again. . .

"- How many miles will it take

To see the sun

And how many years until it's done

Kiss my confusion away in the night

Lay by my side when the morning comes -"

Now I can get back to important explorations

of the world around me. . .

"-Do you recognize the bells of truth

When you hear them ring

Won't you stop and listen

To the children sing

Won't you come on and sing it children

He's a stranger in a strange land

Just a stranger in a strange land."

Leon Russell, Stranger in a Strange Land (Lyrics)

First, I want to thank all of you who left supportive remarks for me on my previous (colonoscopy) post. I also want to thank those who left witty comments!

The prep was not THAT bad.

When my blood sugar does down I feel draggy and susceptible to "moods." But a little strained miso soup, ginger ale, and chilled green tea, make for a cleansing day and kept me going.

Drinking the 16 gallons (less?) of colyte was merely a commitment to DO it.

It wasn't till I was at the medical center that I began to get nervous - which is good, because I used to be nervous ALL the time, EVERYWHERE!

Why do you think I've become such a well being expert?

I had the choice of spiralling around in anxiety, or discovering and entering the Comfort Spiral. . .

The positivity that you find at this blog was hard earned, and requires respect and upkeep on my part. Which is not to say that it is fragile (far from it - hooray!) just that it takes a daily commitment which is far from difficult.

The motto of Kaiser / Hawaii Region is: "Caring for Hawaii's People Like Family" and most everyone you meet there is excellent at their task, and very human & warm.

Jim Morrison of the DOORS sang: "People are strange when you're a stranger."

When I felt estranged from others, everyday brought examples of their strangeness. Since I have begun to see the innocence in others and in myself, I have found good people everywhere I go. Marianne Williamson says there is no thought so insignificant that it does not have effect in our world. Since I have discovered the beauty in others (and in myself) and stopped living in constant judgement of them (and myself) I have felt more at home in the world and among others than ever before. People really can feel it when we are surrendered and trusting. My new health motto has become:

"Rejoice & Rejuvenate."

Sure beats the tar out of:

"Worry & Complain."

I knew that the team would either give me a clean bill of health, or remove a potential problem and thus save my health and life years in advance of any symptoms.

So I was grateful to receive this screening!

The Doc removed a few small polyps (future problems) said that it all looked good, and told me to repeat the test in . . . . 10 years! I'll be eligible for Medicare then. . .

One reason that I am sharing all of this is because a blogger I follow (was it you, Sandee?) recently posted about her colonoscopy (timely!) and made me feel much better about the whole thing. (Thanks!)

Another BLOGGING Miracle!

So it is in that spirit that I urge all my friends here who are lucky enough to have health coverage (or who can afford this screening) to strongly consider getting it done.

In honesty, I must tell you that I felt really out of it afterwards, and that I'm just beginning to feel like myself again (the test was Monday - I even missed posting yesterday which is rare for (big mouth) me ;-]

So today I'm babying myself with great self-indulgence. My favorite husband (who I usually leave out of this blog-thing) has been a trooper throughout, even taking yesterday off to stay home and annoy, er, distract and care for me!

Having seen my Dad fight a losing battle with cancer back in the Spring makes everyday seem precious!

So thanks to each and every one of you who share this blog-y life with me. Our friend Sepiru Chris of Cuneiform Scratchings (see my blog roll) sent me a cool postcard from Hong Kong. His cat companion, Pommes, also mailed a delectable "double-fish" seal to Miss Kitty who enjoys having it over her treat-spot. I'm resting in bed and reading Walking Man's book of verse: "Stink." (See my blog roll for his worthy blog also)

And I've noticed a lot of positive, under-reported news stories lately too. Many of the bailed out banks and financials are PAYING BACK bail-out funds and the Fed Gov't (you and me) is even showing a profit! Big Money Authorities (OK, I forgot the source) stated that the Federal Gov't "saved the financial system from disaster." (Even though we all know that it requires more balancing & fairness to us little guys)

And General Jones said this week that the Obama administration has made us all demonstrably SAFER in the world!

I look forward to getting around to visit all of YOU very soon, though I'm still feel a bit tentative, and I feel a televised, late-season WNBA game coming on ;-]

I love you guys - thanks for EVERYTHING!

Warm Aloha, Cloudia