Here's a link to the local music scene in Hawaii: http://www.808shows.com it gives the listings of band performances and venue listings.
Here's something swanky for the hip set: http://www.artafterdark.org
I'm not sure if they have events in the winter. Check the site for details. The events are usually loads of fun.
This is the coolest thing to do the first Friday of every month: http://www.firstfridayhawaii.com art, food, music, booze and loads of people in China Town.
If you like Lost, if you search the web you can find listings of places where they do/have done filming. Also, you can check out places where they've filmed movies and stuff. Just search google, you'll find alot.
If you like hiking, there are trails literally everywhere. You see all those draws and spurs on the sides of mountains where the housing settlments creep up, if you drive to the top of one of those or into the back of any of those valleys below you're almost gauranteed to find a trail. Also, for some breath taking views of town and and interesting drive you should drive Tantalus/Round Top Drive (google it for directions). Just remember to be respectful of locals and traditions/customs, the land, etc.
Stay the hell out of the water in the North Shore during the winter. That's big surf time and inexperienced folks get dead in the water real quick if they're silly enough to go in or onto the rocks.
Turtles are protected - hands off! Also, don't touch/stand on/break coral.
Sharks Cove and Haunama Bay are snazzy places to go snorkeling/scuba diving. www.hanaumabay-hawaii.com/
If you're a coffee head check out Coffee Gallery in Haleiwa and Coffee Talk in Kaimuki (3601 Wai'alae Ave) are boss. Coffee Talk used to do all ages punk/indie shows but stopped (unless they started again and I don't know about it).
Matsumoto's Shave Ice in Haleiwa is LEGEND! (Aoki's, the place next door to it, is good too) I the lychee flavor (mixed with one or two randoms) is my favorite.
Don't forget to try the lau lau with poi on the side. Ono grindz fo da kine! (and have you noticed yet that McDonald's has spam and rice on the breakfast menu?)
The Liquor Collection in Ward Warehouse is great for a wide assortment of boozy libations.
Movie Theaters: Ko'olau Stadium 10 in Kaneohe and Dole Cannery in town play some independent and foreign films, as well, with a lot of run of the mill stuff as well. The theater at Ward plays movies 10 decibals higher volume than anywhere else on the island. The stadium seating there is great and the area is spectacular for people watching if you can stand the ear shattering volume of the movies.
Also, if you're in need of some midnight grub, skip Denny's and check out Anna Miller's. They're open 24 hours and the waitress outfits are hilarious.
Beaches: Waimanalo Bay Park rules. Ala Moana is a good swimming spot if your in town. Always keep a towel and swim suit in the trunk of your car for impromptu swimming opportunities.
It may be worth it to switch your license over for a Hawaii one for the Kamaaina discounts. If you have a valid out of state license, you will have to take the written exam, but not the road test.
Also, there's a weekly entertainment newspaper called The Honolulu weekly that has lots of good stuff in it. It's free and it's all over the place or at http://honoluluweekly.com and craigs list is pretty active, for all the stuff that the site is known for, in Honolulu.
Transportation: TRAFFIC is a bitch. The island is basically habitated on the low lands with uninhabitable mountains all up in the middle. That means there's basically one way to get anyplace that you need to go. You can't take much for back road shortcuts or cut through towns and what not like on the mainland. Avoid the H1 at all cost during morning/evening rush hour! It becomes a literal parking lot. If you're going the opposite route of traffic then you're ok- morning all the commuters head towards town and evening they all head away. The Kam Highway gets pretty backed up too during rush times. I suggest that you buy a nice big map and familiarize yourself with streets/towns/areas. I have some tricks of the trade to bypass traffic, but it's complicated to explain to someone who doesn't know the lay of the land. I hear that The Bus system (http://www.thebus.org/) is pretty efficient, though I've only taken twice. Biking can be pretty hairy with traffic and steep hills, depending on where you live and isn't really practical for going long distances/across the island because of the way the roads are set up. Some areas have been creating bike paths.
Meet Ups/Making friends: MAKE FRIENDS WITH LOCALS as much as possible! They have better insight into like, everything about Hawaii that you wouldn't find out about otherwise. Don't be an apartment rat or townie. Get out and explore as much as possible, even if you've got to do it on your own- do it. You're going to be in paradise, make the best of it and enjoy!
Search for meet up groups on these sites-
http://www.meetin.org
http://www.meetup.com (there's a great hiking group on this site)
Monday, June 27, 2011
Waimano Training School and Hospital, Pearl City, Hawaii
In November I had to go up Waimano Home Road for a job interview. This is the third time that I've been up there. The first time was for the Waimano Ridge hike a few years ago, and the second was last week for pre-employment stuff. When I first visited the area for the hike I was really curious about what was in the compound as there was an armed guard at the entrance. I never thought I'd get to go inside, but when I went last week I was amazed at all the abandoned buildings on the premises. It's like a mini-ghost-town.
This is a shot of the view halfway between where my car was parked and where I started exploring. It was difficult to see the view with all the weed overgrowth.
This is a shot of the view halfway between where my car was parked and where I started exploring. It was difficult to see the view with all the weed overgrowth.
Ni'ihau
Ni'ihau is the northern most of the 8 main Hawaiian islands and is the smallest of the inhabited islands. It is often referred to as "The Forbidden Island," because it has been privately owned by a single family since 1864. The island has no electricity, TVs, hospitals, or other amenities. They live a traditional lifestyle and speak Hawaiian as their first language. The Ni'ihau incident occurred during attack in WWII when a Japanese pilot crashed on the island and committed a load of chaos before being killed.
Presently, Keith Robinson fights to preserve the way of life for the islands residents and continues to cultivate endangered Hawaiian flora. The island is also an important refuse for various endangered indigenous fauna including several bird species and the Hawaiian Monk Seal.
Robinson Crusader, a short documentary about the island's current owner and caretaker:
(from http://www.mrmovietimes.com/watch-now/50049206/Robinson-Crusaderr)
Shigenori Nishikaichi, the Japanese pilot who crashed on the island:
Presently, Keith Robinson fights to preserve the way of life for the islands residents and continues to cultivate endangered Hawaiian flora. The island is also an important refuse for various endangered indigenous fauna including several bird species and the Hawaiian Monk Seal.
Robinson Crusader, a short documentary about the island's current owner and caretaker:
(from http://www.mrmovietimes.com/watch-now/50049206/Robinson-Crusaderr)
Shigenori Nishikaichi, the Japanese pilot who crashed on the island:
Learn To Speak Hawaiian
8 CDs in on folder. Go here:
hxxp://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=4b111
(change xx to tt) |
Aincient Hawaiian Weddings
Ancient Hawaiian Weddings
B Rev. Dr. Bernadette K. Park
Ancient Hawaiian cultural traditions include ho’ao pa’a (marriage), a custom by which a man and a woman were bound in a lasting union’ a man was not to desert his wife nor a woman her husband. At one time unions were divided into two classes, those in which a man took many wives and a woman took many husbands, and the more commonplace marriage of the one wife and one husband arrangement. In ancient times, it was the aristocracy and privileged who were permitted more than one wife or husband.
The makua (parents) of the kane (boy) and the wahine (girl) whishint to marry discussed the matter umong themselves first. After the parents had reached an agreement, the kane and wahine were invited to hear the wishes of the respective parents, and if agreeable, the two were united with a ho hiki aku (vow) which commanded them to take care of each other. They were told to work in order to prepare for a life together. When the advising was pau (ended), the kane and wahine would honi (embrace) to seal the pact, and they became husband and wife. This marriage was considered binding until death.
Another tradition of ho’ao pa’a was for the man’s makua to send a messenger with ho’okupu (gifts) to the woman and the parents. They were valuable ho’okupu of hulu (feathers) of the mamo and brids for leis or capes, finely designed pawehi (mats), pearls, ivory, tapa, fish nets, fish lines, iron adzes, pigs, dogs, fowl, poi and la’au (herbal, medicinal plants). Then, the woman’s makua would in return send a messenger with lou (hooks) or lou ‘ulu (breadfruit hooks), attesting to the betrothal of the tow parties in a bond of marriage. As the marriage day approached, the relatives of the kane and wahine would prepare for a luau (feast). The man’s relatives build the hale (house) to host the marriage ceremony and feast, and both families prepared the food.
On the marriage day, the woman’s relative gathered her property and other wai wai (goods) upon a decorated manele (stretcher) to the home of husband-to-be. Upon receiving them, the family of the husband-to-be gave the relatives of the woman rich gifts and land, if they had it. The woman’s relatives would offer the same. This last exchange on the wedding day sealed the relationship between the two families for a lifetime.
An appropriate oil (chant) of ancient Hawaii was spoken by the kahu (leader or minister) to help to guide the matrimonial ceremony. Friends and family were encouraged to participate in the chanting as well. A kappa (or tapa) was prepared ahead of time by beating bark till it resembled cloth. Vibrant colors, using dyes extracted from plants were worked into designs on the kappa. This cloth was draped over the couple or held behind them throughout the ceremony, until, at the end, they were enfolded in it. The kappa was the enclosure in which the wedded couple would consummate their marriage, to the encouragement of their families and friends.
A common thread in the tradition was that couples would marry on the “huna moon” which was the eleventh day of the month at sunrise, the beginning of a new day.
Bibliography:
Ka Poe Kahiko, The People of Old
by Samuel Manaikalani Kamakau; 1931
Bishop Museum Press; A me Kumu John Lake;
HWM Arts and Culture, April 2005
B Rev. Dr. Bernadette K. Park
Ancient Hawaiian cultural traditions include ho’ao pa’a (marriage), a custom by which a man and a woman were bound in a lasting union’ a man was not to desert his wife nor a woman her husband. At one time unions were divided into two classes, those in which a man took many wives and a woman took many husbands, and the more commonplace marriage of the one wife and one husband arrangement. In ancient times, it was the aristocracy and privileged who were permitted more than one wife or husband.
The makua (parents) of the kane (boy) and the wahine (girl) whishint to marry discussed the matter umong themselves first. After the parents had reached an agreement, the kane and wahine were invited to hear the wishes of the respective parents, and if agreeable, the two were united with a ho hiki aku (vow) which commanded them to take care of each other. They were told to work in order to prepare for a life together. When the advising was pau (ended), the kane and wahine would honi (embrace) to seal the pact, and they became husband and wife. This marriage was considered binding until death.
Another tradition of ho’ao pa’a was for the man’s makua to send a messenger with ho’okupu (gifts) to the woman and the parents. They were valuable ho’okupu of hulu (feathers) of the mamo and brids for leis or capes, finely designed pawehi (mats), pearls, ivory, tapa, fish nets, fish lines, iron adzes, pigs, dogs, fowl, poi and la’au (herbal, medicinal plants). Then, the woman’s makua would in return send a messenger with lou (hooks) or lou ‘ulu (breadfruit hooks), attesting to the betrothal of the tow parties in a bond of marriage. As the marriage day approached, the relatives of the kane and wahine would prepare for a luau (feast). The man’s relatives build the hale (house) to host the marriage ceremony and feast, and both families prepared the food.
On the marriage day, the woman’s relative gathered her property and other wai wai (goods) upon a decorated manele (stretcher) to the home of husband-to-be. Upon receiving them, the family of the husband-to-be gave the relatives of the woman rich gifts and land, if they had it. The woman’s relatives would offer the same. This last exchange on the wedding day sealed the relationship between the two families for a lifetime.
An appropriate oil (chant) of ancient Hawaii was spoken by the kahu (leader or minister) to help to guide the matrimonial ceremony. Friends and family were encouraged to participate in the chanting as well. A kappa (or tapa) was prepared ahead of time by beating bark till it resembled cloth. Vibrant colors, using dyes extracted from plants were worked into designs on the kappa. This cloth was draped over the couple or held behind them throughout the ceremony, until, at the end, they were enfolded in it. The kappa was the enclosure in which the wedded couple would consummate their marriage, to the encouragement of their families and friends.
A common thread in the tradition was that couples would marry on the “huna moon” which was the eleventh day of the month at sunrise, the beginning of a new day.
Bibliography:
Ka Poe Kahiko, The People of Old
by Samuel Manaikalani Kamakau; 1931
Bishop Museum Press; A me Kumu John Lake;
HWM Arts and Culture, April 2005
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