Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Journey Music and Dance of Polynesia

HULA


The Marriott at Waikoloa Resort on the Big Island of Hawai'i has a really great Polynesian show on Wednesdays and Sundays. Let's not forget the food either. A wonderful and authentic Hawaiian Luau with all the trimmings. The Royal Luau offers a spectacular evening of sights, sounds and sensational food along a beautiful oceanfront setting at sunset. Once the sun disappears into the ocean the entertainment begins with a tour of the Islands of Polynesia.


The costumes, dances and music are truly amazing. The food that starts the off the Luau is a buffet of Salads, Fish, Kalua Pork, Teriyaki Beef and Chicken all done using local Hawaiian recipes. After the guests get their fill of food, the entrainment begins.



Just a spectacular show that demonstrates the Islands of Polynesia. The dances are from the Maori Islands of New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, and all the way to Hawai'i. A wonderful experience for anyone visiting the islands of Hawai'i. If you are on the Big Island of Hawai'i, then this is the best Luau that is a "must see" visit.



A perfect end to a Hawaiian day. Comfortable island breezes, palm trees dancing in the wind, a sun that sets into the ocean. Waikoloa offers not only spectacular views of the Ocean, but also the mountains of Mauna Kea. A story for another day.

Aloha

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Ki Ho'Alu

Slack Key Guitar is a unique form of music found only in the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaiian name for this music is called, Ki Ho'Alu, which literally means loosen the keys. This unique style of music was developed when guitars were brought to Hawai'i by the Spanish Vaqueros in 1832

In 1832, King Kamehameha III, hired Spanish Vaqueros from Mexico to help manage the wild cattle roaming the Hawaiian Islands. The Vaqueros brought their guitars with them and the Hawaiians loved the music. Just like when the Portuguese brought their 4 stringed guitar like instruments called the Braguinho to Hawai'i, the Ukulele, like the guitar was adopted as mainstream Hawaiian music. The Hawaiians used the six string guitar and invented string tunings that developed into a unique form of music called Slack Key.


Today, we celebrate Slack Key Guitar in Hawai'i with festivals all across Hawaii. This celebration of Slack Key Guitar took place at the Sheraton Hotel in Keauhou, on the Big Island of Hawai'i. The music is beautiful like the Hawaiian language.



The festivals are more than just music, it's also about food. With good music, you need good food. With Slack Key Hawaiian music, you need good Hawaiian food. Lomi Lomi Salmon, Kalua Pork, Lau Lau, Teri Yaki Mahi Mahi, Fried Rice, Huli Huli Chicken, Haupia and much, much more. You will not go home hungry.

Aloha

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Visitors

You never know who'll show up at your door. Or in this case, in the yard. I suspect this is somebody's pet potbelly pig that got loose. Seemingly friendly enough, the little guy wandered around in the yard for awhile then then wandered off. Probably looking for a handout.



The little porker didn't seem afraid of us, so it leads me to believe this little guy was used to being around people and dogs. Our dogs were going nuts barking at this little piglet, but he didn't seem phased by all the commotion. Rather, he kinda seemed oblivious to all the excitement the dogs were having over the little visitor.



With a little white tip on his wiry tail and a little white spot on his forehead, this was one well groomed piggy. He seemed interested in us for awhile and then decided to wander off someplace else.


Down the road he goes, where he ended up, nobody knows. For a brief period of time, this little piggy was a delightful little visitor. I hope he finds his way back home or where ever he belongs.

Aloha

Monday, September 7, 2009

Tranquil Moments

Tranquil Moments


A day is spent by a pond. Watching the flower and the water. Contemplating the existence of life in the microcosm of a pond. A deep breath, exhale and a smile. As calm trade breezes and warm sunshine baths the pond like music that energizes the soul. Another day in paradise.

Aloha

Saturday, August 29, 2009

The Orchid Isle

ORCHIDS


The Big Island of Hawai'i is also known as the Orchid Isle. The other major Islands also have names; Kaua'i is the Garden Isle, O'Ahu is the Gathering Place, Maui is the Valley Isle, Moloka'i and Lana'i are known as the Magic Isles.



While there are many different orchids that are grown on the Big Island of Hawai'i, there is a wild orchid called the Bamboo Orchid that grows everywhere on the island. This flower is very common in the Puna district where the rainfall and soil conditions are perfect for growing these rare flowers.



There are so many different varieties of Orchids to marvel at here on the Big Island of Hawai'i that it has spawned huge farms where nothing but Orchids are grown and delivered worldwide.

Such colors and styles are unmatched anywhere in the world and anyone visiting the Orchid Isle should take time to visit these places. The flowers that surrounds the island like a Lei is truly something to behold.

Aloha

Monday, August 17, 2009

Laupahoehoe

Here in Hawai'i, on the Big Island also known as Hawai'i, there are so many diverse climates to come across. Climates, we have many different climates here in Hawai'i. The Big Island can boast to having almost all of the world climates here on the Big Island. If we were to take the Köppen model as the example, we would see that Hawai'i is not only has tropical rain forest, but also has tropical desert areas. We do not have neither monsoon nor polar climates. However, we have just about all the other climates that make up the Earth's climates at different times of the year, depending on the weather conditions.



On the Big Island, you can drive from Hilo to Kona along the southern coast through the Volcano regions of Puna and Ka'u. There you will find a gentle transition from a rain forest to cooler higher elevation rain forests. Then the downhill drive into the dry desert of Ka'u. Eventually, the transition brings green vegetation back as you round the southern tip of the Big Island and proceed northwards into the south Kona districts. The southern parts of Kona will look similar to the Mediterranean reagons of Italy and France. However, in Hawai'i, growing coffee and mangoes are plentiful crops.



Traveling into North Kona and into the South Kohala district brings more desert areas and then the gentle transition into grasslands which reminds me of north central California. The rolling hills that change frequently from green to golden yellow depending on the yearly rainfall and the season.



Once reaching the Hamakua district on the eastern coast of the Big Island the transition again becomes drastic. From high altitude desert with cactus and dry arid rocky desert transforms to a lush forest that resembles the old growth forest of Washington state and Oregon. Lined with stretching forests of tall Eucalyptus trees, dairy farms, misty moist clouds that hang over the Waimea country side. Bone chilling cold in the winter and warm gentle trade breezes in the summer. This is Paniolo country, also known as Hawaiian Cowboy country.


As the road towards Hilo twists and bends like that of something wound. The transition from grasslands and old growth forests, into tropical rain forests begins to appear like a blur with the contours of the land that zigzags along the ocean. Then you come upon something like this:


Laupahoehoe gulch had this spectacular waterfall that finds its way into the ocean. It was just too much to pass by and not get a close up picture of the event caused by upper mountain rainfall.



There among the rocky black sand beaches, along the Hamakua coastline, is truly a wonder of nature. With all the climates here in Hawai'i Nei. I like this climate the best at Laupahoehoe.

Even with a 360 degree view of the Big Island of Hawai'i, there is always more to see than in just one view.

Aloha

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

A Relaxing Sunset


As Hurricane Felicia fades away, a beautiful sunset appeared through the clouds tonight. The remnant feeder bands have produced much rain, but beautiful rainbows as well.

A glass of Iced Tea on the lanai, the sounds of soft guitar playing Hawaiian Slack Key songs, and the drawing near evening begs for a good night slumber.

Tomorrow will be a good day.

Aloha

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Felicia Fades

Hurricane Felicia fades away into a tropical storm that's due to reach the Big Island some time Monday afternoon. Either way, we're glad to see the worst of Felicia turn into just rain.


The latest radar image shows the hurricane breaking up into a large tropical storm. Which means we'll get a lot of rain and some wind. Hopefully, Felicia remnants will not be too damaging to the islands.

Hawai'i Civil Defense has been great in keeping us informed about the approaching storm.

Aloha

Friday, August 7, 2009

Aloha

Aloha kakou, i keia manawa, e huaka'i ana kākou i Moku o Keawe.
(Hello everyone, at this time, we will travel to the Big Island of Hawai'i)

















Click on the Picture to see a larger view.

The picture is a photo from the Space Shuttle as it passed over the State of Hawai'i. The picture shows the southern tip of the Big Island which is the youngest Island in the chain of Islands known as Hawai'i.

From this picture, you can clearly see South Point on the left. It is the southern most point in the Hawaiian Island chain, and it is the southern most point in the United States of America.

To the right is the Halema'uma'u Caldera, the Pu'u 'O'o vent and the entry point where the lava enters the ocean, it can be clearly seen from space. VOG, which is short for Volcanic (F)OG, it is mainly sulfur dioxide clouds that pass over and around the island.

And then, there is where we live. In the Puna district on the southern east side of the island.

Aloha,