Sonia Tastes Hawaii

The Big Island...from the air

As I was flying in on Thursday, the usual clouds were a little bit less dense than usual and I could get fairly clear views of our island's coast...I started snapping away from the time we started flying right by the Big Island. 

I hope you enjoy!

The NW tip of the Big Island - North Kohala Coast.  At your extreme left is Pololu Valley.  Hiking down to Pololu Valley is an adventure in itself.  The climb is a steep 1000 feet down a moderatedly difficult zigzagging trail and depending on your stamina can take about an hour.  Give yourself at least a couple or 3 hours for the strenous climb back!

North of Island - Waipio Valley on left and Waimanu Valley on right.  You can't really tell, but those are steep pali (cliffs) all along the coastline.  Waipio Valley is accessible via 4-wheel drive or hiking down a VERY steep road.  Waimanu Valley is only accessible by hiking.  There are a total of 5 valleys in the 12 mile strech between Waipio and Pololu Valleys, including the two, where you can only go in by walking or sometimes by mule...but even then, not an easy ride.

As we passed the little town of Hanoka'a, the clouds started opening up and we could glimpse a view of Mauna Kea (one of 5 volcanoes that form our island) peeking through the dense cloud cover.  Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano and the tallest volcanic mountain in Hawaii standing at 13,796 feet... if meassured from the ocean floor (33,000 feet) it is the tallest in the world, including Mt. Everest.

There are several observatories at the summit.  It is fun to drive up there, but you need to take precautions, as it can also be dangerous.  Snow blizzards can happen unexpectedly and the terrain is hazzardous, even with a 4-wheel drive.

Getting closer to my area of the island.  Hakalau Gulch is right in the middle of the photo.  At one time there was a thriving sugar mill right across where you see a little tip of sand reaching across the stream.  It was washed away by the tsunami of April Fool's Day in 1946 that devastated much of this coast, including Hilo Town.

The village where I live can be seen on the left of the pic...Kolekole Gulch on the extreme right.  I have written about picnics and cookouts held at Kolekole Beach in the past.   The clouds are covering a view of Akaka Falls which would have been seen just following the line of the gulch on to higher ground (mauka or toward the nountain)

A better view of our village.  I can see the roof of our house!

Just past our village and before reaching the next one...the white covers you see are the greenhouses of the Hamakua Springs Country Farms owned by my friend Richard Ha and his family....They grow gorgeous tomatoes and I have written about the farm and their tomatoes a few times in the past.

Sweeping view of the North Hilo - Hamakua coastline

Approaching Hilo....Onomea Bay on your left.

Flying over the coast and a glimpse of a waterfall on the way into Hilo.... Landing was just 2 minutes away...

I hope you enjoyed the views of our beautiful Big Island of Hawaii from the air! 

 

The music of Hawaii

So sorry to have been away for so long....I have missed writing and sharing with you through this blog, however, I'm home again after 4 months and 3 days on the mainland and can tell you I am thrilled to be back home!

A little bit before I left I had ocassion to meet a Hawaiian music legend and hear him play his magic ukulele.... He has long been one of my favorite (oh, yes, there are several others!) ukulele magicians.  I hope you learn a bit more about him and discover his music after reading a little bit about him.

Born in the quaint little town of Hawi on the North Kohala area of the Big Island, musician/composer John Keawe has become a living Hawaiian legend, both in our islands and across the seas.  His beautiful songs have won several awards and his easy style drew me in from the first time I heard his music. 

The day I got to hear him play in person was a sad ocassion, but it was made sweeter by his music.  John came to our little neck of the woods to play in honor (and to celebrate the life) of one of our dear friends who had left us way too soon.

His music (click on the highlighted link to learn about his releases and upcoming appearances on the mainland and in Hawaii)

I will not write about John Keawe's life, as you can find all sorts of details about him by doing a search... I just wanted to share this tid bit and photo with you in the hopes you find his music to your liking.

Aloha and an update

Sorry I have been absent for some time.....

Some of you know that I left Hawaii to travel to the mainland on March 7th to help my siblings settle our parents (early 90s) in an assisted living facility and clean out their house to get it ready for market.....I had originally planned to be home by March 29.

That deadline was extended to April 21st after we saw that the cleaning of the house was taking MUCH longer than anticipated....then I could not leave on the 21st and lost my return ticket as the airline would not extend it again if not used by May 6....

There was no way we would finish the NC and Florida Winter homes by that date....So I decided to go ahead and stay and then worry about my return later....That was a good thing because when we were almost finished with the FL home, we got a call our mom was in hospital in NC. I will spare the details, but we returned to NC right away and
even though she is back in the home, she is still not doing well.....she is better though. We call her the 'Energizer Bunny' since she keeps going and going....

At the moment my plans to return home are still suspended.....I do know that I will be driving down to Miami with my sister whenever we finish the house in FL and after a few days will leave from there.....whenever that is....

Meantime, please excuse my lack of participation, as my hands have been quite full....and oh, yeah....the house in NC is in the process of selling.....to my niece and godchild, Madeline!!! She is moving up here from Miami and we are all very happy that after 54 years of it being owned by our parents, a granddaughter will be living there!

She already started the process of renovation/remodeling and the first priority is making the kitchen larger....Last Saturday we helped take down the wall between the kitchen and den/office! This will make the new kitchen much larger and give her the space she needs for her cake baking/decorating business......She is a wonderful cake decorator and has won national recognition.

You can read the journal I have been sharing in Gather by clicking on "When roles are reversed...." - though I have not had a chance to update it in the last few weeks...

Many mahalos to those of you who have contacted me via e-mail to offer your support and well wishes!

Sonia

Aloha to all

My apologies to all who read my blog at Sonia Tastes Hawaii.

Due to family reasons, I have been away and haven't been able to keep the blog updated.  I promise I will do so first chance I get.

Mahalo to those of you who continue to visit and read and for your kind personal e-mails of concern.

A hui hou,

Sonia

Kung Hee Fat Choy - Chinese New Year Celebration in Hilo!

The Chinese New Year starts on the first evening of a new year's month with a new moon and lasts for 15 days.  It is also celebrated in China as the beginnings of Spring. 

A traditional Lion Dance kicks off the festivities in Hilo

This year the Chinese New Year started on February 7th and will last for 15 days until ending with the Lantern Festival.

On that last day of the festival whole cities and towns in China are decorated with lanterns to celebrate the last day of the full moon.

Overview of a section of Kalakaua Park during the 6th Annual Chinese New Year Festival in Hilo.

According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar, we are now celebrating the year 4706 or Year of the Rat.

A little boy all set to enter the Chinese costume contest.

Saturday 15th of February, the 6th Annual Chinese New Year Festival was held in Hilo at Kalakaua Park.  This was the biggest event yet.  More booths, more people, more contests and attractions.

We ran into our friend Sue and her daughter Cindy there.  Sue did her part to dress festively!

 

Part of the celebration included performances by dancers from the Phoenix Dance Chambers of Oahu led by Diane Letoto.  The ensemble also performed at the Palace Theater in Hilo the previous evening.

Young performers from the Phoenix Dance Chambers charmed the crowd

Chinese Flickering Fan Dance

Mongolian Horsemen Dance

Hunan Province Hunters Dance

The Firecracker Dance was one of the highlights!

 

That is me, standing in the middle, under the huge banyan tree anchoring one corner of Kalakaua Park

Alice Moon, without whose hard work, initiative and imagination there would not be so many wonderful events and festivals celebrated in Hilo throughout the year!  I caught Alice in a moment of contemplation sitting by the statue of King David Kalakaua, our 'Merrie Monarch' and last King of Hawaii.

The next Hilo festival will be the "45th Merry Monarch Hula Competitions" held every year in honor of King David Kalakaua and held the week after Easter every year.  On Saturday, April 5th, go to Kalakaua Park after the downtown Merrie Monarch Parade, where we will again celebrate our "Merrie Monarch" in the park named for him.

For more about the 6th Annual Chinese New Year's Festival in Hilo, please visit my pages at my foodiesleuth pages at Gather.com

My apologies

I bought a new printer/scanner/copier because the older one was giving me problems....all of a sudden I cannot open my digital photo cards in the new one, no matter how often I read the manual and follow the steps.

Technical machines and I don't get along too well....Until I can find someone who can help me, I can't post in the blog with photos....and I have a special Valentine's Day Dessert Party to share!!!

Hope I can find out what is happening!

So sorry

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sonia

Valentine Making Party

When my friend Sue hosts a party she expects you to participate fully....her parties are not 'expectator sports' and always carry a theme.  Sue is very creative and through the years her guests have participated fully in whatever parties she has dreamed up.

Valentine heart shaped anthuriums arranged by Sue's daughter Cindy

In the past, we have decorated hats, slippahs (as flip-flops are called here), decorated and 'thrown' coconuts for prizes, used bananas as decorative objects, hunted for decorated eggs, were provided with long lei making needles attached to one invitation so the guest could bring an original lei to be judged in a contest and much more...including a "Stomp on Cancer Party!".

The last invitation received was handwritten in red ink and invited us to "Please come for Valentine Making Sunday Feb 3, 1PM-5PM (drop in kine) Sue's House - (phone number) - Red Refreshments"

The refresments were red as promised, including the Coeur a la Creme and Raspeberry Coulis which was my contribution.

The huge rainstorms we have had lately (if you watch CNN from any where in the world, you probably saw many parts of Hilo underwater with ducks swimming in some of the main downtown intersections) kept some of the guests from coming, but the ones who made it had a great time!

Gabriel and Lizby working on their Valentine cards

Sue, Cindy and Laurie working across the table working on theirs...

 

One of Cindy's cards

One of Lizby's cards

Sue had loads of supplies and goodies for us to choose from....paper, fabric, lace, cloth flowers, stick-ons, magazine cut-outs, ribbons, a miniature playing card deck all featuring the heart suit...colored pencils and pens, water colors and brushes, red glitter and goodness knows how much more!

One of Gabriel's creations

Envelope and front of the card I made for my mom...

The plain red card stock is laminated with a piece of paper in red graphics and cut to fit on one side, then the complete card was covered in antique lace and the Valentine glitter word pasted on top of the lace.

The back of the card for my mother - the word LOVE and my name in glitter with a magazine cutout of an old fashioned doll.

Heart shaped box covered and decorated by Laurie

Sue's jig-saw girl card

Unfortunately the lighting from the flash was not enough to light the whole room....but here is the group (minus the camera person ....ME) enjoying our Sunday afternoon making Valentines for our near and dear, while the rest of the country watched the Super Bowl...

Quilting in Hawaii

Our island is home to several quilting groups.   Some of them concentrate mainly on traditional Hawaiian quilting designs, which are quite unique (I will do a post sometime soon about this beautiful form of textile art), and others are a bit more eclectic in their approach, but even so, they are not like the old traditional quilts of old.

During the month of January, the Wailoa Center Gallery by the Wailoa Park in Hilo, is presenting a "Still Havin' Fun After All These Years" Fabric Fun Quilt Show.  It is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM except on Wednesdays which they open from Noon to 4:30 PM until January  30th.

The exhibited quilts are the creations of the Village of Volcano Quilters group: Edna Arkawa, Lora Bristow, Roberta Baker, Susan Carpenter, Deborah Donaldson, Patricia Dow, Marilyn Hiestand, Dina Wood Kageler, Loretta Pasco, Vanessa Sales, Zee Sarr, Rosemary Stancampiano, Toshi Taylor, Katry Tripp and Irene Tye.

I wish I had room to feature works by each of these gifted ladies....unfortunately there were too many, so I chose a few that represented our island best.

Picasso Quilts Pu'u O'o by The Volcano Quilters Group - one member sketched the design on paper and cut it in pieces, each member took a section and gave it their own interpretation - The group is trying to sell this quilt for $3000 as a fund raiser to help with staging shows and other projects.

Pu'u O'o is the vent on the East flank of Kilauea Volcano that has been spewing lava since January 1983.

Rainforest - $1,200 by Marilyn Hiestand wovenwind@hawaii.rr.com

Bird of Paradise - $250 by Deborah Donaldson MsQuiltBee@aol.com

Watching the Ferns Grow - NFS by Susan Carpenter VolcanoSusan@yahoo.com

Kimono Quilt - NFS by Edna Arakawa yukiearakawa@yahoo.com

Lava Star - $425 by Deborah Donaldson MsQuiltBee@aol.com

Mangos - $375 by Loretta Pasco quilthawaiian@hawaii.rr.com

Ohelo Berries - NFS by Loretta Pasco quilthawaiian@hawaii.rr.com

Surf at Sunrise - $1,000 by Lora Bristow kuahiwi1@hotmail.com

SPAM - NFS by Loretta Pasco quilthawaiian@hawaii.rr.com

The State of Hawaii as a whole consumes more SPAM than any other state or territory in the United States, so of course, I had to end the gallery stroll with this quilt, a replica of the SPAM can art

Wailoa Center Gallery is located on Piopio Street in Hilo just past the Vietnam Memorial off Pauahi Street - below the County and State Buildings -808/933 - 0416

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! Happy New Year!

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! Happy New Year!

Another year passing and a brand New Year is open to all sorts of wonderful possibilities.

Two of my favorite fireworks available in Hawaii for celebrating the New Year are the Chinese Happy Lamps and the paper Frienship Pagodas.

Tonight, we set up a rope across a section of the yard and had fun with our Happy Lamps, lighting several at one time.

The Happy Lamps signify guidance and light for a good year.

The Happy Lamp

The Friendhip Pagodas are lit in memory of a friend, living or dead.

Friendship Pagoda

Happy New Year to all!

May your New Year be full of light and friendships!

Hawaiian Christmas Wreaths

One of the prettiests customs of Christmas in Hawaii is making wreaths using native materials. 

If you don't have some of the plants growing in your yard or a neighbor that will let you pick them you need to get a special permit to go up to the Hawaii National Volcanoes Park grounds or up on the slopes of Mauna Kea to pick some of the greens, flowers and berries.

The permit is free and good for two days, and you need to display it on your car dash if you park anywhere to pick along the roads or forests.

The proper protocol for picking is to first "ask permission" of the forest deities as you enter the woods.  This is a must.  You also pick only what you will be using and not strip a bush or plant completely. 

A good rule of thumb to follow is to take only from 3 to 6,  3" tips from each plant, so as not to disturb the plant.

The straw forms for the wreath are usually covered first with ti leaves

We might not have the 'traditional' greens, berries and pinecones associated with a mainland Christmas, but there are many beautiful greens, flowers and berries to choose from when you go foraging for your own wreath material in the forests of Hawaii.

Some of the materials I usually look for are the buds of the lehua blossom showing a bit of the red and also some of the blossoms.  The lehua is the blossom of the ohia tree and in ancient times was a symbol of strength.  The flower is the favorite of Madame Pele and represents the Big Island of Hawaii.

Ancient lore tells us that you must not pick or wear the lehua blossoms on your way up to visit Kilauea Volcano, but it does not forbid you from picking or wearing it when you arrive or on your way out of the forest or Madame Pele will make it rain.  We always wait to pick them until we are almost ready to leave.

Another wonderful part of the ohia tree to use are the tender new tips of branches as they resemble velvety green or silver rose buds.

Uluhe and palapalai, laua'e, and whisk ferns are often used in the making of the wreaths, as well as 'club moss' and a ferny looking moss that resembles little clusters of chenille pipe cleaners.

The berries and the tiny, sort of prickly leaves of the pukiawe plant are also used.  The berries can be red, pink or white even on the same bush and the use of bits of this plant give your wreath a light airy look.

Another berry and leaves that are interesting to use is that of the 'ohelo, although we rarely if ever pick them in areas where the Hawaiian Nene, our State birds, make their home, because they like to feed on them.

Other plants such as the Uki grass are also used, especially when the "flower heads" have dried.

One of the perks of making Hawaiian Wreaths with all native material is that they usually dry well and can last a long time..long past the holidays.

If you buy the wreaths already made, they can run from $40 - $60 for one made on a 10" to 12" frame and up to $125 for a large one made using a 14" to 16" frame.

I missed going up to the slopes of our mountains this year in time to pick for making wreaths as I had planned, mainly due to weather conditions.  We have had a lot of rain in the last few weeks and I dislike driving the Saddle Road (between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa) as the road is quite curvy and can be dangerous in the rain.  You can see a sample of one of my wreaths here

I hope you enjoyed looking at the different styles of Hawaiian Christmas Wreaths!

Mele Kalikimaka to you and yours!