Aloha
Lots of things going on here, and I’m staying in the middle of most of them. I love it here!
Let me tell you about the big party that was given for all new faculty at Univ. of Hawaii – Hilo and the Hawaii Community College – Hilo last week. There is a group in town that was formed specifically to create community links with and between the University / College and the businesses and public leadership of Hilo. One of the important areas they see in this role is that of making new faculty welcome to the community and helping us assimilate into our new hometown. With that in mind, they annually throw a party for the new faculty and have speakers, fun information about the cultures and cuisines of the area, and entertainment (what would a party in Hawaii be without Hula Dancers??) as well as a feast of local delicacies and traditional dishes that would make your hair stand on end. Speakers included the Chancellor for the University system Hilo facilities, the Community College chancellor, and the immediate past University Chancellor, along with the Mayor (he was a hoot) and other important community leaders. Several state representatives were there but, thankfully, they didn’t speak.
Now…..about Hawaiian dancing…..!! Let’s clarify something right off the bat. I can’t sing (some of you are only too familiar with that deficit of mine) and I clearly have no rhythm for dancing. Stick figures look more graceful. There were two dance groups who performed, and both pulled those of us sitting near the front up to join them for part of the …dare I say ‘entertainment’? It was hard, sad, humiliating, funny, embarrassing, and tons of fun. Swaying hips only look easy. It took me months to learn to Twist in the 60’s and about that time the dance fad passed on to other fads. But I can still Twist with the best of them…..which of course doesn’t help a bit with doing the Hula. The second group was a younger age group (young to me anyway) who had on tight black outfits with silver hanging spangles around their hips. They combined some of the swaying of the Hula, but added much in from Tahiti where fast and suggestive hip shakes are the norm. Now picture me trying to do a tamed down version of this exotic and erotic dance style……STOP THINKING, it will make you go blind. But, despite not being able to do line dancing, hula or Tahitian dancing, I did get up there and try!! That’s what counts, right?? Please say yes to that.
They also introduced us to unusual local fare of the various cultural groups. Each was supposed to be very different from the mainstream dishes known around the world, and were said to be favorites of the ‘real’ people of those ethnic groups. We were reminded that many of these dishes came from years ago and were the outcomes from economic needs to not waste anything from an animal consumed for food. I’ll just let your imagination run with that for a few seconds………ok? Got it?? Yep….you got it. Well, they wanted a new faculty member to come up to try each dish as it was presented, and the idea was that this faculty member was adventurous and a good sport…..cuz some of these things tasted awful. Ok, I’m game for some things, and when I heard the word peanut in the name of the dish, I volunteered to try it. My first clue about this error on my part was when I got to the table, the comedian who was doing the MC’ing of the whole thing said, with a big grin, to his partner “I bet she thinks there are peanuts in this!!” Uh Oh!!! Too late to go back now. Actually, it was a piece of meat….mystery meat for sure, but it looked like a small chunk of pork, and tasted like that…..Thank Goodness! It came with a single Okra which I also ate. Got my well deserved round of applause and a nice little gift for agreeing to be a target, and finally got to sit down. Some folks had things that were much worse, like Chicken Tail and other dishes made from the far end of the animal. One woman just said “It’s an acquired taste” when asked about her taste test. But all in all it was a rare chance to learn about some innovative ways to ‘use all of the animal’ so that none goes to waste. I gained a great deal of respect for such ingenuity and perseverance in times of need. Today those dishes are family traditions at gatherings and special meals. Sort of like some of our special dishes we fix for our family gatherings….maybe my Cranberry Salad at Thanksgiving and Christmas would qualify for this sort of category.
At the end of the evening, they instructed (begged) the new faculty to take TWO of the table centerpieces home with us. Each one was different, and had fresh local flowers done in a beautiful arrangement. I took two that had such flowers as Antheriums of red and white, Bird of Paradise, and various greenery. They are still beautiful a week later. We also were given a tote bag full of lots of fun stuff along with a Tee-shirt for our College or University. I did feel welcome and appreciated at the end of the evening, and that was a first for me in any teaching setting. I love this place!!
On a more somber note, tho, at the beginning of the evening I had seen one of my students there who explained her boyfriend was a new HawCC faculty member and she had come to see him introduced. A few minutes later after going through the appetizers (pu-pu) line, I saw someone rush up to the edge of the pavilion where we were and in a clearly panic shouted that she needed a knife quickly. One was immediately grabbed from the food line nearby, and she rushed off. Seconds later, Anna, my student was at my shoulder whispering that there might be a need for medical help out in the park area. I followed her out and we walked about 20 yards to a covered picnic table area where some men were cutting down a young man who had tried to hang himself. The issue was that the rope was still too tight around his neck and they were working to loosen it when Anne and I got up there. That was successful, and they lowered him to the ground at which time the young man began to jerk and writhe and wrestle with those trying to hold him down to keep him safe. It did not demonstrate the usual seizure movements, and with his panicked look and struggling against the men it was more apparent that there was either some O2 deficit issues and/or drugs on board factors. Police and EMS had been called earlier by bystanders, and police got there quickly. The young man had no friends or family who came looking for him, but did have a wallet on him. I left when the ambulance pulled into the parking area adjacent to that spot in the park. It was obvious he would survive the attempt, but at what cost to cognition and emotional status is only a guess. This was a first for me, and I am still thinking about it a full week later. I have since learned that suicide among the youth and young adults in Hawaii is very high. It is a sad fact of living in this beautiful and caring part of the world. My hope is this young man can get the help he needs and look past the pain of the short time to a better long time in life.
Enough!! School is going well, my clinical group is doing well except for one poor soul who is just too tunnel-visioned to see the RN-level of big picture. He has not been successful in the learning lab, and is likely to not pass this semester clinically. Others in the group are not having difficulties, and are fun, funny, and enthusiastic about this new career they are starting. They make it worth my time to be on site and alert at 6:30AM…..and most of you know I’m NOT a morning person!!
With that update on some of the things in Paradise that I’m enjoying, I will let you quit reading for now. I promise to get back with a blog about my drive up to Wimea and the breathtaking coastal landscape that I drove along to get there. This island is magnificent, and I am looking forward to more exploration soon.
Aloha to all of you,
Janene
Showing posts with label Hawaii. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hawaii. Show all posts
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
10 Things I Love About Living in Hilo Hawaii
With all due respect to David Letterman…..
10. Friendly, helpful people who waste no time jumping in to be of assistance to a new comer on the island. I mentioned the fireman and the 7-11 counter guys who helped me when I was lost. When I needed to move into the rental house the handyman, Ed Settle, was able to be quickly recruited to assist me move furniture and boxes. Several pieces were donated or garage-sale priced by Beverly. Ed brought along his son-in-law, Chris, along with a trailer pulled by his truck. Together they loaded a desk, 3 chairs, a 5 drawer dresser, a floor lamp, a glass top patio table with two patio chairs, and a large couch with love seat into the trailer and truck. These were then hauled up the front steps from street level to living room level. Additionally, they moved about 15 heavy boxes of my ‘essential crap’ which had been FedEx’d to Hilo. Thus, now I have all the boxes in the house, and basic furniture that can get me started. The dresser and study desk are especially welcome. All moving done without a scratch or injured back. Two good outcomes if you ask me.
9. Lack of poi, but presence of many new tastes and food combinations. A colleague of mine was eating his lunch yesterday, and he told me he had a burrito. Turns out it was a wheat flour tortilla rolled around strips of heart of palm, chicken sausage link, and shredded cabbage. Uh huh! A Burrito!! I just love it.
8. Guava juice for a breakfast drink. Good thing that I love Pineapples and especially love the juice. It can be mixed with guava juice, orange juice, or all by itself. I keep cans of these mixed variations in my refrigerator and am drinking less Cokes because of the great flavors I can get. This morning it was Guava and Strawberry!! UMMM, GOOD!!
7. Cool temperatures, esp. in evening and at night. I do have a fan at the house, and here in my office for mid-day, but by evening, it’s in the low 70’s or even cooler. During the night, I find I need to pull a light blanket up over the sheet I started with because it has dropped into the 60’s. The radio station, KAPA-FM, said one morning as I was driving to the campus that the day was going to be “a warm one…up to 84”. I just laughed. With my house on a hill, and nothing blocking the wind coming from the east across the Bay and up the hill, I have a wonderful airy living room where I can sit and enjoy the view.
6. Hawaiian wine…..taste of pineapple and other fruits in the wine. There are two vineyards on the Big Island. I’ve only tried one, the Volcano Vineyard, and loved the fruity flavor of their wines. They include fruits not usually found in Napa Valley or French or Italian wines. My favorite had Pineapple and passion fruit as part of the subtle flavor in the white wine I tried. The winery is located near the Volcano National Park, and is open for tours. When you all come to visit, we’ll try to add that into the touring we do.
5. A Community College that talks the talk of a ‘family (ohana)’ relationship with faculty, staff, and students, and actually walks the walk of such a promise. When I showed up for the Fall Full Faculty Meeting led by the Community College Chancellor, Dr. Noreen Yamane, I was given a permanent lei made from a ‘fluffy rope’ in the burgundy of the school colors. That way, I can keep it and wear it when school functions are appropriate for such. The nursing faculty have gone out of their way to be of assistance, and answered questions without frustration. I’m clearly being included in the small group, and was made to feel welcome from the beginning. On day one of faculty prep week, the Nursing Program Director, Dr. Elizabeth Ojilo, took me to lunch. Others have offered to have me follow them in my car as we move from campus to other locations, like the Hilo Medical Center, so that I didn’t get lost. I also have had the nursing program secretary take time out of her busy week prior to students arriving to drive me to the location on the ‘big’ campus for my keys and parking permit, and then give me a driving tour of the Main Campus. This campus includes facilities for both University of Hawaii – Hilo, and the Hawaii Community College. There is overlapping usage of buildings and classrooms, book store, library, gym, etc. It’s a huge campus, and this semester, the Community College enrollment was the largest of the 7 CC’s in the state. That combined with the UH enrollment makes it a great challenge to find parking, but, hey! It’s a gorgeous campus, and people are helpful. The maintenance man, Levi, just returned with a recycle trash can for my office because when he came to empty one earlier today, I told him I didn’t have any trashcan yet and was going to buy one.
4. Flowers, more flowers, fascinating shade trees, greenery of every kind, real bamboo….did I mention flowers? The colors are spectacular. Picture Hibiscus blooms that are 4 inches across in yellow, orange, fuscia, and just plain pink! There are trees here that I don’t know the name of, but they grow out into a huge umbrella shape. They are staggeringly large and beautiful, particularly near the bay. Behind my house is a nice stand of real bamboo. I’m told that bamboo will grow rapidly and spread into other areas if not kept trimmed back. But it is a really unique look that resembles a wall of tall bamboo shoots. If they grow forward and start to enter my kitchen or bedroom, I’ll let you know.
3. A nursing program that while similar to ACC’s curriculum is still very different in the organization, implementation, and emphasis for students. There is a newer model of “SimMan (simulation mannequin)” here, and this model can do many things our model in Austin can’t. The lab set up has an adjacent room with the computer controls for SimMan and the lab coordinator can speak for the mannequin from there. A camera system is also set up so that the SimMan area can be projected to the classroom on the other side of the wall, and then students can watch classmates as they implement a scenario or whatever. It’s a great learning arrangement for them and a creative environment in which faculty can devise new and different learning experiences. Students will also have HCC laptops to use within the lab rooms during appropriate exercises and activities.
2. The view of Hilo Bay from my living room window. The view includes a clear view of the walking bridge across to Coconut Island where only foot traffic is allowed. It’s a small island, and great for picnics, and family outings. On the 4th of July, and New Year’s Eve, they shoot off fireworks from the Island….and I’ll have a ringside view for free!!
1. Did I mention the friendly folks? Actually the entire transition has begun with and at the end of my day still includes these outgoing, strong, happy islanders who want a newcomer to feel welcome and to become at home easily in a place they love. Bev Moodie continues to be my guardian angel. She likes to be the driver, and has spent hours chauffeuring me around so that I learn my way through town, find specific places I needed to get to, was able to shop for furniture and other elements for the house, and, of course, take me to different restaurants all over town. Lastly, when I bought my car from Brian Hamakawa at Hama’aina Nissan, they have a tradition of having each new car owner bang a gong which is in the showroom and came from China. This gong is symphony quality, so it has a great sound. Brian filmed my ‘gonging’ on his I-phone, and we laughed and laughed. It was much much LOUDER than I expected….of course, I took my one and only opportunity to really BANG the thing. The staff came out to watch, and cheered when I hit it. Brian also took a picture of me beside my new car in the lot before I drove off. What a delightful and fun way to celebrate the purchase of my new 2009 PT Cruiser. Ever heard of that kind of celebration or personal pleasure by staff in Texas dealerships?
So, dear friends and family, I continue to learn about my new home, and grow more and more contented with the decision to start this chapter in my life in this relaxed and wondrous setting. The exquisite double rainbows that greeted me on my first night in my new house portents the grace that God granted me in my adventure, and there have been more rainbows almost daily to reinforce His blessings.
With love and aloha to each of you,
Janene
10. Friendly, helpful people who waste no time jumping in to be of assistance to a new comer on the island. I mentioned the fireman and the 7-11 counter guys who helped me when I was lost. When I needed to move into the rental house the handyman, Ed Settle, was able to be quickly recruited to assist me move furniture and boxes. Several pieces were donated or garage-sale priced by Beverly. Ed brought along his son-in-law, Chris, along with a trailer pulled by his truck. Together they loaded a desk, 3 chairs, a 5 drawer dresser, a floor lamp, a glass top patio table with two patio chairs, and a large couch with love seat into the trailer and truck. These were then hauled up the front steps from street level to living room level. Additionally, they moved about 15 heavy boxes of my ‘essential crap’ which had been FedEx’d to Hilo. Thus, now I have all the boxes in the house, and basic furniture that can get me started. The dresser and study desk are especially welcome. All moving done without a scratch or injured back. Two good outcomes if you ask me.
9. Lack of poi, but presence of many new tastes and food combinations. A colleague of mine was eating his lunch yesterday, and he told me he had a burrito. Turns out it was a wheat flour tortilla rolled around strips of heart of palm, chicken sausage link, and shredded cabbage. Uh huh! A Burrito!! I just love it.
8. Guava juice for a breakfast drink. Good thing that I love Pineapples and especially love the juice. It can be mixed with guava juice, orange juice, or all by itself. I keep cans of these mixed variations in my refrigerator and am drinking less Cokes because of the great flavors I can get. This morning it was Guava and Strawberry!! UMMM, GOOD!!
7. Cool temperatures, esp. in evening and at night. I do have a fan at the house, and here in my office for mid-day, but by evening, it’s in the low 70’s or even cooler. During the night, I find I need to pull a light blanket up over the sheet I started with because it has dropped into the 60’s. The radio station, KAPA-FM, said one morning as I was driving to the campus that the day was going to be “a warm one…up to 84”. I just laughed. With my house on a hill, and nothing blocking the wind coming from the east across the Bay and up the hill, I have a wonderful airy living room where I can sit and enjoy the view.
6. Hawaiian wine…..taste of pineapple and other fruits in the wine. There are two vineyards on the Big Island. I’ve only tried one, the Volcano Vineyard, and loved the fruity flavor of their wines. They include fruits not usually found in Napa Valley or French or Italian wines. My favorite had Pineapple and passion fruit as part of the subtle flavor in the white wine I tried. The winery is located near the Volcano National Park, and is open for tours. When you all come to visit, we’ll try to add that into the touring we do.
5. A Community College that talks the talk of a ‘family (ohana)’ relationship with faculty, staff, and students, and actually walks the walk of such a promise. When I showed up for the Fall Full Faculty Meeting led by the Community College Chancellor, Dr. Noreen Yamane, I was given a permanent lei made from a ‘fluffy rope’ in the burgundy of the school colors. That way, I can keep it and wear it when school functions are appropriate for such. The nursing faculty have gone out of their way to be of assistance, and answered questions without frustration. I’m clearly being included in the small group, and was made to feel welcome from the beginning. On day one of faculty prep week, the Nursing Program Director, Dr. Elizabeth Ojilo, took me to lunch. Others have offered to have me follow them in my car as we move from campus to other locations, like the Hilo Medical Center, so that I didn’t get lost. I also have had the nursing program secretary take time out of her busy week prior to students arriving to drive me to the location on the ‘big’ campus for my keys and parking permit, and then give me a driving tour of the Main Campus. This campus includes facilities for both University of Hawaii – Hilo, and the Hawaii Community College. There is overlapping usage of buildings and classrooms, book store, library, gym, etc. It’s a huge campus, and this semester, the Community College enrollment was the largest of the 7 CC’s in the state. That combined with the UH enrollment makes it a great challenge to find parking, but, hey! It’s a gorgeous campus, and people are helpful. The maintenance man, Levi, just returned with a recycle trash can for my office because when he came to empty one earlier today, I told him I didn’t have any trashcan yet and was going to buy one.
4. Flowers, more flowers, fascinating shade trees, greenery of every kind, real bamboo….did I mention flowers? The colors are spectacular. Picture Hibiscus blooms that are 4 inches across in yellow, orange, fuscia, and just plain pink! There are trees here that I don’t know the name of, but they grow out into a huge umbrella shape. They are staggeringly large and beautiful, particularly near the bay. Behind my house is a nice stand of real bamboo. I’m told that bamboo will grow rapidly and spread into other areas if not kept trimmed back. But it is a really unique look that resembles a wall of tall bamboo shoots. If they grow forward and start to enter my kitchen or bedroom, I’ll let you know.
3. A nursing program that while similar to ACC’s curriculum is still very different in the organization, implementation, and emphasis for students. There is a newer model of “SimMan (simulation mannequin)” here, and this model can do many things our model in Austin can’t. The lab set up has an adjacent room with the computer controls for SimMan and the lab coordinator can speak for the mannequin from there. A camera system is also set up so that the SimMan area can be projected to the classroom on the other side of the wall, and then students can watch classmates as they implement a scenario or whatever. It’s a great learning arrangement for them and a creative environment in which faculty can devise new and different learning experiences. Students will also have HCC laptops to use within the lab rooms during appropriate exercises and activities.
2. The view of Hilo Bay from my living room window. The view includes a clear view of the walking bridge across to Coconut Island where only foot traffic is allowed. It’s a small island, and great for picnics, and family outings. On the 4th of July, and New Year’s Eve, they shoot off fireworks from the Island….and I’ll have a ringside view for free!!
1. Did I mention the friendly folks? Actually the entire transition has begun with and at the end of my day still includes these outgoing, strong, happy islanders who want a newcomer to feel welcome and to become at home easily in a place they love. Bev Moodie continues to be my guardian angel. She likes to be the driver, and has spent hours chauffeuring me around so that I learn my way through town, find specific places I needed to get to, was able to shop for furniture and other elements for the house, and, of course, take me to different restaurants all over town. Lastly, when I bought my car from Brian Hamakawa at Hama’aina Nissan, they have a tradition of having each new car owner bang a gong which is in the showroom and came from China. This gong is symphony quality, so it has a great sound. Brian filmed my ‘gonging’ on his I-phone, and we laughed and laughed. It was much much LOUDER than I expected….of course, I took my one and only opportunity to really BANG the thing. The staff came out to watch, and cheered when I hit it. Brian also took a picture of me beside my new car in the lot before I drove off. What a delightful and fun way to celebrate the purchase of my new 2009 PT Cruiser. Ever heard of that kind of celebration or personal pleasure by staff in Texas dealerships?
So, dear friends and family, I continue to learn about my new home, and grow more and more contented with the decision to start this chapter in my life in this relaxed and wondrous setting. The exquisite double rainbows that greeted me on my first night in my new house portents the grace that God granted me in my adventure, and there have been more rainbows almost daily to reinforce His blessings.
With love and aloha to each of you,
Janene
Monday, August 2, 2010
Boxes ( Pahu )
Boxes, boxes, boxes….Eight total…so far!! Several people have asked me about what is IN these boxes that I continue to pack and mail to Hilo. Excellent question!! Let me think….well, of course, they are filled with ‘essentials’, things that I NEED when I get there.
Yes, but what do you NEED that fills 8 pahu (boxes)??
OK, I’ll admit that I can’t remember most of what I have packed in these pahu over the last three weeks. But I want to state that while many of the items could be debated as to their essentialness, they all bring along with me something that will link me to my family, my teaching profession, my home in Austin, or my life before Hilo.
What constitutes ‘essential’…..?? For a start, mugs! Mugs that have designs for UT, TCU, the Athens Olympics, ACC, Texas Bluebonnets, and the Westie mug that has a cute Tain-like pup on it. My daughters have never understood my continued purchasing of mugs that catch my eye or represent a place I’ve been. But I love seeing them, using them, sharing coffee in them with friends, and most of all I love remembering the places, people and experiences I connect with each one. These links are permanent contributions to who I am today.
What else? Well, there are two sets of coasters, a set of matched card decks, and a set of dominos. Games are one social event that I love and around which I have many, many fond memories. Friends gather and the cards or dominos are brought out. Trash talk abounds….it’s actually a requirement. Score is kept, threats are made, praise is lavished, laughter ensues, breaks are taken for coffee or drinks. Here is where the coasters come in. I was raised in a home with mahogany furniture everywhere. No drink was ever allowed to be set down without a coaster. Even today, I have trouble putting a glass down on laminate or stone or aluminum surfaces without a coaster. So, when drinks are part of the fun and hospitality, the coasters are just naturally something I bring out. I may forget to give out napkins, but I guarantee the coasters will be there.
Pahu therefore send Texas and Austin and San Antonio and college and friends & family ahead to be there as greeters from my past when my new future begins on August 7, 2010. Of course, I only packed the ‘essential’ memories and helpful items…..I wouldn’t take anything unnecessary, would I?
Aloha,
Janene
Yes, but what do you NEED that fills 8 pahu (boxes)??
OK, I’ll admit that I can’t remember most of what I have packed in these pahu over the last three weeks. But I want to state that while many of the items could be debated as to their essentialness, they all bring along with me something that will link me to my family, my teaching profession, my home in Austin, or my life before Hilo.
What constitutes ‘essential’…..?? For a start, mugs! Mugs that have designs for UT, TCU, the Athens Olympics, ACC, Texas Bluebonnets, and the Westie mug that has a cute Tain-like pup on it. My daughters have never understood my continued purchasing of mugs that catch my eye or represent a place I’ve been. But I love seeing them, using them, sharing coffee in them with friends, and most of all I love remembering the places, people and experiences I connect with each one. These links are permanent contributions to who I am today.
What else? Well, there are two sets of coasters, a set of matched card decks, and a set of dominos. Games are one social event that I love and around which I have many, many fond memories. Friends gather and the cards or dominos are brought out. Trash talk abounds….it’s actually a requirement. Score is kept, threats are made, praise is lavished, laughter ensues, breaks are taken for coffee or drinks. Here is where the coasters come in. I was raised in a home with mahogany furniture everywhere. No drink was ever allowed to be set down without a coaster. Even today, I have trouble putting a glass down on laminate or stone or aluminum surfaces without a coaster. So, when drinks are part of the fun and hospitality, the coasters are just naturally something I bring out. I may forget to give out napkins, but I guarantee the coasters will be there.
Pahu therefore send Texas and Austin and San Antonio and college and friends & family ahead to be there as greeters from my past when my new future begins on August 7, 2010. Of course, I only packed the ‘essential’ memories and helpful items…..I wouldn’t take anything unnecessary, would I?
Aloha,
Janene
Friday, July 30, 2010
More on Aloha from the kids of Hawaii
Definitions of the spirit of aloha shared by a kindergarten teacher in her chapter within Chicken Soup from the Soul of Hawaii:
The question:
What does this word - aloha - mean to you?
The answers:
One day if you swallow a rainbow then you let some drip out of your mouth when you smile, that’s what aloha is. Hana, age 6
Aloha is like when a puppy licks your face, only it’s not so sticky. Olan, age 5
Aloha is when you have to say good-bye, but you want to leave a piece of you behind because now you have to go home. Sera, age 7
Even though some people live in big fancy houses with a lot of toys, aloha makes us all the same. Rafelyn, age 6
Aloha is my favorite word because when you say it, it makes everyone smile.
Shai, age 6
Aloha is what dolphins whisper to each other and to you when they pass you under the ocean. Nikko, age 6
It should be a flavor of ice cream because it’s that good. Ivoreen, age 5
Aloha is all the good feelings like love and missing someone, but it isn’t so mushy. Nick, age 6
Aloha is when there is a room with a million strangers and then they say, “aloha,,” and then they are not strangers anymore. Mokana, age 7
Aloha was my goldfish’s name but then he died, but is like he is still alive because whenever anybody says, “aloha,” I remember him and other kids probably have things like that too. Tautalaasa, age 7
Aloha is one of the words that means everything good, which is good because everything would need a lot of words otherwise. Devin, age 7
Aloha means you treat everybody nice even if you don’t like the way they smell.
Tufaga, age 5
My tutu says aloha is the old way, the way people used to be. And also aloha is the way it is today, because it’s how the old ways are still alive if the very, very, very old people are gone. Ikaika, age 7
Aloha is the way we live. Miss Na’a, kindergarten teacher
The question:
What does this word - aloha - mean to you?
The answers:
One day if you swallow a rainbow then you let some drip out of your mouth when you smile, that’s what aloha is. Hana, age 6
Aloha is like when a puppy licks your face, only it’s not so sticky. Olan, age 5
Aloha is when you have to say good-bye, but you want to leave a piece of you behind because now you have to go home. Sera, age 7
Even though some people live in big fancy houses with a lot of toys, aloha makes us all the same. Rafelyn, age 6
Aloha is my favorite word because when you say it, it makes everyone smile.
Shai, age 6
Aloha is what dolphins whisper to each other and to you when they pass you under the ocean. Nikko, age 6
It should be a flavor of ice cream because it’s that good. Ivoreen, age 5
Aloha is all the good feelings like love and missing someone, but it isn’t so mushy. Nick, age 6
Aloha is when there is a room with a million strangers and then they say, “aloha,,” and then they are not strangers anymore. Mokana, age 7
Aloha was my goldfish’s name but then he died, but is like he is still alive because whenever anybody says, “aloha,” I remember him and other kids probably have things like that too. Tautalaasa, age 7
Aloha is one of the words that means everything good, which is good because everything would need a lot of words otherwise. Devin, age 7
Aloha means you treat everybody nice even if you don’t like the way they smell.
Tufaga, age 5
My tutu says aloha is the old way, the way people used to be. And also aloha is the way it is today, because it’s how the old ways are still alive if the very, very, very old people are gone. Ikaika, age 7
Aloha is the way we live. Miss Na’a, kindergarten teacher
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Aloha
I have been reading anything I can about Hawaii….except James Mitchner’s massive novel, which I read as a child…..in preparation for moving there in August. That includes pronunciation guides, travel books, maps, online references to the area where I am going, Chicken Soup from the Soul of Hawaii, history narratives, and other miscellaneous references about the culture, beauty, historic past, traditions, and the people who make up the 50th state of the union.
While this single entry is clearly not the place to try to condense ALL of the new information I have accrued, I do want to share parts of my growing base of knowledge along with some personal observations and narratives. Therefore, this blog has begun out of my desire to share this True Adventure that I am embarking upon, and to give me a place to record musings and memories of this time in my life. I hope you will enjoy reading it and, maybe, gain some new insights about the state of Hawaii, the people and the culture of the Hawaiians living there.
Aloha
One Hawaiian word that I already knew was “Aloha”. My bet is that you know that word too. Great starting place. Aloha! Hello or Goodbye. Right? Well, yes and no. Actually it is a multi-meaning word, and encompasses a broad variety of concepts and messages. One source advised me that the word Aloha constituted what defined Hawaii, the very essence of Hawaii. It said that it could be “…created anywhere”. Now that was a new idea for me to get my head around….how can a word of greeting be ‘created’? “ Much less “…created anywhere” ? That sounds almost spiritual, doesn’t it? Let me share some information about this broadly encompassing, multi-meaning Hawaiian word, and see if you agree about it being something that can create itself anywhere it finds people receptive to that “spirit”.
In Hawaii people, both friends and strangers, are greeted with the word Aloha which also means ‘with love’. This aloha spirit is clearly evident within this welcome, and the use of it as a greeting conveys a universal spirit of hospitality and welcome. It is part of what makes Hawaii known worldwide as a center of acceptance and fellowship. Ancient beliefs and traditions have formed a firm foundation for this image of the Islands and its people. They hold these traditions dear, remember their history, celebrate their progress, and strive to keep this aloha spirit or aloha love within their daily lives.
The ‘aloha spirit’ further means an open sharing and giving, of materials or self. It is the driving force that bonds the people together when they see opportunities to make life better or more beautiful for someone else. Hospitality, goodwill, and brotherhood are extensions of that spirit. They too are facets of the openness to others and ready inclusion of strangers into the fabric of Hawaiian life. Families, as expected, take care of family; outreach to others can come from unexpected sources or in unexpected ways. For many of the soldiers stationed near Honolulu during WWII, they found this aloha love and psychological sustenance along with belly-filling home cooking at a place called Honey’s Place. Honey was a woman wise in the way of raising children with seven of her own, one of whom was entertainer Don Ho. Thus the men who were really boys away from home found in her the Aloha Spirit of kindness, acceptance, support, and lovingly embraced acts of caring. Many of these young soldiers remained in touch with her for years after the war.
Another reading told me that aloha can be created in an instant. It is the spontaneity that offers generosity and kindness to another without reservation. Many illustrations of this abound in stories about the Islands and the people. For me personally, it has been demonstrated in the growing friendship I am forming with a woman I have yet to meet or talk to. We were introduced through the modern marvel of E-mail by a mutual nursing educator in Austin TX, my home town. With her first message Bev set the tone for the remaining 2 months that preceded my arrival in Hilo. It has included an immediate offer to stay in one of her vacation rentals at a discount price….and that’s without even asking if I was weird since “Keep Austin Weird” is a national movement! Additionally, she volunteered to meet me at the Hilo Airport when I arrive so I won’t have to find the house on my own. We have agreed to dinner between the airplane landing and my sleep deprived crash landing at this lovely house she has for me. Over time, Bev has helped put me in touch with a realtor, sent links about the pidgin English spoken on the island, info about banks, and initially getting me oriented to both Hilo and the general area. Lastly, an offer far beyond the usual or the necessary….she said I could ship boxes of my ‘essentials’ to her house for storage before I arrive. Have I been blessed by the Aloha Spirit…..let’s hear a resounding “Yesss!!!”.
Well, I didn’t intend to go on so long, and yet I feel there is much more to share with you. I’ll save some other thoughts and quotes about the aloha spirit for another blog entry.
Aloha,
Janene
While this single entry is clearly not the place to try to condense ALL of the new information I have accrued, I do want to share parts of my growing base of knowledge along with some personal observations and narratives. Therefore, this blog has begun out of my desire to share this True Adventure that I am embarking upon, and to give me a place to record musings and memories of this time in my life. I hope you will enjoy reading it and, maybe, gain some new insights about the state of Hawaii, the people and the culture of the Hawaiians living there.
Aloha
One Hawaiian word that I already knew was “Aloha”. My bet is that you know that word too. Great starting place. Aloha! Hello or Goodbye. Right? Well, yes and no. Actually it is a multi-meaning word, and encompasses a broad variety of concepts and messages. One source advised me that the word Aloha constituted what defined Hawaii, the very essence of Hawaii. It said that it could be “…created anywhere”. Now that was a new idea for me to get my head around….how can a word of greeting be ‘created’? “ Much less “…created anywhere” ? That sounds almost spiritual, doesn’t it? Let me share some information about this broadly encompassing, multi-meaning Hawaiian word, and see if you agree about it being something that can create itself anywhere it finds people receptive to that “spirit”.
In Hawaii people, both friends and strangers, are greeted with the word Aloha which also means ‘with love’. This aloha spirit is clearly evident within this welcome, and the use of it as a greeting conveys a universal spirit of hospitality and welcome. It is part of what makes Hawaii known worldwide as a center of acceptance and fellowship. Ancient beliefs and traditions have formed a firm foundation for this image of the Islands and its people. They hold these traditions dear, remember their history, celebrate their progress, and strive to keep this aloha spirit or aloha love within their daily lives.
The ‘aloha spirit’ further means an open sharing and giving, of materials or self. It is the driving force that bonds the people together when they see opportunities to make life better or more beautiful for someone else. Hospitality, goodwill, and brotherhood are extensions of that spirit. They too are facets of the openness to others and ready inclusion of strangers into the fabric of Hawaiian life. Families, as expected, take care of family; outreach to others can come from unexpected sources or in unexpected ways. For many of the soldiers stationed near Honolulu during WWII, they found this aloha love and psychological sustenance along with belly-filling home cooking at a place called Honey’s Place. Honey was a woman wise in the way of raising children with seven of her own, one of whom was entertainer Don Ho. Thus the men who were really boys away from home found in her the Aloha Spirit of kindness, acceptance, support, and lovingly embraced acts of caring. Many of these young soldiers remained in touch with her for years after the war.
Another reading told me that aloha can be created in an instant. It is the spontaneity that offers generosity and kindness to another without reservation. Many illustrations of this abound in stories about the Islands and the people. For me personally, it has been demonstrated in the growing friendship I am forming with a woman I have yet to meet or talk to. We were introduced through the modern marvel of E-mail by a mutual nursing educator in Austin TX, my home town. With her first message Bev set the tone for the remaining 2 months that preceded my arrival in Hilo. It has included an immediate offer to stay in one of her vacation rentals at a discount price….and that’s without even asking if I was weird since “Keep Austin Weird” is a national movement! Additionally, she volunteered to meet me at the Hilo Airport when I arrive so I won’t have to find the house on my own. We have agreed to dinner between the airplane landing and my sleep deprived crash landing at this lovely house she has for me. Over time, Bev has helped put me in touch with a realtor, sent links about the pidgin English spoken on the island, info about banks, and initially getting me oriented to both Hilo and the general area. Lastly, an offer far beyond the usual or the necessary….she said I could ship boxes of my ‘essentials’ to her house for storage before I arrive. Have I been blessed by the Aloha Spirit…..let’s hear a resounding “Yesss!!!”.
Well, I didn’t intend to go on so long, and yet I feel there is much more to share with you. I’ll save some other thoughts and quotes about the aloha spirit for another blog entry.
Aloha,
Janene
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)