Wordless Wednesday - Oldest In Waikiki
Opened it’s doors in 1927
Moana Hotel
Open it’s doors in 1901
Sweet Memories
I’ve been talking to my brother alot lately. When we talked on Saturday, he asked me to go home to Hilo. And it made me feel sad that I haven’t seen him for quite a few years. The last time was at my Uncle’s funeral in Hilo. Charley and I went over from Oahu and I picked up my son who was there at the time. I got to see my 3 brothers, Dad, all my Aunt’s and Uncles and cousins. Even the ones that I haven’t seen for over 20 years. It was a sad occassion, yet a memorable andhappy one at the same time because I got to see alot of people that I love.
More than anyone, it was my brother Bo. We had a special bond, the two of us. From when I was very young and still in school. He is 8 years older than me, so he looked after my sisters Honey, Budgie and I. Budgie was a year older than me and Honey was a year younger. When we were in High School, we did this secret code thing that almost looked like japanese writing that only a few of us could read. Our so called gang of girls. And we signed eachothers year book that way too. Budgie was going with the Captain of the football team, Honey went with someone who was in this group who called themselves the “Mill Boys”, and I was going with a boy who was his cousin. We would always meet at the bowling alley on the nights that HELCO had their bowling league, besides in school. My brother’s would watch us like a hawk, and made sure that we did not leave the bowling alley.
After we got out of High School, we had other interest and was no longer in relationships with those boys. My 2 sisters and I all went to the same Trade School that had the Hotel/Restaurant Management course. And so did our stepbrother G. He was close to us too, and we had alot of fun. Can you imagine how it was in that class with 3 sisters and a brother all attending at the same time? The teacher went bananas! But we turned out to be the best students he had. My sister Budgie gave him a harder time than the rest of us. And that’s cause she was in her second year in that class. After that, Budgie went to work for the Naniloa Hotel, I went to work for the Peace Corps, and Honey got married.
My brothers continued with their day jobs and playing music at night. They played for so many different clubs throughout all these years. I loved it when they worked at the old Orchid Isles Hotel. My nieces used to put on a hula show during the dinner hours. Then they would leave with their Mom, and my good friends and I would stay for the dance music, and sometimes I would help run the sound system and lights. They also played at the Poly Room at the Naniloa Hotel during the dinner hour. And that’s how I met my ex who was the Food and Beverage Manager. And Budgie was the main bartender there. On the nights that Budgie didn’t have to work, we would shanghai my brothers and make them stay with us to drink. Our sisters-in-laws didn’t mind cause they figured that my brothers were with family. Except for Boy’s wife who didn’t like the idea, but we took him anyway. And that was when we got in more trouble, cause the brothers were there. And when the girls would try to hit on Bo and Boy, we ran them off. And my brothers would tell us that we were “cramping their style”. LOL! Our girlfriends used to have a blast with us. They were the only girls that we would let our brothers dance with. When Gordy and I became a couple, my brother Bo hit the roof cause I was going with his boss. But he eventually got used to it.
My sister Budgie, our ex-brother-in-law(Honey’s ex), Gordy and I used to have so much fun together. We used to go up Kulani road and race the two Austin Healy’s we had. When we went to Kona for the weekend, we would race the Jeep against the boat. It was such a blast! We’d go skinny dipping at night at this special beach that was secluded in Kona. This was our wild and whooly days. Now all we have is great memories.
Then along came my beautiful husband Charley who captured my heart and we lived happily ever after. But not without static from my brother Bo, who made a point of being overly protective. But after he saw that I was finally happy with the man who became my soulmate, he backed off. Then we started having these family get togethers at the beach and at Bo’s house. And by then Boy was divorced from the wicked witch who never let him be with family. So it was really great spending quality times together.
And now hearing my brother say to me he wants me to go to Hilo, it stirred up all these feelings. And it makes me miss him even more. He has some health issues right now that I’m hoping can be medically handled for the best. I told him I would try my best to go see him this year, but I couldn’t promise anything. I have to see what happens after I get back to Hawaii the end of this month. So as it stands right now, I am preparing for my trip to Los Angeles to meet my kids and grandkids. In 2 weeks and 4 days! Then we will go to the most magical place on earth ....... Disneyland! Then it’s home to Oahu and to be with my grandchildren whom I’ve missed terribly. Hawai’i No Ka Oe!!
Saturday Photo Hunt - Water
This weeks Scavevger Photo Hunt is Water. So I will give you 2 different versions of water. Water that we drink and water that surrounds my homeland of Hawai’i.
Mention Hawaii to just about anyone, anywhere, and it conjures up images of lush tropical forests, breathtaking scenery and pristine beaches. In short - paradise. But now, for the first time, people everywhere can taste the water that helps make Hawaii a paradise, Hawaiian Springs Natural Artesian Water.
There are few natural artesian wells in Hawaii. Rain alone is enough to fill the reservoirs of the Aloha state. There is, however, a massive well on the Big Island, Hawaii, the eastern-most island of the Hawaiian chain.
The well at Kea’au (which means clear, pure spring water) is a natural geological result at Mauna Loa, one of the two largest volcanoes on the island. Mauna Loa was spawned by the single source of all eight Hawaiian Islands and the entire archipelago to Midway; more than one hundred islands in all. It is, quite literally, the source of paradise.
A U.S. Geological Survey has concluded that the water from Kea’au is some of the purest in the world. Hawaii is the most isolated population center in the world, a fact made clear with a glance at any globe. The upshot is that Hawaii stands alone in an area of more than 10 million square miles of ocean. There are no factories, no industrial centers, no traffic-clogged interstates for thousands of miles in all directions.
When it rains in Hawaii, the rain falls from smog-free skies. Water that starts off close to pure remains pure all the way down to the volcanoes. It filters through 13,000 feet of charcoal, the earth’s natural filter.
Hawaiian Springs Natural Artesian Water is as pure as paradise, because from its source it’s naturally pure, all in the course of a little more than 30 days. The short duration also guarantees that Hawaiian Springs Natural Artesian Waters “young water”, which means it doesn’t pick up the sediments and minerals that give U.S. mainland and European waters their aftertaste.
And now the Beaches from the Leeward side of the Island of Oahu to the Windward side of the Island. My favorite place to be ...... The Ocean!
Pokai Bay, Wai’anae
Makaha Surfing Beach
Mokuleia, North Shore
Waimanalo Beach Park
Friday’s Feast #137
Appetizer
What are you proud of?
I am very proud of my children who have grown to be wonderful people in today’s society. They are all doing well for themselves and have never gotten in any trouble while growing up. They also have wonderful and beautiful children who are very special in my life.
Soup
What is the best thing you’ve ever won as a prize?
My husband was the best prize anyone could ask for. He made my life have meaning and gave me a beautiful family. I love him with all my heart and soul.
Salad
Name something you do that is a waste of time.
Spending too much time on this computer because I am bored. Can’t wait to get bak to the beach and to familiar surroundings again. I can’t be without my grandchildren. Haven’t you noticed that I don’t post as much as I used to? That’s cause there’s nothing to tell.
Main Course
In what year of your life did you change the most?
I haven’t changed at all. I am still the same person I was when I was growing up. My outlook and way of life is still the same. I am who I am and I will always be this way. If people don’t like me for who I am, then I guess it’s their problem and not mine. Cause I will not change my lifestyle for anyone.
Dessert
Where is a place you consider to be very tranquil?
The ocean! That’s where I go to have peace of mind. That’s where my family and I have a wonderful time watching the children enjoy life. The ocean has always been my special place. From a wee little one, till as old as I am now.......it will always be my tranquil place.
Thursday Thirteen #47 - Lesson’s In Aloha and Mahalo
Lesson in Aloha and Mahalo
1. Aloha, love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy, pity, kindness, sentiment, grace, charity; greeting, salutation, regards; sweetheart, lover, lover, loved one; beloved, loving, kind, compassionate, charitable, lovable; to love, be fond of; to show kindness, mercy, pity, charity, affection; to venerate; to remember with affection; to greet, to hail. Greetings! Hello! Good-by! Farewell! Alas!
2. Aloha `oe! [ah loh’ hah oe!]
May you be loved or greeted! Farewell or greetings to one person.
3. Aloha kâua! [ah loh’ hah KAH’oo (w)ah!]
May there be friendship or love between us! Greetings to you and me!
4. Aloha kâkou! [ah loh’ hah KAH’ kou!]
Same as above, but to more than one person.
5. Ke aloha nô! [ah loh hah NOH’]
Aloha indeed!
6. Aloha! [ Ah loh’ hah!]
Greetings!”
7. One of the most frequently requested translations is:
Aloha au iâ `oe.
[ah loh’ hah vau’ ee (Y)AH’ oe]
I love you.
8. Mahalo.
Thanks, gratitude; to thank.
9. Mahalo nui loa [mah hah’ loh noo’(w)ee loh’(w)ah]
Thanks very much.
10.`Ôlelo mahalo
[OH’ leh loh mah hah’ loh]
compliment
11. Mahalo â nui [mah hah’ loh (W)AH’ noo’(w)ee]
Thanks very much.
12. Admiration, praise, esteem, regards, respects; to admire, praise, appreciate.
13.`O wau nô me ka mahalo, [oh vau NOH’ meh kah mah hah’loh]
I am, [yours] respectfully,
*Source: Pukui, Mary Kawena & Elbert, Samuel H., HAWAIIAN DICTIONARY, University of Hawai`i Press, Honolulu, 1986.
