Miss Hawaii

Renee Mokihana Nobriga has been crowned 2010 Miss Hawaii, USA. Last night at the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki, Nobriga, 25, a graduate of Kahuku High and the University of Hawaii-Manoa, was chosen to represent Hawaii in the next Miss USA pageant. She works as a sales associate and model.

Past Miss Hawaii USA titleholders include actress Kelly Hu and newscasters Trini Kaopuiki and Kuualoha Taylor.

Hawaii has won the Miss USA title four times — Macee Wilson (1962), Tanya Wilson (1972), Judy Anderson (1978) and Brook Lee (1997). Lee also went on to win Miss Universe.

Kimo West

For those of you who don't know, Hawaiian Slack Key favorite Jim "Kimo" West is also one of Weird Al Yankovic's musicians and they performed recently on The Jimmy Fallon Show. Kimo is in the red shirt...Here is a clip if you would like to see the other side of this fabulous musician. P.S. He personally told me in June that he is working on his falsetto! Hope to hear that when I see him in Redondo this coming January!

Turtle Bay

Check this out! Turtle Bay, our first Hawaii experience. I will never forget it!

Bishop Museum

Before we get ready to hop on a plane back to Oahu next month, I better finish blogging about our last trip. Everytime we go, we make sure we see something new. Last time we took The Bus to downtown Honolulu and spent some time at the Bishop Museum. I asked if we were allowed to take photos and was told it is alright as long as you don't use a flash. So I took a lot of pics but some are pretty dark. Here are some highlights:

KALANA

Barrett Awai. I first discovered him while on Oahu in August. He was performing with his group Kaukahi at his weekly gig at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach in Waikiki. To me, he stole the show with his awesome falsetto. I think I mentioned that in an earlier post. Well, I quickly made him a facebook buddy and that is how I found out that he had a solo Cd coming out. So, its here! It's a gospel release with songs in Hawaiian and English. The selections I have heard are beautiful and in some he is joined by his wife, Tara. Her voice is stunning! I plan on purchasing the Cd soon and having him sign it when I see him in December. If you enjoy contemporary Christian music, if you enjoy Hawaiian music or if you enjoy Barrett Awai, you will love this Cd, available now!

Well, we are back from our trip to Southern Utah. We visited family and actually spent a little time discussing the possiblity that we may move to the St. George region when we retire. Not because we totally love it there. But the cost of living in California may make that decision for us. And it looks like that is where my siblings are going to settle. My own kids, who knows where they will be by then. We will never move too far away from them. They are too important in our lives. But I wouldn't be surprised if eventually they start to migrate on their own. I just hope that if we have to move to the desert, we can find an Islander community there.

Uncle George Lanakilakeikiahiali`i Naope

Uncle George Naope. This name is plastered all over Facebook, sadly announcing his passing yesterday at the age of 81. He is lovingly remembered for preserving the ancient hula. Known as Uncle George, he helped found the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in Hilo nearly 50 years ago. He had a great impact on the Hawaiian culture by sharing his passion for hula with the world. A quick google will give you an idea of how much this colorful, talanted man was loved by generations. Here is a slideshow found on youTube and dated 2008.

Etlingera Elatior

A couple of months ago I posted a photo of this stunning beauty and asked if anyone could identify it. Well, Michael Mimiaga, a new facebook buddy, has heard my plea and here is the answer: Etlingera elatior, the wax flower or Torch Ginger, as known in Hawaii. The flowering part, in bud form, is edible as are the stems. They are used in many tropical locations including Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Apparently it tastes wonderful in fish soup, stews and curries. Here it is used in an Assam Laksa recipe. Mystery solved! Check out Michael's deals at Waikiki Weekly.

Weldon Kekauoha, again!

One of the reasons I joined Facebook was to stay in touch with the musical artists I adore. That way I know where they are, where they are going, what they are up to, at least as much as they want to share with us. It has paid off a number of times; new Cd releases, new concert dates, etc. Everyone should know by now that Weldon is one of my very favorites. There is just something I find very soothing in his voice. I also love that he shares so much on Facebook; photos, comments and love letters to his growing family. I thought I had all his music until I found out through Mele.com that he had another one released in 2003 with Tapa Groove. I ordered it online just last Friday and it already arrived today! I have been very pleased with Mele in the past so this was no surprise, really. So now I am going to close this post and spend some time listening to this new addition to my (Cd) family! I already suspect my favorite will be his rendition of "Queen's Jubilee." Aloha!

Makaha Sons

Flashback: On our last full day of our August 2009 Hawaii vacation ... what to do? what to do? Somehow we found out there was going to be a concert just a short Bus ride away from our hotel. Yes, we ride The Bus. It keeps us grounded as we see other riders on their way to or from work, usually a job servicing all the haole who invade their sacred home. Back to my flashback: August 22 - Honolulu, Hawaii, Take a Walk in the Country Mahalo Concert, Honolulu Hale, FREE TO THE PUBLIC Featuring: Makaha Sons, Kaukahi, Sean Na'auao, Del Beazley, Chino Montero and Friends, the Abrigo 'Ohana, hula by Kealo Koko and various hula halau. I had several posts in the past where I raved about the spectacular time we had. We were there from 10 A.M to 5 P.M., sitting on the lawn filled mostly with locals, listening to some of the truly greatest Hawaiian musicians alive, eating a boxed plate lunch, our hearts filled with melancholy as we squeezed the last little bit of Aloha out of our 16 day escape from our reality. As we listened to the mele of Hawaii, I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea that this splendid day was being offered FREE by the MAKAHA SONS. For those devotees of Brother Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo`ole, you realize that these are his original band buddies. After 30+ years, their harmonies are smooth and delicious, like honey and butter mixed together! Since that day I have added several Makaha Sons and Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau Cd's to my vast collection of Hawaiian lullabies.

Maunahele

Earlier this year we attended a fantastic Falsetto Festival in Redondo Beach. I had plenty to say about all the wonderful Hawaiian musicians, post after post. Leokane Pryor was one I had never heard before but I was totally blown away, not just by his fine voice but by his spirit and charisma. I was quick to buy his cd Home Malanai and enjoy it often. Now there is a re-release of his first cd, Maunahele which can be purchased online. This guy is one you don't want to miss if you have a chance to see him! Check him out!

He's Back!

I received an email from a Honolulu Harry's friend yesterday telling me that our old buddy Kamaki is back playing live at the Honolulu Harry's Restaurant in Chino. We have a lot of good memories from all the times we went there! Good music, good food and good friends.

Kamaki and Friends currently performing live at Honolulu Harry’s - 12206 Central Avenue - Chino, CA 91710
(at 60 Fwy & Central Ave.) Fridays - 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
(909) 590-0604

Check out Kamaki's website for more information.