Traditions — September 5, 2009 14:24 — View Comments Written by: NEENZ

Kamaaina in Southern California

If you’re my friend on Facebook, follower on Twitter, or a member of my family then you know that I spent my week in Los Angeles, California. In fact, I’m typing this while sitting against the wall in Terminal 2, Gate 27 of LAX. I was invited by my friend and colleague, and former Angeleno, Melanie Kosaka of Share Your Table to attend her “Sip Sample Savor” event co-sponsored by Starwood Hotels and Resorts Hawaii and part of the State of Hawaii, Hawaii Visitors and Conventions Bureau L.A. blitz. This blitz also included a lunch with all of the islands’ Mayors and a “Tweetup” at The Whisper Lounge. There are more events scheduled throughout the month of September which I’ll talk about in another post.

201 Kamaaina in Southern California

The “Sip Sample Savor” event featured dishes prepared by Azure’s Executive Chef Jon Matsubara and Share Your Table’s Chef Katie Chin. It was held in West Beverly Hills, in the very posh Valcucine’s Dom Showroom. I hadn’t seen Executive Chef Matsubara since we both worked at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel nearly 5-years ago, but will certainly book my reservations at Azure when I return home.

I was able to briefly reconnect with another friend and colleague, and now part-time Los Angeles, part-time Tokyo resident Eric Nakagawa. The luxury of technology allows Eric and I to communicate quite often, but it’s always good to get a hug and smile from him. He’s been busy working on projects for his startup, FTW R&D and am looking forward to his return for [re] think : Hawaii during the first week of November.

It was truemored that Saturday Night Live alum, Cheri Oteri was mingling amongst the tasting crowd, but I couldn’t locate her. But, I did get to spend time with Batman and Kyle (no, not Robin) — the adorable son of Christine Lu.

Alvin Goya, NEENZ, Puni Patrick, Dee Goya

From there I headed to the City of Carson to connect with members of the Kamaaina Club of Orange County at a restaurant named, “Back Home in Lahaina.” Long time member, Puni Patrick greeted me with a hug full of aloha, a Coor’s Light, and a plate of shoyu poke. A few minutes later, board member Alvin Goya and his wife Dee joined us ordering a big bowl of saimin. Needless to say, I was in my comfort zone.

Our conversations lasted well after closing time, and was filled with stories of Alvin visiting his Grandmother in Makawao, Maui; Puni talking about growing up in Kaneohe and attending Kamehameha Schools; and Dee shared about her daughter’s love for hula. And yes, we all had a giggle and conspiracy theories about the recently shelved body odor law in Hawaii. I definitely made some lasting friendships “Back home in Lahaina”.

Puni recommended that I attend the 15th Annual E Hula Mau® at the Long Beach Convention Center. The terrace was lined with food booths serving shoyu chicken and kalua pork; surf shops selling familiar designs by Hawaiian Island Creations and Hawaiian Style; one vendor set-up his complete tattoo studio. Again, I felt comfortable, especially when I saw my Aunty Obi selling her quilts and my Uncle Ed Collier taking a break from judging the competition during intermission.

Uncle Ed Collier, NEENZ

One thing is certain, the Aloha Spirit is alive and well as the Kama’aina of Southern California continue to practice the Hawaii traditions, values, and culture.