Hawaii Traditions: New look and merchandise

One year ago today, I wrote the first post for Hawaii Traditions.  I was given the idea by a friend who found that there was not much information about the local culture in Hawaii.  My definition of Hawaii’s local culture is all of the traditions and values of all of the different cultures that have found their home on the islands.  Through research and self-exploration, I learned a lot about myself in the process.  For example, while I am not Japanese, I have adopted some of the basic traditions that their culture practices.

Hawaii Traditions Store

Hawaii Traditions has also provided me the benefit of working with one of my dearest friends, since Ms. Epstein’s 7th grade math class, Jan Avellana.  A designer by trade and independent artist by soul, Jan has been a consistent contributor to several of the more popular posts on HT.  In addition to blogging, Jan has also developed the logo for Hawaii Traditions, its parent company Pono Media, and Entrepreneurs-Wanted.org.  Without her constant commitment, I wouldn’t be able to announce our new Hawaii Traditions store!

Powered by Zazzle, the HT store features original designs by Jan on nearly all of the products provided.  I’d also like everyone to take a look at her hand-stamped jewelry and other art pieces in her Hazelnut Cottage.  If you’re looking to send a little piece of Hawaii to family and friends, we’d appreciate you sending them something from our store.

In addition to the HT store, you will see that we now feature ads on our site.  If you’re interested in advertising, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Community Blog

One of the wonderful things that I learned over the past year is just how far the Hawaii culture has spanned around the globe.  It is because of this global Aloha Spirit that we will be launching a community blog for everyone to share their photos, videos, and stories about how they continue to perpetuate Hawaii traditions, values, and culture.  More information coming soon.

Hawaii Traditions Team

Our team continues to grow.  Jan’s posts will be featured every Wednesdays,  and she’s inspired her husband, Steve, an honors English teacher at a local school to begin writing too so stay tuned for his posts every Thursdays.  On Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays we will be featuring syndicated articles from some of our partners.  These articles will be hand-selected by newest team member, Gail Shiraishi.  Our original writers, Melissa and Sandy, both Freshman in college have, well discovered that they’re freshman in college.  The door to HT is always open to them both, but I’d much rather they enjoy their college days!  And, I am so very proud to share that Heather has returned to the career world and accepted a position with a local credit union.  She too will always have a key to HT, but with a career, husband, and two children to balance, I think I’d much rather see her on the weekends at our friendly gatherings.