Hawaii Traditions » History

For the Keiki & Ohana: Pacific Aviation Museum

STA — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:00:22 +0000

For the Keiki and Ohana

by: STA

As summer has arrived, occupying our children’s time is becoming more and more difficult. If you are running out of activities for your keikis, consider the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island, now a National Historic Landmark. The museum offers aviation enthusiast both young and old the opportunity to indulge themselves in sensory overload. Spread out over 67,000 square feet of hanger space, the Pacific Aviation Museum’s aircraft collection displays WWII planes, helicopters, and jet fighters such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 fighter. To fully appreciate the power and presence of these magnificent flying machines, you need to be face to face with these marvels of technology. Standing next to the various aircrafts makes you wonder how these gigantic machines ever got off the ground. Not just a display of aircrafts, the museum places the planes within the context of history, reviewing the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor along with America’s aviation history.

If ever as a child or adult you dreamt of flying, the museum also offers a combat flight simulator which allows you to defend the skies above Guadalcanal, bringing you one step closer to flight. Throughout the year, special events are also held at the aviation center to further educate and entertain guests. In March of 2009, the “Biggest Little Air Show” was held at Ford Island. One to five scale model replicas of jets and planes took to flight and filled the skies, piloted remotely by hobbyist who flew their planes with great joy along with a bit of anxiety as some of the model planes flying overhead cost as much as $11,000, let me spell that out, ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.

A fully guided tour is also available, taking guests through various aircraft hangers that still bare the scars of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Pacific Aviation Museum also offers a gift shop along with a self-proclaimed “best place to eat at Pearl Harbor” restaurant, Laniakea Cafe. The museum is open daily from 9:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M., general admission is $15.00 for adults, $8.00 for children ages 4-12. Kama’aina rates are also available, $10.00 for Hawaii residents and military and $5.00 for children 4-12. If you end up loving the Pacific Aviation Museum and can’t get enough, individual and family membership is available. For more information on the Pacific Aviation Museum, please visit their website at Pacific Aviation Museum.

Follow @pacificaviation on Twitter.

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Things that Entertained Us: Frank De Lima

Jan — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:00:58 +0000

With such a diverse mix of peoples living here in Hawaii, our Aloha State is known across the globe as a “melting pot” of cultures. This notion is perhaps most hilariously celebrated on Frank De Lima’s comedy stage. Born Frank Wilcox Napuakekaulike De Lima, Jr. on July 8, 1949, he is best known for his singing, creating hilarious spoofs on popular tunes and of course, his ethnic jokes which pokes fun at everybody. Being of Portuguese, Hawaiian, Irish, Chinese, English, Spanish, and Scottish descent, De Lima’s ethnic make-up is microcosm of Hawaii’s melting pot; thus, he has “built in permission” to make fun of others since in essence, he is laughing at himself. From the “Filipino Christmas” song to the “Portagee Fight Song” to “Glenn Miyashiro”, we laugh because we see ourselves, our friends and our families in his parodies.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtAfdAkho10

Some of Frank De Lima’s past work includes 14 albums (including “Don’t Sneeze When You Eat Saimin, 1981), six TV specials and appearances along with a slew of other awards and accomplishments including Governor Ben Caetano’s Kihohana Award for Volunteer of the Year in 2000. De Lima is also known for The Frank De Lima Student Enrichment Program with the basic message: The significance of reading, studying, laughing, and family (3 Bs = Be Safe, Be Responsible, and Be Respectful).

What are your favorite Frank De Lima moments? Is there any one song or skit that best encapsulates the way we laugh at ourselves? Share it here!

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The Things that Entertained Us: Pidgin To Da Max

STA — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:00:43 +0000

The local color of our islands is best represented in our language. The use of pidgin English serves to remind us of our past, a past deeply rooted in the plantation fields of the early 1900s. To overcome the language barrier among the ethnically diverse plantation workers, pidgin English was adopted as the common language of the people. Broken bits and pieces of English were crudely strung together to communicate basic information. Over the years, pidgin English has evolved into a dialect all its own, a specialized way for locals to communicate. The question “Would you like a drink?” in pidgin is simply “Soda?” The proper response is “Shoots!” not some long-winded reply.

As our pidgin English passed from generation to generation, the need to capture the language became evident and thus, Pidgin To Da Max was born. Authored by Douglas Simonson, Pat Sasaki, and Ken Sakata, Pidgin To Da Max takes a humorous look at our pidgin and reminds us how hilarious our use of language can be. Published over twenty-five years ago, Pidgin To Da Max has become a best seller with over 200,000 copies in print. The sequel, Pidgin To Da Max Hana Hou released in 1991, also became a best seller. The illustrated dictionary depicts caricatures of locals expressing themselves through our colorful language while defining various local words. The caricatures have an uncanny ability to capture the true essence of locals; I swear some of characters look and behave exactly like my friends.

In 2005, the Pidgin To Da Max 25th Anniversary Edition was released, paying tribute to generations of locals who continue to perpetuate the language. The anniversary edition combines both the original Pidgin To Da Max and Pidgin To Da Max Hana Hou in paperback. Other similar publications include Pupus To Da Max a guide to the foods of Hawaii, Da Kine Dictionary , a paperback dictionary similar to Pidgin To Da Max, and Hawaii To Da Max , a visitors guide to the language, food, and culture of Hawaii. Accessible to locals and non-locals alike, Pidgin To Da Max is a humorous representation of that which makes us truly local, our language.

For more information on Pidgin To Da Max, visit the following links below. Have any favorite Pidgin To Da Max moments? Please share them with us at Hawaii Traditions.

Pidgin To The Max

Pidgin To the Max: Local kine comedy 1983

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The Things that Entertained Us: Rap Reiplinger

STA — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Some of my fondest childhood memories take me back to the early 80s as I watched a local comedian dressed in drag conduct a cooking show. Aunty Marialani strangely enough reminded me of the many “aunties” I encountered growing up local. This familiarity is at the heart of Rap Reiplinger’s humor, creating memorable characters that we locals identify with. His unique brand of humor combined with his comic genius helped to create characters such as Aunty Marialani, Willie Maunawile, along with classic comic sketches such as Room Service , Fate Yanagi , and The Young Kanakas. These characters of my youth continue to impact the local culture of today.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws70oI3yMBc

James Kawika Piimauna Reiplinger or “Rap” (July 16, 1950 -- January 19, 1984) attended high school at Punahou. In 1974, Rap helped create one of Hawaii’s most memorable ensembles, Booga Booga. Together with comedians James Grant Benton (January 15, 1949 -- May 29, 2002) and Ed Ka’ahea, Booga Booga entertained locals with their unique brand of local slap-stick humor. He later released solo albums Poi Dog, Do I Dare Disturb, and Crab Dreams which captured Rap’s true genius. In 1982, Rap reached the pinnacle of success by winning an Emmy Award for his television special “Rap’s Hawaii”, a program which helped bring to life the numerous characters locals have fallen in love with. Simply start the line, “Not too sweet, not too rancid…” and locals will finish with “but juss riiight ahh!!!” Sadly, two years later in January of 1984, Rap Reiplinger died of complications stemming from cocaine use. Were he alive today, Rap would be nearing sixty; imagine how much more he could have given us. As with many other great comedians in their prime: Sam Kinnison, John Belushi, John Candy, and Chris Farley, Rap Reiplinger’s life ended much too soon.

Rap helped to promote local humor and set the bar for the next generation of local comedians. Augie T, Bu La’ia, and Da Bruddas to mention a few, all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Rap who helped define the fine art of being humorously local. Whenever I ask my wife for a pen, it’s almost always “YOU GET PEN!!!! PEN, GUNFUNIT PEN!!!!!! Rap’s impact on the local color of Hawaii is immeasurable.

For more information on Rap Reiplinger, please visit the following link:
Amazon

What are some of your favorite Rap moments? Please share them with us here at Hawaii Traditions.

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The Things that Entertained Us: Kikaida

STA — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:00:19 +0000

Even though the Kikaida series ran for only two years, the ripple effect across generations is remarkable. Recently while shopping at Ala Moana, I notice a long line snaking its way out of Shirokiya. Many who were in line, both young and old, were dressed in Kikaida costumes, heroes an villains alike. All were in line to meet action hero Ban Daisuke, the actor who played the role of Kikaida. It was a chance for many to get a picture, an autograph, an opportunity to recapture their childhood. I noticed many fathers my age (no age disclosure) carrying their little ones, anxiously watching their children’s expressions as they lived vicariously through their experiences. As I watched the Kikaida torch being passed from one generation to the next, I wondered how the series found such a resurgence in popularity and why Kikaida remains such a big hit with locals. If you can remember the numerous Japanese children’s programming televised in Hawaii: Ikkyusan, Candy Candy, Ultra Man, Robocon, Kamen Rider, and of course, Kikaida, you are dating yourself. These are the shows that influenced generations both past and present and gave birth to numerous reenactments of Kikaida battles on elementary school playgrounds.

Quite recently, Kikaida found its way back on KIKU television. As I watched the reruns, a flood of childhood memories poured in as I recalled each episode. The opening theme song sent me running to the television as a child and to this day, evoking powerful emotions of better days, carefree pleasures, and loss of innocence. Viewed today, the special effects are corny, the time period dated, but the memories, priceless. For locals, Kikaida marks the passage of time and reminds us that although we are getting older, our hearts are still youthful. As I sleep, perchance to dream, I hear the distant sounds of Jiro playing his red guitar and Professor Gill blowing on his staff. War is once again imminent and the battle between good and evil continues in the playgrounds of my mind.

For more information on Kikaida, please visit the following links below. If you have fond memories, past or present of Kikaida, please share them with us at Hawaii Traditions.

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Generation Kikaida Store

Amazon

Photo Credit: Generation Kikaida

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The Things that Entertained Us: Andy Bumatai

Jan — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:00:38 +0000

In the late 1970’s and 80’s Andy Bumatai was one of the comedians I grew up watching on KGMB. Shows like “All in the Ohana” and “High School Daze” made us laugh at ourselves because we could either identify with the characters ourselves, or we knew someone just like one of those fictitious characters. Who could ever forget “Honey Girl”, “Junior Boy” or the “cafeteria ladies” Bumatai crafted in these televised shows?

Andy Bumatai began his career in 1977 as a stand up comic and soon after accepted a gig with Booga Booga —Hawaii’s premier comedy trio—replacing Rap Replinger. A few years later, Bumatai went on to do more stand up comedy and then did two TV Specials for KGMB for which he is most well known for: “High School Daze” followed by “All in the Ohana”. With “All in the Ohana”, Bumatai is noted as being ahead of his time for creating and performing all five of the family characters, a forerunner of today’s smash comedies such as Eddie Murphy’s “The Nutty Professor”.

Through the years that followed, Andy Bumatai has continued to entertain both mainland and local audiences with his comedy, from Don Ho’s Showroom, to Brew Moon, to the Glass Kat in San Francisco. Today, Bumatai is back in Waikiki appearing with the Society of Seven four nights a week. For more information go to: Andy Bumatai and the Society of Seven

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The Things that Entertained Us: The Skyslide

Jan — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:00:47 +0000

The Sky slide, remember that? In my minds eye, I recall a huge orange slide, with grooves that separated the different ‘sliding lanes’. I remember standing in line and walking up a huge flight of stairs for a chance to slide down the Sky slide. I remember sitting on a shaggy carpet square as I took my flight down the slide. Its wavy design would make my stomach leap at each new rise, and would then deliver me to the bottom in a heap…woosh! But it is a vague memory, clouded with romantic nostalgia of my childhood.

Just what was the “Sky slide”? Imagine a park slide, blown up to huge proportions and painted in bright rainbow colors. This was the stuff of childhood memories growing up in the 1970’s on Oahu. The Sky slide was a kiddie slide that all the local children would flock to, with their parents in tow. Such simple pleasures of long ago.

When I was growing up, there were two Sky slides. One was a blue Sky slide located in Waipahu, and the other, a rainbow colored Sky slide located in the parking lot near Gibson’s in Mapunapuna, that was later repainted orange.

When did it first open? How much did a ride cost? What are your Sky slide memories?

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Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar

STA — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:25:39 +0000

The rhythmic sounds of Hawaiian slack key guitar evoke strong images of majestic mountains, crashing waves, and swaying palm trees. A cliched but nevertheless accurate description of slack key guitars’ effect on the hearts of locals and a growing number of mainstream artists. As the notes ring melodic, a story is told, an image comes into view, and feelings are aroused from a style of music that is completely ours.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=teyfBnDZwTk

As jazz is a uniquely American musical genre, Hawaiian slack key guitar’s quintessence is found in the “local color” of our melting pot. The origins of slack key, passed on through oral tradition points to the Mexican and Spanish who brought their guitars to Hawaii in the 1830s. The Hawaiians took the instrument, absorbed and synthesized it with their own traditions and culture, thus creating a new genre of guitar music. The term slack key (ki-ho’alu) refers to the retuning or “loosening the key” of the guitar from the standard tuning EADGBE to produce a major chord or a chord with a major 7th note. Not limited to the a fore mentioned, there are over 50 slack key tunings to select from. When played, the open notes ring unrestrained creating harmonious tones that pour out of the guitarist heart, into the instrument.

Among the many local artists who have played slack key, a debt of gratitude is owed to the likes of Gabby Pahinui , Leonard Kwan , Sonny Chillingsworth , and Raymond Kane , musicians who helped popularize the uniquely Hawaiian genre. Current artist such as Ledward Kaapana , George Kahumoku Jr. , and Dennis Kamakahi to name a few, continue to promote the fine tradition of slack key guitar. Mainstream artists such as Ry Cooder, Doyle Dykes, and Chet Atkins have embraced slack key guitar, finding an emotional connection to the music. Piano virtuoso George Winston readily admits his favorite musical instrument and genre is Hawaiian slack key guitar. George Winston has helped to promote Hawaiian slack key guitar by helping produce over 30 solo guitar recordings of other musicians. Local events such as Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival is a wonderful way to enjoy Hawaii’s great tradition of music that is deeply entrenched in our “local color.”

If you are new to the genre of Hawaiian slack key, check out Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters (Instrumental Collection) from Dancing Cat Records, a compilation of slack key instrumentals from legendary local artists. Visit the website

Video Credit: GrandMasterGuess, sirduke58, GtrWorkShp, BreezePls, KoRt7, mauitodaytv, CrossRoadsProject, on YouTube

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Remembering Ala Moana Center

Jan — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:59:49 +0000

As a youngster, I remember frequenting Ala Moana Shopping Center with my mother, who was the manager of Garfunkels and Dunkin’ Donuts, where the Honolulu Satellite City Hall is now. Over the years, we children were allowed countless hours in the sand box on the ground floor of Ala Moana, climbing on the metal sculptures within the play area. After dusting ourselves off, we’d go to Kiddie Land and ride on the airplane rides and play a game or two of bowling. Ala Moana was the “big” mall, the place we would go for the really “nice” back to school clothes and if we were really, really lucky, lunch would include standing in line at Patti’s Chinese Kitchen and then an ice cream cone at Ed and Don’s Ice Cream Shop.

With these memories so vivid and intact, it was hard for me to believe that Ala Moana Shopping Center celebrated its 50th Anniversary last year, on August 13, 2009. Originally opened for business on August 13, 1959 with 80 shops and approximately 860,000 square feet it was the largest shopping center of its time. Today, with over 290 stores and more than 2.1 million square feet of space, it is still the world’s largest outdoor shopping center.

Gone now is the huge black birdcage between Shirokiya and what was once Liberty House (now Macy’s)—gone now is Liberty House, for that matter! Ala Moana, like much of Hawaii has changed over the years, and I must say, part of me mourns the loss of the familiarity of my childhood. However, through my children’s eyes, I have the awesome experience of growing up in Hawaii, in this magical place, all over again. Their memories will include playing games at Jungle Fun, watching the koi swim around in the koi pond and eating takoyaki from Shirokiya. So, I still shop at Ala Moana Shopping center, now with my two young sons in tow. Indeed, it is still a Hawaii Tradition.

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Live Coverage: The Canonization of Father Damian

NEENZ — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:40:10 +0000

Born in Belgium in 1840, Jozef De Veuster is better known as Father Damian and his ministry to the people with leprosy in Kalaupapa on the island of Molokai. His commitment to service as a Roman Catholic priest has earned him the recognition from the Church to be deemed a Saint.

The Canonization of Father Damian will be streamed live on leading local news site KGMB9 at 10 p.m. Hawaii time. Here’s a list of news sites covering the road to Father Damian’s Sainthood:

Below is a statement from President Barack Obama about the canonization of Father Damian:

“I wish to express my deep admiration for the life of Blessed Damien de Veuster, who will be canonized on Sunday by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. I also want to convey my best wishes to the Kingdom of Belgium and its people, who are proud to count Fr. Damien among their great citizens.

Fr. Damien has also earned a special place in the hearts of Hawaiians. I recall many stories from my youth about his tireless work there to care for those suffering from leprosy who had been cast out. Following in the steps of Jesus’ ministry to the lepers, Fr. Damien challenged the stigmatizing effects of disease, giving voice to the voiceless and ultimately sacrificing his own life to bring dignity to so many.

In our own time as millions around the world suffer from disease, especially the pandemic of HIV/AIDS, we should draw on the example of Fr. Damien’s resolve in answering the urgent call to heal and care for the sick.

I offer my prayers as people of all faiths join the Holy Father and millions of Catholics around the world in celebrating Fr. Damien’s extraordinary life and witness.”

Father Damian died a year before my great-grandmother, Rose Kaaipohaku Oneha Brown was born. There was still no cure, and sadly my great-grandmother contracted Hansen’s Disease. In my late teens I was able to visit her on Kalaupapa and experience the spirit of the people on the island. It remains one of the greatest moments in my life.

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