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Hawaii’s Fads and Mainstays: A New Series

Jan — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:00:26 +0000

Hawaii’s Fads and Mainstays

by Jan

Being in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, trends and fads come to us slowly here in Hawaii. But when they do, boy, do we fall hard! Obsessing over new and must try foods, games and stores—fads hook us with their word of mouth, gotta try it freshness and allow us to have some new, fun thing to do here in the islands. Over time, some fads turn into mainstays here in our Island State, and no one is immune to them, as people from all ages succumb to their novelty.

Photo credit: Daniel Lobo

Trips to Las Vegas and hours spent at Costco were once fads (now mainstays) welcomed by the older generation, while Tamagochi’s and POGs were fads that once consumed the younger generation here in Hawaii. Other fads—like Spam and Chocolate Haupia Pie—have become mainstays, weaving themselves into the fabric of our everyday lives and become a part of our culture, our traditions and yes, even our values. These mainstays continue to be beloved by everyone, young and old alike.

What fads do you recall, living here in Hawaii? Are there fads that you remember that have become mainstays here in the Islands? We’d love to hear about them, here at Hawaii Traditions!

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Hawaii Traditions Doggie Ringer T-shirt

Gail — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 12:00:10 +0000

Doggie heads will turn when they see their friends wearing this customized Hawaii Traditions Groovy doggie t-shirt. Even their human’s will want to know where to get one for their dog so they can by styling with the rest of the canine community.

This customized ringer t-shirt is 100% combed ringspun baby rib cotton for comfort. It has a contrast color ribbed binding on the neck, bottom seam and the leg holes. It’s double needle stitched.

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First Taste: Sake Street

Gail — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:00:22 +0000

Wes Zane’s newest departure on Kapahulu called Sake Street is a japanese style restaurant that serves food and sake of all kinds. Sake Street’s selection of sake is not only delicious but also an educational experience for a range of palates, from beginners to experts.

Many regard experiencing sake as an artistic endeavor that has to be understood to have a complete experience. Because of this expectation, many have shied away from experiencing the japanese rice liquor, seeing it as too intimidating to embrace.

Photo Credit: Metromix Honolulu

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Things that Entertained Us: The Ice Palace

Jan — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:00:35 +0000

I was 12 and my gloved fingers worked clumsily to lace up the skates that seemed cemented on my feet. For the first time in my life I could see my breath—so cold was the air—I gave my laces one last tug and slid nervously onto the ice to experience this new-to-me-phenomena called ice skating. Did I experience this on a trip to the mainland, or, perhaps, Canada or Japan? Believe it or not, this memory dates back to 1982 in Salt Lake.…well, Salt Lake in Honolulu, Hawaii at The Ice Palace , that is!

Children and families still flock to The Ice Palace some 28 years after it first opened. The skating rink now offers “The Ice Palace Academy of Dance” , along with birthday party services , skate school and a hockey league community . And, perhaps not so surprisingly, The Ice Palace now boasts among its instructors, a champion figure skater—Jennifer Jones — originally from Edmonds, Washington.

I have yet to take my children to The Ice Palace, but we’ll make our way there as most Hawaii residents do, eventually. And when we get there, I’ll be sure to lace up their skates nice and snug, and marvel with them over the wintry “weather”.

What do you remember about The Ice Palace? Share it with our readers here, on Hawaii Traditions!

Photo Credit: matthewmcvickar on Flickr

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Hawaii Traditions Groovy Basic T-shirt

Gail — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 12:00:38 +0000

Are you feeling Groovy today? Hawaii Traditions Store has new Groovy products available at Zazzle. It’s very hip and groovy, a must have for your Hawaii Traditions collection!

This shirt is a heavy weight classic 100% cotton t-shirt. Double-needle stitched bottom and sleeve hems. Loose, classic fit, wears well on anyone. Be styling with this Awesome Groovy Hawaii Traditions T-shirt, and also check out the other items that are available with this design.

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Hawaii Traditions Impulse Tote

Gail — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 12:00:36 +0000

Looking for a nice strong and stylish bag to carry all your things in? Carry it all in this attractive Hawaii Traditions Impulse Tote bag.

Made out of a tough canvas, this bag stands up to stuffing, washing and tossing around. This 100% cotton canvas bag also comes in a variety of handle colors that you can choose from. This 12oz. tote bag will be able to carry all that you need to and from your destination in style! Get yours today from the Hawaii Traditions Zazzle Store.

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Music of the Islands: A New Hawaii Traditions Series on Hawaiian Music

STA — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:00:36 +0000

“Music is what feelings sound like.” – Unknown Author

This quote captures the power of music. To feel music is to have experienced life in its many particulars. Music is a powerful trigger of emotions, taking us back to a time and place where life changing events rocked our world (no pun intended). Music marks the passage of time and reminds us of better days when life was simple and predictable. Think of the music of your youth and you will be immediately transported to a time when feelings were new, raw, fragile, untested but incredibly alive. With every moving event came a song that helped us cope with our situation. I associate certain songs with great and not so great moments of my life. Whenever I hear the song “Against All Odds” by Phil Collins I…….I just can’t talk about it.

In this new series, Hawaii Traditions will explore the music of our islands. We’ll take a look at past artists that have helped shape Hawaiian music as well as contemporary artists who have established themselves. C & K, Kalapana, Country Comfort, Keali’i Reichel, and Israel Kamakawiwo’ole are just a few who have had a powerful impact on Hawaiian music. We’ll explore their artistry as well as take a look at old venues such as the Ranch House and Top of the Shoppe, venues that once housed old school Hawaiian music. These venues helped many local artists breakout into the mainstream. The Grammys have also helped make Hawaiian music more accepted and widespread by finally adding a “Best Hawaiian Music” category to recognize a genre that is uniquely local. What is Hawaiian music? Let’s explore it here at Hawaii Traditions.

What local artist has shaped your musical life? Share them with us at Hawaii Traditions.

Photo Credit: gochie on Flickr

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Hawaii Traditions: Good Eats at Bon Dance

Gail — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:00:58 +0000

Bon Dances celebrate the season of the dead, it’s said that’s when the spirits of their ancestors return to visit. It’s a Japanese Buddhist tradition that has evolved over a century, offerings range from barbecue sticks and shaved ice, to some specialty items such as Konganji Temple’s teriyaki grilled corn.

The food differs from island to island, on Oahu yakisoba stir fried noodles and teriyaki meats, rice and pickled vegetables and of course andagi donuts. On Kauai, a hamburger patty sandwiched between two slices of bread and grilled, it’s called a flying saucer. On Maui, chow fun stir fry noodles and veggies. The changes over the years in tradition of bon dances and food has evolved significantly, but one things for sure is that it’s always fun!

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Hawaii Traditions Standard Apron

Gail — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 12:00:23 +0000

One of the things that local people love to do is hibachi on the weekends and invite friends over to party. Why not stay clean while cooking with this Hawaii Traditions Standard Apron.

The apron is a medium length 35% cotton, 65% polyester blend twill. There are three spacious pockets to hold your utensils or other items, machine washable 24″L x 28″W. It comes in various styles and colors, show your fashionable side while having friends and family over to enjoy the weekend cooking outside on the grill.

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Hawaii Traditional Game: Jan Ken Po

Jan — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:00:44 +0000

“Junk Cannah Po! I cannah show!
Junk Cannah Po! I cannah show!”

Originally, thought to have started in China this simple children’s game made its way over to Kyushuu, Japan in 1642. In Japan, “ken” means “fist”, and thus, Jan Ken Po is a fist or hand game played most commonly by two people. It includes just three gestures; a closed hand (symbolizing a rock), an open hand (symbolizing a piece of flat paper) and index and middle fingers extended into a “V” (symbolizing a pair of scissors).

Known all over the English speaking world as the “Rock-Paper-Scissors” game, Jan Ken Po’s true origins are unknown, but it is believed to have made its way to Hawaii through the Japanese immigrants who first came to Hawaii as plantation workers. From the Philippines, to Rio de Janeiro, to Central Java and beyond, variations of Jan Ken Po are played everywhere.

Jan Ken Po is played to settle differences, choose teams or take the place of a coin toss to decide who will go first. Jan Ken Po is also played for fun, with the participants keeping score on one hand to see who “wins” more rounds. ). In order to play, the players sing or chant while swinging their closed fists from side to side and then each player “throws” their hand in the center a the same time. To win, remember: Rock smashes scissors, scissors cuts paper and paper covers rock.

In Hawaii, Jan Ken Po has taken on its own unique variation. Instead of Jan Ken Po, the children chant, “Junk Cannah Po! I cannah (cannot) show! Junk Cannah Po! I cannah show!” throwing their hand down at the end of each phrase which incorporates Hawaii’s pidgin language into everyday play. Growing up in Hawaii, I must have chanted this song hundreds of times during my youth. I still hear it today, in the voices of my children who now carry on this timeless tradition.

To learn more go to:
Hawaii Reporter
History of Rock Paper Sissors
The Nihon Sun
Jan Ken Po

About the Jan Ken Po World Championships

To play the Jan Ken Po game online:
http://www.jankenpo.org/jkp_game.htm

Photo Credit: crispyteriyaki

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