Traditions — Thursday, February 25, 2010 2:00
Slippahs
Hawaii Traditions: New look and merchandise
Sunday, February 14, 2010 1:59
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 [...]
Show Me Some Shaka
Thursday, September 3, 2009 22:03
Going to school at the University of Hawaii as a local is a truly rewarding experience. Life is different, of course, no matter what college you go to because it is for most people the first step you take into a new and independent life. In short, it’s breathtakingly exciting. Yet as I mentioned, going [...]
Japanese Culture, Now Hawaii Traditions
Friday, August 14, 2009 0:11
After losing their crops in their hometowns, the first Japanese immigrants came to Hawaii in the mid 1800’s looking for a better way of life. Plantation work was very harsh with most of the immigrants returning to Japan at the end of their contracts. But, those that remained brought their culture that continues to be [...]
Surfing in Hawaii
Sunday, August 2, 2009 14:02
Surfing
Surfing in Hawaii can be traced back to the early 1500’s where petroglyph carvings described native Hawaiians riding long narrow boards carved from wood and rounded at the ends. But, the very first description of it was not written till 1779 by Captain James King. He’e nalu or wave riding was a past time the [...]
Hawaii in the 1960’s
Monday, July 27, 2009 14:53
RememberWhen…
The assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, overshadowed most, if not all world news during this decade. Yet, in our small but significant part of the world, local history was being laid down, both trivial and consequential. From Hawaii Five-O’s television debut on CBS, to Hawaii’s transition from an almost purely plantation economy to a [...]
Hawaii Eats: Malasadas
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 23:20
HawaiiEats
From as far back as I can remember, visiting my Aunty Edith’s Kapahulu house always meant one thing; dessert. No matter the time of day, we would always bring a white box of warm Leonard’s Malasadas in hand for all to share. Now with my own children in tow, the tradition continues.
Malasadas—a fluffy, light, Portuguese [...]
The 2009 Friends of the Library Book Sale: My Loot
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 21:05
Some would argue that I live a very…well, mild life. And I would have to agree. Evidence: The Friends of the Library Book Sale is something I obsess think about all year long. I mean, not only did I go once this year, but I went three—count ’em three times—this year (woohoo!). In the end, [...]
Summer in Hawaii: Shave Ice
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 20:57
Originally brought to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants who worked on the sugar cane plantations, shave ice is a year round treat for islanders and tourists alike. As simple as can be, the concoction of ice and syrup has somehow become the quintessential local experience, on the level of giving and wearing lei and throwing [...]
Celebrating Boys’ Day In Hawaii
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 8:15
Koinobori
Floating in the summer breeze
Wishes for my sons
~ J. Avellana
Walk through almost every neighborhood in April and May, and notice a rainbow of a different sort. Attached to bamboo poles stuck into the front yard, colorful carp in red, green and blue will be flying overhead, as though swimming in the skies. During this time [...]
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