The Things that Entertained Us: Kikaida

The Things that Entertained Us: Andy Bumatai

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 2:00

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 [...]

The Things that Entertained Us: The Skyslide

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 2:00

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 [...]

Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar

Thursday, February 18, 2010 18:25

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 [...]

Remembering Ala Moana Center

Thursday, February 18, 2010 15:59

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 [...]

Talking Story with Hawaii’s Living History: Ted Nakamura

Friday, December 25, 2009 2:00

Hawaii’s Living History
Ted Nakamura of Ted’s Bakery is quiet and a bit shy—yet warm, and easy to talk to—a country boy at heart. Add to this persona a quick, sharp business mind and the ability to keep re-inventing himself and his business (and did I mention the best pies, cake, breads, pastries, shrimp, bentos…oh my!) [...]

Explore Oahu: Dole Plantation

Monday, October 26, 2009 2:00

One of the things I did before leaving Oahu was take an “aina tour”–that is, drive around the island with my parents, “talking story” about our favorite beaches, lookouts, and (of course) places to eat, stopping at these locations along the way.  It’s a family tradition to drive around the island during holidays, and we [...]

Hawaii in the 1980’s

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 8:44

RememberWhen…
From the sugar plantations to popular culture, the 1980’s in Hawaii were seemingly a decade of good-byes and tumultuous times, not only for our islands but also for the world at large. Outside of Hawaii, people everywhere mourned the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger in 1986 and the death of Hawaii’s own Ellison Onizuka. [...]

Hawaii in the 1970’s

Tuesday, August 4, 2009 10:47

RememberWhen

A rebirth and renewed interest in Hawaiian music, hula, language, traditional navigation and voyaging occurred in the 1970’s and is referred to as Hawaii’s “Cultural Renaissance”.  Both the hula and voyaging—two significant foundations of the Hawaiian culture—experienced a special resurgence during the 70’s.
Though begun in 1964, the Merrie Monarch (named after King David Kalakaua) was [...]

The Art of the Hula

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 17:32

Hula
The historic origins of the hula are as complex and graceful as the dance itself. The mythical stories vary and are specific to each island. Goddess Laka gave birth to the hula in Ka’ana on the island of Moloka’i where her remains are also buried. On the Big Island, legendary goddess Pele ordered her sisters [...]