Keiki Surf Classic

Aloha,

This week I am posting photos dear to me.

My granddaughter, Mehana surfed the Shane Dorian Keiki Classic this past weekend and placed 1st in the 14 and under age division. She caught 3 good waves with 4-5 ft. faces, pulling off sprays and floaters.

After placing first in her age division, she was entered to win a new surfboard. She was lucky enough to win the new board in the drawing. The board is an Al Merrick custom 5 fin slot 5'5" board.

The legendary big wave rider, Shane Dorian from Kona, Hawaii, brings out the world class surf stars for the keiki classic. The event raises food for charity, and is free to the Big Island surf families.

This year, Kelly Slater, an American professional surfer was on hand to "stoke" the surf kids on. He surfed with them and signed Mehana's new board. She was beside herself with excitement.

Kelly Slater has been crowned the ASP World Champion 9 times, and is known for his inspirational style. Aukai, my grandson, is also seen here having his Pokemon cards signed by Shane Dorian, a collectors item in the making! (He is the handsome boy looking up.)

Kudos to Shane and Kelly, and mahalo from one Tutu (grandmother) happy to see her grandkids, stoked, surfing, being inspired, staying focused, and having fun!!

Aloha for now,
Cherie

Shaka, bra...

Aloha One and All,

The Shaka sign is a famous hand gesture in Hawaii that loosely translates to "mahalo" thank-you, "alllriiiight", or the old school phrase "hang loose."

The actual gesture has a few slight variations. A fist and extended thumb and pinky is how the shaka is made. Sometimes folks will give it a little shake, and sometimes just lifting your pinky finger off of the steering wheel is enough of a shaka, meaning thanks. Depending on how "cool" you are, you may just give one shot downwards with your pinky pointing to the ground and thumb up. You can also shoot in at an angle to give a twist. The back of the hand is usually shown to the person who is on the receiving end. What ever one's personal style , the broad meaning is the same. I consider it a recognition of another person, no need for words.

It's a way to spread a little aloha, looking out for each other. The Hawaiian phrase "Malama i kekahi i kekahi" meaning "take care of one, take care of all" covers it.

One local news team used to end their segment with people from all over the community giving shaka to one and all. It was a friendly end to the news. I always liked to see the different styles.

The origins of the shaka are folks legends. One source says it developed out of the Spanish immigrants signaling to share a drink with the Hawaiians by bringing their thumbs up to their mouths and "tilting".

Another story is that it comes form a local folk hero from the 1940's with a malformed had due to an accident in the sugar mill.

I was just thinking that it has been awhile since I have seen it used freely. I use it in traffic all the time. Some folks in my ohana, family, use it to show aloha to their peers.

To see President Obama shaka the Punahoe Marching Band gave everybody in Hawaii "chicken skin." Hearts fluttered, eyes welled with tears, and folks felt proud of their native son.

Here's hoping we see more shaka, I've missed it!

Aloha

Maui Photographer

Aloha from wild and windy Maui!!

We have a big Kona storm passing through. The wind has been at least 35-40 mph today with some major driving rain. The state has taken the day off. Schools, state and county officials were told to stay home today. The Superferry canceled it's passage as well. Mother Nature is keeping us all under wraps as this storm blows itself out.

I'd like to feature some of our great island talent on my blog. Today I am posting a photo of the North Shore of Maui at sunset by a friend of mine. The other beautiful shot is looking up into Iao Valley from the north shore at that same sunset. The Iao Valley is a very beautiful place to photograph, hike, soak in the river, and contemplate life. It is one of my favorite places to go. My grand kids love to play in the river.

The photographer I am featuring today is Tom Mckinlay. You can view his works at www.tommckinlayphotography.com. Tom has shot some amazing pics across the island. I know I'll be posting more of them. His message was to "enjoy the work." He can really capture the mood of the moment, and has some wonderful hula shots and Hawaiian cultural events.

OK, time to close up shop while I still have electricity.

A wonderful weekend to all! a hui ho,

Cherie

Upcountry Bounty

Yum, yum Aloha....

This ono (delicious) organic bounty was picked from the organic garden of the Hale Ho'okipa today. My garden produces an abundance of food. The Winter Pears, avocados, are so creamy and filling, a meal in itself. I serve them in the morning for breakfast. My famous combo is avocado and chili peppa jelly on toast. I have made many converts at the breakfast table.

The papayas are also pumping out now that the rain has come. I had the good fortune of getting a Mexican papaya which produces really large fruit. In all the papayas I have served for breakfast, I've only found one seed from this variety. I'm wondering when I will come across another one to germinate. The Hawaiian sunrise papayas are my favorite, and are the sweetest.

It's been a bumper year for the lilikoi, passion fruit. I have three varieties producing fruit, and two more varieties that are keiki's, young plants. With lilikoi, the more wrinkles, the sweeter they are. (Ah, more good things to be said about aging...) The passion fruit has a very bold flavor, and it makes great toppings for cheesecake, or fish, and they really add a zing to my morning fruit salads. People wake up in a hurry when they slurp a passion fruit. I always get a little chuckle out of the surprised expressions.

Being such a dry and windy spring, most of my cherimoya blossoms sailed away on the wind. They look like little helicopters, and their fragrance is so special and subtle, like an apple, pear combo. The flesh of the cherimoya is white and super sweet. I call it ice cream fruit. The local name for it is custard apple. They have a very short shelf life because of all the sugar. I am usually trying to give away lots of them, or scrapping them up off the driveway if I did not get to them in time. But, it has been a precious few this year.

This tropical bounty is very satisfying...even so, I have to admit that I look forward to cherries in the summer, and apricots. I do have three special upcountry peach trees that are heavy with peaches in the summer.
We are so lucky to be able to grow year round here. Come on over for breakfast, you'll be glad you did!

Malama ka aina , care for the land...and it gives back to you.........

With Aloha,

Cherie

Aloha Style

Aloha , it's a New Year.. Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! (how-oh-lay-ma-ka-he-key-ho)!!!

The year end saw everybody rushing around, buying lots of food and stocking up on fireworks. Despite being busy, people were still taking time out to talk story and wish their neighbors and friends a happy upcoming new year. This relaxed approach to a hectic time is one of the things I love about Hawaii.

The year started with a bang, as usual in Hawaii. Even though aerial fireworks are illegal, there are plenty in every neighborhood across the state. I saw a little news clip that stated on Oahu, there were over 1,000 illegal fireworks related complaints, with no fines, or tickets issued. I guess nobody like point da finga.

Pretty funny.

Aside from the loud and smokey mayhem at night on the 31st, the beach was a wonderful place to recover and relax on the !st. Lots and lots of folks were enjoying their picnics, the glorious sunshine, visiting with friends and swimming in the ocean. It was a glorious sunny day after a week long winter storm.

So, here's to getting back into the groove.....

and..........

May 2009 bring to you, your heart's desire.

Aloha,

Cherie