Your Aloha Connection » Aloha

The Fifth Largest Tsunami Wave in Hilo – Feb 27, 2010

Ron — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:56:34 +0000

From Youtube

I forgot to put these clips of the withdrawal and surge of the largest wave I filmed during the Feb, 2010 tsunami in Hilo. It’s not dramatically different than the other waves, but it covers up almost all of the rocks on Maui’s paddle (the rocky area in the Wailuku River). The water covered up one rock that was a foot taller than me when I went swimming in this same area a few weeks ago, so I know the water rose at least 7ft.

Beautiful Hawaii Ocean Pictures

Ron — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:44:27 +0000

From John’s Best of Hawaii album 2007.
These sure are some nice photo’s the way the blue water and the green foliage looks. Nice job John!

Beautiful Photography By: John

Pupus in Hilo Hawaii

Ron — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:53:06 +0000

Last week my wife felt like having a drink after work, so we decided to stop by Kim’s karaoke and have a couple drinks before heading to dinner. I had heard they had the best pupus in town.

The waitress stopped by and asked we wanted some pupus so we of course said yes, not sure what to expect. Wow, were we shocked with what all was brought to our table.

It was all korean food, and was great. Included was some breaded chicken with a sweet & sour sauce on it, some Sashimi (raw fish) and hot mustard sauce (I dislike raw fish, the texture is like stiff jello, but this was good with the mustard sauce), pork tofu, lil smokies, kim chee, roasted potato cubes, little hot tiny shrimp and some bamboo. There may have been 1 or 2 more items. Needless to say we didn’t need to go to dinner, because we were both full.

Last night we stopped by Coqui’s (not our first visit), while they had less to offer their pupus are always good. We had some kind of noodle salad, breaded sweet & sour chicken, boiled peanuts, char siu soman and some sushi. On our last visit they also had some spicy meatballs and the owner brought out some breaded california rolls she was trying out, they were great. We weren’t expecting a packed crowd, but Coquis had a live band last night, so almost all the tables were reserved and gone by 5 pm…. it was fun.

We really enjoyed both places, both in atmosphere and food/drink.

Anyone else have a favorite Hilo spot for pupus?

Whale Watching At Old A

Ron — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:05:57 +0000

We went over to Kona for our nieces baptism on Saturday. It was a good trip and a fun day visiting. Of course no trip to Kona is complete without a stop by the old airport so on our way home we swung by Old A for a few minutes. Just when I stood up to leave I saw a small blow then saw the whale as it rolled out of the water to dive back down.

photo credit: TimWilson

I said wow a whale and my wife was like” ok he’s mento!”
A few seconds later we saw another one blow and roll, then within the next ten minutes we saw three different whales right there from the beach.

I’m guessing they were about a quarter mile out from the beach, a couple hundred yards out past the reef. Way cool!

I tried to take some pictures, but I only had my cellphone, and it was right in the sun path on the water seeing as it was about 5 pm. Oh well.

People pay hundreds of dollars to go whale watching, so I thought it was pretty kewl to see them from there for free.

Posts of Interest

A White Christmas in Hawaii

Ron — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:48:44 +0000

With all the rain falling the last couple of days (Hilo airport received 3″ in 24 hrs for Dec. 26) we couldn’t see the snow on Mauna Kea. So even though it was hidden behind all the rain clouds, we did have a white Christmas after all.

When I noticed we could see her today I ran out with my cellphone and snapped this picture. Sorry for the quality.

Unlike the rains of a couple weeks ago, I haven’t found anything about any extensive damage, so I hope there wasn’t any. We were without Internet access las night for several hours.

Hawaii247 has some flood related pictures.

Happy Holidays!

Hilo Hawaii Beaches

Ron — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:12:32 +0000

While the Big Island doesn’t offer the vast wide open beaches that some of the other Hawaiian islands do, we do have a few beaches and small lagoons here in the Hilo area.

Hilo Bay Beach is where the canoe club is and although it doesn’t get very busy unless there is something special going on nearby or there is a canoe competition.

Take a drive down along Kalanianaole Avenue and you will find these parks.

Onekahakaha Beach or Kids Beach is a man made lagoon with the surf blocked off by big rocks and sand was brought in to fill in the swimming area. We went there on Sunday and spent a couple of hours. I could float on my belly and walk with my hands all over the swimming area so I believe the max depth is under 3 feet. Of course this could change with high tide. Amenitites include showers, restrooms, picnic facilities and lifeguards.

Leleiwi Beach is right next to Richardsons Beach and it is a good snorkeling spot and a good place to spot Honu’s (turtles).

Richardson Beach Park is a favorite among locals and snorkelers. It is also the closest black sand beach to the town of Hilo. Amenities include picnic areas, bathrooms, showers, and a lifeguard stand. The grassy area is pictured here with black sand beach to the right of the picture. The beach and swimming area are protected by a natural lava rock breakwater.

Four Mile Beach (James Kealoha Park) is another favorite among locals offering swimming, snorkeling and camping on scout island just offshore.

At the end of Kalanianaole Avenue you will find Lehia Park. The water is pretty rough here, so swimming is not recommended, but there is some tide pools and some big open sandy and grassy areas to relax.

Be careful of the sun here in Hawaii and wear some sunscreen. I was only out for a couple hours and I am feelin the burn.

Hilo Hoolaulea 2008

Ron — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:08:44 +0000

15th Annual Hilo Ho’olaulea
5-10 P.M. Saturday
September 27th, 2008
Downtown Hilo, HI

Featuring:
Ten Feet ~ Mana`o Company ~ Rebel Souljahz ~ Ekolu ~ Sudden Rush ~ Ho`okoa ~ Waiolama ~ Island Harmony ~ Darlene Ahuna with Keawe Trio ~ Mixjah ~ Tropical Blend and more.

Be sure to come early and get a good parking spot.

Finding a Doctor in Hawaii

Ron — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:29:17 +0000

Finding a Doctor in Hawaii can be a daunting task. Most Doctors here will not refill a prescription for walk-ins. Even with insurance you will be lucky to find one to see you without a copy of your medical records.

If you plan on moving here to Hawaii.
Make sure you bring along the a couple items:

A month or two supply of any prescription meds (even if you have to pay out of pocket, bring em!)
A complete copy of your medical records (2 – 5 years if you have it – the more the better)
For your children you should have a copy of their vaccination record

The NP at the hospital told me it can take a couple of months to get setup with a new Dr. here in Hilo.

Just be prepared with medical records and you should be fine.

Don’t let this keep you from moving here there ARE good Doctors here, there is just a shortage of available doctors, at least here in Hilo.

King Kamehameha Day

Ron — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:58:49 +0000

It is King Kamehameha day here in Hawaii. It is a state holiday here in Hawaii where thousands of people will gather on the northern tip of the Big Island of Hawai‘i in Kapa‘au (North Kohala) to honor King Kamehameha I, the chief who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1795. It startts at 8 am and features a parade, Ho’olaule’a and more.

Celebrations are held in all the major towns and here in Hilo at Moku Ola (Coconut Island), the celebration will feature Hawaii’s only Ha’a Koa (Dance of the Warrior) competition, the Kamehameha Festival on Moku Ola (Coconut Island) will also feature top recording artists, hula halau, food and a chant ho’ike. It all starts at 10:45 am this morning.

More information can be found here:
www.kamehamehadaycelebration.org

Kindness and Aloha

Ron — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:45:27 +0000

I was flipping through channels the other night and I saw Dr Wayne Dyer (who lives on Maui) on a talk show or maybe it was an infomercial.

He made the statement “Kindness isn’t something we do, kindness comes from within.” (not a direct quote)

He went on to state that while you can show an act of kindness, that doesn’t mean that you are a kind person.

I turned to my wife April and said that I really liked that statement, her reply was simply “That is Aloha!”.

You can act out Aloha, but it comes from deep within yourself. It is not something that you do or something that you acquire or earn, but something that grows within you and shines through you.

“A day without Aloha is just another mainland day.”
~ Buck Buchanan ~

The aloha spirit and the concept of ohana are not mere words to us, they mean that we care for other each including those we don’t know.
~ Linda Lingle ~

Do you have Aloha within you?
I’d really like to hear your thoughts on what Aloha means to you.

Museums on the Big Island of Hawaii

Ron — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:15:36 +0000

The Big Island of Hawaii offers many museums for the visitor and for locals alike. Here are some popular ones.

Hulihe’e Palace
75-5718 Ali’i Drive Kailua-Kona
(808) 329-1877
A Victorian style building built in 1838 for Hawaii’s first governor and was the vacation residence of Hawaiian royalty. The Palace contains period furnishings and artifacts. This building received some damage from the earthquake in 2006. You can read (pdf file) and see pictures of the damage here.

Hours: Tues – Sat 9 am – 4 pm & Sun 10 am – 4 pm
Note: Most of the museum is closed for repair due to the earthquake damage

~~Imiola~~ Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii
600 Imiloa Palace
UH Hilo Science and Technology Park, Hilo
(808) 969-9700
Hawaiian Cultural Traditions mix with modern astronomical research with a planetarium and interactive exhibits.

Hours: Tues- Sat 9 am – 4 pm Planetarium shows at 11 am, 1 pm and 2:30 pm

Kona Historical Society

81-6551 Mamalahoa Highway Kealakekua
(808) 323-3222
The Kona Historical Society is a community-based, non-profit organization, whose mission is to collect, preserve, interpret and disseminate the history of the Kona districts. Featuring the Kona Coffee living history farm, Kailua Village tour and the Greenwell Store Museum.

Hours: Mon – Fri 8 am – 4 pm
Museum Hours: Mon – Fri 9 am – 3 pm

Lyman Mission House and Museum
276 Haili St. Downtown Hilo
(808) 935-5021
The Lyman Museum showcases the natural and cultural history of Hawaii in its exhibit halls and its 1839 historic missionary home. The museum also features collections of seashells and minerals from aroundthe world, showcases artists of Hawaii with changing special exhibitions. The Lyman Museum tells the story of Hawaii and it’s people.

Hours: Mon – Sat 9:30 am – 4:40 pm
Missionary House Tours: 10 am , 11 am, 1PM, 3 pm and 3 pm

Pacific Tsunami Museum
130 Kamehameha Ave Hilo
(808) 935-0926
Through an eclectic mixture of descriptive stories, survivor quotes and historic photographs, visitors and residents will have the opportunity to take a virtual trip back in time to the fateful morning of April 1st, 1946, and the deadly night of May 22nd, 1960. Companioned with a descriptive brochure and a greeting at tsunami sites by an educational sign, participants will experience with their own eyes the true legacy of a tsunami.

Hours: Mon – Sat 9 am – 4 pm

Parker Ranch Visitor Center
Parker Ranch Shopping Center Kamuela (Waimea)
(808) 885-7655
Parker Ranch was founded in 1847. It is one of the oldest and most historic ranches in the United States. Spreading across approximately 150,000 acres of the island, Parker Ranch is also among the country’s largest cattle ranches. Today, Parker Ranch offers opportunities for visitors to learn more about the history and culture of the Ranch by visiting the Parker Ranch Visitor Center and Museum as well as a self-guided tour to learn about the Hawaiian Cowboys (paniolo).

Hours: Mon – Sat 9 am – 5 pm

Thomas A. Jagger Museum
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
(808) 985-6049
Learn about volcanoes, in particular Kilauea and Mauna Loa. The museum offers earth science displays, seismographs that measure tremors and earthquakes. Look down into the Kilauea caldera and learn about the Hawaiian fire Goddess Pele.

Hours: Daily 8:30 am – 5 pm

Read Hawaii Blogs at the Blog Carnival

Ron — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:45:25 +0000

Evelyn over at Homespun Honolulu has posted the newest Blog Carnival of Aloha Chapter 9.

Read the other Hawaii blogs with articles related to all things Hawaii and Aloha.

Mahalo for including us Evelyn.

The Spirit of Aloha

Ron — Sat, 03 May 2008 09:57:00 +0000

According to the old Kahunas (priests), being able to live the Spirit of Aloha was a way of reaching self-perfection and realization for our own body and soul.

Aloha is sending and receiving a positive energy. Aloha is living in harmony. When you live the Spirit of Aloha, you create positive feelings and thoughts, which are never gone. They exist within you, multiply and spread over to others.

Inspired by the philosophy and the wisdom of the Spirit of Aloha, nowadays many institutions and businesses in Hawaii carry its name: Aloha Tower, Aloha Stadium and Aloha Airlines.

Many Hawaiian singers write and perform songs about Aloha as well.

“Aloha to learn what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable.”
~ Queen Lili‘uokalani ~

The Meaning of Aloha

Ron — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:29:14 +0000

The Online Hawaiian Dictionary defines Aloha as: – love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy, pity, kindness, sentiment, grace, charity; greeting, salutation, regards; sweetheart, lover, loved one; beloved, loving, kind, compassionate, charitable, lovable; to love, be fond of; to show kindness, mercy, pity, charity, affection; to venerate; to remember with affection; to greet, hail. Greetings! Hello! Good-by! Farewell! Alas!

Confused yet? There is more…

If we break Aloha down into Hawaiian words we get the literal meaning:

“Alo“ means presence, front or face while “ha“ means breath or to breathe or the breath of life.

So the literal meaning is “In the presence of breath” or “In the face of breath” or “In the presence of the breath of life.”

Aloha is still more than that though… Aloha is a way of life. Aloha is showing your love, caring and understanding not only for yourself, but for all of those around you.

“Aloha Spirit” is even in the “law books” as a guide for public officials about treating people with respect and caring while they perform their duties. While this is more of a guide than a law someone could get punished for, it reminds us all to follow the guidelines and live Aloha.

Definition of Aloha Spirit State Law
contained in the Hawaii Revised Statutes (State Law):

[§5-7.5] “Aloha Spirit.”
(a) “Aloha Spirit” is the coordination of mind and heart within each person. It brings each person to the self. Each person must think and emote good feelings to others. In the contemplation and presence of the life force, “Aloha,” the following unuhi laula loa may be used:

“Akahai,” meaning kindness,
to be expressed with tenderness;

“Lokahi,” meaning unity,
to be expressed with harmony;

“Oluolu,” meaning agreeable,
to be expressed with pleasantness;

“Haahaa,” meaning humility,
to be expressed with modesty;

“Ahonui,” meaning patience,
to be expressed with perseverance.

These are traits of character that express the charm, warmth and sincerity of Hawaii’s people. It was the working philosophy of Native Hawaiians and was presented as a gift to the people of Hawaii.

“Aloha” is more than a word of greeting or farewell or a salutation.

“Aloha” means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return.

“Aloha” is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence.

“Aloha” means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable.

(b) In exercising their power on behalf of the people and in fulfillment of their responsibilities, obligations and service to the people, the legislature, governor, lieutenant governor, executive officers of each department, the chief justice, associate justices, and judges of the appellate, circuit, and district courts may contemplate and reside with the life force and give consideration to the “Aloha Spirit.” [L 1986, c 202, §1]

Do something kind for someone today and show your Aloha Spirit!

Your Aloha Connection » Aloha

The Fifth Largest Tsunami Wave in Hilo – Feb 27, 2010

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