Guest Post: Ruth Elayne Kongaika

Having experienced four distinct seasons in Utah, our small children were a bit concerned about Christmas when we moved to Hawaii, the land of eternal summer.  Rarely does the temperature on Oahu get below the high 60s in December, and chimneys are quite rare. How could Santa find us in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and with no snow for his reindeer?

We soon learned a different way to say Merry Christmas, Mele Kalikimaka, together with many new holiday firsts. Our favorite thing to do on Christmas soon became putting together a picnic lunch and heading for the beach. Instead of making snowmen, you can make sandmen at the beach.

I admit that we missed the beautiful snow right after a storm as well as winter sports, and it was a bit hard getting in the holiday mood whilst baking Christmas goodies sweating in the hot kitchen, but some things are quite similar. The first week of December the big town of Honolulu turns on the Christmas lights. It is a very festive and exciting time for everyone. There are rides for the children and plenty of food booths. Choirs, quartets and other groups share Christmas music, and the malls and little stores get involved in the joyous celebrations.

Since winter in Hawaii is usually when we have the largest waves, there are many surf competitions. The North Shore is crawling with surfers and admirers from all over the world. Some of the waves get over twenty feet tall, and only the best surfers can maneuver them.

So, while some people on the mainland are enjoying a winter wonderland skiing on the slopes, seasonal waves in Hawaii are reaching record heights. One competition, The Quiksilver which has only been held eight times in 25 years, happens when the waves are a sustained 20-25 feet high. Some of the faces exceed 40 feet. The last time the competition occurred was in 2009. The surfing competition is held when the waves are at their best at Waimea.

Although we celebrate a little differently than in the mainland, Christmas gifts are still shared with friends, neighbors and family. It is also time to share delicious Hawaiian delicacies, hang out and sing favorite songs. Often a family will have a luau with poi, kalua pig, laulau, lomi lomi salmon, and haupia or mochi for dessert (they are ono – yummy!)

You may be familiar our Hawaiian Christmas song:

Mele Kalikimaka (Song Lyrics)

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day

That’s the island greeting that we send to you from the land where palm trees sway

Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright, the sun to shine by day and all the stars at night

Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii’s way to say Merry Christmas to you.

Images of Santa in Hawaii may not have a red felt suit on, but rather a lavalava and aloha shirt, and he will be riding a surf board instead of his sleigh. Stores still sell sweaters and warm clothing, since some of the locals who have lived their whole lives here get cold when the temperature goes below 70 degrees. It is not too unusual to see people wearing socks with flip flops.

We learned to adapt in many ways to our Christmas holiday in Hawaii, but have found that the Christmas spirit is alive and well in Hawaii.

Ruth Elayne Kongaika was raised in the mainland, USA, and has been traveling in the South Pacific for the past forty years. She tries to capture the beauty of the islands through her photography, painting and writing. She has a blog which shares some of her art and favorite subjects at:

http://hawaiianart.ning.com/

email: kongaikr@byuh.edu

Guest Post: Ruth Elayne Kongaika

I live next door to one of the most popular destinations in Hawaii. It had very humble beginnings and is now considered the favorite attraction on Oahu. The Polynesian Cultural Center gives an in depth experience with seven Polynesian Countries. These include Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, Aetearoa, Marquesas, and the host islands of Hawaii. You can spend a whole afternoon and evening getting familiarized with the cultures and traditions of these Polynesian identities. There is something for everyone at this attraction.

Each Polynesian Culture has a village where you can observe and participate. There are demonstrations by native Samoans, who show you how to start a fire by rubbing sticks together, cut a coconut in two with a rock, and climb a coconut tree.

You can try to twirl the poi balls, play a stick game, or get a temporary tattoo at the Maori village. Play the log drum in the Fijian village or learn basic hula steps in the Hawaiian village. You can also observe Hawaiian quilting and learn about local root crops.

Children and adults can make crafts in the villages, like woven hats. They can also fish from the pier at the Tahitian Village or learn how to make a fragrant lei. One game everyone enjoys is the shuffleboard in the Tongan Village. Tiki and other wood carving demonstrations by skilled Polynesians can also be enjoyed. You can learn the basics of ukulele playing near the large canoe, Iosepa.

Large canoes drift leisurely over the lagoon guided by a university student with a long pole. Guests are entertained and educated as they pass under several bridges and past the Polynesian villages.

Every day at 2:30 pm there is a canoe pageant. Each Polynesian culture is represented by dancing and singing on the canoes as they are maneuvered around the lagoon. It is a very colorful and exciting show, not to be missed. Visitors are encouraged to capture photos of their experiences throughout the center up until the night show.

There is an exhibit of the Iosepa, a working double hulled canoe made for the center. It is patterned after those used by the ancient Polynesians to navigate the South Pacific.

You can experience authentic Polynesian food at the various diners, learn about underground cooking or feast at the Ali’i Luau. Light snacks and drinks are available also. Fine dining starts at 5:00 pm, which includes lobster and other delicious favorites.

You can purchase souvenirs to remember your experience at the Polynesian Culture Center at several different shops.

You can take a tour of the nearby community, including Brigham Young University Hawaii, where it all started, and learn of the history of the center. You can also visit the local LDS Temple and visitor's center in the community of Laie.

The Polynesian Cultural Center experience culminates in a large theater including a state of the art light and sound show entitled "Ha, Breath of Life". This masterpiece tells the story of a young boy, Mana, and his experiences of growing into manhood in the Polynesian Islands. It has received rave reviews.

The Polynesian Cultural Center is dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation traditions and culturs in the islands of the Pacific. The majority of the employees are the students from the nearby Brigham Young University – Hawaii. Many of these students return to their homelands after graduation to become leaders and share the skills and knowledge they have obtained. The center is considered one of the world’s most successful theme attractions, and was built in 1963 by Mormon labor missionaries (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

The main website for the Polynesian Cultural Center is:

http://www.polynesianculturalcenter.com/new

Ruth Elayne Kongaika was raised in the mainland, USA, but has been living in the South Pacific for the past forty years. She enjoys trying to capture the beauty of the Polynesian islands through her photography, painting and writing. She has a blog which shares some of her art and favorite subjects at:

http://hawaiianart.ning.com/

email: kongaikr@byuh.edu

Guest Post: Ruth Elayne Kongaika

My husband and I inherited two fine fishing poles. It is comforting knowing that  if all the lights go off, and we are stuck in the middle of the ocean with no contact with the outside world, we at least can go fishing.

Weekly, as we drive along the winding road from the North Shore of Oahu to and from Honolulu, we often notice fishing poles stuck in the sand on the shore nearby. Many of these poles have little cowbells dangling on them to indicate that a sea creature is biting the line. Nearby is a dedicated fisherman or woman sitting on a lawn chair with a net and an awaiting cooler chest. What faith and stamina! Either that, or they just wanted to get away from their honey-do list!

During the summer and into early fall, you may also see lines or circles of people a few yards off shore, standing in waist deep water with their fishing nets. After asking around, I discovered that they are fishing for oama (small goatfish), which can be eaten fried (bones and all). These small (7 inches or smaller) fish can also be used as bait for larger fish.

Hawaii does not require a fishing license. However, it is good to know that there is a law that you cannot sell your catch for commercial gain, or take home fish that are not in season. You have to check with their state Division of Aquatic Resources website for updated information.

Native Hawaiians have passed down their fishing skills down through the generations. Some local Hawaiians fish with a simple bamboo pole with a line, sinker and hook. Many children in Hawaii are taught to fish this way. Then they graduate to spinning reels and rods. Skills include whipping or spinning (casting your line with a lure and quickly reeling it in) and dunking (Casting a baited and weighted line and then waiting for a fish to bite).

Other bait that can be used includes shrimp, eel, crab, squid and octopus. I’ve heard that from the shore on Hawaii, you can even catch some of the big fish, including mahimahi, ahi and ului. Fishing is best near the sandbars, or where the reef is close to shore. Plenty of fish search for food in the sand near the reef.

The farther out you fish from shore, the larger the fish you can catch, albeit with the right equipment. It stands to reason that the larger the bait, the larger your catch, but make sure you have hefty line and a strong reel. Fly fishing is not as popular from the shore in Hawaii. Having grown up in Utah, I remember my father and brother making flies for fishing in the rivers or lakes, but have not seen it as much here.

With the whole island of Oahu surrounded by ocean, you can find miles of shore for fishing. Of course, if you prefer night fishing, and don’t mind a few sharks as company, you can take a spear with your goggles and flippers for an exciting time. I have some friends whose husbands do this on a regular basis. Their freezers are stock full of fish.

Of course, if you are a well-seasoned fisherman, this hub will be very elementary for you, but that is where my husband and I are at. We are still learning the basics, and hope to share more as we go along. I’ve heard that Yokahuma Bay in Waianae, Oahu is one of the best places to fish. See you on the shore!!

Ruth Elayne Kongaika was raised in the mainland, USA, but has been living in the South Pacific for the past forty years. She enjoys trying to capture the beauty of the Polynesian islands through her photography, painting and writing. She has a blog which shares some of her art and favorite subjects at:

http://hawaiianart.ning.com/

email: kongaikr@byuh.edu

Guest Post: Ruth Elayne Kongaika

If I need shopping therapy, I head out to Ala Moana nearby Waikiki. A trip to Oahu would not be complete without a day spent at Ala Moana Center. I always try to take my friends and family who visit us in Hawaii. It has the distinction of being the world’s largest open-air shopping center, the largest mall in Hawaii and the fifteenth largest mall in the United States.

Ala Moana covers 2.1 million square feet and has four levels of shopping. I enjoy the mall not only for shopping, but it is a cultural mecca with dancing, singing and other entertainment on a daily basis. They host hula shows, art festivals, fashion shows, contests, competitions, musical productions and more at Centerstage in the Center court of Ala Moana. Many who have performed have gone on to be very successful in their careers.

There are also over 70 eateries available from fine dining to quick take out. There is a food court so each member of the family can choose a different palate. I always enjoy exploring the nearly 300 world class shops. So much to explore and appreciate, even if just window shopping. One thing I really enjoy is the open-air style. You do not feel closed in since you can look up and see the sky throughout most of the mall. There are waterfalls, ponds with lily pads, koi and many places for you to rest and enjoy it all.

It was interesting to find out about the history of Ala Moana Center. Walter Dillingham purchased 50 acres of unwanted swampland in 1912 from Bishop Estates for $25,000. Actually Waikiki was mostly swampland as well into the 1800′s.

In 1948, plans were announced for the shopping complex. The Ground breaking ceremony occurred in 1955 and construction began in 1957. The world "ala" means street, and "moana" means ocean in the Hawaiian language. The Developers chose the name "Ala Moana" because it expressed the location of the center.

Hawaii became the 50^th state eight days after Ala Moana Center opened Hawaii in August 1959.

When it first opened, it was the largest mall in the entire United States with 89 stores and 4,000 parking spaces. In 1966 Ala Moana doubled in size and added J.C. Penney and Liberty House. In 1987 a food court with 19 restaurants and 900 seats was added.

In 2005, the Ho'okipa Terrace was opened. It boasts ten incredible restaurants all in one place including Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., California Pizza Kitchen, Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks, Mai Tai Bar, Pearl, Romano's Macaroni Grill, Ruby Tuesday, Tanaka of Tokyo, and Tsukiji Fish Market and Restaurant.

Since the mall is very close to Waikiki, it is convenient for visitors to the islands. A shuttle runs every ten minutes from Waikiki seven days a week. There is also plenty of parking for those who are driving, and it is within walking distance of the Ala Moana Beach Park.

Eleven of the original mall retailers from 1959 are still at Ala Moana Center today, although they may not be in the same location.

• Sears
• Longs
• Foodland
• Slipper House
• Crack Seed Center
• Reyn's
• Shirokiya
• Watumul's
• Territorial Savings
• U.S. Post Office
• Dairy Queen

If you plan on visiting Ala Moana Mall, be sure to wear your walking shoes to enjoy the many levels of shopping, dining and entertainment. There is plenty to see and do for all ages and interests. I consider it a real treat when I can take a morning, afternoon or evening to spend in Honolulu at the Ala Moana Center.

Ruth Elayne Kongaika was raised in the mainland, USA, but has been living in the South Pacific for the past forty years. She enjoys trying to capture the beauty of the Polynesian islands through her photography, painting and writing. She has a blog which shares some of her art and favorite subjects at:

http://hawaiianart.ning.com/

email: kongaikr@byuh.edu

Guest Post: Ruth Elayne Kongaika

One Aloha Friday afternoon, as my husband and I were making our way through the rush hour traffic on Vineyard Street in Honolulu, we saw a sign that said Foster Botanical Gardens. Since we were not in a hurry, we pulled over into the parking lot. The moment we opened our car doors, the most beautiful fragrance drifted to our nostrils. It was coming from the heavily endowed flowering trees surrounding the entrance to the gardens. That was enough to prod us toward the entrance to check things out further.

After paying a nominal fee, we swooped up our map of the gardens and started our adventure. I honestly felt transfigured to another place and time. Luckily, I had brought along my camera, since I was enthralled with the many beautiful tropical flowers in a various shapes and colors. Just as I would start to put my camera away, I would see something else I was stimulated to capture a photo of. Well-placed signs indicated the name and species of many of the flowers and plants. We were surprised at how many of them we had never witnessed before.

We discovered that some of the incredibly large trees that towered over the gardens were planted around 1853. There were trees from many countries around the world including Africa. These giants were so magnificent! They actually refer to them as exceptional trees because of their age, rarity, size, location and historical and cultural significance. They were massive, indeed, and I had to get a few pictures of my husband standing next to the trunks so we could remember how enormous they were.

Foster Botanical Garden is divided according to the following:

• Lyon Orchid Garden – a collection of Old and New World orchid species
• Main Terrace – the oldest part of the garden dating from 1853.
• Middle Terraces – palms, aroids, heliconia and ginger plants.
• Economic Garden – herb garden, spices, dyes, poisons and beverage plants.
• Prehistoric Glen – primitive plants from around the world.
• The Orchid Conservatory – blooming orchid display.
• Exceptional Trees – 24 trees designated "exceptional" throughout the Garden

The gardens are very well taken care of, and you easily forget that you are almost in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the United States. The gardens cover 5.5 acres of land off Vineyard Boulevard and Nuuanu Avenue in Honolulu.

The history of the garden goes back to 1853 when the land was leased to a young German doctor, William Hillebrand by Queen Kalama. He built his home on the property, and being a botanist as well as a physician, he planted many trees that still remain in the gardens today. Later, the lot was sold to Captain Thomas and Mary Foster. They continued to maintain and develop the garden. Upon Mary’s death, the garden was bequeathed to the City and County of Honolulu. It was opened as a public garden in 1931, directed by Dr. Harold Lyon. Ten thousand new trees and plants were introduced by Dr. Lyon.

As we strolled through the gardens, I could not help but think it would be the perfect setting for a wedding. I learned that it is possible to have weddings and wedding photos there with a permit. They also offer guided tours and several times a year, school children get to enjoy this enchanting place.

I witnessed flowers and trees that I have never seen before, and had quite an educational and fascinating experience at the Foster Botanical Gardens. It is part of the Department of Parks and Recreation of Hawaii and well worth a look.

Ruth Elayne Kongaika was raised in the mainland, USA, but has been living in the South Pacific for the past forty years. She enjoys trying to capture the beauty of the Polynesian islands through her photography, painting and writing. She has a blog which shares some of her art and favorite subjects at:

http://hawaiianart.ning.com/

email: kongaikr@byuh.edu