This is "Fashon Forward!"

"Hey ma, this lady got style!"

Saint Germaine Bakery

I called to reserve a pumpkin pie at a bakery in Liliha and when I got there, the people before me bought the last one. The cashier then said that the wait was an hour before I could have my reserved pie. So instead of waiting, I went to St. Germaine and bought an ogura cake instead thus, St. Germaine has it for the photo of the day. Check out what an ogura cake looks like by clicking here.

An Isolated Blizzard

The temperature dropped today and winter came a knocking. Followed by the chilly air was weird weather that came out from nowhere. Perhaps it's from the greenhouse effect or maybe it is global warming but whatever it was there we were in the middle of an isolated blizzard. I was just as surprised by it all as much as those who were around me. Everyone gazed at one another in disbelief and those of us who had cameras began snapping away to record the bubbly soap suds that fell from the roof of the mall.

University of Hawaii Lo'i (taro farm)

 

Driving down Dole Street next to the University of Hawaii, a lo'i (kalo/taro farm) at the Center for Hawaiian Studies was tucked away and nestled on the right hand side heading eastbound. It is named Ka Papa Lo'i O Kanewai, and it is a learning center and also a sanctuary. I appreciated that they gave me permission to walk around, take a few photos, check out the lo'i, and was invited to a Hawaiian cultural gathering tomorrow from 10a.m. until 2p.m. to take more photos. Above are young taro plants that was planted in one of the revived irrigation ditches. Click here to see more photos of the Kanewai lo'i.

Waikiki Natatorium, "Keep Out!"

To the left of these kids is Kaimana Beach and to the right of it is the Waikiki Natatorium. The gate to the pool is locked and the "keep out" signs have been up for years. Built in the 1920's it is the only saltwater Olympic size pool in the U.S. Built in the 1920's it has undergone wear and tear from the natural elements and from use. Thousands of dollars have been dedicated to restore parts of the the natatorium although it is still unfinished and has not been deemed safe by the state. It has gone though many political battles and continues to be up for discussion of whether to tear it down completely or preserve it. It is also a war memorial for those who have died and served in World War I. Many famous Olympic swimmers have competed here in the past and Duke Kahanamoku, the founding father of surfing has competed here as well. Click here for other images on facebook of the Waikiki Natatorium.

Searching for Poi

Happy Black Friday! Since everyone was at the malls on this first day of Christmas shopping, I was hoping to get a Hawaiian plate with fresh poi at the Waiahole Poi Factory and avoid the mad rush. Unfortunately, the crew was probably at the malls too so I'll have to make another trip there the next Friday that I have off. We ended up at Ono's Hawaiian Foods on Kapahulu to satisfy my palate for some laulau, kalua pig, lomilomi salmon, chicken long rice, pipi kaula, and of course poi.

"No More Kings"

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thanksgiving is being thankful for so many things but over time it's been diluted by turkey dinners, and pumpkin pies. Click here to for a short three minute video by School House Rock on youtube to see the events that led up to the Thanksgiving national holiday.

The Braids of Ku

Passing this farm in Waianae Valley today, I noticed a statue of Ku that was standing at the front gates. Ku is famously known as the god of war and most attribute the energy of bloodshed with this Hawaiian god although there are many other peaceful attributes that Ku was also known for. The original statues were on display at the Bishop Museum for a short time and was lucky enough to see them. I was told that if the braids of Ku touches the ground the people would be prosperous since Ku was also compassionate. Click here to see a short video on Ku and notice that the middle statue has long braids that touches the earth.

Hands, Feet, Mouth, Toes and Ears

An art student at the University of Hawaii sculpted hands, toes, feet, mouths, and ears in an entire set of rocks that are used as a walkway for as part of the project to get a MFA. They were interesting to find and more interesting to find out about.

Murphy's Bar and Grill

I wanted to be the first to wish everyone happy holidays. Today's photo of the day is the follow up for my November 17, 2011 post with the lucky clovers. As mentioned then, I was treated to lunch at Murphy's Bar and Grill on Merchant Street and I thought that for those who have read the post you may be wondering what it looks like. So, here it is.

University of Hawaii Art Gallery

 

Happy Sunday everyone! I was at the University of Hawaii art gallery today and they are featuring a ceramic show called "East-West Ceramic Collaboration V"with artists from the Pacific Rim until December 9, 2011. The show is free to the public and there the artists are internationally known. One of my favorite pieces is the above cup for it's simpleness and because it is a functional piece. Other works are detailed sculptures and other vessels. One artist used a paintball gun to shoot the glaze on his plates for a splash finish. Influenced by Hawaii's shaved ice, the colors on these plates represent the rainbow of flavors. The holiday season is now in motion and the traffic in the U.H. gallery has been slow, thus if you live here, feel free to take a peek at no charge! Click here to see some of the other pieces on display on facebook. 

Click here for the map to get to the U.H. gallery

UPW Mural- Jean Charlot

The tile murals on the wall of the United Public Workers (UPW) Union's building is a creation by Jean Charlot the famous french painter. Although at first glance, I once thought it was created by Mexican painter Diego Rivera. Located in Kalihi on School Street, it is another one of Honolulu's little treasures for all to freely enjoy. It worth seeking out since it is a block or two and walking distance from the Bishop Museum. The art depicts hard labor as it recognizes blue collar workers who are usually the unsung heroes of the community. A bunch of young volunteers were laboring in the area by picking up trash, and they walked in between the mural and my shutter for this picture.

Bird on a Wire

 

 This mornings sky was painted by the breeze that moved clouds into swirls and bold streaks that was tinted by the sunrise. The silhouette of a bird on a wire captured the moment of darkness to light and the new beginning of a new day.

Lucky Patch of Clovers!

It was an overcast and cool morning, and it would have been nice just to have slept in but work called and took over. Passing this patch of clovers on the way in, I imagined what it would be like to find a four leaf clover. Without really looking I took this quick shot. As the day progressed I counted my lucky charms and as it turned out I scored a free meal from a co-worker who took me to lunch at an Irish Pub called Murphy's Bar and Grill where I was treated to an Irish burger with blue cheese! What a lucky patch of clovers!

Waianae McDonald's

The Waianae McDonald's was just renovated a few months ago. I always admired the mountain range in the backdrop and the vibrant colors of the American flag, Hawaiian flag, and the McDonald's waving proudly. There is also the word, "Aloha" right above the new entrance on the left that may be unique to this one shop.

Not a Nova

From a distance I thought that this car was a cracker box Nova then a Pontiac GTO. Moving in a bit, it was a Chevy Malibu in pristine condition. I just love the classic muscle cars. I think that the owner should polish it at least three times a week to keep the glass finish. Nice!

Buta Kaku-ni

 

There are so many variety of pork recipes somewhat like shrimps that I believe it can define an entire area by recipe and taste. We have pork chops for starters, pulled pork sandwiches, pork cutlet, smoked pork, Chinese kau yook, Filipino pork adobo, and don't forget the bacon, etc... The dish above is called Buta Kaku-ni in Japanese and it took three hours to stew on low heat. It went perfectly with the rice cake (mochi) and the blanched vegetables I bought from the farmer's market. 

Tonight

Happy Sunday! Tonight was a clear evening without a cloud in the sky. It was a perfectly cool and still evening during the sunset. The ducks, fish, and turtles were not quite ready to close their eyes yet although they were visibly slowing down.

A Fun Saturday

A local fair with all kinds of good eats, rock climbing, games and prizes, art for sale, mini rides, face tattoos, a hair spray booth, and a horseback riding area made a Saturday afternoon a fun one. This horse had his way, feeding whenever he wanted making each ride just a bit longer for the kids. A bad habit for horse people but a great reward for this guy!

Original Petroglyphs

A friend and I hiked into the hills of an undisclosed place on Oahu to seek out the original petroglyphs of the ancient Hawaiians and we found a few of them. Here is a photo of three dogs engraved into a giant boulder that has survived over a century of weathering. It was on my bucket list to see them in their original form and environment and they were breathtaking. Click here to see more photos on facebook.

Lions and Tigers and Tots, Oh My!

Way down deep in the jungle of the Honolulu Zoo, there are wild animals peering at lions, tigers, and alligators. They have beady little eyes, sharp ears pinned back to the sides of their heads, and short incisors for chomping and tearing their prey. They swarm around like busy bees buzzing about aimlessly. The tigers protect themselves from the beasts of the wilderness that roam outside their cage.  Their paw prints are imprinted outside of their door where the frightful creatures with their terribly wet noses, their germy saliva, and sweaty hands leave streaks across the cold and thick glass. When it was time for them to go, the preschoolers were rounded up for lunch time and it was safe again for the tigers.

A Double Hibiscus

Hibiscus are recognized as the State's flower and they blossom in colors red, yellow, white, and pink. This version of the flower is a double hibiscus. Usually with only five petals, this one has double the petals which makes it much fuller and robust looking.

"White Sandy Beach"

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole or Bruddah Iz's statue is located outside of the Waianae Neighborhood Community Center on the west side of the island. He was one big Hawaiian with a gentle and kind spirit who was able to transcend his aloha in his music. My favorite Iz song is White Sandy Beach, click on the link to hear it on Youtube. His songs still give me goose bumps as if I'm hearing him sing live. Although he passed away in 1997, he remains in many of our hearts through his music and this statue can be seen on the right hand side while driving out to Makaha Valley. Click here to see the outtake photos.

Red Flyer

This retro Red Flyer tricycle was part of bulk pick up and grouped with a bunch of trash. Granted that parts of it was rusted and in pretty bad shape it might have been able to be restored by the right person with the time and tools. It was a heavy tricycle made of steel. The bell didn't work and the wheels didn't turn very freely. This tricycle marks a period when toys were solidly made with metal in the U.S.

Between Sears and Woolworths

Perhaps no one would associate that brass fish with one of the biggest and most profitable outdoor shopping center in the nation but it is a sculpture at the Ala Moana Shopping center since the 1960's. It was located at one end of the mall between Sears and Woolworths and when the mall was remodeled in the early 90's this fish was placed in the middle of the mall. It was once a fountain that showered water out of it's mouth but ever since the remodeling it's been dry. This fish is an icon of Ala Moana Shopping Center and has seen several generations of families grow up in Hawaii since the mall was created. Click here to see an overhead view of the iconic brass fish.

I'm a Kid Again!

Candy shops at the mall are an attraction for both the young and the old. The treats at Carousel Candyland are as sweet as they look!  I'm a kid again needing a dose of Jelly Belly's and Gummy Bears whenever I pass this store at Kahala Mall.

Sun Disc

The sculpture outside of the downtown Bank of Hawaii titled, "Sun Disc" was created by Bernard Rosenthal of New York. Click here to see another view on facebook.

Hawaii, the Only State that was Once a Kingdom

Behind me is the Hawaii Supreme Court where the justices of Hawaii contemplate the law and make their ruling. The famous King Kamehameha Statute is situated right out front of the court as a reminder that Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. that was once a kingdom. With his arm raised out, all are welcome as tourists from around the world point their camera at the statue to capture the image of Hawaii's king. In the distance is Iolani Palace where Queen Liliuokalani once resided. It was drizzling and a rainbow emerged over the palace creating the beauty of this moment.

Public Art?

What to make of this? I really couldn't figure it out but it's an interesting couple of shopping carts with hay parked by the side of a building in Waianae. I could only speculate that someone used them to wheel away cut grass. The palate added to the mystery! What the heck is this all about? Is this public art in it's raw from? What do you think? Your guess is as good as mine!

Riding Off Into the Sunset and Eating at Dots

Taking care of business today in Central Oahu in Wahiawa I passed by Dots, a local restaurant which has a  1960's - 1970's pulse. It's an old time local favorite restaurant that still serve some of the best plate lunches such as their hamburger steak with sauteed onions. It reminds me of the late King's Bakery or  Liliha Bakery on Kuakini Street. I'm glad that they are still in business since I ate there frequently after rough riding horses at Hoku ranch at Helemano Plantation years ago. It was one of the most exciting and happiest time in my life when I could be carefree and ride off into the sunset, then enjoy a tasty meal with good company at Dots to end the day.