Ho’olaule’a At Honu’apo in Ka’u Labor Day Weekend

Cyril Pahinui and Others Will Entertain at the Sunday, Sept. 5 Fundraiser

Media Release:

Ka ‘Ohana O Honu’apo celebrates its stewardship of Honu’apo Park at the third “Ho’olaule’a At Honu’apo: Mālama Ka’u,” Sun., Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Honu’apo Park and Whittington Beach Park.

The free, multi-generational festivities are open to everyone, with great food, music, hula, a mo’olelo (storytelling) contest and more.  Cyril Pahinui, Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani led by Kumu Hula Nahokulani Gaspang, Halau Kukui Malamalama O Kona with Kumu Hula David Ka`iliwai, Back to the ’50s, Halau Hula Ka Makani Hali Ala O Puna with Kumu Hula Ehulani Stephany, Just Us, Mahalo Ke Akua Hula Ministry led by Terry Tanaka, and the Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka’u, will entertain the crowd.

Ka ‘Ohana O Honu’apo and the Ka’u community are dedicated to protecting the 230 acres of Honu’apo Park, now the largest county shoreline park in the state. Honu’apo is a special shoreline nursery that nurtures and protects dozens of endangered marine and terrestrial plants and animals. Event organizers hope to raise awareness about Honu’apo, and raise funds to help maintain programs. The day includes a variety of fun-filled events for all ages, including cultural demonstrations, canoe rides, pony rides and a beach clean-up contest for keiki.

Other special elements of the Ho’olaule’a include a look at the past, with an exhibition of historic photos, and numerous food, crafters and community education booths, a silent auction, and lucky number prizes, including a grand prize of $400 in Hawaiian Airlines gift certificates. The mo’olelo (storytelling) contest has a first prize of $200, second prize of $100 and third prize of $50. Contestants are limited to five minutes, stories must be family-friendly, and stories about Ka’ua nd Honu’apo are encouraged.

“Ka’u has been blessed with so many resources for self-sufficiency,” said event organizer Michelle Galimba, president of Ka ‘Ohana O Honu’apo.  “We have a lot to share, and, based on the two previous Ho’olaule’a At Honu’apo, we expect a large turnout!”

This event is being supported by the County of Hawai’i through a grant from the Hawai’i Tourism Authority.

For more information call (808) 929-9891 or visit www.honuapopark.org.

The Next American Idol

My 4 year old wanted to sing a song for everyone so here it is:

“The Ledge” Pt. 3: Relating to Taro Security and GMO

My father-in-law is one of the people spearheading this Taro Bill.  I’m not going to get into the debate here about GMO, but I just thought I’d pass along the information about the bill.

“Uncle (dad) shares a little about his life and connection with Kalo.
This video was made to encourage input from the public on House Bill 1663
prohibiting genetically modified taro.”

HB1663
RELATING TO TARO SECURITY.
Genetically Modified Taro; Prohibition
Prohibits the development, testing, propagation, release, importation, planting, or growing of genetically modified taro in the State of Hawaii.

Pahoa’s Own Sol Kaawaloa Awarded FAA Flight Instructor of the Year

My Wifes Cousin Sol Kaawaloa from Pahoa, Hawaii

Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Arizona campus was honored this past November when Solomon “Sol” Kaawaloa, ERAU graduate and eight-year flight instructor, received the prestigious Flight Instructor of the Year award. This award was presented by the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Sol is originally from Pahoa, Hawaii on the Big Island. He began as a student at Embry-Riddle in 1995 after graduating from Kamehameha High School. He graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Science in 1999. After graduation, Sol took a one-year sabbatical to coach volleyball and be a flight attendant. He returned to Embry-Riddle in 2000 to begin his career as a flight instructor, and has been teaching the next generation of pilots ever since. When asked about future career aspirations, he said he was “committed to instructing” and that his goal was to create and inspire “the best aviators we can. Sol hopes to one day fly for an air medical evacuation business, but has remained selective about whom he is employed by. He is keeping his focus on teaching while holding out for an air evacuation position to become available in the local area. Sol and his wife, Patricia, a registered nurse, will always call Prescott home.

The coveted “Flight Instructor of the Year” award, given annually, has a tough selection process. It begins when flight-training managers across Arizona nominate instructors and submits them to the local Flight Standards District Office. There, judges endlessly sift through nominees until deciding on the most deserving flight instructor. Embry-Riddle is proud that Solomon Kaawaloa was selected from approximately 50 of Arizona’s best flight instructors and came out on top…

More on Kaawaloa here

Christmas Break

Well this is kind of like my first official Christmas break with my son. The last few years I was on Oahu and only got to be home for the actual few days around Christmas day. So this Christmas it’s a bit special to be home with my son for the entire Holiday Season.

I used to love my winter breaks away from school when I was a young kid. My son has a slight cold now so I’m not really gonna take him out and go running around or anything.

It’s so nice to just snuggle with him in bed in the morning and not worry about rushing off to pre-school in the morning. Then we get the entire day to ourselves without “Mom” bugging us to keep our downstairs play area clean and what not.

"Dad... I need to see your eyes... Look, I can Bowwance on my head!"

So if I slow down a bit on the blogging… It’s probably because I’m making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, building a train or just having fun with my son.

I have to be the luckiest guy in the world to have such a good son!