Ouf...It's been too long!

Aloha!

We're settled in, and sorting out things as we head into the second half of our first year here.

Most is going quite well, but we've had a bit of a stumbling block with Thren's schooling, you can click here and here for more info on that!

I'll keep it short, there's lots to post about soon - including the great SHAVE ICE STANDOFF!  (We *love* Waiola Shave Ice, but we're heading for a trip to the North Shore tomorrow - I think Matsumoto's will be an obligatory visit while there.)

I will leave you with a shot of one of the Pali Lookout chickens, and a note - 4THREN gets you 15% off in the shop!

Pali Lookout

It's here!

The big day is 24 hours away - hopefully I get everything packed and sorted in time!

My toes will be in the sand by tomorrow evening.  (I have to at *least* do that  - it is Waikiki, after all!)  I'll update this as soon as I can after I touch down and get settled.  

Aloha!

Mahalo nui loa to Spleodar!

I thought I would share how awesome life can be, even in the midst of stress.

This is the necklace I will get to wear to my first day of teaching and classes, thanks to Mollie and her amazing shop:

Yes, it's gorgeous and shimmery.  As is all of her work.  Her shop can be found here; there are many incredible home and jewelry items.  I love that they are beautiful and weird/organic in shape and design, sort of like I imagine the shorelines will be on some of the more out-of-the way beaches in O'ahu.

Here is another piece that I think is amazing.

(I have a blue-green fetish.  Don't judge!)

 Anyway - she has now set up an invoice and billing system, for those who'd like to pay in installments.  And as much as I am shamelessly plugging her for being so amazing and giving me another reason to hold my head up that first day - the work also speaks for itself.  Spleodar!

Independence Day

 Happy Fourth y'all! 
(Or ya'll for that unusual minority...)

I've been wondering how the 4th is celebrated in Hawai'i - obviously there are fireworks, and the traditional mainland US celebrations.

(For a listing of the big Maunalua Bay fireworks and festival, click here.)

But understandably, Independence Day may not have the same meaning there - thus I present a short bit of information about La Ku`oko`a, Hawaiian Independence Day.

Excerpts from this site:


La Ku`oko`a marks the day, November 28, 1843, that the Ali`i Timoteo Ha`alilio, sent as part of an envoy by King Kamehameha III, succeeded in obtaining the signatures of the authorities of Great Britain and France on a treaty recognizing Hawai`i as a sovereign nation. Ha`alilio, with the missionary William Richards along as his secretary, traveled through Mexico on foot and donkey to Washington D.C., where they met President John Tyler. Ha`alilio and Richards, armed with his agreement, then went on to Europe, to Belgium, Paris, and London, where the treaty was finally signed. They returned to the United States to cement U.S. agreement. On the journey home Ke Ali`i Timoteo Ha`alilio died, on December 3, 1844. 

The Treaty of Independence was a substantial achievement under international law, recognized by the government of the Kingdom through the official celebration of La Ku`oko`a. After the overthrow in 1893, the so-called Republic of Hawai`i government announced that November 28, 1895—a Thursday—would no longer be celebrated as La Ku`oko`a. Instead, Thanksgiving would become the official national holiday.

(Needless to say, this did not sit well with many native Hawai'ians.)
The date has been held up as a reason to celebrate Hawai'ian self-identity, one validated by other nations, even today.

I don't know nearly enough to state my opinions on this situation - but it is interesting to note that both days are marked and recognized with celebrations by the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.
I look forward to learning more about them as we get 'rooted' there.

There will be new items in the shop posted tomorrow - stop by and take a look if you like.  (The link is to the right...)  Miss T and myself have been in a painting frenzy this weekend.  

Patch the Wonder Pup is ready for the BBQ

Thanks for stopping by!