I don't know why I have never marked the anniversary before. I went to my YAHOO calendar to see what I was doing this time last year, turns out nothing out of the ordinary...so why is it that all of a sudden I feel so inclined to pause? Maybe because I am getting older, or that I am a mom now and well milestones seem way more important than before I had a child...I am not sure.

All I DO know is I am GRATEFUL. Grateful for the memory, Grateful for the experience, and ULTIMATELY GRATEFUL to be able to REPRESENT HAWAII NEI...with all the grace, humility, and aloha this Pearl City Tita can muster.

And now...I must make the beds and wash the dishes.

Mahalo for taking the trip down memory lane with me.

malama pono.

Brook

BUT just like the 8th grade ( which I didn't quit) I am gonna plug on through...so here is a recap of the last year till now...

My son is now 3- which by the way is the new terrible twos...

I am still waging a war against my post baby pounds..exacerbated by the looming Miss Universe appearance in August...

and I still miss Hawaii every single breathing day.

SO let's onward and upward to my favorite topic right now...HAWAII: mind you this is about to get POLLITICAL in nature so the weak of mind and heart should probably not read any further...

I have come out in support of two very important issues in Hawaii right now...and with the impending elections coming up, things are going to get heated.  Here is my heart felt and very public opinion of BOTH.

CIVIL UNIONS:

I am completely for them..I think if two people want to be together..it is THEIR decision and the GOVERNMENT that GOVERNS them has a right to protect their rights EQUALLY with everyone else...if GOD has a problem with their union...he can take it up with THEM HIMSELF at the pearly gates...and in the mean time..they should be able to have their social security benefits and property rights protected and bequeathed to their significant others and children with the same EASE as everyone else.. I am tired of the argument that gets bandied around that same-sex couples can draw up papers to protect their property, health benefits etc...THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO....THAT'S WHAT EQUALITY MEANS.

I was born and raised Mormon, and though I no longer practice, and am FULLY aware on the stance of the LDS church as well as most other churches...this isn't a church issue...Churches do not OWN the right to marry...MANY people who don't  even BELIEVEin GOD get married by Justices of the Peace and I don't see churches rallying against THEM.....Equal is Equal and that is just the way I see it. 

AKAKA BILL:

Now I know that this is a sore subject...not many things that are dipped in pollitics that have to do with Hawaiians isn't...and this topic it seems is swirling at the piko ( or center) of it all. I believe in the Akaka bill...I have come out as a public supporter of the bill simply because it is the rules by which Hawaiians need to be ma'a ( or familiar with) in order to get ANYTHING done in the Federal System.  Hawaii is part of the United States...and as thus we should be recognized as an indigenous people..so we have access to the same Federal support that Native American's and Native Alaskan's do. PERIOD.  A nation within a nation...soverignty all of it can't really happen without first being RECOGNIZED being at the proverbial table..

I am a member of the Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Civic Club...My parents and grandmother were all charter members of Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Civic Club, my father was a president of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and my mother is STILL actively involved in all areas of the boards..so as you can see I have been immersed in the civic movement in  Hawaii since BIRTH....I have watched the Hawaiian movement grow and change over the decades..with all it's different complications..but I believe whole heartedly that the Akaka Bill is the first step to helping Hawaiians find their way into the 21st century. We are now a people spread far and wide...many of us do not even have the choice to live on the aina ( the land) anymore..and this bill will allow us all to be a more powerful hui (group) no matter where we physically are.

okay I am stepping off my Soapbox now.

I promote Hawaii because Tourism is a Huge part of our economy..and whatever peoples personal ideologies about tourists coming to Hawaii that is THEIR kuleana (PROBLEM) and not mine. I promote Hawaii not for personal gain but to give back to a place that helped shape who I am today. I promote Hawaii for the father of three kids who has been a Valet parker at a major hotel in Waikiki for 20 something years so he can continue to support his family, or for the farmers out in Haleiwa that sell their fresh produce in BULK to the Hotels to feed all the TOURISTS who visit these islands. I promote Hawaii because I have traveled the world, and there are many beautiful places..some that even come close to looking like Hawaii...but they will never FEEL like Hawaii. What I promote can't be bottled or bought and sold on a stock exchange..I know for a fact when people visit Hawaii...they CHANGE. Somewhere between the tradewinds, the Aloha Spirit, and a Mai Tai if they are open to it they tap into that special part of Hawaii that I am so proud of..the essence of it's people..ALOHA SPIRIT.

And if they take that essence home to their countries with them..if they are made kinder, simpler, more considerate of a person because of it...then I will continue to hand out macadamia nuts at every mall across this globe. I support Hawaii tourism because it is good for Hawaii, and good for the PEOPLE...and that's all I have to say about that.

COME TO HAWAI'I it does the mind, the body and the SPIRIT GOOD. For US ALL.

I remember camping at Mo'omomi beach, watching my Tutu and aunties wade out into the tide pools and pull up all the different kinds of seaweed from the rocks that they would eat with poi...Limu ele ele that looked like longs strands of soft hair....Limu Kohu...which looked like little soft pliable branches..I wouldn't appreciate how rare and special those delicacies were till I was much older...on rare occasions the Pantela pancake man would come by the house and make these huge pantela pancakes..which I guess in retrospect was just a big crepe..but it seemed less facy and more fortiified back them smothered with butter and guava jelly it was sooooo good. 

But nothing NOTHING topped the midnight runs to Moloka'i bakery...to the side door to get fresh baked out the oven Molokai bread...sometimes baked with Guave Jam in it..or cheese....it was like Christmas as a kid...to come back to camp and smell the huge pot of hot chocolate that was brewing to dip the pig peices of bread in....it is SOOOO GOOOD. 

I tried to explain to someone what the appeal of the Molokai bread was...it is just a big loaf of white bread but it is shaped like a okole ( or butt) and the crust is soft...it's not sour doughy- or fancy in anyway..it is just Moloka'i goodness...

ahhh those were the days....

Old time legends say that there is at the very western point a cliff with a tree that grows off it and when you look directly down there is two opposing tides that create a whirlpool..or kamuliwai...an under current that take souls to the underworld... thay believed that this is where all Hawaiian souls go to leap of the tree and into the afterlife...so needless to say as beautiful as the beach and area is during DAYLIGHT hours...no Hawaiian in their right mind will be caught there after sundown...that and the fact that it is a state protected area and they lock the gate. So if you REALLY want an "off the beaten path" expeirence..try Ka'ena point..but bring snacks and drinks...cause this isn't a beach with amenities...just you the sky and the azure sea...AHHHH.

If you have never had chinese boiled peanuts you need to..it is so heavenly it defies explaination really...I think the secret is the allspice they boil it with, but when I have tried to make it myself..it never comes out the same...if you want to try an off the beaten place on your next trip to Hawaii try Waimalu Shopping Center...Kabuki Japanese still has one of the best Miso Butterfish I have ever had...and of course Shiro's is FAMOUS for their Saimin....but don't forget to grab a bag of boiled peanuts at the crack seed store as well!

Waimalu Shopping Center is located at: 98-020 Kamehameha Highway in Aiea

The rayon blend of fabric they use is fantastic for the humid and often tropical heatwaves that come through paradise..but no matter what I put on, wether a dress of a blouse, I can feel comfortable but well put together.

She also does amazing co-ordinated attire for wedding parties that are so chic yet distictly Hawaii...even if you CAN'T come back to HAWAII and have your wedding, having your wedding party decked out in Mauheali'i will instantly make anywhere you get married look like Kailua!

They recently got into the world of accessories as well...look for their fabulous  canvas bags that are really a great whimsical splash of Hawaii on your arm! If you can't get over to their stores in Kailua or on Punahou street...look them up on their website....http://manuhealii-store.stores.yahoo.net/

Ahhh I can feel the Kailua trades already....

Nake'u's designs are always so innovatinve and whimsical. They have become a staple of the island clothing theme, and people in Hawaii can instantly spot a Nake'u print. He hand designs the print's in inspirations ranging from hula dancers to the various leis and flowers of Hawaii..he makes them into printed material and then sews them into great Aloha shirts, Mu'u Mu'u's ( long dresses) as well as jump suits, and other whimsical patterns. I even carry one of his bags in my show on the Travel Channel..just as a nod and wink to Hawaii.

I have vintage Nake'u from as far back as 20 years ago and it still holds up today. If you ever get a chance to stop by his unique little shop nestled at the bottom of Kapalama Heights..tell him Miss Universe sends her aloha..go get yourself some authentic Hawaii couture...you will wear it for decades to come!

Nake'u Awai designs can be found at his shop: 613 Houghtailing St Ste 5 Honolulu, HI  96817 or at Ward Warehouse in NA MEA HAWAII/Native Books

 I am pretty sure that isn't what Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu were doing..but it indirectly may just inspire a passerby to look into going to Hawaii and for that I am grateful. Please keep a look out for hit and run hula's and I hope other halau's ( hula schools)  all over the WORLD..are inspired to spread the spirit of Aloha one kaholo ( dance step) at a time.

For more information about the hit and run hula in San Francisco go to www.hitandrunhula.com

After the highway by-passing Haleiwa was built a lot of local people thought Haleiwa wouldn't make it, but it has, and will continue to because of the strong community that supports the area. If you visit O'ahu come on down to the North Shore..walk along the little stores, and help keep Haleiwa the charming sleepy beach town it is. And dont forget to wish Matsumoto's a Happy 58th...I am sure they will appreciate it!