East Coast Wahine

Dining According to Karen: Review: Ala Moana Farmer's Market

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:20:00 +0000

Enjoy Karen's blog about dining in Hawaii! I love those crepes, they so ono looking. My husband and I didn't get a chance to visit any Farmer's Markets on our visit this past holiday so I hope to get to one on my next visit this summer. :)

Dining According to Karen: Review: Ala Moana Farmer's Market:

To the House!

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 12:01:00 +0000

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE. ASSISTANCE REQUESTED BEFORE 9:30 AM Sunday, March 10, Hawaii time!

Both SB1168 pertaining to rock climbing, and SB1007 pertaining to hiking, have been scheduled to be heard by the House committee on Water and Land at 9:30 a.m. this Monday, March 11th in room 325 at the Hawaii State Capitol. Testimony must be submitted more than 24 hours before the hearing.

Please submit your online testimony in support of these bills using the following links (when you click on the links below, you will see a blue button that says "Submit Testimony". Click on that and enter your info and testimony in the fields provided:

http://capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1168

http://capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1007

Please kokua! Your testimony doesn't have to be lengthy, it can be one sentence in support of the bills! The legislators down at the Capitol are starting to get a sense of how important these bills are to us, but we need to keep pouring in the support for them. Please don't let up now, we're VERY CLOSE to succeeding! Many mahalos for your continued efforts!

Hawaii's Climbing Access

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:15:00 +0000

Happy Aloha Friday everyone! I just wanted to say a big MAHALO to everyone that signed the petition to pass the SB1168 in Hawaii - Limited liability for mountain climbing, rock climbing, rappelling and bouldering on government land. I got notices of those who signed the petition and left wonderful words of support! An update on the bills; both the SB1168 and SB1007 have passed the Senate and is heading to the House! Here's a blog entry written by Mike Bishop to the Access Fund Blog.

http://www.opengate.org/access-fund-blog/2013/03/trouble-in-paradise-inside-the-fight-for-hawaiis-climbing-access.html

More signatures may still be needed to help the bills through the House....but I wanted to know for all you Hawaii residents, how does it feel to have your taxes paid to/for settlements awarded for injuries and deaths to visiting hikers? Folks who visit Hawaii should be warned that Hawaii's beauty can be deceiving and can cost you your life if not careful. But the law in Hawaii is such that hikers don't have to be responsible for their own safety, that if they are injured or killed, the state is liable. What are your thoughts on this?

Show your support for SB1168

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:24:00 +0000

Aloha! I was born and raised in Hawaii and I'm asking you to help me show your support for SB1168 by signing the petition below. SB1168 has made its way through the committee process and its pending full-floor senate vote.

Without SB1168, numerous recreational lands in Hawaii will remain closed to mountain climbing, rock climbing, rappelling and bouldering. After 23 years of safe rock climbing, the DLNR (Dept. of Land & Natural Resources) acted to close a number of lands because of a single injury. The DLNR claims that it is insufficiently protected from liability, and therefore the only way to shield itself from liability is through land closures. This bill will provide the State with the liability mitigation needed to enable Hawaii residents and visitors to exercise their right to use recreational lands for recreational functions, such as rock climbing.

The State designed this bill to coincide with, but not replace, Act 82. Act 82 is a tort liability provision that provides limited liability protection to the State for dangerous natural conditions. However, Act 82 does not provide sufficient liability protection for rock climbing because rock climbing involves both natural and synthetic dangerous conditions. For example, if a rock climber were to dislodge a rock onto a spectator, the climber-induced falling rock would not qualify as a natural danger, and therefore Act 82 would not protect the State for the incident. The State specifically designed SB1168 to provide the protection the State requires for the synthetic dangerous conditions involved in rock climbing.

In addition to the signatures provided by this petition, Hawaii’s rock climbers have gathered an additional 1,700 signatures from throughout the world in support of increased liability protection.

Please show your support and sign the petition below, then pass it on.
http://www.change.org/petitions/hawaii-senate-pass-sb1168-relating-to-limited-liability-for-rock-climbing

Follow the bill on OpenStates.org
http://openstates.org/hi/bills/2013%20Regular%20Session/SB1168/

Mahalo,
Lovena Harwood - Hawaii Girl

Happy Valentines Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:46:00 +0000

Happy Valentines Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:28:00 +0000

The Hawaii hiking community is abuzz! City and County of Honolulu Mayor Kirk Cadwell said that he would eventually like to see Haiku Stairs (aka Stairway to Heaven) re-opened and made available to the public once again. On the Exploration Hawaii blog Coty lists the Pros and Cons of making Haiku Stairs public. What do you think? Would you like to see Haiku Stairs re-opened? Mayor Kirk Cadwell's info is at the end of the article if you would like to send your correspondence.

Valentine's Day REI Gift Card Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:07:00 +0000

My Hawaii Girl Adventure blog is running the Valentine's Day REI Gift Card giveaway!! If you love the outdoors, why not enter to win a $50 gift card from REI! You can use the gift card in-store, online or over the phone! Good luck! Hurry and enter here! Giveaway runs until 2/10/13.

Hawaii Girl Adventures: My Hawaii Hikes

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 12:52:00 +0000

Spent 3 weeks during the Christmas and New Year's holiday with my ohana on O'ahu and also managed to get in 6 hikes. I've never seen O'ahu this way. Check out my blog and journal of my hikes to Makapu'u Point Lighthouse, Lanikai Pillboxes, Makua Valley Outlook, Mt. Ka'ala, Koko Crater (Kohelepelepe) and Haiku Stairs via Moanalua Valley Park.

Hawaii Girl Adventures: My Hawaii Hikes

Kalbi Short Ribs

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:43:00 +0000

On a recent trip to O'ahu to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary, my husband and I enjoyed the ono-licious local foods! My husband especially enjoyed Kalbi! Kabli is Korean Short Ribs and in the islands it's usually served plate-lunch style along with hot rice, macaroni salad and kim chee on the side. In the past I have made Kalbi but only using the pre-bottled type marinade bought in the Korean grocery store and I've never been happy with the taste….it always had that something missing! This time I've come up with a marinade made from scratch that I'm really happy with and fills the bill! These ribs can be made anytime of the year! Hope you enjoy it as well as my husband!

Ingredients:

4 pounds of Beef short ribs. Make certain that the pieces are not full of fat.

Marinade:

1-½ cups soy sauce

½ cup water

¾ cup brown sugar

4-5 cloves of minced garlic

½ medium onion, (either Vidalia or Maui type), chopped

4 medium green onions, cut into small pieces

2 TBSP toasted sesame seeds

Directions:

Mix soy sauce, water and sugar well in microwave bowl. Heat in microwave just enough to warm mixture so that the sugar is easily diluted with the liquid. Add the garlic, onion, green onions, and sesame seeds and mix well. Pour over short ribs in a deep container. Make sure all the ribs are covered with the marinade. Cover and marinate in refrigerator overnight, at least 12 hours.

Cook:

Oven Broil - heat oven to Low Broil. Place oven rack near top of oven. Place short rib pieces on an Oven Broiler pan and cook on each side 8-9 minutes with oven door open.

Grill - heat grill to medium-high heat and grill each side 3-4 minutes.

Serve with hot rice, macaroni salad and kim chee!

****I purchased all ingredients for this dish at my local grocery, Market Basket.

16 Ways I Blew My Marriage

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:34:00 +0000

I've been happily married for almost 30 years and when I read 16 Ways I Blew My Marriage, I was impressed! There are many articles about being in a unhappy marriage, but none as funny and insightful. Moreover, there are a lot of folks who are drawn to this article because the author, Dan, is very honest in writing about some of the things he believes caused his marriage to fail. Since then, Dan has also come out with Part 2 - The Other 15 Ways I Blew My Marriage.

Reading these blog articles reminded me of a recent conversion I had with a man several months ago. He had joked that he wanted to be a "boy toy" to some 60-year old rich woman as he felt that would solve all his problems. But he actually wasn't joking. He caught me (way) off guard when he mentioned that he couldn't figure out why his wife constantly wanted affirmation that he still loved her and was unhappy and kept asking for a divorce.

I was caught off guard but mostly I was shocked that he couldn't (or didn't want to) figure out that quite possibly the reason his wife was so unhappy was because she felt ignored as he was so very busy working full time at one job while starting up his own business. 'Becoming a boy toy isn't your answer', I kept telling him. But he refused to believe that .

I suggested that he seek professional marital counseling with or without his wife, but he didn't think he needed that...so sad. Even sadder was that he was willing to discuss his wife's unhappiness with me and other women other than with his own wife! :(

Marriage isn't easy, it's really hard work! But based on my own experience, communication and compromise are definitely key components to the success of a marriage. I hope you enjoy reading both of Dan's blog articles - perhaps you might even be able to relate to a couple of the points. Don't forget to leave a comment on Dan's blog! :)

Halloween 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 22:28:00 +0000

So glad that our city celebrated Halloween on Saturday the 27th! As I write this Sandy is making her way up the east coast!

I absolutely love Halloween and this year I set up my dining room table with the Halloween theme. I invited some of the neighbors as well as the kids at my grandkids' bus stop. I bought several pre-packaged goodies from my local grocery and got a couple of recipes off the internet. I didn't gross too many folks out! LOL! It was fun putting this together and I can't wait for next year!

Bloody Popcorn

My 100% Vegan handmade soap

Sugar cookies line a singing skull

Severed Hot Dog Fingers

Cupcakes cuties!

Centerpiece of White Roses

Tutu Lovey's Hawaiian Style Meatloaf

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:48:00 +0000

I received a jar of Maui Jelly Factory Brand Mango Chutney as a gift from my mom in Hawaii. I absolutely love the taste and always thought that it would be tasty in meatloaf. So I finally got a chance to try it out and it makes for a tender meatloaf and a very, very sweet meatloaf sauce!

Meatloaf Ingredients:
2 - 2.25 lbs ground hamburger
3 Tbsp onions, finely chopped
1 16 oz can of crushed pineapple, drained (save juice to side)
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2-3 Tbsp Mango Chutney (I used Maui Jelly Factory brand)
1 tsp ground ginger

Large Cookie sheet
Parchment paper to cover cookie sheet

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Put onto a large cookie sheet that is covered with parchment paper. Shape so that its height is no shorter than 2.5 inches. Bake at 350 for 60 minutes. Take out of oven and add Meatloaf Sauce to the top (see recipe below).

Meatloaf Sauce Ingredients:
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup pineapple juice
1 Tbsp Mango Chutney (I used Maui Jelly Factory brand)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

Add sauce over the top of meatloaf and cook an additional 15 minutes. Serve over hot rice!

Chocolate Haupia Cupcakes

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 08:30:00 +0000

My daughter was married in Hawaii and her wedding cake was a dark, almost black, chocolate cake with Haupia (Hawaiian Coconut Pudding) in between the layers. Ever since then I vowed to make my own or some rendition of it! So here's my rendition of it in a cupcake style with a sweet Haupia filling. It's easy to make and won't last long, that's for sure! LOL! This recipe yields 24 cupcakes.

INGREDIENTS

Cake & Frosting:

1 box Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix

3 Large Eggs

1 Cup Water

1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil

1 - 16oz can Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge Frosting

1 - Package of Sweetened Coconut Flakes

2 - 12 Cupcake Pans

Silver Cupcake Liners (enough for 24 cupcakes)

Haupia filling: (You can buy this packaged or make from scratch)

2 - 2oz Envelopes of NOH Brand Haupia (Sold in Hawaii, mainland Asian Grocery stores and online.)

Here's the recipe if you want to make the Haupia filling from scratch.

2 cups Coconut Milk

1/2 cup Sugar

3 Tablespoon Cornstarch

1/2 cup Water

1 teaspoon Coconut Extract

1. Mix sugar and cornstarch with water in a bowl. Set aside.

2. Heat the coconut milk in a medium saucepan.

3. Stir sugar/cornstarch mixture into hot coconut milk.

4. Cook stirring constantly, until mixture starts to thicken. Remove from heat.

5. Stir in coconut extract and cool.

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare cake mix according to package directions using eggs, water and oil.

2. Cool cupcakes completely.

3. Using the cone method, cut a cone shape out of the center of each cupcake. Holding the cupcake in one hand, insert a small paring knife, at an angle, about half way down into the cupcake. Cut out a cone shaped piece out of the center of each cupcake. Make certain not to cut or poke a hole in the bottom of the cupcake.

4. Cut or break off the tip of cone to leave room for Haupia filling.

5. Mix Haupia according to package directions using water. Or use the recipe above. As Haupia cools, it will thicken. Keep stirring until its lumpy.

6. Spoon quickly into the cupcakes and replace cupcake tops.

7. Frost cupcakes.

8. Dip cupcakes in a small shallow bowl filled with coconut flakes, making certain to cover frosting with coconut flakes.

**Store in airtight container. Yield 24 cupcakes.

Mochiko Chicken

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:32:00 +0000

3 pounds Breast Tenderloins or Chicken Tenders (skinless and boneless)

1/4 Cup Mochiko Flour

1/4 Cup Cornstarch

1/4 Cup Sugar

4 Tablespoons Sweet Ginger Garlic seasoning (Simply Asia brand)

2 Eggs, beaten

1 Tablespoons Soy Sauce

1/2 Cup Green Onion, finely chopped

Oil

Garnish:

2 Tablespoons Green Onion, finely chopped

Mix everything (except Chicken and oil) in a large bowl. Fold in chicken making sure to coat all pieces evenly. Marinate overnight. Deep fry in 1-inch hot oil until golden brown. Cool, cut into slices and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve with rice.

Aloha Beef Stew - Crockpot

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:51:00 +0000

2lb Beef Round Extra Lean Beef for Stew

3-4 medium white potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes

3-4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into slices

1 large onion, sliced thickly

2 Bay Leaf, crumbled

1-2 Cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 Cup cooking Sherry

1/2 Cup white wine (not cooking wine)

1 Cup Ketchup

1/2 Cup Dark Brown Sugar

1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

1 Tbsp Soy Sauce

1 Tbsp Curry Powder

1 Tbsp Powdered Beef Broth Mix

Water to cover

1 Cup Fresh Mushrooms, sliced

1-2 Tbsp Cornstarch

Layer (in this order) potatoes, carrots, meat and onions in crockpot. Add the rest of the ingredients except for the Fresh Mushrooms and Cornstarch. Cook on LOW heat for 8 hours. After 7 hours add mushrooms. And the end of cooking, add cornstarch/water mixture to thicken stew. Serve over hot rice.

** I personally serve over hot rice as I don't eat potatoes

Aloha Kine Chili

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:01:00 +0000

Easy to make and sweet, sweet, sweet! So here's the recipe, Enjoy!

1 cup sliced Portuguese Sausage (add more or less to taste)
1 pound Ground Beef
1 8oz can Tomato Sauce
1 cup Ketchup
1 cup water
2 teaspoon Shoyu (Soy sauce)
1 16oz can of Red Kidney Beans, drained
1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water

Fry Portuguese sausage in a small pot. Add hamburger and cook until brown. Drain excess oil. Add tomato sauce, ketchup, water, chili powder and shoyu. Bring to a boil then turn down heat to simmer for 10 minutes. After simmering, add kidney beans. Then add cornstarch mixture to chili, stirring to thicken according to your taste. Serve over hot white rice!

Note: I use more Portuguese sausage than called for in this recipe. Also, I use Linguica sausage but if you want more 'kick' to this chili, then use Chourico sausage.

Hawaiian Culture Throughout The World - March 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Tue, 17 May 2011 11:24:00 +0000

Hui Na Kawaiuaili

NewEnglandHula.com

Rochester, New Hampshire, USA

by Lovena Harwood

What’s the first thing you think of when you think of Hawaii? For some folks, its tikis, hula girl dashboard dolls and pineapples. But there is more to Hawaii than souvenirs. The heritages of the many diverse communities throughout Hawaii enrich the lives of Hawaii citizens. It is this diverseness that helps attract and keep Hawaiian culture alive, even throughout the world.

Finding Hawaiiana outside of Hawaii has always been a challenge but with more Hawaii-born citizens moving away from Hawaii, keeping in touch with one another and sharing their love for the Hawaiian culture has been made easy thanks to the Internet. Local Hawaiian and island flavor recipes are easily exchanged and coming together for kanikapila, pa’inas and luaus are just a couple clicks away.

One of the most important culture aspects of Hawaii is Hula. Teaching and sharing the art of Hula away from Hawaii is both unique and challenging. But with workshops and seminars held both in Hawaii and on the mainland, students and Kumu not only learn about the Hula, but also learn to perpetuate the traditional culture of the Hawaiian people.

This months' feature is Leimomi Hoover of Hui Na Kawaiuaili in Rochester, NH. I had just recently met Leimomi but have seen her work when she performed for the Makaha Sons concert in New Hampshire of 2007. Leimomi choreographs most of all the auana’s that her group has danced as well as performed for the Makaha Sons concert. A past co-director and performer of Touch of Polynesia Dance Troupe and now director of Hui Na Kawaiuaili (School of the River of Traditional Knowledge Pouring Forth), Leimomi has been studying and performing hula, its music and its history for almost 30 years.

Born in Hawai’i, Leimomi studied both ancient (Kahiko) and modern ‘oli and traditional (auana’s) with kumu hula; Aunty Leialoha, Hokulani DeRego and Robert Lonoae’a. She has performed at Waimea Falls Park under the direction of kumu Pi’ilani Plemmer. And she attended seminars and workshops with Aunty Kaui Brandt, Sonny Ching, Chinky Mahoe, and Nani Lim Yap.

Relocating to New England in order for her husband to complete his college education, Leimomi started her hula halau 10 years ago. Says Leimomi, "I wanted to perpetuate my Hawaiian culture. My dad was a Hawaiian musician and ever since he passed on, I’ve always told myself that I would continue my culture whether it was singing or dancing hula." Leimomi's father has always been part of her inspiration to continue the Hawaiian culture. Leimomi teaches both ancient (Kahiko) & modern/traditional (Auana) hula out of her home studio.

Hui Na Kawaiuaili is both a learning and performance halau. They also perform Tahitian but it's not Leimomi's specialty. Hui Na Kawaiuaili performs for corporate function, nursing homes, resorts, weddings, schools, festivals, fundraisers.

Leimomi has performed publicity at several private educational lecture demonstrations at Franklin Pierce College in Andover, MA., in 2002, The Portsmouth Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH in 2002 and 2003, and as featured solo and ensemble dancer in "The Silken Thread," in August of 2003 produced through Act One Theatre of Hampton, NH. She was featured instructor at a private hula seminar in Kingston, NH in August 2004, Frankfort, Maine in August 2005, October 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 2009 for Cultural Week, as well as performing with the Makaha Sons at the Thomas Meehan Theater in Strafford, NH in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Hui Na Kawaiuaili performed at Wagner Middle School for a 6 week Cultural Art Workshop in 2009, Red Hook Brewery in Pease, NH in 2009, A 13^th annual benefit event for Maine Coast Memorial Hospital Breast Clinics in 2006, Belfast walk arts festival in 2008 & 2009, World Dance Day in Belfast, Maine in 2007, 2008, & 2009 and 2 performances at the Alamo Theatre in Bucksport, Maine in 2005, 2007, & 2009 and Bucksport High school in 2008.

It is Leimomi's great joy to honor her Hawaiian lineage by sharing its traditional knowledge and dance with all who care to learn. Join Leimomi and Hui Na Kawaiuaili in their hula workshop and show this July. Held at the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel in Portsmouth, NH on July 24, 2011! Advanced ticket purchase and more information available at: NewEnglandHula.com.

Additional Links:

Hui Na Kawaiuaili is on Facebook!

Hawaiian Candy Lei

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 23:33:00 +0000

That time of the year is approaching quickly! Get a head start with fun and easy-to-make Candy Lei with our Candy Lei Tubing! Includes instructions to make your very own custom candy lei!

A definite favorite amoung the keikis (children), but adults love them too! Perfect for luaus, graduation, birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, parties, Halloween and gift giving!

Due to the busy graduation season (March through June), it is recommended that you place your order well in advance.

Order Hawaiian Candy Lei tubing at:
http://eastcoasttropics.com/hawaii_candylei.html

Mokihana of Mokihana's Garden makes Candy Lei for Valentines Day as well!

Mahalo!

Adventure Photos & Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:43:00 +0000

I have created a new blog to post all my adventure photos as well a blog about them. On this new blog I've included photos from rock climbing, skydiving, rappelling and winter hiking. Please visit and hope you enjoy!

Adventure Photos & Blog
Stories & photos of a local Hawaii girl exploring the great outdoors!
http://lookwhatididadventures.blogspot.com/

Xtreme Descent 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 14:45:00 +0000

Xtreme Descent 2010
by Lovey Harwood

Our NH Rockclimbing Meetup group was notified of the Xtreme Descent event at the last minute, but we were able to get a team together for this event. The event, a fundraiser for the Daniel Webster Council, Boy Scouts of America, took place at the Brady Sullivan Building in Manchester, NH. The 24-storey building is the tallest in the state of New Hampshire. Kellie Barr-Foster (organizer of our rock climbing meetup group) put out a notice to our group and those members interested signed up to join the team and help raise donations.

On the day of the rappel my team mates and I checked in and filled out paperwork at registration. Our personal belongings were put away and kept safe by Boy Scout volunteers. Over The Edge technicians fitted us with industrial, full-body harnesses, helmets and gloves.

Training followed next and was done from the second floor of the parking garage. Tim instructed us about the "Gold Thing" (ASAP Fall Arrest Device) and the "Blue Thing" (Stop Descender). An ID (Industrial Descender), which looks like a jumbo grigri, was used to provide rope slack if the ASAP locked up. We each had the opportunity to rappel to get used to the harness as well as the Descender. We were also told that if we descended too quickly, that the "Gold Thing" would lockup and we would have to use the two-arm wave to signal in order to get some rope slack and continue with our descent.

After training we took the elevator up to the 20th floor, then walked up several flights of stairs to the rooftop. Once there we checked in with the photographer and waited for our turn. The view from the rooftop was spectacular! Oleg brought his camera/vid with him and got several photos and vids of our group while waiting. Two setups with two sets of ropes were set up for the descents, how I wished I was allowed my camera to take photos of the entire setup. Training Tim came up to the rooftop and went down on one rope to "test" it....required, we were told, to be performed every two hours.

Out of our group, Carrie and I were the first to descend. I chose to descend first as I really needed the ladies room and didn't feel like getting out and back into my harness. Plus the wind felt like it was going to pick up. Once on the platform, I was instructed by (Over The Edge Tech) Jamie, to pass him one each of the radio, ASAP and Descender. These were connected with self-locking carabiners. Jamie connected the equipment to me and then connected me onto the belay and then the main rope. He had me sit up onto the ledge and then get onto my knees. While on my knees, I had to scoot back to the edge of the ledge. Then I had to slowly lower myself over the edge. I personally found this awkward and would have preferred to walk backwards over the edge. Finally over the edge and sitting correctly in my harness I was able to start my descent. The photographer, who was strapped in up top, took my photo and Jamie yelled down to me to have fun!

Was told that the side of the building was slippery. But I didn't find that to be true at all as I wore my climbing shoes and it provided me with good traction.

The rappel down was smooth and exhilarating! I did, however, find the stop handle on the Descender hard to press at times. I just wanted to get into a rhythm so that I could enjoy the descent. I could see the street below in the reflection of the windows. And I passed several windows with messy desks! lol!

About two-thirds down the wind picked up and I started swinging to the sides. I used my feet to get back to the center but each time the wind would swing me out to the sides. From then on it felt like a struggle to stay centered while descending. At one point I started twisting so I grabbed a crack in the building side to prevent myself from twisting even more as well as to center myself. I looked down below and saw Ellie with her camera. So I gave her a smile and a wave.

Once I was on the ground an Over The Edge tech disconnected me from the ropes. And once inside, another Over The Edge tech helped me get out of my harness, quickly as I instructed him, in order for me to make the ladies room. lol! After gathering up my belongings, I went outside and took photos of the rest of the team making their descents. At one point there was a 'wind delay' but just for several minutes.

There was plenty to eat and drink; a variety of Subway subs as well as cookies, water, soda and tea. And each team member received a 'goodie bag' with a hard-copy of their photo, long-sleeved tshirt, carabiner, Xtreme Descent patch and poster amongst other sponsor products.

The weather was gorgeous, it was great meeting up with other rock climbers, the Boy Scout volunteers were helpful, and the Over The Edge folks were professional and provided a memorable experience. It was a perfect day for rappelling!

** Heartfelt thanks to those that donated on my behalf! Your generous contributions are very much appreciated!

NH Rockclimbing Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/rockclimbing-134/

Xtreme Descent: http://www.xtremedescent.org/

Over The Edge: http://www.overtheedgeusa.com/

Daniel Webster Council, Boy Scout of America: http://www.nhscouting.org

Xtreme Descent!

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 02:28:00 +0000

This Saturday, Sept 25, 2010 I will be participating in the Xtreme Descent to benefit the Daniel Webster Council, Boy Scouts of America. I and my team mates will be rappelling from the top of the 24-story Brady Sullivan building in Manchester, NH. Our team goal is to raise $100, and any donation will be greatly appreciated!

To donate, log onto http://www.xtremedescent.org/.
Click on the "Donate/Register" link.
Click on "Find A Team"
Click on "NH Rockclimbing Meetup!"
Click on my name (Lovey Harwood) to make a donation, or you can make a donation in your own name.

NH Rockclimbing Meetup Team profile:
http://www.xtremedescent.org/2010/09/team-profile-nh-rock-climbing-meetup/

Mahalo nui loa!

Coconut & Ube (Purple Yam) Ice Cream

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:24:00 +0000

Another homemade ice cream recipe to top off a great dinner. This was perfect after Pinakbet or any delicious filipino dinner! Quick and easy and again, no eggs! Super creamy, and oh, so masarap! Ube is the filipino word for Purple Yam.

Ingredients:
1 cup Whole Milk
1 (14oz) can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 Pint Heavy Cream
1 Cup Ube (Purple Yam can be purchased in Filipino grocery store)
1/4 teaspoon Coconut Extract (optional)
2 Tablespoons Coconut Flake (optional)

Equipment:
Blender
Ice Cream Maker
Spatula

Instructions:
In a blender, combine the Sweetened Condensed Milk, Heavy Cream, Whole milk and mix thoroughly.

Add Ube and (optional) Coconut Extract and mix thoroughly.

Pour into container of ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions.

Slowly add (optional) Coconut Flake to the ice cream mixture.

When ice cream is done, using a rubber spatula, transfer ice cream into a container.

Set overnight in freezer for complete ripening process.

Enjoy!

Guava Goodie Goodie Sherbet

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Mmmm, da ono! Juss like da Maui-style sherbet known as Guri Guri! I got this recipe from the archives of the Honolulu Star Bulletin. What a fabulous recipe! So light, yet creamy! In place of the Strawberry soda that it called for, I used Guava soda! Enjoy sherbet lovers....who cares if its 30 degrees on the east coast! It's GOODIE GOODIE time!

Ingredients:
2 - 12oz bottles of Guava Soda (Goya brand)
1 - 12oz can of 7 up
1 - 14oz can of Sweetened Condensed Milk

Equipment:
Blender
Ice Cream Maker
Spatula

Directions:
Add all ingredients into a blender. With cover tightly on, pulse cautiously! DO NOT BLEND! The condensed milk is so thick and the "Blend" mode is so high that it will cause an eruption! Ask me how I know! So "pulse" cautiously until well blended.

Add to ice cream maker and follow manufacturers directions. I have a Kitchen Aid Ice Cream Maker attachment and this step of the process took approximately 30 minutes.

When done, transfer to plastic container using a rubber spatula and freeze overnight.

**Goya also makes these other ono-licious flavored sodas: Apple, Coconut, Cola Champagne, Fruit Punch, Guarana, Ginger Beer, Grape, Lemon-Lime, Mandarin Orange, Pineapple, Sangria, Strawberry and Tamarind.

Hawaiian Culture Throughout The World - Jan 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 14:51:00 +0000

Taropatch.net
New Jersey, USA

by Lovena Harwood

What’s the first thing you think of when you think of Hawaii? For some folks, its tikis, hula girl dashboard dolls and pineapples. But there is more to Hawaii than souvenirs.

The heritages of the many diverse communities throughout Hawaii enrich the lives of Hawaii citizens. It is this diverseness that helps attract and keep Hawaiian culture alive, even throughout the world.

Finding Hawaiiana outside of Hawaii has always been a challenge but with more Hawaii-born citizens moving away from Hawaii, keeping in touch with one another and sharing their love for the Hawaiian culture has been made easy thanks to the Internet. Local Hawaiian and island flavor recipes are easily exchanged and coming together for kanikapila, pa’inas and luaus are just a couple clicks away.

This months’ feature is Andy Wang of Taropatch.net. I met Andy in the Fall of 2007 when he opened for the Makaha Sons & Hoku Zuttermeister concert in New Hampshire. Hawaiian music has taken Andy to many places with the advantage of meeting other Hawaiian musicians. He also values the opportunities he now has for learning Slack Key Guitar.

But it wasn't that way when he first started out. In the mid 1990's Andy was living in Boston, MA with no access to any teachers. He conducted research to seek out learning resources and recordings. Since he had no website-building knowledge, he decided to start a list of Slack Key Guitar learning resources. Says Andy, "My idea was to compile a list of books and videos so other students could find what was available. In turn, I also hoped that people would tell me about any resources that was missing from the list."

It wasn't until 2001 that the inspiration for building a website came about. He attended the first Aloha Music Camp on the Big Island hosted by the Beamer family. "This was a really unique opportunity to learn from slack key masters like Keola Beamer, Ozzie Kotani and George Kahumoku, Jr.", says Andy. It was also the first time that Andy was able to get together with people from all over the world who were interested in Hawaiian music and hula. He returned home not only inspired to play his guitar, but also to start building the website.

Taropatch.net went live February 2002. And with the technology available, Andy was able to build more than just a website . He was able to build a forum for an online community. Since this forum would be interactive, the purpose of a website shifted. Instead of having a static page with lists of resources, Andy could now develop a place where folks could get together to share ideas. Andy's original mission for the website was: 1) Show appreciation for Hawaiian music and for those who make it. 2) List and review resources for learning ki ho`alu. 3) Provide a community where music , song and Aloha can be shared in cyberspace. "And it was from that starting point," says Andy, "that I let the online community decide what the website would become."

Although Taropatch.net started as a slack key guitar website, the online community wanted more and as a result, the site has evolved. ʻUkulele, Steel Guitar and Bass forums were added along with a forum for people to post about recordings. A forum to announce upcoming performances and reviews were also added. But Andy's favorite forum is the Kanikapila forum. "It's a lot of fun talking story or sharing ideas on the internet, but there is no substitute for meeting people face to face. After all, this is a community focused on music so kanikapila is the best... getting people together face to face to play music."

The website has grown to an extent that Andy never had expected. Originally, Andy thought that he would be satisfied to get 100 slack key players on the website. Today there are more than 1900 registered members from all over the world! Says Andy, "I love the diversity of the community. It tickles me every time somebody registers and introduces themselves. It can be anyone from a new fan, a new student or a professional perfomer."

Born and raised on the east coast, Andy has family on O'ahu and his wife was born and raised on O'ahu. He has been lucky to visit Hawai'i many times but it was on one trip back in 1993 that he saw Uncle Eddie and Auntie Myrna Kamae's documentary about slack key guitar on TV. "I thank them for sparking my interest in Hawaiian style guitar. I am grateful for all George Winston has done too with his Dancing Cat record label", says Andy.

Working as an Investment advisor/portfolio manager and maintaining Taropatch.net keeps Andy busy. In addition, both he and his wife are actively involved in the Hawaii/New York community group Halawai - www.halawai.org.

Performing also keeps Andy busy. He never planned on performing and simply enjoyed playing slack key at home in his livingroom. The opportunities to perform came about because there weren't many people playing Hawaiian music in the New York area. "I learned so much performing with Darin Leong for about 3 years, " says Andy. Darin moved back to O'ahu in 2007 and was nominated for 2 Na Hoku Hanohano awards. Both he and Andy played at weddings, private parties, and even at a Staten Island Yankees pre-game show. "It was crazy to see myself up on the Jumbotron!" chuckled Andy. "I've played lu'aus at Columbia University, Boston University and University of New Haven. I joined some friends at the 15th Annual Taro Festival in Hana, Maui last year. I was in awe to be playing on stage with Pakelo Cosma, Kevin Brown, Sheldon Brown and others!"

Andy is quick to add that Taropatch.net is not a business but, a true labor of love. "I feel connected to the music of Hawaiʻi. The website is my way of giving back, to try to help perpetuate the music and culture in my own little way. I do not charge any money for anything." Members clicking through links at Taropatch.net help defray costs a bit, but otherwise, all expenses are paid for by Andy to keep the site running.

Voluntering at Taropatch.net is guitarist Jesse Tinsley. Tinsely is the forum moderator. Also, the community at Taropatch.net are a great group of people. "I am so proud that people (myself included) use the website to meet new people. New and lasting friendships are made and many kanikapilas are organized," Andy says of the online community.

And what amazes Andy the most is how far reaching Hawaiian music is. Adds Andy, "whether it's transplants from Hawai'i or Hawaiians-at-heart, the music and culture have spread far and wide beyond the shores of Hawai'i."

Andy's past performances can be found at his website www.andywangmusic.com.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

If you know of a Halau or Hawaiian organization/club/business/association that you would like to see featured at Hawaiian Culture Throughout the World, please contact me at: eastcoasthawaiiangirlatgmaildotcom.

Homemade Pineapple Ice Cream

noreply@blogger.com (Hawaii Girl) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:19:00 +0000

Another homemade ice cream recipe to top off a great dinner. This was perfect after (crock-pot) Kalua Pig! Quick and easy and again, no eggs! Super creamy, light and oh, so Pineapple-ly!

Ingredients:
1 cup Whole Milk
1 (14oz) can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 Pint Light Cream
1 teaspoon Pineapple Extract (or according to taste)
1 8oz can of crushed Pineapple, drained well

Equipment:
Blender
Ice Cream Maker
Spatula

Instructions:
In a blender, combine the Sweetened Condensed Milk, Light Cream, Whole milk and mix thoroughly.

Add Pineapple Extract and mix thoroughly.

Pour into container of ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions.

Slowly add crushed Pineapple to the ice cream mixture.

When ice cream is done, using a rubber spatula, transfer ice cream into a container.

Set overnight in freezer for complete ripening process.

Enjoy!