Monday, June 29, 2015

Move from the Mainland to Hawaii

So, you are moving to Hawaii. Lucky you! Beautiful scenery, temperate weather, and beaches! Living in Paradise has some perks, and also some extra costs. You will be better prepared and assimilate faster into the community if you are aware of a few things.
Hawaii is a group of islands in the middle of the huge Pacific Ocean. It is the 50th state to join the United States. The more that you learn about the history of Hawaii, the better you can understand those around you. If you show a love and respect for the culture and especially the land ('aina), you will have a much more positive experience.

Try to learn a few basic Hawaiian words and their meanings. The population is so diverse, but for the most part they speak in English and pidgin (a mixture of dialects). Most of the people who live in Hawaii share the aloha spirit, but you may find that a few are quite resentful of the way Hawaii became a state. Most of all, do not be judgmental and try to learn all you can from the people.
You will find that because the weather is fairly good all year round, the insects love it too. In order to avoid infestations by termites, cockroaches, mosquitoes and other creatures, you will need to spray or put out baits on a regular basis. It is better to control them than to get rid of them.

The moist salty air is perfect for rusting just about everything. Vehicles and appliances seem to suffer the most. There is rust spray available that you can use to slow down the process. Also, mold and mildew can form quite easily especially in places where it is warm and moist like the kitchen and bathrooms. It takes extra effort to keep this under control unless you have an air conditioner going all the time. This can be harmful to your health if the mold is allowed to grow.

Also, food items seem to go bad quicker unless they are stored well inside of plastic air-tight containers. You can also keep many things in the refrigerator or freezer that you may not have in the mainland.
When there is no breeze, it can become quite hot and humid. Be sure to purchase enough fans or air conditioners to make your family comfortable. With the use of electricity comes a higher bill also, so think about cost-effective appliances.

Traffic on the island of Oahu can become very frustrating, especially close to Honolulu. Also, there is only one main road going to the North Shore of Oahu, so it can also be totally cut off if there is an accident or an electricity pole falls down on the road.

It is wonderful to have sandy beaches and palm trees close by. But, as I said, living in Paradise does come with a cost. In fact, prices in Hawaii are some of the highest in the nation. The cost of gasoline, groceries and clothes can be quite expensive. There are Walmarts, Costco and Sam's Clubs where you can get the best deals. The cost of housing can be two or three times as much as on the mainland. It is also usually smaller than what most people on the mainland are used to.

Funny though, even with all the pros and cons of Hawaii, people who have lived in and loved the islands of Hawaii do not want to leave, or hope to move back soon. We have been living here for almost twenty years now and really love it. I have learned many lessons the hard way, so I thought writing this hub may help someone that is moving here have an easier time.

There is so much to see and do in Hawaii. Hiking, swimming, golfing, cruising and gardening are just a few things that can be done almost year round. Because of this, you probably will not want for visiting family and friends from the mainland while you live in Hawaii.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

The Coolest Places in Hawaii for Shave Ice

Mainlanders call them snow cones, but in Hawaii the coolest treat around is shave ice. It is not shaved ice, rather just shave ice !

For those taking a drive around the islands, or trying to cool off after a day on the beach, nothing hits the spot like shave ice.

It is snow! No, it is a drink, and you can eat it with a spoon straw!

Regarding shave ice, Matsumoto Shave Ice is a North Shore Treasure.

It is nearly impossible to go past the small shop without stopping and indulging. Matsumotos is a family business which has been in operation since 1951.

There are photos on the walls of famous Americans, Japanese and others. Here is just a few of the names on the walls: Tom Hanks, Kristi Yamaguchi, Jason Scott Lee, Megumi Oishi, and Junichi Ishida.

How Shave Ice is Made

The ice is actually shaved off a big block right in front of you into a fine powder so it's easy to eat. Then it's topped with any one of countless exotic tropical fruit flavors, and sometimes questionable ones like root beer and bubblegum.

You can have a scoop of ice cream in the bottom, or have them throw in some Azuki beans . That may sound a little strange to you, but in Asia they are Japanese sweets.

Azuki Beans comes from the Far East. They are prepared by boiling till the beans softens, some sugar is added. Azuki beans go into the cone shaped cup first then the Shave Ice above it. Of course, they are optional, but you should give it a try.

You can have up to three (3) flavors of your choice per Shave Ice and all of their flavors are home made.

Waiola Shave Ice

Of course, one shave ice spot would not be enough for all of Hawaii, so here is another favorite. There is no point on driving all the way out to North Shore even thought they are $2.00 cheaper (it will cost more than that for the gasoline)

The employees are friendly, and the ice comes out so fine you can barely taste the texture allowing the flavors to explode in your mouth. You may have multiple brain gasms otherwise known as brain freeze. You can't go wrong with Strawberry or Watermelon paired with ice cream and condensed milk.

Ululani's Shave Ice
If you are in Maui, they also have truly "ONO" (Delicious) and "No Ka Oi" (The Best) Shave Ice ever.
Ululani uses only pure cane sugar and filtered purified water.
The minute Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice dissolves in your mouth, you will definitely feel the LOVE



Saturday, June 27, 2015

Picture Brides of Hawaii

In the early 1900s many immigrant men were recruited to work on the sugar cane plantations in Hawaii on temporary visas. Rather than intermarry, a match making organization sent pictures of these men home to recruit willing women to be their wives, and to help on the plantations. These were known as the picture brides.

Between the years of 1907 and 1924, more than 20,000 young Korean, Japanese and Okinawan women made the journey to Hawaii to be married in joint wedding ceremonies.

Photography had modernized the arranged-marriage tradition that began with matchmakers or with families who arranged face-to-face meetings to join their youth in matrimony. Now they could introduce prospective couples who lived miles apart or even across the ocean.

However, often pictures of younger and more handsome men were sent in order to make the girls more willing to travel the long distance. When they found they were "tricked into it", the girls often had no way out, since there was no money to pay their long way back home.

Most of the girls came from very poor families and were promised a better life. They were told that in Hawaii they would have freedoms denied them in their home countries. Historically, they were bound to traditions of filial piety (support and care of parents), carrying out sacrifices to ancestors, ensuring male heirs, and other burdens and expectations.

Often they had mass wedding ceremonies held at the dock or in a hotel shortly after the ship's arrival. On average, the men were 15 years older than the brides. Many of the men had put on suits or posed with a car and a nice house to attract the women, but when the women faced reality, they were very disappointed at the crude plantation quarters and sad living conditions.

Most of them did not want their families to know of their misfortunes, so they raised families and taught them traditions instilled in them from their homelands. Many of the picture brides ended up working long hours on the sugar cane plantations. Even though the women did similar jobs to the men on the plantations, they were paid considerably less. Some even strapped their babies on their backs and worked alongside their husbands. Some women left the fields and took in laundry or cooking for bachelors or wealthy families.They did all this to avoid bringing shame on their families back home.

For those picture brides who were abused, disillusioned or could not adjust to their new lifestyle, the Women's Home Mission Society provided temporary shelter as they waited and worked to go back home. Some husbands offered rewards for those that could find and return their pictures brides. Because of many of the problems caused through these practices, the picture bride process took on a negative reputation. It is interesting that it still continues from many countries today.

Woman's Typical Work Day on the Plantation (1910)

4:00 am          Women wake to prepare breakfast & lunch

5:00 am          Whistle! Wake-up 

6:00 am          Gather at train or walk to field

11:00 am         Whistle! Lunch (kaukau)

11:30am          Whistle! Kaukau finished (pau) go back to work

4:30 pm          Whistle! Pau Hana 

                        Go to furo/bath

                        Fix dinner

                        Garden, sew & other family care

8:00 pm          Whistle! Lights Out 

                        Continue family care activities as necessary

Monday, June 15, 2015

Traditional Chinese Medicine, A Holistic View

Traditional Chinese Medicine takes a holistic approach. Whereas in the West diseases are specific to a certain part of the body, Chinese believe that all the systems of the body are interconnected. If there is a problem with one part of the body, it can affect other areas in the anatomy. Also, changes in the environment can have an affect on the body rhythms and cause illness.

My first experience with Chinese Medicine was when I first moved to Hawaii 18 years ago. I went to a Chinese friend's home for dinner. I had just moved here from a third world country and had experienced a few health problems. He brought out an instrument that he told me would give him a diagnosis of anything wrong in my body. He is a school teacher, so I was a bit skeptical about it, but thought it might be fun anyway.

He explained that the human ear is just like a reverse fetus. According to the theory of Chinese Traditional medicine, each human organ has a corresponding point on the ear. If a certain organ has any disease or changes, it will emit a bio-electrical current from the corresponding point in the ear. By listening to the instrument carefully, a person can detect if there is a problem in any area of the body.

So my Chinese friend moved a little stylus over every part of one of my ears listening intently for any changes in his Hua-han electronic acupuncture device. It tickled a bit, but did not hurt at all. To my amazement and wonder, when he was finished, he asked me if I had liver problems. I told him that I had hepatitis B while I was living in the South Pacific islands and had been very sick with it. I have since been told I have PBC Pulmonary Biliary Cirrhosis. Then he asked if I had trouble with my knee joint. I injured my left knee severely as a young lady and have had trouble with it ever since for which I have been told I need a knee replacement.

He further explained that diseases are caused by a block of meridian channels in our body. The block causes pain. If there is no block, then there is no pain. The instrument he used picked up the bio-electric currents and he could hear that those two areas, my liver and knee, were indeed blocked. I was beside myself because I had not mentioned anything about my hepatitis or knee problems before I got there. It seemed magical to me.

I have since read quite a bit about Chinese Medicine. They believe that the body's vital energy (chi or qi) circulates through channels called meridians. If there is an imbalance or interruption of this vital energy, illness or disease results.
 
Chinese claim that over 200 kinds of disorders have been treated with ear acupuncture with an 85 percent effectiveness rate. Sometimes they add electrical stimulation to acupuncture needles to treat disease. Chinese commonly practice self massage of the ears on a daily basis to prevent disease which certainly couldn't hurt and may actually work.

I have not had acupuncture, but believe it may work according to my experience with my Chinese friend. Acupuncture is used to restore balance of the chi in the body. Of all that I have learned about Chinese medicine, the theory behind auricular acupuncture is the most interesting to me. Too bad it has gotten a bad rap from the Western world. The Chinese have treated disease by using points on the ear for centuries.

Beautiful Puddles Around the World

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Best Places to Visit in Mexico

With over 5,000 miles of beaches, warm weather and a rich history, it is no wonder that Mexico is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Personally, I have not been there yet, but many in my family have. I researched this hub to find out where I would like to visit in Mexico. I found that there are actually three different spots in Mexico that most people travel to. I will discuss them below.

Besides the historical sites, there are over 150 museums. I love museums! Mexico is the birthplace of artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. As an art student, I studied both of these artists and I found their work very interesting. I wouldn't mind traveling to Mexico just to see some of this artwork in person.

You might think you have tasted authentic Mexican food, but your taste buds will thank you for showing them the difference, or so I've heard. Tamales, burritos, tacos, and so much more. I do love Taco Bell, but would love to taste real Mexican food.

Architecture in Mexico is one of the major tourist attractions and includes haciendas, cathedrals and other amazing structures. Also the huge Mexican Mayan pyramids would definitely be on my list of things to see. Major settlements were built by the Mayan civilization in this area. I'm sure one of the highlights of visiting Mexico would be touring one of these historical sites.

The Yucatan peninsula is the most popular of the tourist destinations, and encompasses the Riviera Maya, otherwise known as the Caribbean Riviera. It is well known for the Mayan Ruins, white-sand beaches and beach towns. This includes Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. My son and his wife traveled to Cancun for a week last year and thoroughly enjoyed their experience. 

Second in popularity is the Mexican Riviera. It includes 2,000 miles of beaches between Acapulco and Ensenada. Many cruise liners travel to this region regularly ending up at the Puerto Vallarta area, Cabo San Lucas, and Ixtapa. It is about time we take a cruise instead of flying. So this area could be a definite possibility.

The third most popular area tourists visit in Mexico includes Copper Canyon, Morelia and Mexico City which runs down the center of the country.This land boasts abundant marine and wildlife. There are occasional Mexican craft markets where you can pick up some treasures to take home. I have heard you can find some great bargains at some of the markets. I am sure I would love to go to a market for shopping.

I would love to hear from you if you have traveled to Mexico and what you enjoyed the most.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Hawaiian Flowers: Foster Botanical Gardens

We have lived in Hawaii for over ten years, and as were making our way through the usual traffic chaos on Vineyard Street in Honolulu we saw a sign that said Foster Botanical Gardens . We were not in a hurry, so we pulled over into the parking lot. The moment we opened our car doors, the most beautiful fragrance drifted to our nostrils. It was coming from the trees surrounding the entrance to the gardens.

We felt transfigured to another time and place. Luckily I had my camera since I saw so many beautiful tropical flowers in a various colors and shapes. I would start to put my camera away, and then I would see something else that I had to have a picture of. There were small signs labeling the different flowers and plants. We were surprised at how many of them we had never seen before.

We discovered that some of the incredibly large trees that towered over the gardens were planted around 1853. There were trees from many places around the world including Africa. These trees were so magnificent! They actually refer to them as exceptional trees because of their age, rarity, size, location and historical and cultural significance. They indeed were massive and I had to get a few pictures of my husband standing next to the trunks so we could remember how big they were.

The gardens are very well taken care of, and they are separated into areas of special interest including the Exceptional Trees which I have mentioned, the Lyon Orchid Garden which has several new and old world species, the Main Terrace (dating back to 1953), the Middle Terraces which includes beautiful palms, and some local Hawaiian heliconia and ginger plants, the Economic Garden which has various herbs, spices, dyes and even poisonous plants, the Prehistoric Glen which features plants from various countries, and the Orchid Conservatory which has orchids of so many different varieties.

As we strolled through the gardens, I could not help but think it would be the perfect setting for a wedding. I learned that it is possible to have weddings and wedding photos there with a permit. They also offer guided tours and several times a year, school children get to enjoy this enchanting place.
I witnessed flowers and trees that I have never seen before, and had quite an educational and fascinating experience at the Foster Botanical Gardens.
AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST IN THE FOSTER BOTANICAL GARDEN
  • Lyon Orchid Garden - a collection of Old and New World orchid species
  • Main Terrace - the oldest part of the garden dating from 1853.
  • Middle Terraces - palms, aroids, heliconia and ginger plants.
  • Economic Garden - herb garden, spices, dyes, poisons and beverage plants.
  • Prehistoric Glen - primitive plants from around the world.
  • The Orchid Conservatory - blooming orchid display.
  • Exceptional Trees - 24 trees designated "exceptional" throughout the Garden.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Spring Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point

Pleasantly Surprised

We had often heard about the Tulip Festival that has been held every Spring at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah. I have been to the Dinosaur Museum and other educational venues at this non-profit farm and garden. They feature several events throughout the year that attract local families and tourists. Life gets so busy, but I really wanted to see the tulips this year, so we made it. The entrance to the festival is just a hint of what was inside. I was blown away by the colorful, well manicured flower beds leading up to the main building.

Educational and Good Exercise

At the entrance of the Garden Visitor Center, you are given a map of the Tulip Festival. I had no idea that the gardens were so expansive. From the building you see an attractive vista all the way to the back of the gardens. They are separated into attractive theme gardens, and pathways weave back and forth throughout. You can rent a cart if you don't want to walk the whole way. It took us about two hours to walk the whole way, and we went later in the day. I'm glad we went when it was not too hot. My husband has an app on his iphone and tracked our steps. We walked over 4000 steps, so it was a good workout besides being very educational.
Along the way there were signs giving facts about tulips in general and names of groups of tulips. Some of the fun facts we learned were:
  • The tulip is the national flower of Turkey and Afghanistan
  • Tulips grow from bulbs, and being native to mountainous areas, the tulip needs a period of cold dormancy (Utah has four seasons).
  • Tulips are part of the lily family.
  • Nearly 3 billion tulips are produced in the Netherlands each year.
We took off to the left pathway first which led to some waterfalls.
Every year they plant a quarter of a million new tulips at the Thanksgiving Point Gardens.
The range of colors and variety of tulips was amazing.
My breath was taken away by the mixture of contrasting varieties and shades of tulips. I don't remember a garden that has impressed me as much as this one did.

Theme Gardens

So you can get a better idea of the variety, here are the names of the different garden themes:
  • Grand AllĂ©e
  • Shepherd's Hill
  • Creek Garden
  • Monet Lake
  • Rose Garden
  • Koi View Pier
  • Vista Mound
  • Fragrance Garden
  • Secret Garden
  • Italian Garden
  • Light of the World Exhibit
  • Butterfly Garden
  • Parterre Garden
  • Waterfall Amphitheatre
  • Mountain Garden
It is a great place to take your mother for Mother's Day. It was quite a walk for little children under three, but I saw many families on the motorized carts. They seat five people comfortably and can go along the paths just fine.
Picture taking is welcome, in fact, they have a photo contest at thanksgivingpoint.org/photocontest where you can post your own photos. They choose the top photos to be on the Thanksgiving Point Facebook page to be voted on by everyone. The prize is an annual family membership to Thanksgiving Point!
Ongoing activities include a Tulip Tot Playland, which is open Friday and Staurday from 10 am - 8 pm and Monday evenings from 4 - 8 pm. They offer crafts, activities, games, bounce houses and much more.If you stay late on Friday nights, it is perfect for a date with music and lights. Celebrating Spring at the Tulip Festival is something I will always remember and look forward to again.

Worthwhile Attraction

I feel ashamed that I have visited Utah so many times, but have never taken the opportunity to view the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah. It beats other botanical gardens I've been too.
Let me know if you have been to a bigger or better one. Cheerio!

Monday, June 1, 2015

Travel to Rotorua, New Zealand

A trip to the land of the long white cloud would not be complete without visiting the enchanting place called Rotorua. Adventurous people will enjoy the geothermal forces, biking trails, walking tracks and Maori art and culture available all in one place. There are 16 lakes, tall redwood trees and miles of endless activities for families and individuals alike.

For those that come with families, they can bottle feed lambs, watch sheep sheering demonstrations or witness the kiwi bird in its natural habitat. Kids can get all muddy in the geothermal pools, or have a water rafting or jet boating adventure.

For individuals who love to be challenged, Rotorua offers one of the world’s premier mountain biking destinations. There are signs posted for bikers according to skill levels. Trails through lush ferns amidst the rain forests, lakes and geothermal ponds thrill even the most expert bikers. There are even more challenging trails for those brave enough like racing down Mt. Tarawera, a dormant volcano.
Rotorua also caters to those that would like to treat themselves to an exclusive retreat. Natural hot pools surrounded by the beauty of native bush are very relaxing followed by a royal massage. There are over ten luxury hotels to choose from to cater to your every whim. It has been found that hydrogen sulphide, a gas that is prevalent in Rotorua due to the thermal activity, has been discovered to enhance erectile function. Move over Viagra.

Convention halls and facilities for business meetings are also available, which overlook the geothermal landscape. Work and play all at the same place with plenty of activities for everyone. Holiday parks or camping grounds and townhouses are available for those who like to self cater.
Golfing, fishing, backpacking and skydiving are all available at Rotorua. Golfers can play near natural hazards they have not tried before, such as steaming craters and mud pools. There is a nine-hole geothermal course and also an 18-hole course near picturesque Whakarewarewa. Fishermen and women will have their pick of fifteen lakes that have three species of trout ready for the catching, from regular to trophy size. Backpackers will find plenty to keep their interest in this unique part of the world. It is considered as a top destination for backpackers with over 100 km of world-class tracks to explore. Sky divers can customize their experience.

For those interested in culture and history, there are various attractions with entertainment, art legends of the ancients. Indigenous food is available for tasting as well as hands-on experiences with weaving, carving and traditional games.

Rotorua is located on the North Island of New Zealand about three miles drive from Auckland. There is a local airport serviced by domestic flights. Also, there are several family friendly hotels and eateries. Nearly 500 years ago, the Arawa people made Rotorua their home. Now there are around 70,000 people living there. They are happy to share with you their love for the land.
The living and breathing landscape of Rotorua is mesmerizing. For an incredible and memorable experience, spend a couple of weeks at Rotorua, New Zealand.