Homespun Honolulu

Like I said when I found my Supercuts, we just had to investigate this place further!  I made arrangements for Mom and me to check out the new-to-us Town Center of Mililani!  When we first got to this little mall, I heard Chinese drums.  Focus gone!  Everything at that point went out the window.

“I hear them!  I have to find them!”  I am still licking the psychological wounds from missing all of the Chinese New Year celebrations this year.  Tsk!

It wasn’t difficult to follow the sound.  As it turned out, I didn’t need my $1 bills because these were Chinese Lions-in-training.  We enjoyed listening to their instructor talk to the kids about how their practice will prepare them for the big lions one day soon.  I’ve seen the discipline demonstrated by the keiki studying this art form before in downtown Honolulu.

It is truly amazing to watch and an excellent way to teach our youth to respect culture, art and, above all, authority!

After that  we decided we were hungry and wanted to walk around to see what kind of food was available.  As luck would have it, and as is so befitting us, we found and ate lunch at Zippy’s.

One of the girls told me that this Zippy’s location has been there about seven years or so.  It looked new and clean and just as busy as any good Zippy’s always is.

Of course I had to give them a little grief by asking them for the things that I know darn good and well have been removed from the menu.  I do this just to make a point and show them their error.

“Do you have any mandu?”
“No.”
“Okay, how about some G2?”
“We don’t have that anymore.”
“I know, I know!  You guys keep taking away all the things I like!”

Of course this is always followed by profuse apologies from them, me telling me that it’s not their fault and that “I have to ask” — just because I keep hoping management will stop removing the stuff I like.  The seafood plate and the scallops were a great loss too!  This is an ongoing issue I have with Zippy’s, not this location.  This was a great Zippy’s with great staff!

After getting ourselves full, we went on our first visit to this new little Borders book store.  We found other book enthusiasts there who talked me into getting these two science fiction series starters.

Then as we were turning around, Mom saw this really cool Vampire book that covered a huge amount of vampire history, including Barnabus Collins from the old TV series, Dark Shadows.  Am I dating myself?  Does anyone remember watching this?  My sister and I loved this show and Mom loved Barnubus Collins, the head vampire.  From that to HBO’s True Blood; oh my how times have changed!  This really cool book was dirt cheap so we couldn’t just leave it there on the shelf!

To be fair we have to talk about any negatives we found.  Um, shade?  Lots of benches, but, in the sun?!?  We went in search of the thing that all afternoons like this are made for — ice cream!

Well, we came close.  We found a yogurt place to take care of that!  We’ll talk more about Menchie’s later.

It was almost time to stroll out of our new find.  There was a grand opening going on with some country music so we had to be nosy.  It was a brand new Sprint Store!  Hey, that’s my cell-phone carrier!  Let’s go look, just for fun.  There was that phone that I’ve been eyeing for a while now.  It’s one that can take my abuse without a problem — it’s a Motorola and it’s made to withstand the military.  With those two criteria, it has a much better chance of surviving me!

Because they were just opening, they made me a deal I could not refuse.  Yeah, I ordered that phone and they helped me fix my plan so I could get better service for my buck.  I was happy and looked forward to them calling me as soon as my new phone came in. (Remember that I said that!)

Customer service at this Sprint Store was amazing!  Friendly, patient, and not at all condescending.  I watch for all of that!  Matt sold me on that phone and I trusted that he would work with me the rest of the way until my phone was switched over.

All in all I think we had a productive day!  I thought we saw the whole shopping center but I was wrong.  I found this map and, my oh my!   We’re obviously going to have to go back for a few more visits to this place!  I don’t mind!

Just in case you missed it, Hawaii’s Safeway Stores have a new program running — for the time being it is just for Hawai’i residents.  That little red Safeway Club card has just gotten a little bit better!

I’m serious, your Safeway Club card is going to keep track of the products you buy and keep you in the loop when your favorites go on sale or have special promotional pricing.

You don’t have to clip and carry coupons anymore and it’s all personalized and it’s all done with YOU in mind!  Here’s how Safeway explains it:

personalized deals

• You can get some of the best prices in town with these exclusive deals.
• Amazing savings on items you buy at Safeway and items you may be picking up at other stores — but now you won’t have to.
• Unlike coupons, you can use these deals to save again and again.

Once you register with your Club card or phone number, you can go see these exclusive offers online and make a grocery list of your favorites in the comfort of your own home, print it out, put it in your purse or pocket, and off you go!  It’s “your online way to save more in-store.”

It’s just for Hawai’i at the present time but I’m thinking that we are the guinea pigs for this project.  I’ll take it! I’m happy to take part in it and I’m also happy to share this with everyone!  It is going to be interesting to see just how big this gets and just how fast it spreads across the country!

Leave a comment on this post and be entered to win a $50 Safeway gift card!  

If you leave a comment below, I’ll put your name in our little random drawing to win a $50 gift card, just like the one they’re sending to me!  For this drawing, you DON’T have to be from Hawai’i.  Free groceries!  You can kick start that gift giving early — sign up online and you’ll get a d0zen eggs, for free.

Some of you may have noticed that your shopping receipts at Safeway have been accompanied by coupons for the things you purchase often.  Has this been in the works for a while?  Perhaps.  Are we glad?  Oh yeah!  I am so excited about this — regular readers know how I love food!

Check out Safeway.com, sign up today, and then go check in with your local Safeway ohana and pick up the FREE dozen eggs you can add to your shopping list right after you sign up.

I can already see the evidence of what I regularly buy.  My Tostitos are among the offers.  Pepsi is there — based on the volumes I used to buy for Mom.  I see bananas.

This is fun!  I wonder if they’ll add asparagus to my list.  I just cooked up my first batch of fresh asparagus last night.  I can guarantee that I will be buying it often — it was so ‘ono!

“Safeway — Ingredients for Life!”  I just had to say that!  Come on!  Talk to us and share your thoughts, so I can put your name in the drawing!!!

Carnival Reminder!

This is a reminder that the Carnival of Aloha is, as always, looking for the submission of posts that are Hawai’i-specific.  You will find the guidelines here.  Exciting Carnival news follows below, so read on!

It’s fun and it is just a link to your blog that you are sharing.  Nobody is stealing your content or plagiarizing your carefully crafted work!  Trust me, we all hate that kind of stuff.

 Exciting Carnival News!

I received an email from The Blog Carnival Team of BlogCarnival.com, the creators of the wonderful venue of Blog Carnivals.  The message said, “Congrats on being the featured Blog Carnival on June 16.”  Wow!  The Carnival of Aloha was chosen to be the featured Blog Carnival on their Facebook page.  I didn’t even know they had one.  I do now!

Check it out!  Become a fan!  This is going to be great for all of us — we will get to learn all about more blog carnivals out there!  Thank you, Blog Carnival, for sharing!

Don’t forget to join us for the next Carnival of Aloha, scheduled to go live on July 5th.  Submit your link here!

• If you have traveled to the islands and posted about it on your blog, share it with us!
• If you live here and something made you happy, sad, or angry, share it with us!
• If you used to live here, miss home really badly, and talk about it all on your blog, share it with us!

Come join in the fun!

I have to admit to being stunned.  I shouldn’t have been since Barack’s roots are here, but I have to admit it — I was speechless (for all of about 3 seconds).

Just in case you missed it, I am more than happy to share it with everyone here!  I missed it when it first came out.  I heard about it through word-of-mouth from about three or four different sources, including the morning news, and then I had no problem spreading it around! This is kind of how the conversations went:

“Did you hear about the President’s proclamation?”

“What proclamation?” was the usual, wide-eyed response.  I think the expectation was that there was something new about the economic drama or some new find or fix for the oil spill — since those have been the buzz topics taking over the news recently.

“He said the country should recognize King Kamehameha Day!”

“No way!?!”

“Isn’t that something?” was my usual reply with a big grin.

Still don’t believe me?  Here it is, verbatim, from the White House website:

The White House, Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

June 10, 2010

Presidential Proclamation–King Kamehameha Day

Two hundred years ago, King Kamehameha the Great brought the Hawaiian Islands together under a unified government.  His courage and leadership earned him a legacy as the “Napoleon of the Pacific,” and today his humanity is preserved in Ke Kanawai Mamalahoe, or “the Law of the Splintered Paddle.”  This law protects civilians in times of war and remains enshrined in Hawaii’s constitution as “a unique and living symbol of the State’s concern for public safety.”

On this bicentennial King Kamehameha Day, we celebrate the history and heritage of the Aloha State, which has immeasurably enriched our national life and culture.  The Hawaiian narrative is one of both profound triumph and, sadly, deep injustice.  It is the story of Native Hawaiians oppressed by crippling disease, aborted treaties, and the eventual conquest of their sovereign kingdom.  These grim milestones remind us of an unjust time in our history, as well as the many pitfalls in our Nation’s long and difficult journey to perfect itself.  Yet, through the peaks and valleys of our American story, Hawaii’s steadfast sense of community and mutual support shows the progress that results when we are united in a spirit of limitless possibility.

In the decades since their persecution, Native Hawaiians have remained resilient.  They are part of the diverse people of Hawaii who, as children of pioneers and immigrants from around the world, carry on the unique cultures and traditions of their forebears.  As Americans, we can all admire these traits, as well as the raw natural beauty of the islands themselves.  Truly, the Aloha Spirit of Hawaii echoes the American Spirit, representing the opportunities we all have to grow and learn from one another as we carry our Nation toward a brighter day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 11, 2010, as King Kamehameha Day.  I call upon all Americans to celebrate the rich heritage of Hawaii with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

I don’t need to say anything; it speaks for itself.  The only thing that comes to mind is to say to the President, “Mahalo, bruddah!”

All I wanted was a haircut!  This post starts what will turn out to be a series of articles that shows how easily one thing can lead to another.  It all lead to a lot of drama (so you will “hear” me being hissy at times) but it has also enabled me to talk about a bunch of business relationships that mean more to me now than they did before this all started!

As I said, I needed a hair cut.  Here comes hissy fit #1 — I have a thing about my hair and have been irritated by some of the horrible things that the so-called experts have done to it over time.  I have found one person, the only person, which I trust to cut my hair.  Her name is Deloris; she works for Supercuts.  My hair likes her, it grows better after seeing her, and she doesn’t rip, tease, or strip the poor thing — she just washes, conditions, and cuts.  Simple!

Deloris was working at the Nu’uanu Supercuts.  She moved.  See, Walgreens is reportedly moving into the little shopping center known to us as Nu’uanu Shopping Plaza so it’s only a matter of time before we lose all of the little shops and businesses there.  As a matter of principle, I will probably never shop at that location.  I guess I have to call this hissy fit #2!  This is just my personal boycott — I haven’t been in any Walgreens since they moved to Hawai’i, and maybe I never will after having them over run Nu’uanu Shopping Plaza.

Give me a break, Longs Drugs is less than a mile away in one direction and slightly over a mile in the other direction!  We lost Huckleberry Farms (my favorite health food store) for Walgreens?!?  These Walgreens people can paint their walls green all they want, but it won’t be with any of my money!  Huckleberry Farm is gone.  Hungry lion is gone.  TCBY Yogurt is gone.  The remaining few will probably all be going too.

Okay, back to the hair.  Now, a lot of people have that one person that cuts and/or styles their hair and they refuse to go to any other.  Those who can relate to this know I would have to find my Deloris!  Where did she go?!?  Nu’uanu Supercuts said she went to the Supercuts in Mililani.  “Where?!?  Do you have a phone number?”  I got the phone number, called it and got Deloris herself on the phone.  Whew!  “Where are you?  But I always get lost in Mililani!”  She gave me directions and told me it was easy.  Uh huh. Okay, I found it.  Landmark = Ruby Tuesday.  I’ve been there, I can find it.

I found it — right between Genki Ramen and Subway.  I found Deloris.  I got my hair cut.  I feel better about that Mililani drive. This location of Supercuts is clean, comfortable, and so very familiar.  Ahhhhh, I’m content.  Leaving Supercuts I glance at the stores across the way — “Gasp!”  There’s a Borders!”  I suddenly like this shopping center a lot!

Mom and I will have to make a day of this place to check it out more thoroughly!  Town Center of Mililani is our newest place to peruse.  This completes the opening of the series of posts to follow soon.

When looking at the beauty of the islands I have to admit that there are many things for which we need to be thankful.   Sure, we have a lot of issues to complain about, but, we also have reasons to celebrate.  For Chapter 27 of the Carnival of Aloha, we’re going to cruise around and find multiple reasons to celebrate!

Let’s begin with the above photo.  We can say, “Darn it, it’s always raining on the Windward side!”  Yes, but look at how beautiful and lush it is!  The beauty of our islands is always cause for celebration!  Trust me, there is quite enough sun on the Windward side to go around!

Moving right along, let’s share more about finding causes for celebration in spite of our annoyances.  We can’t help it if we’re all concerned citizens.  We just complain about it until (whatever it is) gets fixed!  So, let’s begin with the issue that has gotten a huge amount of press and created the most angst recently!

Georgette Deemer posted The end of furlough Fridays over on the State’s Hawaii House Blog.  Now there’s a reason for parents to celebrate!  Mahalo to all who took part in making this happen!  Yes, it’s true, $57.2 million may be coming from the hurricane relief fund.  Let’s just be happy that our youth will be back in school and pray that we don’t have another hurricane.  Perfect weather is, after all, cause for celebration!

Neenz joins us once again after being missing for what seems an eternity!  Neenz tell us that the City of Honolulu ranked top eco-city in the U.S., but… This is the perfect-timing post for this Chapter of the Carnival!  It talks about how happy we are for good news, “but…” we know we have issues.  Cabin fever and overcrowding are not helping the matter.  BUT, we still like that good news and we still love our home!  Thanks, Neenz, for agreeing to let me rope you in!

Misty at the Hawaii Book Blog shared this Book Review: Facing Future for our Carnival and, I have to admit, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when I read this.  Please welcome Misty and Alex from Hawaii Book Blog to our little Carnival ohana!  Based on their review, I have to get this book, for several reasons! I met Misty and Alex at the recent Hawaii Book and Music Festival and I’m glad we were able to connect.  We can complain about how life takes people from us too soon but this book is another celebration of Hawaii’s own Makaha Son, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (Bruddah Iz).  Check  out the review and then think about getting a copy!

All of those events at Makua Ranch and I never knew the talent that was right there the whole time!  Sigh.  I was probably fourteen years old so give me a break!  Thinking about Makua Ranch makes me think about food.  We need some carbs!  Rice will do!

Ten Bruggencate shares (okay I swiped this link and hope he finds it ’cause I found no email address) a secret with us about sticky rice.  Sticky rice: an ancient Chinese construction secret posted over at Raising Islands — Hawai’i science and environment left me confused.  I wasn’t sure if I was stunned, hungry, or just irritated that someone didn’t “soak the pot” so it wouldn’t be all stuck with rice!  I’m going to go with stunned.  Great post!

Melanie agreed to join us once again with Maui: The Weekend Less Planned posted at Travels with Two. This article is actually Part 4 but the links to parts 1, 2, & 3 are at the bottom of this post so you can check those out as well.  Melanie is feeding us some healthy looking stuff to eat with our sticky rice! I think I just ruined Melanie’s menu but I’m sure she’ll forgive me.

Wendy Piersall presents Luau Coloring Pages | Fantasy Jr. posted at Fantasy Jr, saying, “These luau coloring pages get really popular at this time of year.”  We can complain about blatant advertising but look what we can get out of it!  I almost wish I had a kids party coming up!  Maybe we should get some for the 4th of July!  Of course then we would have to buy crayons.  I must admit, this is a post with Hawai’i in mind.

Okay now that we’re mad because we ate too much, we have a new friend, Dayle, who is going to help us work it off!

Dayle Turner tells about the Schofield Trail — 6/23/2002 posted at Hiking and Backpacking in Hawaii Blog.  Here is yet another one that I don’t know anything about and will have to check out!  Huge welcome to Dayle who will, hopefully, continue to keep us informed and share these wonderful finds.  We can complain about the work to get there but oh the beauty and sense of accomplishment!  The more mountain the better! Thanks Dayle!

That concludes this Chapter of the Carnival of Aloha.   I think we came out of this pretty well, in spite of all the complaining!  In the coming days I will be talking about things to complain about and the benefit that comes out of it all.

Submit your blog article for the next Chapter using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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