The Word of the Day is "Kālā"

Cedit: Depositphotos.com/Carsten Reisinger

Aloha mai kākou,

As the month of November comes to an end, and the ads of Christmas continue to flood our media, I have chosen today's word to be what most of us will be spending to celebrate the season of giving….. Money$$$ Lol. Kālā (kahh lahh) is exactly what it sounds out to be…. Dollar or the greenback of cash. Is it just me, or did Santa Claus come before Halloween and Thanksgiving???? All in all, Christmas is my most favorite holiday, and I have no qualms in aiding Santa in what to bring my kids this year. I’m trusting he knows what he’s doing, and leave it at that. *giggles* I can’t wait to cook my first prime rib, without the help of my mom! We’ve always had the surf n turf, or whatever the family comes up with, but this year, my goal is to whip up the best meal for my hubby and kiddos. Anyone have a suggestion on how to prepare the best primerib? Feel free to comment, and leave me some tips please…..

A hui hou and keep an eye on the Christmas associated words for the month of December,

Haunani

The Word of the Day is "Āhinahina"

Credit: Depositphotos.com/Marek Poplawski

Aloha mai kākou,

Now that Thanksgiving is over, I can get back into the groove before the Christmas holidays arrive. Is it just me or has this year gone by so fast? It’s a little nippy here in Hawai`i, though nippy means 68 degrees F to me! Lol! Today’s word of the day, is “`āhinahina” (ahh hee na hee na meaning ‘very gray’), the Hawaiian word for the Silversword plant, that grows atop of Haleakalā National park, on the island of Maui. Listed as an endangered plant, its silvery velvety leaves are as beautiful as the place itself. It grows anywhere from an elevation of 7,000 to 10,000 ft., and it's found on Haleakalā (ha lay ah kah lahh, house of the rising sun) and Mauna Kea (mao na kay yah, white mountain). Conservative measures have brought the plant back from near extinction. So, like other delicate native plants, it is important to adore its beauty from afar.

A hui hou,

Haunani

The Word of the Day is "Pelehū"

Credit: Depositphotos.com/David Smith

Aloha mai kākou,

As the countdown begins to Thanksgiving, I almost had a turkey crisis, before the actual day! Yep, for the first time in my Thanksgiving cooking adventures I waited too long, and the stores were sold out! Thank goodness for an awesome friend, who had shared that she bought 2 turkeys, and had another one given to her as a gift. I was like, “hey, can I buy one?” and she said, “of course, I just thought about it now!” ….. *wiping my brow* Turkey disaster averted! Lol. Turkey in Hawaiian is “pelehū” (pay lay hoo), and there is one special way that probably sets Hawai`i apart from traditional methods of baking or deep frying. The turkey is cooked just like our kālua pork, in an underground oven, or imu (ee moo). The meat just falls apart easily and has a delicious smoked flavor. You have to try it when you get here! I’m looking forward to the leftover turkey, in which we make up baked sandwiches, turkey ala king, and Juk (Chinese rice gruel with turkey). My husband and I are going to share the cooking duties for the first time. I can’t wait actually, this is going to be a fantastic meal. I’m so hungry right now! Hang in there, we have one day to go…..

A hui hou,

Haunani

The Word of the Day is "Hā`ulelau"

Credit: Depositphotos.com/Alla Charnyshova

Aloha mai kākou,

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the word of the day is Autumn, or “hā`ulelau” (ha oo lay lao). During the fall season, we don’t have the luxury of seeing the leaves change colors, but it is the season of rain and cool air, especially in Hilo. You have to love this time of year though, when the nights are cool and the days are perfect and balmy. I’m sure everyone is preparing for Thanksgiving, which is one of my most favorite holidays, where families get together and share a meal, watch some football, and get ready for the black Friday! Speaking of black Friday, I can’t believe the stores have decided to start it at 8pm, on Thanksgiving night! Whatever happened to eating til your heart is content, having a blast with family and friends, then sneak out at midnight, to the malls!!!! Lol.

A hui hou,

Haunani

Happy Veterans Day!

Aloha mai kākou,

In tribute to those who have bravely fought for our country in the past and present, I’d like to take this week, to present words, associated with Veteran’s day. The Hawaiian word for veteran is “koa kahiko” (ko wah ka hee ko)….. if you break down the term in English, Happy veteran’s day would be “Hau`oli lā koa kahiko” (how oh lee lahh ko wah ka hee ko). What do we do, to honor our past veterans in Hawai`i? The students from every school will contribute flower lei or bouquets and decorate the graves at the various military gravesites throughout Hawai`i. My father was a navy vet and was placed to rest at the National Cemetary at Punchbowl. It is an amazing sight to see when every grave is honored with a lei. I miss visiting such a special resting place.

I leave you with a photo of Hilo’s Veteran’s day parade 2012, courtesy of my sister…..

We remember each and every one of you, who’ve dedicated your lives, so we can live free.

Mahalo nui,

Haunani

The Word of the Day is "Paniola"

Aloha mai kākou,

Continuing from yesterday’s entry of “Waimea”, the town is renowned to be the home of the first “paniola” (pah nee oh la) or cowboy. Most people (even myself, before I extensively researched the word origin) have known it to be “paniolo”, NOT “paniola”. I knew that the word derived from the word “espaniola” meaning Spanish….. King Kamehameha I was given some black longhorn cattle from a British captain, George Vancouver. In 1809, 19 yr. old John Parker, bailed ship and was hired by Kamehameha, to handle the herd of cattle. A few years later, he married the daughter of a high ranking chief and started the long dynasty of the Parker Ranch.

In 1832, with an invitation from the King, the Latin American Vaqueros taught Hawai`i’s first group of Hawaiian cowboys how to ride and rope these wild cattle and horses that were introduced in Waimea. With the domestication of cattle, Parker Ranch flourished and the population in Waimea were families that were associated with the Ranch. In the early 1900’s, a famous Hawaiian cowboy, Eben Parker Low had "his boys" (Ikua Purdy, Archie Ka`au`a, and Eben’s brother, Jack Low) compete in the Frontier Days Celebration in Cheyenne, Wyoming. They put Hawaiian cowboys on the map by winning, 1st, 3rd and 6th place. 

It is evident even today, how important the cowboy way of life is when you see the paintings and hear the stories from beloved families who continue the cowboy traditions. 

Please visit the following link so you can understand how a big mix up came to be in what is written in history, compared to what should have been the correct word for “cowboy”.

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Sep/05/ln/ln52a.html

A hui hou,

Haunani

The Word of the Day is "Waimea"

Aloha,

I went traveling around the island for some shopping, but passed through a historic town called, “Waimea” (why may ah……. Named for the ‘Red water’ that bubbled up in the rivers there). I’m dedicating this week’s words in honor of Waimea, on the Big Island. Did you know that our last Hawaiian King, David Kalākaua, actually changed the name from Waimea to Kamuela (ka moo way la….. means Samuel, in reference to a friend of his, Samuel Palmer Parker). The name never stuck though, so Waimea is still what most call it. Surrounded by pastures and ranches, and a cowboy atmosphere, you can’t help but fall in love with the place and people….. Giddy yup!

A hui hou,

Haunani

Today's Word of the Day is "Ko`olau"

Na ko'olau

Aloha Po`akahi (po ah ka hee….meaning Happy Monday),

It’s the beginning of November and another week in 2Honu’s series of the Hawaiian word of the day. Born on the windward side of O`ahu, you could always count on the beautiful backdrop that is called the “Ko`olau” mountains. I loved seeing the rain showers sweep across and feeling the winds streaming down. Ko`olau (ko`oh lao) means windward side of the Hawaiian islands. I consider it a guardian, overlooking O`ahu, and a centerpiece that stretches across the land. When you travel through the Wilson tunnel, it is an awesome site to take in, as its majestic and green presence enraptures you….

A hui hou,

Haunani

The Word of the Day is "Pala`ai"

Credit: Depositphotos.com/Ingrid Balabanova

Aloha mai kākou,

Wow! We are already into November, and I can’t believe how fast, this year has gone by. I love this time of year. Aside from the hustle and bustle, there is a special kind of atmosphere surrounding the holidays. People are much nicer to each other as we express the holiday cheer. As we take down the spooky décor from Halloween, I can’t help but relish that the few pumpkins I have leftover will be baked into some delicious pumpkin squares and pie!!!! The Hawaiian word for pumpkin is “pala`ai” (pa la eye), which was introduced here by Captain James Cook in 1778 as a gift. Our small pumpkin patch is in full bloom, and I can’t wait to start baking for Thanksgiving. Have a great weekend, and see ya next week.

A hui hou,

Haunani