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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Ancient Hawaiian Games


Pā‘ani means sports and games. Ancient Hawaiians loved their time of recreation just like we do.

Children made string figures called hei by looping string around their fingers, and often times the figures were associated with chants. Do you recall making string things around your fingers, maybe even passing the creation back and forth with a friend? I loved doing that!

Pala’ie is a loop and ball game.

Uma and pā uma were hand and wrist wrestling games.

Some games used darts or arrows made from sugarcane stalks. They were knows as pua.

When I lived in Hawaii I bought a replica of an ancient game, kōnane, which is somewhat like our game of checkers.

I’ll share more about ancient Hawaiian games in future posts, so please stay tuned!

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!

Cheryl
The Hawaiian Island Detective Club
Book One—Pineapples in Peril
Keep Checking My Blog or Website for Release Date!


Monday, March 26, 2012

It’s a Hawaii State Holiday Today!


It’s a Hawaii State Holiday Today!

Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day is celebrated in Hawaii on March 26th.

Now, you may not know this man, but Prince Kuhio is one of the best-known leaders in Hawaii’s history.

And today, all of Hawaii celebrates his birthday with a state holiday!

There are many celebrations during the month, some lasting as long as a week, or even a month! They include cultural festivals highlighting the culture and traditions of the islands. They may include luaus, dance, music, games, food, canoe races, and parades.

Prince Kuhio was born in 1871 on the island of Kauai. He became heir to the throne after Queen Liliuokalani (who was his cousin).

You can read more about the prince here:



Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole
Born on March 26, 1871.
Courtesy Hawaii State Archives

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!


Cheryl
The Hawaiian Island Detective Club
Book One—Pineapples in Peril
Keep Checking My Blog or Website for Release Date!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Kapu System


The Kapu System is the class system in ancient Hawaii. Many people think the word, kapu, means forbidden, but in ancient Hawaii it meant sacred.

Three types of regulations existed to provide for their daily living:

1.    Among the classes
2.    Between the people and their gods
3.    Between the people and nature

The three classes of people were: the ali’i (the royalty, priests, etc.), the maka‘āinana (commoners), and the kauā (outcasts)

The really interesting thing I discovered was that the leaders in ancient Hawaii recognized and valued the importance of the commoners. There were obligations and duties on both sides.

This system is fascinating to research. Please go to this website which has excerpts from:





Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!


Cheryl
The Hawaiian Island Detective Club
Book One—Pineapples in Peril
Keep Checking My Blog or Website for Release Date!



Monday, March 19, 2012

Heiau


A Heiau is a temple and a place of worship. Ancient Hawaiians constructed many types of Heiaus. Some consisted of a house surrounded by a wooden fence. Others had multiple houses, and some were huge open-air temples. These larger temples often included terraces, stone platforms and carved idols.

Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site on the Big Island of Hawaii is one of the few remaining Heiaus in the islands.

To read more, please visit:



Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!


Cheryl
The Hawaiian Island Detective Club
Book One—Pineapples in Peril
Keep Checking My Blog or Website for Release Date!



Thursday, March 15, 2012

Have You Seen a Menehune?


This Saturday, March 17, 2012 is St. Patrick’s Day.

We all know the symbols—the shamrock and the elusive Leprechaun.

In Hawaii, there are little people (much like the Irish Leprechaun) known as The Menehune. They are rarely seen—also like the Leprechaun—but there are some differences.

No pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. The Menehune have given Hawaiians something much more valuable than a hidden pot of gold. They have been accredited with building various roads, temples, aqua ducts, and ponds in Hawaii. These magical little people were so clever and strong that they could complete these projects overnight.

Individual menehunes range in size from six inches to two feet high.

They dwell deep in the forests and can be very mischievous.

My second book in The Hawaiian Island Detective Club Series is entitled, Menehunes Missing. I love those little guys.

So, this St. Patty’s Day, I’m going to celebrate the amazing Menehune!

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!


Cheryl

The Hawaiian Island Detective Club
Book One—Pineapples in Peril
Keep Checking My Blog or Website for Release Date!


Monday, March 12, 2012

Baked Stuffed Papayas—Yeah, Right!


YES, REALLY!!! This is a recipe for Baked Stuffed Papayas.

Before I get into the recipe, please check out this link to a post on NOVEL ROCKET about a contest I won for Pineapples in Peril two years ago--be sure to scroll down until you see my name (linked to my website) and read about my experience!!

I love this recipe! There are a couple ingredients you may not like, so feel free to leave them out. You can also add things you enjoy—let me know your special “twist” to this recipe!

My additions to add the “twist” were the green pepper, black beans, chopped spinach and kale, and mushrooms.

I keep a container of spinach and kale in the freezer and chop it up with a wooden rice paddle (you can use a spatula.) I add it to many of my recipes like chili, soups, rice dishes, and spaghetti sauces.

Baked Stuffed Papayas

Ingredients:

Stuffed Papayas Before Baking
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 pound ground beef
1 16 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 jalapeño chile, finely chopped
½ green pepper, chopped
1 can black beans, drained
4 mushrooms, chopped
a couple Tablespoons of chopped spinach and kale
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
4 papayas
2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Stuffed Papayas After Baking--Yum!!
Cook and stir ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet until beef is light brown. Drain, stir in tomatoes, jalapeño and green peppers, black beans, mushrooms, spinach and kale, and seasonings.

Cut papayas lengthwise into halves and remove seeds. Place about 1/2 cup mixture into each papaya half. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Arrange in shallow roasting pan. Add very hot water to the pan—to about one inch from the tops of the papayas. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees about 30 minutes. Papayas should be very tender and hot.

Don’t forget! You can save the Papaya Seeds to make Papaya Seed Dressing, which is so wonderfully yummy. Check out the recipe on my Recipe Page!

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!


Cheryl

The Hawaiian Island Detective Club

Book One—Pineapples in Peril

Keep Checking My Blog or Website for Release Date!



Thursday, March 8, 2012

Extreme Surfing


Ever watch The Travel Channel? They have a show called Extreme Hawaii that offers some amazing and interesting things about the islands. A couple weeks ago I shared about Extreme Pineapples. Today it’s Extreme Surfing.

Leilani Akamai, my main character, loves to surf. But she’s never attempted this kind of surfing!

On the Big Island of Hawaii, some people take on the challenge of Mountain Surfing (Hawaiian Sledding.) They use a 12-foot long, 6-inch wide board that is custom made for the grassy mountainsides. It’s called a papaholua. The boards are rubbed with kukui oil and can reach over 40 miles per hour! Just imagine—you actually stand up while sledding!

Although the art of making these boards goes back hundreds of years, there’s only one man still crafting the boards in the ancient tradition. His name is Tom “Pohaku” Stone. Click this link, scroll down to see pictures and read more about this man and the ancient sport:


Mahalo for visiting!


Cheryl
The Hawaiian Island Detective Club
Book One—Pineapples in Peril
Keep Checking My Blog or Website for Release Date!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Girls' Day!


Girls' Day is celebrated in Hawaii on March 3rd. We’re a little past that date, but I wanted everyone to know what a fun time it is when Hawaiians celebrate this Japanese holiday.

I remember the guys in my dorm bringing us girls a guava cake on March 3rd. What a fun time it was!

Last year I did a post on Girl’s Day, which will give you more information on the types of celebrations. Click here:



Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!

Cheryl

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Erika’s Hawaiian Wedding (Part Two)


Erika and Dwight

This is Part Two of the interview with my friend, Erika, about her Hawaiian Wedding. Part One was posted on Monday, February 27. Thank you, Erika, for sharing your very special time with my blog readers.

Enjoy the amazing photos, and hopefully you’ll be able to transport yourself to Hawaii as you read about her wedding day on the island of Oahu.

What was your favorite part of the ceremony?

Seeing the happiness on everyone’s face when we were saying our vows.

Anything memorable happen during the service—funny, unexpected, etc.?

My bridesmaids didn’t know when to walk out because Dwight kept leaving his post!


Did you honeymoon somewhere on the islands?

We stayed in Honolulu for a week after the wedding, and just hung out with friends and family.

What was your favorite adventure or excursion while visiting Hawaii?

I really enjoyed walking around Ala Moana shopping mall with my girlfriends. (Cheryl’s note—I remember spending lots of time in that mall. I bet it’s even more amazing than when I lived in Honolulu.)

Elton and Erika's Son!
Any other story you’d like to share about your wedding experience in Hawaii?

When we were at The Gucci Store in Ala Moana, we saw Elton John! My son went up to him and got his picture taken with him. He was very friendly and welcoming. Elton John is the biggest star I’ve ever seen in person!

How cool is that??

Thank you, Erika!

I hope everyone has enjoyed this little mental trip to Hawaii through my friend’s experience. Come back often, as I have more interviews planned with friends who grew up in Hawaii, and another friend who got married in the islands.

Mahalo for visiting!

Cheryl