May Day Is Coming!

Ahh . . . the season of long awaited flowers! May Day is traditionally celebrated with giving flowers. I remember as a kid leaving flowers on a neighbor’s doorstep, or giving a paper basket filled with flowers to my mom.

In Hawaii, May Day is Lei Day. Click on the date to check out my September 23, 2010 posting to learn more about this celebration. Also, to learn more about leis, click on this date and check out my post from October 14, 2010.

I hope this May will be filled with flowers in the Pacific NW, as well as in your area of the world. But, I can’t help closing my eyes and picturing as well as smelling the colorful tropical flowers of Hawaii.

Here’s to May flowers everywhere!

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!

Cheryl

The Hawaiian Island Detective Club

Book One—Pineapples in Peril

RELEASES OCTOBER 1, 2012!!

www.cheryllinnmartin.com

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

Book Cover for Pineapples in Peril!

It’s HERE! It’s HERE!!! Pineapples in Peril now has a book cover! I’m so excited and feeling like Leilani’s ten-year-old younger brother, Kimo—totally popping up and down and screaming, Yaaaaaaaay!!!!

Not only do I have a cover, but a Release Date. You can mark your calendars for OCTOBER 1, 2012, but you can usually pre-order on Amazon earlier than that date.

I hope all my readers will spread the word to everyone they know who has an 8 to 12 year-old child, grandchild, niece or nephew, etc.

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!

Cheryl

The Hawaiian Island Detective Club

Book One—Pineapples in Peril

RELEASES OCTOBER 1, 2012!!

www.cheryllinnmartin.com

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

Got an Umbrella???

Salvatore Vuono
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Rain in the Pacific Northwest is very common, especially in the spring. But what about Hawaii?

When I attended The University of Hawaii, students carrying umbrellas was commonplace. Did you know it rains nearly every day in the islands? Much of it comes at night, but sometimes quick downfalls during the day as well—warm, wet and usually doesn’t last long. Definitely tropical downpours!

The wettest month of the year in Honolulu is December with an average of 2.85 inches. The driest month is June with a monthly average of .43 inches.

The wettest month of the year in Hilo (on the big island) is November with an average of 15.58 inches. The driest month is June with a monthly average of 7.36 inches.

Hmm . . . so the driest month in Hilo is wetter than the wettest month in Honolulu!

And then there’s Mt. Waialeale on Kauai which has an average of 486 inches per year!!! It is the highest recorded annual rainfall in the world.

I live across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon where they just broke the 1957 record rainfall of 2.52 inches—Portland hit 3.68 inches!!!

Better grab that umbrella or hat—don’t know what’s coming in late April and early May!

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!

www.cheryllinnmartin.com

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

Come Celebrate!!!

Sunday, April 22 is Earth Day. Let’s take a peek at one of Hawaii’s celebrations.

On Friday, April 20, Hawaii Community College will be hosting their 24^th annual Earth Day Fair at the Manono Campus which is located in Hilo on The Big Island (Hawaii.)

This is the largest event the community college puts on every year. They will have over fifty booths and exhibits. There will be entertainment and activities throughout the day including a Trash Fashion Show, Hula and Tahitian dancing, face painting, crafts, environmental videos, storytelling and more.

Do you love FREE things?? Then you’ll love this free event! Plus, they are giving away bags filled with all kinds of goodies, plants, gifts, and brochures. There will also be free lemonade, popcorn, fruit and cookies!

Doesn’t it make you want to jump on a plane and visit?? Might be a little late for this year—but there’s always next year!

Want to read more about this event?

EARTH DAY AT HCC

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!

www.cheryllinnmartin.com

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

Moist Mango Bread

Here’s another wonderful recipe from my friend, Luana—Moist Mango Bread!

What a yummy treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or your favorite tea. And the name is perfect—MOIST!!!

Yummy Mango Bread!!

Moist Mango Bread

2 cups flour

½ tsp salt

1 cup sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp baking soda

Mix dry ingredients. Make a well and add the following:

2/3 cup vegetable oil

2 cups mango pulp

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Mix well and pour into a greased and floured loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

Enjoy!!!

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!

www.cheryllinnmartin.com

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

Let’s Play Konane!

Start Setting Up Papamu

Konane is an ancient Hawaiian game that is played much like our checkers. You set up the board by running a diagonal line of kea (white) `ili`ili (stones) on the board and then a row of `ele (black) `ili`ili (stones) along either side. Continue until the entire board is filled. These photos are of my playing board. The following instructions (and additional information) are from this website:

http://www.k12.hi.us/~gkaapuni/how_to_play_konane.htm

* Konane requires two players to sit on opposite sides of the papamu (game board)

See The Two Empty Spots? Ready to Play!

* One player is chosen to take one kea (white) and one `ele (black) from anywhere on the papamu (game board)

* Player holds one in each lima (hand) behind their back

* Player shows closed fists to opponent who chooses a lima (hand)

* Opponent is assigned the color of the `ili`ili (stones) in the hand that was chosen. `Ele (black) goes first, but this may not be an absolute rule—you decide!

* `Ele moves by lele (jumping) and `ai (eating) kea

The last player to be able to move is the kulanakila (victor)—YAY!

Enjoy, and Good Luck!

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!

www.cheryllinnmartin.com

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

Love on the Range

Jessica Nelson

Love on the Range is a wonderful historical romance written by my friend, Jessica Nelson. I especially love it because the setting is in Harney County, near Burns, Oregon. I have connections to Burns—my son-in-law is from there.

I loved Jessica’s story and I know you will love it too! The characters, Gracie and Trevor, are delightful. And Gracie’s never-ending search for the elusive secret agent, Striker, totally “hooked me.”

Here are a few questions I asked Jessica:

What inspired you to write this book?

It's hard to remember now, but when I was researching influenza out of curiosity, a scene came to me of a girl sent west, riding on a train. That's when I started writing this story. :-)

What is the writing process like for you?

Difficult! LOL! I do it when I'm not too tired but I tend to procrastinate, especially during the middle of the story.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Keep learning, keep writing and never give up. ;-)

Love on the Range by Jessica Nelson

My blog is all about Hawaii, so I'd like to know when you plan to visit the islands, silly??!!!

I've never been but it's on my husband's to-visit list so I'm sure I'll end up going someday. I would love to see the waterfalls and volcanoes!

You can find her book at:

Love on the Range

Here’s how you can contact Jessica:

Website: http://www.jessicanelson.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJessicaNelson

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!

www.cheryllinnmartin.com

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

Good Friday in Hawaii

Tomorrow is Good Friday. In Hawaii, this day is a State Holiday.

Enjoy time with your family this weekend and remember the blessing of what Jesus did for us on the cross by paying the price for our sins.

And MOST important of all, Jesus arose!

Easter Blessings to all of my readers and their loved ones.

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!

www.cheryllinnmartin.com

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

Tsunami Awareness Month in Hawaii

My Doggie in Flip-Flops, Prepared to swim?

April is Tsunami Awareness Month in Hawaii. It’s a time for all the residents to be reminded of the lives lost and the destruction experienced in Hilo, Hawaii on April 1, 1946 when a tsunami hit that city.

Ninety-six died in Hilo, with a total of 159 deaths reported in Hawaii. The damage reached $26 million.

During this month, citizens are encouraged to be aware of information regarding tsunamis, get ready and create a disaster supply kit.

This website has great information on Useful Tools, Tsunami Preparedness and Tsunami Resources:

Tsunami

After the terrifying scenes from last year’s tsunami in Japan, it is important for all of us to be aware and be prepared. The coastal communities in my state encourage not only the residents to know what to do and where the escape routes are, but every visitor as well.

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!

www.cheryllinnmartin.com

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com