Hula is the traditional dance of the Hawaiian Islands. It was once both a religious exercise in honor of the goddess Laka and also their form of entertainment. In traditional hula, poems and stories are interpreted by highly stylized movements of the dancers arms and hands. Although the angelic dances of old Hawaii have almost disintegrated and bear little resemblance to the modern forms of hula, the modern hula also tells a story. The out spread arms of the dancer represents the swaying of the palm trees gently blown by the wind. To be able to convey the story to the audience the dancer has to coordinate the facial expression and the eye with the graceful movements of the fingers, arms, wrists, hips, knees and feet.

        

I thought the title of this post "Family Vacations: No Time + No Collateral = No Problem" was kinda' catchy - wish it was mine!

I received an e-mail from one of my readers who wanted to vacation in Hawaii but was concerned about the high prices for gasoline, dining out, hotels, etc. When I replied to her, I suggested different ways of be frugal (buying food in bulk to eat in, using Priceline for hotels, etc.) . What I failed to mention in that e-mail however, was that there are currently some super bargains out there for borrowing money. Let me explain..

Yes, everything is expensive now. Inflation has kicked us in the rear and we're experiencing higher prices at the pump AND higher prices for milk, bread, clothing, etc. Did you realize however, that the cost of borrowing money is at a record low??? Interest rates are at all-time LOWS and it's affordable, very affordable, to borrow money again.

The Unsecured Financing Experts website for instance, has some great offers on credit cards, small business loans, and personal lines of credit. What sets them apart from other similar lenders is their easy process, super fast funding and excellent service. If money is short, it might be a good idea to check out their offers a few weeks before departure. It might turn your frugal vacation into a luxurious one, and with record low interest rates you can borrow guilt-free!

So if you're coming to Hawaii, come with enough cash to enjoy all our state has to offer. Many of you will come only once in a lifetime!

Aloha ~

Ali

        

Oahu Things to Do: May, 2008

Children’s Day, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii hosts Chibikko Matsuri, 945-7633
Lei Day-Lei contest, royal court, entertainment at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki, Dept. Parks and Rec. 266-7655
May Day Concert-Brothers Cazimero at Waikiki Shell, 591-2211 (Blais adm 527-5400)
Lei Day Offering-Royal Mausoleum, Leis from festival offered at alii graves, 266-7655
Hawaii Secondary School Hula Kahiko Competition-King Intermediate School, Kaneohe, private/public school hula contest, 521-6905.
Filipiniana Festival-historical display, food, music, Royal Hawaiian Shop Cent, 922-2299
World Fire Knife Dance Competion-part of the Samoan Festival at Polnesian Cultural Center, 293-3333
Visitor Industry Charity Walk-Statewide hosted by Hawaii Hotel Assn., visitor industry employees walk to raise money in state’s largest single-day fund raiser, 923-0407
Capital Day Down Capitol Way-Open house thru downtown govt. district
Festival of Hawaiian Quilts, Mission Houses Museum, 531-0481
Warrior Society Powwow-10 a.m.-6 p.m. Kapiolani Park, 947-3306
Na Hoku Hanohano Awards-Hawaii’s Grammys azt Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, 235-9424
Hawaii Special Olympics Summer Games-Honolulu, 531-1888
State Fair-Aloha Stadium, rides, entertainment, commercial exhibits, food booth hosted by Honolulu Jaycees, runs four consecutive weekends: May 28-31, June 4-6, 11-13 and 18-20, 486-9300
Local Motion’s Surf Into Summer-world’s largest am contest, 955-7873
Starbuck’s Molokai to Oahu Kayak Championship-521-4322
Mayor’s Memorial Day Services- Nat. Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, 523-4141

        

A while back, I blogged about the financial benefits of flying to your vacation destination and renting a car rather than driving - mainly due to the outrageous cost of gasoline.  Just a thought however, that you need to consider before going this route...

Due to some recent regulatory changes, you must now have a regular credit card to rent a car. You are no longer permitted to use a debit or secured credit card for rental cars unless you have a significant amount of available cash on your account to hold against the expected charge. Those companies that do allow a rental with a debit card often put an authorization hold on the debit card, as much as $500. Yes, the unused funds will be returned to your account after you return the car, but it might take up to two weeks for the funds to be released back to your account.

So the best thing to do is get a credit card specifically for the trip. The nationally known Credit Cards Club is a good place to research credit cards and find the type of card that will work best for you. What I particularly like is the way the club lists card choices by category (i.e. rewards cards, no annual fee cards, balance transfer cards, etc.) - very handy.

So make sure you have your proverbial ducks in a row before you approach the rental car counter. Keep your debit card for Applebee's and have a regular credit card when arranging your travel wheels.

Aloha ~

Ali

        

Speaking of art, here is an amazing watercolor from the Barbara Steinberg art gallery. This one is called "Maui Rainbow Girl".

Aloha ~

Ali

        

My friend Jack, a Hawaii University Journalism Major and a regular reader of this Blog, just moved from Kailua, Hawaii to Beaumont, Texas. Quite the culture shock, but I’m kind of excited about his move because I’m a huge fan of the Stark Museum which is located nearby in Orange, Texas. Most of you know that I'm an Elementary Education Major, but I’ve been an art lover for quite some time - almost chose Art as my life calling in fact. So I’ve always wanted to visit The Stark Museum of Art but I’ve never had the opportunity to do so. I'm hoping my friend (hint, hint) will hook me up with a place to stay for a few days when I come in for my annual pilgrimage to Mickey Mouse country!

Now Jack, see here that I have done my homework...

The Stark Museum of Art was the brainchild of H.J Lutcher Stark and his mother Miriam Lutcher Stark. Both were avid art collectors and H.J Lutcher Stark loved American art that depicted the Great Wild West. Chasing a dream, H.J Stark and his wife Nelda established the Stark Foundation in 1961, and categorized it as a non-profit organization operated for charitable and education purposes.

The Things to Do in Southeast Texas Website Says:

"Built by the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, this two-story building houses a most valuable and extensive collection of American Western art and artifacts. The original "Birds of America" by John J. Audubon, sketches done by Paul Kane as he traveled the West during the 1840s,bronze sculptures by Remington and Russell and paintings by Twentieth century artists of Taos, New Mexico, are only a small sample of treasures awaiting your visit. Other major exhibits include "The America Birds of Dorothy Doughty," and the only complete set of The United States in Crystal, a series of Steuben glass bowls. Admission free. Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm"



All I know is that it has one of the finest collections of Western American art and artifacts is the world. You can find works by such artists as Maynard Dixon, Gustave Baumann, and Andy Anderson on display as well as works by artists Georgia O’Keeffe and Alexandre Hogue. You can also find collections of American Indian Art that was created by some of the Indian tribes of the Southwest and Decorative Arts which features glass and porcelain pieces.

If you ever happen to find yourself in or around Orange, Texas or you simply have a love of art, you should definitely visit The Stark Museum of Art. I know that I will be soon! Isn't that right, Jack???

Aloha ~

Ali

        

Wishing Your Hawaiian Friends Well on Holidays:

Happy Thanksgiving ~ Hau’oli La Ho’omakika’i (pronounced how-oh-lay la ho-o-ma-key-kah-ee)
Happy Holidays ~ Hau’oli Lanui (pronounced how-oh-lay la-new-ee)
Merry Christmas ~ Mele Kalikimaka (pronounced may-lay ka-lee-key-ma-ka)
Happy Hanukkah ~ Hau’oli Hanukaha (pronounced how-oh-lay ha-new-ka-ha)
Happy Kwanzaa ~ Hau’oli Kawanaka (pronounced how-oh-lay ka-wa-na-ka)
Happy New Year ~ Hau’oli Makahiki Hou (pronounced how-oh-lay ma-ka-hee-key ho)
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ~ Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau'oli Makahiki Hou
Happy Hanukkah and New Year ~ Hau'oli Hanukaha me ka Makahiki Hou
Happy Birthday ~ Hau`oli la Hanau (pronounced how-oh-lay la ha-now)
Happy Anniversary ~ Hau`oli la Ho'omana'o (pronounced how-oh-lay la ho-o-ma-na-o)
Happy Retirement ~ Hau`oli la Ho’omaha loa (pronounced how-oh-lay la ho-o-ma-ha low-a)
Happy Sweet 16 ~ Hau`oli Momona 'Umi Kumaono (pronounced how-oh-lay mo-mo-na oo-me ku-ma-o-no)

        

Have you ever paid someone to design a professional logo?

I'm trying to come up with a going2oahu.com logo that I can put on my website and blog - something that will catch on quickly and make people think "going2oahu.com" every time they see it. If the logo catches on, I'd even like to put it on some stationery and business cards - maybe even use it in a newspaper or magazine advertisement.

I stumbled upon a website for VistaPrint that offers free business cards - may give them a try for my first business card order since it's free. Has anybody used VistaPrint in the past or taken advantage of their free offer? I've seen their advertisements on a number of the websites that I visit and they seem to have a very good reputation. Their website shows that they'll print checks, rubber stamps, announcements, even car magnets. Now that would be cool.... my logo on a car magnet! Anyway I think I'll give them a try!

I'm not sure if the above design is a keeper or not, so I'm seeking some input from my readers. Does this do anything magical for you? Does it make you think of vacations in paradise?? If I gave this design to you on a business card, would you keep it? Let me know your opinions by dropping me a comment.

Well thanks for reading... Here's hoping that my going2oahu.com logo will become the next most recognizable logo to Coca-Cola!

Aloha ~

Ali

        

I found a Hawaii Word Search that I thought you might enjoy. The word list is below, but you'll need to visit the site in order to to play it:

Aloha - how we greet and treat each other
Beach - this one should be obvious!
Coconuts - the tree of life in the Pacific
David - King Kalakaua, the last King of Hawaii
Emma - Queen, married to Kamehameha IV
Flower - pua in Hawaiian, found everywhere!
Guava - tropical fruit
Hawaii - also obvious?
Ilima - the official flower of the island of Oahu
Jellyfish - an ocean critter you don't want to tangle!
Kona - a place name meaning leeward; also the coffee
Lilikoi - tropical fruit; passion fruit in English
Mango - another tropical fruit!
Nuuanu - lovely valley "behind" Honolulu; means cool height
Ohana - family and extended family; belonging; inclusive
Palace - Iolani Palace is the only one in the U.S.
Queen - Liliuokalani, Hawaii's last Queen was the one we had in mind, though there were others
Rainbow - magical or scientific, we see many of these
Surfing - sport of kings, Hawaii is its birthplace
Taro - also Kalo; major staple of the ancient Hawaiian diet
Ukulele - "jumping flea"; brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants in 1879
View - far too many to pick just one!
Waikiki - the world famous beach and area second in density only to Manhattan (in the U.S.)
Xerox - the Hawaiian word for Xerox (or photocopy) is pepa kope, an excellent example of transliteration
Year - the Hawaiian word for year is makahiki
Zoo - Honolulu has one, and a great Web site, too!

        

I love searching for contests and sweepstakes on the Internet.

Today while searching the phrase "video sweepstakes" on Google, I stumbled across something a little different that I wanted to share - a video contest where Renuzit is actually giving away a $20,000 Home Make-Over to one lucky family. On the Renuzit TriScents website, there is a semi-finalist video gallery where surfers can view the videos and stories of all of the semi-finalists. In these documentary style videos, family members explain why their house needs a Renuzit makeover. You help choose the wining family by voting, as often as once per day, through the June 7th deadline to determine who will win the home makeover. If that finalist wins they will get to have Tanya Memme come out and make-over their home with a $20,000 budget!

My favorite video was the one with the family of five, a mother and four daughters. The acting was, er... not so good of course, but you could tell that the mother and the girls were really nice people that rehearsed extra hard for the role. They would go from room to room in their house finding locations to place a Renuzits Tri-Scents. I think it was just really cute and I love the way they go from room to room. You’d definitely need some heavy duty air freshening action to stop some of their problems!



Here is a picture of the entry I just described.

If you want to watch the video, you just need to click on the picture and register to vote. It's amazing what you can stumble across on the Internet without even trying.