In Hawaii, we take our endangered humpback whales seriously. February is known as Humpback Whale Awareness Month and the last Saturdays of January, February and March are officially known as Whale Count Days for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Hundreds of volunteers across the state brave potentially strong trade winds, pelting rain and searing sun to count humpback whales and record their behavior for four hours, starting at 8:00 a.m. We cancel in case of a tsunami, however, as was the case on Saturday, February 27, 2010, but we dutifully re-schedule, which is how I ended up on Crater Hill this past Saturday.

In 2006, the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii named Carol Yotsuda a “Living Treasure” for her efforts in preserving the culture of Hawaii. Carol is the executive director of the Garden Island Arts Council, a volunteer position she’s held since 1998. She is also a retired teacher, active artist, and she produces E Kanikapila Kakou, a Hawaiian music program held on Monday evenings through March on Kauai. The gatherings are conducted in the style of backyard musical jam sessions for which Hawaii is known. This year’s EKK theme is “The Stories behind the Songs.” Here, Carol recaps three recent performances by Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole and Sean Na'auao, Cody Pueo Pata, and Aaron Sala and Snowbird Bento.

This plumeria blossom reminds us that spring is right around the corner in Hawaii.

On Saturday, February 27, 2010, Hawaii stopped. From 5:45 a.m. when the first round of automated Civil Defense messages went out via landline phones until 1:38 p.m. when the all clear sounded, most people in Hawaii stationed themselves in front of their television sets, computer monitors and/or mobile phones. 

I missed National Pancake Day yesterday and, for some reason, I feel like I missed out on something. Pancakes—particularly pancakes topped with bananas and macadamia nuts—are steeped in the food culture of Hawaii. Especially topped with coconut syrup.

Mama Ane Kanahele, the matriarch figure of the Kanahele family with 8 children of her own, 19 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild plus several hanai, adopted, children, is the minister of the Hawaiian Church in Waimea, kumu hula, and composer of over 100 songs, mostly himeni, hymns.

During Hawaii’s plantation days, in one last hoorah--so the story goes--the Portuguese community cleaned out all the butter and sugar from their cupboards and made big batches of a yeast-based dough, from which golf-ball-sized chunks were then deep-fried in oil and dipped in sugar.  They shared these doughnut-like confections with everyone—neighbors, friends and family.

Many people wonder, my mother included, why I had to move so far away from home to find my home--from Missouri to Hawaii. A little over a year ago, I sat in my living room on Kauai watching history in the making on TV as Barack Obama was sworn in as President of the United States. President Obama spoke about community service. He spoke about volunteerism. 

Guest blogger Carol Yotsuda recaps the third performance of E Kanikapila Kakou on Kauai. In its 27th year, the Hawaiian music program is held Monday evenings through March. The gatherings are conducted in the style of backyard musical jam sessions for which Hawaii is known, with many bringing their own ukulele to strum along and hula dancers stepping up to share their gifts. This year’s theme is “The Stories behind the Songs.” The February 1st event featured award-winning composer and Hawaiian language specialist Puakea Nogelmeier. He was accompanied by Lolena Niau Nicholas and Hau'oli Akaka. 

Yesterday, we instrumented this 4-year-old female Hawaiian monk seal with a device that will track her movements in the water--how far off-shore she swims, how deep she dives, how often she dives, how many hours--and, possibly, days--she spends in the water.