Hawaii Vacation Gifts by Double Brush-Hawaiian Gifts & Blog

President Barack Obama Thrills His Hawaii Alma Mater Punahou Band

President Barack Obama showed his true Hawaii local boy style, and warmed the hearts of many on this cold day in Washington D.C during his Inauguration's celebratory parade.

As the Punahou School band passed by him and his family, he gave the Hawaiian shaka sign greeting. Even his two adorable girls Malia and Sasha gave the shaka sign as their father's high school alma mater band marched by. President Obama's special visual acknowledgment  went deep into  every person who saw him wave the shaka sign and knew what it meant. The shaka sign has many meanings--all of them positive. In this case he could have been saying hello, good job, and take care all at once. With the President of the United States flashing the shaka sign, I think soon the whole world will be doing it, and that is a good thing.

With all of the other 102 bands, he saluted or waved whichever was appropriate.

Tonight he and his family will sleep in the White House for the first time. The television news said that the Obama's clothes are in the closet, their personal items have been moved in, and the White House kitchen is stocked with each of the Obama family member's favorite foods.

I can't help but wonder if he will have his chef make him a special "Zip Min" (saimin noodles in hot broth and topped with garnishes like char sui pork, eggs, won ton, green onions, and fish cake) to warm his body and remind him of home. Last year when he visited Honolulu he told reporters that he wanted to go to Zippy's and maybe get a Zip Min.

President Barack Obama--Born & Raised in Hawaii, Self Guided Tour

Today people around the globe will celebrate one of the world's most important events in history--the inauguration ceremony of Barack Obama to become the 44th President of the United States.

People that live in Hawaii or have ties to Hawaii are particularly proud of this achievement as Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 4, 1961 at Kapiolani Hospital. You can see a copy of his Hawaii birth certificate and a detailed photograph of the Birth announcement in the Honolulu Advertiser's Births, Marriages, Deaths column printed in The Sunday Advertiser newspaper on August 13, 1961 at FactChecker.org

I felt compelled to add the above because when I was standing in line at the grocery store check out  the other day, the sleazy tabloid called the Globe (January 12, 2009 issue) had a huge headline shouting, "Where Obama was Really Born!"-In this hospital 8,000 miles from the US, New Shocking Charge, Is his Inauguration Against the Law?  I took a quick look inside and it claimed Obama was born in an African hospital in Mombasa, Kenya. I find it incredulous that this tabloid trash magazine can get away with printing outright lies. I think Obama could have a libel lawsuit against them and others who have tried to defame him.

45 years ago, John F. Kennedy said, "Hawaii is what the rest of the world is striving to become." And Michelle Obama told her husband's biographer David Mendell, "You can't really understand Barack until you understand Hawaii." As for Obama himself he once said, "What's best in me, and what's best in my message, is consistent with the tradition of Hawaii."

If you want to begin to understand how Hawaii's environment, people and culture influenced Obama to become the man he is today, what better way than by visiting the places where he lived, went to school, played, and worked.

You could pay around $40.00 to go on one of the several Obama Hawaii tours being offered, or be adventurous and take a self guided Obama Hawaii tour for free. I found the best Obama Hawaii site called Obama's Hawaii Neighborhood. Even if you can't make it to Honolulu, this wonderful site has pictures, addresses, maps, and captions for all of the places he lived and frequented.

There is also a section called "The Neighborhood" which gives you a good idea of the Makiki working class neighborhood Obama grew up in. When you see it you will understand why Obama laughed when Republicans were trying to accuse him of being elitist earlier in the election.

The Obama's Hawaii Neighborhood site also features articles, videos, and related links. This wonderful site was created by Robert F. Kay, a professional journalist who through his research into Obama's past, understood how important Hawaii was in shaping Obama's present and future.

The more I read about candidate Obama and the more spoke to his old classmates, teachers and friends the more intrigued about him I became. Simultaneously, the more research I soaked up, the more I realized how significant Hawaii was in shaping the intellect and psyche of this remarkable individual.

Nobody in Hawaii seemed surprised at his tolerance, humility and relaxed manner. After all, he's "local" and these are qualities all revered by Hawaii culture. However, this "local" understanding of Obama is not necessarily shared elsewhere.  Robert F. Kay

Congratulations to President Barack Obama, a true son of Hawaii. We are so proud of you.

See related post about how Obama flashed the shaka sign at his inauguration parade.

Do You Know the Name of Your State Soil? Hawaii's is...

While surfing on the net doing research for another blog post, I stumbled upon this information. I had no idea that Hawaii had an official dirt, or Hawaii official state soil. I thought it was unusual and that aina, the Hawaiian word for land, was so important to us culturally and socially that the state of Hawaii made up something special to honor it. However, after more digging around, the dirt I uncovered (sorry for the puns) is that each state in the United States has selected a state soil, twenty of which have been legislatively established. What is a State Soil?

A state soil is a soil that has special significance to a particular state. Each state in the United States has selected a state soil, twenty of which have been legislatively established. These "Official State Soils" share the same level of distinction as official state flowers and birds. Also, representative soils have been selected for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Areas with similar soils are grouped and labeled as soil series because their similar origins, chemical, and physical properties cause the soils to perform similarly for land use purposes. A soil series name generally is derived from a town or landmark in or near the area where the soil was first recognized. NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service

The official state soil of Hawaii is called Hilo Soil. The Hawaiian definition of the word “Hilo” is “first night of the full moon.” Also, the word is the Polynesian term for “Navigator.” Hilo is the main town located on the East side of the Big Island of Hawaii. Hilo soil covers about 14,500 acres and are considered prime agricultural land.

The Hilo soil series consists of very deep, moderately well drained soils that formed in many layers of volcanic ash with lesser amounts of dust from the deserts of central Asia. These dust layers are noticeable because their gray color contrasts with the dark brown and dark reddish brown subsoil formed in volcanic ash. There are several buried layers within the Hilo soil profile. Hilo soils occur on the uplands of the Mauna Kea volcano along the Hamakua Coast. Wikipedia-Hilo Soil

I find all of this ironic because I live half an hour away from Hilo near Keaau, and have no soil to speak of what-so-ever. Although we live in an endemic Hawaiian Ohia tree rainforest, we have only 2-3 inches of "mucky muck" over an ancient lava flow. If you peel away the carpet of grass and weeds, you can actually see the beautiful cool black pahoehoe smooth, ropy, billowy lava flow surface underneath it!

Share the dirt about your state with us via a comment!

Official Representative and State Soils of the US--United States

Alabama - Bama

Alaska - Tanana

Arizona - Casa Grande

Arkansas - Stuttgart

California - San Joaquin

Colorado - Seitz

Connecticut - Windsor

Delaware - Greenwich

Florida - Myakka

Georgia - Tifton

Hawaii - Hilo

Idaho - Threebear

Illinois - Drummer

Indiana - Miami

Iowa - Tama

Kansas - Harney

Kentucky - Crider

Louisiana - Ruston

Maine - Chesuncook

Maryland - Sassafras

Massachusetts - Paxton

Michigan - Kalkaska

Minnesota - Lester

Mississippi - Natchez

Missouri - Menfro

Montana - Scobey

Nebraska - Holdrege

Nevada - Orovada

New Hampshire - Marlow

New Jersey - Downer

New Mexico - Penistaja

New York - Honeoye

North Carolina - Cecil

North Dakota - Williams

Ohio - Miamian

Oklahoma - Port

Oregon - Jory

Pennsylvania - Hazleton

Puerto Rico - Bayamon

Rhode Island - Narragansett

South Carolina - Bohicket

South Dakota - Houdek

Tennessee - Dickson

Texas - Houston Black

Utah - Mivida

Vermont - Tunbridge

Virgin Islands - Victory

Virginia - Pamunkey

Washington - Tokul

West Virginia - Monongahela

Wisconsin - Antigo

Wyoming - Forkwood

How Hawaii Celebrates Martin Luther King Day

In Hawaii, the Martin Luther King holiday is celebrated like many other holidays in Hawaii--with an outdoor parade!

The annual Martin Luther King parade in Waikiki attracted a diverse group of people who participated in the parade, and spectators who enjoyed the parade. Today's parade started off with a Hawaiian rights organization, followed by the Royal Hawaiian Band and then many different organizations ranging from environmentalists, anti-war activists, human rights advocates, groups supporting political leaders, and more.

The common theme that brought everyone together was to pay tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.--a man who believed and fought for equality and justice among people of all different races. We have a long way to go, but seeing people of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds, and beliefs come together to actively honor "the dream"--is what keeps the dream alive.

See the 5 minute local tv news telecast of the Martin Luther King Day Parade in Waikiki, 2008.

Happy New Year 2008 from Hawaii

Happy New Year! In Hawaii where there are so many different races of people living together, Happy New Year is said in many different languages. Can you correctly guess which language "Happy New Year" is written in?
1. Hau'oli Makahiki Hou

2. Ake-mashite-omedetou-gozaimasu

3. Kung Hee Fat Choy

4. Maligayang Bagong Taon

5. Boas Festas e um feliz Ano Novo

6. La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou

7. Chuc Mung Giang Sinh - Chuc Mung Tan Nien

8. Sehe Bokmanee Bateuseyo

9. Felice Anno Nuovo or Buon anno

10. Sawatdee pi mai

Please feel free to add to the list!

Life is Sweet--UH Warriors in the Sugar Bowl!

Life is Sweet for the University of Hawaii Warriors football team and all of their fans in Hawaii and the world! After winning their last game against Washington State 35-28 on December 1, the next day it was officially announced that the UH Rainbow Warriors (12-0) would be playing the Georgia Bulldogs (10-2) in the Allstate Sugar Bowl in Louisiana.

This BCS or Bowl Championship Series will be played in the Super Dome in New Orleans. The Sugar Bowl football game will be played on New Year's Day, January 1, 2008. We are so happy that we will get to actually watch UH (my alma mater) play a whole game for the first time! Even though the last 4 games have been televised on ESPN, we don't have cable service in the boonies of the Big Island where we live. This time FOX will be broadcasting the game at 8 pm EST, 5 pm PST, and 2:30 with 3:30 pm kick off time in Hawaii on channel KHON. I can't wait to see the Hawaii "underdogs" beat the Bulldogs! I am so happy that my prediction from the last UH Rainbow Warrior Fever post came true!

Besides winning the 2007 WAC Conference Championship title outright for the first time, I predict that we will also beat Washington State on December 1 and have our first undefeated season in the history of the University of Hawaii! Next up, an invitation to a bowl game.

I am still getting lots of searches for people wanting to buy UH football shirts, or UH Wac Champions T shirts-- see link above for where to buy University of Hawaii official logo wear. Read my other post on why Hawaii loves Colt Brennan. He is a also a 2007 Hesiman Trophy candidate--see Colt Brennan's official UH Athletics web page -- and really deserves to win the Heisman Trophy award this year. Talent and breaking records is one thing, but what make everyone love him and the rest of his team mates is their genuine respect and aloha or love for each other.

All of Hawaii is buzzing about this magical team where everything came together this year. There were some butt clenching moments, but in the end their heart and hard work paid off in a perfect winning season--the first ever for the University of Hawaii! Mahalo Guys!!!

UH Rainbow Warrior Fever Highest Ever in Hawaii

University of Hawaii Rainbow Warrior Fever is at the highest I have ever seen it in Hawaii!! Well, we are living in some exciting UH football historical times. Besides winning the 2007 WAC Conference Championship title outright for the first time, I predict that we will also beat Washington State on December 1 and have our first undefeated season in the history of the University of Hawaii! Next up, an invitation to a bowl game.

People are so excited about the UH Rainbow Warriors football team and want to show their support, that they are standing in line to buy up UH logo merchandise before they sell out. Especially popular is the literally hot off the presses University of Hawaii WAC Champions T shirt!

(The T-shirt picture shown is the official design from UH that say, "University of Hawaii 2007 Conference Champions Warrior Football.)

When I checked my stats for the last post UH Hawaii New 2007 WAC Champions, people were searching to buy official Hawaii football UH Warrior Hawaii WAC Championship shirts. So for people on the mainland who may not know where to buy UH WAC champs T shirts, you can buy t shirts plus other merchandise at the University of Hawaii's official logo merchandise store called Rainbowtique. It is the best place to buy any UH logo merchandise because all proceeds serve and support the University of Hawaii in continuing its educational mission. Buying from other venues may not be affiliated with the school and therefore the university will not get any licensing fee due to them.

At Rainbowtique's 3 store locations (University of Hawaii at Manoa campus-Stan Sheriff Center, UH Bookstore, and Vicotria Ward Centers) and their online store, besides UH logo T shirt apparel, you can find custom Oakley sunglasses, Nike merchandise, jerseys, headwear, polo shirts, women's wear, outerwear and more.

You can also buy a customized jersey with your favorite player's number and YOUR name on it. The UH store showed the number 15 which must be the most popular number, seeing as it is the number for Hawaii's star quarterback Colt Brennan. See my previous post UH Quarterback Colt Brennan Makes Hawaii Proud.

Who is your favorite UH football player and why?

How does Hawaii Feed Millions of People Every Year?

How does the state of Hawaii feed the over one million people already living in the Hawaiian Islands, and the over seven million visitors arriving to Hawaii each year? Hawaii grows some of its food, but the majority of food and non-food items are shipped into the state--most of it arriving in Honolulu, then some of it being shipped to all of the other neighbor islands. Hawaii receives over 90% of its food and other goods by ocean in container ships.

The freight companies usually come out of a port located in California, stacked with 40 foot long containers loaded with everything imaginable.

Locals and visitors alike gripe about the high cost of living in Hawaii (the Paradise Tax), but things may be getting even more expensive for Hawaii consumers very soon.

In California, Senate Bill 974 (that has already been passed by the California Senate), will impose a $60.00 tax for each 40 foot container every time it leaves and returns to the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland.

The shipping companies will likely pass on the higher fees to consumers, as they have already done with the ever increasing fuel surcharges.

For more information, read article Ca Bill May Raise Prices of Hawaii Goods.