Hookahi i ka lokahi, hookahi i ka puuwai, hookahi ia Iesu Kristo: January 2009

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

Wahiawa wards are unique. The members consist of diverse cultures and backgrounds. Situated in close proximity to Schofield Barracks, Wahiawa Town can best be defined as a melting pot of cultures. Perhaps the most beautiful part of Hawaii is the genuine warmth of our people. We call it the spirit of Aloha. I call it the Spirit of Christ. It has allowed a melting pot of cultures from all over the world to find common ground, and a new home, in one of Hawaii's most gentle of places such as Wahiawa, Hawaii.

Schofield Barracks is the largest Army post in Hawaii, located on an 18,000 acre site in central Oahu. It is named in honor of LTG John M. Schofield, who, in 1872 recognized the strategic importance of Oahu to the defense of the United States. Construction began on the barracks in 1909.

Aloha Fridays came to be a tradition for our ward in the late 1990's. The bishopric at that time wanted the military families to experience the feeling of a relaxed, layed-back, backyard, kanikapila kind of gathering which bond local families together. Its purpose was to allow this diverse group to get a taste of the "local style." Potluck dishes were always welcomed and a custom of the people. In a relaxed unplanned atmosphere we gathered to "talk story", sing karaoke, play the ukulele or guitar, allow the kids free time to bond with one another and the adults to simply "hang-out." Former Bishop Daron Makaiwi along with his counselors and activity leader (Donna Makaiwi) started this Aloha Friday tradition.

Today, Aloha Fridays has been REVIVED! It has changed from a loosely planned activity to a planned activity with a purpose. The purpose of bringing each one of us unto Christ. Each month the activitie's leader with approval from the bishop will plan ward activities to allow all of us to share our diverse and unique talents.

So don't be surprised when braddah Akhay catches you in the hall or calls you on the phone...and says "ALOHA!"

We definitely started 2009 with a bang! Many families were enthusiastic when they got the announcement about January's Aloha Friday. As you will see, the food was delicious and the entertainment was spectacular.

When I first walked in to the building I found the Tahitian sistahs getting there costumes ready.

Steph and Jenilee always willing to do what the locals do.

Emma taught the ladies the tahitian dance.

Ethan and Evan prepared a polish dish and panacit filipino dish. I think his wife Regie who is filipino may have made the pancit.

Amy prepared 2 varieties of
enchiladas. I tasted the chicken and it was mm mmm gooood!

Diane shared her Hawaiian culture. Laulau, lomi salmon and poi. Ono kine grinds!

Da Hawaiian!
Annie, Priscilla & Donna share with us a couple dances from the islands.

Virginia serving her collard greens and ham hocks with cornbread from her Black-American culture.

Her daughter Breasha at her side and Paul enjoying the tasting this tables. Paul made the filipino pancit and chicken adobe. What happened to the chommoro dish Paul?

Shaka! This was my favorite dish tonight! I really liked the 'lil bit of sweetness to the collard greens.

My newly assigned VT companion, Virginia. 100% so far!

Is this American or American? Macaroni and cheese prepared by the Rodrigues'. Yummy!

Chili dogs with cheese and onions were prepared by the Bishop family.

Local style pupus. Boild peanuts and seasoned soybeans by the Carrs.

Haole, a word used mainly in Hawaii to describe a white person. Depending on how you say it, the word can mean either an insult or just a fact. But is never an insult to Jeniliee.

Jenilee is proud to be a "local kine haole sistah!" She made the American strawberry whipped Jello. haha

Jenilee wearing her Haole t-shirt.

Steph made these delicious "funeral potatoes." LOL I loved it!

Duane and Crystal represented the Navajo culture well. Not only did they bring Navajo fried bread for the tasting table. Duane also gave us a taste of the Navajo dance.

Peter eating the Navajo fried bread with honey and sprinkled cinnamon.

Pam and Kevin tasting the bread.

See Duane doing a dance called the grassdance. Duane is from a prairie tribe in North Dakota, this dance is the representation of flattening the grassing area in which the ceremony will be held. His outfit, the way is sways represents the grass swaying in the wind, and the foot work represents them preparing the area for the ceremony to come.

Ku'uipo joined Duane with another type of Native American dance.

It is so wonderful that our members are willing share their talents.

The biggest and proudest Filipino present.

Marie, Crystal (Navajo), Donna & Josh

Typical of Donna to stay to the very end and kokua in the kitchen.

Mahalo nui loa

Filipino pancit noodles and chicken adobe on hot sticky rice.

"Filipinos in the house!"

The filipinos and the ones wished they were filipino came up to sing "Dahil Sayo." Annie played the ukulele in the back.

Then there was a surprise filipino martial arts demonstration by the biggest filipino and friend Ben. A very rare occasion.

Thanks for sharing your culture with us guys.

Frankie? Sore muscles? Oh well...bumbai pau!

Rose, Emma & Stella

Kevin and Frank

Book + Book = Book Book

Big bookbook with Ardie

Filipinos and wanna be's. Emma, Larry, Po'u & Hannah (but Hannah is actually local). lol

Natalie's busted! The evidence is all over your face. Her accomplice...Manuele.

Now the Samoans know how to grind!

Jr. cutting the Pani Popo (Samoan Sweetbread with coconut milk). It was delicious!

Cooked green bananas with coconut milk.

Brother Stillwell giving this tasting table a try.

Manuele

The proud Samoan. Always willing to share his wonderful culture with everyone.

Susie, China, Courtney, Caylee and Maselina performs a Samoan dance for us. I just love to see how they encourage the kids at a young age to dance.

Family is very important to every culture.
The Samoan culture is no different. The dance is called Ma’ulu’ulu which describes royal or high status families in Samoa. It describes their duties in the family. Many family names are mentioned such as the Muagututia, Falenaoti, Salemuliaga, and Satuala. The song speaks about the great work families have done. It has a lot of meaning about family importance and family history.
Beautiful interpreted in dance by these lovely ladies.

Multi-talented Ku'uipo shared her Maori culture with us and showed us how to use the poi balls to tell a story. Her son Kaimanai a former Utah ROC multicutural dancer here to represent! (...the filipinos. LOL nah Po'u just kidding.)

Nea showing her talent with the poi balls!

Talented Bea made Japanese sushi. And she just told me few weeks ago she wasn't Japanese. She is Korean-Filipino. Wow! The filipino's definitley represented tonight!

And the grand finale...

The women of Tahiti doing a tahitian number that they learned in 1-2 practices.

Shake those hips girls!

"Shake um but don't break um."

The finale was the best with the tahitian dancers brought up the men to shake their hips. It was so much fun to see these willing participants including the bishop and my husband get up and "do their thing." It was a riot! Even the little kids jumped up and danced. We had a blast!