A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-07-04....Aloha ~ Mele Kalikimaka

Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dutchess, dansangel, Aquamarine ~

History and Statistics

H awaii was admitted to the union on August 21, 1959 - the 50th state. The state of Hawaii consists of eight main islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island of Hawaii. Its capital is located in Honolulu, on the island of Maui. Hawaii is the most isolated population center on the face of the earth. It is 2,390 miles from California; 3,850 miles from Japan; 4,900 miles from China; and 5,280 miles from the Philippines.

Hawaii is the only state that grows coffee, and more than one-third of the world's commercial supply of pineapples comes from the islands.

There are only 12 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet. The Vowels are: A, E, I, O, U, and the Consonants: H, K, L, M, N, P, and W.

State symbols of Hawaii include the bird, Nene (pronounced "nay-nay"), or Hawaiian Goose. The tree of Hawaii is the Kukui, or Candlenut. The beautiful Hibiscus, or Pua Aloalo is Hawaii's flower.

In 1988 the yellow hibiscus, which is native to the islands, was selected to officially represent Hawaii, but you might see the red hibiscus, or any other color, as the state flower in many older photos and postcards.

From east to west Hawaii is the widest state in the United States.

There are four counties in Hawaii (Kauai; city and county of Honolulu; Maui; and Hawaii). Each city has a mayor and council in charge.

Hawaii has its own time zone (Hawaiian Standard Time.) There is no daylight savings time.) The time runs two hours behind Pacific Standard Time and five hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

The wind blows east to west in Hawaii. The highest recorded temperature is 96' F (Honolulu Airport), but temperatures over 92' F generally occur only once or twice a year. The lowest temperature (under 3000 feet altitude) is 56' F. Temperatures under 60' F may occur, but rarely more than once a year. In July the average daytime temperature is 82' F. Average daytime temperature in January is 72' F.

There are no racial or ethnic majorities in Hawaii. Everyone is a minority. Caucasians (Haoles) constitute about 34%; Japanese-American about 32%; Filipino-American about 16% and Chinese-American about 5%. It is very difficult to determine racial identification as most of the population has some mixture of ethnicities.

Hawaii was once an independent kingdom. (1810 - 1893) The flag was designed at the request of King Kamehameha I. It has eight stripes of white, red and blue that represent the eight main islands. The flag of Great Britain is emblazoned in the upper left corner to honor Hawaii's friendship with the British. The combination of the stripes of the United States flag and the Union Jack of Great Britain is said to have pleased the merchant shippers of both nations. The flag was adopted for official state use in 1959.

December 7th, 1941

The surprise was complete. The attacking planes came in two waves; the first hit its target at 7:53 AM, the second at 8:55. By 9:55 it was all over. By 1:00 PM the carriers that launched the planes from 274 miles off the coast of Oahu were heading back to Japan.

~ Eye Witness Account (excerpt)


Pearl Harbor: Remembered
USS Arizona Memorial

The final resting place for 1,102 crewmen of the U.S.S. Arizona who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. (75 were recovered) They are still entombed within the Arizona herself. The sunken battleship is commemorated by a 184 foot-long memorial structure that spans its mid-portion. No part of the edifice touches the ship.

There are three sections in the memorial: The entry and assembly room, (a central or middle area) used for observations of the sunken ship and for ceremonies. Many visitors drop flower leis into the water from this section, honoring the dead. The third section is the shrine room. The room contains the names of all those killed on the Arizona and their names are engraved on a marble wall. Upon entering the shrine room, the reverence and honor it is was intended to inspire is immediately noticeable. All persons are keenly aware that this is hallowed ground.

The memorial's architect was Alfred Preis. After years of fund raising efforts that began 1950, the memorial finally was dedicated in 1962.

The USS Arizona is no longer in commission, contrary to popular belief. A flag of the United States of America does fly above the sunken battleship. The flag is attached to a severed mainmast of the USS Arizona.

In recent years, the memorial has come to represent all the military and associated personnel killed at Pearl Harbor.

http://my.execpc.com

I have a whole new appreciation for Mama Bear's "State" threads after spending several days researching endless Hawaii websites, collecting all kinds of information and graphics to edit and then trying to put it together in some sort of orderly fashion. Hats off to you, Lori - you have this stuff down to a science! It is not easy!

Each of the five of us had already spotlighted our own state, and when Lori offered not long ago to 'give' us any other states we might enjoy featuring, I thought how fun it would be to do Hawaii, and to do it at Christmas. Well! It was fun to do, but at the same time, I was a bit overwhelmed and couldn't begin to touch upon all the wonderful things about these beautiful islands. You just must go there yourselves. I did, and how I loved it! The beaches, the water, the history, Pearl Harbor, the people, the luahs.....truly an unbelievable Paradise!

I must also credit the following websites for the information used for today's post, both in this part and the following Christmas in Hawaii.

encarta.msn.com
www.50states.com
www.hawaii.com
www.colormatters.com
www.aloha-hawaii.com
www.melekalikimaka.com

One more thing before we go on to Christmas....

No Hawaii post would be complete without Hula Dancers, because we all know that in Hawaii, everybody and their dog can hula.

Click on graphic for more of Mary Lucas Faustine's delightful Hawaiian art

When traditional Christmas settings are mentioned, Hawaii might be the last place to come to mind. In the Aloha State, you won’t find thick blankets of snow (that is, unless you head to lofty summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island) and you won’t experience Popsicle-like temperatures.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire? In Hawaii, there aren’t many homes with fireplaces.

Can Christmas really be Christmas in Hawaii? Yes, it can. Hawaii residents begin putting up their holiday lights and Christmas trees as soon as the last piece of Thanksgiving turkey is gobbled. There are joyous Christmas concerts, community parades and dazzling displays throughout the state.

Today, there’s no bigger Christmas celebration than "Honolulu City Lights," a favorite holiday spectacle put on by the City & County of Honolulu. Held at Honolulu Hale (City Hall), "Honolulu City Lights" features elaborate Christmas tree and wreath exhibits, giant Yuletide displays and live entertainment. Whether you’re young or young at heart, there’s no better place to catch the Christmas spirit in the islands.

Mele Kalikimaka!

Honolulu Lights

Honolulu Hale (pronounced "hah-lay" - means "house" or "home"), the City Hall in downtown Honolulu, is the focal point for the decorating of O'ahu at Christmas time. And boy-oh-boy does the island get decorated! From little Hale'iwa on the north shore to sprawling Waikiki in the south; from rural Wai'anae on the ewa (west) side to urban Kaneohe and Kailua on the windward (east) side; from Pearl Harbor to Manoa Valley; from Barbers Point to Wahiawa: O'ahu likes to get dressed up for the holidays!

Where else would you find a giant barefoot Santa giving a shaka (better known as a "hang loose" sign) with his wife Tutu Mele (formerly known as Mrs. Claus? You may notice that Tutu Mele got a makeover last year (1998); she is wearing a red mu'umu'u with a hibiscus design, a Hawaiian Heritage bracelet and wedding ring, a kukui nut lei, and a bright red hibiscus in her hair.)

Listen to MIDI

Mai hilahila (don't be bashful). Hele on over, make yourself at home, join the ohana (family) on the lanai. We'll have a little plate lunch (or a lot), tune up the uke, make some music and some friends, and have a good time.

"Jus add yoah slippahs to da pile..." (It is customary in Hawai`i to remove your shoes before you enter someone's house, and there is often quite a pile at the door.)

Sometimes Christmas dinner consists of a traditional lu'au, complete with a pig roasted in an underground pit, chicken long rice (chicken noodle soup, Hawaiian style), lomilomi salmon, and poi. A less formal get-together is called kanikapila (kah-nee-kah-PEE-lah), which means "to make music". You'd be hard pressed in Hawai`i to find any informal party that didn't include singing, guitars, ukuleles (oo-koo-LEH-leh), and probably some impromptu hula as well!

Our Christmas songs include the traditional ones, often sung in the beautiful and melodic Hawaiian language, as well as many that are completely original to Hawai`i - such as "Mele Kalikimaka"(Merry Christmas), of course.

After the meal? Well, if we can still move we'll probably go down to the beach to watch the kids trying out the new surf or boogie boards that Santa brought them for Christmas.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-06-04 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
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submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45Man
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and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

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[Billie]

[Billie]

[dansangel]

Absolutely, breathtakingly *beautiful* presentation of a breathtakingly beautiful place.

I was privileged to visit Hawaii twice in the 1980's, once touring Pearl Harbor. There were both American and Japanese tourists on board the sight-seeing boat - not a dry eye among either group during the discourse on what took place.

Great job (((((Billie)))))) - have a wonderful day!

[The Mayor]

December 7, 2004

How To Be Unpopular

Read: Jeremiah 23:16-23

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture! —Jeremiah 23:1

Bible In One Year: Daniel 5-7; 2 John

---

In 1517, Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg. Luther became known as a reformer, and we remember his bold stand as a turning point in church history.

The fiery priest demonstrated great courage in expressing outrage at the church's practice of selling forgiveness through indulgences, which allowed the people to sin intentionally in exchange for money.

Luther's passion to stop these practices did not make him popular with the religious authorities of his day. In fact, his efforts resulted in a series of attempts to silence him.

Long before Luther, the prophet Jeremiah felt the power of God's Word in his heart "like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not" (Jeremiah 20:9). Jeremiah and Luther refused to allow God's truth to be compromised.

Living for God is about grace and forgiveness, but it's also about boldly standing for the truth. Having God's Word in our heart doesn't always result in warm, pleasant feelings. Sometimes His truth becomes a blazing fire that causes us to challenge corruption—even though we may be attacked for it. —Julie Ackerman Link

Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord.
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word. —Watts

It's better to declare the truth and be rejected than to withhold it just to be accepted.

[Pippin]

Aloha, Billie!

I never been to Hawaii, but since I read the things you wrote about it and a littlt if it's history, I'd like to go there :O)

Can you post the "Pledge of Alliencance in Hawaiian?

[Aquamarine]

Christmas in Hawaii! Well done Billie, I know this Post had to be hard. After I made the Georgia Post I said never again. You and Mama Bear have my respect for taking on these ambitious projects.

Cute Santa pledge. (that edge option in PE is awesome)

[Texagirl4W]

What can I say. You beautiful ladies, and John, continue to outdo yourselves each week. This is so beautiful and refreshing.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Billie.

[Diver Dave]

Mele Kalikimaka, Billie.
Beautiful presentation for our 50th State.
Made a couple of stops in Hawaii on our way to Japan forty years ago.
We lived on the Big Island (Kailua Kona) back in the late sixties but decided to move back home to Washington. For us, it was a nice place to visit, but...
Gotta go tend to business. BBL

[Mama_Bear]

Beautiful, Billie! Makes me want to call my travel agent and book a flight to the islands.

I hope you don't mind if I explain, for those who may not know how one of these posts is put together, the intricacies of what you've done with your beautiful gradated blue background. Folks, not only did she have to blend each of her graphics onto the background, but then she had to precisely place them so that they 'matched' and no edge showed on the shaded background in her tables. I have never attempted this (and probably never will) because I doubt I would have the patience to figure out the precise locations so my edges wouldn't show. Getting everything to match up on that background is an amazing job of graphic finagling.

This Christmas in Hawaii post brought back wonderful memories of the two Christmas' I spent on Guam when I was a child. Both were celebrated at huge beach parties with other military families stationed on the island. No snow, no snowmen, but lots of beautiful white sand, warm tropical sunshine and sparkling blue water. We did have a Christmas tree, brought to Guam in October by ship and quite pitiful looking by Christmas day, but even so, I know that my parents, both being from Massachusetts, had a difficult time getting into the Christmas spirit.....but a five year old can have Christmas anywhere. :-)

It's cold, rainy and gloomy here today. This post was like a welcome bit of tropical sunshine. Mahalo, Billie.

[RepubMommy]

Thanks for the fun facts! I've been there three times, once for my honeymoon and twice because I was the only grandchild for a very long time and was quite spoiled for the first 9 years of my life:). The only thing I want to add though that Honolulu is located on Oahu, not Maui.

[BigSkyVic]

Thanks for posting that! My husband and I are off to Maui for Christmas to celebrate our 21st anniversary. I love Bing Crosby's rendition of Mele Kalikimaka.
Merry Christmas!

[Billie]

Click to hear Mele Kalikimaka

During the Holidays, along with the candy and fruitcake, you're likely to find treats such as these:

• sushi,
• lumpia,
• tamales,
• manapua mah-nah-POO-ah),
• poke (POH-keh) and
• coconut pudding

served alongside the turkey. (Manapua are sweet, tender steamed rolls usually filled with chicken or pork; poke is the Hawaiian version of ceviche, bits of very fresh fish or shellfish usually marinated in soy sauce (shoyu), sesame oil, a little rice vinegar and various spices.)

[Billie]

Good morning, Dansy! Thank you so much - this one was the most time-consuming one I think I've ever done - at least one of three - along with my Texas post and my music post.

Have only been to Hawaii once but it was wonderful. Enjoyed Maui much more than Oahu, but I confess that I'm not real crazy about Hawaiian cuisine - except for the fruits! (and the best pizza I ever ate was in Maui! LOL)

[Billie]

Good morning to you on this anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

[Billie]

I've never been to Hawaii, but since I read the things you wrote about it and a little of it's history, I'd like to go there :O)

Can you post the "Pledge of Allegiance" in Hawaiian?

Aloha, Pippin!

It is such a beautiful, tropical paradise! Maybe FishHawk can post the Pledge in Hawaiian? Or write a poem for us? :)

[Billie]

Aloha Ping!

[Pippin]

That would be kewl!

[Billie]

I know this Post had to be hard. After I made the Georgia Post I said never again. You and Mama Bear have my respect for taking on these ambitious projects.

THIS is my last one! First Texas, now Hawaii - I would have to do the *biggest* ones! LOL! Oh, Man!!

I thought Christmas in Hawaii would be neat, but then there was all that other stuff to do it justice before getting to the holiday part - will post more individual island info later in the thread. :)

[Diver Dave]

Found this pic of you from your trip to Hawaii...