A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-01,02-05....Aloha! Back to Hawaii

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.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, Mama_Bear ~

History and Statistics

Hawaii 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!

Aquamarine, Dansangel, Dutchess, Lori and I 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 it would be fun to do Hawaii. 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:

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

Oh, and one more thing ..........

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

Mary Lucas Faustine's delightful Hawaiian art

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 10-31-05 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[luvie]

ALL I WANT TO DO
IS SIT ON THE BEACH!

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Long Island Iced Tea recipe

Scale ingredients to servings
1 part vodka
1 part tequila
1 part rum
1 part gin
1 part triple sec
1 1/2 parts sweet and sour mix
1 splash Coca-Cola®

Mix ingredients together over ice in a glass. Pour into a shaker and give one brisk shake. Pour back into the glass and make sure there is a touch of fizz at the top. Garnish with lemon.

Serve in: Collins Glass

http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink590.html


Long Island Tea recipe

Scale ingredients to servings
1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz light rum
1/2 oz gin
1/2 oz tequila
juice of 1/2 lemons
1 splash Coca-Cola®

Combine all ingredients (except cola) and pour over ice in a highball glass. Add the splash of cola for color. Decorate with a slice of lemon and serve.

Serve in: Highball Glass

http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink4890.html

[Billie]

(forgot pix!)

Yep, that looks very Haiwaiian and very thick and sweet. I sorta like Margaritas best, too, PaL - and pretty sure MamaBear favors the Margaritas as well. :)

[Billie]

Oh, that is so funny, Texagirl! Pinging dixie and dolly to make sure they see it! They were the ones who ordered the - *ahem* - hims.

[Billie]

Your news about Ink wasn't what I was expecting - had thought she was doing much better than than. I'm so sorry. :(

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

I hear your MIL calling you...

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

I found another place for you to shop

http://www.hawaiiunlimited.com/clothing/

[Billie]

I think I could wear that green one on the right. Take it away from all the others, and it might look really pretty by itself. :)

[Billie]

Hi, snugs - well, then we'll just see what Pip has to *say* about Richard III! (I am not a history buff of any kind.) :(

[Billie]

ALL I WANT TO DO IS SIT ON THE BEACH!

Well, there're miles and miles of it! Come sit! Want a mai tai - Mama Bear's buying. :)

[luvie]

Oh! That would be just lovely!

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

I agree, it is cute! Gotta go, leaving for the day!

[Billie]

I found another place for you to shop

I may need a new credit card before today is over. You're a dangerous shopping partner. :)

[Billie]

Where is your grass skirt? Or your sarong? Did you see GBU's? Bright and festive and perfect for Hawaii. :)

[Billie]

Bye now - fun shopping with you. I like your new halter tops and skirts and stuff. :)

[luvie]

...just had to get ready for the luau!

[Billie]

...just had to get ready for the luau!

LOL Very good!

[DollyCali]

I like to reverse the coke & s/s mix. more coke & splash of citrus. so it isn't a true LIIT.

Yes, Billie... I saw the "4 HIMS" selection humor. good one!

Off shortly to Weight Loss, Heatlh, Fitness Support Group.

Interesting that I JUST got a call from my very lib anti war, anti bush etc. etc. Friend From Boston. I had not talked w/to him for over 2 years. war issues, election etc.just got too heavy for me.

We had been friends since 4th grade & he is now the foremost People Mover expert in world. Travels world wide as consultant & working on projects. On his way to Italy this weekend.

He was in Peace Corp in Iran after grad school & married a woman from there She is a Christian & they have 3 great kids. He is pretty smart & was our class valedictorian out of a class of over 1000.

One of our mutual friends in Fla is in last stages of cancer & that is why I am sure he wants to keep ties open, but you know, I just feel very guarded. when you have to avoid discussion & walk on egg shells, I don't consider it much of a friendship.

Amy, package arrived. Is the address in book the one I would use? Thank you! Haven't had time yet to look at them.

[LadyX]

"I highly recommend Michener's "Hawaii"."

Ah, chicky, that is a book special to me!
I read it 42 years ago in 1962, checking it out of the base library in Rapid City, South Dakota when I was pregnant with my daughter.
I was positively enthralled with his descriptions of how the Islands were formed, and populated.

When in 1966 we went from Fairbanks, Alaska to Myrtle Beach AFB, my husband had to have long delayed spinal surgery for 3 ruptured disks (none of that kind could be done in Fairbanks - he would have had to go to Seattle without me to have it, so he bore the pain for 11 months).

Sent for it down to Charleston, SC to the Naval Hospital there, it was performed, and during his recovery time, on the library cart I spied Michener's Hawaii!"

Mind you, he was an avid reader, too, but delved into war books, thick history books (even about Chinese Dynasties, that I found too tedious) and biographies, and almost never would read fiction.
BREAKTHROUGH!!

Now in retirement, we usually each have a book in hand, and of course went through Michener's books as they came out.

Another favorite of mine is Dear & Glorious Physician by Taylor Caldwell, about Luke, and her subsequent books.
I read that in 1960.

Lori, it has to be difficult for you to try to read such a lengthy, detailed book with YOUR busy schedule! It definitely requires undivided concentration. At the time I read it, my boys were in school during the day, so I had that luxury of no distractions.

Of course, it would have been much easier if my two dogs had been trained to turn the pages for me - LOL

[ST.LOUIE1]

Well, well, well, looky here what wolfie has found....

...a room full of gorgeous wimmin.....

....and they've all been drinkin' like a fish for two days. AhhhhhhRooooo!

Headin' your way, Babes!