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!

[Billie]

Aloha, Dave. Don't think I'd want to live there either, because it might spoil the 'specialness' of traveling there. :)

[Billie]

For you: Aloha Kakahiaka, Pili! Good morning Billie in Hawaiian!

Good morning, Mojo. Thank you! Or...I should say, "Aloha Kakahiaka"! What might your name be in Hawaiian? :)

[Billie]

Aloha, PaL.

[DollyCali]

It looks fine in Mozilla btw. I opened IE also & looked at it, basically the same..I have never done the word wrap.

[Billie]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to

Billie; Dutchess; DollyCali; Mama_Bear; The Mayor; DollyCali,
and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey............................cousin mystery-ak.............son, husband Gogrammy...................grandson Inspectorette.......................son deadhead..........................cousin Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..............................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew ValerieUSA....................2 sons Lakeside........................2 sons LakeLady......................nephew Spruce.........................daughter Leofl......................................son chena......................................son Hope and Glory..................son Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece TheMayor...............friends'son homeschoolmama...........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin gonzo.........................friend's son visualops..........................cousin auboy.............................cousin Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother nelibeli...........................nephew Misty4jc........................husband Colorado Slim................nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad............................son Alouette................................son Katydidnt..............................son Q6-God...................twin brother Q6-God.....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut....................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish.........................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty Notwithstanding.......active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty Old Sarge.................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968...............active duty NoLongerFreeState....active duty

scubachick.....................husband OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son cookcounty.............................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin Doug from Upland............soninlaw Himyar....................................son boxerblues........................2 sons the piper....................................son sheeza................................husband kemathen7.........................husband Tiffee4Bob..........................boyfriend JimRobinson...............2 nephews TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Consort........................2 daughters Consort.......................son-in-law Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew dixie sass........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son painter...................................nephew Bykrbayb........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband Walkenfree................2 grandsons Walkenfree.................. 3 nephews Walkenfree..................granddaughter Zechariah_8_13.......brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.......................cousin DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son El Gato...............................nephew Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew jkphoto...............................nephew LoneRedRanger......brother-in-law Jemian...................................son freema....................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son PreviouslyA-Lurker...........brother kimmykay.................................son right2parent..............................son NavySEAL F-16........................son Ike............................................son repubmom.................................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508................................son pmmd81....................................son

[Billie]

Thanks, Dolly - the difference that I think you and I talked about once before (Firefox vs IE6) is that I believe Firefox has an extra line break somewhere - which DOES make a difference if the background is gradated. The graphics are vignetted onto the gradient background and need to be sitting on the background where it's the same shade. (I shouldn't have done it that way, but just taking a chance that most *will* see it blend the way I see it.) :)

[MoJo2001]

Aloha Auina La, Pili!
Since we're now in the afternoon. Hehe!

My Polynesian name is my middle name: Leli'a.
So? When I return back to the Islands, it takes me a day or two to remember that they're referring to me.

It would be: Kalolina (Hawaiian), Carolina (English), Leli'a (Samoan). Did you get that? Hehe!

If everyone else wants to find their name, then click here:
http://www.alohafriendsluau.com/names.html

[LadyX]

Oh, Billie, I can only begin to imagine the complexity of gathering, sorting and editing the many things for this beautiful state. Had a glimmer of it, helping Aquamarine showcase St. Augustine, Florida, and always marvel at the thoroughness of all of Lori's efforts presenting our states.

Never could get to Hawaii, but - - *I SENT A PROXY!!* LOL

My son, Kevin, a military brat until age 14, enlisted in the Army with a goal in mind of obtaining help to get a college degree.
He excelled in Basic Training, earning Top Honors, and given the career field for which he'd applied - training to be an air traffic controller. Assigned to Ft. Rucker, Alabama for the basic FAA course, he married his sweetheart in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Completing that introductory course, his orders were for Schofield Barracks in Hawaii!
In his 4 military years, he never had to play Army games or suffer - strictly FAA training, and even managed to complete his college courses except for 13 credit hours.
The last year in was at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, where he was given a commendation (and grateful letter from the pilot!) for bringing in a civilian pilot flying from Florida to Michigan; utterly lost in fog without instruments to facilitate navigating in the pea soup skies. Kevin managed to locate him and bring him down safely on his military airfield.

After discharge, he returned to Florida and completed the 13 hours for his degree, and applied to FAA for a position...bad timing, for that is when President Reagan was warring with the air traffic controller unions and froze hiring.
Kevin enrolled to get his Masters in Business Administration at the University of Florida, to begin in September, but in August the union controllers were out of a job, hiring freeze lifted, and he was in a wide open field, stationed in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and later West Palm Beach.
He advanced to being a Supervisor and then on staff as a Trainer, and one year took over management of the tower in Ft. Pierce for a whole year when the Tower Manager there was let go.

After 9/11 he was offered a sidestep into the new Transportation Safety Agency - TSA.
With uncertainty in FAA, considering now going to the outside for contract controllers rather than government employees, he chose to protect his government years, able to remain right at WPB, and needed a new challenge.
He is in charge of training the trainers for security handling, has 23 years government service; and can retire in 4 years.

Returning to the subject of Hawaii, it is *especially" dear to me -
my first grandchild, a grandson, was born in Hawaii in 1978!
B.J. is now 27, in Air Force Communications in Colorado Springs, Colorado...

[DollyCali]

that is neat!

Dolly - Koli

I didn't know you were from Hawaii!

off soon for day.. will stop back tonight..

[MoJo2001]

I'm not Hawaiian, but Samoan. My first spoken words were Samoan and not English.

The Polynesian people: Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian (Tahiti), Maori (New Zealand), and Tongan (Tonga).


Chat with you later, Koli!!

[jwfiv]

A beautiful thread, Miss Billie ... thank you ... )

Sounds like you had a little trouble bringing it all together, but it sure looks flawless to me. I especially like the girl in red, the way you've framed it, and the embossed "Hawaii" ... very nice.

I've never been to the islands ... maybe someday I'll get lucky enough ... kinda think I'd like it there.

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Good afternoon, Billie. Good job!

[LadyX]

Used your 'translator,' and decided to stick with my English name..:)

Margaret in Hawaiian is Makaleka - -
someone is bound to pronounce it "MAKE-a-Leak-a" - -
LOL

[Billie]

It would be: Kalolina (Hawaiian), Carolina (English), Leli'a (Samoan). Did you get that? Hehe!

No. LOL! Pig Latin is the only other language I know besides English. :)

[Billie]

Oh, Billie, I can only begin to imagine the complexity of gathering, sorting and editing the many things for this beautiful state. Had a glimmer of it, helping Aquamarine showcase St. Augustine, Florida, and always marvel at the thoroughness of all of Lori's efforts presenting our states.

The state threads are probably the most time-consuming, and it's really hard to choose *what* we must leave out, but I tend to trim mine a LOT because I believe they should be a *tease* and make one want to visit. :)

[Billie]

I thank you as always for the way you have with words and compliments, jw. :)

I've never been to the islands ... maybe someday I'll get lucky enough ... kinda think I'd like it there.

I kinda think you would, too. I could see you and Miss Jenny walking along the beach at sunrise. :)

[Billie]

Thanks, Pal. Wanna go shopping? We could probably find some neat grass skirts. :)

[Temple Owl]

It looks great.

[GailA]

Afternoon everyone.

Law would curb funeral protests at soldiers funerals.

[dixie sass]

Great thread. I would love to go there and while away the days lying on the beach with a darling beach boy to attend to my every need and desire...

Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!