Tuesday, December 18, 2007

I Loved the Costumes


The parade had many people and their pets in costume. These guys were more than happy to have their picture taken with me!
I love the cheeks on the guy to the left. Is he supposed to be a Chinese Leprechaun clown?

Whoa! I'm up Pretty High in the Saddle


There were many horses in the parade! Seeing them prance by was very exciting, but also a little scary. They were so much bigger than I am.

A Floatful of Smiling Children



There were many decorated trucks and cars and flatbeds. Here are Allison, Ocean, and Kate enjoying the ride. Do you see Johnny in the back? I think he's snacking on something! Looks like it, doesn't it?

A Reindeer?


Whoa!! Am I seeing things? Not only does this pooch have antlers, but I'm a little concerned about his green eye. I think it might have been the angle of the light. I think!
Anyway, I'm suspecting his antlers are homemade.
What do you think?

Clowning Around


Look at Angelica in her fancy clown costume with that big smile on her face! She's a great artist and guitar playin' singer, too. I can always count on her to have a good word to say. I'm happy when I'm around her. She made me feel special when I waved to her in the parade and she not only waved back, but came over and gave me a big hug.

There Were Bands Playing Loudly!



This is the Royal Hawaiian Band. Can you guess the name of this very fancy instrument? It starts with a "T".

Also Known as Father Christmas

Here's Santa in his snazzy aloha shirt! He was on the last float of the parade! He thought it was funny to see me, especially since I am a little stuffed dog who is always ready to be in photographs! He obliged me!

I Stopped to Shop. Shhhh it's our Secret!



Well, it wasn't a very long stop, but I popped into "Global Creations" just to look around before the parade. I ran into my two friends, Vera, the playright, and her daugher, Ellie. They had their dog with them, too. In front of this store was one of the best places to be on the parade route! I'm definitely coming back next year. Maybe I'll even be IN the parade! I'll ask all my friends to join me. Maybe I'll have all of them wear elf costumes. Do you think that's a good idea?

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Hooray! Jack Johnson Sings!


Jack Johnson sings at the blessing and dedication of the Pupukea Paumalu Community Land Trust event. For thirty years the residents of Sunset Beach have been passionately devoted to preserving 1,100 acres of rural land next to Sunset Beach Elementary. This celebration heralded the accomplishment of the neighborhood's hard work and dedication to this effort!! When Jack was a young child growing up at Pipeline, he campaiged to "Save Sunset Beach" along with his parents, Patty and Jeff, and many other friends and family, including the fellow in the following two photographs.

Our Hero, Blake McElheney





In his very determined and quiet style, Blake McElheney, has been diligently working to preserve the large tract of land to the south of Sunset Beach Elementary. Following in his dad's footsteps, Blake pushed tirelessly forward to put the 1,100 acres of rural land into a community land trust.

After finishing law school, Blake devoted himself to a cause he has been promoting since he was a child. He remembers standing alongside Kamehameha Highway and waving signs that read, "Save Sunset Beach." He did!
Because of Blake's fortitude and tenacity, we now have a huge parcel of land that is dedicated to this community and all who visit the North Shore. Blake was the leader and driving force. What an inheritance we are receiving.

The Very, Very Proud Parents


It's a very happy day for Larry and Jan. Blake, their son, had carried on the tradition of conservation and preservation and succeeded in a project Larry had spearheaded during the past 30 years. This family has brought to fruition a dream. "Saving Sunset Beach" for this community is now a reality. The Palisades above Sunset Beach will be preserved forever because of their drive and determination and great leadership skills. Bravo to the McElheney's!!

A Great Supporter


Josh Stanbro was a staff member of The Trust For Public Land and had worked with Blake for a long time to secure the support and funding to purchase the Pupukea Paumalu property. He was instrumental in "making it happen." Our community is very appreciative of all the effort and time he put into this project. Hooray for Josh!! Hooray for us!!

All the Way from Washington, D.C.


Tad flew in from the Pentagon to attend our blessing and dedication. Wow!! That was a long way to travel. Mom and I were impressed this event was so important to the offficials in the nation's capital. See the mountain behind us. That's part of the 1,100 acres that is being preserved as the Pupukea Paumalu Community Land Trust. Also, look hard (above my ears) and you'll notice the new administration building under construction behind the black fabric dust fencing at Sunset Beach Elementary.

Moving and Shaking with a Big Smile


Denise was one of the strongest advocates for the purchase of this property and is on the board of Directors of North Shore Community Land Trust. She had the knowledge and the drive to support the cause well. She teaches law at the University of Hawaii and worked as legal counsel for the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund in Hawaii and Seattle, Washington. Bravo, Denise!!

If you want to know more go to: www.northshoreland.org.

Two of the Dignitaries



The Governor, Linda Lingle, was there and so was the Mayor, Mufi Hannemann. They were very proud of our neighborhood's residents and their passion for putting the 1,100 acres into a community land trust.

After the Speeches


Linda and Roger of the North Shore Outdoor Circle were on hand at the dedication. They served a delicious buffet after all the dignitaries had spoken. Lunch was yummy and there was plenty of it!
Google the Star Bulletin, December 8, to see more photos of the event.

The International Model


Todd was letting everyone at the Sunset Beach Elementary Christmas Craft Fair know the dedication of the Pupukea Paumalu Community Land Trust was about to begin. He stopped by to give me a heads up! See the flyer is in his hand? He's always around the neighborhood doing good work. He does a lot of community service to make Sunset Beach a better place. Look for his image in advertisements everywhere!
(The following four photographs were taken at the Fair.)

A Beauty Queen to Be


Renee Nobriga lives on the mountain behind Sunset Beach Elementary School. (She's Mom's former third grader.) She's going to be in her first beauty pagent at the Sheraton Waikiki on December 16, and which will be televised on KGMB 9. The event is called the Miss Hawaii USA. I'll be rooting for her!!
That's Rodney Adcox's art on the wall behind her. He sells his photographs and tile pieces every weekend at the Sunset Beach Farmer's Market at the elementary school.

The Journalist


Carol Hogan was visiting from Oregon. She stopped by the Fair to buy a few Christmas presents. She moved from the Big Island to the West Coast several years ago. She had been doing all the public relations for the Triple Crown of Surfing event which is the biggest series of contests on the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour. This is the 25th anniversary of this surfing classic. Check it all out on TripleCrownofSurfing.com

The Innovative and Wild Frenchman



Bernie Moriaz, the artist, is one of my favorite friends. He makes the most unusual and interesting art and many pieces are from recycled materials. Google Bernie to see how famous he is and what wonderful art he creates! Also, can you think of another artist who wore a goatee? Think hard. His initials are T.L. and he was French too.

My Young Friend, Laura


Here I am with Laura. She liked me a lot. I made her smile from way down deep inside. Notice the pretty young woman in the background with the broad grin? That's Jane. She was in a previous photograph wearing a sweatshirt, a hoodie, with my picture on the back. See if you can find her in the archives. Good Luck!

Merry Christmas to You!




Here is Johnny at the Turtle Bay Resort sitting next to the Christmas tree he just decorated with other students from Sunset Beach Elementary. The ornaments on the boughs were created by children of the school. Drop by and see just how creative those students were and how much holiday spirit they put into their decorations!!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Tie Dying for Zero Waste


These young students from Kamehameha Schools belong to the "Tree Huggers Club". They spent the day tie dying t-shirts they bought from the thrifts shops and showing "Green Market" fairgoers the process. They gave lots of recycled shirts away!!

Today at a Green Market Fair In Honolulu


Scroll on to see the Market Fair. I made lots of new friends there and chatted with old ones! It was a great introduction to the holiday season! (Highlight the invitation to get a clearer picture.)

Ready for Motherhood?


As part of the Human Relations class at Kamehameha Schools, Robin who is also a member of the Tree Huggers gets to take care of a 2-month old "RealCare" Baby for 48 hours.  She told me the newborn woke up every hour after 2 am last night.  Odel, the basset, was keeping them company for awhile.    

Having Fun at the Green Market






Ryan asked if he could have his picture taken with me.  "Sure," I said!!  He had been making a very elaborate design with colorful beads just moments before!!  This fair was really a good time for children!

A Young Fairgoer







Dressing up and other children's activities made a lot of the youngsters happy.  

The Artist






Janet Holaday prints the most beautiful tea towels!  Bright colors with a fruit or flower theme abound.  It was fun to see her at the Green Market.  Look at that long, green tablecloth hanging  behing her.  I loved the color!

Big Smiles


Here are my friends, Lucas and Nani.  They sure look happy!

Look at Me! I'm an Acrobat!







Perched on this bamboo shelf, I'm in a great place to spot what's good and healthy to eat.  I like it here!

Healthy, Fresh, Organic Produce


Shaun was happy to have his picture taken with me.  His booth was filled with vegetables from local gardens in the islands.

Taking Care of the Beach

Volunteers Margaret and Dean care about the shores of our islands.  Go to their website to learn more!

My Friend, Laurie


Laurie Carlson is the publisher of the Honolulu Weekly.  She has also been involved with Slow Foods since it arrived in Hawaii. Slow Foods was one of the sponsors of the Fair.  Bravo to Laurie for all her ecowork!!  

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Sunset Beach Elementary's Big Night


Kate and I are at "Surf Night", a well-known event during the winter contest season on the North Shore. The school raises almost $10,000 hosting famous surfers, serving dinner and homemade baked goods, and giving away hundreds of doorprizes. Look over the following 13 photographs to catch a glimpse of just how special this benefit is!

Lots of Love


Beverly Speece started "Surf Night" more than 20 years ago when she was the PTCA President at Sunset Beach Elementary. It was a great idea and has flourished with the support of the teachers, staff, and community members. Did you notice how much love she's givng to me? Bev has a very big heart!

Can You Find Me?


Can you believe how many doorprizes are being given away. There must be hundreds. It takes at least 3 hours to pass out all the donations. And that's with no break!!!

Cowabunga!!


Look at me!! These are just some of the surfboards that were donated to the school. I'm lucky to live in such a generous community!

Hundreds of Doorprizes!!






Yikes!! Look what's being given away! This benefit is well-supported by the shapers and surfers and businesses in our neighborhood and beyond.

I'd love to win one of these bodyboards!

Wow! A New Bike


Bruna was lucky! Monica, her friend, won a bike that was too little for her, so she passed it on to Bruna. Can you see the handle bar?

The Stars


Many young people who have become famous for their innovative and daring surf style were students at Sunset Beach Elementary. They grew up surfing the best waves in the world and have the trophies to prove it! Bravo to them!! From left to right, Coco Ho, Jamie O'Brien, and JohnJohn Florence.

Freddy P. and Mark Healy



Two more former students of Sunset.

Thank You


Rob Machado has surfed for many years and won countless contests. He's come often to Surf Night to show his support for the school. I applaud Rob and all the pro surfers who signed posters and gave up their Friday night to be at Sunset Beach Elementary.

Billabong's Coach


Rainos Hayes kept the crowd smiling with his quick wit and kind heart.

A Happy Family


Surf Night is one of the biggest winter events on North Shore. It brings out lots of families. Here is Kelly, the mom, with Saffron, and her husband, Chris. They were very excited to see me at such a special event!!

Look at Me!


Because I gave a donation of three dozen "Surf Dog" t-shirts to Surf Night, my name was put up on the wall with the other organizations and people who contributed doorprizes. Boy, I'm in good company-----the Triple Crown------surfing's biggest contest.

All Smiles


Elena, Mom, and I are in a great mood----food, friends, and fun. What a wonderful evening to share at the school! Hooray for "Surf Night"!