Is it On? Is it Off? Is it On?

I'm in the parking lot of Alii Beach Park in Haleiwa, Hawaii, my home. Behind me is Skill Johnson, Director of the Menehune Surf Contest. He's on the phone recording a message for the surf hotline--637-ALII. This year there are about 250 children competing. Wow!! Many famous "surf stars" participated in this contest when they were little-----this is where they got their start. Too bad the surf was flat as a pancake on the first day, Saturday, October 11, so the competition was postponded until today at 11:30 am. Cowabunga, I'm ready to ride the waves too! Hooray, Winter is Here!! google--Menehune Surf Contest to find out more.

Silly Skilly

Skill has always been a joker--telling funny stories and making people laugh. Here he is holding me and playing "Peek-A-Boo" with Mom. Skill and Rell Sunn started this contest 32 years ago. He has been in charge of the Menehune all by himself for the last 31 years. Bravo, Skilly!!

Tailgating Party at Alii Beach Park

Makana, holding me, and her sister, Malie, came early to see if the contest was on. They waited patiently, but the waves never came up, so they'll return tomorrow to compete. Good Luck, girls! Did you notice all those surfboards on the SUV behind them? How many are in that stack?

Waiting for the Waves

When you enter a surf contest there is a holding or waiting period. The waves come when they are good and ready. I'm with the Whitford Family of Makakilo on the West Side of Oahu. Their tent was set up as the sun was rising so they'd be all ready for the Menehune Contest. So, when it was postponed until the next day, they just decided to make a day of it and picnic and play at the beach. From left to right is Marciano, Tati, Onalani, and Tiare. Pono, the Australian terrier, kept me company as Mom was talking to their mom.

One Tailgating Party after Another

Sandy, a fifth grader from Mililani Uka, and her mom, Michelle, were taking it easy waiting for the contest to start. They learned to surf together when Sandy was six years old. I talked to them for a long time in the parking lot and found out that Sandy loves to read-----smart little girl!! And she's just getting smarter all the time!

Learning How to Make Flubber!!

I'm with Era, standing, and Michelle, in the middle, and Clinenne in the Kama'aina Kids booth at the 15th Annual Children and Youth Day on the grounds of the State Capitol. (It's the first Sunday in October.)
Wow!! What a fun event! And learning to make flubber was one of the highlights. Here's the receipe:

1st mixture: 2 c glue and 1 1/2 c colored water
2nd mixture: 1 c water and 1 Tbsp. Borax

Pour Borax mixture into glue mixture stirring constantly.
It keeps for several days. Have fun!

Meet my New Friend, Yuice

Yuice is an Italian greyhound. She was at the Kid's Day at the Capitol with Lauren who is in the Civil Air Patrol. The CAP was there to help with security and sign up new members.
Want to learn to fly? Google: Civil Air Patrol Hawaii
Note: the building behind us is Honolulu Hale (City Hall)

How to Grow a Garden

Lisa, in the front, and Janelle from Keiki Steps were having so much fun teaching children and parents how to start a seedling. See the cups on the table and the selection of seeds and that big box of soil? Well, that's all you need to get a seed to sprout. Just put a little soil in a cup about half way up, drop in your seed, tamp it down, add a little water and be patient-----it will grow. Read "The Carrot Seed" by Ruth Krauss to learn to wait and keep watering.

Good Beginnings Alliance

Nalani and her son, Howard, were at the Capitol for Kid's Day celebrating young children and educating parents on the importance of starting early------eat right, sleep right, think right, exercise, introduce books and activities that stimulate a child's developing brain and foster a love of learning.

Get Your Motor Runnin'

Robert was explaining that his club, the Waipahu HOGS (Harley Owners Group), was at the Kid's Day event to support children. So what do you think of his little, pink pig? It rides on the back of his bike and keeps him company.

October is Fire Safety Month

Dylan and Saria were visiting the mobile fire safety trailer. I asked them to join me for a quick photo----can you read the words above the bumper by the pictures? Do what it says if your clothes ever catch on fire.
What other fire safety tips do you know?

Teenagers Volunteering for Kid's Day

Regina is holding me while her friends, Mel (in red), and Maraiah, supervise Maile who was so intent with her artwork that she just kept on coloring when Mom took this photo. The teenagers are in the Key Club at Waipahu High School and were at Kid's Day as part of a service project. They were all smiles and loved being part of this exciting and worthy celebration.

Breathe in Deeply, Pause, Exhale Slowly

I love yoga, so I was excited to visit with Alina and her younger sister, Malia, after their session on the mats. They loved it too!
Learn more about yoga for children at: theyogatree.com
Kid's Day was right up my alley------fun, educational, and friendly. I will make sure this event is on my calendar every year from now on----the first Sunday in October.

Autumn is Here...........

It's been a very short time since pumpkins have been growing on farms in Hawaii. I am standing next to a variety of squash and other vegetables and fruit on Aloun Farm on the west side of Oahu. The following nine photographs show me on a tour here.

That's a Mighty Sharp Blade

Jeni is holding me as we watch an employee in Aloun Farm's processing plant. Yikes, she was cutting those ears of corn so fast, it made my little doggie head spin!!

Still in the Processing Plant

Aloun Farms grows thousands and thousands of pumpkins. This is a boxful of of the best pumpkins for making pumpkin pies--baby ones.
The big ones are best for carving!

Ready for Market

What do you think of me in this pumpkin orange sea!!
Ready to be sold----dark, dark yellow and gold.

Out in the Field on the Ewa Plains

Alysha was showing me around the hundreds of acres of pumpkins and squash and corn and bananas and........
She volunteers at Aloun Farm when she's not in class at the University of Hawaii or Leeward Community College.

Gettin' Ready for the Hay Ride!!

Look how high up I am. Yikes!!
But what a view!
I'd better hold on tightly with my little paws!

Am I Really in Hawaii?

This is a sight more typical of the mainland. Wow!!!!!
How many pumpkins do you think are in this picture?
Make an estimate. Is it reasonable?

Can You Spot Me?

Look really, really hard. In the distance you will see Hawaii's most notable landmark.
If you put your cursor on the picture, click, and enlarge it, you'll see it better!

Blossoms in the Background

I love this picture! Aren't pumpkin flowers beautiful?
There will be 25,000 children on Oahu who will experience a trip to this pumpkin patch in the next month or so!! What a wonderful adventure for them, just like it was for me!

Time to Say Aloha

Terry, the marketing director for Aloun Farm, was my guide the whole day. She was full of love and repect for the farm and best of all, she couldn't put me down!! We had fun talking and interacting! I will definitely come back. I want to shop at their fruit stand on the weekend sometime!! Google: "aloun farm" to find out more.

On My Way to the Land of the Rising Sun

Here I am with Nami, on the right, and her Mom and sisters heading to Japan. I'm lucky because I know I'm going to see a lot of interesting sights and meet many new people. Bon Voyage to Me!

My Tummy was Growling

It's a long flight to our destination-----Osaka, so Nami was treating me to a little of her macaroni and cheese! I'm glad she likes sharing. I do too!

Wow!!!!! What a Harbor

Flying into Osaka was impressive-----it's the third largest city in Japan with a population of 2.5 million. Now that's a lot of people compared to Hawaii. We have only 1 million residents in our whole state!

Just Like I Thought

Nami and I were making lots of new friends right away. Here we are in the airport after our long flight from Honolulu chatting it up with an employee of Japan Airlines.

I'll Have Just One Tiny Bite

Nami took me to the bakery. It sure looked and smelled pretty good!
I had only a little bit (we didn't fill up the whole tray), I promise!

Uh, Oh. What's Wrong with this Picture?

Oh, boy, there were lots of new things I had to get used to in Osaka. One of the biggest was riding in a car on the opposite side of the street and, did you notice, the steering wheel is on the right!! Yikes!

Pretty High Up

Osaka Castle was built in 1583 on the site of an old temple. It is a fortress that was designed to keep out invaders that's why the square stone walls are soooo high. Google "osaka castle" to find out more.

A Grown-up Drink

Almost everybody in Japan drinks tea, and they have forever, but there are a few coffeeshops here and there like this one. Do you know the name of the instrument behind me that weighs the coffeebeans?

Very Narrow Streets in Osaka

Here I am looking down at a trash truck picking up garbage. The streets are very narrow here, and throughout Japan, because they were built before cars and trucks. Many people in Asia ride bicycles. Count how many you can see in the photograph.

That's a Pretty Big Bear--Lucky it's Friendly

Nami's sister, Aika, took me to the zoo with the whole family.
We had lots of fun! I stayed out of the photograph---that bear was just a little toooo big for me!

Ready to Ride the Rails

I love the train and so it was especially fun to be in Osaka because the train would come and go all the time. Here I am waiting on the platform.
It wasn't long before the next one came along.

Be Careful Where You Step

Men and women board the train at different places. I had no problem getting on board at all. Lucky I'm such a cute little pooch.

Saying "Sayonara" and Heading Home

It was a fabulous visit to Osaka. I did just what I thought I would-----made new friends and saw lots of interesting sights.
Aika and Nami and I are happy to have such attentive flight attendants looking out for us on our journey back to Hawaii.

Whole Foods is Here to Stay................... Hip Hip Hooray!!

I am so excited! The giant health food market, Whole Foods, has set up shop in Honolulu, in Kahala to be exact! Whoopeeee!
I'm going to be eating right and staying strong!
Jesus, wielding the turners, will be making fresh pizza to go!! Yum!

THE BIG CHEESE

Anita, on the left, and Jane and I are with Michael. He's in charge of many, many Whole Foods Markets in the West, and now in Hawaii. That is until he goes global next week. There are 13 stores in England and some in Canada. Good Luck, Michael!

Got Yogurt!!!!

Wow!! Was I impressed. Have you ever seen so many kinds of yogurt? The calcium in this stuff is going to make my bones and teeth strong!

Jack Johnson Supports Whole Foods

The Kokua Foundation, Jack and Kim Johnson's environmental non-profit, set up a table at the Whole Foods "Opening Party" in Kahala Mall. That's Carol on the left, then Jacque, and Kelly. They were having a fine time!

Essential Oils Wafting through the Air

Joanna makes perfumes. She goes to India and visits the farmers and reaps the harvest. With her partner, Jack, she distills the petals, leaves, and bark in glass flasks and creates heavenly scents. Check out her line of beautifully-bottled fragrances at Whole Foods. They are locally produced in Maui. Google: "scents of knowing" to find out more.

My Weakness----Ice Cream

Look at that cooler! Janie and Ray, the Whole Foods store manager, are keeping me at bay!! A number of the ice creams are produced in Hawaii. Better for the planet, don't you think? Buy local, eat local---that's my "little dog" advice.

.......And this is Only the Beginning

At this point, 40% of all the produce at Whole Foods is locally grown. More will be coming!

The Party's Over!

It was a whirlwind night of good food and great conversation at the Opening Party of the first Whole Foods Market in Hawaii. I had lots of fun, but It's past my bedtime. It's pretty late for an active pooch. I'm pooped and ready to hit the hay.
Do you see my little paw sticking out from under Dad's arm as he totes me to the car?

All the Way to Beijing and Back!

Ariel, to my right, just competed in the 2008 Olympics! She and her partner took 4th place in syncronized diving off the three meter board. Her niece, Gracie, is in Mom's class at Sunset Beach Elementary. Wow!! The kids were in awe of her athletic ability----she could do a handstand for a loooooong time. Ariel has been a champion diver since she began training when she was seven years old.
Bravo to you, Ariel. We're very proud of your accomplisments and dedication at 17 years of age!!

A Visitor to Sunset Beach Elementary

Taylor was vacationing here and just had to drop into Mom's classroom and visit me. She traveled all the way from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (Ben Franklin's birthplace) to shake my paw and give me a hug. Taylor's grandpa, Randy Rarick, runs the biggest surf contest in the world-----the Triple Crown of Surfing---which is held on the North Shore of Oahu during the winter when the waves at my beach are really, really big. Google that contest and see what you can learn about my favorite sport!

What in the World am I Doing in Kansas, Dorothy? What in the World?

Well, somehow I ended up in Mike's tomato patch in Kansas. His dog, Buddy, and I got on very well. Then I hopped into my hot air balloon and floated back to Sunset Beach. Was I dreaming? And what in the world am I doing with that party hat on my head?

Hmmmmm...something strange is going on here. Can you guess what it could be?

Lend a Hand on North Shore Land

Here I am with Bobby, Doug (holding me), Kelly, and his daugher, Brooke. We're are on the mountain overlooking Sunset Beach, my home. We were surveying the old Obayashi property that has become a community land trust, 1,100 acres. Kelly's law firm, Cades and Schutte, were on the North Shore and sent 50 lawyers to begin cleaning up and preserving an old nursery on the mountain top. Oh, boy, what a great project for our neighborhood. The long-range plans can be found at: www.northshoreland.org Maybe you could volunteer next time.

Look at Me up in a Shower Tree!

Now is the time for all the beautiful shower trees to be in full bloom. This one is on the land in Pupukea that's part of the North Shore Community Land Trust.

Firewood. In Hawaii? On the North Shore?

Well, what can I say. I'm at the entrance to the road that leads back to the tree nursery on the mountain above Sunset Beach. These ironwood logs look like they've been here for a very long time and will probably never make it into a fireplace. Maybe a barbeque instead! Maybe not!