Are you a "Locavore"? Do You Eat Local?

I'm with Jennifer at the co-operative near the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. Lots of local farmers and bakers bring their goods here and they have been for more than 35 years. Get healthy---------shop at Kokua Market. The next few photos take you there with me!!

Keeping Everything Fresh

Abdul has taken care of the produce section at Kokua for five years. He's always there to answer questions and his selection is fresh and colorful!

Freshly-Picked Local Fruits and Veggies

"Fromage? " As they Say in France

Kokua has a fine selection of cheeses. Yum------but eat just a little!

Package Your Own--Take As Little as You Like

I love the herbs and spices corner at Kokua. I buy lots, especially at Christmastime when I'm making gingerbread cookies.

Look Hard.... How Much Do I Weigh?

Sometimes I get some pretty wild ideas. I just couldn't help finding out my weight. I'm what is called a Lightweight.
How much do you weigh? Find a scale and find out!

The Dirt on Dirt

Betty puts on workshops (with Lydi) about gardening and taking care of the environment and sometimes cooking. In this photograph she's showing a crowd how to make a compost pile.
Learn more. Join the group. Go to: www.thegreenhousehawaii.com

Kung Hee Fat Choy!! Happy New Year!!

Yes, I'm back in Chinatown in Honolulu and ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year! Look at the following eight photographs and get excited and join me for a fabulous cultural event!
It's the weekend of January 23rd, starting at 6:00 Friday night.
This poster was in the window of a fairly new restaurant called "soul de cuba cafe" on Bethel Street across from the Hawaii Theater.
It's getting rave reviews for its food and atmosphere!

Making Sure Everything's Ready

Rick, in the blue, and Milton were on King Street when I happened by. They were doing a final check of the sandwich board "No Parking" signs next to the curbs. There will be 8 different troupes of LION DANCERS in the streets for the celebration!
Go to: Chinatown.com for the schedule of events.

Red, Red, and More Red

The Chinese people believe that red is an auspicious or "good luck" color. It's all over the place, especially during the New Year's celebration!

From the Rat to the Ox

It's the Year of the Ox. There are twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac and the Ox is the second one in the cycle. The Rat was the first. This artwork was done by the fellow in the next photograph.

The Papercutter

I'm with Zong Chen Liu. He's responsible for the Ox which is the official symbol on all the artwork for this year's Chinese New Year event. He used sissors to cut out the image! That's something!
He sits at a table in front of the Bank of Hawaii on King Street and uses gold paint to write characters on red paper. They are "good luck" sayings.

My Favorite Spring Flowers

These are Narcissus. Look closely in the tub and you'll see the roots coming out of the bulbs. These flowers have the most fragrant scent and are easy to grow. Google: Narcissus Bulbs and you, too, will be able to have a little garden inside your home. You can buy the bulbs in Chinatown or, sometimes, at a nursery.

Yum, Yum, and Yum

Candied fruit, almond cookies, mooncakes, and more.........I'm in the window of the new bakery in Chinatown. It closed last year and just reopened. Hooray. Look for it on Maunakea Street.

A Fine Place to Have Breakfast, and Lunch

Don't I look cute? I'm in the window of a beautiful, small restaurant in Chinatown. Can you see the outdoor seating beyond me? Go to: GrandCafeandBakery.com and find out more. Have the Eggs Benedict for me!

Again, Kung Hee Fat Choy!!

Please join me in Chinatown and enjoy the festivities of the New Year!

Closed, but Due to Open Soon

Well, my neighborhood is an exciting place! I live so close to Mother Nature and something's always goin' on!
Just before last Thanksgiving, there was a huge rockslide at the entrance to Waimea Valley. Luckily it happened at 1:30 am, so no one was hurt. There were boulders as big as cars all over the road. Power was lost and so was water! Yikes!
Rumor has it that the park will open on January 19th. We'll see.

Cacti in Hawaii?

This is the garden on the hot, sunny side of Kapiolani Community College. It's where Mom shops on Saturday mornings at the Farmer's Market in Honolulu. Did you ever think a cactus would grow in Paradise? These next three photographs show me in the middle of the garden.