All In Da Ohana

Here's some projects my nephew is involved in. Check it out:

Blog: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=433020122
Clothing: http://www.steppingstonesclothing.com/
Portfolio: http://mardesigns.carbonmade.com/

I shoulda posted this one last year but I got sick of blogging back then. Anyway, never too late for good news: http://www.kahoolawe.org/home/?p=12. Btw, the baby luau had choke ono food!! :)

Indonesia's private and public sectors combined their resources to promote a month long campaign on awareness of the asian Bird Flu epidemic. On December 16, Hawaii's own Flashback, a rock and roll band made up of some local celebrities and hot musicians, played alongside some of the country's greatest bands. What a great way to help get the word out. Click here for more information on the campaign.

Ono for tasty local grinds? Got an appetite that just won't quit? Well you're in luck! There's a great little place right here in town where you can pound food like there's no tomorrow or just small kine. Check it out for yourself here. Enjoy!

So much controversy regarding this group. One would think they are a threat to Hawaiian culture given the slant of media coverage. But what's the deal here?

I may be a bad example of a Hawaiian but even I can see the problem. The issue at its basic tenets is one of cultural integrity. It's an all too familiar scenario where indigenous peoples obtain sovereign recognition, secure state, federal, and/or international protection, but then are left to their own devices on the practical matter of cultural practice.

Practice is the key to preserving tradition yet it is impossible to perform when access to culture is denied. This is exactly the case here with the remains and burial items. The museums and others have held on to them for far too long and should have thought to return or reinter them after their studies were completed. I am, of course, assuming that the digs were for study and teaching of Hawaiian culture and not just to display an extinct race of islanders.

Maybe therein lies the problem. Early assumptions that Hawaiians would surrender and forget their culture in return for American citizenship were an underestimation of a determined people. It worsened in the 70s with the renaissance bringing Hawaiiana into the mainstream consciousness. There would be no end or reduction of the race but an ever expanding, ever learning base from which the culture could prosper.

Hui Malama is a part of that renaissance created because of the continued injustice of the land and people. Good job for them in reinterring the remains, taking all the heat for it, and not giving a shit about it.

One of the many great unrecognized local groups of the 70s and early 80s, this duo wrote and performed an excellent compilation of tunes filled with energy and passion. From the environmentally aware "Green Goddess" that spoke of the changing landscape of Hawaii to the youthful ballad, "Season Rain", their music is diverse as it is original. It is contemporary Hawaiian blended with jazz and spanish influences. Suttle, yet moving.

Their sound was unique but so much a part of the generation of Contemporary Hawaiian Renaissance artists of the time. If you've ever visited the Waikiki White Sands Resort, you may have caught a glimpse of their performances. Sadly, there are no commercial recordings and the few live demos are rare.

The healing arts are full of mystery. But what it really comes down to is how well your body is attuned with the world you live in. If you've been feelin' ill and already tried your local physician, go see the Doc!