Puunene Reunion 2007 Documentary

Monday, December 30, 2013

Keanae ginger at the corner of the new Haleakala Highway and Makawao Avenue

A BIG shout-out to the Kaauamos who sell those gorgeous Keanae ginger sprays at the corner of Haleakala Highway and Makawao Avenue!

Don't know about them? You might have blinked as you passed the 2 trucks and the white buckets filled with all kinds of ginger arrangements, on an early Saturday morning. The Kaauamos are gone by 8 am.

These tropicals are a feast for the eyes!






The varieties might surprise you.


These are the ones I remember as a child.


So beautiful!

The Kaauamos note that the bouquets are going up to $6 each soon, after two years at the low price of $5. Still a fantastic bargain, I tell them.

Yes, I'm a regular, happy customer.

Linda
(◕‿◕)
@Celebrate_Maui
G+




Saturday, November 30, 2013

Oral History Interviews Preserve Maui's Rich History (+ footage of Maui in 1940)

*Footage of Maui in 1940


My librarian friend +Debora Lum recently sent me this email:

"I'm sure you've heard of the UHM Center for Oral History making their transcripts available at scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/handle/10125/21086. There are a lot of transcripts relating to your island."

Yes, indeed, there are a lot of transcripts relating to Maui, and they are so interesting to read!

Here are the ones that caught my eye and took me back to the day when life on Maui was a lot simpler.

(For interviews, scroll down to bottom of the page to download the PDF file)

Communities [414]

The Stores and Storekeepers of Pa'ia and Pu'unene collection is the richest of all for me, evoking wonderful memories of my childhood.

Stores and Storekeepers of Pa'ia and Pu'unene [35]
Mauians will recognize these other names too: Ancheta, Arakawa, Cabanayan, Guerrero, Hamai, Hayashida, Itakura, Itamura, Kobayashi, Kochi, Nakamura, Noda, Palafox, Perreira, Polo, Reyes, Sakumoto, Sato, Shimoda, Sevilla, Sueda,  Tamasaka, Teruya, Tsuji, Ujie, Zane.


The Center for Oral History is just one of dozens of communities within the University of Hawaii's ScholarSpace, searchable by:
A researcher's delight! And for me, a nostalgic walk back in time.

Mahalo to the UHM Center for Oral History!

Linda
(◕‿◕)
@Celebrate_Maui
G+

*Video description: "We recently discovered several vintage 16mm films filmed in old Hawaii. These films were originally taken by an unknown photographer for his own, personal enjoyment while en route from San Jose to Australia in 1940. We purchased them at a garage sale at the house at an old local orchardist. The films were converted to digital by volunteers from the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County using a special telecine processor that allowed us to preserve these historic images at no charge. All Rights Reserved."




Friday, November 1, 2013

Celebrating Maui Girl Miki Tomita and the Hokule'a

Miki Tomita is a Maui girl!

(Cross-posted in mauilibrarian2 blog)



University Laboratory Public Charter School teacher and Hōkūle‘a crew member Miki Tomita agreed to hang out with Google Rocks! Hawaii HOA panelists* to talk about the Hōkūle‘a’s World Wide Voyage 2014-2017. What an eye opener!

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Background: The Polynesian Voyaging Society built the Hōkūle‘a ("Star of Gladness") in 1973 for scientific inquiry.
"How did the Polynesians discover and settle small islands in ten million square miles of ocean, geographically the largest “nation” on earth? How did they navigate without instruments, guiding themselves across ocean distances of 2500 miles?" mo'olelo
Nainoa Thompson is the Society's highly esteemed president.

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The hangout

First of all, Miki showed us this inspiring 6-minute video from the Hōkūle‘a crew.

 
Hōkūle‘a’s Worldwide Voyage: Island Wisdom, Ocean Connections, Global Lessons 
from Hōkūle‘a Crew on Vimeo.

Miki's information-packed slide presentation starts at 28:29: (12 min.)


Miki talks about the project she's involved with: connecting school gardens around the world with the Hōkūle‘a’s Worldwide Voyage, starting at 41:05: (9 min.)


Here's the full hangout:


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Technology: One of the most interesting things about the Hōkūle‘a's upcoming Worldwide Voyage is the abundance of technology tied to the journey. The Hōkūle‘a itself will remain a non-instrument canoe. But its sister canoe Hikianalia is a fully-equipped vessel. 
 
Miki gives details in the Hangout about the technology involved, including documenting and archiving events via blogging and Google+ Hangouts.
According to Miki:
"Technology can be a bridge between our past and our future and help us critically think about all aspects of our lives."
Participation: These are ways students and teachers, as well as communities and organizations, can follow the Hōkūle‘a on its World Wide Voyage:

1. Bookmark hokulea.org. According to Miki, everything will be housed at the website.
 
2. Subscribe to the Hōkūle‘a Calendar.

3. Like the Hokulea Crew's Facebook page.

4. Follow @HokuleaWWV on Twitter.

(Perhaps the crew will consider creating a public Google+ community as well, for in-depth discussions.)

Students and teachers looking to actively engage with the Worldwide Voyage can share their story or ask the crew a question. And educators can sign up to get email updates about educational opportunities for students and teachers.

Schools wanting to participate more fully can email Miki at miki.k.tomita@gmail.com or Jenna Ishii at jenna.ishii@gmail.com.

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Thoughts: Miki Tomita is a passionate educator, and her enthusiasm is infectious!
 
Thank you, Miki, for sharing your mana'o with the Google Rocks! panel, and we look forward to following and supporting the Hōkūle‘a on its three-year voyage and beyond. First departure: for Tahiti in May 2014.

(◕‿◕✿)
@mauilibrarian2
G+

*Thanks to +Michael Fricano II+Chad Nacapuy  +Anne Torige and +Michelle Carlson Colte for participating in the Hangout.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

All about Pooch Fit -- An Interview with Owner/Runner Dustin Metzler


I was fascinated with the idea: running dogs as a service! It makes me tired just thinking about it, even if the running is at a jogging pace.

So I had to ask Dustin Metzler, owner of Pooch Fit, about it.

Dustin tells us all about how he started the business, how it has affected him, and his hopes for Pooch Fit's future. (And there's an awesome personal announcement at the end.) 

Thanks Dustin, for being a dream interviewee!

So, without further ado:

Q. Have you always wanted to have your own business?

A.  Yes. I think the entrepreneur bug got to me when I was 7. I can thank my mom for that. She was and still is a floral designer. Growing up she had her own business and worked from home. Even at that young age I knew that someday I wanted to have my "own thing." I would grow tomatoes with Dad, and then sell them. There I was at 7 years old with my card table set up by the street along with a scale and the tomatoes. My price was 50 cents a lb. All I remember was the satisfaction that came when a buyer would come by. I WAS IN BUSINESS!! It was in the middle of the day in the summer in the midwest. I'm pretty sure that mom was inside feeling sorry for me. She probably got on the phone and asked the neighbors to stop by. :)

In middle school I remember going to Sam's Club and buying a large bag of gum balls. I broke it down and went to school with about 20 sandwich size bags full of candy. There I would sell the individual bags to the kids at school. I thought it was awesome that I could more than triple my investment and make a nice profit. This lasted all of one week before I was sent in to see the principal.

Most of the jobs I've had since reaching adulthood haven't been the most fulfilling. I was always drawn and inspired to find something I could call my own.

Dustin with his Pooch Fit friend Stan

Q. How did you get the idea of Pooch Fit?

A. I was training for the 2012 Maui Marathon. I decided on January 1st last year that I would do it. For me, running 26 miles was a personal thing. It was a small way to remember and pay honor to my Dad who passed away 10 years ago... on the same month as the marathon.

Throughout the year I would constantly run by homes and see dogs in their backyard or kennel. I've always had an affinity for dogs and wanted to figure out a way to give them an "out." I'd always think to myself, "I bet he would love to come along for a run with me." I would even make it a habit to kneel down at their fence and spend a minute chatting with a dog.

It was during one of my training runs last August that the "Pooch Fit" inspiration hit me. Out of nowhere the name just came to me... and the moment it did, I knew without a doubt that it would work.

Pooch Fit serves Kihei, Wailea, Kula, Makawao and Pukalani

Q. What happened from there?

A.  Soon after reaching my goal of finishing the marathon, I became very focused on getting Pooch Fit off the ground. I took a dog obedience class to learn some of the basics. I found someone on the mainland who has a successful dog running business and I bought and read her how-to book, which was excellent. And for four months I volunteered my time two days a week with the Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation in Kihei. It was a great opportunity to begin jogging with dogs. It was during this time that I saw first hand how much dogs LOVE to get out and run. The greeting they gave me at the gate was amazing. "Doggie Pandemonium" would be the best way to describe it. I was blown away by their energy... total happiness and excitement that I was there to give them an opportunity to exercise and explore.

Q. When did you officially start?

A.  Pooch Fit LLC was registered on January 1st of this year.

Q. Did anyone help you during this time?

A. From day one my wife Stephanie has been completely on board. She has been my #1 supporter. I would like to take a minute and give thanks to Lisa Giesick. Lisa is a certified professional dog trainer here on Maui. I took one of her obedience classes, and I can tell you, she knows what she's doing. Early in January I let her know about my idea. Pooch Fit would not be where it's at today without Lisa. She was the catalyst that helped the business get off the ground. She referred me to countless dog owners, and her advice and suggestions have been invaluable. I can't thank her enough. For anyone in need of advice or training, I highly recommend her. You can find Lisa's website at www.ohanapet.com.

Q. Where is Pooch Fit now?

A. Each month the business continues to progress. Currently I'm jogging with 25 dogs on a weekly basis, the majority of them multiple times a week. My sessions are 30 minutes in duration both upcountry and on the south side. Right now the dogs and I combine for roughly 45 miles a week. One thing I try to do is make each session a "buddy run" session. My clients really like the idea of having their dog exercise with other canine friends. The majority of sessions are run with 2 dogs, sometimes 3 depending on how easy they are.

Q. Do you offer any other services beside the running sessions?

A. Yes. For upcountry dog owners I offer a 15 minute pop-in service in the afternoons after I'm done running. It's a short walk along with making sure all the other pets are taken care of. This is ideal for puppies and older dogs. Also for those dogs who may already get enough exercise but get lonely during the day.

Some of the Pooch Fit Club members

Q. What do you enjoy most about Pooch Fit?

A.  Spending time with my dogs. My four-legged guys really have become friends. Any dog owner can relate to the great feeling of coming home and being greeted by their dog. How great it is for me to be greeted by 5-10 dogs each day! I've been asked several times, "Don't you get tired?" Yes I do. Only physically though. Here's my attitude... I'd much rather be tired from doing something I love and am passionate about, than be tired from doing things I could never put my heart into. I realized a long time ago that I cannot do things well halfheartedly. If I can't be "all in" and fully invested, then I quickly lose interest.

I'm fully committed to this endeavor. There's no one who believes in Pooch Fit more than I do. Here's why... Everyday I'm reminded by my friends how important this time is to them. I feel that through Pooch Fit I'm able to connect with my dogs at a canine level. It has truly been a joy to see their genuine happiness and contentment, before, during, and after a run. This is an excellent outlet for a dog's pent up energy. Dogs have lost weight and have become healthier, and several who once were shy and nervous around other canines have become more social and comfortable. Running at its core is a very simple and primal activity. Having the ability to enjoy it with so many friends has been an awesome experience.

Q. How has Pooch Fit changed you? 

A. I'm grateful each day I wake up. I've learned you have to experience the unpleasant to truly enjoy and appreciate all that's good. People who are close to me know that life hasn't always been so fun. Without going into too much detail, I was not in a good place 7-8 years ago. I went to therapy and was diagnosed with depression. Shortly after, my first marriage failed. I worked at several jobs, none of which gave me what I was looking for. I was always restless and not quite sure what to do with my life. I had no goals or aspirations. "Being in a rut" was an understatement. I was 40 lbs. heavier and running wasn't in the conversation. Over the past few years I've dealt with a few other very personal challenges. I can't tell you how important Stephanie is to me. Having a life partner like her has meant so much.

I'm grateful that I chose to believe in and hold true to making this work. It has been deeply satisfying to go from nothing but an idea and turn it into the vision I had 12 months ago. Thanks, Mom, for showing me at an early age that creating the life you want outside of a 9 -5 job was possible.

I'm blessed to have a beautiful, loving and supportive wife and a delightful 9 year old son named DJ (Dustin Jr.). He's been watching Dad over the past year, and he himself has caught the entrepreneurial bug. "DJ Inc." -- an at-your-home car wash. :)

We're in a good place. I've found "my thing" and I couldn't be more enthusiastic or dedicated to my canine friends and to where I want to take this business.

Q. Where do you see Pooch Fit a few years from now? 

A. It all depends on finding the right people. Going solo has its limits of course. If I could run all day I would. I only have room now for 5 more upcountry dogs and about 8 more on the south side. Once my schedule is maxed out I will begin looking for help. It may take time though, and it's not something I'm in a rush to do. In a business sense, Pooch Fit is my baby. Anyone who comes on board as a runner must be completely trustworthy, hard working, and a self starter. If it works out, ideally I'd like to be island wide within the next two years. From there we'll consider taking it to other areas in Hawaii. If I can find the right people then there's really no limit with this business.

Q. Is there any other reason you're smiling right now?



A. Hahaha...well why not use this interview to let others know? My wife and I are expecting. We're both thrilled about it! DJ is also very happy and anticipating being a big brother in February.

Add that to the list of reasons why I wake up with a smile each day.

Q. How can others contact you who are interested in Pooch Fit?

A. Via my cell or email. (808) 359-1626, dustin@poochfit.com. Facebook is also a great way to connect with people. www.facebook.com/poochfit. I always encourage people to visit my website www.poochfit.com to see all the information and to see all the happy Pooch Fit Dogs!

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Pooch Fit's Facebook is a heart-warming place for dog lovers such as myself to be!

(You can click on the post below to go directly to the Facebook page to "like" Pooch Fit.)


Thanks for the inspiration, Dustin!

Warm congratulations on your growing business and best wishes to you and your growing family.

Linda
@Celebrate Maui
On G+


Saturday, August 31, 2013

Tried NUKA Maui on Hiro's Birthday -- What a Treat!


YES, I want to chime in with all of the people who have been raving about Nuka's in Haiku. It's an all around FANTASTIC eating experience!

Here's their menu.

If you want to take a peek at what Nuka offers, check out their Facebook page. My photos pale in comparison. 

I'm guessing you'll fall in love with Nuka like I did.

BFF Mona and I got there early (they open at 4:30pm every day except Monday). No reservations needed.

We started out with the best. FIRE and ICE Roll in honor of Chef Hiro's birthday.



I would have gone home perfectly content if this was the only dish I had eaten. It was that good!

Fire and Ice Roll - shrimp tempura, avocado, spicy mayo, topped w/ ponzu shave ice

Mona ordered for the both of us. (She's an expert on Japanese cuisine). 

This is what came next.

Spider roll - soft shell crab, cucumber, pea sprouts, masago, and eel sauce

Then,

Shrimp and vegetable tempura - lightly battered and fried in rice bran oil, tempura sauce

We topped our meal off with ice cream. So ono!

Black sesame and green tea ice cream, with chocolate sticks

On our way out, we stopped to wish Hiro a happy birthday.

What a great smile!

Beau Joe's birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks. Guess where I'm taking him?

@Celebrate Maui
On G+

P. S.  Check out these reviews:
Nuka in Haiku: New Maui Restaurant Review, June 7, 2013 by Jen Russo of Maui Dish 
Yelp

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Filming the 2013 Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa'u Parade

My grandson and I have been filming Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa'u Parade in Lahaina for several years now, and it's always such a pleasure!

This year, the parade planners asked me to upload the video to both YouTube and Vimeo, so I did!

(this version has clickable links in the description -- a cool feature of YouTube)



2013 Na Kamehameha Pa'u Parade - Lahaina, HI from Linda Lindsay on Vimeo.

Enjoy!

If you're wondering what pa'u is, here's a video I did several years ago about the art of pa'u as it is practiced on Maui.



@Celebrate Maui On G+


Sunday, June 30, 2013

What about those rose apple trees on Hana Highway?

http://www.starrenvironmental.com/images/images/plants/full/05/08/starr-050818-4172.jpg

We noticed them on our way in to Waianapanapa for our annual family week-long camping vacation.

Rose apple trees, 'rosey apple' we call them.

"We kids loved eating them," reminisced the Beau.

Ravaged. No leaves. Brown. Dead.

You could see the trees everywhere, many along the road and more scattered up the cliff sides. A few trees were in this condition last year, but this year? So much more devastation.

Why?

Fast forward to breakfast with Dad at an upcountry eatery. Who should we see but friends Forest and Kim Starr, an environmental biologist husband-and-wife team who have made it their life's work to identify the plants of Maui. (It was fantastic having breakfast with them.)

'Ohia rust', pronounced Forest. 'It's everywhere', added Kim.

Although the disease is called ohia rust, luckily this strain hasn't touched our ohia. Only the rose apple.

Young leaves with Puccinia psidii damage
Hana Hwy, Maui
Photo courtesy of Forest and Kim Starr

The State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture put out a New Pest Advisory back in 2005, when the disease was first spotted on O'ahu.



































According to the Maui Invasive Species Committee website:

"If a new strain of the rust arrives there is a very real chance that it will attack ‘ōhi‘a and cause the same level of damage as it did to rose apple. This could be devastating: ‘ōhi‘a makes up 80% of our native rainforest and is the keystone species in the watershed. In an effort to protect ‘ōhi‘a and our rainforest–the source of our water–the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture is proposing a ban on the import of plants that could carry a new variety of the rust." 
[Plans in the pipeline to protect ‘ōhi‘a from ‘rust’, December 1, 2011
Original article by Lissa Strohecker: Maui News, October 9, 2011]

'We thought it might be part of an eradication plan," I murmured. 

"We couldn't have done such a good job of it," answered Kim. The rust spores travel with the wind, and spread is quick.

A Baseline Analysis of the Distribution, Host-Range and Severity of the Rust Puccinia Psidii in the Hawaiian Island, 2005-2010 displays results from road-side surveys of the Waihe'e Trail, but the report doesn't mention Hana Highway.


Much of the road to Hana now looks like this photo, taken in 2008.

Syzygium jambos (rose apple) 
Habit with Puccinia psidii at Huelo Hana Hwy, Maui. 
March 26, 2008. 
Image by Forest & Kim Starr


The big question is: what can you and I as regular citizens do to help?

True, the rose apple is considered an invasive species, but a strain of the puccinia psidii could possibly arrive and target our beloved ‘ōhi‘a trees.

First, Don't bring in myrtle plants or cut flowers, especially from other countries, without first checking with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

"Carver Wilson of Maui Floral knows firsthand about the hitchhiking pests carried in cut flowers and foliage. He and other florists throughout the state have voluntarily cut back on their use of eucalyptus and wax myrtle as foliage in arrangements. These plants in the myrtle family are imported from out-of-state and are the likely culprit for bringing in the invasive ‘ōh‘ia rust that spread quickly, killing rose apple trees throughout the state."

Secondly, the Maui Invasive Species Committee recommends buying or using only locally grown flowers and foliage.

Thirdly, education is key. Here are some articles for further study:

       Rust ruins rose apple; guardians fear for ohia Maui News, December 14, 2008

       Puccinia psidii - A plethora of articles at HEAR.org (why is HEAR closing?)

       Puccinia Rust - references to scientific articles, from the University of Hawai'i Hawaii          Forestry Extension

I was happy to see that the Starrs documented the puccinia psidii damage again, in 2012. This photo gives a clear idea of the kind of damage we saw a couple of weeks ago.

Syzygium jambos (rose apple) 
Habit Puccinia psidii damage at Hana Hwy, Maui. 
February 16, 2012. 
Image by Forest & Kim Starr 

Those dead rose apple trees definitely caught my attention!

Does anyone know the status of the proposed ban on importing plants that could have a related strain affecting the ‘ōhi‘a?

It's important that we find out!

@Celebrate Maui
On G+

P. S. A big MAHALO to Forest and Kim for their dedication to documenting the natural resources of Hawaii.




Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Anyone Up for a Cardboard Challenge, ala Caine's Arcade?

I attended Kamehameha's Kukulu Kaiaulu 2013 conference last week.  Imagine: Building Global Communities was the theme. Boy, did it start off with a bang!

The opening keynote was indeed about imagination and building global communities. Filmmaker Nirvan Mullick spoke about his creation: Caine's Arcade. The video tugged at my heart and later I watched it a second, and then a third time, and showed it to my family. So powerful.

The video was posted on April 9, 2012, and it went viral. ... See what you think (even if you're one of the millions who already viewed it, I know you won't mind watching it again).


...It fueled a world-wide movement!

Long story short:

The filmmaker set up a college scholarship fund for Caine with a goal of $25,000. The fund is now up to $233,000+ as of the publishing of this post, with matching funds from the Goldhirsch Foundation.

The video spawned the Imagination Foundation.

'For every $1 donated by the public to “Caine’s Scholarship Fund,” the Goldhirsh Foundation will donate $1 toward establishing the Imagination Foundation to support other amazing kids!'

Check out the articles galore after the video went viral, as documented in Caine's Arcade's Press page. Amazingly, this press page covers over 6 dozen high-profile articles in a very short 2-1/2 month period.

And there's a Facebook page (which I Liked).

Here's Part 2, posted on September 12, 2012, titled Caine's Arcade 2: From a Movie to a Movement. Another heart filler.



The Imagination Foundation holds an annual Cardboard Challenge for kids, wherein kids create amazing things out of cardboard. Last year, there were 270 events in 40 countries. How many events in how many countries will there be this year?

The goal is to 'engage 1 million kids in 70 countries in creative play'. Here's how to get involved.

The second Cardboard Challenge will take place on October 5, 2013. Find out about hosting a Challenge here. The event could range from a classroom project to a large community event.

... I wonder if any Maui people would be interested in hosting a challenge. In fact, I'm thinking that since the world-wide Challenge takes place during our Maui Fair, it would be a grand event to offer for our children, one that celebrates their creativity. :)

One of the coolest things about this project is that the creations are from recycled materials. Cost? Practically nothing. Isn't that wonderful?

Any takers?
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P. S. I got up the nerve to introduce myself to Nirvan after the presentation. Do I look as starstruck as I felt?
Nirvan Mullick, director of Caine's Arcade, Parts 1 and 2

(◕‿◕ )

@Celebrate Maui

G+

Cross-posted in mauilibrarian2 in Olinda.

Friday, May 31, 2013

Thanks for the Memories, Steve

Steve and I at his retirement party

Created a video for my colleague and friend Steve, who retired last week, after 30 years of service to our school.

It was such a pleasure!



◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

Behind the scenes:

Photo courtesy of Ned Simonds

(◕‿◕)
@Celebrate_Maui

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Just So You Know About My Beloved Shadow



Breed: Black Lab Mix

Weight: 80 lbs.

Aliases: Puppers, Doggy-dog-dog, Sweetie Pie, Sweet-Sweet-Sweet, Shadow Boy -- officially? Shadow Lucky Lindsay

Physical description: Coal BLACK, with a white beard and a few white hairs on his paws as he aged. Slightly crooked tail that made me fall in love with him. Beautiful brown eyes with a well-played sideways "I don't want to go outside" glance. Ears that go sometimes floppy and sometimes pointy, depending on his mood and the direction of the wind. Strong DEEP authoritative bark to scare away strangers.

Disposition: FRIENDLY, mellow.

Favorites: PEOPLE, jumping for popcorn, RIDING in the car, sniffing everywhere, long drawn-out naps, eating poop :)

Least favorites: CATS,  fireworks, thunder and lightning, and chickens, in that order.

Favorite special treats: Anything with GRAVY, raw eggs, SHRIMP TAILS, doggie biscuits, char siu manapua filling ...  to name a few.

Favorite places to be scratched: cheek, neck, belly, back -- okay, pretty much anywhere, but most of all the cheek. But full body massages preferred.


Thirteen years is a long time. My entire routine revolved around this sweet loving creature. He was my constant, loyal companion.

I miss him a lot.



(◕‿◕✿)
@Celebrate_Maui

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Maui Bloggers on Google+

Just under the wire again with my monthly blog post for Maui Bloggers Network!

It was so much fun blog-hopping through the Maui Bloggers Network and writing about 10 Maui People BIG on Pinterest that I thought I'd do another list: Maui Bloggers on Google+.

Google+ has been on my radar for a few months now. It's a social media community that I think will fundamentally change the way we communicate, as some of Google's products have already done. But that's my personal opinion and material for a post on my mauilibrarian2 in Olinda blog.

Maui is just beginning to get interested in Google+, as far as I can tell. I found only a few official looking accounts:
Maui No Ka Oi, which is Maui County's account. Maui County's YouTube videos are linked to the account.
Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau
TEDxMaui on Google+
And Maui, Hawaii is the only active Maui-based Google+ Community that I could find. Please tell me if you know of others and I'll add them.

Peter Liu is a social media rock star, so of course he has a Google+ account. Peter did a Hangout on Air demo back in November as part of a MauiSMUG event. You'll see some familiar faces introducing themselves in this 5-minute demo.




So here it is, a list of Maui bloggers on Google+, in alphabetical order. My criteria for the list? At least 100 people following. I think 100 indicates involvement.

The numbers of course will be outdated as soon as I click Publish, but you get the idea of how engaged (or how long) these Maui bloggers have been on Google+.

I've added them all to my "Maui Bloggers" circle, which I'm sharing with you HERE:
  1. Kathy Becklin 171 - Maui real estate professional
  2. Erik Blair 679 - The Accidental Consultant 
  3. Randy Jay Braun 21,258 - Photographer (and Google+ star)
  4. Sarah Burns 503 - Tadah Social Media
  5. Roxanne Darling 1,368 - Barefeet Studios
  6. Howard Dinitz 396 - easyMauirealestate.com
  7. David Fisher 163 - Maui Venture Consulting LLC
  8. Jesse Francis 846 - mauicomputer.com
  9. Marilyn Jansen Lopes 110 - Maui Country Farm Tours
  10. Luana Fukumoto 358 - Covenant Clothing Co.
  11. Pete Jalbert 461 - Real estate agent
  12. Jt Klough 152 - Maui Dog Remedies
  13. Wendy Laurel 139 - Photographer
  14. Linda Lindsay 362 - me, school librarian with a definite #gonegoogle bent
  15. Peter Liu 548 - Photographer, digital media strategist, TEDxMaui digital media director
  16. Toby Neal  402 - Therapist, author (check out her shiny RED G+ background photo!)
  17. Kris Nelson 146 - Chicago-based photographer who loves Maui and does the Daily Maui Photo 
  18. Chris Norberg 2,320 - Hawaii Web Group website design
  19. Aimee Paradise 193 - Internet Design + PR + Travel
  20. Liza Pierce 309 - A Maui Blog
  21. Shane Robinson 1,881 - Artist Barefeet Studios
  22. Jenn Russo 282 - Maui Time writer
  23. Nicole Sanchez 1,223 - Arbonne area manager
  24. Jake Smookler 429 - Government security officer
  25. Sara Tekula 214 - Producer/Director/Media Consultant
  26. Shannon Wianecki 151 - Writer, editor
Have I missed any Maui blogger with 100 or more Google+ followers? I'm sure I have! Please let me know who you are and I'll add you to the list, as well as to my Google+ shared circle.

Maybe we should have a private Maui Bloggers community on Google+. What do you think?

(◕‿◕)
@Celebrate_Maui

Helpful links:

Denis Labelle's Google+ Toolbox
Instructions for sharing a circle

WHEW, so many links! Please let me know if I messed up. :)



Thursday, February 28, 2013

Blog-hopping through the Maui Bloggers Network

Here it is the last day of the month, ALREADY, and the post I had planned for this month had to be postponed because the mom-and-pop company I planned to write about is in transition. Stay tuned for that great story!

Soooo, this idea popped into my head (I love it when ideas do that). How about taking readers with me on my February blog hop through the Maui Bloggers Network?

Maui Bloggers Network members are prolific writers! Some of them have more than one blog.

Liza Pierce of A Maui Blog put the Network together -- Mahalo, Liza! You can request to be a member, but be sure to check the guidelines for membership first. Here's the Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MauiBloggers/

Liza officially introduced the Network on July 28, 2012, and promoted some of them on Sept. 15, 2012. As of this date, the Network boasts 94 members.

These are the posts I'll be reading and commenting on this weekend:


Maui Real Estate Year in Review | Cherie Attix- Ho'okipa Aikane

Oh Heavenly Day - Patti Griffin | Sylvia Kikuyama - DzinePOD

Random bits about food, culture and an open mind | Tania Ginoza

Superbowl Sunday Sunset | Joyce Chin Photography

Mark Twain in the Sandwich Islands | Malia Bohlin - Mamala o Maui

The World Does Not Need Another Self-Help Book | Roxanne Darling - In The Transition

Visiting Lana’i | Maui Goodness

What's your favorite local coffee? | Maui Oceanview Condos

I feel so privileged to be a member of this auspicious network!

(◕‿◕)
 @Celebrate_Maui

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Yes, I'm one of those people -- posting about how much I love my dog!


How much do I love my dog? 
“No matter how close we are to another person, few human relationships are as free from strife, disagreement, and frustration as is the relationship you have with a good dog. Few human beings give of themselves to another as a dog gives of itself. I also suspect that we cherish dogs because their unblemished souls make us wish - consciously or unconsciously - that we were as innocent as they are, and make us yearn for a place where innocence is universal and where the meanness, the betrayals, and the cruelties of this world are unknown.”
― Dean Koontz, A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog

That is all.

Popcorn-catching days


Avocado-eating days


Car-riding days


Sleeping days

(◕‿◕)
@Celebrate_Maui