Do you want to know how to stay calm in any situation? Have you ever had a bad day, where you feel down, but then you see someone you truly admire, and it turns that bad day right around? What is it about some people that changes the mood, the tone, and emotions of a circumstance? And how do some people have a “superpower” to help you regain focus on the things that matter most?  In Hawaii, there’s a word and a value that can help us be better as people, friends, and family members. It is one way we can show aloha to others.  ‘Olu’olu. ‘Olu’olu Weather  What I love about the H ..read more

Do you want to learn how to truly be generous? Manawale’a. If you’ve been to Hawaii, did you feel a sense of generosity? Did it feel like there was an abundance… an abundance of love, kindness, mercy, and more?  Kindness and love, aloha, are the core of the Hawaiian culture. And generosity stems from aloha. In Hawaiian culture, it’s common to feed others who come to the house, to offer resources, or to even let someone merge in on a busy highway. This is generosity, showing a willingness to give more than is necessary or asked. Generosity is especially an important value in the Hawaiian ..read more

“Noho” is the Hawaiian word meaning to “sit, be, act, or live.” It also literally means a chair… so where am I going with this value? I want to explore how the concept of “noho” can help us in our lives. A lot of people don’t know why they’re here, where they’re going, or how to grow and move on from the past. We live in a world where we’re constantly bombarded by distractions, from our phones and social media to work and the mundane of life. It’s easy to get caught up in a mindless routine or to feel that we have a purpose in one thing because it’s serving or benefiting others.  Yet the ..read more

There are many land animal names in Hawaiian. Do you want to learn how to say “cat” in Hawaiian? Or maybe you want to learn how to say “dog” in Hawaiian? This article covers common land animal names and features some fun facts. I’ve been doing a lot of research for some upcoming books, as well as learning Hawaiian to be able to read and write it fluently. Some of these words have come up and I thought it’d be fun to share them with you!  If you’re wanting to learn some common animal names, this is your list! I hope you enjoy it, as well as some history behind each animal!  Dog  ..read more

Image from Lani Shades Website I’m always on the lookout for eco-friendly options, but I never knew there was a thing as eco-friendly sunglasses! This is a great alternative for anyone who loves to be outside, wants a durable pair of sunglasses, and likes to go the eco-friendly route with product purchases. Lani Shades reached out to me recently and I was so impressed by their company, values, and mindset that I decided to write a little article about them to share with my readers. So if you’re looking for a pair of eco-friendly sunglasses, keep reading and I’ll share all the details with you ..read more

Do you want to learn some Hawaiian introductory phrases, like “my name is” or “how are you?” This list will get you started on the journey to learning simple Hawaiian. While you don’t have to learn the Hawaiian language to be able to communicate on the islands, it is helpful to know a few of the most common Hawaiian introductory phrases, especially for introductions. Let’s dive in! Aloha Hello, goodbye, I love you. Pehea ‘oe? How are you? ‘O wai kou inoa? What is your name? ‘O ____(name) ko’u inoa. My name is ____. Nohea mai ‘oe? Where are you from? No ____ au. I am from ____ ‘Ehia ou makahi ..read more

Lanai Island. Have you ever been? Also known as the Pineapple Isle, Lanai island is the home of some iconic places like Sweetheart Rock, Garden of the Gods, and Shipwreck Beach. It houses one of the most expensive resorts in Hawaii and 98% of the island is owned by Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle. He bought most of the island, including the Four Seasons hotels, for $300 million dollars. The hotel was renovated and made into the luxury resort that it is today.  I have been doing a lot of research about the island of Lanai, as I’m writing a retelling of a Hawaiian legend that took place o ..read more

Which Hawaiian treats are you craving? It’s hard not to drool a little when you see pictures of li hing gummy bears or sour worms. Or chi chi dango mochi, kulolo, or chocolate haupia pie. Hawaiian treats are seriously the best! But if you’ve moved to the mainland, like me, you might realize that in order to get some Hawaiian treats, you sometimes have to go to Asian markets or other speciality stores because the local markets don’t have specific ingredients. Don’t worry. I’ve created this list of easy Hawaiian trets to help you satisfy that island sweet tooth. A few of the following items on ..read more

Hawaii locals are a unique bunch of people. Hawaii locals come from all kinds of backgrounds and ethnicity, not just Hawaiian. I grew up in Hawaii, and my parents are both Hawaiian, so the culture, customs, and etiquette of Hawaii were a part of my everyday life. I actually lived in the mainland until nine years of age, but my parents, Hawaii locals themselves, raised us in the way they’d been raised: we took our shoes off when entering the house, waited politely for the host to eat before digging in, shared food (or didn’t share food if we didn’t have enough for everyone), and so forth. When ..read more

Which Hawaiian sea animal is your favorite? After all, what is a visit to Hawaii without seeing some of the ocean wildlife? Seeing turtles, sharks, dolphins, fish, and more are amazing memories. They’re unforgettable moments where we connect with nature and God’s creations. I can’t even say how many people tell me about how they saw turtles, fish, or dolphins on their trip to Hawaii and their entire soul lights up.  Seeing (and possibly getting close—if circumstances are safe and permit) marine animals in Hawaii inspires us. It ignites a part of us deep within, perhaps the inner child, t ..read more