Meaningful Gratitude

Erin's Events for November 2009

As the year winds down and the holiday season ramps up, the spirit of appreciation and giving becomes more of a focus in our lives. Maybe it is due simply to the commercialization of "being thankful" on Thanksgiving, or stockpiling gifts in preparation for Christmas, but I choose to believe that this feeling of gratitude and love is triggered instead by a thoughtful awareness of all the bountiful things this year has brought us thus far.

My wish for this holiday season, not just on Thanksgiving alone, is that everyone may take at least a moment to be thankful for all the good in their lives, and that their gratitude may manifest itself into something productive, positive, and meaningful so that we can hopefully leave 2009 better than when it began.

And with that, I will start by sharing just a few of the wonderful events going on this November across our beautiful islands - events that wouldn't be possible without the countless hands who so willingly give of their time, energy, and resources to provide us with a bounty of cultural, educational, healthy, entertaining, and interesting things to partake in year round. For all of this, I am deeply thankful.

I am thankful for OUR TROOPS:

• Kauai: Despite all of the possible points of contention, when it comes to our military, the indisputable fact is that we cannot be more grateful to our active soldiers and veterans who ensure our freedoms and safety every single day. November 7th join 60 marching units, decorative floats, bands and more as they parade through Kapaa town to celebrate the men and women of our military. The festivities will begin at 10 a.m. at the Kapaa Small Boat Harbor and will culminate at the Kapaa Beach Park with ono food, speakers, craft booths, JROTC Drill Team demonstrations and live entertainment. Admission is free and open to the public.

I am thankful for OUR RICH CULTURE:

• Big Island: Head to Hilo on Friday, November 6th to take part in the 8th annual Black & White Night. Festivities kick off at 5 p.m. with a block party on the streets and over 70 businesses and organizations offering free entertainment and refreshments as well as special prizes and sales. Stop by the Grand Central Station on Keawe street for your Treasure Hunt map which treasure seekers will use to collect stamps from participating vendors in hopes of winning some of the thousands of dollars in prize money at stake.
• Big Island: Don't feel like roaming the streets? The Palace Theater on Haili street will be showing a free performance by Vienna Teng, an acclaimed singer, songwriter and pianist. The show starts at 6:30 so get there early and enjoy a serenade by the Puna Men's Chorus in the lobby while you wait. And last but not least, don't forget to put on your best Black & White outfit and get yourself signed in for the Best Dressed Contest happening at the Grand Central Station between 5 & 6 p.m. And, after all that, if you still aren't ready to call it a night, head down to the Kaikodo Building where the Downtown Swing Band will keep you going till the wee hours of the morning. For more information go here: www.poshfestivals.com
• Big Island: Hawaii is beautiful for many reasons, one of which is its celebration of all the different cultures that make up our community. The Inaugural Talking Circle: Big Island Indigenous Film Festival aims to do just that through the big screen as they showcase the work of Native American, First Nations and Native Hawaiian filmmakers. They hope that this festival will be both an opportunity for indigenous people to share their stories as well as to give others a view into their worlds in an accessible and entertaining way. The films will be shown at the Palace Theater in Hilo the weekend of November 20th - 22nd. For tickets and more information go to www.talkingcirclefilmfestival.com or call 808-557-8607.
• Kauai: Music is an integral part of the culture here in Hawaii. Celebrate one of the most beautiful styles of it, the slack key guitar, at the 17th Annual Kauai Style Slack Key Festival. Held this year on November 15th from noon until 5 p.m. at the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort, this event is sure to be nothing short of the perfect Sunday afternoon.

I am thankful for OUR PLENTIFUL OCEAN:

• Statewide: The Humpback whales have returned to give birth to their young and spend the winter in our warm ocean waters. Splurge to go on a whale watching boat tour...seeing these large, graceful creatures up close never ceases to be an amazing experience.
• Oahu: Vans Triple Crown of surfing kicks competition begins November 12th and wraps up December 20th. As the final stop on the ASP World Tour, you can watch as the worlds top surfers compete in a series of three men's and women's contests taking place at Oahu's world famous north shore beaches, Haleiwa, Sunset Beach and Pipeline. Whether you venture out there every year, or if you are seeing it for the first time, watching the surfers battle the gigantic waves is nothing short of incredible. For more information go here: /www.triplecrownofsurfing.com.

I am thankful for HAWAII'S BEAUTIFUL & UNIQUE FLORA AND FAUNA:

• Maui: Want to learn more about our feathered friends here in Hawaii? Join the group from the Maui Forest Bird Recovery on November 3rd for a fascinating talk about the incredible avian biodiversity that exists here in our islands. They will share images, video and the sounds of native Hawaiian honeycreepers and teach you about the conservation efforts they are making to ensure the perpetuation of Hawaii's native species.
• Maui: Take your new-found avian knowledge out for a test run with the same group on a hike through the breathtaking native Hawaiian forest at the Waikamoi Preserve. The hike will begin at 9 a.m. on November 7th. Call 808-573-0280 for more information.
• Maui: Want to give back? Attend the Gala event for the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project being held November 14th at the Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center in Makawao. Mingle with your fellow bird enthusiasts while enjoying pupus, wine, music, and presentations by Maui Forest Birds, Jack Jeffrey, and Maui Bird Conservation Center. Reservations are required for the event.
• Statewide: We are so lucky here in Hawaii to have so much beautiful, lush, green space to enjoy. Helping to perpetuate this are various businesses and organizations that will be gifting free shrubs and trees to the community statewide in celebration of Arbor Day. For a schedule of places and times on your island, how to care for your new plants and much more, please go here: www.arbordayhawaii.org.
• Oahu: In planning for our future, education of our keiki is key. November 13th - 15th bring your children down to the Great American Green Circus being held at Blaisdell. Kid's imaginations are sure to be excited as they enjoy a mix of captivating contemporary entertainment, unparalleled human ability and beautiful artistry while learning the whys and hows of leading a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Packed with fun and circus stunts, The Circus with a Purpose is sure to not disappoint. The show is 2 hours long and tickets range in price from $28 - $32 with keiki under 2 free. Tickets can be purchased through the Blaisdell box office or via Ticketmaster. For more information call 405-863-4783.

I am thankful for ONO FOOD:

• Big Island: Looking for a good cup o' Joe? November 6th -15th you will be sure to find one at the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. Revel in ten (10!) full days of coffee related activities all over Kona, all celebrating 181 years of coffee harvest and traditions established in the Kona Coffe Belt region. The menu includes arista workshops, a Little Miss Kona Coffee Pageant, lei contest, parade, coffee picking and recipe contests and pretty much everything else you can imagine. For more information and a full schedule of events visit www.konacoffeefest.com.
• Maui: Who doesn't love a good BBQ? November 8th grab your friends and join in on the Great Pulehu Challenge happening from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Maui Community College Campus in Kahului. Featuring a Hawaiian-style BBQ cook-off, there will also be games for the keiki, live entertainment, and, of course, ono food! For more information call Jill at 808-242-5459.
• Big Island: Switch it up a bit this Thanksgiving by taking part in the "Kalua Your Turkey" event being hosted by the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden on November 25th from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Show up with your turkey and its fixings all ready to go in an aluminum pan (max pan size is 12"x20") and the Garden staff will provide ti leaves to wrap your bird in, and then teach you how to make your own imu and cook your turkey or pig. Limited to only seven participants, it is important to sign up for this one early! Cost is $20 for members and $30 for non-members. For more information or to sign up call 808-323-3318 or e-mail agg@bishopmuseum.org.

I am thankful for GOOD HEALTH & WELLNESS:

• Maui: Dust off your golf clubs and get ready to enter the Hawaiian ProAM golf tournament being held from November 9th until the 13th. Not your average golf tournament, this one is made up of 72 teams (1 professional and 3 amateurs) who will spend 5 days (1 for practice) playing on three of the world's most renowned courses. Chockfull of events and with purse money and prizes at stake, this is sure to be a tournament to remember. To register or for more information contact Dori Ingalls at 802-363-9863 or via e-mail at info@hawaiianproam.com.
• Oahu: Get ready for your Thanksgiving feast at the Honolulu Marathon Clinic's Annual Turkey Trot. A Thanksgiving tradition since 1974, unlike usual marathons, the winner of the Turkey Trot will be the person who completes the 10 mile run closest to their own predicted finishing time. Festivities will culminate at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand to award the prizes. For more information go here: honolulumarathonclinic.org/turkey-trot.
• Maui: Basketball fan? If so, you don't want to miss the 2009 EA Sports Maui Invitational where top college teams compete for the title of champion at this 26th annual premier pre-season tournament. Teams will be coming from Arizona, Chaminade, Colorado, Gonzaga, Cincinnati, Maryland, Vanderbilt and Wisconsin. Watch in person at Maui's Lahaina Civic Center or watch them from home via live broadcasts on ESPN and ESPN 2. For more information go to www.mauiinvitational.com.