Excellent Pahoa Restaurant - Pele's Kitchen - Sushi & Gourmet Local Flavors

Pele's Kitchen - Sushi & Delicious Local Flavors in Pahoa Town

Tuna Sashimi

Try out this new fabulous restaurant in Pahoa, next to Shaka's in the old Pahoa Village Cafe location - just 5 minutes from Hale Moana Bed & Breakfast in the heart of Pahoa Town.

Pele's Kitchen is a great addition to the Pahoa Restaurant mix. It just recently moved from the Hilo Town Tavern in Downtown Hilo to Pahoa and is now open to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hours are 7 am - 1pm daily with dinner served on Friday & Saturday. Sushi hours are Thursday - Saturday. The number to call for reservations or to order take out is 935-0550.

Fish Special with tumeric rice and mashed sweet potato

Taro & Yam Chips with Salsa

Pele's Kitchen owners, Stephen & Liz Yundt, known locally as Uncle & Auntie, serve up their country breakfast with a wild jungle flavor. Homemade breads, desserts and cinnamon rolls, banana bread and homemade tropical syrups like lilikoi, coconut & guava greet their diners every morning. Breakfast flair includes such exotic items as "Mango Blintzes", "Cinnamon-Apple French Toast" and classics like Eggs Benedict and Huevos Rancheros.

Princess of the Jungle

Lunches include Puna Burgers, Reuben' Sandwich, Huli-Huli chicken sandwich, exotic salds like Princess of the Jungle and even homade raviolis in local style flavors like Chicken-Macadamia, Kalua Pork and Hawaiian Grass-Fed Beef. Specials include a delectable fish sandwich featuring local ono caught right out of Pohoiki.

Puna Pie

Uncle's fabulous dessert choices include such originals as the Puna Pie, Mountain Apple Pie, Chocolate Eclairs, Mango Pie, Blackberrry Pie, Pohaberry Pie and Macadamia Tarts.

Auntie Liz greets everyone at the door and is a source for information on the local area. Auntie is an artist, making customized t-shirts and showing customers how to make ti-leaf leis. She also creates delicious jungle juices like lilikoi-calamansi and local ginger iced tea.  

Japanese Sushi Master, Kiji Ichikawa joins hte staff Thursday - Saturday to present sushi creations that are renown all over Hawaii.

What impressed my kids and me about Pele's Kitchen was the quality of the food, the attention to detail and the personal atmosphere with excellent service. We went to the restaurant based on the recommendation of friends and had a variety of dishes: Taro & Yam Chips and Maui Onion Rings for starters, the Sushi Special of the day, the bacon burger with fries and the fish special with tumeric rice, mashed purple sweet potatoes and salad for our main course. For desert we tried the mountain apple and black berry pies. To drink we had the lilikoi-calamansi and a beer from the bar next door. All was absolutely delicious. All ingredients are from local growers and the owners' garden. If you are there for dinner on the weekends you may also catch the band playing at Shaka's - it's right next to the restaurant.

Pele's Kitchen offers a great variety of choices for vegetarians and vegans.

Merrie Monarch 2013 - Hala Pepe - Hula Plant of the Day

Merrie Monarch 2013 - Hula Plants

Stay at Hale Moana Bed & Breakfast and visit Hilo and the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, - only 30 minutes away:

Last and certainly not least! Today’s hula plant of the day is hala pepe (Pleomele hawaiiensis), and it honors the seventh and final day of the Merrie Monarch Festival, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Hala pepe is one of the most highly esteemed plants used to adorn the kuahu, or hula altar, to honor Laka, the goddess of hula, and is considered the kino lau, or spiritual form, of Kapo, another hula goddess. Its two-inch flowers can also be used for lei.

This stunning plant belongs to the agave sub-family, and can grow 20 feet or higher. There are several types of hala pepe endemic to specific islands. Pleomele hawaiiensis is endemic to Hawai‘i Island, and can be found in dryland forests and other mesic regions. It is the rarest species of hala pepe, and is federally listed as endangered. Outside the park, its survival is threatened by goats, cattle, alien grasses, fire, and development.

Park resource managers are working to increase the numbers of hala pepe in the park, though propagation, out-planting, and protection. Currently, less than 20 mature, wild hala pepe are found scattered throughout drier areas of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
 

To see more of Mark's beautiful photos, check out today's Hula Plant blog post at the Pacific Island Parks blog: http://pacificislandparks.com/2013/04/06/hula-plant-photos-of-the-day-hala-pepe/

NPS Photo/Mark Wasser

 

 

Merrie Monarch 2013 - Events: Saturday April 6, 2013

Merrie Monarch 2013 - Events: Saturday April 6, 2013

Stay at Hale Moana Bed & Breakfast and visit Hilo and the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, - only 30 minutes away:

• Hawaiian Invitational Arts & Crafts Fair: 8:30AM to 5PM - Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium
  
• Native Hawaiian Art Exhibit: 10AM to 6PM - Merrie Monarch Festival Office
  
• Merrie Monarch Royal Parade : starting at 10:30AM in downtown Hilo. Here are some pictures from previous Parades in 2009 and 2008 to get an idea of what it is like.
  
• Hula Free Demonstration : Halau O Mailelaulani, Maile Canario - Noon Civic Auditorium
  
• Group Hula 'Auana Competition: 6PM Edith Kanaka'ole Multipurpose Stadium - tickets needed. Televised and live stream over the internet by KFVE.

Merrie Monarch 2013 - Hawaiian Words for Hula Survival

Merrie Monarch 2013 - Hawaiian Words for Hula Survival

Stay at Hale Moana Bed & Breakfast and visit Hilo and the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, - only 30 minutes away:

If you are new to Hula, you need some Hawaiian language to help understand and appreciate hula and the cultural aspects of the dance.

Here is a list of words used commonly during the Merrie Monarch festival.

Aloha - is used to say hello and goodbye and desribes a kind of love or respect for something or someone. It is sometimes used in the negative: "He has no aloha!"
'Auana - Modern Hawaiian style
Halau - With regard to hula, this means a Hula group or school usually under the direction of Kumu. It means long house for canoes as well.
Haole - used to refer to white people
Hapa - means half and is used to describe people's race (Hapa Hawaiian), food, music or anything else that is influenced by ethnicity
Hapa Haole Songs - Hawaiian songs in English
Ho'i - Exit which is often accompanied by song or chant  
Ho'opa'a - Chanters
Heiau - Hawaiian platform Temple. Heiau can be visited in National and State parks around Hawaii island Hula Kahiko - Hula composed prior to 1893 and does not include modern musical instruments. Types of Hula Kahiko include ‘āla’apapa, ha’a, ‘olapa, and others. Hula is performed with chants accompanied by sticks and gourd drums and performed in malo, or loincloth, and pā’ū, or wrapped skirt, and clothing made of grass and flowers.
Hula 'Auana - Modern style Hula accompanied with songs in Hawaiian and modern musical instruments and performed in colorful dresses (mumus) and patterened shirts
Huli - The movement of turning - in a canoe it means to flip over. Ipuheke - Gourd instrument without a top used as a drum during Kahiko
Hula Kahiko - Ancient Hawaiian style
Ka'i - Entrance which is often accompanied by song or chant
Kane - Man and Men
Keiki - Child or Children
Kumu - Teacher that has mastery of Hula or some Hawaiian art form
Kupea - Anklets worn by male dancers
Kupuna - Elderly person or people
Mele - Hawaiian song and poetic language
Merrie Monarch - The Merrie Monarch refers to King David Kalākaua who reigned over the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1874 until his death in 1891. He was a patron of the arts and is given credit for revitalizing Hula in Hawaii.
'Olapa - Dancers
Oli - Chant

Pau - Finished, no more: "Food all Pau"
Pahu - Drum
Pule - Prayer given in Hawaiian at the begining of most events
'Uli'uli - Gourd instrument filled with seeds and topped with colorful flowers used by dancers in hula
Wahine - Woman and Women

MERRIE MONARCH WEB LINKS: 

* Official Merrie Monarch Festival site
* 2013 Merrie Monarch Review
* 2012 Merrie Monarch Review
* 2011 Merrie Monarch Review 
* 2010 Merrie Monarch Review 
* 2009 Merrie Monarch Review 
* 2008 Merrie Monarch Review 
* Merrie Monarch Festival Competition site 

Merrie Monarch 2013 - Olapa - Hula Plant of the Day

Merrie Monarch 2013 - Hula Plants


Stay at Hale Moana Bed & Breakfast and visit Hilo and the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, - only 30 minutes away:

‘Ōlapa (Cheirodendron trigynum) is the hula plant of the day, honoring the sixth day of the 50th annual Merrie Monarch Festival. ‘Ōlapa, which means dancer in Hawaiian, was named for the way its graceful leaves flutter in the slightest breeze.


This small to medium-sized tree is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, and its lovely oval-shaped, yellow-green leaves seem to sparkle in the sunlight. Hawaiians use its dark purplish fruits, leaves and bark to make a bluish-black dye, and weave the leaves into lei, according to Beatrice Krauss, author of “Plants in Hawaiian Culture.”

‘Ōlapa are abundant in the park’s rain forests, and are noticeable along Highway 11 when approaching the park entrance from Puna. They are also observed growing along the path leading to Thurston Lava Tube, and in other rain forest sections of the park.

Visit the Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association park stores for a marvelous selection of books and other merchandise celebrating all things Hawaiian. 

To see more of Jay's beautiful photos, check out today's Hula Plant blog post at the Pacific Island Parks blog: http://pacificislandparks.com/2013/04/05/14505/
 

NPS Photo/Jay Robinson.

Merrie Monarch 2013 Activities, Events & Performances

Merrie Monarch 2013 - Activities, Events & Performances

Stay at Hale Moana Bed & Breakfast and visit Hilo and the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, - only 30 minutes away:

Official 2012 Merrie Monarch Poster

Haku Leis - worn around the head

During the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, which always takes place in the week right after Easter (March 31 - April 6, 2013), Hilo is transformed into a magical place with bustling activities, events and free performances all over town and in surrounding cultural centers like Volcano.

Ipu - Hawaiian Gourds

Craft Fairs are one of the highlights during the Merrie Monarch week and show case a broad spectrum of exquisite works from Hawaiian artists. The arts & craft fairs take place from Wednesday (April 3) to Saturday (April 6). The largest of these exhibitions are at the Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium, Hilo Shopping Center, Hilo Farmers Market and Sanga Hall. During Merrie Monarch the air is filled with the smell of flowers and leis, Hawaiian music is played everywhere and people are dressed in their finest Aloha wear.

Hilo venues: event schedules, products & supplies

Immiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo

Niihau Shell Leis

Basically Books - Hawaiian Bookstore on Bayfront in Hilo

High Fire Hawaii - Art Gallery on Bayfront in Hilo (see Latest News & Events)

Volcanoes National Park - Cultural Activities

Volcano Art Center - Art Gallery in the Volcanoes National Park (see Calendar of Events)

Hawaiian Wood - Bowls

Na Makua - Hawaiian Clothes Designs in Hilo Downtown

Sig Zane - Hawaiian Clothes Designs in Hilo Downtown

Hana Hou - Hula Supplies in Hilo Downtown

Discount Fabric Warehouse - Greatest Selection on Hawaiian Print Fabrics and Patterns

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - After Dark in the Park - April 2013

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - April 2013

Stay at Hale Moana Bed & Breakfast and visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - 30 minutes from here.
 

Hawaii National Park, Hawai‘i – Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park continues its tradition of sharing Hawaiian culture and After Dark in the Park programs with the community and visitors in April. To celebrate the Merrie Monarch Festival’s 50^th anniversary, special cultural presentations are offered April 3 and 4.  All programs are free, but park entrance fees apply. Mark the calendar for these upcoming events:

When: Wed., Apr. 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai

Merrie Monarch Festival Cultural Practitioners, Day One. The Kīlauea Visitor Center’s lānai is transformed into a fun and festive workshop of Hawaiian arts and crafts! Join Sam and Edna Baldado to learn about kalo and its many uses; Ab and Pua Valencia will share the art of traditional lei making; singer/songwriter Rupert Tripp entertains; Vi Makuakāne demonstrates the intricate art of feather work; and park ranger Adrian Boone and volunteer Ed Shiinoki help visitors create and play the Hawaiian nose flute. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free.

 

When: Thurs., Apr. 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai

“More is Merrier.” Merrie Monarch Festival Cultural Practitioners, Day Two. The Kīlauea Visitor Center’s lānai again becomes a lively and interactive studio of Hawaiian arts and crafts! Join Lehua Hauanio for traditional lei making techniques, while Ku‘uleimomi Makuakane-Salāve‘a shares the art of kapa making. Helene Hayselden demonstrates the art of making a feather kāhili – a symbol of royalty; award-winning musician Kenneth Makuakāne performs; and park ranger Adrian Boone and volunteer Ed Shiinoki help visitors create and play the Hawaiian nose flute. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free.

When: Tues., April 9 at 7 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium

Looking for Lava in all the Wrong Places—and Finding it in Some. Most eruptions and intrusions at Kīlauea take place within the summit caldera or the two rift zones. Some, however, occur elsewhere or have trends not readily explainable by this standard model. Though unusual, these eruptions and intrusions tell us much about the internal plumbing of Kīlauea and its evolution during the past tens of thousands of years. HVO geologist Don Swanson elaborates on this theme in a partly factual, partly speculative, broadly based alternative view of Kīlauea. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free.