Travel Tips

The conch shell is a large seashell played like a ceremonial fanfare trumpet. The Ancient Traditon of the "blowing of the Conch Shell" still carries on today. It is used in many traditional Hawaiian ceremonies and festivles throughout the islands. In ancent time it was used not only to bring people together but to offer thanks and to receive blessings. When blown strongly, it can be heard for miles.
The traditional way to blow the conch is to face the four different directions of our Universe.
First blowing to the East to greet the Risng of the Sun "EALAE" to nurish the light of life for One-self, Others, Plants, animals & Things.

The second is made facing West., The setting of the Sun. A time in which ?LL should have learned Respect, Appreciation and Love for ALL that is received.

The third blast is made facing North, Star "Hoku Pa'a. As we always look in that Direction for Guidance, through-out the Land or Sea.

The fourth blast of the conch shell is made facing South, where Our Fore-?athers once Came ?bout.

The modern way is as follows:
Facing in three directions as to call or announce a function to occur.
1. First blowing to the Mountain "Mauka"
2. Second is to the Sea "Makai"
3. Third is to the Populous "the People"
The sound is heard, the people react, they gather to participate.

Kukui Nut

Common name: Candlenut Tree
Hawaiian name: Kukui
Scientific name: Aleurites moluccana
Native Status: Indigenous

The English name for the Kukui tree is Candlenut, which is a translation of Kukui, meaning light, candle, or torch. In the Old Times, there was no light in the night except for the Kukuis. The tree is sometimes called the Candlenut Tree.

The seeds of this plant were brought to Hawai`i by the first Polynesian voyagers. Today this member of the Spurge family commonly grows wild in the lower mountain forest areas and is planted in gardens as a shade tree. The kukui fruit looks like a green fuzzy tennis ball and has a kernel like the pit of a peach. The meat of the seed or kernel is about 50% flammable oil.

In old Hawaii kukui nuts (candle nuts) were used as candles for traveling in the po (night), oils for lamps. Hawaiians would bake the nut, crack it, then get out the meat, put 3-8 pieces on the stiff midrib of the niu (coconut) leaf, put the stick in a stone that has been carved out and light it. As each nut burns out it ignites the next one. One nut would last about 3 minutes. Often children were given the responsibility for keeping the "candles" lit.

The Ohe Hano Ihu is a three holed nose flute from Hawaii. It is made from a much wider diameter of bamboo than those found in South East Asia. The flute is made from a length of Hawaiian bamboo 10-21 inches long. A natural closing is at one end of the bamboo and the other end is left open. A nose hole is made at the closed end of the flute and finger holes are placed further down the center.

Associated with the `ohe hano ihu is the belief that there is a pure pathway to the soul through the nose, based on the idea of one's breath being the essence of one's soul.

Traditonally the `ohe hano ihu was used by early Hawaiians in mele ho`oipoipo (serenades of courtship and lovemaking).

Talking story it is said that in the ancient time, when a man loved a woman and wished for her to become his mate, he had to go into the forest and select a piece of bamboo for creating his nose flute. He would fashion his flute and compose a song for the woman. When he played the song for the woman, she would know if he was the right man for her. If she liked the song, their relationship would continue to the next stage. If not, it was over.

May Day celebrated in the local schools is held at various times on the island during the month of May. The Blowing of the Conch shell used in many traditional Hawaiian ceremonies and festivles throughout the islands.

The celebration involves students that represent the Queen, King, and Princesses and Princes for each of the eight major Hawaiian Islands. They include the Islands of Kauai, Niihau, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lani, Kahoolawe, and the Island of Hawaii. Each Island has its own color. Purple is the island of Kauai.

‘Talk story’ is one of the great traditions and experiences of Hawaii. So what is ‘talk story’? It’s just two or more people sharing stories from their lives and it can happen anywhere... the grocery store, the street corner, the beach, at the mailbox, ... anywhere.

You don’t have to know someone to talk story. All you need to do is slow down during your daily activities, take the time to say hello to the people you interact with, and before you know it you’ll be talking story.

Talking story is sharing stories, history, ideas, and opinions. You will learn about the other person, their culture, family traditions, and about life in general. Great wisdom is shared during talk story... try it and see what you learn and see how relationships develop in your life. You’ll find you have connections with people you never knew about and you’ll find little miracles popping up everywhere.

You can talk story on the mainland and other places in the world, too... it just sometimes takes a little more effort and a little more time for people to adjust to being talked to. Folks get used to a lifestyle of rush, rush, no time to talk and then when someone actually takes the time to speak to them, they are taken by surprise.

In Hawaii, taking time for talk story is just a normal part of life... you start out on errands and never know exactly where you’ll end up or what time. Life is much more fun and exciting this way... even if it seems less efficient! All the little miracles between folks is where the magic happens! Make a little magic, talk story!

taken from the following website:
http://www.alohaplentyhawaii.com/talkstory.htm

This family-oriented fair, held at the Vidinha Stadium in Lihue, features a petting zoo, a livestock show, floral demonstrations and exhibits, food booths, and arts and crafts, along with amusement park rides.
Call tel. 808/639-8432.

Grown on the Island and entered into the Flowers competition.