BOT:

Alooooooha Ahi Ahi All!

So, it looks like Kawika was right on when he sung Saint’s Go Marching! Congrats to all you Saint’s fans out there! My condolences to all you Colt fans.

What about all those great commercials? For those of you who missed most of them, here’s a link to all 67:

http://www.fancast.com/tv/Super-Bowl-XLIV-Commercials/106501/clips?cmpid=fcst_10_em_ac_sb_sla

I especially like the Dorito commercial with the Anti Barking Dog Collar.

Mahalo, once again, for making Top 10 Night so inspiring. Really? Lucy in the Sky . . .  wasn’t about LSD? Anyway, great songs everyone. Love the train whistle Lopaka!

Mahalo also for the contributions to the ‘Yellow Box’ and the Ono-Licious Kau Kau.

Ok, you all know it’s that time of the year again, so in honor of Valentine’s Day we’re going with L-u-u-v Songs as our theme for Friday. So in keeping with that, we’ll go with “Foods of Love”. K’den, no forget to post your IR’s (Incoming Rations) to the Blog!

Btw, here are some great photos from that night. Below: Uncle Ken, aka “The Great Coqui Hunter”. Great solo Sierra!

Above right: Dr. Amy Strumming it with Uncle. Below Pua, Wa’le, Shelly and Linaka.

Below: Dr. Amy doing the Hula in her Hula Lab Coat. Woa . . .

Below: The Boys with the great Coqui hunter.

  

Above: Brudda Keoki (George and Sandy) and Dr. A on the 5 string tenor. Below, the Solo Board.

 

Ok guys, have a great work week! But save some of it for the Sultans of Strings for this Friday Night!

Uke-Ku
—————
Leaves drift lazily,
Moment fall upon moments,
Reflections of time.

Aloha A Hui Hou,

-=SqL=-

:EOT

BOT:

Aloha Kakahiaka UFOhana! Here we are at Week 5 of 2010 and it’s been a stormy one so far. I hope you’re all recovering or at least staying away from that nasty bug that’s been going around. Nothing like a Thieves swap up the nose to get one’s day going huh? Sitting here in the Jury Duty Pool waiting to be called, so I thought I’d get this one going . . .

I want to give a big Mahalo out to the Camacho family for attending and sharing their Aloha with us this past Friday. Also to Donley and John for coming by and sharing their music with us also. Such a treat to have had you all on board that night.

Also, Mahalo to you all for the great Kaukau and your contributions to the “4 or Less” theme this past Friday.

Mahalo Nui Loa for all of you that Donates to the “Yellow Box” also. You contributions are always appreciated and is always put to good use. Again, Mahalo Nui Loa to you all.

So, for this week we’re doing “Top Ten” as the music theme. So we ask that you bring in a Mele (song) that was on a Top Ten list ‘somewhere’, ‘sometime’. Easy right, I figure we can port this over to the Food Theme also. Except it would have to be on YOUR Top Ten list of foods. Easy?

So here are some of the memories generated from this past Friday. Mahalo Nui to Brudda Carey for the great photos!

Below: Max guarding his fruits. Below left: The -=SqL=- and Sandy taxi for take off!

Below: Pilots in flight formation . . . Above right: A Classic reborn . . .

Below Left: Palapala with her new Ukulele!

Above left: Brudda TommyB and Sandy flying one in formation . . . Below the KauKau and various Ohana artifacts. . .

 

Below left: Tristan and surprise guest John Pedersen . . . Mahalo Donley!

Below left: Brudda Carey’s self portrait and UFOhana signs. . . Above right: The UFOhana Cold Storage Locker. . .

Below: Some the UFOhana Pilots ‘Crafts’ of choice . . .

Below: A special treat from Donley Smith and John Pedersen (of Amazing Grace Music).

Btw, here’s a cool video of Donley and John doing their thing: John and Donley Duet

Below: The UFOhana Babes and Solo Pilots..

Below, The Camacho Clan treats us to some Family Meles.

Above Left: “The UFOhana Portal” and of it’s Inhabitants… Below: Bu and Tommy check out the Hula Manual while Fran shows them how it’s done! Mahalo Fran!

Check out these “Doggies”! I know kind of strange yeah? Eh, he’s a rescue!

OK ‘den! We spok-u-bom-bye!

For those of you who are well, stay well! For those of you who are otherwise, get better soon!

Uke-Ku
—————
Undulating Hands,
A Delicate Smile Beckons,
Unspoken Promise.

Malama Pono,

-=SqL=-

:EOT

AOT:

Aloha UFOhana. Geez, now I know what living in Washington State must be like? Anybody have a Sun Light Lamp I could borrow? I think I’m getting that Seasonal Affective Disorder thing. Thankfully there’s Friday!!!!!!

Anyway, you may have noticed our MT (Music Theme) for this week, “Something New 4 or Less”. Which translates into, “ A New (to the Ohana) Mele that has 4 or less Chords in it!” Easy right? Well maybe the 4 or less, but it might be a little challenge to bring something new into the Ohana . . . or not.

Ok, so for the FT (Food Theme), I’m thinking because of all the rain and such, “Comfort Food”. A Perennial favorite.

To help inspire you for the “4 <=” (i.e. less than or equal to 4) here are some  Great “4 Of” Images I’ve collected off the Web:

 

 

      

Ok I think that last picture should really get your creative juices flowing! Please remember to post your IR (Incoming Rations)!

Uke-Ku
—————
Slivers of Sun Light,
Distant Glimpses of Before,
Dark Clouds Drifting On.

Aloha A Hui Hou,

-=SqL=-

:EOT

BOT:

Hey! has anybody floated away yet? Everyone keeping dry I hope. It’s been a really wet week so far and more to come I understand. But I know we need the water . . .

So here we are in the 3rd week of the year, so far it’s been a past month of mixed weather, emotions, new friends and now of Music! Yes, as in Medleys! So I’m thinking we’ll do a Music theme of Medleys? Yeah, kind of different, kind of challenging, but how else to expand our musical horizons?

In fact I’m thinking we could extend this to our Food Theme also. So bring a Medley of Food Stuffs and please do post what your incoming ration will be.

Also, Pua and I would like personally thank you for all the ‘Donations’ you’ve left in the yellow bucket. It certainly helps with the rising PG&E costs and for the ‘consumables’. Again from the Medina’s Mahalo Nui Loa.

Below: Images from the night of Hopes and Dreams . . .

Note the beautiful steel guitar Tom brought along . . . The UFOhana Wahines take Flight . . . Sandy the Wing Man . . .

Above, check out Teri’s wonderful socks! Nice Aloha Shirt Tristan! Below: the UFOhana belts one out!

Below: Views of the UFOhana in Flight . . .

Stay Dry, Stay Safe Everyone!

Uke-Ku
—————
Graceful Swaying Forms,
Stories of Beautiful Lands,
The Art of Hula

A Hui Hou,

-=SqL=-

:EOT

BOT:

Aloha Ahi Ahi Kahua51 Kane and Wahines! Take this little break in the rains to write a fast one out to you folks.

Mahalo Nui Loa to all for making last Friday a New Song and Channel Elvis Song-A-Thrill-A-thon! It was great celebrating his and our other January Babies birthday.

This week we celebrate another Birthday, Martin Luther King, Jr., which I believe actually falls on this Friday. So I’m thinking we should do Songs of Dreams and Hope in honor of him. Btw, we’re going to try a new ‘angle’ on our singing program this time around, so lets keep an open mind and see how it works outs.

Which does it for the music theme, as for the food theme, I’m thinking we’ll go with JBHF (Just Bring Healthy Food).

Here are the happenings from last Friday:

Below: The Solo List, note the IJ article about County Employee of the Month, our very own Steve Morse! Way To GO KIWI!















Okidoki. Time to jump on the Ellipse Runner!

Uke-Ku
—————
Evening Sun flickers,
Hills Glowing Like Burnt Embers,
Clouds weeping gently.

Stay warm and dry out there!

Aloha A Hui Hou,

-=SqL=-

:EOT

BOT:

Aloha Ahi Ahi UFOhana!

From the Medina Ohana to all of you we wish you all a most Prosperous and Joyful of New Years.

It’s the end of the first day of work for the New Year and be a busy one. It’s still kind of hard for me to believe we’ve made it through another year. It was a very significant for me and my family and I know for many of your out there as well. A lot of changes, loved ones that have moved on, second chances for some of us, and meeting new Ohana members here and abroad. Yes a lot of memories to reflect on and many more to make down the road.

This March will mark the UFOhana’s 10th year anniversary. I’m planning on celebrating it on the 12th since it was the Second Friday in March when started this whole adventure.

In keeping with the “New” Theme, I’m proposing we go with “Mele Hou!” or New Songs. In fact maybe we should apply that to the KauKau also and say the Food Theme is “Mea ‘ai ‘ai Hou!”, New Foods. In other words Music and Food that is New to You. Easy, right?

Also, I’d like to bring to your attention a Documentary that our very own Laurette Rodgers was involved in:

www.ASimpleQuestion.org

A documentary about her 4th Grade Class’ efforts to save the Endangered California Freshwater ‘Opae (Shrimp)! Very cool! Maika’i Laurette!

So here as some of first “Ohana Memories” of the year:

Notice the NYHs (New Years Hats) courtesy of Sandy. Check out Lucas’ cool ‘Got Uke’ Man and no forget about Brudda Herb’s upcoming concert!

Btw, here’s this week’s solo board. Mahalo KimoB for managing the SB!

The Amazing Kukana and her Ono-licious Velveeta Fudge! Officially endorse by Max and Family!

Below: The Squadron In Flight. Notice that Marie and Darryl in the formation!

 

Below: Barbara singing Jingle Bells . . . IN HAWAIIAN!!! A feat not to be trifled with!

 

Above: Wa’le and Shelly doing the Portagee Solo thing!

 

Above: More of our Solo Flights, Marie and Daryll does it “Sweet and Slow” . . . is there any other way?

 

Above: Brudda Bu and Sandy do IT! The Flower of My Life, Marie and Daryll. Amy and Marie does it Hawaiian Style and KimoB agrees!

Uke-Ku
—————
A Year of Lost Thoughts,
Gather at the Banks of Time,
Memories recalled.

K’den, Spok-U-Bom-Bye!

-=SqL=-

:EOT

 

 

BOT:

Aloha UFOhana, 52 already? I think I lost count of the weeks there somewhere huh? Must have been the Week at Camp. Anyway, Hauoli Maka Hiki Hou Everyone!

OK, so you all know that we’ve move Friday Night Kanikapila to Saturday right! Same time just different day. Next week we will return to our Regular Programming and hold it on Fridays once again.

Big Mahalo for those of you that braved the rains for our Kalikimaka Hana Hou Night. E’ Hale Komomai to Sylvie who’s back from the frozen North and Mahalo Nui to Shelly, Steve, Laurette and Mike for sharing their ‘Keikis’ with the Ohana. Always nice to see children from Ohana members in the circle, especially the ‘older ones’.

Btw, Tennyson Lum is asking us to perform at Tiki Tom’s February 21st, 2 – 2:30PM, to help Celebrate his CD release. Please send me a message if you’ll be attending.

So this week’s food theme, in honor of the coming New Year, is “New Food”! IOW (InOtherWords), Food that haven’t brought before or Food that’s new to You?

A few parting shots of last week:

Below left: Sandy take a deep breath before playing his Trombone. Click Here to view the video! Below right: Sylvie returns from the Frozen North and continues the said song tradition. Welcome back Sylvie!

 

Again, please to post if you’ll be attending this Saturday. Mahalo!

Uke-Ku
—————
Rain savagely pounds,
Staccato of water drops,
Rhythm of Nature.

Aloha A Hui Hou,

-=SqL=-

:EOT

BOT:

Aloha Ahi Ahi UFOhana! Well here we are, 4 Days and counting! I hope you’re all caught up in your Christmas shopping and won’t have to brave the last minute crowds.

Just want to announce that the we’ll be holding the next two Uke Nights on Saturday (Dec. 26th) and Saturday (Jan 2nd). Also want to send a big Mahalo Nui Loa to those of you that made this last Friday so memorable! Oh, and this weeks music and food themes is “Hana Hou!”

And speaking of Crowds check out last week’s Kanikapila below:

Above, a panoramic of Hanagar 1585 before the UFO Pilot’s landing. Mahalo Sandy for helping with the set up. Below, The Pilots have landed! Below left is Teri and Susie, Sandy and Fran, Suse and Boloz, Da Tree, Da Gang and more Da Gang.

 

Below left is Tristan’s Mom and Donna. Right is Jake (Claudia’s Brother) and Claudia. Middle is Steve (does a mean Ulupalakua Hula) with wife Teri and Jack the America Music Teacher from Guatemala. Deb and Pua, Megumi and gang.

Below right is Tristan and his Dad. Left is Mary Alice, Kawika, Teri, KathyQ and Skip (Alice’s Husband).

Above left is Jylli from Bogie’s Fame, Jason and his wife Jaqui and Dan. Below, Susan and Fran adding their Hulas to the Aloha that night. On the fiddle is Jack from Guatemala. Note the collection of shoes below right. The sign of a successful Local Kine Party.

Baaaabyyy it’s Ccccold Outside! Rick and Kathy’s reprisal of a ‘cult’ classic!

Yes! Linda’s in the house!

Below right: Maggie and Jack ‘duet’ on a fiddle! With chop sticks no less!

Below left, Sandy (our resident Bassist) with Mike and Laurette.

Below SqL’s view of the Hula, Keone seems to approve!

Below, some old and new Ohana (from Music Camp!) Members! I think Kini’s looking for the words?

Btw, Yes I did do a hula, Mahalo Nui Loa to my Hula Sista Fran for Piloting me in!

Uke-Ku
—————
Frozen memories,
Lingering below recall,
Melted by warm hearts.

K’Den every body be good now!

Are we really that close to end of another year?

Mele Kalikimaka!

Aloha A Hui Hou,

-=SqL=-

:EOT

BOT:

Aloha Ahi Ahi UFOhana!

It’s that time of the year again, when we invite you and your S.O. (Significant Others, including family members, except for the four legged variety, though I have been accused of eating like one sometimes) to our Friday Night Christmas Extravaganza! Please do post if you will be attending and if you will be bringing any SO’s see we can make space for them and to also post what your IR (Incoming Rations) will be. Speaking of Rations I think will just go with “Christmas Food”, but no surprises now! Oh, and no gift wrapping required!

I want to say Mahalo Nui to the Pilots that made it to last week Saturday’s Kanikapila and also to Kathy Quain for hobbling her way over the bridge with Arturo and Ron (performing their solos below). A speedy to recover to both you and Kawika (who performed an amazing solo sans thumb)!

Mahalo Nui to Boloz and Suz for the endless Latkes! They were delicious and fabuloso!

Also, we may have some Camp Alumni joining us this Friday as well.

Finally, We’re thinking of moving the next 2 Fridays to Saturday since Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on Friday. Please do let us know how you feel about this. I figure why not party as much as we can yah?

Stay tuned for more info on this…

Btw, that’s a “SPAMonora” below, Boloz creation. I don’t know if the SPAM is kosher though, or is that an Oximoron? Like “Jumbo Shrimp”? Middle right with Aki and Pua is my classmate, Derek Fukuda, from 7th grade, his wife Kim and of course Rick wayyyy in the back.

Barbara and Tucker taking on the 1st Solo. Kathy and Arturo Strumming and Drumming  . . .

Below, a photo of dinner time at the Music/Lifestyle Camp. Herb’s trying to decide what to eat next. Brittni’s not can’t believe I’m still taking pictures, Leann, her mom takes it all in stride. Also, with them, 3 of the Wang (pronounce Whong) Siblings.

Below, a Panoramic of black sand Punalu’u beach. Btw, that’s the same couple walking across multiple frames i stitched

together.

Below is the far side of the Morning Circle at the Punalu’u Beach House

Below, a surreal moment at the Camp Hale, in the distance you’ll see little Jamal bouncing on an exercise ball and playing his Ukulele.

From the Hale’s front door looking out. Boloz lower left corner pocket . . . Jamal still struming away . . .

  

Uke-Ku
—————
Endless grains of sand,
Coarse, Black and warm under foot,
Punalu’u smiles.

K’Den we Spok-U-Bombye!

Mele Kalikimaka! Hauoli Maka Hiki Hou!

-=SqL=-

:EOT

BOT:

Aloha Ahi Ahi from 30,000 feet!

Just thought I’d get a head start on this transmission on the trip home.

It’s been one eventful week, we’ve said our tearful Alohas to our new Ohana, we’re on our Airship and look toward the horizon for home. The sun slowly leads us back to California as I turn inward and try to recall memories of the past week. Herb Ohta was incredible as an Ukulele Kumu, watching him teach his art is inspiring. But perhaps most touching is seeing a sensitive side of him that I never suspected. A true humanitarian. Of course there was the incredible music, Sonny Lim on the Steel, John Keawe, George Kahomuku Jr, Dennis Kamakahi, and Keoki on Kihoalu, Herb and Brittni on the Ukulele, add to that being able to Kanikapila with them made me yearn to live in Hawaii all over again. It seemed as though I was having our “Friday Nights” every day! To live in a place where all of this is such an natural part of the culture would be my dream. But what touched me the most was the laughter, the Meles, and the genuinely warm Aloha from the children of Pahala that continue to resonate in my heart. The respect for their new “Uncles and Aunties” was incredibile, Someone is definitely raising these kids right. Learning about their lives in Ka’u made me feel like I was back in my own village in the Philippines. These Keiks have grown up living off the land, one in particular was left on the beach by his mother while she worked. She taught him were to find food on both land and the ocean, where the dangers were and how to avoid them.  He was taught to respect the He’iaus and passed this knowledge onto us during “Beach Day”. He’s 20 now and is trying to make his way through college. From the looks of it, he’s become Keoki’s Hanai son. It’s obvious that their lives are not easy and was made more obvious when I gave one boy my yellow Micro Fiber polishing cloth. His name is Jamal, a little myopic boy with glasses so thick you could start a fire with them. Jamal is one of Keoki’s Camp Keiki's. He was one of the fortunate recipients of a ‘Scholarship’ Ukulele. I told him that he should use the cloth to keep his ukulele clean so that it would it always sound good and would help make it last longer. He thanked me profusely, “Thank you Uncle, thank you Uncle!” Later I spied him through a window ginger folding the cloth into quarters and carefully placing it on his Uke and then smiling as he carefully closed the case.

From my conversations with Keoki I’ve realized that Keoki must of had some kind of life changing event and is now on a mission. A mission to save these and other troubled children of Pahala and I have vowed to assist our brother in any way possible. I suspect that the profits from the Music Camp go to the Children Club of Pahala which Keoki uses to fund “Mini Camps” just for the children. Having learned this, Pua and I will be returning next year to the camp and I hope to have some of you join us. I guarantee that it will be not only an awakening musical event, but a life experience that will stay with you for some time. Now I realize how powerful our little Ukuleles are, the children are rarely without one in their hands, even while on their skate boards! Because of this little instrument, I’ve met people from Japan and Washington D.C. and then some states in between. All sharing the love of the Ukulele. We’ve even made connections with some from the Bay Area and hope to see them at one of our Kanikapilas. More on that later . . .

Looking out of our Airship’s Portal I can see that the sky has turned a deep indigo and the battery on my laptop is running low . . . enough of the camp for now, back to our UFOhana. Again, Mahalo Nui Loa to our Ohana for an experience of a lifetime!

SPECIAL NOTE!!!!!!!!

Due to scheduling conflicts, I need to reschedule our Kanikapila from this Friday to Saturday, again. So we’ll be meeting on December 12th at 7:30PM. Please do leave a post here if you’ll be attending.

As for food theme, considering all the Pig products I’ve eaten this past week how about we go with “Heart Health Foods”? As for Music Solo theme who about we try Music from Any Island? In other words, not just the Hawaiian ones? Or maybe music with the word Island in it?

So here a few images (and sounds) from our Last Friday Night and the Camp:

1st Night Dinner and Kanikapila:

Below: Herb Saying Aloha to KimoB! Right and below left views from the staircase. Bottom Right Keoki greating us.

Saturday Morning Ho’oponopono Circle:

  

Top Left: Herb, Sonny, Samson and George, chilling after the Kanikapila. Top Right: Herb under Lori’s spell, “Wash Dishes . . . yes . . . dear”. Bottom Right: Pua, Susie and Lori. Bottom Right: Pua and Susan.

 

Da’ Schedule, Keoki and Pua doing Lauhala Weaving. Herb chilling with the Scholarship Students. Bottom Left: Tiffany, Nobu and one of the Wang Girls. Bottom Right: Aunty Kaiwi and Pua.

 

Top Right: Rev. Dennis Kamakahi, John Keawe, Terry & Moses, Brudda BuBu.

Below: Rev. Kamakahi and Ohana getting ready for Kaukau. Top Right: What is that in our bed room? Oh! It’s just Kuka! Our Dead Pet KukaRoach! Sit Kukua, Roll over play dead, goooood Kuka! Bottom Left: Next day’s Line Up. Bottom Right: Herb-San’s Graduation “Beginning Ukulele for Advanced Players (?) Class”. Hey . . . is that a Portagee Joke or what?

Below Panels: A Day at the Macadamia Nut Farm with Sista BJ.

Below: Kekoa, Bradley, and other Scholarship Students help Keoki with teaching the Pahala Boys and Girls club the Ukulele.

Below: A Panoramic view of the drive way. Middle: Brittni with her Speed Racer Tercel!

Below: View of the Peaks from Hilo. Fran and Del, Keoki at the Beach house getting Kaukau ready. Del waving Hi! from Hilo Town. Aunty Kaiwi weaving Lauhala.

Below: Greeting the Sun at Punaluu Beach.

Del’s feet in Black Sand . . .

Ho’oponopono Circle at Punaluu Beach House . . .

Bradley Climbs a scales a Coconut Tree! Sherly and Fran checking out her Uke. Del as doing his imitation of a Hawaiian Lounge Lizard. Aka hails Akua!

Below, Keoki and Keikis getting the LauLau and Pig ready for the Luau our last dinner . . .

Below Bottom Right: Fruits of their labor . . . OOONOLICIOUS!!!!! You had to be there! Pua says she’ll never eat Hawaiian food again because this was the best she’s ever tasted! Until next year anyway . . .

Tiger and Talon Playing the humongous Plumeria Tree. Below Right: Kanani (our Kumu Hula), Hope, Tiffany and Debbie making Ti Leaf Leis.

 

Below: Right, Kekoa vogues with Ukulele. Yes, that is a Cellist playing with us!

 

Our last day below: Uncle Dennis gets ready for his set. Del with his Hanai Nephews after setting up the sound system. Below Right Middle: Puna Kealiihoomalu, Del and Puna. Funny how we bump into him every time we go to Hawai’i Moku. Then we find out that he’s Aka’s cousin!!! Bottom Left Middle: Tiffany and Pua. Bottom Left: Kanani (Del’s Kumu Hula) and Pua.

 

Ok so that’s all we got for now. I’ve still got a load of images, movies and MP3s to sift through yet!

For you reading pleasure I’ve listed a few Haiku’s from the Late Hawaiian Comedian Rap Reiplinger

Rap Reiplinger Haiku:
——————————————-

Home from the fields
Someone has painted my door
A stranger sings in my bathroom
Whoops, wrong house

——————————————-

no urinals
only kleenex
and the smell of heavy perfume
where am i?

——————————————-

a lonely figure
in a non-existing line
i wait for hours
oh, banks close on Saturdays

——————————————-

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Did anyone get it?

Ok, no forget, NO UKULELE NIGHT THIS FRIDAY! We’ve MOVED IT TO SATURDAY! Please do post if you stay coming.

Aloha A Hui Hou Hohoho!

-=SqL=-

:EOT