Summer months in Hawaii means it’s time for obon season. Bon dances are tightly scheduled every weekend from the first weekend in June through mid-September.

For quick reference, I have a Bon Dance Schedule page posted with the 2007 schedule and links to my photo galleries featuring pictures from previous obon seasons.

One thing that I have learned from Shari is that you can’t take life too seriously. When things don’t work out the way you planned, work with what you have and make your own enjoyment. Today was no exception.

Here’s our fun-filled vlog entry, which, simply in the making of it, made the day a much better one.

Hope you enjoy watching as much as we enjoyed making it.

I posted a new entry to champuru h&f (health & fitness) entitled “give and take.”

…including pastel jelly shoes from the 80’s.

I found this colorful assortment of nostalgic footwear at The Slipper House in Ala Moana Center. Despite my disdain for the fashion atrocity and my utter amazement to see them back for a second coming in the new millennium, I couldn’t help but to feel a twinge of endearment toward a pair of pink jellies, identical to the ones I owned back in the sixth grade when they were all the rage — the first time.

I had to try them on.

Suddenly, I swore I could hear Madonna singing “Material Girl” and I had the inexplicable urge to buy a pair of legwarmers.

I posted a review and pictures of the newly opened Tsukiji Fish Market and Restaurant at DaScoops.com:

Tsukiji Fish Market and Restaurant
Ho`okipa Terrace, 4th floor, Ala Moana Center

The “coming soon” sign has come down after approximately two years in the making and Tsukiji Fish Market and Restaurant is finally open. It is the newest addition to Ala Moana Shopping Center’s Ho`okipa Terrace. As its name indicates, the 14,000 square foot site is a combination Japanese all-you-can-eat buffet and fresh fish market, selling local and imported fish, shellfish, poke and assorted seafood. The buffet offers not only fresh sushi and poke, but a salad and dessert bar, steaming hot soba or udon made to order, a variety of shrimp and vegetable tempura, and a some nice hot selections. The food was fresh and tasty and during the busy peak lunch hours, the staff were kept busy bringing fresh batches to replenish the buffet line. Read More >>

With the passing of Memorial Day comes the beginning of obon season in Hawaii.

In Hawaii, obon stretches from June through Labor Day weekend when the last bon dance of the season is held at the annual Okinawan Festival at Kapiolani Park. Although I am not a Buddhist, I look forward to attending bon dances throughout the summer months simply for the cultural and social aspect of the activity. It seems that the popularity of bon dances increases each year, drawing large, diverse crowds into the bon dance circle.

As bon dance season commences, you’ll see more entries about obon and why I participate each year. In the meantime, I’ll tell you about my first act of preparation for the upcoming season: buying a pair of “bon dance shoes.”

Sure, they’re not exactly a traditional pair of geta or zori slippers, but man, are they comfy — and that’s what matters to me these days. I usually don’t don a full kimono unless I’m helping my troupe lead the Okinawan bon dances in the inner circle, so traditional footwear is not required. My usual attire is a long hapi coat, a pair of jeans, and my comfy “bon dance shoes.”

I found this adorable pair of shoes tonight, complete with sakura (cherry blossom) patterns, at Skechers and I knew my search for this year’s bon dance shoes was over!

I’m still waiting for the 2007 bon dance schedule to be released in the newspaper before assembling the bon dance posse. Will you join us this year?

On the KHON-2 morning news today, one of my favorite chefs, Alan Wong, was whipping up a mouth-watering concoction with pineapple and pork chops while promoting the upcoming Wahiawa Pineapple festival to be held tomorrow, May 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Wahiawa District Park. For those of you who didn’t know, Alan Wong grew up in Wahiawa — as did I. So, go out and support our hometown tomorrow.

I blogged the event at DaScoops.com, so check it out:

Looking for something fun to do with the family tomorrow? Check out the Wahiawa Pineapple Festival, featuring live entertainment, activities for the keiki, old plantation games, contests, and delicious samples from Hawaii’s top chefs. Read More >>