…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.

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 >>

There are several new entries at DaScoops.com, thanks to our newest contributors: Rod and Ryan, including reviews on Little Village Noodle House, the recent Hawaii Book and Music Festival, and all the scoops on cool skins for your iPod called Gizmobies.

Toro Nagashi, 2003*
Haleiwa Jodo Mission, Hawaii

I also posted a blurb about the upcoming Toro Nagashi, Lantern Floating Ceremony to be held at Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park on Memorial Day. I am hoping to be able to attend this year and get some photos of the festivities. Each year, I think about going, but never make it out there. Health and weather permitting, I may decide to join the masses at the beach on Memorial Day. Besides that, I discovered that they are also offering a shuttle service from the Convention Center — which is a big plus! My reluctance to go to the event has always been exacerbated by the fear of lack of parking. Will you be there?

*This photo was taken at a similar event that is held in Haleiwa.

I wish I caught the whole story, but I saw Pamela Young on KITV news this afternoon visiting a Korean bath house for women only called Loess Spa. They offer such services as industrial strength brillo-like rubdowns to get you squeaky clean, cucumber facials, community hot bath soaks (think: onsen), and saunas with Chinese herb aromatherapy. (I’m sure there was more, but I missed half of the story.) It’s supposed to be somewhat like a traditional bath house that you can find on “every corner” in Korea, according to Pamela.

With the knots in my neck, shoulders and back, the thought of a nice, long soak in the hot bath sounds heavenly. If it weren’t for the naked factor, I might consider taking a friend or two with me to try the place out. I guess I could consider it practice for going hadaka in Japan at an onsen in idllyic Hakone.

But somehow, as relaxing as it all sounds, I don’t think I’d be very relaxed in the buff — in “public.”

But yet, maybe if I can overcome the modesty it would possibly be a good experience. Any volunteers to get nekkid with me? Hmm, that didn’t sound quite right.

In case anyone is interested in trying this place out with(out) me, here’s the info from the KITV website. If you go, be sure to tell me about your experience and what you thought!

Loess Spa
Phone: (808) 841-3311
1361 Mookaula St.
Honolulu, HI 96817

*hadaka means “nude” in Japanese

0515070755a.jpg, originally uploaded by Champuru.

Hubby sent me this picture message from his cell phone today. Sometimes his job takes him to the great outdoors. Seeing pictures like this makes me awfully envious when I’m cooped up in my office.

Here’s today’s wildlife spotting via the Hubby. Obviously, the cows don’t flee from him like they do when they see me. Grrr…

Not bad for a camera phone pic, eh?

I’ve created a new blog at DaScoops.com, geared to providing the “inside scoops” on fun things to do in Hawaii. I plan to post image-intense entries about my culinary adventures, sights I visit, as well as announcements about upcoming events. One of the primary reasons for the site is to develop my photography and writing skills while building a guide about what makes Hawaii a great place to live and visit.

Still, as small as we always say Hawaii is, I couldn’t possibly cover it all by myself. I’m always looking for others to partner with me in this effort, so if you’d like to contribute to DaScoops.com, please drop me a line and I’ll set you up with a username and password.

Check it out, I’ve already posted a few entries and there’s also a heads up on two great events scheduled for this Sunday. It’s a small start, but it’s a start.