Sunday

18 01 2026

Aloha Studio Fans!

I went to church this Sunday for the first time in a long time, and it was uplifting. I went searching for a choir to join since leaving the hundred-plus-member Windward Choral Society. Although so very honored to sing under the baton of Susan McCreary Duprey up to now, the evening rehearsal time and location is now difficult for me.

I remembered that my former vocal coach Louise South directed a choir at First Church Christ Uniting in Kailua, Oahu. When I asked about it, she said she moved back to the Kahaluʻu United Methodist, her home church, where she plays the piano and organ.

“We have a nifty quartet right now,” Louise said. “The alto comes sporadically.” (Well, I’m an alto!) “We’d love to have you,” she said.

Weekly rehearsal is 45 minutes long. When does the service start? 9:30. When is the call time? 9:30! 

“There’s no choir loft; we sing amongst the rest of the congregation,” she said.

And so I went.

I enjoyed Pastor Lavinia “Nia” Taukolo’s sermon. In all there were about 20 church goers. I stayed for refreshments afterwards and mingled. 

They had questions for me, the newcomer, so I answered that the church of my youth in Honolulu was Congregational (United Church of Christ), that my mother played organ and piano for the Methodist church in Wahiawā, and that my husband was brought up Methodist.

As a result of this Sunday’s experience, I know I will attend there again.

Blessings,

Rebekah

Kahaluu United Methodist Church Sunday service with Pastor Lavinia “Nia” Taukolo
Across the street is Kahaluu Elementary School
Cynthia’s dog Coconut
Someone distributed papayas, too!

 


 





Countdown to 2026

31 12 2025

Aloha Studio Fans!

Best wishes for the new year 2026! As we say in Hawaiian, Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou! Much love and blessings to you. May all your dreams come true!

~ Rebekah





Staying cozy during the winter holidays

20 12 2025

Aloha mai kākou e Studio fans!  In our islands it is Hoʻoilo, the wet season, and thankfully as I write this the rain is forecasted to stop in five minutes. 

  After sitting my gallery shift at the big Windward Artists Guild /Artists of Hawaii exhibit at the Honolulu Downtown Art Center today (still holiday shopping, anyone?), I’m heading back over the mountains for a neighborhood happy hour. Woohoo! By the way, today is DH’s birthday! 

  On Sunday we’re planning to join my bff Becky and Susan in Waikīkī for brunch, then help Santa Claus with some deliveries.

On Monday we’ll see Ken and Georgia for a meal at the Crouching Lion Inn.  Daughter Ari’s for Christmas Eve—I can’t wait to play with their dachshund Massimo—and then to Helen-and-Marty’s on Christmas Day — and then a get-together with the Jin Dui Sisters on Boxing Day—I’m in the holiday mood, so very blessed and thankful!

  So Merry Christmas, everyone, or, as we say in Hawaiian, Mele Kalikimaka!

Rebekah

  





On aging

1 12 2025

Two souls close to my heart passed over this season. Itʻs what happens when one gets old. But, really, itʻs a celebration of life!

Ivalee Mae Haus Sinclair, who I call my hānai mom and who the younger generation has so very nicely translated to “honorary mother,” lived until age 97 years. She passed on September 30, 2025, in Honolulu.

Rebekah and Ivalee

We put JJ the dog down on Nov. 16. So sad, but it was time. He didn’t eat for three days. He was a very good boy.

JJ and me

Rest in aloha.

Be well ~

Rebekah





Bittersweet moments

30 03 2025

Some days like yesterday are bittersweet, yet worth mentioning.

In the morning I attended the memorial service of my eldest living first cousin, Doreen Chong Yuen, age 95. She was the daughter of my mother’s eldest brother, Uncle Kim Fong Chong, and Sarah Yap. I joined two of my 3G cousins at the service, Nathan and Audrey Helen; the three of us are children of the three youngest members of the 2G Chongs. (Are you following?!) 2G is the second generation to be born of immigrants from China. And my grandmother gave birth to 15 children.

Everything was maikaʻi (good), but it was a sober reminder that I won’t live forever. If cousin Doreen’s long-life genes are from the Chong side, I look forward to many more good years.

Doreen Chong Yuen

In the evening I attended my friend Cynthia’s new-moon soirée for a sharing of things we each wanted to “release” and “manifest.” We each wrote two lists and burned them in the campfire, one at a time.

Lovely gathering on the night of the new moon

Cynthia’s current challenge with breast cancer was the impetus for the gathering. She wanted to be with friends, I felt, so each woman’s friendship circle widened; there were women who we had not met previously.

We shared a meal, recipes, wine, and health experiences, too.

As always, everyone, be well.

~Rebekah 





New year’s greeting

6 01 2025

Aloha, studio fans—

Happy New Year 2025! I’ve stored away 90 percent of the Christmas decorations, which didn’t take long because for this holiday DH and I went “minimalist”—just two artificial trees that we took down in less than 10 minutes! There are only a couple of gifts to give very belatedly to friends who we will see for dinner in a few days.

My affirmation for the new year is to write my Facebook posts in ʻŌlelo ʻŌiwi, the Hawaiian language. I remembered the reason I began Hawaiian classes six years ago was that I wanted to understand what my Hawaiian-speaking friends were writing! And, after all, the State of Hawai’i has two official languages—Hawaiian and English. Bank checks may be written in Hawaiian, and the courts of law allow it to be spoken.

So, it’s not just an affirmation. It’s a challenge to myself. Stay tuned! You may subscribe to this blog, and then if you don’t like it you may unsubscribe.

As always, be well.

~Rebekah





The dogs took us for a walk

15 10 2024

JJ and Massimo took us for a walk today at Swanzy Beach Park in Kaʻaʻawa. It was breezy and high tide.

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There’s a good view of the most recently built houses across Kamehameha Highway, and looking the other way there’s the surf.

The barricade marks where the ocean has undercut the concrete walkway. Oceans continue to rise.

Be well and stay safe.

~Rebekah