Riding the rail

3 08 2023

My friend Louise asked me if I had ridden the rail yet, and, if not, would I like to go with her sometime. She was talking about the Skyline, the name for the long-awaited Honolulu mass transit. She had the week off from teaching, so I said how about Thursday, meaning today. It was an adventure for us who live on the other side of Oʻahu. At first we couldn’t find the terminus at Hālawa near the Aloha Stadium, but a kind gentleman on a speaker at the entrance to the stadium (not where we wanted to go) pointed us in the right direction.

Louise drove to the correct parking lot (not the “Kiss and Ride” 10-minute spots for drivers just dropping somebody off). Never mind, there wasn’t anybody in the parking lot so we had our pick of free space on the asphalt. The train was, shall I say, “Empty.” But because there were no other passengers, we had unobstructed views from the Waianae Mountains to the Ewa plain and beyond. The view was from a higher viewpoint than the view from a car on the highway.

We rode from one terminus to the other and back again—a round trip. We could have gotten off at Pearlridge shopping center or in Waipahu, a town we hardly ever get to, but we just wanted to experience the ride.

The fare? You have to buy a Holo card which is a card on which you load money to pay for your fare, and it’s good for TheBus as well. Cash or credit, either way, and then like the trains and other subway systems in the country, just tap your card at the turnstile and you go. I hope the Skyline sees more riders. It does stop at Leeward Community College and near Pearlridge shopping center.

Here is my photo album:

Be well.

~Rebekah


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Categories : Travel

Waikīkī

16 07 2023


Many local residents avoid Waikīkī, a haven for tourists, some of who think that IS Hawaiʻi. I live in Windward O’ahu, a good 45 minutes of driving time away, and except for visiting friends, attending my Hawaiian language class, the occasional gig, or dinner at favorite restaurants, I am content to hang around here.

I made the exception yesterday to attend the Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival where my cousin-in-law Geri Valdriz was performing.

I arrived early, so I took a stroll through the Royal Hawaiian Hotel grounds nearby. I walked through the lobby and straight to the beach and was reminded why Waikīkī Beach was said to be a place for kings. The shore and the view of Leahi, or Diamond Head, are probably the same, but oh, so many people! After Geri played music, we were advised to skedaddle home to avoid the Waikīkī Moonlight Festival Block Party for which the main thoroughfare of Kalākaua avenue was closed. Here are my daytime images:

Royal Hawaiian Hotel

 

Coconut grove at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Old map in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel lobby

“There’s Diamond Head!” said one, said many.



 Powder room at the Royal Hawaiian 
Pink hibiscus matches the “Pink Palace”

 Cute matcha green tea flavored cream puff

Surfing off Kūhiō Beach

Steel guitarist Geri Valdriz and friends

Be well, and remember to apply the proper sunscreen before going outdoors.

~Rebekah 


Many local residents avoid Waikīkī, a haven for tourists, some of who think that IS Hawaiʻi. I live in Windward O’ahu, a good 45 minutes of driving time away, and except for visiting friends, attending my Hawaiian language class, the occasional gig, or dinner at favorite restaurants, I am content to hang around here.

I made the exception yesterday to attend the Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival where my cousin-in-law Geri Valdriz was performing.

I arrived early, so I took a stroll through the Royal Hawaiian Hotel grounds nearby. I walked through the lobby and straight to the beach and was reminded why Waikīkī Beach was said to be a place for kings. The shore and the view of Leahi, or Diamond Head, are probably the same, but oh, so many people! After Geri played music, we were advised to skedaddle home to avoid the Waikīkī Moonlight Festival Block Party for which the main thoroughfare of Kalākaua avenue was closed. Here are my daytime images:

Royal Hawaiian Hotel

 

Coconut grove at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Old map in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel lobby

“There’s Diamond Head!” said one, said many.



 Powder room at the Royal Hawaiian 
Pink hibiscus matches the “Pink Palace”

 Cute matcha green tea flavored cream puff

Surfing off Kūhiō Beach

Steel guitarist Geri Valdriz and friends

Be well, and remember to apply the proper sunscreen before going outdoors.

~Rebekah 


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Categories : About me, Friends & Family, Hawaiian, Music, Travel

Creature of habit

4 07 2023

When you get out of bed each morning, after you’ve done your toilette, made the coffee and taken your meds (if you take meds) do you have an additional routine?
I’m  grateful I have the dog JJ to feed, water, and walk; although lately he’s enjoyed taking a ride!

Every morning I cannot resist collecting the orange-colored kou flowers that have rained to the ground overnight. With these I string lei kui style.

I rake the kou leaves and seeds to tidy the lawn and for a little exercise. Then, I cannot wait to grab my reading glasses and a pen to do the crossword puzzle. I’m miffed that there is no paper for the crossword on Saturdays, so I’m glad I have my Hawaiian language class to attend on those days to distract me.
Additionally, I play Solitaire cards in the evening after dinner. With the scriptwriters’ strike, there’s not much on TV.

There is one universal routine that never changes, I’ve told my granddaughters. Laundry!

Now I think it might be a good idea to resume my art and piano playing as habits! Be well, everyone.

~Rebekah


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Categories : About me

Art and more art

29 06 2023

Just a few more days to catch “Remembering Susan,” an exhibit of hand-dyed tissue-paper collage paintings and ceramics in honor and memory of my friend, teacher, and mentor Susan Rogers-Aregger at ARTS at Marks gallery, 1159 Nuuanu Ave. at Pauahi street in Honolulu Chinatown.

I’ll be at the First Friday closing reception on June 30 from 5 to 7 pm if you’d like to see the unique creations and meet the other artists as well.

ARTS at Marks is a popular venue for affordable art made by local artists. In fact, my work will be in the next show there as well.

For “Mix and Match”—running July 7-28–I am resurrecting four oils that I painted prior (or while) injuring my wrist from the repetitive motion of my brush strokes: 

“Life at Ka Punahou,” “Clouds Lifting Over Lanihuli,” “Byodo-In,” and “At Wailupe.”

The opening reception is from 5 to 7 pm on July 7.

“Life at Ka Punahou”

“Clouds Lifting Over Lanihuli”

“At Wailupe”

“Byodo-In”

There is “something” about viewing original fine art in person. Hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunity.

Recommended parking at the Chinatown Municipal Parking Garage.

Be well,

Rebekah


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Categories : About me, Fine Art, Travel

Oh, joy! Earworms for days

12 06 2023

The sanctuary of Kawaiahaʻo Church filled with concert goers yesterday to hear “Jubilate Deo,” a choral and symphonic work composed by Dan Forrest, and performed by the Windward Choral Society and symphony musicians under the direction  of Susan McCreary Duprey. What an honor and a pleasure!
The lyrics, after Psalm 100 in the Bible, for each of seven movements, are in a different language, that is, our chorus sang in seven different languages. It’s not a long piece—50 minutes—and our director prides herself in concluding on the dot. I think she was a minute early in rehearsal!

In rehearsal

Because of my bad back, I sang seated from a chair behind the brass section. Sometimes I couldn’t hear myself. A friend quipped, ”At least you weren’t in front of the brass!” Ahaha, that’s for sure! This was my view, looking toward the back of the church toward the pipe organ.

I’m glad I remembered to ask Dan Forrest to sign my score!

Composer Dan Forrest and Rebekah Luke (Alto 2). Photo by Peter Krape)

“Omnis terra, jubilate, omnis terra, laudate, Omnis terra, jubilate Deo!”

“Sing for joy, dance in gladness, shout for joy, all the earth!”

”Alleluia!”

Be well, everyone, and keep singing!

~ Rebekah


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Categories : About me, Music

Kīlauea Volcano erupts!

7 06 2023


Kīlauea Volcano on Hawaiʻi Island erupted this morning, the third time since 2018. For me, the next best thing to being there in person is to watch the television news reports from my studio on Oʻahu. These images are from KITV4. At this time the eruption is confined to Halemaumau Crater.



Be well, and avoid the vog!

~Rebekah


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Categories : Hawaiian, Travel

Iam Tongi charms American Idol fans for the win

22 05 2023

By now, everyone knows that Iam Tongi is the newest American Idol. TV viewers cast more than reportedly 17 million votes for the 18-year-old from Hawaiʻi.

Fans and judges liked Tongi’s heartfelt song stylings. While the champ has a good voice, the show is not “The Voice” or “America’s Got Talent”; it’s more of a popularity contest.

He charmed viewers with his smarts, humility, kindness, humor, and bigger -than-life presence.

Here are the lyrics to the song “Monsters” by James Blunt that Iam sings:

Monsters
/
Lyrics

Oh, before they turn off all the lights
I won’t read you your wrongs or your rights
The time has gone
I’ll tell you goodnight, close the door
Tell you I love you once more
The time has gone
So here it is
I’m not your son, you’re not my father
We’re just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine
And while you’re sleeping I’ll try to make you proud
So, daddy, won’t you just close your eyes?
Don’t be afraid, it’s my turn
To chase the monsters away
Oh, well, I’ll read a story to you
Only difference is this one is true
The time has gone
I folded your clothes on the chair
I hope you sleep well, don’t be scared
The time has gone
So here it is
I’m not your son, you’re not my father
We’re just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine
And while you’re sleeping I’ll try to make you proud
So, daddy, won’t you just close your eyes?
Don’t be afraid, it’s my turn
To chase the monsters away
Sleep a lifetime
Yes, and breathe a last word
You can feel my hand on your own
I will be the last one
So I’ll leave a light on
Let there be no darkness, in your heart
But I’m not your son, you’re not my father
We’re just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine
And while you’re sleeping I’ll try to make you proud
So, daddy, won’t you just close your eyes?
Don’t be afraid, it’s my turn
To chase the monsters away
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Jimmy Hogarth / James Blunt / Amy Victoria Wadge
Monsters lyrics © Cookie Jar Music Llp, Emi Music Publishing Ltd

 

CONGRATULATIONS!! to Iam Tongi!!!

Be well.

~ Rebekah 

 

 

 

 


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