soak up da sun and relax

if can, can...if no can, no can...no worries!
can't wait for tomorrow!

did all da kine

Last night I went to hang out with my cousins, T and Kainoa and my aunty and uncle at grandma Yanagi's bday.  It was good fun cuz we just ate and drank and ate some more haha.  It was good seeing them since I hadn't seen them since last summer.  We all had a crazy time, killed a 18 pack of heini almost a 30 of coors and some red wine, not too bad for like 6 people haha.  Since they live on the upper east side of the island, it was long drive back to the southwest side, where I was staying with my uncle and aunty at their house.  Considering what state we were in, we had some profound and meaningful conversation on the ride home...wow..

while you read listen..the blog's theme song haha



So we were supposed to wake up early for go surfing with my uncle and his friends but we got up late and ended up surfing late and caught the tail end of his friends' sesh.  It was all good, but since I hadn't surfed for like 2 yrs, I was a little rusty adjusting to the board while paddling out.  No worries cuz I handled the first wave and had a good ride.  It was funny cuz when I made it back to my uncle, he was like, " ay, whats up with riding like one snowboarda? cut it out.." hahaha inside, he knew it looked good.  But damn, it's all nice and chill riding the wave, but I bailed out too late so I was far from the break my uncle was at, and it seemed like forever until I got back... Another thing was that my uncle was jazzed that he got new surfwax, so he asked me to toss it to him while we were already chilling far out sitting on our boards.  I did a little hook shot thinking that it was gonna float a little, but when it landed in the water like a foot away from his board, it just sank to the bottom of the ocean, and I felt hella bad cuz his face stay broke hahaha.  It was funny, you kinda had to be there...

after, we went church and dinner.. and now bout to go sleep for wake up early to go swapmeet. Happy Sunday baby! some pics thus far..

Countdown - 1 day: Ohana means family

So I definitely missed countdown yesterday, so...skipping straight to it...I'm leaving tomorrow for the beautiful island of Oahu! I'm so stoked to relax on the beaches, eat good food, drink beer, live the island style, and most of all - see my family who I only get to see once a year.  My cousins, aunties and uncles, and grandparents are my inspiration and my blessing, and plus they good fun!  So glad they're all from Hawaii, because it's pretty convenient to have family vacations-- good thing they not from Montana or something hahaha (no offense).

And in a week, two of my best friends Ksap and Panda are coming, along with my amazing girlfriend Christine to pahtay and cruz...can't wait! It's going to go down in the books, and def in the fb albums haha.

Here are some pics of the fam and the friends. Next time, I'll be writing from Oahu! See you mainland til September!

g parents cuz they G...with me and vanessa

me + christine

Howzit uncle kevin?!

TIL NEXT TIME!

A parting song.....turn this one up in your car with the windows down, and then you feel Hawaii

...unconditionally, is how I'm gonna love you

Countdown - 3 days: some ono grindz I'm looking forward to

nom nom nom

One of my favorite places to eat in Hawaii is Yummy's Korean BBQ, a million times better than any mainland Korean food. Right here is a combo plate with kalbi and bbq chicken and a bunch of sides.  Usually I share this because it's ridiculous...but don't share if you're a beast.

On the right is the chili frank plate at Zippy's....DAYUM is all I can say. The chili here is no doubt the best in the world, I can vouch for that, because I've really tasted all the different kinds of chili in the world...haha i wish, but no it's so legit! 

Here is the drank of choice for any purpose: beach beverage, morning juice with some toast, sports drink, and even a good cocktail mix! I definitely recommend it.

Well I hope you're hungry now, because I for sure am, and will now feast on some leftover Jack tacos.

Mahalo for reading and go eat

Countdown - 4 days: Bruddah IZ - A Hawaiian Icon

Izrael Kamakawiwo'ole, also known as Bruddah IZ, is a Hawaiian iconic figure who stunned the world with his rendition of "Somewhere over the Rainbow/ What a Wonderful World."  Lucky enough, I was around 10 yrs old and chilling on the beach during the casting of his ashes off the coast of Wai'anae.
His voice is pure and his strum is solid, and is one of the reasons why I started to play the ukulele.
Here's a classic that will never grow old!

Countdown - 5 days: A quick lesson in pidgin

If you're going to be in Hawaii for awhile and going to places outside of Waikiki, you have to be able to understand a little pidgin, or else you goin' look like one haole an goin' get buss up! haha don't trip, i'm not frontin' that i'm local, but i'm close.  Here are some funny examples of how pidgin is used haha...

courtesy of e-hawaii 

pau (pow)
Definition: finished; through; done; completed
Used In A Sentence: Ho, you not pau yet?
In English?: Aren’t you finished with your homework yet?

haole (how lee)
Definition: literally defined as “foreigner”;  slang term used to describe an individual of Caucasian descent (not derogatory, though sometimes  used in a derogatory manner)
Used In A Sentence: Damn haole!
In English?: I wish that Caucasian individual would understand me for once!

howzit (howzette)
Definition: how is it? / how are you?; used as a means of greeting people. Often used with the associated hand gesture (closed fist with the pinkie and thumb sticking out)
Used In A Sentence: Howzit Lopaka! How you stay?
In English?: Hi there Lopaka! How are you?

da kine (duh kai-n)
Definition: much like the word Aloha, da kine has multiple definitions, meanings and uses. Mostly, it is used when trying to explain something when you can’t think of the words.
Used In A Sentence: Remember when we wen go to da kine’s party, suck um up wit da kine dem and den da kine?
In English?: My favorite memory was when we went to that party at Robert’s house, drank some of that nice chardonnay with Peter folks and then fell fast asleep. What party animals we are aren’t we?


broke the mouth (brok da mout)
Definition: used when describing food that is unbelievably delicious
Used In A Sentence: Dis Loco Moco brok da mout brah!
In English?: This dish is very tasty indeed.


choke (chohhhk)
Definition: a lot; a large amount in quantity
Used In A Sentence: You like one penny? No worries, I get choke!
In English?: Sure, I’ll give you a penny. No problem, I’ve got quite a few.


guaranz (ballbaranz) (gha ranz ball bahr anz)
Definition: no doubt; a guarantee; a sure thing
Used In A Sentence: No worries beef curry. I goin’ get you da stuffs guaranz!
In English?: Don’t you fret, I will definitely get you what you asked for


l’dat (lah dat)
Definition: 1. Often used like a period at the end of a sentence; like that; and such; 2. thats just the way it is. syn: that's how (ass how)
Used In A Sentence: 1.Go eat some poke l’dat. 2. Ay brah, l'dat 
In English?: 1. Help yourself to some raw fish. 2. That's just the way it is, man.


can / no can (can / no can)
Definition: CAN – can; it is possible
Used In A Sentence: So wot? You can o wot?
In English?: Do you think you can assist me at this time?


Definition: NO CAN – cannot; it is not possible
Used In A Sentence: Wot? Yeah right! No can brah! I gotta help tutu dakine, move.
In English?: Are you kidding me? I will not be able to go with you as I have to help my dear grandmother move out that day.


okole (`okole) (oh koh lay)
Definition: Hawaiian word for the gluteus maximus region
Used In A Sentence: Hoo, dat wahine get one sweet `okole!
In English?: That attractive woman must work out.


ono (`ono) (oh no)
Definition: scrumptious; tasty; delicious
Used In A Sentence: Ho, dis poke stay so `ono. I can grind um all or what?
In English?: This raw fish is really tasty. Is it ok if I keep eating it?


shoots (shoots)
Definition: used when in definite agreement; ok; I concur; let’s do it
Used In A Sentence: Shoots! I like some.
In English?: Yes, can I have some please?

HI 2010 preview with throwback pics

west side of Oahu

Makapuu beach where the waves stay big

Nuuanu Pali point lookout over the upper east side

beached Honu on the North Shore

the famous Diamond Head

on top of Diamond Head overlooking Waikiki

Pearl Harbor

Uncle bruddah Kevin 

The HI life 2010

Hawaii is my origin and is a huge part of who I am today.  Since I'm a recent college graduate and looking to continue my life outside of summer vacations, this might be the last Hawaiian trip for awhile.  I'm thankful that I will be spending it with my mom, family, girlfriend, and best friends.  

If you've never been, check it... and if you have..reminisce.. some jamz that can make you smile on any rainy day