Sharing Aloha

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Mokihana

Last night Nolemana and I went to Bento Plus for dinner. Itʻs our favorite Japanese restaurant around here.  (Try read da reviews if u like see why!)

We got there around 7, which is late for us, and it was still busy. Our server was rushed and it was obvious that she was very tired after a long day of working.  She was polite; just very busy, and didn’t time for any chit chat.

We ate our delicious meal and she brought us the check; I looked at her tired, hot face, and my heart went out to her.  When she came back to give me my card and receipt back, I said to her, “I hope you can get some rest tomorrow.  You’ve been so busy here today.”

Her face just lit up, and instead of rushing away as she had before, she stopped to say that she would get rest today, that she’d be spending the whole day at the Korean church she goes to, and that would be rest.  Turns out she lives in Aloha (and pronounced it correctly, too, not like “Alowa” like most people here pronounce it (long story dat)).  She stayed talking to us for a few more minutes, a smile on her face, and for a little while, the tiredness  on her face was erased.  She knew that I saw her as a person, not just someone bringing our food and taking away our dishes.

A week ago at Les Schwab Tire Store a customer loudly berated the young lady at the desk because the customer wahine was going to have to wait for a few extra minutes, and I could tell that her words hurt someone who was only trying to be helpful.  As I walked by, I said to the young woman, “I hope the rest of the customers you talk to today make up for that woman’s rudeness.  You did a good job trying to help her.”

It never ceases to amaze me how just a few kind words can have such an impact on others.  Good or bad, our words can bring up or put down.  We have the power to lighten a load or make it more heavy. We have the opportunity every single day to see with our hearts and not just with our eyes.  We can bless or we can curse. We can choose be snarky or we can choose aloha. I choose the path of blessing and aloha.

Posted in 'Ono Kine Grindz, Da Kine: Sometimes Full-on Pidgin | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Spinning a Friendship

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Mokihana

I have a dear friend named Suzette who has become my spinning buddy. We get together at least once a month at The Place 2 Be Cafe in Canby, Oregon, and spend almost the entire day spinning together on our Ladybug wheels.

Suzette is oh, so much more, though, than just a spinning buddy. We met online on Ravelry, shortly before Suzette purchased her Ladybug. We became friends the very first time we got together in person, just two years ago.  And whether it’s twice a month or just once, we both so look forward to our time together. Continue reading →

Posted in Handspinning, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

The Great Oregon Steam-Up, Part Three

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Mokihana

I tell you, it was such a thrill seeing these old steam tractors! The atmosphere at the Powerland Museum was wonderful…hundreds and hundreds of people, some with their keiki, who were seeing these tractors for the first time. The kids looked tiny compared to the tractors!

I loved this old beauty.  Loved the iron wheels, and the smokestack, and the chugging noise it made as it rolled along.


Continue reading →

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The Great Oregon Steam-Up, Part Two

Posted on August 30, 2014 by Mokihana

Here we go again!  Nolemana and I wandered around the grounds before the parade was to start so that we could see some of the tractors up close.

This is one of my very favorite steam tractors. Itʻs absolutely huge!

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Continue reading →

Posted in Holoholo Pacific Northwest | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Tour de Fleece 2014

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Mokihana

Well, I thought I was gonna be posting almost every day of the Tour de Fleece.  You know, the yearly event for handspinners that coincides with the Tour de France. The idea is to challenge yourself to a spinning project or projects and “ride” the same days as the Tour de France riders ride. Continue reading →

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The Great Oregon Steam-Up 2014, Chapter One

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Mokihana

Last Saturday, Nolemana and I drove down to Brooks, Oregon, for the 2014 Great Oregon Steam-Up at the Antique Powerland Museum.  We used to take Nolemana’s dad, Roy-san, there every year, and he absolutely loved it.  Being an old farm boy, he’d actually used many of the tractors and equipment that was displayed.  He was kinda in tractor heaven, seeing all of the steam-powered equipment.

Nolemana and I hadn’t been to the Steam-Up since a couple of years before Roy-san, and this year we decided to go in his memory. Continue reading →

Posted in Da Kine: Sometimes Full-on Pidgin | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Here, Kitty Kitty Kitty!

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Mokihana

I was up late; it was hot outside and I had the sliding glass door open small kine.  I was just getting ready to take my shower when I heard a rustling noise outside; so I grabbed my camera, made sure I had a memory card in it (!), and turned on the outside light.

Good thing I was extra quiet!!  Cuz guess what I saw nosing around in the fallen bird seed and suet!

Yep!  Pepe le Pew!

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I very, very, very, quietly snapped another photo, anden, equally quietly, closed the sliding glass door.  Just as I did, Pepe ran off without leaving me a hauna offering.

I’ve never been this close to a skunk before!

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Posted in Da Kine: Sometimes Full-on Pidgin | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Finding Spiritual Whitespace – A Review

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Mokihana

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I’ve been following Bonnie Gray over at Faith Barista.com for several years now and have been always blessed by Bonnie’s words. So when her book came out, I was eager to read it. I have been fortunate to be part of Bonnie’s book launch team and to be in community with other readers and bloggers in the group. Continue reading →

Posted in Da Kine: Sometimes Full-on Pidgin | Leave a comment

A wonderful surprise today.

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Mokihana

Today I was driving down my driveway on the way to the gym. Went around the corner and there was a young doe staring at me! But Iʻd forgotten my cell phone. Of all the times to forget it. So hoping against hope, I backed up (not an easy task on a curve with an 18% grade!), hurried back into the house and grabbed my cell phone, and went back out.

This time I went down much slower, and thought Iʻd missed her altogether. But nope, she was still there. When she saw me, she decided to leave. I wished Iʻd brought my good camera but didnʻt want to leave it in my car or locker at the gym.

Can you see her down there?

 

17 June2a Continue reading →

Posted in 365 Days, Da Kine: Sometimes Full-on Pidgin | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Montana Road Trip 2010, Chapter Twenty-Two

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Mokihana

Eh howzit!  U like go Montana again?  Kʻden.  We go!

We’re still driving mauka/South on Highway 89, and just about to come into the tiny town of Clyde Park.  Population 288.

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Continue reading →

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