For the o’keiki…

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It’s St. Patty’s Day so why not keep the kids occupied with some fun irish themed online activities?

Click here to keep your wee lads and lasses busy today!

Hawaiian Word of the Week

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March-Malaki

The alphabet contains 12 letters: 5 vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and 7 consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p, w). To simplify pronunciation, sound consonants as in English and break up words so they are easy to say (ie- Humuhumunukunukuapua’a would be pronounced humu-humu-nuku-nuku-apu-a-a)

Pronounce vowels as follows:

a – a in above; e – e in set; i – ee in see; o – o in some; u – oo in moon.

Pronounce vowels marked by a glottal stop (`) quickly ie- o`o sounds like oh-oh! in English.

Stress rising dipthongs (ae, ai, ao, au, oi, ou, eu, ei) on the first letter and end with a short e, i, o or u. ie- oi sounds like oy in soy, ending with a short “i”.

Aloha Friday Recipe: Ono Butter Mochi

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1 pound mochiko (glutinous rice flour)
2 1/2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, melted
3 cups whole milk
5 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sweetened, flaked coconut

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla and milk. In a separate larger bowl, stir together the rice flour, sugar, and baking powder. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and stir to blend. Mix in melted butter and coconut. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven. Cool completely, then cut into squares to serve.

Recipe courtesy Allrecipes.com

Four Foods on Friday meme #69

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Looking to have some blog fun?  You too can participate in this fun meme just stop over at Val’s place in time for tomorrow’s deadline!

#1. Olive oil. What kind do you prefer to use?
I don’t really have a preference.  Everyone always talks about this different taste that olive oil has but I really don’t taste this massive difference.  I obviously wouldn’t use olive oil in place of veggie oil in a recipe but I guess my palette isn’t sophisticated enough to see a big difference.

#2. Meatballs. Do you make them from scratch, buy premade cooked or buy premade frozen?
Usually frozen if I’m going to do a party and want to cut down on prep time but I am going to make my own from scratch and freeze them since they were a big hit when I made them for fondue not too long ago.

#3. Do you use napkins at home? Paper or cloth?
Honestly we use paper towels most of the time.  Only when company comes do we break out the fancy “Vanity” napkins.  We’re simple folk.  LOL

#4. Share a recipe for a white sauce.

Easy Microwave Garlic Alfredo Sauce

1/2 cup butter
2-3 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup whipping cream
1 pinch nutmeg (optional)
1/8 teaspoon basil (fresh is best if you’ve got it)
1-1 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
salt & freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Place butter and garlic in a 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup. Microwave uncovered in HIGH for 2 minutes.
Remove and stir in whipping cream, nutmeg (if using) basil and black pepper. Return to the microwave uncovered on HIGH for another 2-3 minutes, until bubbling. Remove and stir in Parmesan cheese, return to the microwave for 2-3 minutes longer until thick and smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Newest Hawaii Geocaches (3/11)

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Time to get out and get active in the islands with the newest geocaches.  Whether you live in Hawaii or are visiting, this is a great way to see parts of the island you normally wouldn’t have.

End of the Line  (Oahu)

Amongst the Trees  (Big Island)

Coqui, Coqui, Coqui  (Maui)

Hunt for this Cache on the Pali  (Oahu)

If you are new to the sport of Geocaching or are wondering what the heck it is, click here to get the basics and decide if it’s something you’d like to try.  It’s a great way to be active without feeling like you’re getting exercise. To get started with the only piece of equipment you really need to participate, see our suggestions for handheld GPS units below:

Hawaii: Message in the Waves at Maui Ocean Center

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If you find yourself on Maui today, make sure you stop by Maui Ocean Center to be a part of Sea Talk with their showing of Hawaii- Message in the Waves.  If you haven’t seen this documentary, you’re missing out.  It will change the way you see  Hawaii and life in general.

Maui Ocean Center’s complimentary Sea Talk Series continues on Tuesday, March 10th at 6:00 p.m. with a showing of “Hawaii – Message in the Waves”. Iokepa Naeole, director of Jean-Michel Cousteau’s “Ambassadors of the Environment” program at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, will introduce this significant documentary.

Told through a Hawaiian perspective, “Hawaii – Message in the Waves” is a story about the disturbing effects of plastic pollution on Hawaii’s wildlife and people. Conveyed through a varied cast of characters including surfers, scientists, and Hawaiian born and bred musician Jack Johnson, “Hawaii – Message in the Waves” sends a powerful and inspiring message to the entire world.

Sea Talks are held at the Open Ocean Exhibit at Maui Ocean Center. Admission is complimentary and reservations are not required. For more information, please call 270-7075.

The mission of Maui Ocean Center is to foster understanding, wonder and respect for Hawaii’s marine life. This state-of-the-art aquarium was named Hawaii’s top attraction by the Zagat Survey US Family Travel Guide. Open daily from 9 to 5, and from 9 to 6 in July and August. For more information please contact the Maui Ocean Center: 192 Ma’alaea Road; Ma’alaea, HI 96793; telephone (808) 270-7000, facsimile (808) 270-7070, info@mauioceancenter.com or visit www.mauioceancenter.com

Hawaiian Word of the Week

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February-Pepeluali

The alphabet contains 12 letters: 5 vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and 7 consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p, w). To simplify pronunciation, sound consonants as in English and break up words so they are easy to say (ie- Humuhumunukunukuapua’a would be pronounced humu-humu-nuku-nuku-apu-a-a)

Pronounce vowels as follows:

a – a in above; e – e in set; i – ee in see; o – o in some; u – oo in moon.

Pronounce vowels marked by a glottal stop (`) quickly ie- o`o sounds like oh-oh! in English.

Stress rising dipthongs (ae, ai, ao, au, oi, ou, eu, ei) on the first letter and end with a short e, i, o or u. ie- oi sounds like oy in soy, ending with a short “i”.

Aloha Friday Recipe: Hawaiian Baked Bananas

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4 bananas, peeled
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup orange or pineapple juice
3 tablespoons sherry
1 dash nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped almonds or macadamia nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the bananas into a small glass baking dish. Stir together the brown sugar, juice, and sherry; pour over the bananas, then sprinkle with nutmeg. Melt the butter in a small pan over medium heat. Stir in chopped nuts, and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Pour over the banana mixture. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes until the bananas are tender, and have become lightly glazed.

Recipe courtesy Allrecipes.com

Four Foods on Friday #68

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If you’re looking to participate in this fun meme on your blog, go to Val’s place and play along!

#1. Coffee. Do you use ground, bean or pods?
Ugh, I HATE coffee!  I love the smell of it but to drink it makes me gag.  Note to coffee drinkers, please…unless you really hate your co-workers, pop a mint after drinking that cup of joe!  I know you don’t think your breath stinks but I assure you, it does and people are too polite to say anything.  Don’t shoot the messenger!

#2. Coffee filters. Do you use paper, gold or other?
See above.

#3. Tea. Do you prefer tea bags, loose tea or something else?
Tea bags, I’m not fond of loose tea leaves floating around in my cup.  I do instant tea too.

#4. Share a recipe for something you like to eat with coffee or tea.
Here’s a link to Chocolate Biscotti which I hear people like to dunk in their octane.  I made this but added about 1/2 cup for toffee bits to it and subbed mac nut pieces for the almonds…YUM!

Pink is the New Fabulous gala

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If you are going to be on Oahu Saturday, March 7 and are feeling charitable then consider going to the “Pink is the New Fabulous” gala that celebrates the grand re-opening of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.  The popular hotel has undergone some renovations and is inviting you to celebrate with musician Chris Botti!  Tickets start at $350 per person unless you’re a kama’aina (resident) then you pay $192.70.  If you want to really go all out the following packages are available:

$5,000 Royal Beach Club Cabana: For four guests in an exclusive beachfront cabana featuring cuisine and beverages from the new Azure Restaurant.

$10,000 Monarch Room: Table for 10 including a majestic, multicourse, wine-paired dinner.

$50,000 Private Party in the King Kamehameha Suite: For 50 guests, including an exclusive party in the luxurious King Kamehameha Suite, overlooking Waikiki Beach, featuring the finest cuisine and beverages from the Royal Hawaiian.

Proceeds benefit the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific.  For gala tickets, call 808-566-3451. To book a room at the Royal, call 808-923-7311.

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