Halema’uma’u's light show

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If you are planning a trip to the Big Island anytime soon, make sure you put Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on your itinerary.  Since Halema’uma’u's crater opened up last year there has been a renewed excitement for lava junkies hoping to capture history in the making.  That history may be closer to being made as lava is making it’s way into the neck of the hole in the crater.  The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has been watching this very closely and have not ruled out fountaining events like those that happened in the 80′s.  You can keep up with the volcano’s activity by going to their official website.  Check out this amazing clip they recently shot of a draining event at Halema’uma’u.  (It will take a minute or so to load)

Hawaiian monk seals get helping hand

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With fewer than 1,200 monk seals remaining, the future of these marine animals looked bleak.  That could soon be changing!  The federal government said Friday that they will be revising the critical habitat to include the main Hawaiian island waters and beaches.  The previous habitat was largely confined to the mostly uninhabited northwestern Hawaiian islands.  This is the first time such an action has been taken in 21 years to help out one of the most endangered marine mammals out there.   This will not affect access to the beaches or fishing.  Let’s hope this action helps to repopulate the dwindling numbers of these beautiful animals!

Hawaiian Word of the Week

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Purple- Poni

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: Island Mango Talapia

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Ingredients

1 jalapeno chile, chopped,to taste (use what you like)
3 teaspoons minced garlic
2 large shallots, peeled
2 cups chopped peeled mangoes
1/3 cup cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 (6 ounce) tilapia fillets
vegetable oil cooking spray

Directions
Combine chile pepper, garlic and shallots in a food processor, and process until minced. Add the mango, vinegar, orange juice, thyme, salt and olive oil; process until smooth. Place the mango mixture and the fish in a zip-top plastic bag; seal and marinate in refrigerator 20 minutes. Remove fish from bag, reserving marinade. Pour reserved marinade into a small saucepan, and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Prepare the grill or broiler. Place fish on grill rack or broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Cook 4 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Serve with mango sauce.

Recipe courtesy Recipezaar

Four Foods on Friday 79

Filed Under FFoF | 4 Comments

If you’d like to play along in this fun meme, swing by Val’s place to participate!

#1, Kelly’s question. What is your favorite memory associated with the smell of a certain food? As in, you smell it, close your eyes and are instantly drawn back to a magical moment in time.
The smell of a big homecooked meal like Thanksgiving takes me back to holidays when I was a kid.  Thinking of all of the guys in the living room watching football while all of the women were cooking and gabbing in the kitchen.

#2. Name something red that is in your cabinets.
A box of Cheez Its.

#3. Ice. Do you have an ice maker, use ice cube trays or buy by the bag?
We recently got a fridge with an icemaker.  I’m not a big ice user anyway so I can go either way.

#4. Pepper. What kind do you use most often? Is it in a grinder or a shaker?
Coarse black pepper is a staple at our table.  I probably use it everyday.

Newest Hawaii Geocaches (6/10)

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Looking to get outside and enjoy the beautiful Hawaii weather?  Here are some geocaches to get you up and active!

Temple Reflections  (Oahu)

Desperate Gardens  (Oahu)

Raising Cane in Hawaii  (Big Island)

Life’s a Beach…in Napili Bay  (Maui)

Princeville Coin Exchange  (Kauai)

A fashionable Friday in store at Parker Ranch

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Gonna be on the Big Island this Friday?  Head to Upcountry for a fashionable Friday!

Friday, June 12th: Parker Ranch Store and the Hawaii High School Rodeo Association presents a fashion show for the young at heart.  They welcome the two lovely contestants running for Rodeo Queen this year at the State Finals, the present reigning Hawaii Queen, Shelby Riveira, along with two favorite male rodeo contestants, Hunter Kalahiki and Kailena Akau, as our fabulous models.

The show will be held in the Fireside Food Court (adjacent to Parker Ranch Store) at the Parker Ranch Center at 6pm Friday evening. Immediately to follow will be the Hawaii High School Rodeo Association Pageant to choose the new reigning Queen for 2009-2010.

Join them for an evening of fun and fashion to launch a weekend of exciting Rodeo action held at Parker Ranch Arena, Saturday, June 13th from 8am till pau.  Tickets are available at Parker Ranch Store or at the gate.  Good luck to all State Final Rodeo Contestants!

Hawaiian Word of the Week

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Red- ‘Ula

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: Sweet Sour Spare Ribs

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Ingredients
3 lbs. Spareribs cut in 1 1/2″ pieces
2 Tbs. cornstarch; 1 Tbs. brown sugar
1 Tbs. salt
2 Tbs. soy sauce
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 slice ginger root, crushed
1/2 cup salad oil
3/4 cup vinegar (very strong-perhaps try 1/2 cup vinegar & 1/4 cup soy sauce)
2 Tbs. brown sugar
1/2 cup water

Combine spareribs, cornstarch, brown sugar, salt and soy and let stand 15 minutes or more. Saute garlic and ginger in hot oil until brown. Add spareribs, cook until browned on all sides, then pour off excess oil. Add vinegar, remaining brown sugar and water. Cook over high heat until steaming, then turn to low heat and simmer 30 to 40 minutes or until ribs are tender.

Recipe courtesy of KonaCowboy.com.

Four Foods on Friday 78

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If you’re looking to participate in a fun meme, swing by Val’s and post on your blog by tomorrow!

#1. Mashed potatoes. Do you usually buy the boxes, the frozen or make from scratch.
I occasionally buy instant when I need something quick but I prefer to make them from scratch with the skins on.

#2. Cottage cheese. What kind do you like? (large curd, small curd, 2%, 4%, no salt, etc)
Usually lowfat small curd.

#3. Is there a food that you are brand loyal to?
Hmm, Garden of Eatin’ no salt tortilla chips, Morningstar Farms Soy Corn Dogs and Boca cheese “burgers”.  Everything else is usually just fine in store brands unless the name brand is on sale.

#4. When cooking do you usually use fresh onions or the ones from the spice aisle that are chopped or powdered?
I have dehydrated onions in the spice cupboard but I’ll use fresh too for things like hot dogs.  (The absolute best are when you slow roast an all beef hot dog and the roast some onion petals in a little olive oil in the oven and put a little yellow mustard on it.  Oh baby!)

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