Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Its Party Time!!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU... YOU LIVE IN A ZOO... YOU SMELL LIKE A MONKEY...

AND YOU LOOK LIKE ONE TOO!

Today... my baby boy turns 6 years old! We are gonna do cake and Ice Cream tonight, and then this weekend is a Pizza/Ice Skating Party for him!

I always promised myself that no matter what, I would make sure my Boy gets a Birthday Party (big or small) even with Christmas so close!

I love you fatso boy! Happy Birthday!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Work for the CENSUS BUREAU 2010!!

I know alot of people have lost their jobs or know someone who has lost their job.

Heres an opportunity I just read about in a local newspaper.

Its a great opportunity for part time students/ retirees/ and they even have flexible hours for people who already have a full time job!

Just wanted to share this and I hope it helps!

Mele Kalikimaka a me Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! Keala

WORKERS FOR 2010 CENSUS NEEDED

Looking for extra income? The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting census takers for the 2010 Census... Pay ranges from $10. - $22. an hour depending on the region.

To apply call 1-866-861-2010

or heres the website www.census.gov/2010censusjobs

Monday, December 8, 2008

Kalani Koa - Somebody to Love


Kalani Koa - Somebody to Love (Music Video)


Aloha Friends! Above is a music video my younger cousin just did for the 2008 Brown Bags to Stardom competition. Hes wearing the red lei in the photo above!

For those who don't know what Brown Bags is... its a local Hawaii music competition for High School students. They have to write the song, play the music and produce the video. The video is then played on OC16 and voting begins!

I am so proud of my cousin for doing this. Last year he won 2nd place male vocalist for his song "My Hawaii"! I was up there skankin as he performed it live... so awesome!

This year, I think his song is even better... and I know he is gonna do really well in this competition and in his musical future!

They do perform for parties... so anybody looking for a new upcoming band to play at your Grad Party, Kalani Koa is the way to go! Not only does he play reggae & island music... he can sing a mean Falsetto!

If voting is open when you check out his video... PLEASE VOTE for Kalani Koa - Somebody to Love!

Mahalo Nui Loa... Keala

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

In Loving Memory - Valaile Fuiava Jr.



A resolution to the Drunk Driving DEATH of my father in law is finally on its way!

On March 31, 2007, my father was killed in a senseless accident. He was on his way home from work, riding on his 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle when he was hit from behind by a drunk driver. The woman who hit him did not stop... in fact she continued to drag him under her car for 500 feet before crashing into a cement barrier. There were NO TIRE MARKS found at the scene... which means she never even TRIED to stop! He was less than 3 minutes away from the safety of his home when the accident happened. He chose this alternate route home to avoid exactly what it was that took his life.....A DRUNK DRIVER !

He was taken so suddenly away from a loving wife of 30 years, 3 children and their spouses, and 7 grandchildren. His congregation lost a pastor, the United States Marines lost a warrior and military veteran. His brother's and sister's lost a dear family member. The community lost a friend and advocate. He was a dear man, stern, strong, giving, loving, unselfish. Truly loved and adored by all he met, and above all RESPECTED. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his courageous actions during the Vietnam war... in which he saved many lives of the men who served in his unit.

My goal here is to share the life of my father. He is no longer with us in body but HE LIVED!

HE LIVED...unselfishly. He loved everyone, his family, and GOD. He served our armed forces in the United States Marines, and he served proudly. Upon retirement he returned home to the North Shore where he raised his family and served as Pastor of the Haleiwa Evangelical Mission. He also worked at the Army's Firing Range in Kahuku.

HE LIVED... He loved his wife and children, but his grandchildren were his world. He could be found in his down time, taking his grandchildren to the local pool. Swimming was his passion, and he wanted his grandchildren to experience the love he had for it. He would take his grandchildren riding around the neighborhood on his bicycle in the evenings when it was hot and humid. There was no limit to what he would do for his grandchildren, and he never questioned the time he would so willingly spend with them. He enjoyed the outdoors, he enjoyed life, he enjoyed helping those less fortunate... HE LIVED!

Two years have nearly passed, and not a day , or event goes by, where his memory or name isn't spoken. Not a day goes by where the burning question, "WHY?" is not asked. In my opinion it was not an accident..it was pure negligence, ignorance, with no concern or respect for life...that happened that night. Drinking, driving and speeding = the recipe for disaster.

We ask that you leave comments of love and support for Valaile Fuiava Jr. To remember that he is not just a name... not just a statistic... He was a man WHO LIVED!

Your support, your thoughts, your feelings ... will help when the time comes to give testimony to his life.

ALSO if you are on facebook, please join our group - In Loving Memory of Valaile Fuiava Jr.

Me ke aloha pumehana... Keala and the Fuiava Ohana

LINK TO NEWS STORY (watch the video) http://www.khon2.com/news/local/6821597.html
LINK TO NEWS STORY http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/04/02/news/story05.html

Monday, November 17, 2008

Protect the Hawaiian Monk Seal!


I have my own personal reasons for wanting to protect the Hawaiian Monk Seal... Living in Hawaii all of my life I have been witness to these amazing and beautiful animals. As they play in the tides chasing after each other, or surfing a wave far out in the ocean... and even more often, basking in the sun to soak up the beautiful sunshine... but it has become fewer and fewer encounters in recent years.

My 9yo son wants to become a Marine Biologist
because of the Hawaiian Monk Seal! It breaks my heart to know that one species is gone forever (The Caribbean Monk Seal has been deemed extinct this month) and another may be gone within years... so quickly in fact, that my son may never have the chance to study and protect these and other marine animals in our Oceans.

Please take a stand and make a difference. Volunteer at a local beach cleanup and get garbage off of our beaches, make a donation, write a letter to your Representative, whatever it is you can do to help!

Our delicate eco-system needs you!

Will you please add your signature to this petition?

Me ke aloha pumehana... Keala


http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/321914992

"Protect Habitat for Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals
Target: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Sponsored by: Care2.com

The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world. Its population has plummeted to about 1,200 animals, and scientists say it will likely drop below 1,000 seals within a few years.

But the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been resistant to protecting critical habitat. Three-quarters of the islands designated for Hawaiian monk seal habitat could be underwater before the end of the century thanks to global warming. Less than 50 years ago, one of the seals' chief breeding and resting places covered more than 110 acres. Today, only about 40 acres are left.

As beaches disappear under rising seas, there are fewer safe places for the endangered seals to escape from sharks. As a result, more pups and juveniles are dying. Further loss of habitat can only put these endangered seals at greater risk.

Help prevent the extinction of the Hawaiian monk seal. Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect critical habitat for this treasured part of Hawaii's natural heritage."

Heres what the petition is proposing:

We, the undersigned, are concerned for the future of the Hawaiian monk seal, the most endangered seal species in the United States. We urge that critical habitat in the Main Hawaiian Islands receive legal protection as critical habitat necessary for preventing the extinction of the Hawaiian monk seal. Critical habitat designation would ensure management that is consistent with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act.

Since the mid 1950s, the monk seal population has declined rapidly, with only about 1,200 animals remaining. The threats from limited food sources, shark predation, global warming and sea level rise, entanglement in marine debris, disease, habitat loss and disturbance, fisheries interactions, and pollution are driving this already small population to the brink of extinction.

The Hawaiian monk seal has had designated habitat in a marine national monument at a remote archipelago northwest of Hawaii since 2006. Unfortunately, three-quarters of the islands in that sanctuary could be underwater before the end of the century thanks to global warming.
While the current critical habitat is important for the protection of the Hawaiian monk seal, expanded habitat protection is absolutely essential for the recovery of thepopulation. The scientific consensus is that the Main Hawaiian Islands are the best opportunity for the recovery of the dwindling population of monk seals.

That is why we request amending the current Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat to include essential habitat areas along key beach areas, sand spits and islets, lagoon waters, inner reef waters, and ocean waters around each of the Main Hawaiian Islands. The potential for population growth, increased habitat and greater food availability in the Main Hawaiian Islands could be pivotal for the survival and recovery of the Hawaiian monk seal.


For more information on the current legal protection of the Hawaiian Monk Seal visit: http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/PRD/prd_hawaiian_monk_seal.html

Friday, August 15, 2008

MOVIE MADNESS - LABYRINTH


By far, the movie Labyrinth is my #1 favorite movie. The beauty and magic of the set, the character of it's actors and actresses and the genius of Jim Henson all combined to make one of the most memorable movies ever! At least... for me. ;)

I used items from various Etsy shops to create this homage to the movie and its creator.

From now on, when I snag a treasury I will be building it around my new MOVIE MADNESS feature! Any requests for a specific movie to be featured? Just leave me a comment and I will do my best to represent the movie in my next treasury!

See something you like, or want to see more of the artists featured? Check them out and support the Hand Made movement!

Artists Featured left to right:
GumballGrenade.etsy.com


battyazac.etsy.com


NatureMandalas.etsy.com


leandogpottery.etsy.com


Enchanticals.etsy.com


faerywhere.etsy.com


VenusFlytrapJewels.etsy.com


iomiss.etsy.com


lightleaks.etsy.com


LightchaserStudios.etsy.com


fairyrade.etsy.com


psychedelicpanther.etsy.com

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Sweet Sweet Love...




Your Love Style is Agape



You are a caring, kind, and selfless partner.

Unsurprisingly, your love style is the most rare.

You are willing to sacrifice your world for your sweetie.

Except it doesn't really feel like sacrifice to you.

For you, nothing feels better than giving to the one you love.

Me Want COOKIE!!!




You Are Cookie Monster



Misunderstood as a primal monster, you're a true hedonist with a huge sweet tooth.



You are usually feeling: Hungry. Cookies are preferred, but you'll eat anything if cookies aren't around.



You are famous for: Your slightly crazy eyes and usual way of speaking



How you life your life: In the moment. "Me want COOKIE!"

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

New Tattoo!!!

FINALLY!!!

So, this past Saturday I drove out to Hau'ula and met with Miss Laura with Polynesian Tattoo Factory. She is a fantastic artist as well as a tattoo artist and her work is all one of a kind original. I chose to go to Laura after seeing some of her work on flickr and it all just fit.

I arrived at 3:00pm, ink started at 3:30pm and we finished at 10:30pm. Yes... it took 7 hours! I could have done it in 2 sessions, but I figured what the hell... just go for it. I would have been really irritated with myself for not having it completed and I am happy I decided to go on!

She created exactly what I was looking for! And here it is!



The 3 hibiscus flowers represent my children, they also represent my family. My great grand uncle bred hibiscus plants and actually came up with many hybrid species! He named one after my great grandmother Charlotte Keala.

I also have my children's names added, which of course was the most important aspect of my tattoo. They are the reason for this tattoo. I got the ink done on the left side of my ribs so that my children will always be close to my heart and under my arm for love and protection.

And the last part of this tattoo is the Polynesian design. I am of Hawaiian descent and wanted something to represent that. There is weaved Lauhala, Sharks Teeth, and a freehand tribal.

My artist Laura did a fantastic job and the only thing she stenciled on was my kids names. Everything else she freehand sketched on my body. You can see that the design flows with the curve of my body, which makes it look fantastic!

I am just so happy with how it came out!! It was worth every moment of pain and I would do it again this instant... if I had the money!!!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Making Changes

I am a mother of 3, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a niece and a friend... but somewhere along the way I lost me. Just plain old me. Where did I go?? What happened in the last 10 years to make me lose myself?

These are all things that have been bothering me a lot lately. I remember being so care free and fun, and now, I am a stressed out mommy trying to keep the kids in line, the house clean, the boss happy and my hubs comfortable. ::sigh:: On top of that, I gained 30 unwanted pounds!

So I decided its time to take back some control of myself. I cannot change the people and circumstances around me, but I can make changes for and within myself!

Change #1 - BODY! I've been working out now for the past 3 months and I got myself an awesome personal trainer to teach me the right way to get the fat off and the muscle on! So far I have lost 12lbs of fat, put on 5lbs of muscle, lost 4" around my waist and gained 1/2" to each of my calves and biceps! I also started eating healthy and portion control, which I think was my biggest problem! I've cut my rice consumption down, eat a ton more fresh fruits and veggies and just make better choices overall. This has also affected my families diet and we are all being helathy together!

Change #2 - MIND! In addition to my working out I have started doing yoga at home! I watch Namaste Yoga on Fittv whenever I can and I am learning breathing techniques, movements and stances that promote a healthy mind by creating calmness and wellbeing. The very best part is that I can do this at home and my kids have started to do it with me! I am also an avid reader and I am continuing to build my library to fill up the walls in my craft room (when its built). I am also taking online courses and community courses to improve upon my art & craft skills.

Change #3 - SPIRIT! I am an artist. Bet you didnt know that about me. I have always loved the way you can take colors, take a canvas, and build a little piece of your world with a paint brush... an escape, if you will. I went out and bought myself some new canvas, paints and bought a few more brushes to add to my already large collection. Now it comes down to making it happen... taking the time to put it all onto the canvas.

I also LIVE for nature! It nurtures and sustains me and makes me feel a calm center that I havent felt in years! I decided its time to get back out there, starting with the ocean. I am a surfer. Have been for many many years but after the birth of my first child I had to give up alot to support him on my own. Unfortunately, surfing was one of the things that had to go... fortunately, my oldest is 9yo and he LOVES the ocean too! I am going to teach him how to surf, thus getting myself back into the water as well! I am also planning hiking trips with the kids and many more camping adventures. I get to enjoy nature and be with my family, which is exactly what we all need!

And I love to play music and sing. I went ahead and pulled my acoustic guitar out of the closet and restrung it. Its been so long since I just let loose and sang... so the other night I did just that. Played some Bob Marley, my daughter joined in and we both sang... it was so nice, and just one more thing I can do with my kids, especially now that they are getting older.


So welcome home Keala! Still a mommy of 3, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a niece and a friend... but now I am coming back to being just me. Hi... I'm Keala, nice to meet you.

Monday, March 17, 2008

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!

A very heartfelt Happy St. Patricks Day to you from the Hawaii Etsy Street Team!

Check out our "Going Green for St. Patty" collection!


Just click on the photo set above to see these Hawaii Creations and MORE!

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Building a website from scratch...

Is hard work! I am soooo lucky to have my sister helping me since she is a super wiz with html, but it may as well be in yiddish for all that it makes sense to me! I still have tons of preliminary work to do before I can officially open it up to the public as a sales site.

I originally was hoping to have it ready by March 1st... that deadline is long gone, now I will be happy if I can get it done by June! And I dont have extra funds to hire a professional to have it up for me in a week.

Im also having one heck of a time figuring out how to add a cart to my page... paypals directions are vague at best.

Gah... It takes as much time to create my jewelry as it does to manage the business end of things! But, if I want to make this business work I just have top bite the bullet, put my nose to the grindstone and work 20 hour days! =)

and now... back to work!