Bethany Hamilton---The Soul Surfer

Bethany is a champion surfer from Kauai who has written an autobiography. (I had my picture taken with her at the Haleiwa Farmers' Market by the Keiki Korner.)
Right now, on the North Shore, a movie is being made of her story. The company will be filming here for another four weeks. It's exciting to be in a neighborhood with so much always happening!

Lights, Camera, Action

Heart of a Soul Surfer, a new movie about Bethany Hamilton, is being filmed on the North Shore. It takes lots of people and equipment to shoot a scene. The next four photos were taken on the set at Shark's Cove.

Dennis Quaid is on the Set

Bethany's film will be starring some famous actors, Dennis Quaid, to name one. This film is a biography of her life. It portrays her before and after she was attacked by a shark while surfing on Kauai.

The Back of the Set

That's the director in the yellow shirt, the one with the cowboy hat. His name is Sean McNamara. I'm sure it must have been pretty difficult to lug all that heavy equipment down to the beach. What do you think?

Okay, Can you Guess What These Are?

Like I said, it takes lots of equipment to make a movie. These metal pipes are called "Hollywood Stands". They hold great big sets of lights that are shown through blue gel and soft white screens. The light coming through the screens give off a soft glow and illuminate the actors. See what they look like in the following photograph.

Look Closely and You'll See the Stars

I'm in front of my friend Jamie's house at Shark's Cove. This is another angle on the set of "Soul Surfer". Dennis Quaid and AnnaSophia Robb are sitting on the beach portraying Bethany Hamilton and her dad. Did you notice those Hollywood Stands that are holding those big lights in front of the blue gel screens. The surf was up and waves were crashing into the rocks and jumping up into the air every now and then. What a way to watch the sun go down!

Chocolate Festival was a Big Hit!

Kaitlyn and her brother, Jett, visited me at the Haleiwa Farmers' Market and made "cool" crowns, the children's activity for Sunday, January 31. It was also the day for the "Cacao Festival"! Over 4,500 visitors and shoppers and tasters joined us. There was chocolate everything! Yummmmmmmm! But not for this little dog, I just watched, while everyone else nibbled.
Chocolate is bad for dogs, (Those are cacao pods in front of the children and those pods hold the chocolate beans.)

Happy to Be Here!

Downtown and Town owner/chef, Ed Kenny, was at the Cacao Festival sharing his delicious chocolate concoctions while his daughter, Celia, visited me and helped her little charge, Opal, make a crown. They had fun!

Kung Hee Fat Choy!!

Yes, it's Chinese New Year again! Come to Chinatown and share in the celebration. Go to www.chinesechamber.com to see the schedule of events, especially the "Lion Dance".

Painting Good Luck Characters

Matthew watched as a resident Chinatown artist used his rabbit fur brush to paint proverbs meant to bring good fortune to anyone who bought one and displayed it. It's all part of welcoming in the Chinese New Year which is based on a lunar calendar.

Buy Some Special Food for the Celebration

One of Mom's favorite Chinese New Year treats is "Peanut Candy". Do you see it in the window of the Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery?
Click on this photo and look hard-it's the diamond-shaped pieces to the left of my ear at the end of the shelf. The shop is at 1027 Maunakea Street in Chinatown.

How About Some Manapua?

What's manapua? It a bun filled with pork and very, very popular at Chinese New Year. The two photos above show the hubbub at Char Hung Sut on Pauahi Street as everyone is getting ready for the festivities.

....And Do You Want Some Gau?

Okay, what's "Gau"? It's a special little cake made of rice flour that brings good fortune to the Chinese New Year. It tastes a little like tapioca and wiggles like Jello!

See You in Chinatown!!

Look for dragons everywhere when you visit Honolulu's Chinatown. And do you know why the Chinese people love dragons? They believe the dragon spirals up to the sky and brings down rain for the crops so everyone has plenty to eat! Lots different from European dragons, don't you agree?

........And the Contests Keep Coming

It's the end of January and this is the second of four World Qualifying Series surfing contests on Oahu.
There are about 40 each year around the world. If you do well in these WQS events, then you get to compete in the ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals), the world tour, and those winners take home lots of prize money. This is the first contest Volcom has sponsored.

Going to Work Barefoot

Dave Bjorn has been a professional photographer for the past 28 years. "Pure Emotion---Man against Nature" was his comment when I asked him why he loves what he does. See more of his work at DaveBjorn.com

The Legends were On Hand

This is the media tent at the Volcom Pipeline Pro. Herbie Fletcher is holding me and Jerry Lopez, Mr. Pipeline, is in the red t-shirt. Jerry started one of the first surf companies in Hawaii, Lightning Bolt, and is famous for his "tube" rides at Pipe. Richard Woolcot, the owner of Volcom, is next to him and Chris Cote is in the blue and white aloha shirt. The contest was streaming live around the world and these gentlemen were giving a blow by blow account of what was happening on the waves.

Beach Buddies---Another Pal for Me

Koa spent the day cruising at the Pipeline Pro. What a lucky dog. What a life! I'm ready to join him-----what a minute, I have that life too!

Makua Rothman Smiling Big

Makua just rode in from his heat at the Pipeline Pro. He did well!
That's Anthony Walsh (Walshy) from Australia sitting on his board. He had competed earlier and is moving on to the next round. Chris Hagen, staff photographer for Future Fins, was taking in all the action at the world's most famous wave----the Banzai Pipeline. This contest has two more days to run so check it out on the live stream. Go to volcom.com and tune in. In Hawaii it will be on Oceanic Cable Channel 250 and1250 (HD).

Up Behind the School

I'm in the herb garden of Kapiolani Community College. The students in the Culinary Arts Deparment use mint, basil, chives, marjoram, and parsley to enhance the food they prepare. Shhhh---this is almost a secret----lunch and dinner are served in the fine dining room for a very reasonable price and I mean, very reasonable. Call ahead and make reservations at 734-9499. It's a must!

Look Who was at the Restaurant

One of my favorite artists and friends, Bernie Moriaz, was hanging his art in the KCC dining room when I was on campus. I had been talking to the Culinary Institute operations manager, Jerome, asking him about the herb garden. I was telling him how I was a very "green" dog and he mentioned that a recycled artist was putting up his work inside. I was invited up and "bingo", there was Bernie. I spent about an hour chatting and taking pictures of his work. He's showing with another artist, Mark Jacobson.

Away from the Sea, Posing with Me!

This is one of Bernie's recycled mermaids. He does lots of metal sculptures and they are usually bright and colorful and full of whimsy! On occasion he's at the Haleiwa Farmers' Market on Sundays from 9 to 1.
That's where I am every Sunday!

I Think I Need a Little Bigger Size

I love aloha shirts and this red one was almost perfect for me! I just needed one doggie size bigger. Bernie told me he'd fabricate another red one just for me! He teaches art classes-----hey, maybe I could make one of my own, instead.

Inside the Gallery

I was lucky when I was at Kapiolani Community College. I met Professor David Behlke who is the Director and Curator of the Koa Art Gallery and he took me for a tour. These two "relief" prints were my favorites. They are by Kimberly Chai. The art showcased the work of faculty members at the school. Drop in sometime and enrich your life and, maybe, get inspired!

There's Always Something Going On

Brenda was at the Arts Festival at Kaipolani Park showing off her husband, John's, work. Those figures are replicas of petroglyphs or "ki'i pohaku" which are stone carvings by ancient Hawaiians. Did you spot the surfer? Look hard.

Now This is My Kind of Afternoon

I really liked the colors and images Kimo was using! He was painting under a gigantic banyan tree across from the beach in Waikiki at the Arts Festival. What a wonderful way to while away the day!

Flowers, Flowers, Everywhere---Year Round

Lena, on the left, was teaching Tom and Betty from San Diego to make "haku leis" or "head leis". Lena was making sure the visitors to her tent understood conservation. She emphasized using "just what you need" and making sure to leave flowers and ferns behind for others.

My Favorite Cutups

Donna, on the left, and Kimberly were at the Arts Festival at Kapiolani Park, too. They were making me laugh and laugh! Donna sews those fabulous aprons and Kimberly has a line of frames and switchplate covers. I love them.
See more of their work at: www.northshoretrader.com

See What Linda has for Sale

Linda Robb (Kalani's mom) makes beautiful Hawaiian coasters, mousepads, and glass cutting boards. She uses local artists' work, the most famous one being Peggy Chun. You will love what you see! I promise.

All Dolled Up and Lovin' those Glasses!

Hokulani was dressed to the nines for the Arts Festival at Kapiolani Park. What a Pomeranian! This five-year-old has a whole dresser full of costumes at home! The sunglasses are to protect her eyes from the bright, tropical sun in Hawaii. Maybe it's time for me to start dressing up. What do you think? I'm leaning towards some kind of straw hat. Do you think it will become me?
Want to know when the next festival will be? Go to: http://haa.hotcrafts.net

"Books are Your Best Friends"

Molly joined me at the Optimysstic Festival in Haleiwa at the Waialua Community Association across from the Post Office. I was there sharing seeds and making new friends. What do you think of those red-stained barefeet? No boots for her, no gloves or muffler either. Lucky you live Hawaii, Molly.

Making Headway at the New Chamber Office

I'm sitting on a very small backhoe seeing what Lee Byrant, in the orange t-shirt, is doing. Well, he and Gary were digging a trench for the electrical wires to the North Shore Chamber of Commerce office. These volunteers are making this old building ready to use and that's good for the whole community. Lee owns North Shore Equipment Rental and does lots of pro bono (free) work for this neighborhood.

If I had a Hammer......

Gary thought he'd show me how to nail down tar paper. He was putting up this "vapor barrier" before the cedar shiplap siding was nailed on. Gary is just one of the many volunteers who give his effort and time to get the Chamber Office up and running. To learn more go to: GoNorthShore.org You could volunteer, too, or buy a brick for the wide entryway sidewalk.

Taking Care of Us One Yogurt at a Time

Carter Allen is in his health food store, Celestial, between his two daughers, Lei, on the left, and Melody. (Peek-a-boo, do you see me peering out of the market bag? Carter opened this store in Haleiwa 36 years ago to the day!! He was having a big "Everything in the Store 20% Off Sale". I like that kind of sale!

Slack Key Guitarist - Jeff Peterson

Jeff plays the most beautiful music and you can hear it often in the early mornings on Hawaii Public Radio. He was performing at a free concert in the wide front yard of the Hawaii State Art Museum on Richards Street. It happens as part of First Friday in downtown Honolulu--a free concert every month, the first Friday, of course..... Check out Jeff's website: www.jeffpetersonguitar.com

Eat a Healthy Snack - Eat Popcorn!

Sam and Gwen of Kettle Corn Hawaii were stirring up a kettle of popped corn. It was still warm in the bag when I bought mine at the concert. It was yummy - lots of fiber and very tasty. Read one of my favorite books called POPCORN by Frank Asch.

Oh My Gosh!! See How it Gleams!

This is a very, very fancy boat called a "Yacht". It's been cruising around the Hawaiian Islands for the last month or so. La Masquerade was docked at the Aloha Tower . The owner, Sir Robert Ogden, from England, is on a three year ocean jaunt. He's famous because he's rich and, also, he helps teenagers in England go to college or trade school - he pays for it. The three crewmembers on the deck with me are, from left to right, Emir, Ross, and Leo. They were having a fine time on this boat and loved talking to me telling me all about it!

Get Ready to Shop, Shop, Shop

The big Douglas Trade Show comes to the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu a few times a year! I went to this one and met Christina from Tuscon, on the left, and Tara from Kona on the Big Island. They are students at the University of Hawaii and were helping out at the show to make a few dollars! See those baskets where I'm propped? They are handwoven in Bali and every single one is different. See more at www.makaimports.com

Welcoming in the New Year

Some people believe in making wishes at the beginning of each new year. Those are fortunes tied to a tree outside of a Japanese Shinto temple. The people who come here buy a wish and if they don't like the wish, they tie it to the tree and go buy another one. It only cost a quarter. Learning that is what makes living in Hawaii so special. There are so many different cultures represented here and each one comes with its own ways.

Come and Meet and Chat with Me

Parin, the Mom, and her 6 year old, Sarah, and Anjali, 3, came to the Haleiwa Farmers' Market on Sunday morning to visit me. We made a calendar together. I showed them how to do "thumbprints". Just get some paints and press your wet finger in a color and smush it around and then press it on a piece of paper and make a "print". Then use a Sharpie to make your thumbprint into little animals and insects and whatever you want. Can you see Sarah's? Remember to click on the photograph to enlarge it and see her details.

Real Surfing Dogs, Really

This Surf Dog calendar supports many animal charities. I met the author, Dina, at the surf dog contest in Imperial Beach, California, last summer. Check out this worthy cause: www.SurfDogsCalendar.com

Driving through the Cane Fields

Look at that white orb and you'll see a "Blue Moon". What's a blue moon? It's the second full moon during the same month.
I was heading south to Honolulu from the North Shore on New Year's Eve and this was my view. That red dirt is a sugar cane road which is mostly volcanic soil that has lots of iron in it.

A Kitchen with a View

It's New's Year's Day and I was invited to a picnic/party in the middle of the island. Wow, can you believe this is the kitchen window sill of a cabin. Now, remember, it's January 1st. Lucky I live Hawaii!

Arf, Arf, ----Originally from Sweden

One of my favorite canine friends is this one. He's a Swedish farm dog called a "Vullhund." His name is "Hoku" which means "Star" in Hawaiian. We got to know each other sitting near the campfire in the middle of the day at our New Year's Picnic!