JULY ~ Billfish Tournament Parade

Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament takes place ever summer here. It's a pretty huge event that has been going on for over half a century and big money prizes to be won. One of the traditional activities tied to the tournament is the parade where the community is invited to join in the celebration. Here's the website where updates get posted http://hibtfishing.com/ . Fishing teams come from all over the world to compete and also participate in the parade. Warning......watch out for flying candy! We scored some pretty tasty ones and also some snacks we have no idea what they are as I can't read Japanese! Recommendations anytime you go to watch a parade in Kona: bring a beach chair, find a shady spot, a cold drink (or an ice cream cone) and chill-lax!

Art Studio & Gallery......a must check out!

Going to the opening of Barbara Hanson's new gallery was a phenomenal experience. Ran into friends I hadn't seen in about 14 years. Enjoyed some champagne, strawberries, mango slices, brie cheese, etc. The food was onoliscious and the art is simply amazing! Got a chance to meet Barbara and when you go, you will see why she is so successful. Wall art, decorative pieces, jewelry, sculptures, barettes, keychains, wine corks, bottle openers, kitchen ware and so much more. She is a self taught Polymer Clay artist. I liked the whimsical turtles and dolphins, but I would say the piece that caught my eye is the budha head. Once you go in and find out the extensive process for a single piece that is only 1 cm in diameter, you will appreciate the talent, work, and patience for a piece that size. The tsunami destroyed her place at the Kona Village so it is great to see Barbara opening her new polymer clay studio gallery in the King Kamehameha Mall on Kuakini Highway (808-315-5757.) This is the place to go to meet the artist and see the process and find out the schedule of her workshops.....something fun to learn both if you live here or are here on vacation! http://www.barbarahansonjewelry.com

JULY - Will Play For Food Annual Benefit

That was fun! Thank you Nina for making the ReMixx such a great part of the Kona community! Can't wait for next year and bring the whole family. All we needed was 2 cans of food to get in (or $5 if we forgot cans). Live music......Maggie got nicknamed “The Rockin' Grandma”. Fun for the kids included face and hair painting! There was also ballons animals, etc. fishing for prizes and temporary tatoos. Yep, I'm a big kid and just had to get my face painted. Tons of prizes to be won by raffle and also a silent auction.......many of them from http://www.barbarahansonjewelry.com . Hot dog and chips (a huge bag) for only $1. Grandma said that was the best hot dog she has had in a while! A well worth event where everyone can have fun, spend a little for a good cause and also relax to some good tunes. This was the second annual “Will Play For Food” benefit so stay tuned to the ReMixx website at http://www.remixxkona.com/html/events.html for all the events, concerts, open mic nights, tango nights, and much more fun events.

For more food fundraisers / benefits, check out the calendar of events for the Food Basket http://www.foodbaskethi.org/index.php/calendar/

When in Hawaii......gotta make a stop at Hilo Hattie

Did some background history research and found out that Hilo Hattie was actually the stage name for a very popular entertainer in Hawaii during the 1950’s and 1960’s. She was born Clarissa Haili on October 28, 1901, but everyone called her Clara. She began her career as a schoolteacher however it was her singing and dancing that gave her a place in modern Hawaii history. She popularized the comic hula style with such tunes as "Princess Pupule Has Plenty Papayas" and "When Hilo Hattie Does the Hula Hop".

Hilo Hattie is a fun place to shop or simply browse. When you arrive, you will be greeted with a shell lei and complimentary refreshments such as Passion/Orange juice or 100% Kona Coffee. On the day we went, we also got to sample chocolates.....pineapple chocolate, caramel chocolate, macademia nut covered chocolate......it was a day for enjoying chocolate. Pineapple and chocolate was not at all what I was expecting, but better than I thought it would be.

At the pearl and jewelry counter, you can pick out an oyster to see what kind of pearl treasure you will find inside. While we were there, a kid picked one that had 2 pink pearls inside. Besides striking up conversations with tourists about what some of the shopping selection might be used for......you've got to see for yourself! You too will wonder what some of the items are. Something that looked like a oval slippa' turned out to be a slippa' for your glass, hence a coaster! You'll find all the traditional touristy items, but I enjoyed checking the locally made pottery and gifts. Definitely a neat place to check out whether you live here or are just visiting.

If you are here on vacation, you can also call them to see if you are within their free shuttle pick up area.

July's Family Fun Day!

Of what fun! Today was the Family Fun Day. This is an event hosted by Living Stones Church down on Alii drive and it's open to everyone in the community. This seems to have turned into a yearly event. Water slip-n-slide, climbing tower (my baby......even at 10 he's still my baby......made it to the top), jumping bouncer, shave ice, popcorn, spray on tatoos, “cake walk”, kick the can, some sort of “pick the giant nose” digging in slime to get a prize game, and more. This was definitely a fun event to attend, and yes, I enjoyed some hawaiian snow (shave ice).....picked pineapple orange flavor as you can see here in the photo. And, also got a spray on tatoo. This is something fun for kids and kids at heart!

If you are here in July, you can call 326-7720 Living Stones Church to get the exact date of their next Family Fun Day.

An afternoon at Harold Higashihara Park

Spent the afternoon at the park. The kids got to play until they were smelly and completelly covered in dirt and wet from the rain as that wouldn't keep them from playing. (Thank goodness for windows that open for the car ride home!) With a family reunion, birthday parties and being the 4th of July weekend, the park was jammin' with kids. Harold Higashihara Park is known as one of the best play spaces on the Big Island in Hawaii. It was created by community efforts and continues to be a beloved place for families and visitors alike. It's built on the hillside with a spectacular view and has plenty of shade provided by monkeypod and palm trees. It has both historical and creative design. Kids get to play on a life-size whale, a Kona Sugar Company 1897 model train, a replica of a Polynesian double-hulled canoe, wooden turrets for climbing, a twirl machine, a baseball diamond, basketball and tennis courts, a drawbridge, ring toss games and covered picnic tables. There is even a separate play area sized for those with little little kids. And for those who like brain play, check out the chess tables with boards built into the rock......simply pick up the nuts that have fallen all around and you have game pieces! It's a fun place to go for the young and young at heart! Even Grandma Maggie went climbing on the equipment and had fun.