March into Spring with St. Patrick’s Day

Erin ShawAs March rolls around and the weather starts to get warmer and the days begin to get longer, the next stop on the holiday circuit is St. Patrick’s Day.

One would think that with a name like Erin (another name for Ireland), I would be a regular participant in the Irish inspired festivities each March 17th, but not so. You may be surprised to know that I am an 1/8th Japanese, and while that may not seem like much, growing up in Hawaii and around my Japanese grandmother, I associate much more with my Asian background than my European one. I have been to Japan several times, and actually the majority of my family still lives there!

With that said, I figure what better time than now to embrace my Irish heritage, drink some green beer, and maybe inspire a little bit of luck for 2009 – Erin Go Bragh! A few facts you may or may not know about Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day:

  • Ireland has been inhabited for 9,000 years and its people are of Gaelic ancestry.
  • Ireland is well known for their writers such as William Butler Yeats and Oscar Wilde.
  • St. Patrick’s Day is an annual day of feast celebrating Saint Patrick, and falls during the Catholic time of lent on March 17th, although the church has been known to move the date when the 17th falls during Holy Week or on a Sunday.
  • Legend has it that Saint Patrick used the 3 leafed shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish.
  • The very first St. Patrick’s day parade was held in Boston on March 17th 1761. The St. Paddy’s day parade in New York City is now the largest one in the world, and has been held consecutively for 248 years this year.
  • Originally, Saint Patrick was associated with the color blue, not green, but it likely changed because Ireland is more associated with green than blue.

Not a fan of Guinness and Leprechauns? March is a veritable pot of gold when it comes to the number of great activities going on here in Hawaii. Here are a few of note:

State-wide:

  • March 3rd is Hinamatsuri, a Japanese day celebrating Girls Day. Also called “Dolls Day,” traditionally Japanese families set up a display of dolls representing the Emperor, Empress and their attendants and musicians in traditional court dress of the Heian period. Legend has it that the dolls have the ability to capture and keep evil spirits, and in ancient times, the dolls would be sent down the river in a boat to take the bad spirits with them, away from the household. Now, the day is often celebrated with the giving of small envelopes of money, flowers and sweets to celebrate the girls in your life.

Oahu:

  • Taking care of your health is vital, and any chance to better understand how you can care for yourself is well worth your time. March 8th you are invited to the Native Hawaiian Health Festival Ho’ike’ike being held on the Great Lawn at the Bishop Museum. From 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. there will be health screenings, speakers talking about health issues, cultural demonstrations, Hawaiian foods, entertainment, and a chance to learn about traditional Hawaiian cultural practices such as lomi lomi massage. For more info go to http://www.hawaiimaoli.org.
  • Put on your green (unless you want to get pinched!) and head down to Murphy’s Bar and Grill for a St. Patrick’s day block party on March 17th starting at 6 p.m. on the corner of Nu’uanu and Merchant streets. Enjoy their great food, a nice, smooth Guinness, and live music from Henry Kapono and the Piranha Brothers. For more info go to http://gomurphys.com/ or you aren’t feeling the Downtown scene, go to http://www.irishpubhawaii.com/index.html.
  • Looking for a charming weekend activity? Cruise out to Wahiawa for the 55th annual Kunia Orchid show on March 20th-22nd. Browse the beautiful blooms, stock up on your orchid supplies, and enjoy the food and culture of this county fair style event. Located at Leilehua High School in the Gymnasium from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information e-mail kuniaorchid@altavista.com.
  • Prince Kuhio Day Celebrations – Saturday, March 28th, 2009
    • The Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole Commemorative Parade will take place in Waikiki beginning at 4 p.m. and will travel along Kalakaua Ave. from Saratoga Rd. and ending at Kapi’olani Park.
    • A Ho’olaule’a, or celebration, will be held at Kapi’olani Park from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Come and enjoy Native Hawaiian craft booths and demonstrations as well as great food and entertainment. Admission is free and the event is open to the public, so we’ll see you there!
    • Cap off a wonderful day with a moonlight concert to be held at the Kapi’olani Bandstand. Local entertainers and Hula Halau (groups) will be featured in the show that will begin at 6 p.m. Also free and open to the public.
    • For information on all of these events go to http://www.hawaiimaoli.org.

Kauai

  • Join renowned local musicians, composers and kumu hula as they share their gifts at an informal Hawaiian music jam known as E Kanikapila Kakou. Every Monday the community is welcome to join them at the Island School Main Hall from 6-9 p.m. The evenings are wonderfully fun (according to my parents and grandparents who go regularly) and a chance to visit with friends and to enjoy the culture and arts of Hawaii. Play an instrument or like to sing or dance? Part of the Kanikapila is dedicated to learning from the great talents being featured each night. For more information e-mail Carol at giac@hawaiilink.net.
  • Support a good cause by attending the annual Island School auction; a major fundraiser for the school’s financial aid program and other operating needs. In keeping with the schools mission to “go green” and promote a sustainable environment and education for its students, the theme this year is Blue Planet and is being held Saturday, March 14th at the Kauai Marriott. Get dressed up and enjoy an evening complete with a silent auction, dessert auction, almost live auction as well as a rousing live auction – all full of great items to bid on. Ticket prices also include a buffet dinner, wine and beer bar, and entertainment by the Brothers Cazimero to name a few things. For tickets call (808) 246-0233.
  • March 22nd pull on your cowboy boots and hat and head down to CJM Country Stables in Poipu for a day of all girls rodeo events. Sure to be a day of excitement, be there at 10 .m. to watch as Kauai’s wahine participate in barrel racing, roping, pole bending and goat tying! Call (808) 639-3091 for more info.
  • Prince Kuhio Day Celebrations – Saturday, March 28th, 2009
    • To kick off the Prince Kuhio celebrations, join the Koloa Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Club at Prince Kuhio Park in Poipu for kanikapila music and a hula show by Na Hula O Kaohikukapulani, as well as performances by the Makaha Sons. Concert will be held March 21, 2009 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Contact Ruth Potts for more info at koccpkconcert@live.com.
    • March 22nd – 29th take part in the week long festivities celebrating the birthday of Prince Kuhio on Kauai where he was born. Many of the events will take place at the Grand Hyatt Resort and Spa in Poipu and are focused on teaching and perpetuating the Native Hawaiian cultural practices and culture which Kuhio was so dedicated to. For more information visit http://princekuhio.wetpaint.com/?t=anon.

Maui

  • Want to organize your way to harmony, prosperity and health? Come to the Feng Shui For Hawaii seminar on March 3rd – 5th to hear author Clear Englebert speak about the different types of Feng Shui, the dynamics of it and how to apply it to your home and your life. Sponsored by the Maui Friends of the Library, the programs are going to be held from 6:30 until 7:45 p.m. at the following Maui public libraries:
    • Tuesday, March 3rd: Kahului Public Library
    • Wednesday, March 4th: Makawao Public Library
    • Thursday, March 5th: Wailuku Public Library
    • For more information call Kahului Public Library at 873-3907
  • Witness the budding of new local talent and a special performance by Ten Feet at Hawaii’s very first youth band talent competition, Band Champ. High school students from Lahainaluna, Baldwin and Maui High will square off in this semi-final competition for an electric guitar as well as Maui’s top spot in the state finale competition. The overall winner will receive $5,000, a recording contract for a single and the chance to open for a Tom Moffatt concert. Come see them now so you can one day say “I knew them when….” March 6th from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center Castle Theater. For more info go to http://www.bandchamp.com
  • St. Patrick’s day green takes on new meaning March 17th at the Maui Ocean Center at Ma’alaea Harbor by dedicating the day to learning more about green living. Presentations will cover ocean, land and energy resources and the conservation of them. Visitors will also have a chance to see the new wind turbines that the Maui Ocean Center has recently installed in its own effort to be more “green.”
  • Take a step back into the 80’s with Journey at their one night concert at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, March 24th. Armed with their new lead singer Arnel Pineda, the group will be sure to keep you believin’ in the power ballads that have made them famous over the past three decades. Show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets range in price from $55 to $125 and can be purchased at the box office or via www.ticketmaster.com. Questions? Call the MACC at 242-7469.

Big Island

  • Preservation of our resources here in Hawaii is vital, and it takes all of our helping hands to make it happen. Venture outside for a work day in the native, old growth Niaulani Forest in Volcano National Park, to help care for the beauty and diversity of the rainforest’s inhabitants. Can’t make it March 15th? These work days are held the 3rd Sunday of each month from 9 a.m. until 12 noon and are a great opportunity for individuals, families or groups to connect with Hawaii’s unique natural landscape. Visit www.volcanoartcenter.org for more information.
  • Let your self control melt away and indulge your senses at the 8th Annual Kona Chocolate Festival March 31st through April 4th at the Sheraton Keahou Bay Resort and Spa. The week will be chuck full of all things chocolate (and therefore yummy!), local entertainment, seminars about chocolate and vanilla, a silent auction and a gala on the 4th, with a portion of the events proceeds going to well deserving programs in Kona…how sweet is that?!? Craving more information? Go to www.konachocolatefestival.com or call 808-987-8722 for more info, to register as a chef and to purchase tickets.
  • The oli, or Hawaiian chant, along with mele (songs, poetry), was and still is used in the Hawaiian tradition to perpetuate the Hawaiian language, culture, and history. Both oli and mele are limited to a five-note tonal range and were used to convey all elements of life in ancient Hawaii. Also an art form, this very beautiful tradition of story telling is usually only seen today in hula performances. March 21st from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. join Loke Kamanu who will teach you about the basics and backgrounds of four distinct oli. The class costs $62 and includes a chant CD. There is financial aid available, so be sure to call 808-967-8222 or go to www.volcanoartcenter.org for more information.
  • Always wanted to participate in the Iron Man? Start training now for the 12th Annual Lavaman Triathalon happening Sunday, March 29th at the Waikoloa Beach Resort. This 51.5K course takes you on a swim through Anaeho’omalu Bay, biking across the lava fields along the infamous Iron Man course, and finally on a run starting in the lava fields and ending by the sea where a huge party awaits the finishers. It may not be THE Iron Man, but it is one step closer! For more information go to http://www.lavamantriathalon.com.

To see all of the great new March features go to www.alohaliving.com!