"Lucky we live Hawaii": the fiftieth state through the eyes of its people - Special Advertising Feature

Sunset, April, 2003

"Lucky we live Hawaii!"--It's a saying around here, an expression of gratitude for our home. What a gift to live in a place where there is so much to be thankful for: 78 degrees and sunny year-round; green-, white-, and black-sand beaches; majestic mountains; rain-forests; unique flora and fauna; active volcanoes; and as far as the eye can see, an ocean just waiting to be explored--all publicly accessible and all part of the United States.

Yet when you ask a kuma'aina (old-timer) what he or she loves most about this place, many will say that Hawai'i's residents make it no ka oi (the best). Strengthened by an indigenous culture whose spirituality stems directly from malama aina (cherishing the land), Hawai'i's diverse people, both native and immigrant, have chosen Hawai'I as the locus for their life's work: giving back, in a sense, what they have been privilleged to receive. Though from disparate places, backgrounds, and disciplines, all are linked by their love for Hawaii. They are the islands' true natural resources, enhancing our culture for residents and visitors alike. It is through their eyes that we can experience the islands' authentic spirit--generous, creative, diverse, loving: the spirit of aloha.

O'ahu

Take Maile Meyer, born and raised in Hawaiian and of native Hawaiian descent (her favorite spot is old-fashioned Napili Bay on Maui). Meyer has a lifelong interest in native books, arts, and crafts. She's translated this love into a network of stores that specialize in beautiful things made by and for Hawaii's people. With her Native Books stores, as well as with the new Na Mea Hawaii galleries, Meyer is 'championing access to kindness--Hawaiian style." Watch native crafting, attend readings, or just browse at Native Books, Kapalama, O'ahu, (808) 8458949, www.nativebookshawaii.com; Native Books and Beautiful Things, Ward Warehouse, O'ahu, (808) 5968885; Na Mea Hawaii, Lahaina, Maui, (808) 667-5345 or Fort Street Mall, O'ahu, (808) 548-2665.

"Hawaiian-style" certainly describes Roy Sakuma, another O'ahu resident--or "Hawaiian-Portuguese-style," for Sakuma's obsession is the ukulele, an instrument now synonymous with Hawaii, but brought here by Portuguese settlers. Originally a protege of ukulele great Herb "Ohta-san" Ohta, Sakuma has been playing, teaching, and producing ukulele music for almost 35 years. Forty thousand people have passed through the Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studio, ranging in age from five to 80 years. Yet it's the children that inspire Sakuma--that and his drive over the Pali--"the best view on O'ahu!" Attend an ukulele class or find out about upcoming events at Roy Sakuma Productions, (808) 732-3739, www.ukulele-roysakuma.com.

Maui

The ocean itself inspires Maui resident Hannah Bernard. As director of all educational and training programs at the Maui Ocean Center in Ma'alaea, Maui, Bernard feels most at home in and under water, where she can help protect Hawaii's countless marine species: from the tiniest humuhu-munukunukuapua'a, the state fish, to endangered Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, and humpback whales. As Bernard says, "If I can inspire others to appreciate and support the ocean's wellbeing for future generations, then I can say I've accomplished something I was born to do." Visit Bernard at the Maui Ocean Center, (808) 270-7000, www.mauioceancenter.com.

On the same island but in a different milieu, Chef Beverly Gannon, "Chef Bev," is similarly inspired by fVlaui's bounty. One of the founders of the Hawaiian regional cuisine movement and owner of the celebrated Hali'imaile General Store, Chef Bev's inspiration comes, however, from the fruits of the land: local produce, fresh island meat, and traditional island recipes. Favorite Maui spots Makawao and Ulupalakua Ranch inspire her restaurant's upcountry feel. Experience Maui's unique tastes and textures at Hali'imaile General Store, (808) 5722666, www.haliimailegeneralstore.com; Joe's Bar & Grill in Wailea, (808) 8757767; or Hale Kopa'a, "The Sugar House," Chef Bev's new upcountry inn near the General Store, (808) 573-7677.

Big Island

Traveling south to Hawaii's Big Island, you'll meet Rob Pacheco, yet another Hawaii resident who finds his reason for being in Hawai'i's "dynamic and beautiful environment." The owner and operator of Hawaii's Forest & Trail, an ecotour company in Kona, Pacheco started his interpretive guided hikes nine years ago. Twenty thousand guests later, Rob continues to offer visitors authentic, environmentally aware, and culturally sensitive experiences in some of the Big Island's wildest places. Pu'u O'o Ranch, for example, off Saddle Road, home to "gorgeous forest, lots of native birds, 5,400-foot elevation, no mosquitoes, and happy-face spiders!" Get into the woods with Hawai'i Forest &Trail, (800) 464-1993 or (808) 3318505, www.hawaii-forest.com.

"Close to heaven" is what artist and textile designer Sig Zane calls the Big Island, and just as its flora and fauna intrigue Pacheco the naturalist, so they inspire artist Sig Zane. Exposed to the kino lau (other forms taken by the gods), in his hula kahiko (ancient hula) training, Zane worked from there to transfer his unique cut-out designs to fabric and paper; they now adorn everything from clothing to quilts to books. Meet Zane himself, or just browse at his two gallery stores: Sig Zane Hilo, (808) 935-7077, and Sig Zane Maui in Wailuku, (808) 249-8997, www.sigzane.com.