In Your Neighborhood: Hawaiians in South Sound

Showing posts with label Hawaiians in South Sound. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Hawaiians in South Sound. Show all posts

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Seattle, I Can QUIT you! And You Can Too! (Bonus: Awesome Rules!)

When I used to leave our state, and my beloved South Sound, I said I was from "Seattle." Seattle is easy, big, and known. Tacoma (and my little enclave of University Place) were not known and would create a weird question, or two. So, I just used Seattle for ease of conversation.

On the Big Island, I have found South Sound love and knowledge. I met a woman from University Place, born and raised, graduated from Curtis High School. Her boys went to Wilson High School in Tacoma, not too far after me. Another gal at a shop asked me where I was from. I said, "Seattle." She responded, "Oh really? I have friends in Federal Way. Do you know Tacoma?" In past trips home, we met a lovely Hawaiian gentleman, who, it turns out, was our neighbor and lived about a mile away.

I quit you, Seattle! My island knows South Sound. And that's so totally cool. And interesting.

So I asked why.

Locals stated, it's the newer nonstop flights (Alaska Airlines) that brings the South Sound to the islands a lot more. There's a lot of us, to them. Gritizens, represent!

And for my final Hawaiian round up "paniolo" style (Hawaiian cowboy), check out Gritty City Woman for updates on my eyewitness account of the Hapuna Beach tragedy, amazing Hawaiian smells, and the Chinese Zodiac (Happy New Year). Click HERE to get all the action!

And, for my friends, readers, and bloggers, here are some rules that I had to share. Please read!

HAWAIIAN RULES

*NEVER JUDGE A DAY BY THE WEATHER

*THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE

*TELL THE TRUTH- THERE’S LESS TO REMEMBER

*SPEAK SOFTLY AND WEAR A LOUD SHIRT

*GOALS ARE DECEPTIVE THE UN-AIMED ARROW

NEVER MISSES.

*HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS - STILL DIES

*AGE IS RELATIVE - WHEN YOU'RE OVER THE HILL

YOU PICK UP SPEED

*THERE ARE 2 WAYS TO BE RICH - MAKE MORE OR

DESIRE LESS

*BEAUTY IS INTERNAL - LOOKS MEAN NOTHING.

*NO RAIN - NO RAINBOWS

*SAY - I LOVE ME- YOU’LL ALWAYS HAVE PLENTY

---From Kahuna Harry Uhane Jim, "Wise Secrets of Aloha: Learn and Live The Sacred Art of Lomilomi"

Aloha, Peace, and Love,

Kim

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Our regulars

Stephanie Frieze

Stephanie Frieze
…has always liked to write. Her experience includes three years at the University Washington School of Communications studying journalism. She had a stint at the Chinook Observer in Long Beach. Raised in Bellevue, she’s lived in Gig Harbor for nearly 18 years. She and her husband have a home in Ilwaco, where they spend as much time as possible. This mother of four loves books, spending time with family and the color purple. Contact her at dbandstefery@comcast.net.

Lorraine Hart
…was born a nomadic mutt. She spent her life observing, writing and making music. She’s an unabashed carrier of the titles “hippie,” “feminist” and “liberal.” She’s resided in the South Sound since 1996 and is currently living above Joe’s Bay in Home. She juggles her time between being a caregiver, a writer, an artist, a musician, a minister, a wife, a mother, an advocate, a friend and a pilgrim – not necessarily in that order. Contact her at matlox@cablespeed.com.

Jaynie Jones
…is a Tacoma resident with diverse career tracks in broadcasting, journalism, teaching, health care, desktop publishing, floral design, special event planning and photography. She’s best known as long-time KOMO radio personality Jaynie Dillon and was once a familiar voice on Tacoma stations KTAC, KBRD-FM, KTNT and KNBQ-FM. Formerly a resident of Tacoma’s East Side, she’s volunteered in the Eastside Substation and with Safe Streets. Contact her at jaynie.jones@gmail.com .

Tracy Lebenzon
...is a blog contributor from Greenwater. Greenwater is the last stop before Crystal Mountain, Mount Rainier and the surrounding wilderness areas. When not exploring the next mountain peak or forest trail, Tracy also contributes to the Greenwater Community Council and the Explore-Greenwater.com web site. He writes about topics ranging from favorite foot, bike, and snow trails to community events, local merchants and politics. Contact him at dmountains@explore-greenwater.com.

Joseph McGowan
…is a chaplain who supports patients, families, friends, nurses and doctors at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Being 67, he’s learned this about living: Meet people on their own ground and you will discover that this Earth is our special place to meet and support each other. His motto: Live now. Share yourself now. Every living thing you experience is a pure gift. Love all life unconditionally. Contact him at mcg9940@yahoo.com.

Mizu Sugimura
…is a third-generation Japanese American living in Federal Way. She’s married and a parent of one adult child. A lifelong resident of the Puget Sound area, she graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Washington School of Communications. and served on Federal Way’s Diversity and Art Commissions. Her interests are politics, art, the history of minorities in Washington and family history. She’s written a self-published family history about her paternal grandfather. Contact her at mizusugi@yahoo.com.

Kim Thompson
…is a Grit City native who was born and raised in Tacoma’s Old Town neighborhood by the gulch. She boasts that she’s a former Lowell Leopard, Mason Mustang and Wilson Ram, a short-time PLU Lute and a longtime UW Husky. This former corporate businesswoman is a wife, a mom, a school volunteer, a substitute teaching assistant, a writer and a born-again distance runner. She has convinced friends from Bellevue that Tacoma is worth the drive. Contact her at kimricksy@comcast.net. ugi@yahoo.com.