...it's too early!

But we're smiling for the camera anyway :D I'm so excited for this trip! It's been over 2 years since I last traveled out of state AND I finally get to go to an American Disneyland for the first time (I've only been to the one in Japan a loooooong time ago and only remember the small world ride). Brent lived in LA for about 5 years before moving back home so he's excited to take me around to all his favorite restaurants and meet his friends. Like I mentioned before, it's our first trip together so let's see how things go!

LA here we come!!

Crappy scones + chai latte from overpriced airport Starbucks? Check. Goofy bf who refuses to take a normal picture but who we love anyway? Check. Boarding pass and a ridiculously early boarding time (er gt here at 6a)? Check. Guess I'm all set to go on my first vacation with Brent!

Did you realize that….

Idk if I've ever told you but I megaheart N.E.R.D. Especially Pharrell Williams. I also follow their blog not in the super creepy stalker way but more in the "wow cool, they post interesting things here...plus I love these guys. Let's follow them" kind of way. The blog itself is called Billionaire Boys Club (named after Pharrell's apparel brand) and their most recent post was one that I strongly agree with. It's short, simple and straight to the point and intellectually and creatively stimulating. Love these guys.

The impact of a simple gesture

I didn't actually realize how much tonight's event would affect people in Japan in a positive way. When we got home, my mom's phone rang. It was a video call from friends in Tokyo. They had tuned in to pakele live online in order to watch their favorite, my stepdad and they also watched the entire night's line-up of about 5 different groups. When we spoke to them, they told us that they were both laughing and crying as the show had been entertaining yet emotional with messages from various artists reaching out directly to the people in Japan. My mom's friends also received the care package that my mother delivered to them. They were grateful and explained to us that they were so shaken that they had a hard time going to the store to pick up food--the result of the combined threat of nuclear contamination scare and never-ending aftershocks. The mood there is one of tension and anxiety. Everyone sleeps in their clothes with a jacket and shoes on standby, in case of another big quake. They have a hard time sleeping and wake up at even the slightest movement.

Needless to say, to our friends who tuned tonight, the broadcast was like a silver lining in the gray clouds. I'm amazed that what pitiful support I've contributed to a collective effort is actually working. I still feel helpless at every tragic story I hear of families torn and individuals lost to the disaster trifecta. If I could, I'd join the red cross and volunteer wherever possible. Fortunately, every little ounce of support and love sent--be it monetary, gestural or supplied, has been working to help friends, communities and perhaps even the nation of Japan. To my friends and family in Japan, I love you! Please remember that we're here for you and that we love you!

More Ganbalele

The "regular but still super special edition" of the Ganbalele. Oh and the bottom pic is logo on the side of the super special one.

Donation tables

It's so humbling to see so many people gather for such a great cause. It's even more humbling to see that people are clearing the tables of merchandise and happily donating for the sake of Japan.

Pictured from top: calligraphy by my mom's friend Mina aka Mrs.Supersize (she has a big...heart); (from left) Brian Tolentino, Sachi, Junior, Pali; KoAloha mama and papa--the people behind the Ganbalele; various things people are buying. All proceeds are going to the Red Cross.

The Ganbalele

One of the many groups of musicians and industry people here to support the cause for Japan is KoAloha Ukulele, Junior's (my steppapa) uke sponsors and long time family friends. In honor of the victims of the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear power plant trifecta, KoAloha donated ukes to auction off (startin price is $800--which is a steal!) They are donating all proceeds to The Red Cross. Furthermore, they created a new special edition uke they named "Ganbalele." "Ganbare" means "do your best" in Japanese. They did a play on words and added the "lele" of ukulele to the name and voila! And an amazingly cute uke that I'll dream of owning is born (start bid $1800--they originally planned to make it $4000). The uke is in the shape of a waving flag with the old Japanese flag on the front, a KoAloha logo cut out on the side and the back was made to look like a post card. The stamp is the Hawaiian flag and another KoAloha logo, the address is a Hawaiian acroymn that spells out "ALOHA." The message in the middle states, "People of Japan, Aloha from Everyone." Ah-mazing!

Satisfying my sweet tooth.

The tiramisu was Salena's. I heart butter mochi and the mochi here was as delicious ad I expected it to be. The bread pudding, while tasty, had pineapple and therefore before inedible after my first bite (boo) but the deep fried haupia....Oh.Em.Gee... If you have a soft spot for haupia like my mom and I do then you'll probably finish it off in one bite. I ate half and gave the other half to my mom who then proceeded to devour it in a single mouthful. Awesome.

Yay Tochan!

My stepdad just performed about hour ago. He was well received, as always, and never ceased to impress me with his talent as an ukulele player.

Aloha for Japan

I'm currently at Pakele Live at The Willows, a live streaming concert online at pakelelive.com (you should check it out). Um here with my fam bam, rockin the Aloha Army "aloha for Japan" tees.

Cheating on ToT 2

So one thing Seychelle raved about was the fried rice. Naturally, we all ordered it upon her enthusiastic recommendations. She loves it so much, she ordered 2 of them. Yep, I'm going to miss you, Sey. Best of luck!

Cheating on ToT

I have a guilty confession--I went to Benihana for the first time today. Not so bad? Then you don't understand. I am team Tanaka of Tokyo. All. The. Way. I'm like the Devon Aoki of Tanaka of Tokyo. My family portraits and special occasion dinners have mostly taken place at Tanaka since, like, ever. And I've never ever been to Benihana until today because I've been so faithful to ToT. So why go? Because Seychelle is Team Beni and tomorrow is her last day at work ever T_T so Miao and I took her to Benihana for lunch. And while it was fun and pretty delicious, it's not Tanaka of Tokyo. Sorry team Beni (aka Vicki), I'm still team Tanaka.

Editor/hairstylist

Today was an awesome day. I got to style Miao's (my boss) hair because she wanted to try something different. She loved it and now she plans to perm her hair to match that style. Today is her 10th anniversary and tomorrow is her 3*th birthday. Happy birthday and happy anniversary, Miao!

Indigenous soap company.

Sorry, I don't have any pictures from my adventures pre-lunch at the Outrigger shops (I know...fail!) but I did document my time at the indigenous soap company where I got to interview the owner, Love (that's really her name!). She was very chill, beautiful and young! For those who don't recognize the name of the company, they are a company that prides itself on it's unique, non-fragrant soaps. Love has an extensive background in medicinal plants and oils and unsurprisingly has soap making down to an exact science. While watching her make a batch of her "Live Child" soap, I realized that I looked a lot like baking only cooler.

Mm...lunch!

Hi I'm back. Let's go on an adventure!

Sorry that you haven't hears from me in, like, forever. I was sick. I've saved an entry about that on my laptop but right now I've hot more important thing to talk about. My made-in-Hawaii piece that I'm writing for one of my pubs. I figured you should enjoy the research process with me bc it means a day out of the office. Right now, I'm enjoying my Hawaiian honey lemonade while waiting on my grilled veggie sandwich from diamond head grill.

Sent from my iPhone

Number one bf.

Brent once asked me why I go to get a pedicure when he's willing to paint my toes for me. After I said I'd take him up on his offer, I figured that he was joking and did my nails again. To my surprise, Brent pointed out my shiny new toes and sounded hurt when he said "I guess you don't want me to do them for you."
With that said, I went to the salon again and asked this time that they did not paint my toes after my pedi and finally offered up my feet and a box of my nail supplies to Brent last night. At first he used a blue nail polish that was in his defense old and clumping so naturally, it turned out a bit...rough. We took off the polish and I handled him a new color that Vicki gave me from Japan. I've gotta say, this was definitely one of the sweetest, most awesome little things any guy could ever do and Brent did an excellent job. Thanks babe!