May Day is Lei Day with Mom

My mom arrived in Hawaii on May Day which in Hawaii is Lei Day. Lei Day began in 1928 when writer and poet Don Blanding suggested in a local paper that there should be a holiday that celebrate the Hawaiian custom of making and wearing lei. Shortly afterwards, writer Grace Tower Warren thought that the holiday should be May 1 on May Day. She coined the phrase, "May Day is Lei Day." In 1929, Lei Day was made an official holiday in the then territory, which is a tradition which was interrupted only during the years of World War II, and which continues today.



Like the first Lei Day everyone in Honolulu was encouraged to wear lei. Festivities were held in Kapiolani park with hula, music, lei making demonstrations and exhibits and lei making contests. Each of the islands has it own colors and flowers that represent it.

Fresh off the plane I took my Mom to Queen Kapioani park where we watched hula and listened to Hawaiian music. We then strolled through the booths and saw all of the lei that were entered into the competition. There were many different categories. We must have seen 200 leis in all. Of course, my mom had two leis that I picked up to welcome her and I was wearing one too. My lei was made of these orange seed pods that were about the size of golf balls. Several people informed me not to eat them because they were poisonous and that I may break out in a rash on my neck where they touched my skin. Luckily that did not happen.

Later we met up with Brian and with our friend Kiana. Kiana's girl friend Amy was in town. We were all going to the Lei day concert at the Waikiki shell. Kiana's parents made an incredible picnic for us all. The music was great. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood and the true aloha spirit seemed to be moving through the crowd. The light show on the stage was great too.

Mom was a trooper though we left at intermission because she was nearly falling asleep. What a way to see Hawaii for the first time.

The Rabbi's Flock Part 2 (Fish and Fairies)

One of my favorite sites to see on the boat is what appears to be a small flock of birds at high speeds just over the waves. It gets me everytime. I think birds first and then I realize now that they aren't birds; they are flying fish. There are large flying fish that seem to be a foot or so long that fly solo. Those I know are fish, but these little guys look like a flock of birds in a migrating pattern, but instead of a flock they are indeed a school. While others are impressed by the mammoth sea turtles whose heads bob in the waters of the Waianae coast, these little guys' aerodynamic skills are second only to the spinner dolphins on the same coast. While I have seen these guys in the spring, scientists say that Hawaiian coastal waters have more flying fish in the summer as they migrate here during the warm months. While there are 7 different types of flying fish here--most of them are in the mackerel family. Ok, I know you thought it so I might as well as say it: HOLY MACKEREL!

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There are many seabirds on the Western Coast. In Decemeber, I hiked the western edge where there are endangered albatross nesting grounds. The albatross have an interesting protector--the local population. Many people don't hike this area because where you have to park to access the trail is littered with automobile glass. When I pulled up in Brian's car, I was nervous to leave it since every single spot had green window glass. I turned around and parked quite aways back where there were people on the beach and hiked the extra mile or so to avoid getting a window shattered.

Out of all the sea birds, the Fairy Tern-- one good tern deserves another?-- is the local favorite. Since I have been here the mayor of Honolulu has named the Fairy Tern the official bird of the city. He points out that it symbolically represents some important things about the city. It is both a land and see bird representing the city's commitment to the ocean and the land. It can be found throughout Honolulu high in the trees sitting on its nestless egg that they rest in crooks of trees and wedges on branches. It is a threatened species; thus signifying Hawaii's fragile unique ecosystem.

The white tern is indigenous to Hawaii and a threatened species that is found throughout the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It is the only seabird that nests in urban Honolulu.

It even has meaning in Polynesian mythology "This bird has been a traditional ... way finder and guide for our Polynesian forefather. The Polynesian Voyaging Society Web site claims mariners use seabirds like the white tern to find land.

A bird that can point the way--and a fairy at that!

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My last comment about birds is that Hawaii is delightfully riddled with roosters--wild roosters. I can say delightfully now since in urban Waikiki there are no roosters crowing, but when Brian lived in the more suburban Kalihi valley there were dozens of roosters by the stream that would crow at all hours not to be undone by the ducks who would cause a quacking din at 3 or 4 in the morning. That said I have seen some of the most beautiful roosters running around on trails, in state landmarks, on beaches and all over the island of Kauai. I feel a kinship with these animals, perhaps because of their loyal, protective and territorial nature, but more likely because I was born in the year of the rooster.

Just the other day, I saw two children gleefully chasing a rooster around and around. On the downside, there is cockfighting here on the islands. As I may have written about, when driving across country in Texas I came across the Aloha gym so I decided to stop and work out. Sure enough, it was owned and run by a Hawaiian family who had essentially won the money to open the gym from a very lucrative cockfight.

More majestic, but less prolific are the peacocks that are also in random places around the island. Seeing their dazzling display of feathers has brought back the childhood memories of amazement that these birds inspire. Pretty incredible.

The Rabbi's Flock Part 1

A DOVE BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD BE A PIGEON

When I went to San Francisco earlier this year, I met Brian's friends Helisa and her sister Debra-- both Jewish lesbians. One thing Brian told me about them is that growing up they used to make up songs to keep them occupied. One of his favorites was their ditty about pigeons:

Pigeons, they know what to do
Pigeons, they fly
Pigeons, they eat lots of food
Pigeons, they ain't shy

We began to sing this too and then added some new lyrics:

Pigeons, they know what to do
Pigeons, they poop
Pigeons, they eat lots of food
Pigeons, throw you for a loop

This song has become even more meaningful after our daily walks to the gym because we pass this unassuming duplex with a small fenced in yard. Their is one large tree in her yard, but little grass. On any given day at any given hour their are at least 40 pigeons hanging around on the roof, in the yard on the ground or in the tree. Often there are two cats lounging on the steps or in a nearby bush. One can only imagine what they are plotting. Less pleasant is the copious amounts of pigeon poop that covers the area.

Brian explained there is a woman who lives in the house that feeds the pigeons daily. I wanted to see this sight, but Brian didn't know when the feeding ritual happens, just that she was known in the neighborhood and a nuisance to some of her neighbors. Walking by at various times did not yield anything.

Until one early evening, I had just picked Brian up for work. He commented on the shirt I was wearing. It was one that I had bought in Jerusalem on pilgrimage. In fact, it was a shirt that fostered plenty of interesting conversation earlier that day. In Waimanalo, when I finished at the ranch I stopped at a local art gallery. This woman behind the counter asked what my shirt meant. I told her it said Peace in Hebrew, Arabic, and of course English. I explained I got it on a trip that fostered understanding between Muslims, Christians and Jews. "Christians and Muslims? Why do we need to understand them? All they want is war and killing." I played dumb and asked, "Who? The Christians or the Muslims?"

Indignant,she shook her head, her blond curls bounced and her wrinkled face scrunched up further,"The Muslims, of course." I explained that we all have misunderstandings and that if we really want to end war and killing, we have to learn about each other and make connections. This 5 second simplistic explanation did not mollify her. She squinted at me and said, "Well, which one are you?" "Jewish." "Well, at least that means you are one of God's chosen people. Jesus was a Jew, you know." I resisted the temptation to say, "Who?" I just nodded wanting to leave. "My son is a pastor and he says the Jews are blessed, but we are waiting for them to accept the Truth." I smiled and knowing that nothing positive was going to be accomplished, I wished her well and left.

On my way back into Honolulu, I stopped at Barnes and Noble to buy a controversial novel called My Holocaust by Tova Reich. She pokes fun at victim culture and those who are in the Holocaust "business". It is a scathing satire that may irk many fellow Jews, so far it is good, but not excellent. Anyways, when I was making my purchase, a Chinese woman behind the counter smiled wide and said, "Shalom! I love Jewish people. Are you Jewish?" "Yes!" "Well, do you go to Shabbat?" I paused wondering how much to say and she took the pause as a no. "Oh, you should try shabbat it is so much fun." I told her I was a rabbi and she said that I must meet her pastor at the synagogue she goes to, "Daniel Yeshua somethingorother". Yeshua, huh. Before I could ask her, she beat me to it. "Do you believe in the Messiah?" "Yes, but probably not the same one. I assume you go to a Messianic synagogue." She nodded and began to invite me. I thanked her and declined. It was hard to be annoyed with her as she was very sweet and well meaning.

So when Brian commented on liking the shirt, I joked that I would never wear it again. But I kept in on for an evening run down Waikiki beach. Out of breath, and slowed to a walk three blocks from the apartment, there she was coming into the yard with 5 loaves of bread and a big bag of crumbs. I looked up and there was a sea of white. At least 500 pigeons surrounded the house. As she tossed the pieces of bread, there was a fluttering of mostly white wings. I have never seen anything like this. Even in the center of Venice, where the pigeons are infamous did not compare to seeing so many in such a small space. I watched in awe as did the cats.

I stood still close to the fence. A man walked by and remarked to his wife just in earshot, "Too bad we don't have our camera. That guy was wearing a peace shirt in the midst of the fluttering of all those doves. Pretty amazing."

Maybe I will wear it again.

Rabbi finds lost tribe?

As I was exploring the Volunteer Hawaii website, I came across a request for volunteers to help with a communal Honolulu pet blessing day in June. Sounded fun and up my alley and there was no indication of any particular faith so I responded to the post. A wonderful woman named Irene wrote me back.

She explained that the pet blessing was going to be held by the Shinto community at one of the Shinto temples. Since I wrote her from my rabbijosh email address, she asked if I was a rabbi.

When I confirmed this, she invited me to consider being one of the blessers with the Shinto priests provided I was comfortable wearing traditional Japanese robes that they would allow me to loan. Costumes?! Pets?! I replied, "I am in."

She then invited me to come to their Spring Thanksgiving Festival which was sooner. She also indicated that she had many Jewish friends with whom she worked and often went to seder. In fact, she said some scholars pose the theory that the originators of Shintoism were in fact, a lost tribe of Israel as there are many commonalities.

I do not know much about Shintoism, though up until recently it was the national religion of Japan. Though many people, Japanese included do not consider it a religion, but more of a cultural expression or philosophy. Some see it as pagan because like other indigenous faiths, it recognizes God's presence in all things--but it seems to me to be like Reconstructionism where it recognizes that God's presence works through nature.

The ceremony was very intricate. The sanctuary was small but exquisite in a elevated but simplistic way. The priests' robes were beautiful and very colorful. (I am hoping for purple or robin's egg blue.) Afterwards, we were invited to a feast where we listened to some traditional Japanese music, watched Japanese dance, and saw karate demonstrations. Brian was a great sport and came with me to the celebration. We even were in the group picture.

Irene was the consummate hostess; her husband was one of the priests. We didn't get to talk much, but we did have lunch the following week. I look forward to getting to know her better and to understand better what the similarities are between our faiths. She was also very flattering to me saying she searched me on the web and couldn't believe I had done all that I had but was as young as I am. While flattery will get you everywhere, I was more impressed that she had read about me (clearly the net identifies my orientation!) and was as open as she was.

Hawaii is not the most open place for LGBT people. Like the south there are some hard core fundamentalists here. Many Hawaiian churches actively proselytize and send missions to Asia. But Irene explained that Japanese culture has generally been very accepting of gay people, especially in the Shinto tradition where gay people had a ritual function.

I may not have discovered a lost tribe, but I am learning about a whole new tradition.

Ranch Dressing

I was concerned when I called Cook's Ranch in Waimanalo to find out about volunteering for their riding program for kids with disabilities. A gruff man answered the phone asked me if I was available the next day because they needed me and then rattled off some directions.

A program for kids with no background checks? No waivers or forms to fill out? Hmm, but I reminded myself that this is Hawaii where everything is not always as professionalized as one would expect.

I showed up the next morning after a stunning drive on the Pali Highway twining a cliff that overlooked a pristine eden. I pulled into the ranch, which along with being dusty seemed to be aging and in somewhat ill repair. A woman, who I would later learn was named "Auntie Pudgy" pulled in ahead of me. Rusty trailers littered the property and the stables seemed to do the trick, but were rickety. The horses were an interesting mix. A red faced man, the one from the phone enlisted me in helping take out the helmets. I did as I was told.

As I brought them to the table and helped line up the plastic barrel an out going red head, (the man was her husband) Patti greeted me with a hug. "We give hugs here! You are a godsend! We had a second group of kids from the local school ask if they could come!" She then gave me waivers to fill out and a name tag. She introduced me to Ben, the owner of the ranch, a striking middle aged Hawaiian man. Ben sized me up, "You a horse person?"

I hemmed and hawed. "If you mean and I am a horse expert, no. Have I ridden them and do I like them, yes." No response from Ben. He just looked at me and went back to grooming the horse. After meeting a handful of the volunteers, I had a few moments to take it the exquisite beauty of the valley and the surrounding accordian fold mountains that encirecled us.

A bus arrived and off came about 15 kids mostly around the ages of 6-9. I was very impressed with the series of exercises that Patti led the kids in before getting on the horses. For the kids who had more physical challenges, the exercises helped with motor control, balance and stretching parts of their body that get little attention. The kids who had more cognitive issues were guided in focusing and being present.

The range of needs and challenges was vast. There were kids with mild and severe autism, downs syndrome, muscular distrophy, developmental delays, including one enthusiastic child who had a stoke when he was an infant. Though mobility of one side was limited, he was giving it all he had and with an infectious grin the entire time.

Patti had them mount the barrels like they were horses, teaching them good technique and led them through balancing exercises on the barrel and then on a low to the ground balance beam where they did stretches. Then we had a series of exercies on a log higher up on the stable. There was "Woody" and "Ms. Woodette" which they practiced getting on the horse again and led through a series of stretches and comfort level sitting in a saddle. We also taught them the right words to get the horses started and to slow down.

The horses were older slower horses, but beautiful nonetheless. They were great with the kids and we walked them around the ring often sidewalking with the kids to ensure no one fell. Games were played with balls, rings, colors. Hanging things on posts, exchanging objects--even riding backwards, which Pattie explained helps the kids with all their hip muscles.

The kids were so happy as well. Omne of the higher energy kids, as they were leaving ran up to me full force and hugged me as he slammed himself against me almost knocking me off my feet. "Thanks!"he yelled. The teachers were all nice and one younger teacher suggested some places to go hear live music.

One volunteer and I struck up a conversation. Rosemarie, a dog lover, began telling me more about the island. She invited me to her church, which I may take her up on just to see. She, pudgy and a few others were very welcoming and the kids were having such a good time that the atmosphere was full of goodwill. Afterwards, people all had lunch together. I appreciated the offer of deviled roastbeef spread and macaroni salad, but I passed.

It was a good day and I enjoyed myself tremendously. It was a peaceful drive back to Waikiki.

Becoming a Tweenage Girl and PROUD OF IT!

Far be it for me to make gender stereotypes but... I was recounting on the phone with a friend about how I am occupying some of my time here in Hawaii. I talked about my trips on the boat recording data for the Wild Dolphin Foundation and seeing pods of the incredible spinner dolphins then I progressed on to my new volunteer opportunity at Cook's Ranch where I help disabled children ride horses. As I was listening to myself, I realized that coupling this with my excitement of seeing rainbows almost daily that somehow I have morphed into a 'tweenage girl. Next I will be writing Josh with a heart instead of an "o".

But seriously, I am having such great opportunities out here. Two to three times a week, I am going out on the boat off the leeward coast in Waianae to observe the dolphins. The boat is called the Island Spirit and it is owned by Tori and Armin. They run Wild Side tours and Tori is the founder and director of the Wild Dolphin Foundation (WDF). Wainae is the part of of Oahu I wrote about earlier where the tent cities are lined up all on the beach. There are approximately 3000 people homeless in this particular area, most of who are living in tent cities.

The boat harbor is pretty modest and fairly empty. Though I often spot local fishermen (and I mean men in this case)hanging out. There is a group of salty older men who hang out most of the day talking like the coastal version of the barbershop.

Each day that I go out on the boat is truly a spiritual experience. Just the beauty of the coast around me, the amazing breeze and the sparkling water is enough, but then when I spy a humpback whale and her baby or a pod of 100 dolphins, I am reminded of the complexities of creation. The other day we saw 4 humpbacks, which are headed back to Alaska during this time of year. There was a baby which had them surface more often, we watched for 20 minutes as they breathed. Just as we were leaving, I saw one of them do what is known as a spy hop. Usually you only see their tail, their back and the spout of water from their fluke. This time, the whale lunged forward and stuck half of his upper body out of the water. I could see his large eye even though were quite a distance away. He was checking out his surroundings.

The spinner dolphins are active, playful creatures that often like to swim in the waves of the boat so I have seen them up close. I have even swam with them on my first day. Yesterday they were extremely playful, exhibiting an aerial show that demonstrates their name. They can jump up to 9 feet out of the air and will often spin up to 7 times before landing. They are gray with white bellies. Right now is mating season so lots of white bellies can be seen! These dolphins are known to be quick in doing the deed (under a minute or so) and a notoriously underendowed when it comes to other dolphins. But they make up for it in acrobatics and being highly social.

Part of what I am observing is their behavior because we want to make sure that human presence is not disturbing their rest. They are nocturnal hunters and while they do not sleep, they must rest. They shut down their sonar and head in close to the beach where there are shallow sandy bottoms so predators are less likely. So far, from 8-noon, they do not seem to be in their resting grounds, which is a bit troubling, but could be due to mating season, where males from further out in the ocean come to the Waianae coast for their version of shore leave. This could be stirring up the pods.

I photodocument and record their behaviors in writing which I then enter into a database later. Also, we are trying to identify them by photographing their dorsal fins and any noticeable scars. There are these cookie-cutter sharks (about 2 ft long) that attach themselves to the dolphins at night and swim with them. When they are finished they spin in a circle using their teeth leaving a round chunk of skin missing--hence their name. These will often leave scars that will help identify them without tagging them. You can check out the WDF at wilddolphin.org.

When I do these days, I must get up at 5:15 am because I have to take Brian to work and then I have a 45-50 minute commute ahead of me to the harbor. I try to be there between 7:00 and 7:15. I am done around 12:30.

When I get there, I help the captain, Ann or Cara and the crew, Cara or Melissa get the boat ready. We greet the tour from Wild Side--usually a dozen to 18 people. I get the job of defogging their snorkel gear. I look at this as the boat equivalent of our ancestors greeting people by washing their feet. Most of the guests have been nice, though some have treated me like a servant until they find out that I am an intern--or better yet the one lady who was really demeaning was shocked to discover that I was a rabbi on sabbatical. She changed her behavior and seemed much more appreciative of my help.

The director and I have had some interesting conversations. She told she was surprised that a religious person would want to do this internship. When I asked why, she replied that "Didn't I think the world was ending soon? Why would I care about the environment then?" I laughed as I explained for progressive religious folks the environment was a major issue. Later on she made a similar assumption when she was surprised that I had some science background. She thought that why would I take science because what I do for a living is the opposite of science. I told her that many people of faith support evolution and science. She was amazed to hear so many people from the CDC were members of the synagogue. Though by the end of the day, she asked if I would consider officiating at her daughter's wedding in May. I will let you know if that happens.

Also on religious lines, the captain Ann invited me to help with a literacy program in Waianae. She said they were reading the book of Genesis in order to teach people to read. Skeptical about using the Bible as a primer, I asked for more info. I was told that she could really use my help because the next discussion was about circumcision. LOL! Maybe I will go and help her out.

I am off to the ranch now. I will write more about the horses later.

Don Ho's Final Show

I was reading the Friday entertainment section and saw Don Ho's twice weekly show. I mused out loud if I should get tickets for my mom when she came. Unfortunately, this past Thursday was his last show. The Hawaiian icon died yesterday and has left Hawaii befreft.

Crooner Don Ho dead at 76


HONOLULU (AP) - Legendary crooner Don Ho, who entertained tourists for decades wearing raspberry-tinted sunglasses and singing the catchy signature tune "Tiny Bubbles," has died. He was 76.

He died Saturday morning of heart failure, publicist Donna Jung said.

Ho had suffered with heart problems for the past several years, and had a pacemaker installed last fall. In 2005, he underwent an experimental stem cell procedure on his ailing heart in Thailand in 2005.

Ho entertained Hollywood's biggest stars and thousands of tourists for four decades. For many, no trip to Hawaii was complete without seeing his Waikiki show - a mix of songs, jokes, double entendres, Hawaii history and audience participation.

Shows usually started and ended with the same song, "Tiny Bubbles." Ho mostly hummed as the audience enthusiastically took over the song's swaying, silly lyrics: "Tiny bubbles/in the wine/make me happy/make me feel fine."

"I hate that song," he often joked to the crowd. He said he saved it for the end because "people my age can't remember if we did it or not."


The son of bar owners, Ho broke into the Waikiki entertainment scene in the early 1960s and, except for short periods, never left. Few artists are more associated with one place.

"Hawaii is my partner," Ho told The Associated Press in 2004.

Donald Tai Loy Ho, who was Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and German, was born Aug. 13, 1930, in Honolulu and grew up in the then-rural countryside of Kaneohe.

In high school, he was a star football player and worked for a brief time in a pineapple cannery. After graduating in 1949, he attended Springfield College in Massachusetts on an athletic scholarship. He grew homesick, returned to the islands and ended up graduating from the University of Hawaii in 1953 with a degree in sociology.

Inspired by the U.S. military planes flying in and out of Hawaii during the Second World War, Ho joined the Air Force. As the Korean War wound down, he piloted transport planes between Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu and Tokyo.

When he returned home and took over his parents' struggling neighbourhood bar, Honey's, he put together a band and started performing at his father's request.

"I had no intention of being an entertainer," Ho said. "I just played songs I liked from the radio, and pretty soon that place was jammed. Every weekend there would be lines down the street."

Honey's became a happening place on Oahu, with other Hawaiian musicians stopping in for jam sessions. Ho began to play at various spots at Hawaii, and soon, he was packing places such as the Coconut Grove in Hollywood and the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas.

Stars such as Lucille Ball, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra were known to be in the audience for Ho's shows.

Ho also became a television star, and hosted the "The Don Ho Show" on ABC from 1976-77. One of Ho's most memorable TV appearances was a 1972 cameo on an episode of "The Brady Bunch."

"I've had too much fun all these years," he said in the 2004 interview. "I feel real guilty about it."

Besides "Tiny Bubbles," his other well-known songs include "I'll Remember You," "With All My Love," and the "Hawaiian Wedding Song."