2008 Winter Pineapple Classic

We first posted about this on October 5th.

This past Sunday we ran in the Pineapple Winter Classic, a 5K run with obstacles in Seattle's Magnuson Park that raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. What separates this from just any other run for charity? People dress up in Hawaiian-themed costumes! We saw face-painted warriors, hula girls and plenty of hibiscus-inspired teamware.

Our team name was "Mele Kalikimaka," (Merry Christmas in Hawaiian) and we wore bright red shirts with our team name and Santa hats.



Some of the obstacles proved to be quite challenging, including ducking down into barrels, scaling walls and the mighty monkey bars that proved to require intense upper body strength.



According to the WPC website, turnout doubled from last year. We had a blast, and when times got tough we'd just remind ourselves of the luau and beer garden near the finish line.

Our friends Jerry and Warren greeted us as we made our way to the final leg, and we all enjoyed a refreshing brew in the beer garden. An entire hangar had been convereted to a luau setting, complete with real sand, a volleyball net and a stage where entertainers performed traditional Hawaiian music. Our friend Gary Medeiros was one of them!

Because of our late start-time (12:40), there wasn't much in the way of food left by the time we hit the buffet line. However, we were able to scarf down some noodles and salad before hoofing it back to our car.

The weather was gorgeous, making the run all the more enjoyable. Running with family for a great cause, with the rewards of Hawaiian culture? Not too many better ways to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Aloha!

Music & Food in Georgetown

Last Saturday we ventured down to the Georgetown neighborhood, to the Kaua`i Family Restaurant. Our friend Gary Medeiros was performing with Auntie Manu from 11am-2pm. We stopped in after running some Saturday morning errands for some `ono breakfast and mele.

Gary plays the ukulele and sings the male falsetto. He is quite good! He and Auntie Manu make a great team, and we found out they will both be performing at the luau celebration after the Pineapple Classic Run we're doing on November 16th at Magnuson Park. And the Kaua`i Family Restaurant is catering. What a preview!

I had the standard Hawaiian breakfast (eggs with rice and Portuguese sausage) while Dan went for the loco moco w/ spam. We were both pleased with the low-priced and hearty plates, but the star of the meal had to be the bag of malasadas we snagged right as we ordered. Malasadas are a Portuguese donut - basically like a donut but 100 times better! The restaurant only serves them on the weekends and they sell out quickly. In fact, we saw many folks just coming in to order a bag of them to go. We took the rest home and ate them the next day.

The performance was lively, as the two sang many Hawaiian favorites including Iz's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." At times some of the patrons got up and performed an impromptu hula. It was fun to watch.

It turns out Gary and his partner are part of a halau with Auntie Manu that meets on Sundays, informally, so we are going to try our hands - er - waists at hula soon!

We unfortunately forgot the camera.

Tomorrow night we are headed to the Open House/sneak preview of the holiday line at the Hawai`i General Store and will hopefully remember to snap some pics to share.

Big Island Video News

There is a new site featuring video news from the Big Island. Check it out! Another great resource from the folks on Hawai`i Island!

Big Island Video News

New Editor for BI Weekly

Last week it was reported that Kristine Kubat, founding editor at Big Island Weekly, was resigning after 23 months at the helm.

One week later, a replacement is announced. It will be interesting to see which direction the paper takes!

From this week's issue:

Stockton named Big Island Weekly editor/GM
By Staff Report
Thursday, October 16, 2008 10:09 AM HST
Jed Stockton, a veteran journalist who has worked the past five years at the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, is Big Island Weekly's new editor and general manager, replacing founding editor Kristine Kubat.

Stockton starts Nov. 13.

"Jed knows his way around a newspaper, and he understands the fundamental mission of Big Island Weekly," Publisher Geoff Schumacher said. "I am confident Jed will preserve the best of what Big Island Weekly has done so far while introducing new elements to the mix."

Stockton started working in the journalism field in 1993 at the Denison Herald in Denison, Texas. Later that year, he moved to a larger newspaper south of Denison called the Sherman Democrat in Sherman, Texas. In Sherman, he worked as a reporter, editor, photographer and designer.

In 1998, Stockton took a job as the health editor/features editor with the Connecticut Post in Bridgeport, Conn. He moved to the Dallas Morning News as a business copy editor and designer in 2001.

In November 2003, he became a copy editor and designer at the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.

"Big Island Weekly will continue to be a publication where island voices are heard," Stockton said. "Every issue of this publication will have something new, interesting and informative. Community input is essential and I can't wait to meet everyone and hear what folks have to say. Big Island Weekly will continue reporting on the issues that matter to Big Island residents. My door is always open."

Kubat resigned last week after two years at the helm. Schumacher is serving as interim editor until Stockton takes over.

"Rest assured, Big Island Weekly will continue to exemplify the objectives of an alternative newsweekly," Schumacher said. "I believe Stockton is committed to afflicting the comfortable and questioning the conventional wisdom, as well as delivering the best arts and entertainment coverage on the island."

Big Island Weekly and the Hawaii Tribune-Herald are both owned by Stephens Media LLC, based in Las Vegas.

High Surf in Kaua`i Ends in Tragedy

Apparently three tourists have died on Kaua`i because of the recent high surf.

Pineapple Classic

At a costume party earlier this year, we heard about an annual 5K race where people dress up in Hawaiian-inspired costumes and navigate an obstacle course. We were sold!

It turns out the Winter Pineapple Classic is just in its third year, as it began in 2006, guided by the vision and kokua of Eric Cox. Eric's son Brody was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after his 2nd birthday, while Eric's wife was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Both have endured a tumultuous battle with the deadly and debilitating disease, but are now in remission and hoping for healthy futures.

In just two years, the event has raised $280,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This year the goal is to add another $250K to the worthy cause.

We'll be joined by two of my sisters for a team entry. If entered by Nov 3rd, registration for a 4-party team is just $43.75 per person. Additional fundraising is encouraged, but not mandatory to participate. The event takes place November 16th, and is followed by a luau complete with performances and a beer garden!

More information can be found at the web site linked to above.

Big Island Quarterly

Check out the very first issue of Big Island Quarterly, a new on-line magazine all about the Big Island!

Speaking of which, we recently booked lodging on the Big Island for next June/July. Can't wait! We'll be staying 3 nights at the house we were married at in Hilo, and then moving to a lesser expensive, but still gorgeous-looking house in the Kapoho area of Puna for 15 nights.

Still need to work out our first 3 nights in Hololulu. Looking at a cheap hotel within walking distance of the sights we are interested in (Bishop Museum, Zoo, `Iolani Palace, etc).

Now that the Seattle rainy season is officially underway, having a trip on the books is a beacon of light!