Las Vegas (Mainland) Vrs. Hawaii....

Geez!  Where do I begin?  Well, I was doing some fun "Google" stuff when I searched the following...."Pros and Cons of Moving to Hawaii from Las Vegas".  We've been pondering hard, as a family and due to several unfortunate events, to moving back home to Hawaii.  After much thought going back and forth with pros and cons, we still got nothing.  No decisions have been made. We have no clear idea of what is right and wrong. We, for lack of better words, are a "Hot Mess" in the making lol! Ummm...I still am but needed to get some thoughts out.  Isn't that what blogging is about?  LOL!!

So, getting back to my Google search of "Pros and Cons of Moving to Hawaii from Las Vegas", it was interesting how there was SO much point of views, positive and negative.  Some people with opinions were born and raised in Hawaii, some were military and there to "try", some moved for 5 plus years and left, some are living there now.  Some opinions were offensive, as a true blooded Hawaiian, to me because people throw the "Hawaiian way" into everything when it's a fact that there is too much influence from all around the world.  It's not realistic really.  Anywho...it made me think hard.

I am minority here on the Mainland.  It was hard to swallow when I first came.  Being "accepted" in Hawaii because it was home to me was easy.  Having to prove yourself and dealing with people automatically judging you because you are not blond or light skin, was hard I'm not going to lie. Having to correct someone who wrongly labeled you another nationality, was and still is irritating.  BUT....moving, although unfortunate events took place, was a great learning experience.  If you never experience ANYTHING other than what you know growing up, you have not yet lived.  It's safe to assume you know about living elsewhere but you don't know ONE thing unless you experienced it first hand.  I am glad that God blessed us this learning experience.  It makes me appreciate WHO I am, WHAT I know, WHAT I believe in, WHERE I came from and WHO I will always be.  I am altered in a positive way, but will stay true to myself.

The opinions given from those people aforementioned, made me proud and sad at the same time.  PROUD because my Home is beautiful.  We have beautiful cultures.  We have wonderful food.  Our beaches are amazing.  Hiking is gorgeous.  Hidden beauty is EVERYWHERE.  There is similar places elsewhere BUT there is only one Hawaii.  We are culturally kind and filled with an Aloha Spirit that can be learned but will come natural if you were brought up in it. 

The opinions that made me sad were when they, the person who visited Hawaii for 2 weeks, felt like the minority as a white person.  They were called F'ing Haole on several occasions.  They were threatened by "Hawaiians" who didn't like them in the area that they were in.  They were discriminated against because they were different.  I know the feeling and it is not pleasant.  Now that I am put in their shoes, being brown and in the Mainland, I will never discriminate nor make anyone feel unwelcome in my Home (Hawaii).  NOT that I ever did but I will make sure I never do that ever.  It sucks!  It's unacceptable.  It's sad.

Where am I going with this?  Really...I'm not sure.  Their opinions leave me pondering more.  What are the pros and cons of living here in Las Vegas and WHY move?  What are the pros and cons in Hawaii and WHY move there?  I have no clue and am still looking for that final answer.  In the meantime, I'm in prayer mode.  Taking in what I can.

Reminders....

People! Let's remind ourselves shall we?

1) cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Preferably in your shoulder as your hand will be contaminated with your mouth germs.

2) Turn away while coughing or sneezing.

3) don't dig your nose and then continue to use your hands without washing or sanitizing.

4) Thank you is simple. Work at it.

5) don't cut in line.

6) don't interrupt others.

7) excuse me is nice.

9) please don't dig your butt Infront of others.

10) be ethical.

11) learn tact, especially if you are a leader or manager.

12) eye contact is great.

13) avoiding doesn't make the problem go away.

14) be mindful.

15) repeat number one.

I don't get it....

I understand that a persons perception is their reality.  I get it.  But....what if your intentions is twisted into something TOTALLY opposite of what you meant?  At what point does it become the person on the "offense" fault for taking this personal?  Please tell me because I am clearly getting read the wrong way and it's frustrating.

As it is....

The native, me, is restless!  I hate not knowing what I'm going to do, how I'm going to do it and when.  Having no plan is like failing already.  I have a responsibility and I feel like I am not upholding that responsibility when I have NO CLUE on what is going to happen.  It's not even a crossroad but a 6 way intersection light! 

Giving Thanks....

Through my struggles, I have had many people who were willing and able to assist me and I greatly appreciate them.  I may not be able to recognize all but just know that I truly love you and am blessed to have you in my life!

My HA Crew LAS...No words can express how appreciative I am of all your assistance.  From Management Randy, Susan, Yanni to our awesome coworkers like Joy, Brad, Tiffany, Herls, Genesis, Roy, Rena, JT, Char, Moani, Lucky and everyone else.  My life would be so difficult MORE so if you didn't allow me that extra time to do what I needed to do.  I know that I cannot show you my gratitude by way of money, but I pray for you everyday that you may be blessed IN EVERY WAY because of your willingness to help me.  I love you truly and am always so happy to come to work, when I can.  Thank you for making me smile, allowing me to be mental and crazy and most of all for your patience in my ever so "exciting" life.

My Cosmo crew is amazing.  I love you Marci for being so crazy and being one of the most approachable managers ever.  I miss you Mark A. and wish you were still there to greet me in the morning after your drama filled night.  Thank you Josef for all that you do.  Words cannot express enough how grateful I am to have such patience bosses.  You are all amazing and I hope that you can appreciate my work and dedication.  Alfonso is the bomb - thank you for being so understanding.  Carlo, you too.  I am always happy to see your smile.  Terran, you stud, thank you!!

My family - I love you.  I am so happy and grateful for you all.  I am so blessed.  I am not perfect, please forgive my for sins and grouchiness. Thank you for accepting me for me.  I love you.  You absolutely complete me and make me smile. I love you Lorrin, Taimane, Tainoa, Tale'a and Lorrin.  You are my joy and I am so happy to see you everyday.

THANK YOU JESUS for giving me the opportunity to give thanks for my breath of life.  I love you.

The Aloha Spirit......

The Aloha Spirit is a well known reference to the attitude of friendly acceptance for which the Hawaiian Islands are so famous. However, it also refers to a powerful way to resolve any problem, accomplish any goal, and also to achieve any state of mind or body that you desire.
In the Hawaiian language, aloha stands for much more than hello or goodbye or love. Its deeper meaning is the joyful (oha) sharing (alo) of life energy (ha) in the present (alo)
As you share this energy you become attuned to the Divine Power that the Hawaiians call mana. And the loving use of this incredible Power is the secret for attaining true health, happiness, prosperity and success.
The way to tune into this Power and have it work for you is so simple that you might be tempted to pass it off as being too easy to be true. Please don't let yourself be fooled by appearances.
This is the most powerful technique in the world, and although it is extremely simple it may not prove easy, because you must remember to do it and you have to do it a lot. It is a secret which has been given to humanity over and over again, and here it is once more in another form. The secret is this:

Bless everyone and everything that represents what you want!

That's all there is to it. Anything that simple, however, does need some explanation.
To bless something means to give recognition or emphasis to a positive quality, characteristic or condition, with the intent that what is recognized or emphasized will increase, endure or come into being.
Blessing is effective in changing your life or getting what you want for three reasons: First of all, the positive focus of your mind stirs up the positive, creative force of the Power of the Universe. Secondly, it moves your own energy outward, allowing more of the Power to come through you. Thirdly, when you bless for the benefit of others instead of directly for yourself, you tend to bypass any subconscious fears about what you want for yourself, and also the very focus on the blessing acts to increase the same good in your life. What is so beautiful about this process is that the blessing you do for others helps them as well as you.
Blessing may be done with imagery or touch but the most usual and easy way to do it is with words. The main kinds of verbal blessing are:
Admiration - This is the giving of compliments or praise to something good that you notice. E.g., What a nice sunset; I like that dress; you're so much fun.
Affirmation - This is a specific statement of blessing for increase or endurance. E.g., I bless the beauty of this tree; blessed be the health of your body.
Appreciation - This is an expression of gratitude that something good exists or has happened. E.g., Thank you, God, for helping me; I give thanks to the rain for nourishing the land.
Anticipation - This is blessing for the future. E.g., We're going to have a great picnic; I bless your increased income; Thank you for my perfect mate; I wish you a happy journey; May the wind be always at your back.
In order to gain the most benefit from blessing, you will have to give up on the one thing that negates it: cursing. This doesn't mean swearing or saying bad words. It refers to the opposite of blessing, namely criticizing instead of admiring; doubting instead of affirming; blaming instead of appreciating; and worrying instead of anticipating with trust. Whenever any of these are done they tend to cancel out some of the effects of blessing. So the more you curse the harder it will be and the longer it will take to get the good from a blessing. On the other hand, the more you bless the less harm any cursing will do.
Here, then, are some ideas for blessing various needs and desires:
Health - Bless healthy people, animals, and even plants; everything which is well made or well constructed; and everything that expresses abundant energy.
Happiness - Bless all that is good, or the good that is in all people and all things; all the signs of happiness that you see, hear or feel in people or animals; and all potentials for happiness that you notice around you.
Prosperity - Bless all the signs of prosperity in your environment, including everything that money helped to make or do; all the money that you have in any form; and all the money that circulates in the world.
Success - Bless all signs of achievement and completion (such as buildings, bridges, and sports events); all arrivals at destinations (of ships, planes, trains, cars and people); all signs of forward movement or persistence; and all signs of enjoyment or fun.
Confidence - Bless all signs of confidence in people and animals; all signs of strength in people, animals and objects (including steel and concrete); all signs of stability (like mountains and tall trees); and all signs of purposeful power (including big machines, power lines).
Love and Friendship - Bless all signs of caring and nurturing, compassion and support; all harmonious relationships in nature and architecture; everything that is connected to or gently touching something else; all signs of cooperation, as in games or work; and all signs of laughter and fun.
Inner Peace - Bless all signs of quietness, calmness, tranquility, and serenity (such as quiet water or still air); all distant views (horizons, stars, the moon); all signs of beauty of sight, sound or touch; clear colors and shapes; the details of natural or made objects.
Spiritual Growth - Bless all signs of growth, development and change in Nature; the transitions of dawn and twilight; the movement of sun,moon, planets and stars; the flight of birds in the sky; and the movement of wind and sea.

www.hawaiian.net

Conflicted...

It's morning and a lot is on my mind. I am hoping for some guidance today from the man above. I have some sorting out to do but I just don't know what to sort first. There is clearly some issues but I think those will always be there. What to do?

God please look upon us this day. Guide and protect our families. Guide our walk so that we can do what is necessary based on your plan for us. Thank you for your many blessings. We are grateful and we know that all these things have happened because of you.

Big fat fail....

The intent was not what ended up happening. It's very unfortunate when the ultimate goal gets lost. Let's just come together, focus, take our head out of our asses and move forward. Got it? Head does not belong in ass. The brain is on top of the heart and most def above the buns. Think first, love and embrace second. Ass is an option but not recommended. Come on people.

Confused and Clarity....HHCA....

"Hawaiian Homes Commission Act
The legal basis for the establishment of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended (HHCA). Passed by Congress and signed into law by President Warren Harding on July 9, 1921 (chapter 42, 42 Stat. 108), the HHCA provides for the rehabilitation of the native Hawaiian people through a government-sponsored homesteading program. Native Hawaiians are defined as individuals having at least 50 percent Hawaiian blood.

Pursuant to provisions of the HHCA, the Department provides direct benefits to native Hawaiians in the form of 99-year homestead leases at an annual rental of $1. In 1990, the Legislature authorized the Department to extend leases for an aggregate term not to exceed 199 years (Act 305, Session Laws of Hawaii 1990; section 208, HHCA). Homestead leases are for residential, agricultural, or pastoral purposes. Aquacultural leases are also authorized, but none have been awarded to date. The intent of the homesteading program is to provide for economic self-sufficiency of native Hawaiians through the provision of land.

Other benefits provided by the HHCA include financial assistance through direct loans or loan guarantees for home construction, replacement, or repair, and for the development of farms and ranches; technical assistance to farmers and ranchers; and the operation of water systems"
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We have been on the waitlist for many years.  Recently, we have been processed to qualify for 5 specific homes on the Big Island of Hawaii.  During this process, no where did it state that being a resident of hawaii was a must to qualify for the Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands Loan.  KNOWING that we are presently residing in Las Vegas, we were pre-qualified and asked to provide all sorts of information.

We were denied after being provided hope for several years.  We were denied because we are not residents of Hawaii.  My question is.....shouldn't the "ability to pay a loan, credit and references" be a deciding factor and NOT where we reside?  Isn't it NOT a common sense fact that people move OUT of Hawaii because the high cost of living and the options?  Now, if my ultimate goal was not to move back home and have a home that I own, why would I apply for this "opportunity"? We've only been here in Las Vegas over two years.  Out of our entire life, we are residents elsewhere for two years ONLY.  Does this NOT make sense to you?  Or is it just me. Where is this rule and why is it not told?  Don't you think that we would have stayed in Hawaii a little longer while being processed if we knew that MOVING away would disqualify you for a possibility of Hawaiian Homes?

So many Hawaiians give up on this because of several setbacks.  It's very sad.  Do you give up? Do you proceed?  Do you move back to Hawaii just because of this possibility?  Is it worth it?  I just don't know.  We miss Family so much and our children need that.  But, what is right and what is wrong?  What is more beneficial? Confused and feeling betrayed.....

Mornings...Spring Foward

Getting up is harder after this spring forward thing! Do we seriously still need this? I mean adjusting back and fourth may have been great long time ago but still now? Ugh!