Aloha & Hau’oli Makahikihou Ohana!!!
It is officially a brand new year and I am so excited! Fresh starts and new beginnings are always a strong motivator for creating the life you’ve always dreamed of and that’s what a new year is for me!
But let's talk New Years Celebrations! Who else knows that Hawaii went OFF this year?!!! WOW!
It was the most breathtaking display of fireworks I have ever seen, and if you grew up in Hawaii like me, that's saying something! New Years gatherings are literally my favorite kinds of celebrations because of our traditions.
As far back as I can remember, my ohana (family) has always gathered at my tutu wahine and tutu kane's hale (grand mother and grand father's house). Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we celebrated with our immediate families only, and FaceTimed with everyone else. However, we continued with our other traditions like grandma's Portuguese Bean Soup. Locals know how AMAZING this dish really is, and every year, my grandmother cooks a huge batch for the ohana. She always makes sure to call me and remind me because it is my favorite meal in the whole world! And this year, despite COVID, she still cooked up a batch for me to pick up and bring with me to my mom and dad's house to celebrate. I love having a piece of my tutu there because I miss seeing her so much! I love you grandma and papa!!!
To add to the spread, my sister and her husband brought over a HUGE pan of Cajun Crab, King Crab Legs, Shrimp and Sausage. OMG!
To make things even more festive, this year my brother and brother-in-law fired up the hibachi in front of our parent's house and we roasted marshmallows to make the perfect s'mores. Okay maybe not perfect since my marshmallow wasn't hot enough to melt my chocolate, but the experience made it taste good anyway!
Family, that's really what it's all about, and I was so happy to be surrounded with them again. As the New Year hit, the sky came alive with some of the most incredible fireworks! "Chee-hu's," could be heard everywhere. A sea of joyful celebrations that spread across the neighborhood. From where we sat, we could see the open sky above us with nothing to hinder our view, just every colored fireworks bursting overhead.
A hui hou 2020 and aloha 2021!
Mahalo Ke Akua (Thank you God) for my Ohana (Family)!
A Hui Hou Kākou (until we meet again),
Island Girl
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