Monday, August 25, 2008

Hawaiian ukuleles make a great first instrument for a child

Hawaii Bound International

Ukuleles are interesting instruments that have their roots in Hawaiian culture. This instrument would make a great gift for a child because they are just the right size for little fingers to play. The melodies that spring forth from this 17-inch musical device Ukuleles
are sure to delight young and old alike.

Tropical Hawaii first saw the ukulele in 1879 when the immigrant Portuguese ship, Ravenscrag, arrived in Honolulu. The immigrants came from the island of Madeira to work in the sugar cane fields. There are many stories of how the ukulele got its name. One of the most popular stories stems from the fact that the immigrants were so happy to have landed in Hawaii, they played the instruments at the ship’s dock to celebrate. It is said that their fingers flew so rapidly across the strings to make the pleasant and happy little tunes that they reminded the listeners of “jumping fleas.” Ukulele, translated into English, can mean jumping fleas. Keeping with this theme, a well-known ukulele tune has the name of “My Dog Has Fleas.”

Hawaii is home to The Ukulele Festival held most recently on July 27, 2008. This annual festival has free admission, is located on Waikiki, and has been a tradition since 1971. There is also a ukulele instructional institution called Roy Sakuma’s Ukulele school. As well as the Ukulele Festival held on Waikiki, Northern California holds a similar ukulele festival and there is a “Uke Expo” held in Massachusetts. Resurgence in the popularity of ukuleles has been the recent trend.

Hawaii Bound International has a wonderful selection of ukuleles for children, as well as adults. The children’s ukuleles are 17 inches in length and fit very comfortably in a child’s hands. It is also lightweight and easy to carry. They are decorated with a choice of either a pink or blue surfer, or a pink or blue floral design. With the music they make, you can close your eyes and imagine yourself on a Hawaiian beach, with ocean waves lapping at your feet and a gentle breeze wafting through the nearby palm trees.

Adult ukuleles range in size from 18 inches to 23 inches, and come in a variety of methods of manufacture. The assortment of ukuleles to choose from includes Hawaiian hand-painted, wood-stained, Aloha floral print, and Hawaiian vintage classic. There is also a ukulele made from Hawaii Hapa Wood and a Smart ukulele that features a painted design of a lei and grass skirt.

Children will love strumming on their very own Hawaiian ukulele. With an adult ukulele as well, you can have a duo, trio, or an entire ukulele band. Spending this kind of quality time with your child can make for special bonding moments. You can share the joy of playing this Hawaiian musical instrument and it can make for exceptional Hawaii memories.

Hawaii Bound International Hawaii Bound International has a wide selection of Hawaii gifts, collectibles, and souvenirs that are very affordable. If you’ve always dreamed of going to Hawaii but have never had the opportunity, let Hawaii Bound International give you a taste of what island life is like, right in your very own home.

Hawaii Bound International, the web site for Hawaii gifts, even offers carrying bags for your ukuleles, so you will easily be able to transport your instrument from one “luau” to the next. Hawaii Bound International online store has Hawaiian gifts and collectibles to bring a taste of Hawaii, as well as a bit of music and history, to your home.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Decorate your guest bedroom Hawaiian style

Decorate your guest bedroom Hawaiian style

Do you like to entertain? Do you have family and friends stay over often? What better way to spice up your guest bedroom than decorate the entire room with a Hawaiian theme? Everyone loves Hawaii, and if you’ve never been, or you can’t get there often enough, you can bring Hawaii to you! You can do that, thanks to Hawaii Bound International’s very personable web site at: Hawaii Bound International This web site offers a great selection of Hawaii gifts and souvenirs, not to mention collectibles.

Surrounded by palm trees, hula dancers, and Hawaiian candle lamps Hawaiian Candle Lamps, a mood will be created for your guests that they will not soon forget. Visiting in your home will be the next best thing to going on a tropical vacation for your guests. You may get so many friends and relatives wanting to come visit that you will have to charge room rental for your Hawaiian guest abode!

Seriously, though, turning your guest bedroom into a Hawaiian “villa” will be fun and exotic. You are sure to get many compliments about your interior decorating skills and creativity. Hawaii Bound International can help you decorate at a fraction of the cost, especially if you were to try to gather Hawaii items from other sources. Hawaii Bound International has everything you need, all in one convenient web site location. Not to mention, if you purchase over $75.00 worth of merchandise, the shipping is free! (Free shipping includes only USA orders at this time.) You can’t beat a deal like that!

Hawaii Bound International has everything you need to turn your ordinary guest room into a Hawaii-style adventure land. You can choose from a wide variety of lamps and shades, Hawaiian area rugs http://www.hawaiiboundintl.com/hawaiianrugs.html, light and switch plate covers, laundry baskets, and coasters. Your tropical-themed room will be a ray of sunshine to your guests as they luxuriate in the Hawaiian atmosphere you have created for them. All Hawaii Bound International’s collectibles and decorative items are very reasonably priced so you can easily afford to re-decorate your guestroom in a manner that is pleasing to you.

This wonderful web site also offers such room furnishings as magazine and stationary baskets, Hawaiian photo holders, Hawaiian door hooks, and statues. One of the most popular statues is the famous Hawaiian “Speak No Evil; Hear No Evil; See No Evil” figurine. There is also an array of Hawaiian bathroom accessories for the guest bathroom. Choose from Tiki toothbrush holders or those decorated with palm trees. You can also purchase a Tiki trash can and a Hawaiian jar for cotton balls.

Before you know it, you will have dressed your guest bedroom up with a Hawaiian style that will entice your guests to want to learn more about Hawaii. If they haven’t yet visited Hawaii, they are sure to want to go there after a night’s stay in your Hawaiian accommodations. The next best thing to being able to visit Hawaii will be to spend a night in your Hawaiian guest abode.

For a unique addition to your home, consider decorating your guest bedroom with a Hawaiian motif. Hawaii Bound International has everything you need to bring Hawaii to your home, year-round.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Hawaiian Basic Info

Hawaiian "Basics" Review

By Hawaii Bound International

Hawaii Bound International


Aloha! There is a certain "Something Special" about the Hawaiian Islands and its People, which is why Hawaiian gifts are so popular. Once you visit the islands of Hawaii, you are never again without that special feeling of Aloha! You carry the possibility of a return to The Hawaiian Island paradise deep in your heart. Many people that travel to the Hawaiian Islands leave with the Aloha Spirit. Hawaiian Gifts make your day that much more special and relaxing. I am writing this review to offer you some Hawaiian "Basics" so sit back, relax and learn a little something new about this magical place we call Hawaii. Mahalo for visiting our review.

HAWAII (pronounced Huh Y E) nicknamed "The Aloha State" is the youngest state in the United States. The 51st state, Hawaii was admitted to the Union on August 21, 1959. Before becoming a state it was known as the Territory of Hawaii. Hawaii's state motto is Ua Mau ke Ea o ka 'Aina I ka Pono or translated as "The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness". This magical tropical paradise encompasses hundreds of Islands ranging over 1,500 miles. The most well known of these islands are Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, Niihau, Molokai, Lanai and Kaaholawe. The Capital and Largest city in Hawaii is Honolulu. The Hawaii State Animal is the Humpback whale, the State Flower is the Yellow Hibiscus, The State bird is the Nene, the State fish is the reef triggerfish, the state tree is the Kukui, and the state gem is the black coral. The State song is Hawaii Ponoi or translated as "Hawaii's own people". The famed Waikiki Beach and North Shore are the number one tourist and movie filming locations, attracting millions of visitors and admirers per year.



Hawaiian Language Basics:

Ae-Yes

Akahai-Kindness

Ahonui-Enduring

Ala-Road, Path or trail

Aloha- A greeting which is also used when leaving. It means Both Hello and Goodbye.

Aole-No

Ha Aha A-Humbled

Hale-House

Hula-An Ancient Hawaiian dance form

Ipo-Sweetheart

Ipu-Drum or Rattle

Kai- Ocean

Kane-Man

Keiki-Child

Kokua-Help

Lanai-Front Porch, Deck or Balcony

Lani-Heaven or Sky

Lei-A Hawaiian Necklace made out of Island Flowers.

Lokahi-Unity

Luau-A Hawaiian Feast

Mahalo- Thank You

Mauna-Mountain

Mele-Chant or Song

Nani-Beautiful

Ohana-Family

Olu Olu-Politness

Ono-Delicious

Ukulele-An Hawaiian String Instrument introduced by the Portuguese.

Wahine-Woman

Wikiwiki-To Hurry Up!



Definition of ALOHA:

A stands for AKAHAI which means KINDNESS

L stands for LOKAHI which means UNITY

O stands for OLU OLU which means POLITENESS

H stands for HA AHA A which means HUMBLED

A stands for AHONUI which means ENDURING



"LIVE ALOHA"

Live Aloha is the gentle, peaceful way of Living. It is seen everywhere in Hawaii. This truly would be a much better world if we all "Lived Aloha"

Live Aloha means to:

-Respect all elders,children and women

-Drive with Courtesy (This is why it is considered disrespectful to honk your horn in Hawaii)

-Hold the Door open for someone.

-Plant a Garden

-Pick up litter when you see it

-Live Peacefully with your neighbors

-Smile often

-Go outside and enjoy the world!

-Leave all places better than you find them

-Do one nice thing for someone each day

-Help those less fortunate

-Treat everyone the way you want to be treated

-Take time to stop and smell the Roses



Main Attractions (Must See and Do!)

Maui:

1. Haleakala National Park-Nice hiking, even better views, amazing sunsets.

2. Road to Hana-No trip to Maui is complete without experiencing this! Last chance to eat or get food is in a small town names Paia. Also, go early in the morning to allow for plenty of time to sight see.

3. Molokini Crater-A Must for snorkeling and swimming with the Sea Turtles.

4. Lahaina-Great for shopping, shopping and more shopping!

Kauai:

1. Poipu-Some of the best snorkeling and beaches on Kauai.

2. Na Pali Coast/Hanalei- Nice little town with great views.

3. Golfers-Poipu has amazing Golfing opportunities. Don't Miss it!

Oahu:

1. Waikiki Beach-One of the most famous beaches in the world. No trip to Hawaii is complete without seeing this beach.

2. North Shore-Legendary Surf Beaches, You have to see the huge waves here! The best surfing in the world!

3. Diamond Head- Breath taking views and Sunsets

4. Honolulu- The Capital of Hawaii, a definite must see!

5. Dole Plantation-A lot of neat history here.

6. Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona Memorial-Need I say more, Just go and Thank me later. A truly eye opening experience.



Hawaii/Big Island:

1. Volcanoes National Park-The only active Volcano in Hawaii.

2. Waimea-Lots of Farm country. Great for horseback riding.

3. Hilo-Breathtaking waterfalls and lush gardens. Very historic city to visit. Considered"Old town Hawaii" A must see while on the Big Island.



Hope this review met your expectations and will help you Learn about HAWAII and will help you out as your travel the Magical Hawaiian Islands. Remember life is short, remember to "Live Aloha" sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference.

Mahalo,

Hawaii Bound International Your one stop shop for Hawaiian Gifts, Collectibles and Souvenirs

www.hawaiiboundintl.com
"Your One stop shop for Hawaiian Gifts, Collectibles and Souvenirs"