Robin McCann

May Day is a Holiday created to honor the Hawaiian custom of making and wearing leis. In 1928, a writer, Gracie Tower Warren, proposed the idea be a holiday on May 1st, in conjunction with May Day.

On May 1, 1928, The first Lei Day was held and Honolulu residents and visitors were encouraged to wear leis. Events were held in Honolulu with music, hula, lei making and contests.

In 1929, Lei Day was made an official holiday, and continues today. On Oahu, Lei Day events are featured in Queen Kapiolani Park in Waikiki.

Many celebrations are also held at local schools through out the islands. Elementary schools hold celebrations crowning Lei Day kings, queens and princesses of each island, such as occurred in 2008 at Heeia Elementary School. Dances are performed by students and the appointed royal family. Students vote for the May Day court participants.

Each of the major Hawaiian Islands has a flower that represents its uniqueness.

Hawaii - Lehua. It's blossoms come from the ohia lehua tree which grow on the Big Island's slopes of the volcano. It is commonly red and is sacred to the Volcano Goddess, Pele.

Kauai - Mokihana. It is a purple berry found only on Kauai. It is a fruit that is strung as beads to make a lei.

Kahoolawe - Hinahina. It is a gray plant found on the Kahoolawe beaches and they are braided to make leis.

Lanai - Kaunaoa. It is a light orange vine that is twisted together to make a lei.

Maui - Lokelani. Means "rose of heaven" and is the color pink with a sweet smell.

Molokai - Kukui. Green or brown nuts from the Kukui tree that are strung with ribbon to create leis.

Niihau - Pupu. White shells found on the shoreline and are strung together to form a lei.

Oahu - Ilima. It is a yellow/orange flower that is strung to create a lei. The high chiefs were once the only ones allowed to wear these leis.

If you happen to be in Hawaii on May Day, feel free to join in the celebration and give some you admire a lei. It is a custom that expresses how much you care for someone.

The City of Honolulu will be celebrating Earth Day by honoring our Mother Earth during the month of April and beyond. A full calendar of various events are planned. Honolulu is holding a Reduce Electrical Use Contest. Contestants are asked to design a switch plate cover with a "reduce electrical" theme. Entries must be postmarked no later than midnight April 30th. The winning design will be used to replace switch covers in City Hall. Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place winners.

On Saturday (April 11), an educational event, the 2nd Annual Mauka to Makai Environmental Expo, is being held at the Waikiki Aquarium from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Various agencies (federal, state and city) will be on hand to educate the public on what is being done to protect and preserve the Hawaiian environment. The event will feature family-oriented displays, crafts and activities. A special treat will be the release of hatchery-raised Moi (Pacific threadfin fish) into the water. T his event is FREE, so be sure to attend.

On April 18, it is lights out! You will be able to see the beautiful, star-studded sky much more clearly between the hours of 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., when Honolulu will celebrate Earth Day by turning out its lights.

Be sure to check out the debut of Honolulu's first Green Market on Fort Street Mall on April 22 at 10 a.m.

The youth of Honolulu will be holding a summit meeting at Ala Wai Golf Course Club House in the Diamond Head Ballroom on April 26. The 21st Century Ahupua'a Youth Ambassadors will be discussing and planning ways to shape the future of Honolulu.

Honolulu will continue to honor Mother Earth throughout the year when the Curbside Recycling program is expanded on May 4th. In addition, Lights Out will become an official monthly event for the City of Honolulu. The city will turn off its lights every third Saturday of the month, beginning on April 18.

In keeping with the Earth Day theme, I thought I would also let you know that the Lyon Arboretum at the UH Manoa campus (Blaisdell Hall) will be holding a plant sale this Saturday (April 11) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Exotic trees, foliage, succulents and flowers will be available for purchase. Plant doctors will also be on hand to answer questions that you may have. Hui Hana Hawaii volunteers will be selling fresh jams, jellies, haku lei and craft items. Door prizes will be given away and there will be special fun activities for all of the keiki (children). Admission is $2, with proceeds going to the arboretum in Manoa Valley. Need more info? Call 988-0456 or visit http://www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum.

Let's all celebrate Mother Earth! Remember to Reuse, Recycle, Conserve and Plant beautiful greenery everywhere!

Aloha,
Robin McCann, Robin McCann Realty

The Oahu community of Kailua will be celebrating Earth Day at the Kawai Nui Neighborhood Park on Saturday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Various organizations and environmental agencies will be participating in the event to bring environmental awareness to the residents of our beautiful island of Oahu. The event will include a tour of Queen Lili'uoklani's retreat. Those who wish to take part in the tour must be checked in at the information booth by 10:30 a.m. Educational exhibits will offering interactive activities for children. Exhibits will also present information on the work currently being done to on the island of Oahu. The importance of Oahu's Kawai Nui Marsh, Hawaii's largest wetland, will be a featured topic of the day. Opportunities to be a vital part of the Earth Day celebration will be available. Volunteers will be allowed to work at several sites around the Kawai Nui Marsh. There will also be a raffle for volunteers and for those who come by bike or walk to the event.

Celebrate Earth Day while learning the importance of our unique environment and how to preserve it. Demonstrate the Aloha Spirit by participating in the various volunteer opportunities that will be available.

Aloha,

Robin McCann, Robin McCann Realty, LLC

There is stimulating news for the Oahu real estate market. Interest rates are down, loan limits are up and a tax-credit for first-time home buyers is available. The federal government has implemented its plan to acquire Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities, which has had a positive effect on both Wall Street and mortgage loans. The announcement is stimulating the mortgage market. Mortgage loan applications are up (nationally) and mortgage loans are seeing lower interest rates.

The week of January 15th saw an interest rate of 4.96%, an all-time low. Since then, the interest rate has been hovering at the 5.1% level. The Mortgage Bankers Association is reporting that, according to its most recent survey, mortgage loans are available at an astounding 4.89% for a 30-year fixed loan and 4.5% rates for 15-year mortgage loans. I checked their website today; today's 30-year rate is 4.98% and the 15-year rate is 4.61%.

The conforming loan limits were restored to $729,750 when the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was passed. The higher loan limits offer a wider selection of home mortgages available to home buyers. Home owners can also take advantage of the lower interest rates and higher loan limits with refinacing options. It is a great time to lower your house payment.

First-time home buyers (anyone who has not owned a home in the last three years) are eligible for a tax credit up to $8,000. The actual credit is 10% of the sales price. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 tax credit does not need to be repaid and is refundable. The 2008 tax credit required repayment, whereas the 2009 credit does not, making the 2009 tax credit more advantageous to home buyers. The tax credit is also refundable, which means that, if you pay less than the tax credit, the difference will be refunded to the taxpayer.

The tax credit does have an income cap of $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for married couples. The income cap also has a phase-out program, which means those making more than $150,000 may possibly qualify for the tax credit depending on their adjusted income. If your income is more than the income cap, you will need to check with your financial/tax adviser to see if you qualify. The tax credit may be applied to your 2009 taxes or your 2008 taxes by filing an amendment. You will need to check with your financial/tax advisor to determine which year is the best one for you to apply the tax credit.

Oahu home prices are more affordable than a year ago, with an 18% downward adjustment in pricing. Interest rates are down almost a full percent (5.87%) from the same time last year. A tax credit is available for first-time buyers. These stimulating factors may make taking advantage of the current market and economic times a wise decision for you.

Aloha,
Robin McCann, Robin McCann Realty, LLC

Rubber duckie...Oh, what fond memories:, bathtub splashing, water sloshing, rubber duckie bobbing. (sigh) Well, if you think playing with your rubber duckie was fun, then you are sure to enjoy The Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race being held this Saturday, March 21st, behind the Hawaii Convention Center at the Ala Wai Canal. Rubber duckies will be dropped from the Kalakaua Avenue Bridge into the canal at precisely 1:22 p.m. to take full advantage of the tides. However, you will want to arrive early to enjoy all the pre-race fun at the McCully Shopping Center. Activities will include entertainment, games and a Duckie store. Pre-game festivities will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 20,000 duckies have been made available for adoption. The first 50 duckies to finish the race will win prizes for their owners.

The Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race is another demonstration of the . The Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race benefits the The United Cerebral Palsy Association. The United Cerebral Palsy Association provides services to assist those affected by cerebral palsy or others with severe disabilities. 2009 marks the 22nd year for the Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race. Honolulu holds the distinct honor of being home to the first Rubber Duckie Race in the nation.

Be sure to come out and have a quackin' good time at the Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race. To adopt your very own rubber duckie, go to the United Cerebral Palsy website (www.ucpahi.org).

Aloha,
Robin McCann, Robin McCann Realty, LLC

Related Info:

Great Rubber Duckie Race 2008 Honolulu, HI (YouTube)