Robin McCann

The Great Aloha Run will be held February 16th, in Honolulu. The Hawaiian name for this race is "Ke kukini me ke aloha pau‘ole", which means "the race with compassionate love". The race is another example of the Aloha Spirit, the spirit of the people of Hawaii.

The word aloha represents the vision of the Great Aloha Run:

A - Aloha Spirit: the spirit of giving and sharing
L - Lima Kokua" (helping hands): the spirit of cooperation and working together
O - "‘Ohana" (sense of family): bringing families and communities together
H - Health: Hawaii is the health state
A - Alliance, military and civilian communities working together in friendship.

The Great Aloha Run (GAR) is an 8.15 mile foot race. The race begins at the Aloha Tower and ends at the Aloah Stadium. Everyone of any age can participate in the event. There are divisions for wheelchairs and handcycle competitors, a division for serious runners (Elites) and for those who just want to walk the course (Back of the Pack). There is a division for military personnel (Sounds of Freedom) and a division for walkers, pushed wheelchairs, walking sticks and baby strollers. Over 20,000 are expected to participate in this year's event.

The Great Aloha Run has raised over $7.6 million and benefited over 100 charities since it began 25 years ago. The funds raised by the event are awarded to non-profit health organizations and community groups throughout the islands of Hawaii.

The Great Aloha Expo will be held on February 13, 14, and 15. There is still time to register if you want to join in the fun. The final day for online registration is Sunday (February 8).

It is cherry blossom time and time for the sakura celebration, which will be held this weekend in Sakura Town, otherwise known as Wahiawa.

"Sakura" is a Japanese word derived from the word "sakuya," which means "blooming." Wahiawa is the only place in the islands where the cherry tree can thrive. Wahiawa has the coldest climate on the island of Oahu, allowing the trees to thrive. The first sakura trees were planted in 1973 by the Wahiawa Nikkei Civic Association.

The celebration of the cherry blossoms will be held this weekend in Sakura Town (Wahiawa). There will be three separate events. The first event, "Sakura Matsuri" (Cherry Blossom Festival), will be held at the Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission, on Saturday, January 31, from 7 to 9 p.m. The evening will include Japanese taiko drums, music and dance. The Cherry Blossom Count will be there as well. For advance tickets, call Evelyn at 621-3659 or, if you choose, you may purchase tickets at the door for $5.00.

The second event, "Sakura Safari-Hana Mi", will be held on February 7th. There will be two trolley tours, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. The Sakura Safari is a trolley ride which tours Wahiawa and its cherry trees. The trolley ride will be followed by a luncheon and entertainment. Tickets will be sold the morning of the trolley tour for $18 and an additional $5 for those who opt to participate in the luncheon. The trolley tour begins at the Wahiawa Ryusenji Soto Mission. For more information, call 306-1876.

The third and final event will also be held on February 7th at 1:45 p.m. at the Wahiawa Botanical Garden with a "Gifu Sakura No Kai Friendship Tree Planting Ceremony".

If you are a plant enthusiast or just like to enjoy the beauty of nature, this is an event you will want to attend. It is a very unique experience celebrating and viewing the beautiful cherry blossoms in a Hawaiian setting.

Aloha, Robin

Related Events:

57th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival

Chaminade University has been recognized as a College of Distinction by Student Horizons, Inc. The recognition by this highly esteemed organization allows Chaminade University to be listed in the reknown college guide, Colleges of Distinction. Only 200 colleges in the nation have received this high honor.

Colleges chosen for inclusion in the college guide must meet all four of the Colleges of Distinction criteria, undergo an application process and must be nationally recognized by the educational community. The colleges must also be valued by employers and graduate schools for outstanding preparation of its students.

Chaminade University proudly demonstrates the characteristics of Colleges of Distinction. The University provides innovative curriculum and offers special programs to its students. Class size is small and classes are taught by professors who know their students by name. The Chaminade campus has a fine residential community offering leadership development, co-curricular involvement and offers a myriad of cultural experiences to their students.

Chaminade University is located in Honolulu just two miles from famous Waikiki Beach . The University sits on a hillside with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean from Diamond Head to the downtown area of Honolulu . Chaminade University is a private Catholic university established on the island of Oahu in 1955. The university is a co-educational liberal arts teaching university offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Chaminade also offers evening and online courses.

If you and your student are looking for an exceptional college, I would like to suggest that you consider the excellent educational opportunities provided by Chaminade University . An open house for high school students is scheduled for Saturday, February 21 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm.

Aloha, Robin

Chaminade University Links:

Events for High School Students

Requirements for Entering Freshmen

YouTube Chaminade Channel

Hawaii has been ranked the highest state in the nation by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. Hawaii topped the nation with 82.4% of its people feeling they are satisfied with their standard of living. Hawaii also ranked second when it came to those who felt their life was thriving.

The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index is a survey to determine how satisfied people are with their standard of living. The survey was conducted nationwide, polling 1,000 people per day by phone. The survey began in January and ended in November of 2008.

On a national basis in the beginning of the year, most people felt their life was thriving. However, after mid-August when the financial melt-down began to rear its ugly head, this perception changed dramatically. Nationally the figure now stands at 60% of the people feel they are struggling and worrying more about finances.

Although Hawaii residents are concerned about the national economy, Hawaii ranked #4 when it came to optimism regarding the economic slowdown. The residents of Hawaii ranked 44^th in being less worried about its impact on their standard of living.

This is the first year that the Well-Being Index results were reported for individual states. In the past, the survey results were only assessed on a national basis. I believe the reason for these high marks in satisfaction and optimism stems from our island lifestyle. We are surrounded by natural beauty. Islanders take time to stop and smell the orchids. I think the very air of Hawaii is calming to the soul. This is not something that one can really explain. It is one of those things in life that your must experience for yourself.

I am very happy to report that I share the feelings of the majority in Hawaii - happy, satisfied and optimistic about the future.

Aloha, Robin

If you enjoy anything "under the sea" or have ever wanted to be a marine biologist, then this is the perfect opportunity for you.

The Waikiki Aquarium invites you to its free hands-on training sessions January 13th - 29th. Training sessions will be held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Saturday sessions will be held at 9 a.m. until noon. Tuesday and Thursday session will be held from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Those attending the training will learn about the various species and their habitats which are on exhibit at the Aquarium. In addition, they will learn about Hawaii 's ocean ecosystem, rare species and how to help protect marine life for generations to come.

Volunteers to the Waikiki Aquarium not only receive a fine education about Hawaii's ocean ecosystem, they also receive other benefits as well; membership in the Friends of Waikiki Aquarium, free admission and discounts for Aquarium programs and the gift shop. Volunteers normally work one two-hour shift per week for a six month period.

Established in 1904, the Waikiki Aquarium is home to over 3,000 marine specimen and 500 marine species and was. The Aquarium has always been recognized for its outstanding research in marine life husbandry. Exhibits include The Coral Farm, Edge of the Reef and Hunters on on the Reef.

The Waikiki Aquarium is visited by locals and tourist alike. It is among the top ten visitor attractions in the state. More than 320,000 visit the Aquarium each year.

To learn more about the Waikiki Aquarium Volunteer Program:

Volunteer Hawaii - Waikiki Aquarium webpage

Waikiki Aquarium: Call 440-9020 or visit their website at www.waquarium.org

The Waikiki Aquarium is located at 2777 Kalakaua Ave., across from Kapiolani Park .