Hacks for University of Hawaii at Hilo Students living in Hilo Part II

Welcome (back) to Hilo, UH Vulcans Part II.  This particular blog incorporates holidays as well

1.  Stargazing around Hilo (and just outside of Hilo) that are FREE!

• Moon Hill - Gosh how do I explain this.  It's just past Alae Cemetary Road and yeah....I'll find a way to GPS this bugga.
• Puna just past 4 corners, go straight instead of turn right for Wai Opae/Kapoho.  You'll find Kumukahi Light House and the best place to stargaze in Puna.

2. Best Spots to Watch Fireworks (without the crowd):

• Imiloa Parking Lot
• Various Points on the Puainako Road Extension
• At to top of Ponohawai and Komohana 
• Hilo Soccer Fields
• Same Moon Hill

3.  Holiday Events to look forward to (FREE):  

• Most holidays have Parades.  Fun to see but if you're just driving in town to shop, keep in mind you may get stuck behind a long line of floats and horses
• September Hilo KWXX Hoolaulea - Usually a Saturday late September 20 something.  This year it's being help on Saturday September 26, 2015

Just to give you an idea how big Hoolaulea is.  Did I mention it is FREE!

• Hawaii Island All Nations Powwow - There are a lot of people that are part Native American and they gather in late September to celebrate their culture
• Halloween - There's a tradition of Obake stories and ghost hunting.  A lot of times, we visit the so-called haunted places: Babies Cry, Hilo High School, etc.  Everyone here has their favorite spot

Old Hilo Memorial Hospital a.k.a Babies Cry -  Creepy as all hell...especially at night

• Black and White Night (Hilo Bay Front) - First Friday of November, all the shops will be open late and various music groups will be playing.

It's an old flyer but you get the picture. Very fun night but also very crowded.  Check the Downtown Improvement Association (DIA) Website for actual date every year.

 

• Black Friday Shopping - I'm not a huge shopper but those of you that are, you can wait in line from 2am at Prince Kuhio Plaza for the door buster at 6 or 7 when the mall opens for a chance to win a shopping spree and enjoy all the great sales.
• Red and White Night (Hilo Bay Front) - First Friday of December, similar deal as B&W Nite but a bit low key.
• FIRST FRIDAY EVERY MONTH - Hilo Bay Front Shops are open later and usually have events and food trucks.

4.  Check the local Calendar section of the Newspaper  (Some Events are FREE, Others not):

   I always stumble upon events that usually are not that well known.

• Tribune Herald: Event Calendar
• Big Island Now: Arts & Entertainment
• West Hawaii Today: Calendar

5.  Check out various Factories, Farms, and Gardens (NOT FREE):

• Nani Mau Garden
• Onomea Botanical Gardens
• Panaewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens (FREE!):  I'm a HUGE fan of their Petting Zoo on Saturdays 1:30-2:30pm                                                                                    
• I adopted these two to support the Enrichment Program within the Zoo since it's a free Zoo.  Jellybean is the cute Miniature Zebu and Jose is the Standoffish Llama (unfortunately, poor Jose just passed away. R.I.P)

BONUS:

I HIGHLY recommend going to the Zoo for the Christmas at the Zoo event.  It's one of the best things I did as part of their Enrichment Program.

X-Mas Photos

I also recommend Joining the Enrichment Program at the Zoo if you're a huge fan of animals or planning to work with animals for school/work.

Hacks for University of Hawaii at Hilo Students living in Hilo Part I

Welcome back to school, UH Hilo Vulcans!  A brand new semester and for many, a brand new home.
I will recommend you look up on Google and ask Siri where these places are because it's way too tiring to hyperlink EVERYTHING (don't forget to add Hilo to the name because these are common names)!  This is stuff that my group of friends and I did to to keep ourselves busy.

Here are just a few tips on Random things that'll help you survive the semester:

1.  What do I do in a town that essentially closes at 7pm?

• Go Sing Karaoke - Most of these places will give you free appetizers if you order a drink - definitely better than peanuts 

• Go Star Gazing on Mauna Kea at the Visitor Center - granted not Hilo but still something to do
• Go to the beach to watch the stars or have a picnic at night on a full moon: I recommend Carl Smith Beach Park
• Go and find all the porn shops and check them out - yeah, we were that bored

2.  I have the munchies, it's late and I don't know what's open after 11pm.  Try:

• Fast Food Joints: Mcy D's, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, 7/11
• Supermarkets that close after 12
• Safeway closes after 12
• KTA closes at midnight
• Walmart closes at 1pm
• Ken's Pancake House - This on is a typical one but open 24/7
• Zippys - normally open until 11pm but 24/7 on Friday & Saturday 
• Kampai's Sake and Ramen - open 5pm to 1pm

3.  I'm craving a bit of ethnic food.  Where do I go?

If you want more info Click HERE.

• Thai
• Thai Smile
• Naung Mai Thai Kitchen
• Chiang Mai
• Tina's Garden Cafe

• Indian
• Kamana Kitchen - AMAZING Lunch Special
• Pakistani
• Akmal's Indian and Pakistani Kitchen
• Chinese
• Hilo Rice Noodle Soup
• 
  
• Vietnamese
• Pho Viet
• New Saigon
• Pho 808
• Hilo Rice Noodle Soup
• Yen's Cafe
• Japanese
• Takenoko
• Sakura Restaurant (on Kilauea St across from the County Buildings)
• Miyo's
• Kampai
• Kenichi Restaurant
• Greek (only Gyros)
• Pizza Ala Slice - This is the closest you'll get but their Gyro Dinner/Sandwich is amazing!
• Italian
• Cafe Concerto 

4.  Need something to do during the day?

• Volcano National Park (obviously)
• Mauna Kea just before Sunset
• Beaches along Kalanianaole Avenue 
• Carl Smith a.k.a. 4 Mile
• Richardson
• Onekahakaha
• Leleiwi
• Kings Landing
• Chocks
• Drangers
• Break Wall

• Go to Waterfalls
• Rainbow
• Akaka Falls
• Boiling Pots

5.  I need a quiet place to study and Starbuck EVERYWHERE is filled.

• My super secret spot I never shared with anyone (but now that I've graduated, I don't mind sharing)

UNCLE BILLY's Store - Kope International

It is the sweetest spot to get shit done!

Not only does this store/cafe have great ice cream for hot days, but you can also get some of the best loose leaf teas and sandwiches (I LOVE getting loose leaf bergamot (a.k.a. Earl Grey) tea and a Lox 'n Beagal)

They key is to go into the back room!

You walk through the main store, Past the Cash Register, Past the refrigerated section and into the back room that looks like it's for employees but REALLY it's an extra sitting room that is comfortable and best of all, QUIET.

It's the absolute best way to study and have time alone time.

BONUS:

If you're up for a hike and some beautiful waterfalls, check out my other ultra secret spot.

Also, now that I'm leaving the Island for an adventure soon, I don't mind sharing it with everyone :D
Granted over the years the word has gotten out and more and more students are going there but back when I used to go there, you'd get that place all to yourself.
To find it check out this blog.

If you want to check out different sites around the island, check out my board.

If you have any suggestions and want to add things for all the new residents in Hilo, Please leave a Comment!

Secret Waterfall Spot on Big Island of Hawaii

Hawaii is known for its tropical beauty, white pristine beaches and glorious waterfalls, but unfortunately, everyone knows about the "popular spots".

Why, it's down right frustrating if you're trying to find the perfect combination of awe inspiring backdrop, a fun place to explore, and hardest of all, peace and tranquility.

Take a closer look

As a local, I know I get irked when all my favorite spots for a bit of R & R is inundated with everyone and their grandmother, and their calabash cousins!


But, there is one area that I find to be my absolute favorite spot because it includes every one of those key aforementioned elements for the perfect spot.

It may not seem like much but the trail to the waterfalls begins with a slight uphill 1 mile hike into Piihonua watershed

Once you reach the outer boundaries of the forest, turn right and you'll find this enchanting path.  From there just follow it all the way down until you see waterfalls.

Still not convinced...?  

How about I show you some spheres of this areas during a dry spell?  Let's start from here:

(click on the hyperlink to see it as a sphere)

Right where I'm standing has a ladder that will lead you to a great place to take a dip! 

(same area as 4 pics up)

I won't lie.  It's really cold!

This also happens to be a fun little natural pool to swim in and if you swim further towards the left and towards the back, there's a small waterfall and lava tube.  If you choose not to swim and would rather stay dry, well, let me show you the way.

I'm at the base of the first pool but if you follow that wall down to the end, you'll find a path that you can climb down and end up at the second pool I'm in front of.

At the second pool and now below the area depicted above.

 A bit further down from the second pool and different angle of the same area.

Hiking further down the river bed.

I'd recommend you check out this place before more people find out, and it's bound to happen soon!  If this doesn't tickle your fancy then....

Get back here and keep walking!

You'll know you're on the right track if you walk across this

...See this while on the bridge, now keep walking straight up.

Now, I'm just going to tell you to keep walking....for 6 miles and you'll know when you've reached the end when you pass by construction materials as well as crossed a bridge with ponds on each side.

Let me know if you saw the tree.  You'll know which one I'm talking about.

Adventure Takes Us to a Small Island in Hiroshima, Miyajima

We arrived at a very soggy and wet Hiroshima and almost dreaded our day on Miyajima Island.


After we left the dock, a light mist cloaked what laid behind us as well as ahead.


The briny scent, the crisp breeze and dark platforms on the surface of the calm ocean occupied our mind as we away sight for land.


Suddenly, as the mist part, the sharp orange color of the Otorii stood out and served as a guiding beacon for our vessel to come home.


Veiled mountains stood as the backdrop for our destination and the town below was dwarfed by nature's beauty.


I was anxious explore this mystical island but it was official:

It was love at first sight.

When I think about magical locations that inspire legends or sites that held history for centuries, Miyajima is one such place.

The trails follow the natural contour of the island's coast and all along the way there is always something to catch your eye.

Miyajima island is a real manifestation of what a modern day society should be in relation to nature.  Nature is still very vast and beautiful but substantially dwarfed man and their occupation on this magical island.

Ikutsushima Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also designated by the Japanese government as a National Treasure or noted for it's historical, artistic and traditional significance and value to Japanese Culture.

Senjokaku or Hokoku Shrine is one of the oldest wooden structures of Japan built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.  The five storied Pagoda was built in 1406 and predates the wooden shrine.

10 Things I Recommend Doing When Moving to a New City/Country

7 years ago, I moved to Japan to study abroad for a year.  It wasn't that long but then again, it was VERY LONG!

Things I did to make time go by a lot faster and make my transition easier.



1. Explore Your New Home.

I was living in an apartment complex called the "Exchange Student Building".  The one good thing was that a LOT of us were new and just moved there at the same time.  It meant that a whole flock of us would go explore Saitama and Tokyo together and it was really helpful because I didn't have good Japanese but a few of the students had exceptional Japanese skills that came in handy.\


2. Journal/Blog/Keep a Diary

I have to say that this is a VERY crucial part to your whole experience because if you are very diligent about your journaling, when you go back to it after some time has past, you'll be able to look back at everything you're felt and did and realize how much you went through.

When you move to a new country, you'll find that you're sad and lonely and miss home but you can also talk about the random market of plants and animals that you passed and it shocked you and made you forget about your sadness.

I've found that writing is VERY therapeutic - hence why I have this blog - and it also help you sort out and realize some of the things that you are currently facing.

You're stressed?  Why...?  Maybe it's the constant bombardment of a language you don't know how to speak and it's frustrating and confusing and makes you wish you were home.  What do you do to solve this? Well, that's for you to decide but 3-10 should help you decide what course of action to take.

That sort of thing.




If you're curious, I have my clothes hanging indoors this particular weekend because a typhoon was going on outside.  If you journal, you can remember random things like that :P


3. Make Friends

This helps to make #1 VERY easy because sometimes, no matter how safe a place is - and let me assure you, Japan is REALLY SAFE - I tend to like the buddy system when exploring.  It also makes for a great time if you can experience things together rather than alone.





4.  Stave off Home Sickness by Keeping BUSY.

Sometimes when you're in a new place, it can be daunting to try and do things, especially if you move to a new place where your first language is not the predominant language.  As I mentioned in #1, a few people would have great language skills and it would help us get around but that doesn't mean hole yourself up in your new home if you or your friends don't speak the language.

I had some really great experiences going on excursion and exploring places by myself or even joining a group to meet new people.

Sight See, Running in new locations, GeoCache...Anything!


5. Learn the Language and Culture of Your New Home

If you're just moving to a place that speaks the language, GREAT!  You're ahead of the game!

BUT if you move to a place that is speaking a different language and has a different culture, I think it would be silly not to explore that.  Maybe even arrogant as well and you owe it to all the people you're going to be interacting with to learn about them.

It's great to know why people are the the way they are.  What is their history?  Does a religion heavily influence their daily life?  What holidays are celebrated and why?

TRY their food!  It may be odd or too different but slowly test your comfort zone and expand your horizons.  You never know.  You just may like what you eat.

Your new neighbors and friends will be grateful that you took the time to learn more about them, too!

6. Join a Club/Activity of Interest.

This was actually one of the best advise I got from my mentor.  She told me to join a club and STICK with it for the full duration!  I was the only foreigner in the Kyudo club and yeah, it was difficult but at the end, I made such great friends and learned a REALLY old skill.

I have some of the fondest memories in that club but I wouldn't trade it for any of my other experiences because it made such an impact on my personal growth.







7. Talk to Random People

It may sound weird but random people will likely strike up a conversation with you - so hopefully you did #5 - and make a new friend #3.  It's a curious thing when you're talking to a foreigner or in this case if you're a foreigner and they are the local, there is usually no shame to ask a complete stranger any questions you may have.  Whether it's where is the nearest supermarket or why are those people dressed like that?  I found that there seems to be an understanding for someone seeking knowledge and someone that has it and there is no shame between them.

It's best if you ask in the local language but if you must ask someone in your first language:
A) Talk REAL SLOW.  Just as you're having a hard time with how fast they talk, keep in mind they will with your language as well.

B) Be prepared to write it down because sometimes they may read better than they speak and they can also be shy.

BONUS: Ask an older person.  Most times, if it's someone around your age or younger, they can be shy and may not have the confidence to talk to you and may just tell you, "I don't speak" or the like just to save themselves the embarrassment.  If they look to be in their mid to late 20's and older, I'd say it should be fine to approach them.

Getting back on topic, if you talk to random people, they may tell you something that only a local will know.  Like great places to eat, a hidden sanctuary, etc.

It's work it.




8. Join Couch Surfing

If you like to adventure or just meet new people - whether it's locals or other expats - this is the group to join!  I always recommend that people join, especially if they like to travel.  It's a cheap way to travel because you stay a complete strangers homes with the understanding that it's just plain kindness of their heart.

It's also a great way to do #1-7 all in one meeting.  You'll learn from one another and have a network of other travelers or friendly people that will offer you advice or tips for your new home or for a place that you maybe visiting in the near future.

9. Travel

You're in a new place and enjoying your new home but I think you should travel around the different areas by or outside your new home.  Compare and contrast it to your old home and your new home.  See if there are any famous locations that all the locals recommend and also just wander and get lost in a new area.

You being in a new place is like your extended travel until it becomes home but one of the odd things I found out about traveling was looking forward to coming back to your new/current home.

It's an odd realization that you've finally started to relate your new place as "Home".




10. Take Pictures and Enjoy Yourself

Self explanatory!

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