A Year in Waipahu

  There have been surprises moving from Michigan to O`ahu.   One of the biggest has been listening to K-Rock 101.5fm Honolulu, featuring a playlist that I haven't encountered since childhood.   The station reminds me of the vinyl my older brother played.   I have heard bands come back into existence.  Bands like Judas Priest, April Wine, Iron Maiden. When they play more popular bands, it is often selections you don't hear on other "classic rock" stations.  Songs like, "The Zoo" by the Scorpions.  All this has left me pondering:  How does such a radio station even exist? On O`ahu?! Who is picking the songs? How does this station fit into the local culture? I reached out to K-Rock 101.5fm, to try to get an answer to these questions, but did not receive a reply as of the publication of this post.  There is still time! For months now, I've come up with my own theories. Theory #1: K-Rock 101.5fm Honolulu survives on O`ahu because th...

Peter was human, most at home with nature.  Most notably, mushrooms.   Late last night, my brother-by-another, Peter Savoie, left this plane of existence.  Countless people felt similar affection for him; he was a brother.  There will be time for sharing of more stories, in the future.  For the purposes of this blog, I will share only the part relevant to our subject.  I almost didn't come here because of Peter.  2.5 years ago he was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive gioblastoma (brain cancer).  Due to life circumstances, I became his on-again, off-again primary caregiver, at least in the first year.  This experience changed my life.  Pete beat the odds, and lived far longer than expected. Anyway, as Pete put his "house in order," he re-established his lifelong love with his mate, Bridget.   Because of Bridget's loving care, and Pete's assurances, I felt comfortable following my dream ... which ended up being Waipahu. Pete...

Remy Silva-Morita and her husband, Maurice T. Morita, have become my friends.  When we first got to Waipahu, and ever since, they went out of their way to show Kari and me hospitality.  They invited me onto their weekly radio show on KNDI 1270 AM called Liwliwa Ti Biag or "Spice of Life."   (more about our transition to a podcast in a different post), along with their fellow DJ, Kuya Cris.  They invited me to the dance program they run at the church, called "Dance Hawaii." They have treated us with incredible aloha, and I feel blessed. Remy likes to cook.  That is an understatement.   Earlier in life, Remy had wanted to open a restaurant, but life priorities prevented this from happening.  When she first emigrated as a teenager from the Philippines, she worked hard for many years to support her dad's vision of bringing the rest of the family to Hawai`i.  It happened; they accomplished this.  And then of course there was the time and work...