Twelve Days of Christmas

[opihikao]

Being the season is upon us, let's play the "Twelve Days of Christmas" and relate our Puna to the famous song.

With all the challenges we face, personally and in our community, there is time for hope. In our home, we are asking Akua for guidance, strength, compassion, forgiveness, wisdom, and protection (not always in that order). We combine our culture with the Christmas spirit of the Western world, with great hope that together, we find that human beings are all our ohana.

Our local version is silly, but fitting in our environment:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GoMmIEKgks

Now, the rules are as follows:

1) List what Puna needs are starting with "On the First Day".

2) Include what keiki and kupuna will benefit from.

3) Make sure you include our Veterans, and all "warriors".

4) No political statements; just "wishes" for our Puna.

5) Whimsical (ie. unicorns, etc.) wishes are wonderful, as is Santa.

6) Attached songs if words escape you. Christmas songs only.

7) Hug your children and your loved ones as you think of your entry.

8) Live life to the fullest, hurt no one (unless provoked, just sayin'), and keep faith that one day, this list we compile will be realized. I believe. Do you?

Perhaps, there will be a prize at the end. []

Thank you, Mr. Tucker, for such a venue. Bless you, Sir. Feel free to delete if this is inappropriate.

Merry Christmas to ALL!!! []

[Guest]

Wow this was really good Opihikao, That version you showed is awesome. My boys and I caught ourselves humming and singing along, and then we all just laughed. Thank you. Well now that they are in bed I will give it a holiday try.
ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY PUNA GAVE TO ME,

1)1 hundred and fifty thousand taken from the kieki.
2)2 Goats that eat albesia TREES
3)3 survival skills
4)4 working wages
5)5 flesh eating diseases
6)6 loose dogs
7)7 tax increases
8)80 thousand GMO acres
9)9 roosters crowing
10)10 new police officers
11)11 homeless where cash and carry use to be.
12)12 reasons why justice wont prevail for the ROYAL family.


P.S Sorry been hard to find the spirit this year, hopefully many will do better. If not, please send my prize to the "Thank you sir, may I have another foundation"

[nana valley]

Okay, I'll have a go at this:
On the twelth day of Christmas my Puna gave to me,
1 fruited papaya tree []
2 blooming orchids to admire
3 groups of banana trees (plenty to share with neighbors)
4 feral chickens (who eat the bugs and coquis)[]
5 unforgettable golden streaked sunsets (well more than that, actually)[8D]
6 palm trees a-swaying
7 friendly neighbor dogs (who stand guard over our neighborhood)
8 short miles to Pohoiki to watch the waves, the keiki, the surfers
9 roasted turkeys from our church(for the community on Thanksgiving)
10 (million) hugs and blessings to our warriors, present and past []
11 strong men a-shoveling on my water line
12 grand orange trees
------------------ OR -------------------------------

http://www.huapala.org/ChristReligious/T...stmas.html

He who hoots with owls at night cannot soar with the eagles in the morning.

[rainyjim]

1). Geothermal funded (free to public) Light-Rail circling the island.
2). Geothermal funded (free to public) daycare (waldorf/kamehameha quality-level)
3). Geothermal funded (free to public) schoolcare (waldorf/kamehameha quality-level)
4). Geothermal funded local work relief programs based on F.D.R.'s 'New Deal' providing local jobs for: Invasive species eradication (Tibouchina, Clidemia, Albezia, et. al.) and endemic species revitilization.
5). Geothermal funded local work relief programs based on F.D.R.'s 'New Deal' providing local jobs for: local farms practicing diversified agriculture with the intent to provide food security for the island and eliminate the need to import our islands food supply.
6). Eliminate 'one-time' use containers such as fast food wrapprs and plastic bags - these are the litter and trash you see littering our beautiful island.
7). Geothermal funded healthcare facilities in each district.
8). Geothermal funded free healthcare for residents.
9). Develop more coastal areas into 'safe' swim spots for children and elderly - thinking similar to ahalanui, as in: stairs/hand rails for ease of enty and protected by walls for calmer / smoother waters for children and elderly.
10). Geothermal funded 'SNAP' program focused on 3 locally grown meals per day rather than xx amount per month. Disabling abuse of supplemental assistance.
11). Subdivisions incorporate into towns / villages with own system of governance.
12). Those seeking justice for unsolved crimes finding peace.

[opihikao]

Love it! The creative thoughts are appreciated! It is indeed difficult in these times we live in, to have that good old holiday spirit. You have reignited my wish for a happy, safe, and hopeful Christmas for all.

gypsy69, nana, rainyjim, let's see if anyone else want's to add to our holiday spirit building. [] (*Posted it early so we all can think about it, and y'all are really impressive.)

I'm still thinking and composing, contemplating with Christmas music blasting in the background.

It is indeed the most wonderful time of year for our keiki and mo'opuna, and should be for all. Despite the challenges, somehow, Christmas and Hannukah makes us all more loving and kind as human beings (hopefully).

Enjoy the season and mahalo for the jolt to be cheerful! [] Going back to laundry, thinking about my list, and wishing all a Merry Christmas!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqGpMxtWWBQ&list=RD_IeV6fy2lLs

ETA: The whole performance in Vienna - The Three Tenors Christmas Concert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IeV6fy2lLs

Fabulous!

[TomK]

Thank you so much, Opihikao. Those couple of links to the Vienna concert were particularly moving. My mother is Austrian and have spent many happy weeks with my rather extended family in Vienna/Austria but haven't been able to do so in many years now. I always think of those visits this time of year.

I'm not going to add to the 12 nights of Christmas thing, I'm not talented enough to do so, but for many years I've looked for the pidgin version of the "Night before Christmas". I used to hear it on the radio every time Pam visited this time of year years ago but never found out who actually did it, so am hoping someone can give me a clue.

It's similar to this:

http://youtu.be/K3bclMuFwuE

but this isn't the one, so if anyone knows what I'm talking about, please let me know! There's also a version of Silent Night that has English, German and Hawaiian language verses. Always meant to buy the song but it's been a while since I last heard it. Suspect I'll find it online though.

Thank you!

[opihikao]

Aloha, Tom, and welcome home! How beautiful Austria must be especially during the holidays. I always wanted to be a Von Trapp! []

There was a man who was from Hilo named Kent Bowman, aka "KK Kaumanua", a comedian from the old days. He was the first that came to mind when you asked about the pidgin "Night Before Christmas". Is this the one? If so, enjoy, and Mele Kalikimaka to you and Pam!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXZRxXwM9mI

[Kapohocat]

Maybe this one - http://youtu.be/-GoMmIEKgks it's my favorite.

[TomK]

Opihikao - thank you, I think that's the one! It's not quite how I remember it so there may be another version out there, but it's very close and given the years since I last heard it that could be it. Thank you again.

[Shoresresident]

I decided to write down my thoughts on twelve things that people in Puna need to have more of!

1. Compassion
2. Respect
3. Patience
4. Humbleness
5. Kindness
6. Gratefulness
7. Happiness
8. Big smiles
9. Caring Personalities
10. Love
11. Laughter
12. Peace