Is the Hawaiian Language Dead or Alive?
The Hawaiian language makes a comeback. More people are learning the native language of the Aloha State.
O‘ahu Education
Parent to Parent: Our Own Private Today
Applying to kindergarten made us worry about our tomorrows, ruining our todays.
Prepping Your Garden for Winter and Spring
You may have noticed that I haven't blogged about gardening lately, that's because earlier this year our home garden was struggling to grow the vegetables it so easily produced a year ago. Bugs and slugs invaded, and in lieu of…
Beware of Dangerous Plastics
It is hard to believe summer break for the kids is over and it's back to school. Avery has been anxious to get back to preschool after a one-week break. Ensen is very excited to be starting first grade this…
Keiki Snack: Homemade Fruit and Veggie Leathers
It’s getting harder and harder these days to keep Ensen and Avery satisfied with healthier snack options. Who can blame them? Taking dried apricots, fresh fruits, and Wheat Thins to summer fun and preschool each day can get boring for…
Parent to Parent: Benefits of a 26-Minute Power Nap
Last Sunday, I found myself knocked out on the couch at a friend's house shortly before noon. It was a nice two-hour nap after a late night of backyard camping with friends and family coupled with an early 6:30 a.m.…
Embracing Our Children’s Independence
With Fourth of July just around the corner, I couldn't resist writing about a topic near and dear to my heart—Avery, my 3-year-old daughter. My princess! In retrospect, her middle name should have been “Ms. Independence.” From the time she…
Keeping Keiki Safe On the Fourth of July
A recent shopping trip to Sam's Club served as a reminder that Fourth of July is right around the corner. Pallets of boxes containing smokeless pop-pops and party-pulls lined the aisles in an effort to seduce parents and children to…
Preparing for Hurricane Season
The start of June annually signals the beginning of hurricane season here in the Hawaiian Islands. Are you and your family ready? While national weather experts predict a busy hurricane season in the Atlantic region, history tells us that we…
Staying Healthy While Traveling
With summer upon us, thousands of Hawaii families will be heading to points around the world for much needed vacations. The plan is to enjoy a little rest and relaxation, but some of us will unfortunately nurse a cold,…
Grading the Public Schools
We create a comprehensive report card on Hawaii’s public schools, ranking them using data from the state Department of Education.
Helping Your Child Deal with Grief
The devastating tornado that changed so many lives in Moore, Oklahoma last Monday still saddens me every time I think about it. I had just arrived in Memphis, Tennessee for a conference and checked into my hotel room when…
Father’s Day Back Rub T-shirt
A Father's Day gift that involves back rubs, toy cars and your kids…what's not to love? Here's a practical, homemade gift for Dad that involves back rubs and toy cars. Have the kids design a roadmap on the back of…
Life in the Loading Zone: Disco Kidz
Get your groove on! This artsy Chinatown loft hosts dance parties just for kids. It was a rainy Sunday afternoon. It could have been a boring, stir-crazy day stuck in our house, but instead we discovered my kids' new favorite…
We Tried It: Ice Cream Magic
Don't underestimate the power of marketing, especially when it comes to kids. Last week, during dinner at my in-law's house, Ensen mentioned to Nana (the name our kids affectionately call my mother-in-law) that he saw a commercial on television that…
Two Sweet Graduation Treats
The end of the school year is near. Here are sweet ways to celebrate and congratulate your little graduate. Brownie-Pop Graduation Caps Materials: 1 box of brownie mix 1 can of pumpkin purée Mini M&M'S Ghirardelli Squares Fruit leather…
Quick and Healthy Dinners for Busy Hawaii Parents
After a long day at the office, the last thing Kelly and I want to do is spend hours in the kitchen preparing dinner. The kids need to be bathed, cats need to be fed, and homework needs to…
End of the Year Gift For Your Teachers: Breakfast in Bed
Here's an easy, delicious granola recipe that has become a favorite with some of the teachers at my kids' school. We dressed it up a bit and added a bookstore gift card and a colorful spoon. Get the kids…
Locally Grown Tomatoes: Nature’s Candy
There's nothing that makes me prouder than to hear my kids say, “Dad, can I have more broccoli” or “Daddy, I want more yummy tomatoes.” The latter being a common request from our 3-year-old Avery these days. How can…