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GIVE ALOHA FOR CHRISTMAS

By Lynn Cook

The folks at Mutual Publishing are making it very easy to give Aloha for Christmas with two new, truly Hawaiian books. The first is the delightful “Hawaiian Quilt Inspirations - A Journal of Life” by  Patricia Lei Murray, former Miss Hawaii, hula dancer, lauhala weaver, koa woodworker, and, first-and-foremost, an award winning quilt maker. This book comes from her many years of creative quilting. She quilts, she teaches and she gathers the words of wisdom and stories of other quilters. From the first paragraph of her introduction, Patricia Lei gathers us into the creative process.

“Quilters are rare gems usually found in little clusters. The air sparkles with their laughter, stories and tears. Yards of billowing cloth gathers in their laps and at their feet while miles of tiny stitches echo patterns of life. Daily they push through work routines and mothering, and yes, fathering; hoping to carve out a spot of time for themselves, to quilt.”  Her words invite the image of home and hearth; possibly brining visions of a mother or grandmother who lovingly created the treasure at the end of the bed. 

Ask Patricia Lei about the process and she says, “Sometimes in the middle of the night you (I) can be found rummaging through fabric stashes, heart beating faster, eyes twinkling or tearing ... no one sees ... but you know the rush, you feel it. You smile a lot as you discover the perfect fabric pieces for your quilt. A little humming takes place: melody unknown. You choose the path. With a sigh, the dream is born. Your heart is full. Sometimes, you (I) can even get back to bed.”

The humming part comes naturally for Patricia Lei. Her musical talents are known across the state and everywhere she travels. Her voice was the voice of Hawaii for many worldwide Hawaiian promotions. She was an awesome Fairy Godmother in Lee Cataluna and Keola Beamer’s original musical, “You Somebody”, at Diamond Head Theatre. Listen carefully to your local radio station and you’ll catch her holiday hit, “Give Aloha at Christmas”, recorded with the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus.

The second serving of Aloha comes from one of Hawaii’s best story-tellers. The book, “Sam Choy & The Makaha Sons’ -- A Hawaiian Lu’au”, is filled with recipes, music and talk story. Music? Yes, The Makaha Sons -- Moon, John, and Jerome, are regulars on Sam’s Kitchen television show. Sam decided that what was needed in Hawaii was a really good book on Hawaiian luau. Since good Hawaiian music is an integral part of any lu’au, he asked the Makaha Sons to join him in the creation of a lu’au story book, recipe book, with Hawaiian music CD. Sam describes it as the perfect recipe; he blends the flavors and the Sons blend the harmony, “Beautiful”, says Sam. The CD, in its own pocket at the back of the book, has twelve great Hawaiian and Hapa-Haole songs, perfect for the party.

Sam opens the book with, “one of my best memories from childhood is the family gathering, crowded with friends, and tables so full of food that they looked like they would break. I can close my eyes and taste the kalua pig, the squid lu’au, the poi. I can smell the fragrance bouquet from the mix of food that meant just one thing, lu’au!” Talking about the small-kid days of helping his dad cater lu’au, Sam says, “my role was to keep from falling into the giant vat while I stirred the syrup, water and pineapple juice for the punch, and to mix the poi without wearing it on my face, hair and clothes.”

The book is a compilation of Sam’s family favorites, along with some very traditional lu’au recipes. He has folded in some “melting pot” recipes that he calls “backyard lu’au” food, and added in all the “aunties” favorites. Follow Sam’s easy instructions and the result may be your best party ever! The recipes are easy to understand and easy to create. His “how to imu” a pig is step-by-step, easy to follow, and authentic. But Sam knows not everyone has a backyard so the easy-oven Kalua Pig instructions are there too. The “Countdown to Chowdown” section is invaluable for large events, and the “Wicky-Wacky-Tiki-Time” chapter is just plain fun! Every section of the book is beautifully photographed by Douglas Peebles. Oh, by the way, you might notice the title page. It says, “by Chef Sam Choy, as told to Lynn Cook”. Happy Eating and Happy Holidays!

The books are available at Na Mea Hawai’i, Barnes & Noble, Borders Books and other island book stores.