Hau`oli Pakoa!

Or, if you're Protestant, perhaps I should say, "Hau`oli La I Ala Hou Ai Ka Haku!" Easter in Hawaii is a many splendored thing. While the Catholic and Christian faiths are thriving in the islands, our diverse cultures and faiths bring a wide range of ways to observe Good Friday and Easter Sunday, from midnight mass to lazy beach barbeques.

What are your favorite symbols and customs of the holiday — if any? (Peeps!) What do you plan to do this weekend?

My husband is more of the "Woo hoo! Day off!" persuasion, but he respects people who take it seriously (and I do, kinda... I'll at least go to Easter mass).

I mean, compared to the folks in the Philippines who nail themselves to crosses to reenact Jesus' crucifiction, or the beating of women in Czechoslovakia, spending an hour or so in a church is a small sacrifice.

That's not to say there won't be evil bunny idolatry and egg coloring and egg hunts in our home as well, though!

Comments

Being an out of practice Catholic, Easter is usually at least 3 hours of church service. One hour on Thursday night, one hour on Good Friday afternoon and one hour on Sunday, typically in the morning. Depending on the parish more than likey a First Communion might be thrown in to the Easter Sunday Mass. Of course there is the Lent observation of eating fish (or not eating meat) on Good Friday and maybe a fast as well (one meal for the day).

Nowadays for me it's typically staying at home resting, maybe catch a movie, eating at McDonalds having their Filet-of-Fish sandwich.

This year (for Good Friday) for sure a movie (don't know which one yet), minus the movie hot dog, maybe have Jack-in-the-Box Fish and Chips.

I don't know about Easter Sunday.

I'm going to Big City Diner for a prime rib brunch, by golly.

And I'll be doing drive-by resurrection rejoicing with my new "Wherever Jesus Shops Jesus Saves" bumper sticker.

Go Jesus! We love you, man!

Prime rib? Hmmm. .... I'll have to check that out. ....

I know it's sort of heavy and dark, but the most deeply personal holiday for me is Good Friday.

I like the symbolism of dying to the old, and making ceremony over it. I like the act of evaluating all that had died, all that had been lost or all that had been given up.

Last year on Good Friday, it poured down rain in Aina Haina. My boyfriend and I were drowned rats walking away from a quiet and solemn church service. Perfect for a cup of tea and remembering who we were and who we could become.

Beth, you crack me up. Personally I always liked the "Jesus saves sinners- and redeems them for valuable cash prizes!" and "Jesus, save me from your follwers" stickers.

Jen- day off?? You mean people actually get the day off tomorrow?? You can tell which camp I'm in..

I recently got a Jesus video in the mail (strangely, it was produced in my hometown..) and I'm actually rather curious to see it. So Sunday I'll be dyeing eggs (wish they still sold the vinegar stuff.. the smell of vinegar always reminds me of Easter as a kid) and watching the movie about Jesus.

I already got my candy though- my mom sent a special care package of See's holiday candies, and today the Easter Bunny came by at work. Nothing like turning around to find a huge rabbit with a basket of candy standing right next to you. Wish I'd snapped a photo..

Lisa, what a great idea! I got the video too! I was saving it for a special occasion.

That video was mailed to darn near every household on Oahu, as I understand it, at a price of over a million bucks. I keep meaning to see if it's write-protected, or whether I can tape over it.

Linkmeister, a nice sturdy piece of tape over the hole will fix that write-protection right up.

Of course, not living in Hawaii anymore, I am very curious about what is on that tape as well. Maybe it's a curse, ala the Ring!

phew, I'm glad to know I wasn't individually targeted for salvation :)

I told my mom about the video, and she was instantly suspicious, wanting to know why they were sending it to me- as though I joined some secret cult and didn't tell her or something.

Post a Comment