Time For A Holiday in HAWAII

Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day,

Also known as Prince Kuhio Day, is a state holiday in Hawaii in the United States. It is observed on March 26 every year and honors Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, one of the best-known leaders in Hawaii’s history. 

He is best remembered for his successful effort to get congress to pass the 1920 Hawaiian Homes Commission Act to provide homesteads for native Hawaiians. He also introduced a bill in 1919, which requested that Hawaii become part of America as a fully-fledged state. After this bill Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959. Prince Kuhio died in Waikiki, near Honolulu, on January 7, 1922, and a holiday was created to honor him in 1949.

 Prince Kuhio day is celebrated on March 26. There are several festivities that take place on this day. Some more common and traditional celebrations are festivals in the town and parades that pay tribute to his memory as well as bring the town together. The people dress according to their culture and put on a show for all to appreciate where they have come from. 

A Luau is also a traditional celebration on this special day for Hawaii. A Luau is a special way to celebrate a variety of different occasions and on this day it is very likely to see a Luau. In a Luau people come together to eat and enjoy a show presented by many groups of Hula dancers. Hula dancing is most known in Hawaii as a dance most concentrating on the hips of the dancer. As the beats pound to the rhythm of the music so do the hips of the dancer.  

During these festivals you cannot forget to visit a Hawaii beach. Hawaii is known for its breath taking vacation spots. The beach is one of many exotic views in Hawaii. The palm trees sway to the rhythm of the waves and the sunbeams down on your skin. All while enjoying a wonderful time at the towns festival on Prince Kuhio Day. Please remember to wear sunscreen during the hours of sunlight. 

Lets start booking those flights to Hawaii! March 26th is right around the corner! 

As for next week lets take a trip over-seas. Lets explore what adventures and what holiday we can celebrate over there. Stay tuned!

CANADA

:) Today we will be traveling to Canada to see what this "Boxing Day" is all about and what kind of traditions are held by the Canadians during this holiday of theirs. 

BOXING DAY

Boxing day is a holiday celebrated in Canada on December 26th 

Boxing Day is a federal holiday and is listed in the Canadian Labour code as a holiday. However even though it is considered a holiday not all countries in the United Kingdom celebrate it or treat it like a holiday. Although not all celebrate it there are the selective few communities, such as Newfoundland, they close down all stores and not even the post office or mail is running. When Boxing Day lands on a Saturday or Sunday that is a non-working day then employees are entitled to holiday pay on the working day immediately upon their return to work. 

Many people in Canada have the day off of work, so they spend the day post-Christmas shopping for the Boxing Day sales. Shopping is tradition that is done on Boxing Day. Some shoppers even stand in line at the early hours of the day to wait for the store to open. The sales usually last a week but it is common to go the day after Christmas. Apart from the sales in stores there are many sporting events that take place on this day, most people spend the day watching ice hockey. 

The International Ice Hockey Federation world junior hockey championships often start on December 26. The Canadian National team often does well in this event. The Spengler Cup ice hockey tournament, which is played in Davos, Switzerland, is also shown on major sports television channels. The Canadian National men's  team has known to do quite well in this tournament, making it even more exciting for Canada to cheer on their team. 

Boxing Day is seen as a holiday to go post-Christmas shopping and relish in all the holiday sales while also spending the day keeping up with The Spengler Cup in ice hockey. 

Tune in for next week! I am thinking of going somewhere tropical or maybe we can take a leap over seas and learn from a WONDERFUL Holiday over there! :D

Let Us Celebrate in South Africa!

Day of Reconciliation 

Day of Reconciliation is a public holiday celebrated on December 16 in South Africa. This public holiday is celebrated as a vow that was taken by the Afrikaners who had moved inland to escape the clutches of british colonialism. This vow serves as a reminder of peace through the new government. Peace was a battle that was difficult to achieve until the new government.

The Afrikaners invaded a land that was not their own, a land where the Zulu people resided. The Afrikaners decided to build a church in a land that belonged to the Zulu people and so the Zulu people retaliated. This battle was known as the 'Battle of Blood River.' Thousands of deaths took place on this day. After this brutal battle, South Africa suffered as a whole, a great loss and tragedy. 

Day of Reconciliation is celebrated as a day to come together for the sake of Africa's future. 

South Africa comes together in celebration of the long weekend beginning on a thursday with a festival. At this festival you can appreciate many snacks that are sold while the town gathers together in the Theatre of Cape Town and enjoy films as a community. 

Throughout the long weekend many other events and performances take place in Cape Town's city. It is a time for the community to come together and bound for the future of their country. After the battle that shed the blood of many the people can finally live together as one. This day represents a Vow that the people have taken in order to save the future of South Africa and create peace among all.