Hawaii in the Movies

Can this just be my life please?

If you’re a regular around this blog, you know that my dream in life is to move to Hawaii. Alas, I’m stranded in the Canadian wilderness (and by wilderness I mean city) so I have to make due with celluloid sand and surf. Here are my favourite movies set in Hawaii in no particular order:

1. Blue Crush

Sanoe Lake (far right) was born in Kauai, which just hapens to be the island where I plan to live.

I saw Blue Crush when I was 13 and immediately hatched a plan to move to Hawaii after high school. My one regret in life is not doing exactly that. Personal history aside… Blue Crush is part of a rare and elusive movie genre: the feminist chick flick. Also, after watching Kate Bosworth’s stunt double surf giant waves, I like to ask everyone in sight (including cats) the ultimate question, “Do you think you can surf it for real?” DO YOU… DO YOU??? The movie is based on one of the best pieces of travel writing ever.

2. Lilo and Stitch

Ohana means family and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. I have a Stitch stuffed animal. He sits on my bookshelf and looks awesome. My cat has a crush on him. No big deal.

3. 50 First Dates

I know it’s a stupid Adam Sandler movie, but it’s a stupid Adam Sandler movie that makes me makes me cry. Every. Single. Time. She just can’t remember anything…  gah… I want to eat fried Spam at the Hukilau Cafe and make waffle cabins with Drew Barrymore. EVERY MORNING.

4. The Descendants

My favourite movie of all time. So. Damn. Good.

5. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

I saw this 5 times in the theatre (I was going through a bad breakup.) Forgetting Sarah Marshall is fucking funny. Mila Kunis is gorgeous. What more do you want?

6. Soul Surfer

Hercules on a surfboard!

This is a super cheesy biopic about Bethany Hamilton, a pro surfer who’s arm was severed in a shark attack when she was 14-ish. Ok… so real-life Bethany Hamilton is probably the toughest person alive, but this movie isn’t exactly good. HOWEVER, you get to see Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid and Hercules himself in the roles of ridiculously tanned parental surf rats. Also… there are some seriously over-emphasized Christian undertones that I find campy and hilarious. And Carrie Underwood (who’s a terrible actor btw) plays a youth minister. What? I know. Come for the scenery, stay for the so-terribly-cheesy-it-circles-back-to-good moment when Bethany realizes God has a plan for her (spoiler alert: God likes it when people get their arms bitten off by sharks.)

Anyways, those are my recommendations for visiting Hawaii from the comfort of your futon. Or couch, if you’re one of those people.

Magazine Articles to Read Online

via weheartit.com

This is one of the best pieces of magazine writing I’ve ever come across. It inspired the movie Blue Crush and it’s a fantastic look at Hawaiian surf culture and the girls who are raised in it.

This is an interesting article on Frida Kahlo from a feminist website.

This is a National Geographic article on the book/film Into the Wild, about the travels and untimely death of Christopher McCandless. Into the Wild is one of my favourite books EVER.

Everyday Magic

To the guy who took this photo: Sir, you chose to title it "Maui Wowie" and for this you are truly wonderful.

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.

Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”

- Roald Dahl

Coconut Career Spell

Herb Kane's "Hina"

This spell came about haphazardly over the weekend, but it is my favorite of all the spells I’ve ever written.

Tonight’s new moon was quickly approaching and I had a career prosperity spell in mind but not the necessary ingredients. I needed a large green candle, but all I had was a jar candle from Bath & Body Works that happened to be green but was also “Coconut Leaves” scented. How was I going to work the coconut  scent into this spell? I googled “coconut” and “goddess” and within 5 minutes discovered that Hina, the Hawaiian moon goddess, likes offerings of coconut and is know for being a giving goddess who rewards creativity.

Perfect.

I love it when spells magically come together. Check out all the correspondences:

Hina is a moon goddess – coconuts are her favorite offering – coconuts happen to be like white candles (they won’t interfere with my spell)

Hina also happens to be a goddess of prosperity – the purpose of the spell is prosperity – also, the candle color (green) symbolizes prosperity

Hina particularly rewards creativity – my career is in the arts (writing)

Hina is a triple goddess (like Hecate) who changes with the moon – my spell will change with the moon (prosperity will grow as the moon grows)

I realize this means absolutely nothing if you aren’t a witch, but it’s actually pretty amazing. I’ve never heard of Hina before and yet I discovered that not only would she be helpful, she would be PERFECT to call on for this very specific spell.

I’d like to take credit for this amazing stroke of genius, but I’m pretty sure Hina has something to do with it. I think she wanted to meet me. Which is interesting, considering I’ve had a life-long fascination with Hawaii for no apparent reason, other than the pretty beaches. Tonight should be interesting.

Hawaiian Coconut Career Spell

Carve symbols of prosperity and/or symbols of your chosen profession into a large, green candle.

Light the Candle. Invite Hina to join you.

I usually write a little rhyme or something, but I think sometimes just speaking from your heart is more powerful. Mention your intention (to have a prosperous career, to gain money or success from your craft) and bind it to the moon (“as the moon grows, my prosperity will grow”) and end with “so mote it be” which is kinda like the pagan version of “amen.”

Repeat every night until the full moon (this will take about 2 weeks) or until the candle burns all the way down.

The whole process shouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes each night, but feel free to meditate for awhile on the candle flame.

Remember to thank Hina for helping you.