Live For You, Live For Us

This year's 'Ohana Saturday was yet another success! The weather was a perfect cool yet comfortable 80 degrees outside. Which was perfect for our many vendors posted outside.  Since we partnered with the Queen's Center, many of our information booths were targeted to help build a healthier Pacific Islander Community. Those who came were able to get more information on how they could transition to a healthier lifestyle, and also participate in free screenings to help get them jump started in the right direction.

We had a variety of food booths serving island favorites like BBQ chicken, Kalua Pig, Fried Rice, Samoan Chop Suey, Patele's and even some delicious Shaved Ice to keep everyone cool and refreshed. We also had great entertainment provided by Tausala and Leone Saaga's halau. Our keiki were kept busy with fun activities hosted by the Queen's Center and a local face painter and balloon artist. Big mahalo to our planning committee Aunty Joyce and Uncle Sale Ah You, Jacob Fitisemanu and Fui Taukei'aho for their contributions in making this year's 'Ohana Saturday a huge success. Also a big mahalo to all of our family and friends who volunteered their time to help with the set up and break down. We truly couldn't do it without you. Mahalo.

'Ohana Saturday

It's that time of the year again!!! Bring the whole family down to the Hawaiian Cultural Center for the 3rd Annual 'Ohana Saturday! This year we are combining our event with the Utah Pacific Islander Health Summit, with the theme "Live For You, Live For Us." Not only will there be great food and entertainment but this year we will have free health screenings, to encourage a healthier Pacific Islander Community. Feel free to stop on by if you're free. Hope to see you all there!

Poke Challenge

It was that time of the year again...the much anticipated 3rd Annual Poke Challenge. This year, like clockwork, our tickets were sold out way in advance. Our six families came ready to test out their Poke making skills to see who would come out in the end as the reigning victor.

The rules were the same as the past two years. Each team was provided with the necessary ingredients for the most basic Poke recipe which included:

- 10 lbs of Ahi
- Shoyu
- Sesame Oil
- Oyster Sauce
- Pa'a Kai
- Chili Pepper Flakes
- Yellow and Red Onions
- Green Onion
- Garlic

Along with these ingredients, each family was invited to bring two secret ingredients that would distinguish their recipe from the rest. Everyone had ONE HOUR to cut, prepare, and present their creations for the judges and the 100+ taste-testers in attendance that night.

While the families got to chopping and mixing, the crowd was entertained by our very first Musubi Challenge. We had 6 contestants participate in who could be the first to eat 3 musubi's. It was quite entertaining to see all six scarf down the island favorite snack. It definitely helped the time go by a lot quicker.

After the hour was over, it was judgement time. The judges, Sale Ah You of Queen Center, Omai Chricton of Sweet's Island Grill in Provo, and local celebrity Big Buddha, had the honor (some may even think it as a curse) to decided who would be this year's overall winner. Aside from the overall score, the families were critiqued on the following:

Best Presentation
Best Tasting
Most Original

The crowd was then given the honor to vote on their own personal favorite. Needless to say it was a tough decision. After the scores were tallied, everyone awaited the much anticipated answer to the burning question....who was this year's Poke Challenge Champion?!?!?!? And this year it went to Ka 'Ohana Watanabe, with their winning secret ingredient...the Kava in a can drink, Bula. It was a close call, but the judges deemed theirs as the BEST.


Mahalo to all the other families who participated, and we look forward to another successful challenge next year!

SOLD OUT!

Our Pre-Sale tickets for this year's Poke Challenge are officially SOLD OUT!!!! We have reserved a LIMITED amount of tickets for sale at the door, but they are single purchase only. So first come first serve! Excited to see you all there!!!

Poke Challenge 2012

It's that time of the year again!
Tickets are now on sale!
$3 a ticket with a limit of 3 tickets per person.
Be sure to pick them up at the

Hawaiian Cultural Center
741 W Smelter S.
Midvale

Tickets are limited, so first come, first serve!

Call 801 56 ALOHA for more info

Mele Kalikimaka

With it being the Holiday Season, how better to celebrate than with our Native Hawaiian family and friends here in Utah. We had a few special guests at this past Kanikapila last week Friday. All of whom definitely welcomed the Christmas spirit. Mahalo to Uncle Andy Dudoit of Moloka'i for serenading us with his beautiful voice, and also Tausala Utah for their graceful dancing. Who could forget good 'ol St. Nick who just so happened to take some time out of his busy schedule up at the North Pole to be with us here in Midvale, Utah. Here are some photos of those who got to meet the big guy.

*For those who weren't able to get a printed copy, feel free to email us at hawaiianculturalcenter {at}gmail{dot}com for a copy. We apologize we weren't able to get them all printed in time*

Again, on behalf of the Ka Lama Mohala Foundation and the Lei Aloha O Ka 'Ohana staff, we'd like to thank all those who have continually supported us in our cause. We look forward to better serving our Native Hawaiian community in the future, and are excited for the new year.

Mele Kalikimaka ame Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!!!

As we continue to grow and work with our Native Hawaiian Community here in Utah, we are constantly searching for ways to address the needs of our people. With that we would like to invite you take the time to answer the 3 brief questions on the left side of the page.

Mahalo