Sunday

18 01 2026

Aloha Studio Fans!

I went to church this Sunday for the first time in a long time, and it was uplifting. I went searching for a choir to join since leaving the hundred-plus-member Windward Choral Society. Although so very honored to sing under the baton of Susan McCreary Duprey up to now, the evening rehearsal time and location is now difficult for me.

I remembered that my former vocal coach Louise South directed a choir at First Church Christ Uniting in Kailua, Oahu. When I asked about it, she said she moved back to the Kahaluʻu United Methodist, her home church, where she plays the piano and organ.

“We have a nifty quartet right now,” Louise said. “The alto comes sporadically.” (Well, I’m an alto!) “We’d love to have you,” she said.

Weekly rehearsal is 45 minutes long. When does the service start? 9:30. When is the call time? 9:30! 

“There’s no choir loft; we sing amongst the rest of the congregation,” she said.

And so I went.

I enjoyed Pastor Lavinia “Nia” Taukolo’s sermon. In all there were about 20 church goers. I stayed for refreshments afterwards and mingled. 

They had questions for me, the newcomer, so I answered that the church of my youth in Honolulu was Congregational (United Church of Christ), that my mother played organ and piano for the Methodist church in Wahiawā, and that my husband was brought up Methodist.

As a result of this Sunday’s experience, I know I will attend there again.

Blessings,

Rebekah

Kahaluu United Methodist Church Sunday service with Pastor Lavinia “Nia” Taukolo
Across the street is Kahaluu Elementary School
Cynthia’s dog Coconut
Someone distributed papayas, too!

 


 





Countdown to 2026

31 12 2025

Aloha Studio Fans!

Best wishes for the new year 2026! As we say in Hawaiian, Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou! Much love and blessings to you. May all your dreams come true!

~ Rebekah





Staying cozy during the winter holidays

20 12 2025

Aloha mai kākou e Studio fans!  In our islands it is Hoʻoilo, the wet season, and thankfully as I write this the rain is forecasted to stop in five minutes. 

  After sitting my gallery shift at the big Windward Artists Guild /Artists of Hawaii exhibit at the Honolulu Downtown Art Center today (still holiday shopping, anyone?), I’m heading back over the mountains for a neighborhood happy hour. Woohoo! By the way, today is DH’s birthday! 

  On Sunday we’re planning to join my bff Becky and Susan in Waikīkī for brunch, then help Santa Claus with some deliveries.

On Monday we’ll see Ken and Georgia for a meal at the Crouching Lion Inn.  Daughter Ari’s for Christmas Eve—I can’t wait to play with their dachshund Massimo—and then to Helen-and-Marty’s on Christmas Day — and then a get-together with the Jin Dui Sisters on Boxing Day—I’m in the holiday mood, so very blessed and thankful!

  So Merry Christmas, everyone, or, as we say in Hawaiian, Mele Kalikimaka!

Rebekah

  





On aging

1 12 2025

Two souls close to my heart passed over this season. Itʻs what happens when one gets old. But, really, itʻs a celebration of life!

Ivalee Mae Haus Sinclair, who I call my hānai mom and who the younger generation has so very nicely translated to “honorary mother,” lived until age 97 years. She passed on September 30, 2025, in Honolulu.

Rebekah and Ivalee

We put JJ the dog down on Nov. 16. So sad, but it was time. He didn’t eat for three days. He was a very good boy.

JJ and me

Rest in aloha.

Be well ~

Rebekah





Wedding anniversary

25 08 2025

Aloha mai kākou e studio fans!

I went to Moku o Keawe this past weekend.

Thinking he’d better use his Hawaiian Airlines frequent flyer miles, DH booked a weekend in Kailua-Kona to celebrate our wedding anniversary—41 years of marriage. DH (darling husband), refers to himself as my easel, and this weekend was a test. 

Besides having “kupuna status,” I have been living with sciatica. 

Five years ago, I had back surgery. 

Two days ago, a new shooting pain went down my right leg. It hurt to walk, and my physical balance was off. My PCP’s nurse advised me to go to the emergency room at Castle Medical Center where I could be evaluated.

Long story short, the physician at Castle MC sent me home with pills to take three times a day.

Feeling a little bit better, I told DH I could go to Kona.

Part 2

From the airport in Kona, a taxi drove us to the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort. Here is my “Kona Weekend” photo album.

Balcony view
Beach goers
“Kamehameha the Great, 1815” by Herb Kawainui Kane
Mokuaikaua Church across the street from Huliheʻe Palace in Kona
Lauhala
Mokuaikaua Church across the street from Huliheʻe Palace in Kona
Huliheʻe Palace interior
Huliheʻe Palace interior
Princess Ruth’s bed
Detail of Queen Kapiʻolani’s sandalwood armoire
Queen Kapiʻolani’s mirrored sandalwood armoire
Looking toward Ahuʻena Heiau across Kailua Bay from Huliheʻe Palace
Top view of a feathered kāhili at Huliheʻe Palace
See descriptions in the next photo below

DH took an hour-long talk and walking tour of the King Kamehameha Hotel grounds with the cultural guide Kaʻuhane.

Soon it was time to catch our flight to home-sweet-home on Oʻahu. I thanked my easel for allowing me to lean on him for support, making the weekend getaway so very pleasant.

Blessings always,

Rebekah





July birthdays

4 07 2025

For my July 4 post, I wish a “Happy Birthday!” to America and my many friends. My apologies to you if you are also a July baby and I missed listing you.

Ariel Hylton
Lori A. Wong
Me & Carol Harper
Jimbo Hancock
Me & Linda Anusasananan
Bob Bonar
Karl Sinclair
Cleo B
L to r: Rebekah, Emma Pavich, Cynthia Yamasaki, and Lori A. Wong

Blessings always!

~ Rebekah





Tissue-paper collage art show on tap

30 05 2025

My collage art group has a big show during June 2025 at Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden Visitor Center Gallery.

If you recall, the tissue paper that is slick on one side as for gift wrapping is dunked into a solution of silk screen dye, water, and an oil float for unique effects.


Apropos to the most recent volcanic activity at Kilauea volcano, I have chosen to show my collection of works inspired by the 2018 eruption. Here are three:

“From Haleakalā”
“Crater View”
“Leeward”/“Windward”

The exhibit runs June 2 to 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden entrance is at the end of Luluku road between Pali Highway and Likelike Highway in Kāneʻohe.

View art and be well!

~Rebekah