On behalf of our E Ala E 'ohana, warmest wishes for strength and health as we move into the new year together!

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou,

Melonie Leihua Stewart

E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center is proud to announce our Keiki Cultural Classes

Our virtual Keiki Program is comprised of family/children interactive cultural classes for children ages four to twelve. Families are welcome to attend alongside keiki for a supported learning experience that is culturally enriching and age appropriate.

The series will showcase our vibrant Hawaiian culture. 

The benefits of our keiki program are as follows:

• Introduce the community to what it means to be Hawaiian and to foster the spirit of ALOHA.
• Learn about Hawaiian culture in a fun and welcoming environment.
• Parents and caregivers learn new and helpful techniques to support keiki's learning journey and cultural connection.
• At the end of the 6-week course, we will share and celebrate each child's progress with family and friends at our virtual recital. What a great way to bring our community together to support keiki development!

Classes are held Online

Who: All Welcome (Focus Group: Ages 4-12)

What: FREE Virtual 6-Week Series

When: Sundays, 11AM - 11:30AM (EST)

Session 1: Jan. 24 thru Feb. 28 - ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i (Hawaiian Language)

Session 2: Apr. 25 thru May 30 - Land (‘Āina)

Session 3: Jul. 25 thru Aug. 29 - Ocean (Moana)

Session 4: Oct. 17 thru Nov. 21 - Dance (Hula)

Attendance is FREE | Donations Are Always Welcome!

OPTIONAL: $50 Keiki Cultural Kit: Backpack, Rise! For Kids Shirt, Reflective Lanyard w/Name Badge, Flashcards, and Hawaiian Value Bands.

Register here.

E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Hawaiian cultural organization headquartered in Alexandria, VA. For questions, please call 703.853.9903 or email us at info@ealaehcc.org

Onolicious

No-Fail Roast Beef (Prime Rib)

Locals in Hawai`i love easy and `ono (delicious) recipes! Here’s a favorite one for any size roast!

• Score the roast. Salt and pepper any size rib roast beef (see tips below). Let it stand at room temperature for one hour.
• Poke holes here and there in the roast pan and put in little pieces of garlic (see tips below).
• Place beef, fat side up, in an open roaster (not covered) and put it in 350°F oven for one hour.
• Turn off heat but DO NOT OPEN OVEN DOOR AT ANY TIME UNTIL READY TO SERVE.
• For rare beef: 45 minutes before serving, turn oven on to 300°F.
• For medium beef: 50 minutes before serving, turn oven on to 300°F.
• For medium to well-done beef: 55 minutes before serving, turn oven on to 300°F. 

Tips

• For 2-3 people, order a two-rib prime rib. For 4-6 people, order a three-rib prime rib.
• Roast Rub:
  • ¼ tsp to ½ tsp Hawaiian or kosher salt (depending on size)
  • ¼ tsp to ½ tsp whole peppercorns (depending on size)
  • 1 entire bulb (not clove) pressed garlic (especially for garlic lovers!)
  • Put above ingredients in a mortar and pestle and mix, which will pulverize the salt, pepper and garlic into a rub for your roast.
• Roast can be started in mid-afternoon or earlier. Allow at least 3 hours in the oven to complete cooking.

DID YOU KNOW … Hau`oli Lānui (Happy New Year)!

Hawai`i comprises of diverse ethnic cultures, which are all celebrated in their own ways to ring in the New Year. Here are several way that we enjoy the New Year:

1. Fireworks to Scare Off Evil Spirits: Hawai`i residents LOVE fireworks! Maybe too much! But it’s an annual thing to follow the Chinese tradition of this worldwide phenomenon.
2. Mochi Pounding: This tradition is done the old-fashioned way with a big wooden hammer. Mochi is a type of Japanese rice cake made with sticky rice that is repeatedly pounded by two people, one to mercilessly pound the rice and the other to roll and wet it to the right consistency. Mochi symbolizes good luck.
3. First Day Hike: Greet New Year’s Day with a glorious sunrise hike at the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline on the island of O`ahu. Hikers watch the moon set and welcome the sun rise the next morning.
4. Eating Sashimi for Good Luck: Sashimi, or sliced raw fish, is the most popular “Good Luck” food for the “locals.” While it’s a typical Japanese tradition, the “Melting Pot” of island people enjoy it as well.
5. Large `Ohana (Family) Gatherings at the Beach: With average winter temperatures of 78°F, it’s a local tradition to head to the beaches to enjoy the sun and ocean while cooking “BBQ meat” on the grill and chomping on rice balls!
6. Filipino Pancit (Noodles): Merging Chinese traditional cooking with Filipino flavors, pancit is believed to attract wealth, health, and long life!

Community Connections

Jan 8 (Fri): PAʻI Foundation is pleased to present an Intermediate Level hula class with the song’s composer, Kuana Torres Kahele, on Friday, January 8, 2021 1-3pm HST (6-8pm EST). Written for the beauty of the blossom of Oahu. The ‘ilima lei is the official lei of the island. This original song features Karen Keawehawaii. “I wanted it to have a nostalgic feel that Karen’s voice evokes.” Learn the mana’o behind the mele and original hula choreography from Kuana Torres Kahele. Registration is limited. Cost: $40. Register here.

Jan 8-29 (Fri): Join Ka`ulumaika on Fridays, at 8PM HST (1AM EST Saturdays), for fun and informal Instagram Live sessions.  Learn more about creating native Hawaiian plant illustrations with Procreate along with other applications. These sessions may also be posted later for viewing. 

Jan 1-30: Polynesian Voyaging Society is launching its 2021 Membership Drive with the airing of a one hour documentary, HE WA’A HE HONUA – THE EARTH IS OUR CANOE. “He waʻa he honua — The Earth is our canoe,” shares how Hawai’i has pulled renaissance from the edge of extinction before and Hōkūleʻa can – and must — do so again. As we all cope with the uncertainty created by COVID-19, we see the continued impacts of human activity on our environment and our planet. We feel an imperative to continue our work to Mālama Honua. Click for details.

Interested in sharing something in our Newsletter? How about a special event or announcement?

Please send an email to: Marilyn@ealaehcc.org