The Tea Farm

by Jessie Bristow

jessie bristow / KA LAMAKUA 

The remnants of the Jasmine Dragon Pearl Green Tea. 

Half the fun is seeing what teas you like the most.

Step into the small elegance of a quaint, clean, and soothing atmosphere and learn to relax.

Not your typically rush filled café or coffee shop with clerks screaming out your order and lines filled with frustrated beings who are having withdrawals from caffeine and are looking to get their next fix. No hardcore drug dealers in these parts, but just a man who has got what you are looking for, and a place to embrace while you consume.

There has been recent news of the Tea Farm: yes it was opened by a UH alumni, yes it is just down the street, but why should we trade in our beloved addiction of lattes, frappuccinos, steamed, whipped, iced, heart racing, blood pumping coffee?

The answer is… you don't really have to. It is probably for the better that we put down the milk diluted sugar stuffed beverage for once and embrace the culture and tradition of drinking tea, just for health reasons alone. Don't count tea out, it's not over until the fat lady sings, and in this case the fat lady may be considering switching to tea over the quadruple shot syrup added creamy vente that is contributing to her future type two diabetes and obesity.

The Tea Farm Café's environment and style are what attracts people. For those who have grown up on Lipton and Snapple as being the furthest extent of your tea drinking experience, broaden your horizons by taking some time to gander at the selection of about 60 different teas to choose from. Each one has its own origin, scent, and appearance. Trying a few is the fun part of this little establishment, order a cup of Jasmine Dragon Pearl Green Tea and watch the leaves slowly unfold as the flavor consumes the rest of the cup. The shop is small, comfortable, clean, and it is down to earth. The hardwood floors, modern furniture, and little sofa make it a place to just take a breath and slow down.

The idea of a calm place to drink tea where the drug-addicted folk that wake up early and try to run America don't bother you with their daily dosage is a double-edged sword. The size and tranquility of The Tea Farm Café is what draws in its poetic clientele. But as soon as you start expanding café size, become more popular, and adjust to the capitalistic market to fit in more consumers, you drive out the originality of your basis idea of having a great place to get away from the rush. 

Luckily, the Tea Farm is attracting the kind of customers who take the time out of their busy day to sit and enjoy their tea instead of the people who choose a more direct injection of caffeine.

Betsy Curtis: Capturing the Moment

by Jessie Bristow

One, two, three… Say “Cheese” but don’t smile. Look at each photograph and debate weather it is a part of history, something from a time capsule, or is it a blend of culture and artistic grace.

jessie bristow / KA LAMAKUA

Betsy Curtis stands among her portraits, taken at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.
Her other subjects include people at Waimea Bay and aboard the USS Missouri.
Her exhibition, "The Visitors," is on display in the UH Manoa Art Building's Commons Gallery until Feb. 25.

With an age-like Victorian style portrait and detailed background environment, each photograph slows down the viewer’s ADD like symptoms most people have today, questioning every out of place detail with interest.

The Visitors, a photography thesis exhibition by Betsy Curtis, is being displayed in the Commons Gallery in the art building at the University of Hawaii Manoa from February 13-25.

Betsy Curtis, 29, a graduate student in Studio Art Photography of UH Manoa, began playing with cameras while working at a camera shop during high school. Curtis found her calling in what she wanted to do with her photography skills during her sophomore year at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois.

“I realized I was doing projects that were not just for assignments, that I was just like doing stuff on my own,” Curtis says.

Curtis’ whole approach towards her current style in this exhibition is due to a childhood filled with scrapbooks made by her mother.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I have probably three or four volumes this thick on my life, she made," Curtis says, putting her hands about five to six inches apart.

Knowing how fast people peer through photo albums, glancing, commenting, then turning the page, Curtis wanted to create a portrait that caught the attention of all viewers. She approached her project with subjects of stern looks and backgrounds that draw attention.

“For this project, the location was…is almost as important as the person.”

With her photographs consisting of the U.S.S. Missouri, Honolulu Academy of Arts, and Waimea Bay. Curtis wanted to portray images of culture, history, and nature that implied the message of a time capsule allowing the viewer to go back and forth between present and past. Each area shot has some kind of historical or cultural significance that Curtis wanted to display.

In the future, Curtis wants to focus on finishing her thesis, graduate, and focus on projects to submit to a number of residencies she plans on applying for. Her current style of photography is not her signature method. Curtis intends to try and work on ideas of collages and to take a break from her realistic style she has applied with her current exhibition.

As an experienced and growing photographer, Betsy Curtis suggests to aspiring students to drill down inside and find out why the medium they are using is important to them.

“I think, artwork works best when you are drawing from your own well and personal experience.”

Visit the exhibition in the Commons Gallery or visit Betsy Curtis’ website at http://elizabethrcurtis.com/.

Food Truck Stop: Jawaiian Irie

by Jessie Bristow

jessie bristow / KA LAMAKUA

Chef Cassie (left) takes a break with his customers after a long afternoon.

Less than a mile from campus, partly shaded by a tree, at the intersecton of Kapiolani Blvd and Kalakaua Ave, in a parking lot filled with shuttle vans and party buses, you will find a silver and white "taco truck" highlighted by Jamaican decorations and bordered by Rasta colors.

Seeing that truck means one thing: It is time to get your grub on. Bring cash and an appetite.

jessie bristow / KA LAMAKUA

Jawaiian Irie Jerk

Kapiolani + Kalakaua

The successful diner on wheels belongs to Chef Cassie Simmons, 61, and he has been filling stomachs in Oahu, Hawaii for about four years. Originally from Jamaica, Simmons moved to Hawaii about four and a half years ago from Miami, Florida. An artist and musician, Simmons loves to cook and feels that making a good meal is a form of art in itself.

The menu consists of Jamaican Jerk Chicken or Pork ($8,$9), Escouitch Fish ($10), Caribbean Curry Chicken ($8), Mini Jerk Pork or Chicken ($5), and Ital Stew (chef's treat Vegetarian) ($7). 

All of these dishes come with rice and peas and a tasty Ital Fritter. Along with the basic but filling menu, there are "Eat'n Run" items: beef, chicken, or veggie patties ($3), and bread pudding with rum sauce ($4). Jamaican Specialty Drinks ($2.50) and soda or water is a dollar.

"It's that restaurant business," Cassie says. "Ups and downs."

Staying fairly busy Chef Cassie has a wide variety of customers. Mostly repeat and comeback clients, but most people come because of word of mouth. Located on route to Ala Moana Shopping Center, the truck is often visited by curious tourists. After trying the menu, most people make the truck stop a regular place to visit.

Simmons not only provides at this busy location, but he also cooks for private dinners, catering parties, weddings, birthdays, and barbeques. Without any major advertising, Chef Cassie keeps his business running with a laid back vibe. He feels that his food and attention to quality makes his truck separate from other businesses.

"You've tried the rest," says Cassie. "Now come over and try the best."

Reaching beyond her degree: Residence Director Ali Norton

by Jessie Bristow

jessie bristow / KA LAMAKUA

The Canadian flag on the office wall lights up the room along with the Hawaiian calendar hanging above the desk. Miss Norton’s shirt screams bright red with fanatical support of Canada Hockey. Even with the sports memorabilia and spirit, after speaking with Student Housing Residence Director Ali Norton, it isn’t hard to find that she is full of life, dedication, and cheerfulness. By the way, she’s a huge hockey fan.

It is four thirty in the afternoon and after a long Monday of emails, conferences, phone calls, and running around student housing anyone would be tired, irritated, and in no mood to be interviewed. Fortunately, Miss Norton has all the energy in the world. Aside from the weather being horrible, her day has been exciting and productive.

“I don’t know if there is such a thing as a typical day,” says Norton. Her schedule involves multiple conquests. She has set tasks, but at the same time has no idea what to expect to pop up during her time at work.

Many students have seen her “hnorton@hawaii.edu” address ending campus-wide email updating them about a variety of student housing matters. Very few have been able to meet and find out about the Resident Director and what they do.

Heather (but no one calls her Heather) Alison Norton, 27, is originally from Guelph, Ontario, Canada. A Journalism and English major from Carleton University and a graduate from Western Illinois University with a master’s degree in College Student Personnel, Ali Norton never expected to be lucky enough to be working in the field she is in.

“All of the things that I did in undergrad, I didn’t think those would result in finding a career I was passionate about, I just did them because they seemed fun.”

After realizing a career in journalism was not for her and not wanting to use her English degree, Norton was attracted to out-of-class activities that she participated in such as Greek life, being a resident advisor, an executive for her residents’ association, undergraduate admissions, and working for the first year experience office.

She soon realized that she could make a career out of the things she enjoyed doing.

“The opportunity as a new professional, to basically be involved in a position that was being built from the ground up was pretty incredible.”

Being hired into a position that was created from scratch was something that attracted Norton to Hawaii. Working on Manoa Campus allowed Norton to be able to help and network with people all day. As Resident Director of Hale Wainani, Norton stays occupied all days of the week.

“I love when I get to interact with staff and students, and they leave my office feeling better than they felt before.”

Norton is not just a committed person, but she enjoys the simple things in life as well.

“I love to be outside in general, but I also like to chill, watch TV, just hang out at home.”

Fortunately, Hawaii promotes both of these. Norton takes advantage of going to the beach and when it is rainy like this past week, she enjoys relaxing with her boyfriend at home.

Ali Norton has been at her job for three years. Every day she looks forward to helping those who are in need of her assistance. She is excited for the future because she wants to make improvements to better campus life, and she never knows what to imagine on such a diverse campus. Being given the opportunity to find a career she enjoys, she is thankful for the extracurricular activities she participated in.

“I would definitely encourage students to get involved in their experience.”

Seeking soap for Haiti

by Jessie Bristow

Food, gifts, good deeds, and sharing each other's cultures are all part of the holiday spirit. This year the University of Hawaii at Manoa Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work Heath Concentration Students invite all members of UH to help the outbreak of Cholera in Haiti by donating bars of soap from Dec. 2^nd to the 8^th.

jessie bristow / KA LAMAKUA

A few days into the donation drive and already a collection box in
Henke Hall is starting to fill up. 

Suresh Tamang, 39, a Doctoral Student, is the head coordinator of the soap drive. Tamang, his classmates, and their teacher Dr. Ka'opua all shared the idea of helping with the situation in Haiti. "Rather than collecting money, okay let's do the soap drive." Tamang feels that it is better to give what is needed in order to help solve the problem, rather than donate money hoping that it ends up contributing to the right people.

Haiti was hit by a major earthquake on January 12, 2010. Almost a year later the country is still in devastation. Amongst the chaos, the threat of the Cholera Disease has surfaced. According to the International Medical Corps, Cholera is a lethal disease caused by an infection of the intestines. Only about 20 percent of infected people show symptoms. The disease causes severe dehydration and diarrhea. Cholera is spread by contamination of food or water with fecal matter. The best way to prevent the disease from spreading is by having clean water sources and soap to kill bacteria and help with sanitization. According to the Haiti Soap drive flyer, more than 1,100 people have died from the disease, and over 20,000 have become sick.

jessie bristow / KA LAMAKUA

One nicely decorated donation box in Hale Manoa is filling up
with soap from hotels. 

The Soap Drive for Haiti will continue through this week, and if necessary will be extended for a few more days after December 8^th. The donation drive is working with the organization "Clean the World" to help get the supplies sent to the proper locations in Haiti. The organized drive is also being represented on the West Oahu campus, allowing more people to be aware of the situation in Haiti and what they can do to help. "We are accepting liquid and other soaps as well, as long as it is any form of soap," says Tamang. Boxes are filling up with new soap, liquid soap, and even soap leftover from hotels.

Boxes for the soap drive can be found all over campus. The Campus Center, Queen Lili'uokalani Center for Student Services, Medical Department, Henke Hall, Hale Manoa, Hale Haiawai, and in the Public Heath and Bio Med building.

The Soap Drive for Haiti encourages everyone to spread the word about how anyone can help. All donations are greatly appreciated. Spreading the holiday spirit and the gift of soap will help stop the spreading of Cholera in Haiti.

For more information or to donate, contact Suresh Tamang at tamang@hawaii.edu or at 675-8019.