Poi.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

[bridgit]

1. 1,2,3, or 4 fingered?

:shrug:

[NoSheep]

2. Aloha!

[Kire]

3. I thought this was Poi.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

5. That's Maori juggling.

Wikipedia
poi (juggling)

Mâori Poi dance, by Manutuke School at Hopuhopu 2003The Mâori word poi means "ball." More specifically, poi refers to a form of juggling with balls on ropes, held in the hands and swung in various circular patterns, similar to club-twirling. This was traditionally practiced by women as an exercise to increase flexibility of the wrists and hands, and by men to increase strength in the arms and coordination. It developed into a traditional performance art practiced mostly by women.

Some say that originally it was less art and more utilitarian in that it was how the poi (food) was traditionally prepared: attaching the ball-like poi to rope and swinging it in circles to build momentum and then smashing on rocks or other hard surfaces.

Today, poi swinging is seeing wide popularity. Poi swingers use everything from rolled-up socks to expensive devices with light-emitting diodes and combine swinging with body moves. This is fire dancing when the poi are made of wicks and set on fire.

[bridgit]

6. i feel in; to a burning ring of poi...

[Crazy Guggenheim]

4. How it's prepared.

poi


Dictionary
poi (poi)
n.
A Hawaiian food made from the tuber of the taro that is cooked, pounded to a paste, and fermented.






Encyclopedia
poi, slightly fermented, sticky food paste eaten in the Pacific islands, usually accompanied with meat, fish, or vegetables. It is made by grinding or pounding the roasted, peeled roots of the taro.

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Food Glossary
Poi
This native Hawaiian dish is definitely an acquired taste. It's made from cooked Taro root that is pounded to a smooth paste, then mixed with water, the amount depending on how the poi is to be served. Since poi is eaten with the fingers, its consistency is measured accordingly and ranges from one-finger (the thickest) to three-finger (the thinnest). Poi is generally fermented for several days, which gives it a sour, acidic taste. It can be eaten by itself, mixed with milk to make porridge or served as a condiment for meat and fish. Poi is available in cans in Hawaii and in some specialty stores on the mainland.



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[Crazy Guggenheim]

7. Hank Snow: My Little Grass Shack In Kealakua Hawaii

THERE'S A PLACE IN HAWAII
THAT IS VERY DEAR TO ME
I AM HOMESICK AS CAN BE
WON'T YOU LISTEN TO MY PLEA?

I WANT TO GO BACK TO MY LITTLE GRASS SHACK IN KEALAKEKUA HAWAII
I WANT TO BE WITH ALL THE KANES AND WAHINES THAT I KNEW LONG AGO

I CAN HEAR OLD GUITARS A-PLAYING
ON THE BEACH AT HO'ONAUNAU
I CAN HEAR THE HAWAIIANS SAYING
"KOMO MAI NO KAUA IKA HALE WELAKAHAO"

IT WON'T BE LONG 'TIL MY SHIP WILL BE SAILING BACK TO KONA
A GRAND OLD PLACE THAT'S ALWAYS FAIR TO SEE.
I'M JUST A LITTLE HAWAIIAN AND A HOMESICK ISLAND BOY,
I WANT TO GO BACK TO MY FISH AND POI,

I WANT TO GO BACK TO MY LITTLE GRASS SHACK IN KEALAKEKUA, HAWAII
WHERE THE HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUAA GOES SWIMMING BY
WHERE THE HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUAA GOES SWIMMING BY

[Crazy Guggenheim]

8. Poi is good.

[KamaAina]

9. There are poi English muffins at the market near me.

(in Honolulu, natch) Silly me. I got regular ones 'cause they were a buck cheaper. Maybe next time.

Digression: The price of poi has gone through the roof. More people are discovering it, plus the taro crop is down, suffering from everything from encroaching development to the apple snail. Now scientists at UH want to genetically modify taro, to the horror of native Hawaiians who view taro as sacred.