Hawaii is a beautiful state.  That is pretty obviously said with it’s many tropical islands, rolling green mountains (volcanos, really), rainbows that seem to never cease and soft sandy beaches that give you a view of the bluest water around.  I was just recently there and found it breathtaking. So breathtaking in fact that I wanted to pull up my stakes in California and move there.  Seriously!  It’s not just the beauty of the Islands either.  It’s the people, the culture and the way of life.  Things are so much slower and calmer and everyone is so nice and friendly.  Plus, the Hawaiian way is so fun!  But if you don’t live on the Hawaiian Islands, don’t worry.  The Pacific Northwest region of the “Big Island” is bringing Hawaii to you.  In Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington you will find all sorts of great hawaiian activities to participate in.  The 2010 3 Days of Aloha is taking place starting today July 29th and runs through Saturday July 31st.

On Thursday, there will be a Hula and Craft Workshop where hula dancers and crafters of Hawaiian arts travel from around the world to attend this one of a kind workshop. The workshop offers instruction on dance, language, chant, history, current Hawaiian issues, music and cultural crafts.  Once the learning is over it’s time for fun!  The Thursday Nite Pa’ina is a chance to meet and listen to some of Hawaii’s most prominent musicians as well has grab some drinks and pupu’s (that’s hors d’eouvres).

But Friday is a day to prepare for.  The Free Hapa Haole Hula Competition is a celebration of Waikiki’s wacky era of hula and music.  So, pick a category, sing your song and hopefully you’ll win!  But if you want to compete, head to HawaiianFestivalPNW.com for more details.

And then there is Saturday’s Ho’ike and Hawaiian Festival where over 8,000 visitors have swayed to the rhythm as hula dancers, Portland, Taiko, Native Tribal dancers, and Polynesian singers filled the park with the heartbeat of their cultures.