Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone! Another voggy day in Hawai'i nei!
However, that doesn't put a damper on a beautiful, productive day for Hokuli'i Images!
Today I was determined to get through my "To Do" list. One of the items on that list was to buy my first pair of Crocs! Many of my peeps know that I've been hemming and hawing about getting a pair of these things. Going on and on about "what color should I get", "what style," "will it make my feet look fat??" etc. Well, I'm proud to say that I finally did it!
I purchased these cool royal purple Beach Crocs from City Mill in Kane'ohe. I just love City Mill! It's locally owned and they have all sorts of cool stuff besides hardware and gardening products.
Crocs are like you either love them or you dislike them. My BSS in San Diego is most likely thinking, "Ger, what were you thinking???" And I would counteract in saying, "But Deb! They're so comfy!!!" I don't know what it is but I've ALWAYS been fascinated by them!
Okay, so I got my Cinco de Mayo Crocs on and headed straight over the hill to Asagi Hatchery in Kalihi. I've been helping to care for an abandoned chick by the name of Kapa. (I think you've seen her in my previous posts.) Well, I've learned from a couple of true chick Chicks (my girlfriends, La and Ilima) that it would be best that Kapa had a companion. So thanks to these two chicken fans, they sent me over to Asagi Hatchery.
I could tell by the weathered signs that this business has been a part of the Kalihi landscape for many, many years. Actually about 74 years to be exact. They've been here since 1935!
They are the only commercial hatchery in Hawai'i.
OMG! I totally loved this sign. I can't help it! It's my proud pinay blood that runs through my veins!
So me and my lovely new Crocs stepped into the store with anticipation and enthusiasm!
I scanned the area with excitement! My eyes wandered slowly at all the signs that were hanging on the wall and all the various garden items they had for sale.
I love that they sell organic! And that they're promoting self reliance (sustainability or whatever you want to call it) by selling organic seeds!I enjoyed looking over the photos that clients have sent to the hatchery. Proud chicken parents who love their fowl and Asagi Hatchery!
And there in the window were the fuzzy little loves all aglow under the warming lamp...
Ahhhh....
I was greeted by Sharene Asagi, the office manager with so much ALOHA! She and her granddaughter, Chanel, helped me to make my first chick purchase.
And here we have our first Asagi chick! She is a Rhode Island Red x Leghorn. Which in chicken lingo means that she's a layers chick and will have eggs. PERFECT!
Isn't she sweet???? She was making quite a fuss which totally concerned me. All these questions started racing around in my mind! What if Kapa doesn't like her and then she'd be so lonesome? Why is she chirping so much??? I wonder if I should have a margarita today??
After much thought, a quick conference call to the team, we decided that yes! It would be best to get this chick a companion chick as well! (So the original companion chick for Kapa is now getting her own companion chick...savvy?)
So they are!
Sharene and Chanel even helped me to the car! How is that for sweetness and GREAT Customer Service???
I love family run businesses in Hawai'i. I think it is extremely important to support local! To me Asagi Hatchery is very special since:
1) They've been a part of Hawai'i for decades
2) It's operated by the 'ohana (Sharene is grandmother to Chanel. I also got to meet one of Sharene's daughter's Maxie who also helps to run the business and who's birthday just happens to be TODAY! Happy birthday, Maxie!)
3) They're promoting something that we all should be looking into if you have the time and space to do it. C'mon, peeps! Our own fresh eggs! There's NOTHING like them!!!
4) They are the sweetest, kindest and patient people ever!!!
MAHALO NUI LOA to Sharene and Chanel for making my chick buying experience so fun. You were both so patient and understanding. I hope to be back to visit with you again!!!
And to my chicken mentors, La and Ilima. You two are such amazing people!! Thank you for teaching me about these beautiful creatures. They really are a joy and your mana'o, concern, and excitement are soooo appreciated!
So here they are everyone! Our Cinco de Mayo Chicks!
I'm sure I'll be writing more about them in the near future! I'll keep you posted on their growth and how Kapa will take to them. Stay tuned...
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