Junior pitcher Kamalani Dung returns home this week with her Cal family for the 2018 Texaco Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament in Honolulu. The Wainae, Hawai'i, native, will play at home for the first time since she matriculated. But, between games Dung plans to show her new softball family, her old stomping grounds. She shares some tips about enjoying the beautiful land like a native!

---

WHERE TO GET FOOD…
While in Hawaii EVERYONE needs to try Hawaiian food at least once. My favorite spot is Highway Inn in Kaka'ako. My go to spot for poke (a bowl of rice and fish which is soooo good) is any Foodland on the island. If you have a lot of time to go exploring, I'd definitely recommend heading towards Kahuku/North Shore to stop off at the amazing food trucks in the area to pick up some Açaí bowls, Giovanni's Shrimp Truck, and some shaved ice.

TOP THREE ACTIVITIES…
The top three activities are hiking, especially sunrise hikes like Koko Head or Lanikai, eating, and going to the beach to surf. I'm not the best at surfing and I'm still learning, but a day out on the water, with the right people, is always my favorite.

WHAT STYLE OF CLOTHES TO WEAR…
In Hawaii anything goes! Although some days can be rainy and "cold" (anything between 60-70 degrees), most days are sunny and beautiful with light showers of rain throughout the day. My daily outfit consists of slippers and either a beach dress or shorts and a tank top. Men normally wear surf shorts on the daily. It's completely acceptable and encouraged to be in beach attire at all times.

SOME LINES TO DROP…
"Howzit my braddah" - Hello friend, how's your day going
"Cheehoo" - Common way people express happiness
"Aloha" - Hello, goodbye, a feeling of love
"Mahalo" - Thank you
"Aunty/Uncle/Grandma/Grandpa" - In Hawai'i we do not call older people only by their first name, out of respect. We normally call everyone Aunty or Uncle followed by their name, whether you know them or just met them. Example: My parents would be Aunty Honey and Uncle Lance, or simply just Aunty and Uncle without names included.

WHERE TO FIND A GAME OF SOFTBALL…
Central Oahu Regional Park is a great place to see some of Hawaii's biggest tournaments and young talent. The University of Hawaii softball field where we are playing is also a great place to watch games.

BEST SPOTS TO STAR GAZE…
My home town of Waianae is my favorite spot to star gaze. It is a town on the edge of the island, far from the highly populated areas like Waikiki or Honolulu. The valley I live in doesn't have street lights so I would climb on the roof of our house with my brother every so often to stargaze. Since it was so dark around us we'd be able to see every star in the sky clear and bright.


WHERE TO CATCH THE BEST SURF…
Beginner surfer: White Plains or Waikiki
Advanced: Banzai Pipeline
 
EXTRA HAWAIIAN LOVE FOR THE BEARS…
Lots of my family, friends, and fans are really excited for me to finally play at home. I'm one of the only pitchers to ever make it out of the islands and play at this level, so it's awesome to see how supportive Hawai'i is of our Cal softball team.