Goodbye Oahu, hello Big Island...

Way To Go A-10!

Every year the Waialua Lions Club sponsors a Story Telling Contest.

This year all 3 winners from the lower grades came from A-10!

We were so excited.  Great job Isabella, Eve and Justin!

Is it just me?

Or is the US on over kill for the "Royal Wedding"?

If wedding fever is this bad in the states, is it worse in England?

Wedding Week? On every tv station, even in our Honolulu Star Advertiser!

I'm sure they are a very nice couple, but even when one of our President's daughter got

married there wasn't this much hype. 

Well, at least it's something else to think about other than gas prices and birth certificates.

Mokuleia

Last week I finally went to the beach.  Some friends had been telling me about this great swimming

spot.  It's all the way down towards Kaena Pt., lots of reef, but in the middle is a perfect

place to swim.  I loved it.  Another one of those places that it's just nice to go to for a quick swim.

A couple of things I know about it...probably get's BIG surf/surge in the winter, so it could

have a bad current.  It also gets windy down there, but thats nice

in the summer.
(ps...I went down there yesterday afternoon to swim and it way so windy, white caps, blowing sand, etc. No wind at my house.)

Easter In The Hood

This year we had Easter dinner down the street at Jack and Tonya's. 

They are the newest neighbors.  The previous owners had built a huge

carport, and Jack has added a tv out there ( I know, but it's so local!).

Lots of yummy food, an egg hunt for the kids and Laker watching.

Weather was perfect and everyone ate too much.

Great way to end a beautiful Easter Sunday!

Malama 'Aina

Happy Earth Day

Surprise!

Our next door neighbor, Christine, threw a surprised party for her

hubby Steve over the weekend.  It was great!  He really was

surprised!

She had it outside at Pizza Bob's and the pizza was so good!

Happy Birthday Steve!!

Moon

This was the view last night from bed.  It was so bright and was just at the right spot

in the sky when I went to bed.

Almost felt like I needed some sunglasses to block out the light!

The Diva...

Gretchen and the girls did a 1/2 marathon and a 5k race yesterday...something "Diva".

At different points in the race they got tiaras, boas and a great finishers medal.

The girls dressed up Kili and she pretty much showed she really is a "DIVA".

She just sat there and posed like a "true diva" would.

S'mores

Our weather is finally getting nice out here on the North Shore, the trades are

back and the vog is gone (thank goodness!!!).

Someone decided it would be the perfect evening to make s'mores. Jason, our neighbor across

the street made a great fire, thanks to his expert scouting skills. 

This was a first time experience for some of the kids, even seeing a campfire.

Eduardo got the first one

He told me it was pretty good!

We stayed out until well after dark just enjoying the beautiful full moon,

the kids's "sugar high" and each others company.

The smell of a campfire brought back lots of memories.

Good Fun!

Stand Up Paddle

A friend of ours has written a book about Stand Up Paddling.

This sport has gotten to be so popular not only here, where it was called "Beach Boy Paddling"

but also on the mainland.  Hubby says that when he paddles in Dana Point Harbor, there are

so many SUP's on the water he has to watch out for them.

If you'd like to read more about Nate and his book, go here.

It's always nice to support local businesses.

Early morning Puena

Kokua For Japan

Hawaii has ties to Japan.

Those ties are evident in every part of our everyday life...

we leave our slippers outside the door, we eat a lot of rice,

we love mochi, we have neighbors and friends that

have family in Japan.

There has been a movement here, "KOKUA FOR JAPAN".

Kokua means "to help/give help".

That's what's happening today with a telethon concert being held

in Waikiki at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

All proceeds will be going to American Red Cross

to help in Japan.

Please Kokua

Soul Surfer

This is a MUST see movie!!!!

Nice to go to a movie where everyone is cheering, clapping and just loving the movie.

A few years ago, Bethany was speaking in Haleiwa and we went.  Her story

is not only true, but inspiritional.

We're not sure why the PG rating, except for one very, very quick part..."you know what happens",

that was it. 

We saw in it Laie, here on the North Shore, so it was fun to see places that were

so familar that were supposed to be on Kauai.

A MUST SEE MOVIE

"The overall situation is still quite unstable"...

Oh really!  We've had some pretty crazy weather the last couple of days.  Huge thunder and lightening

storms throughout the day and night.  Pouring down rain (4 inches in Wahiawa).  No trade winds.

Humidity and steaming roofs!.

Water spouts on the south shore!  Not just one or two, but 5 at one time!!!

And of course lots of  this.
My laundry has been rinsed twice a couple of times,  just when I think it's done, the rain comes back.
I guess I'll have to break down and put it in the dryer.

Long Bridge

Here in Hawaii, we use landmarks as a way of giving directions; Ewa or Diamond Head side of Waikiki, North Shore, Foodland side or Waialua side.

When giving directions you might say, "Long Bridge side of Haleiwa".  Makes sense when you think about it...

this is crossing Long Bridge from Waialua going into Haleiwa.

Long Bridge got it's name....because it's a very, very long bridge over a river.

Much easier than saying North, East, South or West since we live on an island.

Strutting his stuff...

We went to Waimea Falls the other night  and while we were eating dinner,

the Peacock decided to open up to his full glory.  The poor Peahen, she really

is quite plain next to him.

Papa Mau

Saturday night we went to Waimea Falls to see Papa Mau, The Wayfinder.

This is a documentary type of film that is about this man, Papa Mau, who taught

a group of modern day Hawaiians the art of celestial navigation.  This is

something that very, few people actually knew how to do.  He helped the

first crews of the Hawaiian sailing canoe, Hokule'a sail from Hawaii to Tahiti without

the use of any instruments, only the knowledge of the stars, currents and wind.

It really is an amazing story.  You realize what a feat it was for the early Polynesians

to travel between groups of islands.

The movie is on the film festival tour, and then will be shown on PBS.  If you have a chance

it's a must see!

Happy Birthday...

Traci.  The best daughter, friend, wife and mother anyone could every ask for.

So proud of the wonderful, beautiful woman you've become.

We love you!

Blue Skies of Hawaii...

and not a cloud in the sky!  What a beautiful Sunday!!