Ala Moana Bowls

On the Diamond Head side of Magic Island, behind the Ilikai & Hilton is a surf

break called Bowls.  It's at the mouth to Ala Moana Harbor.  I drove down by there

one evening on my way to hula.  There was a little bit of a swell, so there were a lot of people down there. 

This isn't really a beach, just a surf break that you have to paddle out to.  So

there are always people hanging out on the wall or sitting on their cars watching the surf.

I know that when there's a big swell, it get's really, really crowded out there.

It's still a nice spot to watch surfers and even catch a pretty sunset.

My Days...

Lately, this is what my days have been like...

driving into town,

 hula practice, sometimes for 2 hours, then

 back home in the dark and falling into bed...

doesn't seem like there is really much in between.

Impossibles Pizza

Most lunch wagon food here is usually "local kine".  Now on the North Shore there is

something different...Pizza!  I think the name is funny "Impossibles Pizza".

They usually move around to different areas from Sunset to Haleiwa.  Something to do with a law

and staying in a spot for too long.  You can call and order your custom pizza and go and pick it up at

the spot they say.  Really is a great idea.  I don't think they're around every day, but well worth

a stop if you see them.

These were taken when they were parked at Sharks Cove.

Lulu's Mist

Lulu, from across the street adopted a stray little cat that showed up on the street.  Within weeks,

"Mist" had become pregnant.  Lulu went onto the Internet and found out everything she

needed to know about having kittens.  She and her sisters got a box, bedding, etc in anticipation of

the "BIG" day.  The were going to camp for a week and worried that it would happen while

they were gone, but it didn't.

Last Thursday morning, I heard the girls outside our back window. 

Mist had her babies under our house!  She was all snug next to a board bag, but in the dirt.

The girls came every day several times to feed Mist and look at the babies.  Mist is such a good

mommy, at first she hissed a little, but now has gotten relaxed enough to let the girls pet her and pick up the babies.

FAST FORWARD Monday morning...

today I heard Lulu outside talking to Mist.  I went out and she told me that they were going

to move her and the babies to the space under their house.

Lulu was so careful moving the kittens.  Mist wasn't there, she was away from them, eating, etc.

post script:

Mist didn't like the kittens over there and promptly moved them back.  So for now they're still

under our house.

5-0 comes to the hood

Last Thursday night when I came home from hula, I saw some signs around the little market

parking lot, saying it would be closed from 5am - 12 noon.

Sure enough the next morning when I went to go swim this is what I saw...

these are the signs that I guess direct the crews to the location site.  I had seen

them a couple of other places during the week.

When I came back, I was lucky enough to snap this photo...yes, on the right is Alex Mc Laughlin

aka...Steve Mc Garrett!

a lot of the vans, etc are actually parked across the street from the market, guess it's a good thing

the road isn't too busy.

amazing how much equipment they cart around. 

This is the second time the market has been featured in a tv show.  The first time

was in LOST, it was shown as someplace in Iowa (so a lot of set dressing was added that said Iowa).

 The store owner told me that he saw oneof the extras dressed as a Maui PD officer.

At least it's still Hawaii.

All Is Well...

Happy Pioneer Day!

A surprise visitor

This guy has been hanging out in our crown flower tree the last few days.

He has the sweetest song.  He's a North American Cardinal and can

only be found on the Big Island and certain parts of Oahu.

He's not a native to Hawaii, so he doesn't have a Hawaiian name.

My neighbor said that she saw him on their lanai, but their cat didn't like him there.

Guess we're lucky that he chose our neighborhood to hang out in.

Shark Dialogues

15 years ago I read this book for the first time and fell in love with it.

It's one book that I will actually buy and give as a gift.

I've started reading it again and love it as much as I did the first time I read it.

I've read the author's other books, but haven't love them as much as this. 

It seems that this time, the story is touching me even more.  I love the characters more this

time.  I was thinking that this time I can identify with them more, I have been to

many of the places that are written about.

Again, if you love Hawai'i and it's history, you'd love this book.

Secret?

I didn't realize that Kaiaka was such a "secret spot".  My hula sisters were asking me where I swam, and I told them about this place and showed them a photo.  They were shocked that such a beautiful spot was empty...where were all the tour buses? Guess Kaiaka really is a little secret!

5 Senses

TASTE~ Diet Coke & Paalakai musbi

 SMELL~ plumeria in our yard

 FEEL~ the tradewinds blowing

 HEAR~ people enjoying the beach

SEE~ beauty all around

and so Thankful

Magic Island

Just a short distance from the beaches of Waikiki is Magic Island.  This actually part of

Ala Moana Beach Park.  It's not an actual "island" but a spit of reclaimed land with Ala Wai Channel

on the east and the lagoon of Ala Moana Beach Park on the west.

Years ago I did a 5k walk out there and I remember the trees were much smaller.  It seems

like there is always something going on out there. 

It's a favorite spot to take wedding photos because it sticks out farther.

Bikers, walkers, runners, fishing, sitting or watching the sunset,

Magic Island has something for everyone.

ALOHAmora, Harry Potter

12 years, 7 books, 8 movies and thousands of pages...

Harry Potter is coming to an end.

Over the years I've read every book at least twice and watched the movies countless times.

I was first drawn to these books out of  curiosity Why were all of these young kids

reading these huge books? After the first one, I was hooked.  I'd re-read the book

before the movie came out just to refresh my memory.  I remember watching the

first movie and thinking, "that's exactly what it's supposed to look like!"

So when "Deathly Hallows" was released, yes I was there in line to get my book.  I remember

walking into Barnes and Noble, Kahala Mall and having to sidestep around kids of all

ages sitting everywhere and reading that HUGE book.

I spent a whole weekend reading it, and as I got closer to the end, I didn't want it to end.

Over the years I'd always given the books away to librarys or friends.  "Deathly Hallows"

is still sitting in my drawer, I can't bear to give it away.

I'm excited that now my grandchildren are old enough to fall under Harry's spell.

There are people who have banned these books saying they had to do with witchcraft, dark magic.

Oh please, these are fiction stories!  Look at some great stories..."Wizard of Oz", "Narnia" or "Lord of

the Rings".  Aren't they also fiction/fantasy?

So to Harry and all of his friends, I say "Aloha"

and to J.K. Rowling I have to say "mahalo"

Avocado Heaven

Our next door neighbors have a huge avocado tree.  These are the BEST avocados! The inside is like butter on these beauties!

There was soooo much wind this past winter and our yard was covered in the yellow flowers.

We were thinking that because the tree had lost so many flowers, there wouldn't be

many avocados this year. 

Well we were wrong.  The tree is covered in them and they look good!

They are already huge and aren't ready yet.  We can hear them drop as they

start to ripen.  So we haven't heard the tell-tell sound.

Christine makes the best guacamole and other avocado treats using these.

Can't wait!



Pua Be Still

One of our songs that we're dancing this year is "Pua Be Still".

I hadn't really thought that much about the song, until Makaleka was explaining

some step to us and she said "Oh you know, these are those flowers you see by the freeway".

Well, then I started looking. 

The "Be Still" flower is actually a yellow oleander. 

I was surprised yesterday to see one right at the end of  our street. 

Had to confirm it by looking it up in one of hubby's

tropical flower books.

Wonder if its called "Be Still" flower because it's so poisonous?

Just like a regular oleander if you should eat it.

Summer Social

Last Saturday our ward had their summer social in conjunction with

Ward Conference.

It was a chili and dessert cookoff.

There were so many different kinds of chili and desserts.

 There was plenty of rice, crackers, cheese and onions

 Since hubby doesn't eat (like) chili, he asked me if I would make him

beans and franks.  Go figure, it's all got beans.

 There were trophies given for best dessert and best chili

 Since it's Obon season, one of the members taught the YW & YM

to do a simple bon dance.

Everyone got into the mood, even the bishop.

We "HEART" Waialua Ward

Like Father, Like Son

Geoff sent out this video of Grey taken over the weekend.

This is how Geoff started surfing.

Hubby pushing him around the water at Mission Bay and Doheny.

Only difference...Grey just turned 4 and Geoff was a little bit older!

This was his first time trying it.
Good job Grey!

practice, practice, practice

It's that time of year again, Na Hula  

My schedule until August 7th looks like this:

      Sunday   hula  7: 45 am-9: 30 (my hula sisters meet so early for me, so that I can get back),

then back to Waialua for RS

      Tuesday hula 7: 30-8: 45 (I don't get back out here until almost 10)

      Thursday  hula 6: 30-7: 30

      Saturday hula 9-10

I'm. So. tTred.

But so worth it.

plein aire Haleiwa

Another reason I love the early morning in Hawaii.  I came across these

two paintes down by Haleiwa Joes, painting the Rainbow Bridge, with

Anahulu River.

It was so quiet and they were just busy working away.

Can't wait to see the finished product.