March 31, 2012

I have no idea who they are, but this was the 3rd (and smallest) group of Segway tourist to go by me while out for a 5 mile walk.  It must be Spring Break season here in Hawaii!
Lanikai, Hawaii

March 30, 2012

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, having recently returned from a 7 month deployment in Afghanistan said a final farewell to it's six fallen heroes in a Memorial Service today.  Honored were Captain Daniel Bartle (27), Captain Nathan McHone (29) Master Sergeant Travis Riddick (40), Corporal Joseph Logan (22), Corporal Kevin Reinhard (25) and Corporal Jesse Stites (23).  God speed, rest in peace.
Kaneohe, Hawaii

March 29, 2012

Marine road trip!  This is a common sight for us around the base, but it's sometimes very alarming for the civilian population to see them driving along the freeway or out in town.  Just five of them?  No, these are the last five vehicles in the convoy of 20 some odd military vehicles going through the traffic light.  Since many times I've seen convoys pulled off along the side of the road, I'm sure the lead vehicles are up ahead and waiting for these stragglers to catch up.
Kailua, Hawaii

March 28, 2012

It was the perfect day for being out on the water.  The boys had sailing and I didn't have any excuses.  Besides, Angela said she was going to go paddling, so I thought I would join her.  We paddled all the way over to the mouth of the Kaneohe Yacht Club, in and around the bay, then back to the marina.  Since the boys weren't back in from sailing when we returned, I decided to soak up some more sunshine out on the water and to leisurely float around near the mangroves.
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

March 27, 2012

This was taken in the super early hours of the morning.  I was waiting to post in case something else came up.  Lots of other shots did present themselves to me, but I still kept coming back to this one.   Through the lens of my camera the sliver moon was very clear with Venus in the lower corner.  Not in this frame but also visible in the night sky was Jupiter.  The interesting aspect for me is that I couldn't focus this well with the naked eye, so my camera helps to make it much more spectacular.
Kailua, Hawaii

March 26, 2012

Today we started our first day of Hawaiian History lessons.   These are a couple of the textbooks we'll be reading.  We're all very excited to be adding this to the curriculum for the remainder of the school year.  Well, not all of us... in fact, none of the boys are exactly what one would called thrilled about it, but I sure am!  I'm hoping to reward them with a trip at the end of the Summer to the big island of Hawaii for some hiking, volcano exploring and beach time.  So....what did we learn today?  It's a state holiday in celebration of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole and all schools are out of session for the day.  Good job, Mom!
Kailua, Hawaii

March 25, 2012

We had a great Pinewood derby race and campout with Scouts last night up on the North Shore.  For our return trip we decided, instead of driving into Honolulu and cutting over, to cruise up and around the northernmost point of the island. The roads are slower, but much more scenic and enjoyable.  I had heard but forgotten about a wind farm up this way, so we were pleasantly surprised when we rounded this bend in the road.  There aren't many but these windmills are giganticus enormous and an awesome sight to see up close and personal.
Kahuku, Hawaii

March 24, 2012

It's a scouting kind of weekend here.  Zach and Nate started the day volunteering their time to help on a fellow Boy Scout's Eagle project.  They built and installed benches, planted some garden beds and installed a solar light for the flag pole.  Lots of digging, lifting, moving and fun!  Now we're off to the North Shore for some Cub Scout camping and a Pinewood Derby race!
Kaneohe, Hawaii

March 23, 2012

With winter behind us, we're seeing (and smelling!) lots more trees and flowers in bloom.   What's this, you ask?  Another picture of the mango tree?  Well, yes, it's a shot of a mango tree in my backyard, but..... this is the tree I though was just a leaf producing tree!  Leaf producers are just fine and dandy and play an amazing roll in our ecosystem, oxygen producers and all, but I'm thrilled to know I have not one, but TWO mango trees in my backyard.  AND.... both are filling up with LOTS of mangoes!   I think maybe I'll get tired of eating mango after this year.  Maybe not.
Kailua, Hawaii

March 22, 2012

The Cub Scout Pinewood Derby is this Saturday (3pm), so we thought we'd get a start on our car.  Sam and his friend Josh designed, cut (mom helped) and painted their cars today.  They both picked blue as a base color.... easier for mom, thank you.  The final design work will be done tomorrow with the last minute tweeks coming Saturday afternoon, immediately before weigh in.  Looking good boys!
Kailua, Hawaii

March 21, 2012

As per tradition, Jordan and I had our toes done the day she leaves to go back to University.  It's a Spring motif this time.  Hopefully it will bring good weather back to the Pacific Northwest for her.
Kailua, Hawaii

March 20, 2012

Another beautiful sunny day to celebrate the first day of Spring.  Zach and I decided to take advantage of the dry weather and got to work on our lawn.  It was in need of raking, trimming, edging, mowing and an all-around cleanup.  While I was raking the dried up dead leave in the backyard, I noticed this blooming ginger awapuhi plant.  It's pleasantly fragrant with delicate, white flowers when in bloom.
Kailua, Hawaii

March 19, 2012

I was thinking I would count this as a P.E. activity and the start of Zach's Marine Biology course.  Since Jordan is still home for her Spring Break, I decided the boys needed a holiday as well.  So.... it is just a fun day of sandcastle building, snorkeling and soaking up some sunshine at Hanauma Bay.  The surf was pretty rough so we didn't go out too far, but we did get to swim with the turtles and the water was a brilliant shade of blue.  I love living in Paradise!
Hanauma Bay, Hawaii

March 18, 2012

Besides my morning run, I haven't ventured far from the house.  It's a rainy day again, allowing for some  quiet recuperation time indoors.  This is the is the giant Indian milkweed, also known as the crown flower and produces the floral ingredients for a lei of royal symbolism.  Lei makers string the crown flowers (with or without the petals) in honor of Hawaii's last queen, Lili'uokalani and the fallen Hawaiian monarchy.  The milkweed produces a sap that can irritate skin, can be poisonous in quantity and therefore is host to caterpillars of the Monarch butterfly which gain an immunity from predators.
Lanikai, Hawaii

March 17, 2012

Regatta Day at Marine Corps Base Hawaii marina!   We hosted the Hawaii Youth Sailing Association #2 Regatta at our marina with a total of 40 young racers from around the island out on the water.  PLENTY of chop in the waves, wind in the sails, spray in the face, capsizing, death rolling and turtling of boats and sun kissed cheeks.  A perfect day for sailing!  From our house, Jordan was on the rescue/assist boat, I was on the official committee, Sam (sail #2) placed 3rd for the C4 division, Nate (sail #1) place 1st for C3 division and Zach (sail #3) placed 1st for C2 division.  Must be the lucky Irish in them.  An Awesome (sunburned) day on the water!
Also a quick shout Happy Birthday for my nephew (cousin really) Matthew... Happy 15!
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

March 16, 2012

The boys finished up a(nother) test session today so we decided to celebrate by going over to Honolulu for lunch and some shopping.  I passionately despise but I love to eat, so I was game.  Since nobody likes to eat meals from the same place, our plan was to hit the Food Court at the Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange.  The boys got meals from the coveted McDonalds while Jordan and I had Chinese.   Then off for some browsing..... dog treats, t-shirts, socks (for Jordan!) shoes, watches and a candy treat.  I can say I've now had my fill of it for the entire Spring.   I need a pedicure and a quiet beach!
Honolulu, Hawaii

March 15, 2012

I know, I know, yesterday's post was of a picture of food as well and our weather is gorgeous today (our Winter is over) AND I got out on the water this afternoon to exercise and take pictures.... but..... I've been thinking about this dessert all day!  It was Zach's birthday cake from last night and more than scrumptious (as I predicted yesterday).... It was a mouth watering morsel of heavenly goodness, especially with a scoop of ice cream on top!  One more piece for everyone tonight and then it's gone.  I'll have to save this for special occasions only or it might lose it wondrous appeal.  No.... doubt it.
Kailua, Hawaii

March 14, 2012

Nice... a shot of my dirty, messy kitchen.  Well, besides being Pi day it's also Zach's 15th birthday!   Birthday tradition with our family is the celebrating person gets to choose any special meal (within reason) which I will do my best to prepare.  Zach wanted a Belgian feast so I've got the large Doner Kebab on the spit (Set it and Forget it), frites in the 1st boil bath (hot fryer bath comes next!) and baguette in the background.  I'm trying a new recipe for his 'cake'.  It's a combo of chocolate chip cookies, oreo and brownie.... sounds, smells and looks scrumptious!!! Can't wait to try it with some vanilla ice cream.   Happy Birthday Zachary!
Kailua, Hawaii

March 13, 2012

After dropping off the boys for sailing (finally!), I went around to get a stand up paddle board only to discover the winds were gusting up to 25 mph.  Not very good for paddling.  I then decided to take a short drive over the runway to the Hale Koa Beach just to check things out.  Well, not so good at this location either!  What appears to be low tide, I believe is just a displacement of water. The entire parking lot and all the adjoining campsites are submerged under about 10-12 inches of water!  Positive side: with all this wind, the boys had a fantastic afternoon sailing.
Hale Koa Beach, Hawaii

March 12, 2012

These bougainvillea cover the wall adjacent to our beach access path.  As you can see, it's still a bit cloudy and VERY windy, but (so far... dare I say!) not rainy.  That's a positive sign and a step in the right direction.  We need to get this place back on track and very Hawaii-ish because the Girl is coming home this week for her much needed thaw.... also know as Spring Break.
Kailua, Hawaii

March 11, 2012

A near fatality.  Little Christmas Aardvark (we're not sure exactly what it is, but that's what the boys call it!)  is scheduled for surgery later today.  Unfortunately for him, his voice box was ripped out and mangled beyond repair.  Silent forevermore.
Kailua, Hawaii

March 10, 2012

Last night Zach and Nate "camped out" on the historic battleship Missouri with their Boy Scout troop.  In the morning, the troop scooted over to the Aviation Museum to work on their Aviation and American Heritage merit badges.  This is the freshly painted (mock) control tower for Ford Island.  It was erected for the movie Tora, Tora, Tora because the original tower (center left) wasn't impressive enough.  As for the aircraft, I'm not sure what it is.  The boys told me it's an experimental something and Navy.
Ford Island, Hawaii

March 9, 2012

Hail the size of golf balls?  Really?!?!?  Come on Mother Nature.... Hawaii IS NOT cut out for this!
Kailua, Hawaii

March 8, 2012

Warm clothes, hot drinks, comfort foods and hibernation... aaahhh, wintertime in Hawaii.  It feels like a Pacific Northwest or Belgian kind of (month) day.  At least the morning glories are still opening.  Most of the other flowers I see (that are still attached to their plant!) are just too drenched and droopy to show their faces.  Come on Spring, sunshine and warmth!
Kailua, Hawaii

March 7, 2012

I woke this morning to sunshine.  I knew it wasn't going to last long so I hightail it outside for a walkabout with the camera.  This is a shot taken from the Lanikai obelisk of the brown water runoff from one of the channels.  As you can see off in the distance, it's raining again (on Marine Corps Base Hawaii) and another storm was snapping at my heels.  It looks as if it's going to be another day indoors for us!
Lanikai, Hawaii

March 6, 2012

More of the same for today.  This is the street in front of our house.  Apparently, this is good because it's only about 1 inch deep with some of the street showing, while most of Kailua is completely submerged.  Oahu is getting a years worth of rainfall in 1 week, so we're experiencing flooded streets (and yards), flash floods, brown water spills, and mudslides across the island.  Again, be careful out there!
Kailua, Hawaii

March 5, 2012

Our new weather vane!  Not really.  This poor little plover is taking a break while there is a lull in the storm.  All over the island of Oahu people are dealing with torrential downpours, flash flooding, submerged/closed streets, rerouted traffic and overflowing safety runoffs.  The forecast for the next few days is calling for more of the wet stuff.  We need the precipitation, but not all at once!  Stay safe and dry.
Kailua, Hawaii

March 4, 2012

Out for a short stroll.   I really mean short.  They get tired of walking after about 200 yards and need to rest.  This was just two houses down from ours and they needed to return home.  Silly pups.
Kailua, Hawaii

March 3, 2012

All these months of posting beautiful Hawaii pictures and I haven't yet shown the most recognizable!  Yes, this is the Bird of Paradise with a little Gold Dust Day Gecko peeking over the petals.  Quite fitting for today as it is a magnificent, paradise like day.... sunny and warm with a light breeze.   It's perfect for our friends Sean and Diana Bartlett visiting us from Anacortes, WA.  We'll enjoy traditional Kalua pork, sticky rice, sweet potatoes, fresh tropical fruit, taro bread and haupia.  Pupus, Mai tais and Longboards on the front lanai first!
Kailua, Hawaii

March 2, 2012

I just never tire of seeing these trees.  My errand running time went a bit longer than expected because I had to stop to take some pictures.
Kaneohe, Hawaii

March 1, 2012

I tried paddle boarding today, but after 30 minutes of beating into the wind, I finally gave up and returned to the marina.  I was expecting the call to cancel the boys sailing class because the winds were so switchy and gusty, but out they went.  They need to practice time on the water.  We had choppy rough water, yuck winds, storms in the foothills and beyond, a layer of VOG hanging low and a some (more) amphibious vehicle action in the shallow waters.  All in all, not a bad day, but it's good to be home again.
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii