Hawai'i No Ka 'Oe

It's amazing how being back in the islands can have such an affect on me. I really haven't shared this with my brother Keoki or his family, well... I shared a little bit of it with Foeata... but tonight I was thinking about when I go back to Idaho in 1 1/2 weeks, and I already feel homesick.

The islands have been such a great healing place for me. It's funny how you don't realize that somethings broken until you experience what it feels like after it's been fixed.

Keoki, Foeata, Dee and Billy have been trying to get me to change my mind to move back to the islands. Dee has been bribing me with food. But Keoki and Foeata are giving me every reason why I really should move back here. They even took me over to UH-Manoa to check out the Nursing program. Although no one was there that could answer my questions, it was neat to be on campus and to see people with shorts, slippers, no shirt, Hawaiian attire etc... Now, if they took me to the ROTC department, that might have made a difference. =)

I'm trying to control my emotions. Even going to Kaua'i is getting a bit hard for me. Here, I have family. FAMILY!

I know I have cousins that live close to me while I reside in Idaho, but nothing seems to compensate for siblings, grandparents or even parents that I wish could be near. At this point, I wish I knew what the Lord needed me to do... whether it was to stay in Idaho and finish school Winter 2013 or move back to Hawai'i and graduate from the nursing program in Fall 2014.

Anyway... Here are a few pictures from the trip that I thought I'd share with all of you. Once I get photos from our trip to Kaua'i, I'll post them on here too.


I was able to get free tickets for the PCC villages and night show. I only had to pay for the Luau of which I was able to get a discount and only paid $114 for 4 adults for the Luau. (The children and everything else were free!!!!) Julie and P and PCC...



The Baclayon Girls and Auntie Julie after the Hale 'Ohana Luau Buffet! It was great to have the family together! We even got to see the new night show "Ha". What a treat!

Julie and I woke up early Tuesday morning and headed out to Pearl Harbor. We accidentally purposely cut in front of another couple who were taking their sweet time to get tickets (they were also in another lane) and ended up getting the last tickets for the 8 AM boat to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial.

The Memorial was very special for me. It felt sacred and hallowed. The feel there was such a quiet and unique. Coming from a military background, I teared up as I read the names on the wall. There were 23 or so sibling pairs that died and a pair of father and son who had gone down in the ship. If I were in the military serving with any of my brothers, how would my brothers and I be remembered? I know we wouldn't have a memorial built for us, but for these valiant and wonderful soldiers... this was spiritual and I'm thankful for the service of the many men and women who give and have given their lives for my "freedom", because I know it isn't "free".

The beautiful U.S.S. Arizona Memorial. Everyone should at least go their once in their lives.

Sunday night after dropping Enoka off at the airport, the family headed out to Kaneohe where we were able to see my cousin Lynnae and her family. What a great time!

Foeata, Julie and I put on a mud-mask that Keoki brought home from Foeata after he made it in his Hawaiian medicine class. We couldn't figure out what color green we had pasted to our faces.

What would be a trip to Hawai'i without visiting some kind of Lo'i. This lo'i is located at UH-Manoa. Because they were prepping for the Fall 2009 semester, we weren't able to pull kalo. Thank you Keoki for taking us mainland folks around! =)

We also went to the Foster's Botanical Garden's in Honolulu. This was such a cool place to go! Julie had a blast looking at all the different plants that she was learning in school. I was fun to watch her make connections with her schooling and life applications of what those plants really look like it their natural habitat.

This tree was sooooo cool looking and HUGE! I couldn't resist... I jumped up and had to pose.

Ah! The coconut! I wish I could say that this is a juxtaposition, but it's not. Here, as you can see, are two coconuts! Brown on the outside and white on the inside. It was such a refreshing drink after Julie and I spent nearly 2 1/2 hours at the Swapmeet! Hello!

This was a cool place to be! We went to the Valley of the Temples in Kaneohe, the same day as the coconut picture above, and got to visit the Byodo-In Temple. Apparently it was cast in the TV series "Lost". How cool was that! Honestly, it felt calm and sacred as well. Beautiful place to visit. Highly recommended.

Here are the beautiful Ko'olau Mountains. Julie took this picture. (She took a lot of pictures since I drove... I'm thankful she let's me use her pictures for things.)

Wednesday night we had a family get together. We were all sad that Foeata had to work. Here is my cousin Dee, and her children: Brittany, Daniel (Danny Boy) and baby Camden. Billy V and his family: Sawako and Leion. Keoki's family: Keala, Tele and La'akea. Thank you to Julie for taking our picture.

It was a great night full of music and laughter, food and sharing stories that would embarrass each other! Good times!!! Thank you to Bill for the music.

Before heading to Keala's birthday party at Ferrel's Hawai'i Ice Cream place at Pearlridge Mall, Julie and I got to ride in the back of Keoki's truck on the freeway! It was such a blast! It was a great way to make other's feel stupid for starring at us. ha ha ha! Good times indeed...

AH! Here are a few fun video's that I like from the trip. There are tons more, but here's a small taste of things that happened.

On Monday, Keala had music time for her homeschool. She had to feel the music/rhythm and dance and move her body to the music. She also had to clap her hands to the rhythm of the music etc. It was amazing to watch. Anyway, here's a short video clip of Keoki being himself!

Here's another little fun video: