Colors of Hawaii.....

Lei's and more lei's! Christine was given an honorary award from the museum and many, as traditional, congratulated her with lei's. The gorgeous flora and flower lei's flamboyantly color my memories. Even on drab rainy days, rainbows bring the bright hues back as if to say another beautiful day is coming. Oh yes, Hawaii, I'll return...
Aloha, and muhalo (thank you) for a beautiful six months...

Surf, Speedo's and Sharks

Water shades of blue from deep cobalt to lucid turquoise will forever remind me of here. Speedo's are something I'll miss ??? and the surf lifestyle. Two shark reports from the North Shore yesterday. The shark was actually entangled in the surf board leash at the Hale'ewa Beach area. The surfer dove off and shark bit the board and leash to get free. There is a whole world under water to watch!

Memories of everyday Waikiki

Beautiful Hawaii! I loved the sunsets at the yacht marina while enjoying a Mai Tai, watching the chess players at Queens Beach, and walking the cool shade path along the Ali Wai Canal. Can't believe its time to go.... its been a week of good-byes to Sapper, Girlfriend, and now Hawaii. So I won't say farewell - for I will return to paradise!

Sapper in Kuwait....

A first ever phone call from Kuwait as Sapper has landed. Quite a 25 hour flight via Seattle and Ireland. Eleven hour time difference from here and yes he's keeping track of Hawaii time.

Farewell dinner for Sapper and Sapper II by "PTA," a group of teachers that have been just great friends. Send off party was a celebration of all major holidays in 2008. So they had Christmas, New Years, St. Patricks Day (cute costumes - hope to get a photo), Fourth of July and Halloween all at one party. So clever these teachers, so creative and talented. A big thank you for their thoughtfulness, kindness, and party planning abilities!

Only in Hawaii...

First, in reference to the sand Santa at the Sheraton Waikiki, this couple has found their niche. They travel the world creating massive (this one is 10 tons) sand sculptures. Photo in previous blog is a shaka-waving, surfboard-riding Santa. Creative, clever, and a great way to make a living!

Sign posted in my elevator: the hallway odor is "kona" winds blowing through the rubbish slide. So they closed the slide - where to put garbage now?

70 mph winds at Schofield Barracks tore down trees, telephone poles, and damaged some homes. North Shore is without electricity tonight. Sapper flew out just in time....

Oahu Ocean Safety lifeguards (NOT an easy job) kept busy in North Shore mainly Waimai Bay with 18 rescues, Portuguese man-of-war-stings, and warned of box jellyfish influx. Ouch! Surf was up 20 to 40 ft. Five inches of sand covered low coastal highways - oh the problems of paradise.

A sight to see - a 20 story, 436' long satellite rocket launch platform dwarfs Aloha Tower and the Super Ferry.

Favorite Christmas Decor

And my favorite is the Sand Santa! Instead of a sand castle it's a sand Santa at the Sheraton Beach Lobby entrance - how creative. And what a fun job! The most gorgeous Christmas trees and decor is at the Hilton. Note the elves in the large Christmas tree! They have another tree that I will re-photo to do it justice. And I love the big pot with tree on top with ribbon! Classic, esquisite Christmas at the Hilton.... but that sand Santa...think I'll go play in the sand! PS - GO WARRIORS! Univ of Hawaii won all 12 games this season!!!

More Christmas Decor

The silver star Christmas tree goes with the zebra at the Hyatt. It looked a little gaudy during the daytime but I'll check it out when lit. The floral tree is at the Outrigger and is very colorful and Hawaiian. The Sheraton colors with pinks and turquoise are stunning. Got any decorating ideas yet?

Christmas Decor....

The Lion King Broadway Show was fantastic - but no photo's were allowed. It was Joe's Christmas present to me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Joe sang along to the song - Hakuna Matta - no worries! The costumes were fantastic so if it tours in your area do go see it! Also did a hike to Diamond Head Crater - you can see for miles and miles. Then I started on a hotel hike for best Christmas Decorations and found "Betty" at the Hilton. Not Christmassy but cute. The zebra is at the Hyatt - not sure about the silver baubles though!