Hangin' Loose in Hawai'i

Like Manitoba's Halfway Tree, it's half past our Honolulu paradise. Thankfully, Hawai'ian time runs very slowly. When we first arrived, it was around 2:00 a.m. our time, and I found myself stepping off the plane with this Cheshire cat grin on my face, that didn't seem to come off for days. Now, two weeks later, if I were any more relaxed I'd be a jellyfish!
The main building here is where we are staying. It's got an amazing view and it's right on the beach. The full kitchen is saving us loads of moolah as I can walk to the market every day for fresh fish, fruit and veggies.

We've been tasting all kinds of ocean fish. Don't tell his mom, but Ken said, "This was my worst meal growing up: fish and rice." But lo and behold, for the first time in his life, Ken is loving fish, and he doesn't need to order "the Captain's Platter" (deep fried and battered) at Red Lobster any more! We've enjoyed 'ahi (tuna), opah belly (moonfish), onaga (red snapper), mahimahi, and marlin, our personal favourite. The interesting thing about these large fish is that they are firm and meaty, boneless, and taste like really tender, moist chicken. We also eat fresh, locally grown papaya and pineapple every day. Mmmm.

The pace is slow and we're labelling the stages of this month in the tropics, each lasting about a week. So far we have experienced recovery and refreshment.

1. Recovery is all about relaxing the body.

2. Refreshment is about doing things that bring a spark into your psyche.

3. Renewal is the phase we are entering this coming week, which is a focus on our spirit.

4. And bringing it all together before we leave will be Readiness, or Reentry.

Maybe it all sounds the same to you, but you should see or hear the Hawai'ian language! Here's the latest word we learned, "Humuhumunukunukuapua'a." It's the state fish. Just try saying it smoothly without looking!

I've been running around writing "aloha" on everyones Facebook, but unless you have been to the land of Aloha, you don't quite appreciate it. On vacation I kind of turn into a type "b" personality, perfectly content to live a slower, quieter pace.

.We were fortunate to come during the Pan-Pacific Festival, as well as King Kamehameha Day, when everything is closed for a celebration and collaboration of Hawai'ian and Japanese cultures. There was a street party one night with 5 stages; a mini mosaic, if you will. The latter is Hawai'i's first King and is credited for unification and independence of the Islands. Both events had their own parade, so it was a weekend for sitting on the curb. Incidentally, we are right on the ocean side strip of Waikiki, where all this action takes place.

We've been making our list and checking it twice:

King Kamehama Day Parade. Check.
Pan-Pacific Festival. Check.
Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay. Check.
Boogie Boarding. Check.
Watching the sunset via boogie board. Check.
Sitting in a white rocking chair on a grand old beachfront deck. Check.
Mail postcards. Check.
Swim in ocean. Check.
Swim in pool. Check.
Day at beach. Check.
Tanning at the pool. Check.
Watching Hawaii 5-0. Check.
Shop Ala Moana. Check.
Buy red eyeglasses. Check.
Shop high end stores where a wallet is $400. Check.
(The devil wears Prada, you know.)
Watch largest privately sponsored fireworks in Hawai'i from the beach. Check.
Movie on the beach. Check.
Find the smallest sand dollar ever. Check.
Accidentally rip off the tentacle of an octopus. Check.
(That was Ken. What was it doing in the swimming area?)
Eat fish. Check.
Tour U.S. Army Museum. Check.
Eat at Cheeseburger in Paradise. Check.
Have devotions on the beach. Check.
Tour Father Damien's church. Check.
Drink Kona Coffee. Check.
Browse Art on the Zoo Fence. Check.

Well, I think you get the picture! If not, here's one more:
I walked to the farther area by the diamond head very early one morning, while Ken was asleep. As I sat on a bench and read my book and drank the Kona coffee I had brought along, I saw rain in the distance, over the ocean, and suddenly a rainbow. It was God saying, "I promise."

Being in Hawai'i for a whole month is such a privilege. It's an all expenses paid trip of a lifetime and it seems like every moment is a Kodak moment. You want to know the slackest job in Hawai'i? Weatherman. Every day is the same, high of 82 with slight trade winds to keep you cool.

Aloha, and we'll see you in a couple weeks!