May 2012 Journal Photos

Malia's Visit

Malia arrived for a week's stay on Monday, April 30^th, the last day of the month.

Andrea and I met Malia at United's H2 baggage claim with a lei.

On Tuesday, May Day, also Lei Day, Tigger helped with morning exercises.

Then Malia did pushups while I did situps.

We drove down to Sans Souci Beach for a swim, and on the way I took this photo of the palm tree style architecture of the Queen
Kapiolani Hotel on Kapahulu near Kalakaua.

At the beach with Malia and Andrea.

The sun feels nice after the cool water.

On Wednesday morning, Malia and I went shopping for Mother's Day cards at the Hallmark store in Kahala Mall.

Wednesday evening we had dinner at BluWater Grill in Hawaii Kai.

Andrea took this great shot of Malia.

The two musicians chat with customers as the sun goes down.

On Thursday, May 3^rd, Andrea and Malia worked on landscaping the front before going to the beach.

Girls pose on a wall at Sans Souci Beach.

Andrea and Malia get some sun on the beach.

On Friday Malia helped glue boards together for bookcases.

We built two bookcases, each 60 inches high, with five shelves, 30 inches wide, and 20 inches deep, out of boards salvaged
from our home remodel project.

On Saturday we went to the UH Women's Campus Club luncheon at the Nuuanu Country Club.

Carol met us there and Ann Bystrom also sat with us.

The food was served at our places on the lanai.

Malia took this picture of Andrea with Lenore.

Later we went to Waikiki to buy some keiki clothes and went to the beach. It was quite crowded on Saturday and the tide
was high, with waves washing up onto the beach. It was a super moon day, Japanese boy day, Cinco De Mayo, and Buddha's birthday.

On Sunday we celebrated Mother's Day a week early. Andrea took Malia for a walk on Queen's Beach near Sandy Beach.

Finding treasures on Queen's Beach.

That evening Lenore treated us to dinner at Gyotaku.

Lenore and Malia.

Posing for Andrea's camera.

On Monday the seventh we went to the beach for a swim.

Tuesday morning Malia and I went bodysurfing at Makapuu.

Then we got Andrea and hiked up the Kuliouou ridge trail.

Coming back down the Kuliouou ridge trail.

We went to the beach again on Wednesday afternoon.

After the beach, Malia helped me carry the new bookcases into the house and then she helped work in the garden, screening dirt.

Thursday morning we drove to Kailua for breakfast at Cinnamon's.

Andrea took this picture of Malia and me at Cinnamon's.

Later, after visiting Home Depot and Costco on the way back from Kailua, we stopped for smoothies at Lanikai Juice in Kahala.

Thursday afternoon we went to the beach for a swim. A monk seal was resting on the beach in front of the Sans Souci Apartments,
and it rolled into the water and swam away while Malia was swimming. Malia also hiked Koko Crater that evening before we drove
her to the airport for the long flight home.

Botball Competition

Kalani Robotics attended the Botball Competition held at the Hawaii Convention Center on Saturday, May 12^th.

The Botball venue was exhibition hall 3 at the Convention Center. The pits (beyond the screen) were marked "students only,"
so mentors had to stay in the competition viewing area.

The Kalani students take to the field on table 2.

Preparing the robots for action. Photo by Andrea.

Between seeding rounds the software program is revised. Photo by Andrea.

Mothers' Day

Even though we celebrated Mothers' Day a week early when Malia was here, we celebrated again on Mothers' Day proper, Sunday,
May 13^th.

We barbecued teriyaki chicken thighs. Andrea shows off the "redneck wine glass" that Malia gave her.

Malia visited Becky in New York and participated in the tree planting event on the Hudson River as describe in this ejournal.com article.

As on Mothers' Day, the following Monday Andrea also worked in the yard doing the new landscaping around the new construction.

We didn't go to the beach on Mothers' Day due to anticipated crowds, but we went on Monday. I took this picture of students
testing an underwater robot at the Waikiki Aquarium in a small outdoor pool.

Kalani High School Robotics Team

Andrea and I attended meetings at Kalani High School to wrap up the year and prepare for the summer and next fall.

On Tuesday, May 15^th, the team met after school to discuss plans for the near future. Afterward, Andrea and I went to
the beach. I took this photo of students testing their underwater robot at the Waikiki Aquarium.

On May 17^th we met with students again. Here, students prepare for the FLL (FIRST Lego League) workshop by teaching
FLL programming on a laptop computer.

This is a view over the top of building F with the pool in the background and the Kahala Hilton Hotel in the distance.

Landscaping

Now that all the construction work is completed, landscaping has been underway.

Lenore and Andrea returning from a morning walk past the pile of dirt and bags of compost. Tuesday, May 22^nd.

The front entryway landscape is complete!

I excavated and formed up for concrete edging on the new shed foundation.

That evening Andrea and I went on a date night out to the Moana Hotel Banyan Court.

We took pictures of the food and each other.

I had the fish tacos; Andrea had the chicken pesto flatbread. Lahaina punches all aroun.

We had a view of the two musicians (ukulele and bass) and hula dancer.

Andrea was happy to get out for the evening.

The next morning the 500 pounds of hand mixed concrete had set. Wednesday, May 23^rd.

I took off the forms.

How it looks with the forms off.

Partially backfilled. Now I have a good place to put some potted plants.

Neighborhood Meeting with State Legislature Representatives

Mark Hasham, our local Representative, organized a meeting at the Aina Haina Elementary School cafeteria so some of our elected Representatives could listen to the people. The meeting was from 6:30 to 7:30 PM on Wednesday, May 23^rd.

Mark (right) and the legislators listen to remarks from the audience.

We had a fairly good turnout. Chili and rice were served and were quite good. Cookies too!

Honolulu City Councilmember Stanley Chang posted this photo on Facebook with this caption:
"I attended a town hall meeting on state issues organized by Rep. Mark Hashem and including guest speakers Reps. Marcus Oshiro,
Pono Chong, and Isaac Choy. I appreciate their efforts at funding boulder removal and school improvements for East Honolulu."
--at Aina Haina Elementary School.

Waialae Limu Huki

Andrea and I volunteered again to help with the Malama Maunalua limu huki at Waialae Beach Park, on Thursday, May 24^th.

Students from Waialae Middle School volunteered to help pull (huki) the invasive seaweed (limu).

The students were divided into two groups. The first water group gets tabis and gloves.

The onshore group gets ready for a science activity.

The onshore group determimes the makeup of the beach debris.

The huki group pulls the invasive mudweed. At 11:00 AM the two groups switched roles.

Landscaping Continues

While andrea continued to work in the front yard, I added a stairway to the stream in the back.

The new back curb is completely backfilled and mulch has been applied on top. Friday, May 25^th.

I start working on the stairway to be made from salvaged mahogany from the house bedroom demolition. Friday, May 25^th.

I poured a concrete foundation for the stair landing behind the lychee tree at the edge of the stream. Four 3/8 inch bolts
will anchor the wood deck. Friday, May 25^th.
Clumps of red lychees on the lychee tree. Saturday, May 26^th.

The upper stair is complete (on ground) while the second is under construction.

Andrea unloads a heavy box of books that we retrieved from our storage locker. We've been making several trips per week.
We have until the end of May to be out of the storage locker. Monday, May 28^th.

The completed stairway in the stowed configuration. Tuesday, May 29^th.

"Imperial Concubine Yang Getting Drunk." I found this Chinese scroll for two dollars at the Salvation Army store in Kailua.

The stairway to the stream in deployed configuration. It has a two-pulley rope system for pulling it back up.

Wednesday morning, the 30^th, Andrea got a Pedicure.

Thursday, the 31^st, unpacking continues.

I put in a board to form the concrete foundation for the corner deck over the drain. Thursday, May 31^st.

Email Richard dot J dot Wagner at gmail dot com