January 2013 Journal Photos

New Year's Day

Andrea and I took Eric and Becky to Sports Authority to get Eric some surf fins and a new swim suit for me on Tuesday, January 1st. We stopped by Ala Moana Beach Park and walked out to Magic Island while we were out there.


At Magic Island with the Ala Wai harbor and Ilikai hotel in the background.


Andrea took this shot of me taking the picture above.


We saw this powered catamaran going out the channel.


The picture above is cropped to show Diamond Head with the Natatorium where we go to the beach frequently.


The same scene taken by Andrea.

Becky's Visit Continues

It continued raining on Wednesday, January 2nd, piling up over an inch in Wailupe Valley, so that the stream was definitely running over a foot deep.


Zippy's in Hawaii Kai for lunch on Wednesday, January 2nd.

On Thursday, January 3rd, Andrea took Becky and Eric for a drive out to Waialua while Lenore played bridge and I stayed home and exercised. When Lenore got back from bridge with her friends, I made us some barbecued chicken sandwiches.


Becky with a coffee tree in Waialua.


Eric and Becky with a sugar cane gripper.


Becky and Eric in the parking lot at Kualoa Beach Park.


On the beach at Chinaman's Hat at Kualoa Beach Park.


Andrea took this picture of the rainy Maunalua Bay on the way back.


I don't usually take pictures of rainbows, but this one was in our back yard on Friday the 4th.

Kalani Robotics FRC Kickoff

The FRC Kickoff was held on Saturday, January 5th, at McKinley High School, as usual, starting at 05:30.


The Oahu teams are gathered for the kickoff broadcast live from New Hampshire.


We gathered at the library at Kalani High School after the kickoff.


Team members read the newly-released rules for this year's game.


Students start prototyping a frisbee shooter.


Testing the prototype shooter while I sketch pyramid climbing ideas.

Becky's Visit Continues

Becky and Eric continued to enjoy their stay on Oahu.


On Sunday, January 6th, we had breakfast at Lulu's in Waikiki and then talked to Paul Forney at the Zoo fence.


Later that day Becky and Eric hiked in the Koko Crater botanical garden.


On Monday, January 7th, we drove to Horan's place at the mudflats on Kaneohe Bay by going over the Pali Highway.
We stopped at the Pali Lookout, but it was raining and blowing quite a bit. I'm holding onto my glasses.


We window shopped in Kailua and had lunch at Horan's, carried out from Pah Ke's restaurant. Mark (far right) is a visitor
from South Hampton, England.


After lunch we helped carry a driftwood beam from the shore up into Horan's yard. It took three of us as it was quite heavy.


We took the long way back and stopped at Heeia Beach Park.


Andrea takes a picture of Eric and Becky.


Talking to Uncle Bobby of Puakea about canoe building and restoration.


Uncle Bobby took time to explain canoe technology and history to us.


On Tuesday, January 8th, I took Eric and Becky body surfing. We first stopped at Makapuu Beach, but it was
dangerously big and blown out, so we just walked on the beach and got back in the car and stopped at Waimanalo Beach.


After Waimanalo Beach, which had no surf at all, we went to Bellows Beach where the waves were OK for body surfing.


Eric prepares to go into the water a second time where he cought a few more waves.


Going back to the car we spotted this whimsical house, nearly completed.


Then we went to Cinnamon's in Kailua for lunch. While we were waiting for a table, I took this photo of an etched glass
nude in the antiques store there. She's beautiful.


Becky and Eric in the antiques store by Cinnamon's.


In Alii Antiques on the parking lot near Cinnamon's. It's the most jam packed antiques shop I've seen. I bought a painted
fish for Andrea.

Hanauma Bay

I took Becky and Eric to Hanauma Bay on Wednesday, January 9th.


Tuesday evening Becky helped Andrea in the kitchen to prepare ribs for dinner.


We got to the beach by 8:30 before it got crowded.


Becky and Eric saw fish and turtles and got some underwater pictures.


Later that day, Andrea, Becky, and Eric took Lenore to the Aquarium while I stayed home.


The Aquarium is small but has high quality exhibits.


The humuhumunukunukuapuaa in the outdoor tank is Becky's favorite.


At the outdoor tank.


We went to the beach too and stopped at the Diamond Head Lookout on the way home.


That evening we ate dinner at Bluwater Grill in Hawaii Kai.

Shangri La

We went on the Doris Duke house tour on Thursday, January 10th. Shangri La.


We went to the Honolulu Museum in the morning to take the tour bus. Reservations required.


Shangri La front door.


Upper garden entrance.


Ocean cove with 14 column playhouse and Diamond Head in the background.


On the back lanai.


The 14 column playhouse with salt water pool.


Becky in the back yard of Shangri La.


Back at the museum we had lunch in the cafe.


Then we looked at the tattoo art exhibit. Click the image for the full resolution file.


Some old fashioned tattoo patterns. Click the image for the full resolution file.

Hau Tree Lanai

On Friday, January 11th, we took Becky, Eric, and Lenore to dinner at the Hau Tree Lanai.


On the way out to the car we spotted this bright rainbow. Photo by Eric Cotton.


People couldn't resist taking pictures of it. Panoramic photo by Eric.


At the Hau Tree Lanai.


Eric ordered a tropical itch complete with back scratcher.


Andrea took this sunset picture.


Becky took this one of the sunset at the Hau Tree Lanai (Sans Souci Beach). The horizon doesn't really slant like that.


Becky and I look at the menu.


Mugging with the back scratcher.


Watching the sunset.


Becky loading the car to go to the airport on Saturday, January 12th.


Eric loading the car.

Kalani High School Robotics FRC Build Season Week Two

On Monday, January 14th, I went to the Kalani Robotics Lab to help out.


I went to the beach in the afternoon, even though it had been raining quite hard earlier. Massively uncrowded.


I drove ZJ to Sacred Hearts Academy (which has an all girl's FRC team) to use their broach and press to put hexagonal
holes in the robot wheels.


They have a nice clean shop.


Back at the Kalani Lab, ZJ works on the frame assembly CAD model after I showed him a little shortcut using Pro Engineer.


We have a good turnout with girls on the team this year.


Students doing conceptual design for the disk (frisbee) robot transport system.


Andrea took this photo of the stranded (dead) infant humpback whale. Tuesday, January 15th. It was later found to have
died from a lung infection, and had washed up in Aina Haina.

I went to the Robotics Lab on Thursday night, January 17th, and found that the team had a good turnout and was making good progress.


Team leader ZJ shows the team the CAD model on the laptop computer and tells how everything works.


The electrical and programming team at work.


The team takes a break to eat dinner together.


Building a second shooter prototype with a two stage accelerator.

Lychee Tree Lanai Makeover

Also on Thursday, January 17th, I started remaking the lanai under the lychee tree in our back yard.


I moved paving stones to shift it a unit toward the house and to add a unit toward downstream (left).


Then I put a frame of 2 x 2s around the area.


The frame is shimmed level and staked.


Ready for the sand. Friday, January 18th.


Need to go get more sand.


Andrea went to the Malama Maunalua Paiko Huki on Saturday, January 19th, while I got more sand.


Putting back the old pavers with the new ones in a geometric pattern. Andrea is the art director.


Andrea did most of the work moving and replacing the pavers.


The last paver has been placed.


Moving the lamp over the new center.


The form is removed and compost added around the edges.


The table and chairs are replaced.


The 2 x 2s are used to make a bonsai shelf. First they are painted. Sunday, January 20th


Then the two pedestals are assembled and filled with sand at the back of the lanai.


Assembling the bonsai shelf with brass screws.


It's done!


The bonsai shelf is level.


Ready to sprinkle the compost.

World's Largest Peace Sign

On Monday, January 21st, Andrea and I participated in the world's largest peace sign at Kapiloani Park.


Andrea and I drove to Kapiolani park and walked to Lulu's for breakfast, upstairs, above Starbucks.


Andrea took this picture of the view from Lulu's.


Walking along the park sidewalk I took this picture of the Waikiki Shell.


We watched the end of the Martin Luther King Day Parade.


Andrea took this picture of the Democratic Party trolly.


The Church of the Crossroads (Mom and Mits's Church) marched in the parade.


This was the best float. Photo by Andrea.


Andrea got a picture of the Teachers' Union.


The peace sign float. Photo by Andrea.


Peace sign registration tables.


I said hi to Eric Butler, organizer. Photo by Andrea.


Simina and Kai also registered. Photo by Andrea.


Simina took this one of Andrea and me with Kai.


Eric Butler, organizer, assembles the peace sign.


Bronson, of HOPA (House of Pure Aloha) was there.


View from the air.

Kalani High School Robotics FRC Build Season Week Three

On Tuesday, January 22nd, I went to the Kalani Robotics Lab to help out.


I suggested that the shooter prototype be tested with upside down frisbees because there may be some picked up from
the floor that way. It needs modification for upside down shooting.


The Web site team at work.


Repairing last year's robot (basketball shooter) for outreach demonstrations.


Software development team with the testbed robot.

Women's Campus Club Outreach at Manoa

On Wednesday, January 23rd, Andrea went to the outreach event on the UH Manoa campus.


The table setup in the Campus Center. Photo by Andrea.


Cutting T-shirts because ... Photo by Andrea.


The T-shirts can be made into high fashion wear as demonstrated by WCC President Aurora. Photo by Andrea.

Wahine Basketball

On Thursday, January 24th, Andrea and I went to see a UH Wahine basketball game at the Stan Sheriff Center.


We first ate dinner at the L&L Hawaiian Barbecue fast food restaurant at the Center.


We watched the Wahine and Mustangs warm up before the game.


We were joined at the game by David and Wendy McClaine and Chris Mellor.


The Wahine won 61 to 43 against the Cal Poly Mustangs.

Lenore's Birthday

On Friday, January 25th, we celebrated Lenore's birthday with Lynne and Walter over for dinner.


In the morning we went to Geobunga in Waimanalo to buy some pots and river rock for the garden.


We had ribs for dinner followed by birthday cake.

WCC Luncheon

On Saturday, January 26th, we went to the Women's Campus Club luncheo at the Nuuanu Country Club.


Andrea's brother Bill talked to David McLaine before lunch.


President Aurora with Andrea. Photo by Emily.


There were over 50 attendees.


Rick, Bill, and Lenore enjoy lunch. Photo by Andrea.

Kalani High School Robotics FRC Build Season Week Four

The robot design and build process is coming along nicely. On Monday, January 28th, I went to the Kalani Robotics Lab to help out again, having gone to Sans Souci Beach earlier in the afternoon.


After my swim I did my pullups and bar dips as usual. This photo was published in the Honolulu Star Bulletin the next day.


This is Bruce, the newspaper photographer who took the picture above.


A cruise ship steamed toward Maui.


The ship sped past Diamond Head.


Monday, week four. The robot is taking shape. Most of the welding is done on the robot frame.


Students keep track of tasks.


Working on design of electronics board layout.


Tuesday morning, January 29th (Bill's Birthday), I took this picture of the leg lamp the Malmburgs gave me for Christmas.


We took Bill to La Mariana Sailing Club (LMSC) for lunch.


A painted mask at LMSC.


Another painted mask at LMSC.


On Tuesday evening, Bryan Silver, team lead mentor, helps students lay out saw cuts on polycarbonate sheet.


When dinner was served at Kalani Robotics, Andrea and I went to Waikiki to have drinks and pupus at the Moana Hotel.


Andrea snapped this one of me.


I got this photo of Andrea with the two-piece singing group and hula dancer in the background.


The next day, Wednesday, after coming home from the beach, I noticed our native hibiscus had its first flower, so Andrea got this
great photo.


Thursday evening, January 31st, I drove to Kalani Robotics. The mechanical team at work.


Waylon, parent and mentor, brought his propane barbecue and cooked steaks for everyone.


The electrical and programming team at work.


Everyone enjoyed the steaks for dinner.

Email Richard dot J dot Wagner at gmail dot com


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Last updated February 1, 2013, by Rick Wagner. Copyright © 2013, all rights reserved.