January 2014 Journal Photos

Stand Up Paddling Adventure

On Friday, January 2^nd, Andrea and I took Becky and family friend Bob Lew for a stand up paddling adventure with Hawaiian Surf Adventures in Hawaii Kai. This was Bob's suggestion, and he picked us up in his car in the morning.

We drove to Maunalua Bay in the Hawaiian Surf Adventures van and we all helped get the paddle boards into the water.

We started off the lesson with sit paddling. Sasha, our instructor, took pictures.

Bob got on his board.

Becky on her board.

Andrea on her board.

We paddled under the bridge into Hawaii Kai lagoon.

Becky stands up.

Andrea stands up.

After paddling with Sasha in the background.

Looking past the canoe shed toward Kuliou'ou.

That evening Andrea and I took Becky to the Moana Hotel Banyan Court to have drinks and pupus and listen to some Hawaiian
music and see some hula dancing. Photo by Andrea.

Music and hula dancing.

Rain showers off shore blocked any sunset views. Photo by Andrea.

The hula dancer put on a red muumuu.

We stopped at Sand People next to the Moana Hotel.

Then we went to the Kaimana Hotel for more drinks and pupus. Photo by Andrea.

Manoa Heritage Center Tour

On Friday, January 3^rd, Andrea took Becky and me on a tour of the Manoa Heritage Center where she is a docent.

We arrive in front of the Cooke house.

Under the hau tree arbor with the konane game board.

The heiau with the koolau mountains in the background.

Becky with the monkey pod bonsai she helped me to pot.

Kalani Robotics FRC Build

On Saturday, January 4^th, Andrea, Becky, and I attended the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) kickoff at McKinley High School at 5:30 AM. This event kicks off the six week build period for FRC teams around the world.

We arrived at McKinley High with plenty of time before the kickoff video. Photo by Andrea.

We got good seats in the middle of the auditorium.

Photo by Madi.

Hula Lesson

On Saturday, January 4^th, Andrea, Becky, Lynn Miller, and I were given a hula lesson by Christine Meller, who graciously came to our house for that purpose.

Christine brought hula skirts for Becky and Andrea.

Hula!

Afterwards we all had barbecued pork ribs.

This photo is with flash.

The next day, Saturday, Andrea took Becky to Kaena Point for a hike while I mentored Kalani Robotics.

Becky on the hike.

Andrea and Becky at Kaena Point.

Andrea stitched this panoramic view at Kaena Point. Click the image to see the full size version.

Kalani Robotics Build Season Week One

On Sunday, January 5^th, I lead an all-day systems engineering exercise that resulted in a concept design for a robot that has 100% buy-in from all stakeholders. We followed the BCR Systems Engineering approach.

Students sketch a concept design.

In the evening our friend Karen came by for dinner with her two children.

Andrea fixed chicken for dinner.

On Monday night, Andrea fixed dinner for the robotics team. Here a student works on CAD.

The controls team assembles a testbed.

On Tuesday, the 7^th, Andrea, Becky and Lenore took a drive around the island. First stop, Waialua. Photo by Andrea.

Laie. Photo by Andrea.

Kaneohe. Photo by Andrea.

Buzz's Steakhouse, in Kailua, where President Obama ate lunch a few days ago. Photo by Andrea.

We went to the beach in the afternoon.

Lots of sun after swimming.

Storing warmth for New York. Photo by Andrea.

In the evening I mentored at Kalani Robotics. This year's game object, a two foot diameter ball, is in the foreground.

The mechanical designers at work.

A wooden prototype of our shooter is in progress.

On her last day here, Wednesday, Becky helped de-decorate the house.

In the evening I went to Kalani High School. Here the electrical team is at work.

The ball intake prototype is tested.

On Thursday Andrea took this photo of a whale spouting out to sea on her walk in Aina Haina.

Tigger resting in her cat bed.

On Thursday Andrea and I went to UH Manoa to help host the WCC new faculty lunch. I waited at Varney Circle for the
bento lunches to be delivered. This is a kii fountain. If I had to guess I would say it's Ku. I hope they fix the fountain soon.

Everyone enjoyed the bento lunches and we talked with the new faculty members.

In the afternoon Andrea took Tigger in to the pet hospital.

We had 22 for dinner at Kalani Robotics in the evening.

Robot work after dinner at the Robotics lab.

Students assemble the pit structure for an upgrade evaluation.

Testing the shooter prototype.

Kalani Robotics Build Season Week Two

Starting week two on Saturday, January 11^th we had a working prototype shooter and completed CAD for the drive frame.

I photographed my hand calculations for the shooter pneumatics on Saturday.

Wayland gave a welding safety briefing.

On Sunday the high goal field element for robot testing was done.

While I was mentoring at Kalani High School, Andrea redid the hall floor.

On Monday night I took this video of our prototype shooter scoring.

The plants are coming along well. Tuesday, January 15^th.

Students at work Tuesday evening.

On Wednesday we went to the Humane Society and adopted two cats, Napoleon and Emma. Photo by Andrea.

Reading on the beach. Photo by Andrea.

Napoleon. Photo by Andrea.

The team at work. Wednesday, January 15^th.

Date Night at the Ilikai

Andrea and I went out for dinner to Sarento's at the top of the Ilikai Hotel on Thursday, January 16^th.

A nice picture of the waterfall at the Ilikai garden. We rode up the dedicated external elevator

Our waitress offered to take this photo at the top of the Ilikai.

The food was great.

Andrea photographs our volcanic dessert.

The photo of the volcano.

"Images of an Evening" art photo by Andrea, later at the Kaimana hotel bar.

Kalani Robotics Build Season Week Three

Starting week three on Saturday, January 18^th we had a welded frame and working wheel encoders.

Part preparations for welding and CAD.

Electrical and programming work on electronics CAD and vision system for "hot" detection.

Wayland adds a shooter interface to the frame.

A student learns welding.

We start each session with a status meeting.

Assembling bumpers.

Bonsai Photography

I created a photo backdrop from a lauhala mat painted black and photographed three of my bonsai on Monday, January 20^th, which is also Martin Luther King Day.

Milo, clump style, from seed.

Ficus (banyan), purchased as growing material.

Kiawe forest, from seed.

Bill arrived for a visit Monday afternoon.

At Kalani High School robotics team members work on the robot.

Drilling holes in the robot frame.

Making bumpers and programming.

Cat Post

I started working on a cat post on Tuesday, January 21^st.

I set out the materials on the saw horses.

Programming team at work. Tuesday, January 21^st.

Painting the team number on the bumpers.

Putting tread on the wheels.

Getting ready to weld.

Setting up a weld.

North Shore

On Wedesday, January 22^nd, I drove Bill up to the north shore to look at the big surf.

Meanwhile Andrea was a volunteer for the Women's Campus Club at the Kapiolani Community College Service Learning Fair.

We stopped at the Shark's Cove shopping center for coffee at the Coffee Bean and then went down to look at the ocean.

Waimea Bay was breaking just about all the way across.

We stopped at Pah Kay's for lunch.

Sipping tea in Pah Kay's.

The robotics lab was humming Wedesday, January 22^nd.

Coldest day of the year, Thursday, January 23^rd.

ZJ made the first rendering of our 2014 robot on Thursday, January 23^rd.

Bill came to the robotics lab on Thursday and took some videos.

Bill also assisted Zack in storyboard ideas for the Chairman's Award video.

Lenore's Birthday Celebration

We started the birthday celebration on on Friday, January 24^th.

But first we took Bill to the beach.

Lots of photographic action at the Top of the I.

Bill and Andrea enjoyed Sarento's at the top of the Ilikai Hotel.

Andrea took this one of Lenore.

Andrea took this of the sun getting low.

The actual sunset.

A second photo of the sunset just to be sure.

Photon capture actions continue.

Lenore and Bill split a volcano dessert.

Opening birthday presents Saturday morning.

Malia sent Lenore a quilt.

The front side of the quilt.

Saturday morning Lenore takes a happy birthday call from Malia.

I went into Robotics for an hour on Saturday.

This is the first day of week four.

Guests arrived for Lenore's 89th birthday party. Marion, Norma, and Lorrie.

Lenore had several leis and a halo.

Some of us sat in the back under the lychee tree for a while.

We had barbecued lamb and oven roasted pork ribs too.

Lenore blew out the candles on the chocloate with whipped cream icing birthday cake.

Sunday morning the cats look out the windows. This corner is where the cat post will go.

Kalani Robotics Build Season Week Four

Starting week four on Saturday, January 25^th we had completed wheels, bumpers, and catapult frame.

Dyeing the pit structure tubes red. Sunday, January 26^th.

The cat post after one coat of varnish. Monday morning.

Monday afternoon I went to the beach and saw this wedding photograph couple.

Monday evening we have a robot being assembled!

After a second coat of varnish, I wrapped 100 feet of sisal rope around the cat post and Andrea carpeted the landings. Tuesday morning.

Napoleon at the front window.

Bumper installation is underway Tuesday evening.

Honolulu Academy of Art

Bill and I visited the Academy of Art on Wednesday, January 29^th.

We walked in the garden courtyard.

I like this dragon plate in the Chinese section.

Meanwhile Andrea had lunch in Manoa with several WCC Past Presidents: Ann, Elsie, Lenore, and Norma. Wendie
(second from right) also attended. Photo by Andrea.

Bill and I had lunch at the Zippy's across King Street from the Miss Hawaii Building.

While I went to mentor Kalani Robotics, Andrea, Lenore, and Bill celebrated his birthday with some cake.

Zack videos Darius in the foreground while others work on the robot. Wednesday, January 29^th.

Kevin and ZJ install the newly-assembled motor transmissions.

Electrical team at work. Thursday, January 30^th.

Danielle files a weld on the shooter catapult frame.

Chinese New Year

The year of the horse began on Friday, January 31^st, the day after the new moon.

Neil Abercrombie sent me this image.

On the way to the beach we stopped at Whole Foods to get fish for new year's dinner.

It was a bit of a gray day at Kapiolani Park and the Waikiki Shell.

Andrea took a picture of me taking a picture of her.

Diamond Head in the background.

Students spray painted the frame and shooter Friday night. Photo by Kevin.

Photo by Kevin.

Email Richard dot J dot Wagner at gmail dot com