Becky's Visit 2013-2014

Becky's Arrival

Becky arrived at the Honolulu International Airport Sunday, December 22nd, and Andrea and I went there and picked her up at baggage claim C3.


Rebecca Noelani Wagner rides from the airport.


We stopped at Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha in the Aina Haina Shopping Center for icy drinks.


Becky greets Tigger.


Tigger finds a good place to rest.


Cats have less interest in watching Christmas in Connecticut than humans.


Monday morning we had breakfast at Jack's Restaurant in the Aina Haina Shopping Center.

Christmas

We had a Christmas party on Christmas Eve, December 24th.


Kai played with blocks and chips.


Annie, Linda, and Andrea enjoyed some food.


Simina's two friends, Mark Hashem, Becky, and Lorrie get some food from the buffet table.


A fun evening for all.


Genevieve talked to Linda a Lorrie while Tigger relaxed.


The food table was well stocked.


Linda, Paul, and Lorrie.


Paul, Linda, Nani, and Andrea.


Breakfast on Christmas morning.


I got an eyeglass holder from Andrea.


Becky talked to sister Malia in Virginia.


Rick opens twelve days of Christmas presents.


We drove to Makapuu on Christmas day to see if Rabbit Island was green. It was! I made this stitched photo from three
camera images. Click the image to see the full size version.


Andrea, Lenore, and Becky at Makapuu with Mount Olomana in the background (the twin pointy peaks).


I got a new Verizon LG G2 phone for Christmas so I tested it with this afternoon rainbow shot. It has a 1.78
aspect ratio, so I have increased my standard Web photo width using 30% reduction to 1248 pixels wide (x 702 high).


On Thursday, the day after Christmas, we went to Don Quijote to buy firecrackers for New Year's at the Young's.

Wailupe Valley Hike

Andrea and I took Becky on a hike up Wailupe Valley on Friday, December 27th.


We pause for a photo on the way into the forest.


Making our way upward. Photo by Andrea.


Becky photographs an ancient rock wall.


On the way back, above the bamboo forest, Becky is framed in a branch loop.


We went to Park restaurant for dinner.


Our waiter offered to take this photo with the Kapiolani Park view.


Cheers! Photo by Andrea.


A great picture window view of the park and Diamond Head.


Becky had the Jim Beam macaroni, potato leek soup, and a side of spinach. Photo by Andrea.

Visit to Horans

Andrea and Becky and I visited the Horans on Saturday, December 28th. Artist friends Jesse and Mary arrived at the same time and we had lunch together downstairs.


Suzi showed us their Christmas tree decorated with found beach toys. It's lovely.


Jesse gave Horan a green felt top hat.


Claude and Suzi with the Christmas tree.


Suzi laid out a great spread for lunch and I fixed some drinks.


I photographed this 1937 swimming championship trophy of Horan's. Click the image to see the full resolution version.


We stopped at He'eia State Park on the way back where I took this photo. Click the image to see the full resolution version.


On Sunday, the 29th, Becky helped cut a branch off the lychee tree with the pole saw.


We went to the beach on Monday afternoon and I took this photo of the Black Pearl at Waikiki.


Becky and I walked out on the groin by Colony Surf apartments and I took this stitched photo of Waikiki. Click the image
to see the full resolution version.

New Year's Eve Party at the Young's

Andrea, Lenore, Becky, and I attended the traditional New Year's Eve party at the Young's on Tuesday, December 31st.


On Tuesday, New Year's eve, we went to the Young's house to help with getting the pig roast ready.


The pig is doused with boiling water after trussing.


Dan and Stacy lift the pig over the fire onto the rotisserie.


In the afternoon Andrea and I took Becky to the beach and took this photo at the Dillingham fountain.


Becky enjoyed the water and sun.


Carl tends the fire.


The pig is done around 6:30 PM.


Becky learns how to play Mahjongg.


A quiet conversation in the family room as midnight approaches (9:53 PM).

Stand Up Paddling Adventure

On Friday, January 2nd, 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 3rd, 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 4th, 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 4th, 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.


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 5th, 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 7th, 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.

Email Richard dot J dot Wagner at gmail dot com


BeckyVisit.html, this hand crafted HTML file was created January 4, 2014.
Last updated January 10, 2014, by Rick Wagner. Copyright © 2014, all rights reserved.
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