July 2014 Journal Photos

Fourth of July Weekend

July started out fairly dry but by the third we had accumulated a third of an inch of rain.

On Tuesday, July 2^nd, Andrea and I went to the beach in the afternoon as usual and I got this photo of
a photographer and her model at the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial. Click the image to see a full resolution
(but cropped) version.

Friday, July 4^th. Andrea went for a morning walk and took this photo of the Wailupe Valley from the
sidewalk in front of our house.

In the morning I completed the stream side pavers.

Meanwhile Andrea worked on removing the dracina stump.

Never argue with a woman with an axe.

In the evening we went to Simina's party on her rooftop in Waikiki. Lenore, Tatiana, Nicole, and Al.

I brought a punch with kick. Four parts vodka, three parts orange juice, and three parts ruby red. Photo by Andrea.

Andrea and me behind the bar. Photo by Lilian Kano.

Carl's wife Lilian, Carl, and Andrea.

Lots of boats offshore in Waikiki. Photo by Andrea.

Al is an amateur photographer.

People had a good time.

Al showed some of his photos to us.

We talked about photography. Photo by Andrea.

Simina in action! She's always a great hostess.

Kai and friend.

Waikiki with Diamond Head. Click the image to see a full resolution version.

The rooftop area is great for parties.

I don't usually take pictures of sunsets, but this was a beauty. Photo by Andrea.

Tatiana came with Al and was very kind to Lenore. Photo by Andrea.

Andrea continued chopping roots on Saturday morning.

Floyd and Ester brought their friends Steve and Marlene over for dinner Saturday night.

Marlene, Steve, Floyd, and Ester. We barbecued teriyaki chicken.

Side Yard Paving

We continued the paving activity down the side yard.

Sunday morning, July 6^th, I took a turn. Photo by Andrea.

I finally got the mock orange out in the afternoon. I planted it in a box. Photo by Andrea.

After Andrea got the dracina loose, I pried it out with an iron bar. Photo by Andrea.

Now the path is clear. Photo by Andrea.

The mock orange is in the blue box and the dracina stump is being cleaned. No point in throwing away clay. Photo by Andrea.

Tuesday at the Natatorium. They are still putting warning notices on cars parked out of stall.

Wednesday morning we went to City Mill and bought drain pipe and concrete.

Getting ready for forming. Photo by Andrea.

Drain pipe installed and concrete formed.

Mixing concrete. We used ten bags (60 lb. each). Photo by Andrea.

Screeding the concrete. Photo by Andrea.

Smoothing. Photo by Andrea.

Letting it rest. Photo by Andrea.

Edge finishing. Photo by Andrea.

Smokey Joe's Cafe at Manoa Valley Theater

Andrea and I went to the performance of 1950's songs on Wednesday, July 9^th.

The seating was changed to Cabaret style.

The stage and set.

Photo by Andrea.

Thursday morning I found that the Star-Advertiser had published my letter to the editor. It was slightly edited
for readability. Here's the original text: "I met my wife Andrea at Sans Souci Beach 35 years ago. Lately I have
noticed many locals calling it 'Kaimana Beach.' Even your fine newspaper repeats the error from time to time in
reporting on events there. It's true that a building named the 'Kaimana' (a beach hotel) is there with the Hau Tree
Lanai, but that is no reason to change the name of a public beach. The parking lot wall of the Natatorium, which bounds
the beach on the Ewa end, has kaimana shaped pukas in it, but that too is no reason to change the name of a public beach.
Until recently the City and County had a Web page on Sans Souci Beach Park. I hope they reinstate it."

Ke Kani O Ke Kai at the Waikiki Aquarium

Andrea and I took Lenore to the aquarium concert on Thursday, July 10^th. Natalie Ai Kamauu was up first, followed by Mark Yamanaka.

We had dinner from the Grove restaurant, wine from Barefoot Wines (which donates the wine and all of its proceeds
go to the aquarium), and settled in to await the performance.

It was a sold out crowd.

Five, count them, five volunteer hula dancers for Natalie, joined on state by her brother (on bass) and husband
Io (on guitar).

FIRST Lego League Planning Meeting at Punahou School

Andrea and I went to the 2014 season planning meeting for FLL on Saturday, July 12^th.

Before we left, I took this picture of a torch ginger blooming on the side of our house. Click the image for the
full resolution version.

The Punahou team has a nice machine shop.

I checked out the water jet. Photo by Andrea.

Aaron Dengler, President of Hawaii FLL, led the planning session.

Rainbow Bonsai Club Meeting

Andrea and I went to the July meeting on Sunday, July 13^th. I was nominated Vice President. Andrea was nominated Secretary. Elections will be next month.

President John presides with Secretary Steph taking notes.

John brought this magnificent geometry tree to show.

On Monday night Andrea and I attended the Aina Haina emergency preparedness planning meeting.

Kahala Chess Club

Andrea and I went to Kahala Mall for the usual Wednesday meeting on July 16^th. This time I won all my games.

But first in the afternoon we went for a swim at Sans Souci Beach. Surf was up and the tourist surf lesson business
was in full swing at the Natatorium. Three of the cars are parked illegally.

Four to five foot summer swell in Waikiki.

We got there early and I played a youngster. Photo by Andrea.

Later I played some adults. I won all my games that night. Photo by Andrea.

Kalani Robotics

Andrea volunteered at the Kalani Robotics summer girl's robotics camp Thursday, July 17^th.

The robotics camp for girls was held in the school library. Photo by Andrea.

The camp was put on by the Kalani High students. Photo by Andrea.

Not really a "camp" (no overnight), it was an all afternoon event running all week. Photo by Andrea.

The students learned Lego robot programming. Photo by Andrea.

The Star Advertiser had this Local section front page article on Friday about the girl's robotics program. Click the image
to see the full resolution version.

Friday, July 18July 17^th. Last day of robotics camp. Photo by Andrea.

Completion certificates. Photo by Andrea.

Group picture. Photo by Andrea.

Pavers

I finished installing the pavers in the side yard on Saturday, July 19^th.

Two dozen more to go on Saturday morning.

Done. Space by the garage wall is cemented in. Photo by Andrea.

Petroglyphs painted on plywood disks with oilcan sculpture on cairn. Photo by Andrea.

Painting a bonsai shelf made from the 2 x 2s used to form and screed the sand base. Photo by Andrea.

Dinner with Walter and Sabina

Cousin Walter and his girlfriend Sabina stayed in the Waikiki Resort Hotel while in Hawaii for a week on their U.S. tour vacation after visiting New York, Boston and Las Vegas and came over for dinner on Saturday, July 19^th.

Daughter Julia is nine. Sabina, Lenore, and Walter under the lychee tree.

Rain from the coming storm, remnants from Fausto, moved us indoors for more conversation with Lynne and Simina.

Andrea roasted teryaki chicken thighs for dinner. Yummy.

Andrea, Lynne and Walter.

That night we had 2.6 inches of rain with lightning and thunder. In the morning, Andrea took this picture of the stream.

Party with Simina

Andrea and I went to Simina's place in Waikiki for dinner on Sunday, July 20^th.

Sunday I added a second bonsai shelf. Photo by Andrea.

We arrived in her top floor apartment and Sabina and Walter were already there. Photo by Andrea.

On the rooftop we staked out a corner table. Photo by Andrea.

I fix a hamburger cooked by Simina on the gas grill in the background (far one with Simina's head). Photo by Andrea.

We went up to the rooftop for barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs; Sabina and Walter came too.

We enjoyed wine and conversation. Jasmine joined us after dark.

Simina took this picture of Andrea and me.

All together. Photo by Simina.

Kalani Robotics Academy

Andrea and I went to Kalani Robotics Academy (KRA)as volunteers starting on Monday, July 21^st.

Early in the morning Andrea took a walk and photographed the new house under construction on Hao St. (from Lawelawe St.).

View from Hao Street. Photo by Andrea.

Two boulders in the stream in the morning. Click the image to see the full resolution version.

Getting in the car to go to KRA I noticed our powder puff tree was blooming, due to the recent rains, most likely.

The VEX robotics section.

LEGO robotics on the right.

We Do LEGO robotics in the foreground.

The students ran the whole thing. Photo by Andrea.

Tuesday: band and flag practice on the field.

KRA continues on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Andrea.

Wednesday: two Letry robotics students with their breadboard robots.

Wednesday evening Andrea and I went to Kahala Mall for chess night. Photo by Andrea.

Andrea shopped while I lost two games and won two. Photo by Andrea.

Ke Kani O Ke Kai at the Waikiki Aquarium

Andrea and I took Lenore to the fourth summer aquarium concert on Thursday, July 24^th, with Weldon Kekauoha and Melveen Leed.

Food was from Da Spot on King between Coolidge and Hausten. Wine from Barefoot and Haser.

Weldon, in the middle, had two guitars and singers accompanying him.

Wahine hula.

Kane hula.

Abandoned Boat Removal

The police came to remove the abandoned boat down the street on Saturday, July 26^th.

It took the workers a while because the trailer had two flat tires, but it's gone now.

I put the finishing touches on the two new blue bonsai shelves.

Spamalot at Diamond Head Theater

On Sunday, July 27^th, we took Lenore and Estelle to see Monty Python's Spamalot at Diamond Head Theater, a musical farce. Afterward we were joined by Flo, Lynn, and Carol for dinner at Assaggio's in Kahala.

In the morning I took the stereo receiver out of the entertainment center in preparation for house rewiring Monday.
This documents how the wires were hooked up. Click the image to see the full resolution image.

Andrea helped Estelle and Lenore to seats in the entryway.

The stage and set before the show. The house was sold out.

At Assaggio's for dinner afterward.

House Rewiring

Electrical rewiring of the older part of the house began on Monday, July 28^th.

Andrea took Lenore on a drive to get out of the house during the day. They had lunch at Kona Brewing Company.

I completed my art project, colored circles bonded to oak, attached to the column supporting the bonsai shelf. I
call it "Hex Primes."

On Tuesday I repotted my coconut into a bonsai pot and took this photo of the world's first coconut bonsai (as far
as I know).

The electrical crew took over the carport.

I went to the beach and took this picture of the Royal Hawaiian and Moana hotels from the Natatorium wall. The rewiring
job was complete when I got back home. When the new light fixtures arrive in a few weeks, the crew will be back to
install them.

On Thursday, the last day of July, we had a well-deserved date night out. Mai tais at the Moana Hotel Beach Bar.

Our favorite ahi poke nachos. Photo by Andrea.

Email Richard dot J dot Wagner at gmail dot com