December 2015 Journal Photos

Manoa Heritage Center

Andrea and I went to the Manoa Heritage Center for a tour on Thursday, December 3^rd. While there, we learned that Sam Cooke had passed away the previous night. He was 78 and had been ill for some time. The next day, this obituary (PDF) came out in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

We had three law enforcement officers, and a fourth joined us half way through the tour.

Andrea talks about the white garden.

Boom! One of the two cannon from the Russian fort.

Malmberg Visit

The Malmbergs arrived at six PM on Thursday, December 3^rd.

We had spatchocked chiken for dinner.

Everyone had fun with the photography.

Andrea bought a robot toy for Grayson. Photo by Andrea.

On Friday the kids had their pole saw adenture. Trystan and Lenora took turns sawing through a high tree branch until it fell.

Saturday the fifth I put the grandkids to work removing screws from an old trellis.

The neighbor grandkid came over to help too.

Grandkids help decorate the tree.

Lenora was a good helper.

Today is Tristan's ninth birthday.

Decorating the lychee tree. Photo by Andrea.

On Saturday the kids had their bow saw adventure. I cut two palm fronds with the bow saw and Trystan and Lenora helped cut them up and put them in the green bin.

We enjoyed playing chess. Photo by Andrea.

Even the bonsai got decorated for Christmas. Photo by Andrea.

Malia made the cake and Tristan blew out the candles.

Three wonderful grandchildren. Photo by Andrea.

On Sunday the kids assembled six red and green paper lanterns that I hung in the lychee tree.

Sunday evening Malia and Justin took the grandkids to a barbecue at a friend's house in Waikiki while Andrea and I took
Mom to Roy's for dinner. I got the sunset reflected in the window.

Sans Souci Beach

We all went to the beach in the afternoon on Monday, December 7^th.

Trystan, Andrea, Lenora, Justin, and Grayson enjoy the water.

Lenora and Grayson chased pigeons on the sand.

Wedding photographs on the beach.

Grayson on the sand. Photo by Andrea.

Later the kids watched TV with great grandma.

Bishop Museum

We all went to the Bishop Museum on Tuesday morning, December 8^th.

First we saw the wearable art exhibit from New Zealand. Photo by Andrea.

I examine the shelf in the bustle with jars of mysterious things. Photo by Andrea.

Getting ready for the photo with Malia's camera.

One of the museum docents offered to take this one with my camera.

This one was with Andrea's camera.

Riding the nene at the entrance to the science discovery center.

The Malmberg family. Photo by Andrea.

At the third and top level of the science museum.

Lenora tries on a costume. Photo by Andrea.

Lenora does the deep diving adventure on the lower, underground level.

Trystan enters the tunnel. Photo by Andrea.

Riding the snail. Photo by Andrea.

Ulu (breadfruit). Photo by Andrea.

Every day the three kids took turns feeding the fish in the lily pond.

Lenora and Trystan play chess in the gayly lit great room. Photo by Andrea.

Celebration of Life at the Manoa Heritage Center

Andrea and I helped at the MHC in the afternoon and evening of Thursday, December 10^th.

Andrea and Emily checked in the guests while I helped with the parking.

Inside was a singer with guitar, piano, and hula.

Andrea and Emily at the entrance.

Sans Souci Beach

I met Andrea, Justin, Malia, Trystan, Lenora, and Grayson at the beach after I had my life writing workshop on Friday, December 11^th.

At the park off East Hind Drive in the morning. Grayson wasn't cooperating for the photograph with the big monkey pod tree. Photo by Andrea.

At the beach with Justin, Grayson, and Andrea.

Barbecue

We had a barbecue dinner and invited some friends over on Saturday, December 12^th.

Malia, Justin, Lynn, Esther, Joeleen, and Joel, from left.

Lynn, Sabina, and Nataly.

Andrea got some wine, with Sylvia, Julia (in distance), Lenore, and Walter.

Sylvia, Lenore, and Walter.

Rainbow Bonsai Club Meeting

Andrea and I attended the monthly meeting on Sunday, December 13^th. The topic for discussion was the perparations for the December 20 show at Noelani Elementary School in Manoa.

I handed the meeting off to John, our show chair.

John discusses his large cascade ficus.

We had a stream adventure. I lowered the stairway and let the kids catch small fish with a net. Photo by Andrea.

Grayson went down to the water too. Photo by Andrea.

Sans Souci Beach

Andrea and I met Justin, Malia, and the grandkids at the beach on Monday afternoon, December 14^th. Earlier in the day we had the stairway to the stream adventure. Trystan and Lenora caught five tiny fish with a net. Grayson went down and up the stairs twice.

Lenora shows Andrea the shells she found.

Justin, Grayson, and Malia.

Surfing at Kuhio Beach

Andrea and I met Justin, Malia, and the grandkids at Kuhio beach on Tuesday morning, December 15^th. We got Trystan a surfing lesson and rented another board so we could take Lenora and Grayson out. I took Lenora first, then Malia took them out to catch waves.

But first we had a concrete adventure. Photo by Andrea.

Going to get the concrete. Photo by Andrea.

Trystan with the bonsai he worked on in the earlier bonsai adventure. Photo by Andrea.

Mixing the concrete. Photo by Andrea.

We parked at the Shell parking lot and walked to Kuhio Beach, stopping to take a picture with Joy of Music at the Bandstand.

An orange hibiscus flower had been placed in the statue's hand. Photo by Andrea.

Surfing lesson on land.

Learning to paddle.

Trystan was a good student. Photo by Andrea.

From paddling to standing. Photo by Andrea.

I took lenora out for a paddle. Photo by Andrea.

Coming back in. Photo by Andrea.

Malia took Lenora and Grayson out. Photo by Andrea.

Trystan goes out for his surf lesson. Photo by Andrea.

Trystan had a great time. Photo by Andrea.

In the water.

Trystan and Lenora caught several waves.

Grayson, Malia, and Justin watch from the shore. Photo by Andrea.

Photo at the Banyan tree where Kalanianaole splits at Kapiolani Park.

Photo at the bandstand with Diamond Head in the background.

Back at the bandstand for another photo by Andrea.

Putting in the handprints after the concrete set for a few hours. Photo by Andrea.

The Malmbergs flew back to the mainland that evening and then spent a few days in Nebraska before driving home to Virginia.

Bonsai Show at Noelani Elementary School in Manoa

Andrea and I participated in the annual Rainbow Bonsai Club show and sale at Noelani Elementary School in Manoa on Sunday, December 20^th.

The show flyer done by member Josephine.

On Saturday we got ready for the Sunday show. Those are plants I donated to the plant sale.

Saturday afternoon we attended the Democratic debate watching party hosted by the Students for Bernie at the Campus Center at UH.
Alan, an official of the Democratic Party on Oahu, gave a short talk to the attendees before the New Hampshire debate started.

Sunday morning we set up the show. This is my tree, a kiawe from seed. Photo by Andrea.

I approach the display area. Photo by Andrea.

Our neighbor Floyd came by with his wife Esther. Their son Kevin had a tree in the show. Photo by Andrea.

Pointing to a bar branch. Photo by Andrea.

Kevin, Keith, and I talk bonsai. Photo by Andrea.

Andrea was the cashier for the plant sale. Photo by Webmaster Scott.

Christmas Party at Lorrie's House

Later on Sunday, Andrea and I went to the Christmas party at Lorrie's house overlooking Maunalua Bay. Lenore was invited but didn't feel up to going.

We brought some sparkling wine and a dessert. Here Andrea chats with Betty.

Lots of guests and fun.

Daughter Sarah with Lorrie.

Group photo with unknown, Sarah, Lorrie, Andrea, Lorrie's Mom Norma, and sister Tita.

Photo with Sarah as we were getting ready to depart.

Christmas Party at Our House

We planned a Christmas party for Christmas Eve, with over a dozen confirmed guests.

On Tuesday morning, December 22^nd, the first day of winter, we saw this article in the Star-Advertiser. Ron is a friend
of mine. Many know him as the Black Dragon, world champion martial artist and film star. His accuser appears to be lying.

Also on Tuesday, Andrea went shopping and brought some Christmas crackers for the party. In the afternoon we went
to the beach and I saw my friend the humuhumunukunukuapuaa.

Andrea with a good view from the seventh floor of the District Court building downtown at 8:00 AM Christmas Eve.

We were there for the preliminary hearing and Virgil and I talked to the reporter afterward. This was in the paper on Christmas Day.

At Iolani Palace to meet Joe, the bail bondsman, around noon.

Meeting Joe in the palace parking lot.

The Coitos arrive for the party. Photo by Andrea.

Four beautiful ladies: Andrea, Lorrie, Annie, and Faye.

I met the bail bondsman at the OCCC and got Ron out at 4:30 PM. He was hungry so we stopped at Zippy's on King Street and got him
a cheeseburger and fries. Then I drove him to his apartment in Waikiki where his mother was very glad to see him. Ron gave me a DVD
of some archive video and when I got home, the Christmas party was in full swing.

I, Kevin, and Betty in the back yard. Photo by Lorrie.

The last remaining diehards at the party. Photo by Jennifer.

The next morning, Christmas Day, we opened presents after breakfast. Andrea with the gold watch I gave her.

Bill spent Christmas with Jan in Arizona. Photo by Jan, courtesy of Andrea via email.

This is the letter Becky sent with the frisbee and bazinga sign she gave me for Christmas.

I put the bazinga sign up in the car port.

Saturday morning we went out to buy fireworks at Don Quijote.

Some people had several carts full of fire crackers.

New Year's Eve

We spent a relaxed week after Christmas getting ready for the new year.

Tuesday morning, December 29^th, we took the Malibu to Lex Brodies for air conditioner work.

We had breakfast at Big City Diner.

Got the Toyota washed at McKinley Car Wash.

Got our hair cut at Supercuts in Kaimuki.

In the morning of New Year's Eve Carl and Zach got the fire ready for the pig roast.

Zach used a karate chop to break some of the firewood.

A roaring fire with Bob and Daniel.

Carl supervised the pig roast. The fire is nearly ready. Photo by Andrea.

Bronson, Tracy, and Zach put the spit through the 50 pound pig.

Carrying the pig on the spit to the rotisserie equipment. Photo by Andrea.

I check on progress from time to time. Photo by Andrea.

Carl and Tracy tend the roasting pig.

Tracy bastes the pig.

Later we went to Doug and Christine's house for a party.

Doug went around his back yard lighting mosquito coils.

Sampling the spinich dip and bread.

Lenore enjoyed some pupu too.

The party was in full swing when we got back from the Mellors' house.

The kids played cards in the front room while some elders played mahjong.

Senator Daniel Akaka came after Lenore went to bed and left her this note in thanks for the
book by Professor Johnson that she had given him, the history of the City and County of Honolulu.

Email Richard dot J dot Wagner at gmail dot com