December 2016 Journal Photos

Photo session by the Natatorium.

Friday, December 2^nd: Five years ago today, Arnel excavating for our bedroom, bath, and office. Photo by Andrea.

Friday, Diamond Head from the Waikiki Aquarium, corrected for earth tilt.

I really like that nice old kiawe tree in the park.

Golden shovels are ready for the ceremony.

Stephany was there too with her doggies, Bonny and Clyde.

Horticulturalist Heidi Bornhorst gave a welcoming address. She has a horticulture column in the Star-Advertiser
and is also a member of the Kapiolani Park Preservation Society.

Deacon Clarence DeCaires from St. John Vianney Prarish gave the blessing.

The shoveliers get ready.

Shoveliers photo op.

After the ceremony I went for a swim and saw this free lunch truck on my way to doing my gymnastics.

Police activity at the aquarium.

Tourists being shown the Natatorium. Too bad we can't go in for a swim. But think of all those rich people who weren't taxed
in order to make this deterioration possible. I think my new motto will be "Greatness through Taxation."

It was raining in the afternoon so we stayed inside and decorated for Christmas.

On Monday morning I photographed the two figures Horan gave us a few years ago. Click the image to see the full size version.

Then I photographed the plate Horan gave us a little later. Click the image to see the full size version.

After I took Mom to exercise class on Monday I went to the satellite City Hall in Hawaii Kai to get two fireworks permits for
New Year's at Betty Young's and photographed this Masami Teraoka watercolor, part of the Wave Series. This is on Molokai.

We put Ku under wrap for Makahiki. Hau'oli Makahiki hou!

I brought in our Christmas tree today, a living Monterey cypress. Photo by Andrea.

The entry to the house named Kualii, which means "undefeated chief." It can also mean "little backbone." Photo by Andrea.

Opening remarks in the living room. Click the image to see the full sized version.

Mary Cooke spoke next. Click the image to see the full sized version.

David Forbes, author of the book spoke. He mentioned that the painting behind him is the most important painting of Kauai
in existence. Click the image to see the full sized version.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell chats with guests in the dining room. Click the image to see the full sized version.

It was rainy all day with mist in the Manoa valley. Russian cannon and kukaoo heiau. Click the image to see the full sized version.

We went to Cafe Sistina for dinner afterward, with Creation of Adam. Click the image to see the full sized version.
The murals in Cafe Sistina are all hand painted replicas of the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel at The Vatican. Photo by our waiter.

Cafe Sistina replica of The Annunciation, original by Michaelangelo. Photo by Andrea.

The Aqua Fitness class at the Oahu Club celebrates birthdays quarterly. This celebration was for people with October, November,
and December birthdays.

There was a five pound bag of rice decorating contest as a fundraiser for the food bank. Our entry did not place.

A nice view of Koko Head on this cloudy Saturday.

Opening remarks.

Christmas music by Diane and Mark Yasuhara, "The Hawaiians," internationally known touring duet, now retired.

Enjoying the music after a wonderful lunch of roast beef and baked potatoes.

After I adjourned the business meeting some members talked about their trees. This is Mike's weeping ironwood.

John showed his grafted shimpaku juniper.

Kuali'i, our Hawaiian teacher, was there.

Cousin Lynn sat with us, as usual. She couldn't get a ticket for Walter. The orchestra warms up on the right.

Lynn and Walter met us at Paesano's in Manoa for dinner. I had the seafood salad and Andrea and I split a bottle of Italian Chardonnay.

We had good food and decor, and Walter very graciously picked up the check. I tried their fruiti bonini for dessert.

My friend Jerry was helping to repair a gate at the Aquarium.

A photographer and his model on Tuesday.

Girl in Santa hat gets her picture taken.

On Wednesday the box from Malia came.

Grandkids Trystan, Lenora, and Grayson.

Wednesday at the Waikiki Aquarium. Rome, Athens, and other great cities have their ruins. Why not Honolulu?

The Waikiki Aquarium is setting up for a Christmas party for Matson.

Catching a humuhumunukunukuapuaa.

Photo by Andrea using my phone. Nut grass accent plant in a Karenn Ohlinder pot.

Another photo by Andrea using my phone. Click the image to see the full resolution version.

Past Presidents John and Marion with bonsai display.

I brought a kiawe in a growing pot to work on as an informal demo. Photo by Andrea.

Mike Uyeno's weeping style ironwood was in the center of this side of the display.

Close-up of my tree. Nutgrass accent in a Karen Ohlinder pot. Photo by Andrea.

The event was well attended for most of the day.

Two fire trucks with two jet ski trailers.

A lot going on. The city was pruning the banyan tree by the Natatorium.

I saw a kolea on the grass of the aquarium.

Lots of people at the beach. Click the image to see the full resolution version.

And a kiss.

Goofing at the airport baggage claim.

Becky uploaded to Facebook her photo of the mai tai I made her. Six parts light rum, one part cointeau, five parts pineapple juice,
one part orange juice, one part ruby red, stir with ice, strain over ice, float half ounce of dark rum, garnish with pineapple and cherry.

Doug talks to Elsie in the main room.

Doug, Lorrie, and Annie.

Simina and Margo glance at the camera as I take the photo.

Ester, Floyd, and Bill enjoy the outdoors. Our luck held and there was no rain until 7:30.

Simina took a bunch of photos on her camera and messaged them to me. Photo by Simina

Annie, Karen, and Becky. Photo by Simina

Outdoors under the lychee tree. Star shower laser projection on the tree. Photo by Simina

Metaphotography. Photo by Simina

Lenore enjoyed the party. Photo by Simina

Starting the trivia games. Photo by Simina

Reading the trivia questions. Photo by Simina

Gail, husband, Andrea, and Becky. Photo by Simina

Mele Kalikimaka. Photo by Simina

In the front room with Duane and boys. Photo by Tina

We had a table with a window view of the water.

We had papaya and stollen for breakfast Christmas morning. Photo by Andrea.

Getting ready to open presents.

Becky prepares kitty presents. Photo by Andrea.

Becky with presents.

Santa Claus brought Andrea an ukulele. Photo by Becky.

Becky's new diamond earrings from Mom and Dad.

Grandmother opens a present. Photo by Andrea.

Grandmother with her box of Sees assorted chocolates. Photo by Andrea.

Becky helps unwrap the gift basket from Robert and Michelle. Photo by Andrea.

The basket of goodies. Photo by Andrea.

Napoleon with his catnip mouse. Photo by Andrea.

Emma with her catnip mouse. Photo by Andrea.

Later Andrea took Becky and Lenore for a Christmas drive while I stayed home and exercised. Here's Rabit island. Photo by Andrea.

Stopping for a picture at the lookout on the way back. Photo by Andrea.

Lunchtime with the box of chocolates.

The three tier server that Simina gave us with some goodies from the gift basket Robert sent.

Wine and pupu on the lanai before dinner.

Photo by Becky.

Roast chicken for dinner. Photo by Andrea.

Andrea and Becky went to Queen Beach and brought home glass and rocks. Photo by Andrea.

I went to the beach by myself and saw this squadron of Japanese tourists gawking at the banyan tree.

I drove back to Waikiki after going home from the beach to meet Andrea and Becky at the Moana Hotel Beach Bar.

I don't generally take pictures of sunsets but I made an exception for this one.

Music and hula.

Becky with Duke.

The next morning, Lenore was ready to come home. Passed all tests. Photo by Andrea.

Craig, visiting from San Louis Obispo, took our photo.

This one with water in the background.

Then Becky took their photo with Craig's phone.

We arrived early, 5:00 PM, at the Ilikai. Our dinner reservation was for 5:30, so we walked through the lobby and back to the Lagoon.

The elevator to the Top of the I was still out of order, so we took the interior elevators. Photo by Becky.

We had a window table for two. Alan, our waiter, took this photo.

Studying the small plates menu. Photo by Becky.

Becky read the instructions while I cut out the patterns. Photo by Andrea.

Working on the second flip flop. Photo by Andrea.

Becky placing glass for the flip flop. Photo by Andrea.

Finished product, needs to harden overnight and hope they don't break when removed from molds. Photo by Andrea.

Thursday evening we had dinner at home.

Andrea photographed the rainbow while driving home. Photo by Andrea.

The assembled lamp to replace the broken one. I also got LED bulbs, sand, fertilizer, and potting soil. Photo by Andrea.

Carl looks on as Bob takes pictures.

Sabrina, Joy, and Tracy with the pig.

Hanging out with the roasting pig. Photo by Andrea.

The pig has been removed from the fire and now the skin is cut off for pupu.

Cutting the charred skin with scissors.

Talk story under the canopy in the back after dinner.

Senator Daniel Akaka eats and listens to ukulele serenade, "Over the Rainbow."