May Journal Photos

Oahu Spiritual Tour

Simina invited Andrea and me to go on the inaugural spiritual tour on Sunday, May 1^st.

We arrived at Ala Moana shopping center in plenty of time for the 11:15 start, so we went to Blue Hawaii to see where
Uncle Clay does his popup store. We then bought some books and movies at Barnes and Noble.

First stop, Diamond Head lookout.

Next stop Makapuu.

We did a circle hand holding ceremony and ti leaf and seawater blessing with the lighthouse in the background.

I used to body surf there. Photo by Andrea.

Near Kam Highway and Pali Highway in Kailua, we saw the Ulupo Heiau.

Tyco gave a talk on the heau.

Valley of the Temples in Kaneohe.

Crossing the bridge to the Byodo-In temple, a replica of one built 900 years ago in Japan.

In the meditation pavilion. Photo by Andrea.

Simina gave me an extra cookie with lunch. Photo by Andrea.

We had lunch there at some tables behind the gift shop. Andrea on the way back to the van.

With a small Buddha. Photo by Andrea.

Pali lookout! It was really windy.

People seemed to get a kick out of the extreme wind. Photo by Andrea.

Bad hair day, as Guy Hagi says. Photo by Andrea.

A hilltop site at Kakaako Waterfront Park.

We held a closing ceremony holding hands in a cricle.

Democratic Party Kupuna Caucus Meeting

Andrea and I attended the Kupuna Caucus meeting at Democratic Party Headquarters on Ward Avenue on Wednesday, May 4^th.

Afterward we went to Kincaid's for a drink. I had a Manhattan made with Jack Daniel's and Andrea had a cosmopolitan.

On Thursday, Cinco de Mayo, we went to the beach and I took this picture of the memorial stone. The inscription says
"DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI", "Sweet and decorous it is for one's country to die". Click the image to see the
full resolution version.

Democratic Party Environmental Caucus Meeting

Andrea and I attended the Environmental Caucus meeting on Friday evening, May 6^th.

But first we went to the beach and I saw this photo op at the War Memorial.

The Environmental Caucus meeting was at Mocha Java in Ward Center.

Afterward we went to Kincaid's in Ward Warehouse for cocktails and pupu. Photo by waitress.

Cheers. Photo by waitress.

Photo by Andrea.

The painting of old Waikiki in the background is washed out.

Women's Campus Club Luncheon at Mid-Pacific Country Club

Andrea and I took Lenore to the lunchtime meeting on Saturday, May 7^th, arriving before the start time of 11:00 AM. It lasted until 2:00 PM and Neda Chesney-Lind was the speaker on girl delinquency.

The view out the back toward Mount Olomana, shrouded in rain.

The view out the front toward Lanikai Beach.

We had 31 in attendance for the luncheon meeting.

Prof. Chesney-Lind, head of the Women's Studies Department, gives her talk.

On Monday the 9^th I painted my ki'i.

On Tuesday the 10^th Andrea picked a bag full of mountain apples from the neighbor's tree.

On Wednesday I got her up in the tree.

Dinner at the Zasada's

Andrea and I took Lenore to dinner with the Zasada's on Wednesday, May 11^th.

Andrea and Lenore walk up to the cabana on the seventh floor pool deck at Capitol Place. Paul and Faye's apartment is
on the 38th floor.

At the cabana for the barbecue lamb kabobs.

The Yuens arrived for a party of nine.

Life on Lawelawe Street

I walked down the street to photograph two houses under construction on Saturday, May 14^th.

This was a teardown single wall house and now it's all new and for sale, 615 Lawelawe St., just off Hind Iuka.

This was also completely torn down across the street and now it's ready for pouring a concrete foundation.

Rainbow Bonsai Club Monthly Meeting

Andrea and I attended the May meeting on Sunday, May 15^th.

After the business part of the meeting we had bonsai show and tell.

On Monday afternoon we went to the beach as usual on weekdays.

On Friday, May 19^th, the beach was fairly crowded. There are five construction cranes visible in this view.
Click the image to see the full resolution version and zoom in.

Community Resilience Training

Andrea and I attended the FEMA training on Sunday morning, May 22^nd.

The four hour class started at 8:00 AM at Wailupe Elementary.

Dr. Jana Chang conducted the training class with Danny Tengan assisting.

Baikoen Bonsai covered the 31^st annual bonsai show of Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai.

Il Trovatore at the Neal Blaisdel Concert Hall

Andrea and I took Lenore to the classic opera, Verdi's Il Trovatore, on Sunday afternoon, May 22^nd.

We received programs on the way in after listening to a talk on the opera on the Ewa lanai.

In the lobby waiting for the performance to begin.

Outside at intermission. It was one of the best operas I have seen there.

Inside the program were the words to the Anvil Chorus, in both Italian and English.

Afterward we met Bill at Cafe Sistina for dinner.

Baby Shower for Anthony and Moani

Andrea and I went to a lunch time baby shower for Anthony and Moani at the Manoa Heritage Center on Monday, May 23^rd.

Guests arrived between 12:15 and 12:30.

A pule (prayer) was followed by words of welcome.

We had a good lunch.

Photo by Andrea.

We went to the beach in the afternoon and I saw these three sailing cats.

Becky was visiting Tom in the South Bay (LA) and sent us a postcard from Hermosa Beach.

This is the back side of the postcard.

Dinner at Gyotaku

Andrea and I took Bill and Lenore to dinner at Gyotaku in Niu Valley on Wednesday, May 25^th.

We went to the beach in the afternoon and there was some police activity I noticed on the way back from the Aquarium end of the Natatorium.

Cheers! Photo by Andrea.

A nice pair of coconuts on the tree that Malia planted ten years ago.

Mary Cooke's 80th Birthday Party

Andrea and I helped at Mary's party at the Manoa Heritage Center on Thursday, May 26^th.

I picked plumeria flowers and Andrea strung a lei for Mary Thursday morning.

When we got there at 3:30 PM, I helped with the volunteer parking at the house next door.

Mary posed for this picture by Andrea.

I gave a tour at 4:45 PM and then we listened to music on the back lawn.

Andrea helped with guest check in. Mary is in the doorway wearing the lei we gave her.

An opening chant was followed by speeches and a poem by Carol.

Carol reciting her poem composed for the occasion.

Mary blowing out her candle. The cake had a yummy chocolate pudding filling.

Kilohana Silve dancing hula to piano (Robert Mundoy), guitar, and song (Charles Tilton).

Aloha joined the hula while Mayor Caldwell chatted with guests.

A guest developed low blood pressure and passed out. Mayor Caldwell took charge and called the paramedics. She had nodded off sitting up
in a chair. The couch and chair cushions were put down on the floor and the mayor helped lower her down onto them.

Hawaii Democratic Convention

Andrea and I attended the 2016 Democratic Party convention over Memorial Day weekend, staying at the Reef Hotel, Friday, May 27^th through Monday, May 30^st.

Friday

We arrived at the (Outrigger) Reef at check-in time of 3:00 PM at valet parking. We got a nice garden view room with a lanai. After walking on Beachwalk Street and Kalakaua Avenue, we dropped off our purchases in our room and walked down via the beach to the Moana Hotel Banyan Court Beach Bar for cocktails and pupu.

Andrea in the inner courtyard of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

We scouted out the Sheraton Hotel where the convention was to be held and noticed some interesting large abstracts by local artists.

At the ocean walkway by the Hale Kulani Hotel with the famous Kiawe tree. Photo by Andrea.

We had ahi poke nachos at the Moana Hotel. Photo by Andrea.

Andrea had a cosmopolitan.

An outrigger was part of a beach wedding ceremony. Photo by Andrea.

A drummer in the canoe was answered by a drum on the beach. Photo by Andrea.

We also went to Hula Bar and Grill above Dukes at the Outrigger Hotel.

Two brothers played Hawaiian music at Hula Bar and Grill.

Saturday

We arrived at the Sheraton to register and lucked out getting into the short line. The start of the convention was delayed an hour by the typical chaos associated with the non-organized political party.

Having gotten through the chaotic registration relatively easily, the hall remained empty for a while. Seating for over a thousand was available.

Governor Ige gave an inspiring speech.

A Bernie Sanders rally was hel at the Royal Hawaiian Center grassy area. The "grass" is actually fake.

It began to rain during the Sanders rally. Photo by Andrea.

U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard spoke while the security officers had questions.

Andrea stood by a very nice large abstract painting at the Sheraton on the way back from the rally.

Andrea was an alternate, but was upgraded to delegate along with Laurel, also from Aina Haina. Here they are in line to vote with
Hawaii State House Representative Mark Hasham, showing their yellow voting cards.

Diamond Head from Gov. Ige's hospitality suite on the top (31^st) floor of the Sheraton.

We talked politics with Steve and Cynthia from Maui. Photo by Andrea.

Sunday

The convention continued on Sunday with the election results given and new business including Rules Committee report and Resolutions Committee report. We voted to adopt recommendations with some changes, e.g., a resolution that superdelegates vote with the majority of Presidential Preference Poll voters, i.e., for Bernie Sanders. A resolution is non-binding, but an elected official could face difficulties if he goes against the convention resolution.

Senator Schatz gave an inspiring speech before lunch.

There seemed to be some sort of flotilla going on in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

Ocean Defender posted this photo of the flotilla aftermath on Facebook.

On the way back from the convention in the Sheraton, we stopped at the Hale Kulani for mai tais and Hawaiian music.

We had dinner at the Ocean House Restaurant in the Reef.

Monday

Monday was Memorial Day and a free day for us.

We walked to Cinnamon's in the Ilikai for breakfast through the park at Fort Derussy.

After we got coffee at Cinnamon's.

Me with coffee. Photo by Andrea.

The Ilikai, looking up toward Sarento's restaurant.

Andrea went out for a walk by herself after breakfast. View from Kapahulu groin at Kuhio Beach. Photo by Andrea.

I walked out of the hotel at 9:00 AM to see the Memorial Day Parade. I stood in front of the Royal Hawaiian to watch. Miss Hawaii
and other beauties in a line of Corvettes.

Dancers from the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Hot rods!

I met Andrea at the lei stand near Lewers and we walked back to the hotel and went for a swim. On the jetty by the Reef Hotel.

Andrea with Diamond Head.

We walked to the Outrigger hotel and had lunch at Hula's Bar and Grill.

I had the fish and chips and Andrea had the fish tacos.

Watching activity on the beach and in the water. Photo by Andrea.

Andrea stopped at Forever Flawless in the Royal Hawaiian Center for a product demonstration by Irena.

We had dinner at Sarento's at the "Top of the I" (Ilikai). Photo by Andrea.

Andrea had the "Little Italy" cocktail.

It rained all around, even on the lantern floating ceremony at Ala Moana Park. Photo by Andrea.

The lantern floating ceremony. Click the image to see the full resolution version.

A zoomed in version of the photo above.

My friend Ron Van Clief's photo of the lanterns floating.

Tuesday

We had breakfast at Giovani Pastrami on Lewers Street and then went back to the hotel to pack up and check out.

I got this photo of the Reef Hotel front entrance on the way back from breakfast.

Tuesday afternoon we went to the beach for a swim and I saw that the War Memorial was decorated with flowers for Memorial Day.

Email Richard dot J dot Wagner at gmail dot com