December 2019 Journal Photos

Andrea put up some ornamental glass balls on the sandpiper sculpture outside the front door.

The meeting hall at the Church of the Crossroads where the meeting was held.

We were asked to write the answer to "what lifts your spirit?" and decorate the feather for a wings project.

Alan Gamble, President of the foundation, was the master of ceremonies.

Kuulei does hula to Ka Wailele o Nuuanu (the waterfall of Nuuanu).

Looking forward to the box seats this weekend for the Christmas City Lights Parade at the Mission Houses we won at the Mission Houses huaka'i
(fundraiser) at auction. We have invited Alan, Karen, Jerry, and Jennifer to join us there.

Monday morning Andrea took photos of Wailupe Stream. This is just downstream of the Ani Street Bridge.

Andrea and I went to the beach Monday afternoon. She walked around Kapiolani Park and I photographed this very relaxed monk seal at Sans Souci
Apartments (named for the beach).

The blocks spell MELE KALIKIMAKA.

Santa's sleigh on a flatbead.

The mission houses, founded in 1821.

Shaka Santa and Mele sitting on the edge of the fountain at Honolulu Hale (corner of Punchbowl and King).

Decorating the tree at Honolulu Hale.

In Honolulu Hale foyer.

Inside Honolulu Hale.

Decorations everywhere.

Looking down from the stairway.

Looking across the street at Kawaiha'o Church.

Santa's foot is being repaired and the humuhumunukunukuapuaa base is being painted.

A school group getting a lesson in candle making.

Each got to dip the candles several times.

We went to the Moana Hotel after our swim and had mai tais and pupu.

Ariana danced.

Then her friend, Miss Hula 2019, winner at Merrie Monarch this year, danced for us.

Posing with Emily and Mary Cooke. Photo by Andrea.

Andrea and Emily greeted guests while a Hawaiian quartet played on the step outside the living room.

The program began at 4:50 with a speech by Jessica.

Guests filled the living room.

Harry B., recovering from a shoulder injury, watches his wife, Kilohana, dance by the Christmas tree.

Andrea and I parked in the Frank Fasi parking structure on Beretania and then had lunch at a sports bar in the same building as Kubuki
restairant. We saw parts of the first and second quarters of the Hawaii-Boise football game (at the time tied 3-3). Later we found out
that Hawaii lost 10-31. Then we walked past this City Lights display to the Mission Houses where we volunteered to help them set up for
the event (they charge $5 for seats on the property).

After helping with the Mission Houses setup, we walked to Iolani Palace for a tour, stopping to see the repaired Shaka Santa at Honolulu
Hale. Photo by Andrea.

The view upward from the steps of Iolani Palace.

Putting on the required protective booties before entering the palace. Photo by Andrea.

We were on an audio device self-tour. This is the grand staircase.

The throne room. The solid gold crowns, sword, and scepter are in the case to the left.

Portraits in the entry hall from right to left: King Kamehameha I, his wife, King Kamehameha II, and his wife.

We almost missed the diamond and other jewelry displays in the basement, but an attendant asked us if we had seen it on the way out.

Walking back to the Mission Houses.

On the grounds of Honolulu Hale with the Mission Houses across King Street.

Up on the 1821 frame house Judd bedroom balcony, Jerry points to Honolulu Hale across King Street. Photo by Andrea.

On the 1821 frame house lanai to watch the parade. Photo by Alan.

A good time was had by all.

Finally Santa Claus came! Photo by Jennifer.

President Ryan Greer and members discuss preparations for next week's bonsai show and plant sale at Noelani Elementary School in Manoa.

Before we drove down to the celebratory dinner, I took this picture with our new snowflake Christmas flag and our new icicle lights.

We arrived early and helped set up.

As the sun went down I got a photo of the sky and WW II pillbox.

Andrea photographed the sunset.

Then she photographed me.

Gavan was MC and reviewed the year's activities and plans for next year. Photo by Andrea.

Bob Lew joined us at our little table for dinner.

After Andrea drove me home she made tuna sandwiches for lunch. I hadn't eaten in over 24 hours. In the afternoon she decorated the
trees in the back yard with Christmas ornaments.

It looks good in the corner of the front room.

All decorated.

Club founder's tree, a mock orange, had the place of honor on the end.

Six of the thirteen bonsai. Click the image to see the full resolution version.

My kiawe bonsai. Click the image to see the full resolution version.

All ready inside. People are lined up outside for the 9:00 AM opening.

The cafeteria filled rapidly when we opened the door.

A line formed for checkout to the right.

Pat watches as John and I work on trees. Photo by Andrea.

Our intrepid cashiers. Mahalo.

Then I gave the whole thing a coat of dark brown paint followed by red on the curved beams and handrails.

I sprayed our gold reindeer with a new coat of gold using some paint Simina had given me.

All done and put back in the yard.

On Friday, December 20, I edged and mowed the lawn. Andrea worked in the kitchen all day getting ready for the party on Saturday.

Mom and Lynn chatted and shared some laughs.

Lenore had a good time. Photo by Andrea.

Lynn and I being ourselves. Photo by Andrea.

Bob and Libby came too. Libby with Mom. Photo by Andrea.

Bob and Libby.

Photo by Andrea.

Andrea took some more photographs.

We had wine and beer on the back step and also water and non-alcoholic punch (cranberry cocktail, pineapple juice, and ginger ale).

The front room. Photo by Andrea.

The view from the kitchen doorway. Photo by Andrea.

There was a continuous hubub of conversation that drowned out the Christmas music playing on the stereo.

Every outdoor seat was taken too.

Simina and I. Photo by Andrea.

Simina took this selfie with Andrea's camera.

The back yard with laser star shower in the lychee tree. Photo by Andrea.

We had our menorah ready for Hanukkah which starts the next day, Sunday the 22^nd. Photo by Andrea.

I carved ham. Photo by Andrea.

The front room with the Christmas tree.

Simina, Suzi's friend, and Suzi had a good time.

Monday afternoon we went for a swim and I photographed this transformer leaking oil. Now there has been some absorbant material
put around it. Andrea photographed it a few weeks ago.

Monday was a calm warm day so the beach was packed two days before Christmas.

Tuesday, Christmas Eve, Andrea took some photos around the neighborhood. This is our front yard.

Tuesday afternoon we went to the beach. Photo by Andrea.

I took this photo of the whole beach. See if you can find Andrea. Hint: she's wearing a black one-piece. Click the image to see the full
resolution version.

Christmas day we slept in past seven. Andrea served grapefruit, stollen, and bacon for breakfast, and then we opened presents. Suzi gave
Andrea these golden chicken earrings. The red paper clips lend a punk effect.

A wine gift basket in the form of a sleigh from Robert and Michelle with a bottle of pinot grigio.

Opening presents.

Andrea gave me a new notebook computer which I set up on the dining table. Photo by Andrea.

We drove out to Makapuu before lunch to experience the kona storm effects.

Photo by Andrea.

I swam Friday afternoon while Andrea walked around Kapiolani Park. I took this photo after my pullups and bar dips. Fairly crowded for a cloudy day.

Andrea took this photo when she got back from her walk. I'm just behind the blue bow of the canoe. Click the image to see the full resolution
version.

We arrived about a half hour before the 8:00 PM performance.

There was a single stage set with no curtain. The band performed on stage in the structure to the left.

Saturday morning I finished setting up my new Dell notebook computer. I added the Seagate backup drive and transferred files from my old Dell laptop.

Sunday morning I scanned this cartoon from the newspaper and used the image to test the setup help I got from HP (below).

Sunday morning I connected my new computer to the printer via wifi with the help of HP tech support (Varun was good). Then I met Andrea and Lenore
down at the nail place in the Aina Haina Shopping Center and we had lunch at Aina Haina Chop Suey.

Another view of the guest desk with computer. I tested wifi printing to the office printer.

I cleaned up my office space and set up my new Dell notebook PC.

Tuesday morning, December 31, Carl and Zack set up the pig roast equipment.

They added lots of kindling and logs.

Zack lit the fire at about 11:30 AM.

Carl added some more wood.

The fire is going well.

View from the lanai.

Getting the pig ready.

Photo by Andrea.

Photo by Andrea.

The pig is on. We went to the Mellor's later and stayed for an hour or so.

When we got back from the Mellor's the pig was done.

Andrea and I sat at the tables in the back yard with Pete and Jill and their two girls.

Group picture time.

Many shots were taken.

Pete helped me get the firecrackers ready. Two strings of five thousand each.

The late night mah jong game. Zack lit the firecrackers at midnight.