I received the proof copy of my third book, Bonsai Hawaiian Style, by UPS on Friday, March 3.
Our mountain apple ('ohia ai) is blooming and Andrea took this photo on March 1.
Andrea found this article about her parents and scanned it with our new Canon color ImageClass MF644Cdw printer.
My son Robert shared on Facebook this photo of flower girls from Becky's wedding four years ago.
I attended the KISCA Food Security Through Edible Gardens and Local Farms meeting on Friday the 3rd while Andrea gave tours at the Mission Houses.
Andrea photographed me with the new book. It looks great and has no errors. Hardcover with 250 pages with color photos.
On Saturday, March 4, I photographed my three books together.
This is the front cover image from Dorrance Publishing.
Rainy Weather
Rains continued into the second week of March.
Andrea went to her Monday hula class at Manoa Heritage Center and took this photo of Manoa Falls.
Career Fair at Kalani High School
I was invited to participate in the career fair for freshmen at Kalani High School on Friday morning, March 10.
Thursday night we went to Paul and Faye's place for pupu and then went to dinner at an Indian restaurant down the street.
Then we returned to their flat for ice cream and a game of farkle. Photo by Andrea.
The career fair sign-in was in the library at 9:00 AM.
I shared the presentation room with Reid Arakawa who is also a mentor with the Kalani robotics team. His career is mechanical
engineering at Pearl Harbor on submarines.
After three shifts of freshmen came through we had lunch back in the library.
I saw surveyors in the stream Friday afternoon.
Friday evening we went to dinner at the Surfing Pig restaurant in Kaimuki. Photo by our waitress, Kennedy. The cocktails are Smoking Pigs,
variants on Old Fashioneds.
Our second cocktail was called a black walnut Manhattan.
Tour at Manoa Heritage Center
Andrea and I went to Manoa Heritage Center on Saturday morning, March 11, to give a tour to five people.
We walked to the bridge over the stream before breakfast and saw a large cut bougainvillea thrown off the bridge. Photo by Andrea.
The day dawned clear and calm. Photo by Andrea returning from our morning walk.
Kuali'i was being tented when we arrived.
A class on lauhala weaving was underway in the learning center.
Andrea began the tour in the Kaha'aina garden.
On the way home, we stopped at the Jaycees rummage sale at the Hongwanji temple on University Avenue.
Rainbow Bonsai Club Potting Workshop
I went to the Rainbow Bonsai Club potting workshop Sunday morning, March 12, while Andrea went to the Kama'aina Day
at Iolani Palace. Later I joined her there for a bite to eat and a free tour of the palace. Paul and Faye joined us
on the tour.
After the business meeting, John led the workshop. We all went to the back covered area for the repotting.
John and club members mixed medium black cinders, Akadama, and orchid bark for potting mix.
Lots of potting going on.
Lots of good bonsai work.
John assisted with root pruning on a black pine.
Many fine trees got repotted. I put my hau tree into an oval pot.
Kama'aina Day at Iolani Palace
The first kama'aina day in three years in which residents get in free to tour the palace. The Royal Hawaiian Band played
and Billy V. was the MC with hula and song. Many food booths catered to the attendees.
After the bonsai meeting I drove to Honolulu. I had to take H3 because the Like Like highway tunnel was closed for maintenance.
I parked on Punchbowl Street and walked to meet Andrea outside the palace.
After our free palace tour we listened to the Royal Hawaiian Band play Aloha 'Oe. Then we drove home separately. Paul and Faye,
who had met us for the palace tour stayed and watched some hula.
KISCA Hui Zoom Meeting
I attended the KISCA hui Zoom meeting on Monday at 1:30 PM while Andrea went to her hula lesson.
Screen capture.
Video provided by Aloha of the Zoom session.
Tuesday I took this photo of our St. Patrick's Day flag and bonsai shelf before our morning walk. Click the image to see the full resolution version.
Andrea photographed me taking the photo above.
Diamond Head Theater Preview Night
Andrea and I attended the season sneak peek at DHT on Tuesday night.
Andrea had a tour at MHC on Tuesday afternoon and she took this photo of Manoa Valley with the heiau in the foreground.
Waiting in line to get in. The house was about 90% full.
Waiting for the house to fill and the show to start.
We had cocktails and dinner at the Surfing Pig afterwards.
Wednesday afternoon Andrea had a tour at MHC and saw the re-roofing work on Kuali'i.
Saint Patrick's Day Dinner with Matt and Dianne
Andrea and I invited Matt and Dianne over for dinner on Friday night, March 17.
We had cocktails and corned beef on the lanai.
Saturday I photographed the wind chime I had repaired recently.
Tick Tick Boom at the Manoa Valley Theater
Andrea and I went to the musical play on Sunday afternoon, March 19.
We parked in the shopping center and walked to the theater.
A rock band was center stage.
Drums, six string bass, Fender guitar, and keyboard. Photo by Andrea.
We went to Angelo Pietro in Kaimuki for dinner afterward. I had the pescatore. Photo by Andrea.
Tuesday morning, March 21, the first full day of spring, I photographed my Michiko hibiscus in bonsai training.
Bonsai Rock Planting
I began a rock planting and took photos for my sixth book, more bonsai Hawaiian style, on Tuesday, March 21.
Neighbor Gail gave me this fine red lava viewing stone (suiseki) It's light but hard. Click the image for the full resolution version.
These three scheflera will be planted on that stone. Click the image for the full resolution version.
Tuesday afternoon I photographed the temple bell I had fixed with new hanging loop and clapper dangle. It was a wedding present.
After pruning the three scheflera. They should have new growth in two weeks. Click the image for the full resolution version.
Wednesday morning I photographed the brown orchid growing on the rock wall in our backyard.
Aina Haina Prepared Zoom Meeting
I attended the Zoom meeting as AHP VP on Wednesday evening, March 22.
Screen capture from the meeting.
We saw this maiapilo blossom Thursday morning on our walk before breakfast. Photo by Andrea.
Andrea looked up some cousin Howard Smith shows. We have a list of movies for future watching:
The Caddy
No Time for Sergeants
Bon Voyage!
The Brass Bottle
Hawaii Regional FIRST Robotics Competition
I went to be with the Kalani High School Team, Magma Robotics, at the Hawaii Regional FRC on Friday morning, March 24. On Saturday,
Andrea and I both attended.
Friday
Friday was the first day of qualifying rounds of the competition.
The halau hula practiced before the opening ceremony. Hawaii FRC photo.
The team in the pit.
Readying the robot.
Bryan Silver (yellow hat) was a volunteer robot inspector again.
Team Magma, 3008, helped the team from Japan with their bumpers.
Mayor Blangiardi was there (shaking hands with the pit administrator).
Mentor Wayland Kwok with the team. Hawaii FRC photo.
In the stands waiting for the opening ceremony.
Team Magma continued helping the Japanese team with their bumpers. Hawaii FRC photo.
The ceremony is about to begin.
A halau hula performed. See the metaphotography?
Mayor Blangiardi gave an excellent speech.
The halau danced. Hawaii FRC photo.
Mentors were asked to stand and be recognized. Click the image for the full resolution version. Hawaii FRC photo.
Team Magma setting up on the red alliance side.
The 3008 robot moving in autonomous mode.
Driver controlled mode, handling the cube game piece.
Bringing the purple game piece to score.
Scoring again in a high goal.
All three red alliance robots on the balance platform at the end of the match. The red alliance won.
Getting the robot ready for their second match. They won that one too.
The McKinley High team, 368, Tika Mana, work on their robot.
The Waialua High team, 359, The Hawaiian Kids, work on their robot.
After lunch on Friday I noticed this moth resting on our sun shade.
The bonsai Michiko hibiscus has another blossom.
I also photographed my books again to use as a Facebook background photo.
Saturday
Saturday finished up qualifying rounds and had the elimination matches and awards ceremony.
We went to the Mission Houses first for a talk about the new Chamberlain House exhibits, including Ka'ahumanu's rocking chair.
First stop, Team Magma's pit. The robot being readied for their final qualifying match (70). They won!
Best to just stay out of the way. Photo by Andrea.
Talking about the match listing. Match 68 being played, 70 coming up. Time to get in queue. Photo by Andrea.
Team Magma was Alliance Captain Eight. For lunch we walked to the Honey Glazed Ham Hawaii on King Street. We got a ham sandwich,
soup, and a ham plate. We had enough to take home for dinner Sunday. Photo by Andrea.
We ate at the little pocket park between King Street and H1 Freeway. We got back just before the elimination matches started.
Kalani's Team Magma was the captain of the blue alliance in this match. They all played well, but were eliminated. Photo by Andrea.
We were on television! Photo by Andrea.
Team Magma won the Industrial Award. Image from FIRST broadcast by Anne Torige.
The team with the Industrial Award. Hawaii FRC photo.
Lealani Pham was a Dean's List Award finalist. Hawaii FRC photo.
I attended the monthy meeting held by philosopher Brian Gould, on Zoom this month at 5:00 PM California time, 2:00 PM here, March 27.
Screen capture from the meeting.
Monday morning we went for a walk before breakfast. Photo by Andrea.
Malia sent us a photo of grandson Grayson with his Legos.
Tuesday morning I went for a walk before breakfast while Andrea stayed on the phone with the IRS.
Later Tuesday morning I photographed my phone with its new case. Having a new phone case makes it seem like a new phone.
Citizen's Patrol Meeting
On Wednesday morning, March 29, I attended a meeting presentation by the police about a citizens patrol, an extension of neighborhood watch.
Citizen patrol is unarmed, does not try to do the work of the police, but merely reports suspicious activity to 911. A coordinator and
block captain lead the activities. Aina Haina is big enough for ten block captains.
There was a good turnout for the meeting arranged by Adele. Standing room only.
Wrapping up the presentation and opening up the floor for questions.
Andrea had taken yet another photo of our Michiko hibiscus. The flowers last only one day, as with any hibiscus.
Kalani High School Robotics Team
On Thursday afternoon, March 30, Andrea and I went to the Team Magma shop to drop off a couple of checks from people donating to the
team so they can go to Houston for the FRC Championship.
This is the movable facility the team is prepping to be delivered to an elementary school to enable students to explore STEM options.
The facility is self-sustaining with solar panels to provide power.
Email Richard dot J dot Wagner at gmail dot com