On Wednesday morning, July 1, we went to the Bishop Museum and drove back over the Likelike highway and around Makapuʻu.
Ready to go in just after nine.
Heading for Hawaiʻi Hall.
In the kāhili room.
Entering the big exhibition space.
The sperm whale and great white shark.
Kū and Kane.
Two flights of stairs go up to the mezzanines.
I Pacific Hall.
Interior of the whale.
View from the front end.
The "Bricks" exhibition.
Look, the pink palace. Photo by Andrea.
The wax volcano in the science hall. Photo by Andrea.
The nēnē. Photo by Andrea.
We drove to the windward side and stopped for lunch at Buzz's Steak House.
At Buzz's. Photo by Andrea.
Lenora had the fish wrap and I had a chicken thigh burger. Photo by Andrea.
Tennis
I played tennis on Thursday, the second.
Aiko served to Tomy.
University of Hawaiʻi Campus
Andrea and I took Lenora on a tour of the University of Hawaiʻi campus in Mānoa on Thursday afternoon.
We went to the student services building first.
Looking at the directory.
The Japanese garden behind the East-West Center.
Descending the steps to the garden.
Looking at the koi and turtles.
Walking out of the garden.
Ala Moana
Andrea went to Mission Houses for docenting and I took Lenora for her employment urine test. We walked through the Ala Moana
shopping center afterward.
Inside the shopping center.
Follow-up on the bonsai fukien tea after growing in the sun for six weeks.
The fukien tea after pruning.
A citrus tree from seed after growing unrestrained for a while.
The bonsai fukien tea after unwiring. It will grow in the sun a while longer before further training.
The citrus tree after pruning.
Independence Day
The Fourth of July came on a Saturday this year. Lenora went with Doraine and Sabrina to climb Koko Crater at 6:05 AM.
A red bicycle has newly appeared at the 668 lot and homeless camp next door. Photo by Andrea.
We flew the flag. Click the image to see the full resolution version.
Lenora with Doraine and Sabrina at the top of Koko Crater.
After a bratwurst lunch, I worked on my painted pot citrus that had been growing wild for several months.
The painted pot citrus after pruning. I chose a new front and made it a bunjin (literati style).
Joleen came over for dinner and we had drinks and pupu under the lychee tree. Photo by Andrea.
After the second round of drinks I put the burgers on the green egg barbecue.
Lenora timed three minute intervals for flipping the burgers. Photo by Andrea.
I gave Joleen and Lenora signed copies of my science fiction book set in Hawaiʻi.
Dinner at Plumeria Beach House
On Sunday the fifth we went to Plumeria Beach House at the Kahala Hotel for dinner and music.
In the morning I photographed my monkeypod in a growing pot.
We parked with the valet and stopped on the landing of the orchid wall stairway down.
We were 20 minutes early so we went for a beach walk.
Heading into the Kahala Hotel.
We had an outdoor table near the music.
The trio was named Walea.
Monday morning I took Lenora to Aiea to pick up Treasurer materials from Kathy. A good view of Pearl Harbor.
Monday afternoon Andrea took Lenora to Supercuts for a haircut. Photo by Andrea.
Mānoa Heritage Center Tour
Keala asked me to give a tour on Tuesday afternoon, the seventh. Lenora came along.
We played tennis in the morning. June and Lenora.
Aiko watches as Tomy handles a return.
A view of Diamond Head.
Steve and Winney asked Lenora to take their picture.
Andrea photographed these lotus blossoms at Les's house on our after dinner walk.
Lenora and I played some chess games.
Bonsai Work
Lenora helped me with bonsai on Wednesday afternoon, the eighth.
I have chosen a new front for this bonsai citrus from seed.
I picked out this bonsai Mickey Mouse tree in a rectangular Japanese ceramic pot for Lenora to work on.
The bonsai Mickey Mouse tree after Lenora pruned, wired, and repotted it.
A big bright rainbow on our after-dinner walk.
Na Kupuna Enrollment at UH Mānoa
I registered for an English literature course (ENG 321) at UH in the
Na Kupuna
program (Queen Liliʻuokalani Center for Student Services, Room 413).
CRN: 74129
English, Course Number: 321
Title: Backgrounds of Western Literature
Nandini Chandra, Tu, Th, 12:00 to 1:15 pm, Bilger Hall 341A
First day of instruction: Aug. 24.
Lenora and I played on Thursday morning, the ninth.
Lenora ready as Patrick receives serve.
June serving.
I wired the nursery stock ʻaʻaliʻi.
Friday I photographed the open air toilet next door. It's 15 feet away from our property and downwind, but it stinks. Very annoying.
Apparently there is nothing any authority can do about it.
The nursery stock ʻaʻaliʻi transplanted into a painted pot.
The monkeypod after pruning and wiring.
Kawaikui Beach Park Cleanup
Kahi Pacaro, candidate for State House, organized a beach park cleanup on Saturday afternoon, July 11.
Andrea and Lenore picking up trash. We each got two buckets full.
Kahi set up in the pavilion.
Andrea, Beth, Kahi, and Lenora.
Kamaʻaina Day at ʻIolani Palace
Andrea volunteered at Kamaʻaina Day at ʻIolani Palace. Lenora and I joined her there Sunday morning, July 12
We parked makai of King Street and walked to the entrance of the palace.
We got tickets for the 9:30 tour. This is one of two iron vases.
In the grand entrance.
A foreign portrait in the blue room.
The dining room.
Some silver in the dining room.
A portrait of Queen Kapiolani's sister in the King's bedroom.
Some paintings in the front upstairs room.
We went out to the bandstand and listened to some music.
Selfie with Lenora.
The gazebo (bandstand) where King Kalakaua was coronated.
Mele Apana introduced the Hawaiian music band who won three Na Hoku awards last night.
One of the volunteers took our photo on our way out. Andrea stayed until 11:30.
Writers Circle
The penultimate session of OLLI Writers Circle was held on Tuesday afternoon, July 14. Lenore and I played tennis in the morning.
Lenore warmed up with June as Tomy arrived.
Aiko made a fourth.
Lenora serves.
The Zoom session.
While I was in my two hour Zoom session, Andrea and Lenora went to the Honolulu Zoo.
Lawrence Edward Carter at the Architecture Auditorium
Andrea and I took Lenora to see Lawrence Edward Carter Sr.: Moral Courage and Nonviolent Transformation at the Architecture Auditorium
at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa on Wednesday evening, July 15. We had dinner afterward at Arden restaurant.
The courtyard of the Architecture building.
The event started with an oli and hula. Photo by Andrea.
Governor Green spoke after the university's President and Chancellor. Photo by Andrea.
The event was hosted by Maya Soetoro, President Obama's sister. Photo by Andrea.
Chancellor, governor, Dr. Carter, head of the NAACP, and UH president. Photo by Andrea.
At Arden with zero alcohol cocktail. Photo by Andrea.
Deciding on our sharables.
We had a table with a view of the park. Photo by Andrea.
I played tennis Thursday morning with Tomy, the two Aikos, and Patrick. Lenora slept in.
Dinner at Plumeria Beach House
Andrea and I took Lenora to dinner and Hawaiian music at Plumeria Beach House restaurant at the Kahala Hotel on Thursday evening, the 16th.
Lenora wore her new dress.
Good buffet and cocktails.
I had salad first, then went back for rice, beef, and shrimp. Photo by Andrea.
We saw Venus, Moon, and Mercury while waiting for the car valet. Photo by Andrea.
Friday morning Lenora and I went to Hobbieatat in Kaimuki to buy a birthday present for Grayson.
Andrea volunteered at MHC and Mission Houses. We got a model car kit.
In the afternoon we went to the beach. Photo by Lenora.
Bonsai Mango
Andrea and I walked up to Ani Street and around on Saturday morning, the 18th. Later I worked on my bonsai mango.
After growing with wire on for several months.
After defoliating, unwiring, and rewiring.
Bonsai Ironwood
Saturday afternoon I worked on my ironwood tree.
After growing unrestrained for over a year.
After pruning and wiring.
Honolulu Museum of Art
Sunday morning, the 19th, we went to the Honolulu Museum of Art and had lunch there.
We arrived at 10:00 AM just as they were opening.
We saw the (main) ceramics gallery first.
Sealed ceramic rattles we were invited to shake. Photo by Andrea.
Lots of round shapes with subtle coloration. Photo by Andrea.
The modern art gallery. Shirley Temple Black, satyrical art. Photo by Andrea.
More modern art.
More modern art. Photo by Andrea.
Looking through a sculpture.
We got into the HOMA restaurant at 11:00 AM. Photo by Andrea.
Delicious BLTs for lunch.
Abe's Two Trees sculpture in the Hawaiian gallery.
Examining a Madge Tennent. Photo by Andrea.
Outside the Hawaiian Art exhibit. Photo by Andrea.
The Sherpa exhibition.
A large Sherpa painting.
Looking at some Sherpa paintings. Photo by Andrea.
Tennis
Lenora and I played tennis on Tuesday morning, the 21st.
Patrick serves to Lenora.
Follow-up: the bonsai red cedar formal upright after growing wire-on for three months.
The bonsai red cedar after unwiring and pruning.
Bonsai Pohinahina
I worked on a pohinahina on Wednesday morning, the 22nd, after having my blood drawn at Diagnostic Labs in Kahala.
A pohinahina, a native Hawaiian, in bloom, after growing with wire on for many months.
The pohinahina after unwiring and pruning.
Lunch at Gyotaku
Andrea had Mission Houses volunteering on Thursday morning, the 23rd. I took Lenora to the beach and then we had lunch at Gyotaku.
People in DLNR shirts were doing a fish survey.
Lenora took a mask and fins in the water.
A gyotaku on the wall and an extensive menu.
A giant squid gyotaku.
Sailfish.
Opah, moonfish.
The waiter took our photo with delicious food.
Ke Kani O Ke Kai
Andrea and I took Lenora to Ke Kani O Ke Kai at the Waikīkī Aquarium on Thursday evening, the 23rd.
We had to sit in the back this time due to a lack of space.
The smaller space filled rapidly.
Nathan Aweau was up first.
Nathan is 62 years old and has a long string of hit songs.
Nathan plays his 7-string bass.
Photo by Andrea.
Bobby Modero invited his wife, Pua, up to dance.
Andrea photographed my bonsai red hibiscus Friday morning.
Bonsai Lignum Vitae
I worked on a bonsai lignum vitae, a gift from Gary, on Saturday morning, the 25th.
This bonsai lignum vitae has been growing unrestrained for over half a year.
The bonsai lignum vitae after restyling.
Bonsai Kukui
I worked on a bonsai Kukui, a Polynesian introduction to Hawaiʻi, from seed, on Saturday morning, the 25th.
Friday I rearranged the growing bench on the rock wall. Photo by Andrea on Saturday morning.
This bonsai Kukui, a Polynesian introduction to Hawaiʻi, from seed, has been growing unrestrained for over half a year.
The bonsai kukui after restyling as a literati style. The front will be changed when repotted in the future.
Andrea photographed a rainbow on our evening walk.
Becky and Eric got the package we sent, including the Grateful Dead jigsaw puzzle.
Clyde's at Mānoa Valley Theater
We took Lenora to see Clyde's at Mānoa Valley Theater on Sunday afternoon, the 26th.
Follow-up: the bonsai croton has been growing with wire on for several months.
The bonsai croton after unwiring and pruning.
Photo op at Mānoa Valley Theater.
The stage set was a sandwich shop kitchen.
Sans Souci Beach
We took Lenora to the beach on Monday morning, the 27th.
It was a beautiful morning in Waikīkī.
The Aquarium yard was still dug up for the water injection wells.
Lenora and Andrea on the sand.
Pacific Bonsai Club Meeting
We took Lenora to the monthly Pacific Bonsai Club meeting on Monday evening, the 27th.
Follow-up on the bonsai chokan alaheʻe, having grown with wire on for several months.
The meeting was well attended with several new members recruited at the June bonsai show.
I worked on my alaheʻe. Photo by Andrea.
The bonsai chokan alaheʻe after unwiring and pruning at the bonsai club meeting.
Writers Circle Final Meeting
The fifth and final Zoom session of the Writers Circle for the summer was held on July 28. My paper was on the case for time travel.
Zoom image.
The bonsai kukui after repotting into a bunjin pot.
Barbecue at Gary's House
Andrea and I took Lenora to a barbecue dinner at Gary's House above Kaimuki.
Follow-up on the bonsai Chinese ficus that has been growing with wire on for a couple of months.
The bonsai Chinese ficus after unwiring and pruning. There is a tiny shoot coming out on the middle left that I will let grow to fill that space.
This is the bonsai Chinese ficus we took as a gift for Gary. It will be show-ready after pruning.
We were slightly late and were the first guests to arrive.
Gary's front yard has a great view.
Lots of fun happy guests with Diamond Head in the distance.
Email Richard dot J dot Wagner at gmail dot com