ringing in the new year with old friends

once in a blue, blue moon

princess bernice pauahi bishop~19 december 1831-16 october 1884

Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop

The last surviving royal descendant of the Kamehameha legacy and the founder of the Kamehameha Schools. Princess Bernice Pauahi's statue was erected in the Royal Grove at the Royal Hawaiian where she spent her last days writing an amendment to her will. It is befitting that the statue of Princess Bernice reading to a young girl to show her love of education and music.

always a face-lift somewhere in los angeles!

...leavin on a jet plane, don't know when i'll be back again...

oompa loompa christmas

kisses of aloha

Hershey's milk chocolate "Aloha" kisses with Mauna Loa macadamia nuts are very special in that they can only be purchased in Hawaii. You can't even get it on the Hershey's website. Hershey's acquired Mauna Loa in 2004 and introduced the "Aloha" kisses in 2006. Each "Aloha" kiss has a bit size piece of macadamia nut in its milk chocolate center. They are wrapped in turquoise blue foil that has 'Macadamia Nut' written on the outside and a tissue flag that says "Aloha", instead of Hershey's. One kiss A=L=W=A=Y=S leads to another!

scary santa

honolulu marathon: 4th largest in the nation~23,649 runners~26.2 miles

the big splash...ordinary fish or "c" monster?

Two feet long, has large head and bulging eyes. Upper teeth and lower teeth are fused together. Algae covered brown spotted body. Swims or glides very slowly underwater.

"shaka" clause and the mrs.

christmas nativity

what is that donkey thinking?

donut pastree

the jolly snow family

The only one looking happy is pappy!

tiffany and co. holiday paper cut-out window displays

Fat Santa

How's santa gonna fit down that chimney after eating "loco moco" all year?

hula sand-ta

8 tons of sand~one day of shoveling~3 days of sculpture

"eddie would go"

Quicksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau invitational surf contest at Waimea Bay finally came to fruition Tuesday. Over 20,000 folks from all over the world flocked to Waimea to witness the eighth annual Eddie Aikau surf event with waves over 40 feet, some reaching 50 feet. Although in its eighth year, the last contest was held in 2004 as wave conditions have to be "primo" and in excess of over 40 feet.  Top prize of $55,000 went to California's Greg Long who scored the perfect 100 points with waves facing 44-50 feet. Incredible!


Eddie Aikau was the first lifeguard at Waimea Bay, saving many lives. In 1978, he was aboard the Hokule'a when the canoe capsized and he would go to paddle for help. He was never found. The surf contest is name in honor of Aikau. 

"menehune" christmas train

ukelele lennon (1940-1980)

photo provided by john f. crowley on the canteen.com

old world charm

uss arizona memorial

Hawaii's most visited attraction with more than 1.5 million visitors yearly. The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor was constructed atop this sunken battle ship as a memorial to the 1177 Arizona sailors who lost their lives on the Pearl Harbor attack, 900 of which are entombed in the hull of the battleship. Pearl Harbor is the largest natural harbor in Hawaii and is the only Navy Base in the United States that is a National Historic Landmark.

On December 7th, 1941, approximately 350 Japanese dive bombers and fighters sank 12 navy ships and severely damaged 9 others. As many as 2400 Americans were killed and nearly 1180 were injured. Over 300 aircraft were destroyed or badly damaged. "It was the worse disaster in naval history."

national memorial cemetery of the pacific

Lady Columbia symbolizes all grieving mothers and looks out on the cemetery 

Also known as  Pu'owaina Crater (Punchbowl) or "Hill of Sacrifice". A beautifully serene 116 acre resting place built in 1948 for over 25,000 men and women of three American Wars: WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Over 776 victims from December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor were among the first to be buried here. There is also a special  monument for Hawaiian born Ellison Onizuka, astronaut, who perished aboard the Challenger Space Shuttle.

heroism of hawaii's military

Stained glass replica of the Medal of Honor in the "Gallery of Heroes". Sixteen recipients were honored with the nations highest award of valor and placed on koa pedestals with their citations for their extraordinary heroism.

protea wreath

santa's christmas fair

any day, any time

hawaiian shave ice

lime~li hing mui~cherry and vanilla ice cream on the bottom

moon rise over honolulu