Independence Day, 2009

We're so lucky that the 60-somethingth annual Kailua Fourth of July parade passes just a block from Mom's house, and we're on the shady side of the street! This is the biggest parade in Hawaii, and today it lasted nearly 2 hours. The Navy band led, followed by the dignitaries: Grand Marshall Wally Amos, Governor Linda Lingle, Senator Dan Inouye, and others from Washington and Honolulu.

Then came the veterans: Viet Nam, Korea, Foreign Wars, and the Hummers, ambulances and Jeeps (with machine guns) from the various services. The Boy Scouts were there, several mounted horse units, several hula halau, several local businesses, churches, alumnae associations, senior groups, ... Hit of the day was the Kailua High School Alumnae, who bombarded the bystanders with water cannons - actually very welcome after an hour in the sun! If Mother cooperates (and goes to bed on time,) I plan to walk down to the beach to see the fireworks at 8 p.m.

A couple days ago, I went to Lanikai Point, about a mile from here, to photograph the point and the USGS marker at its base. A colleague and I discovered geocaching independently of each other, but at about the same time. I told him I'd photograph the Lanikai marker to add to his collection.

The view from the Point back across Kailua Bay was very beautiful that morning, too.

Flowers and Voyages

Ordinarily. I leave flower photos to my friend. This morning, however, when I stepped outside, this perfect camellia just begged to be photographed. There are lots of buds on the bush, but it looks like rain today, and that will spoil them. I clipped it, brought it inside, and sat it down for a portrait. I hope to enjoy it all week.

Speaking of week, one week from today, at this very time, I will be flying across the Pacific to visit Mom for about 8 or 9 days. Although I believe spring has come to Sacramento, this weekend is a reminder that winter is not long gone - from high temps in the mid 70s, we dropped overnight to highs in the mid-50s. 80s in Hawaii is sounding pretty good, right about now, as I look out my back door at wind, overcast, and drizzle.

I've been reading Hokule'a's twitterstream, vicariously following along as she sailed to Palmyra. The photos posted on the Polynesian Voyaging Society blog are absolutely stunning! What amazes me, though, is that the Hokule'a is so small on the vast Pacific Ocean. Reading about their thoughts and observations during the voyage is much different from reading narrative accounts after-the-fact. I've especially enjoyed the exchanges between Hokule'a and Kama Hele crew and the children in Hawaii. The crew answers the kids' questions respectfully and with humor. The kids will never forget this experience!

Through Other Eyes

John posted photos of his and Alison's visit to Hawaii. It was fun to watch them experience Hawaii for the first time, and to notice things that seemed extraordinary to them, but normal to me - like why the bathroom mirror doesn't fog up, or whether the cockroach or the gecko would win in battle with the other, or the magic of color changes on the mountains.

Aloha 'Oe!

I can't believe a whole month has gone by since my last post. I've been in touch with Carol in London, and with Michael via Skype, and with Allen Hall, son of Pamela (Soutar) Hall in Urbana-Champaign. There was a flurry of e-mails about Simon Soutar and his descendants. He certainly was a colorful character, and left very few of his many children who are willing to talk about it.

Tomorrow morning, I'm flying to Hawaii for a week to stay with my mom. Lea and Kathy will be flying to Philadelphia and Boston for auditions, and I'll stay in the house while they're away. Isy will be coming with mom to the airport to pick me up. Marty and Laurel will have to hold the fort by themselves for a few days .

At least Marty and I are mostly over the nasty rhinovirus that struck a couple of weeks ago. It behaves like the flu, with fever, aches, and chills, and then a most aggravating upper-respiratory thing that had us both coughing for a week. Marty is still feeling the effects, but I'm mostly over it - just a little bit of head congestion left now.

Well, off to bed - got to get an early start tomorrow.