Puna-Lua

Not to be confused with a punalua (the relationship between two men or two women who share the same spouse), I am here to announce that I am going to be a Puna again.
I guess with three children in their childbearing years (four if I lived in an old school Mormon sect in a remote area of Utah), it's bound to happen more and more often...
Kalena's first child, with his beautiful girlfriend, Shelbie, is due to arrive on August 4th. And, if you can tell in one of the pictures, IT'S A BOY! Yes, I will have one of each now. WHAT LUCK!
Thought you might enjoy these great 3D pictures! I've had four babies and have only experienced two ultrasounds and one was when I was in labor with Kalena! He was so, um, B I G (11.6 lbs), there were "issues" in labor and delivery. But all came out well as my hula sisters can attest, thanks to their help. Shelbie has had at least two ultrasounds so far and we are more than happy to see the pictures as "our" baby continues to grow.
Rest assured, you will hear it here when the happy event occurs.

Lali Meets Pua Honi Honi

Hulali, just back from her travels (one week in Portland, back to Hawai'i for one night then one week in Pasadena), spent the day cruising O'ahu, visiting with "old friends". Today she met a NEW friend, Pua. Being the farm girl that she is, she took right to the little oinker.
That's my girl!!! Thanks to the aunties!!! You are the BEST!

Wii a.k.a. Stimulus Check is Working in Our Home

For once I will say "Thank You, George" for the stimulus check. I had no intentions of finally purchasing the Wii I have wanted since last year (Christmas time actually), but the timing was impeccable. Check deposited on Friday, trip to Costco on Saturday (mind you, I went to Costco last weekend and there was no Wii) revealed that after months of just selling games and the nerf sports pack for Wii, Costco was now stocking a special Wii pack. I don't know what came over me. I was possessed. It took all my energy not to rip the pad of papers to write the order number on from the woman standing in front of MY WII DISPLAY. So I wrote it down while Kika and Kajla surveyed the accessories available, and complete with paper/stock number, Guitar Hero and TWO sports packs, we raced through the rest of Costco (groceries, after all), paid our outrageously high bill (you don't even want to know) and raced home to set it up. Let it be known that I whipped Glen's Wii*ss in golf, even when he changed it to "expert". And I am not proud but am proud to say that I won Kaipo in boxing in three rounds. It's a fun time in the ole town tonight!

Which Column Will You Gamble on?

V O G

By this time of the year, when I leave my house at 6 am, it is bright daylight outside. My drive is pleasant, sun is shining, warmth coming through my Tundra windows. But the tradewinds disappeared yesterday and the vog has settled heavily upon our islands. We can actually stare at the sun. Doesn't this picture look like a moon shot? It's not. It is the morning sun. Rising in the sky. Vog creating a hazy glaze.

Driver's Ed

In the country we teach our kids to drive at a young age being that we got tractors and ATVs and trucks and cars and riding mowers that we gotta run to keep the farm afloat. Well, we don't really have all of that BUT we do have a history of letting our kids learn to "drive" from small kid time. So everytime we enter the Pa'auilo district Hulali says, "I drive" and as we are heading up our hill (police, if you are reading this, we are on a PRIVATE ROAD and you shouldn't be reading this blog anyways) and let her steer, sort of, the truck. And then we proceed to "scold her" for not keeping her eyes on the road. It's the most fun ever!!! Especially when she turns towards the backseat drivers and grins!

Salmon Burgers

Through my twitter network, I came across a new favorite "personal" blog. This is my "personal" blog. I also have a professional blog and a class blog. But I digress. This new blog is written by someone similar to me in that she teaches elementary computers. Except she appears to be much more talented in the areas that I strive to be talented in: cooking, gardening, sewing and more. Her blog is called Clever Karen and she is, indeed, clever.
So I set out to make her salmon burgers. They turned out good...I think next time I will add more parsley and a few more spices to spice it up. Adding basil pesto and fresh Kamuela tomatoes to the ciabatta bread (her bread was homemade, darnit) added great flavor.

Vote Jo!

One of my dearest friends, Jo Kim, is running for the House for District One (gosh I hope I got that right). As part of her efforts she put up a wild fight to make sure that the Air Force would not use our area as training ground for practice flights (something about flying C17s 300 feet above our homes, crazy noise, etc.). This included rallying HER dearest friends to march in Honoka'a and attend a series of "discussions" on the topic. Bad news: marching with, um, marchers. Good news: Air Force backed out. Checkmate!

Hulali's on the Mainland

Aunty Kika begged Hulali's mommy to let her take her to Portland for cousin Ashley's graduation from college. Kika practically lived at the Vancouver Honda's home during her four years at Univ of Portland. So here are some pics of their great adventure. And let me tell you, those of us left behind (Kala'i, Kajla, me and Glen) are sad sad campers without our Lali keeping us company. The house is quiet and lonely without her around! But her Uncle Mason seems to be her fave (must be because he looks like Papa!) and she is enjoying spending time with HER cousin, Keoni! He must remind her of Ku!