I Love You, California!

It had been TOO LONG since we got up and enjoyed the farmers' market at KCC on a Saturday morning. It is pretty crowded with tourists and by Saturday morning we just want to sleep in, but today we got up and going, rode our bikes down to the market, and had some coffee and an acai bowl for breakfast. We knew we wanted to venture up to the Haleiwa today but weren't sure exactly what to do: hike, snorkel, beach, so many options! But after our morning bike ride Will had the great idea to take our bikes up and bike on the trail that runs north along the coast from Pupukea. We packed up the car and were off! Of course we had to stop at Bonzai Sushi for some lunch. Then it was off to Pupukea. When we got there it started to rain, but after just a few minutes it cleared up. Even though there were clouds in the sky we were trying to be optimistic. We rode our bikes up the way a bit before we took a stop to enjoy the beach. I found this coconut husk filled with puka shells! ...

Recently Terviva was nominated for and received an award for innovation in energy in Hawai`i. At a small conference held in Honolulu today, Will and his colleague set up an informational booth to show what they work on. Then Will accepted the award from Governor David Ige and ate lunch with him along with a few others. I am such a proud wifey! Will and his colleague. Speaking about Terviva. Accepting the award from the governor! The major award.

This weekend we were all about getting out and about. Despite some sprinkles in the air we went down to Waikiki to listen to the Slack Key Guitar Festival featuring some great local musicians performing beautiful Hawaiian Mele (songs). We sat out on the lawn before heading in to Yard House where we sipped on some beer and listened to the tunes. We've made even more changes to our lanai so we wanted to enjoy a lazy Sunday BBQ outside. Will grilled us up some delicious veggie burgers. It was such a relaxing evening. A beautiful full rainbow while we grilled! Enjoying the evening under our new solar lights!

One fancy-type place that we've always wanted to visit but hadn't yet is the Kahala Resort. A while back we visited Kahala Beach Park and did some swimming, but we hadn't been inside the resort or any of their restaurants. The Kahala Resort is on the east side of Honolulu, away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, but if you want to be able to escape to this resort, you certainly pay for it! It's reminiscent of the Edgewater in Madison in that it attracts a wide range of celebrity clientele from the Obamas to basketball players to Pacific Island Dignitaries, actors and musicians, and everything in between. There is a huge wall full of pictures of many of those who have visited since the resort first opened in 1964. Much of the decor is the same, but as they say, what's old is new again, so it totally works. Will and I sat at a table on the lanai of their Veranda Lounge and enjoyed some wine flights, cheese plates, and poke of course. After the Kahala we w...

My friend Dawn is getting married in November and this weekend we had a little Bachelorette celebration for her since her sister was in town from Seattle as well! We started the night with dinner at Roy's in Waikiki. What bachelorette party is complete without blinky rings?! Then we went to Kapiolani Community College for some contra dancing. The other girls have done this many times but tonight was my first. It was so fun! Google it if you aren't familiar! We tried to get Dawn to wear a sash and tiara but she wasn't having it except for a quick parking lot selfie, haha! Then we had a drink at Mud Hen Water to end the night. It was just perfect! And one week later my flowers are still pretty : )

Speaking of the beginning of the new school year and being inspired by our Princess, today was open house night for our first graders! My teaching partner and I were busy all week getting the room ready for them, and we sure are ready! Here I am with Pauahi watching over : )

This week's back to school focus has been all about Princess Pauahi Bishop; what she has done for us, and what in turn we can do for the keiki. (Pauahi was the last heir to the throne who left her wealth and land to the Bishop Estate which then created Kamehameha Schools.) I am so grateful for Pauahi. Without her, Will and I wouldn't have the opportunity to experience the wonder of Hawai`i, as a big reason TerViva operates in Hawai`i is due to the support of and ability to use the of Kamehameha Schools. So today I went with the rest of the Elementary School staff to visit Mauna Ala, which is the resting place of the remains of the Ali`i, or Hawaiian Royalty. We took flowers and lei for Pauahi, cleaned up her gravesite, and visited the chapel and crypt which houses the Ali`i's remains. It was an inspiring visit to start out our school year.

Will bought me some pretty flowers on his way home from work today. They look just beautiful on our new kitchen chariot! After much back and forth of what to do for the evening we decided on dinner at Town, one of our favorite restaurants. It was a lovely night together, but I was so tired after my first day back to work today! Here's to many more years together!

Our kitchen is small, no doubt about it, and could really benefit from some added counter space. I've always wished that the landlords would have added an island or peninsula or something when they remodeled. Knowing that would never happen, we took it into our own hands and added some counter space of our own. We finally found a kitchen cart (or chariot at the box said!) that we liked. It arrived last week and we put it together today! After Will put it together for us it was time to go pick up our Swanz wine decanter from our new glassblowing friend! (They weren't quite finished/smoothed up when we went last week, so we arranged to go in and pick it up today.) It's fun to have some more space in the kitchen! Will pouring the wine. New kitchen layout! Go Cubs Go!