April 14, 2005
In The Company Of Friends
Waianae Coast West Oahu
Blog updated in the lobby of the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel 4-13-05 pm
I love my friends Claudia and Mike. We had so little time to get to know one another yet I think of them as one of the better parts of my Hawaii experience. I met Claudia in Nov 2003 as my business was just getting underway. She was selling Advertising for the Hawaii Island Journal and I was not in a place where I could buy, so we talked and their horrible experience in paradise confirmed to us that we werent crazy and that we needed to think about our lives and What were we doing there on the Big Island. Well they sold their home in Kapoho and bought a home on Oahu in Kaneohe, which is up the windward coast from Honolulu. Their place is lovely and I envy thim just a bit at the way they were able to rework their dream. Mike finally got work as a engineer and things are looking up for them. It only took 6 years of struggle and nearly losing everything for this to work out. I am really really happy for them, and wish them all the luck in the world.
We took the ever popular public bus, 2 bucks gets you anywhere on Oahu...and went to Kaneohe and met Claudia. Woody and I then went to her house for a bit then off to a few points of intrest that we had missed. One was
Senator Fong's Plantation and Gardens this was a very nice tropical garden tour and we all enjoyed it. I really didnt know too much about this man but he was the first person of Asian Descent to be elected to Congress. He worked under 5 presidents, and named the various area of his gardens for each of them.
We then went to the
Valley of the Temples This is where the Byodo-In Temple is. We took that in again and enjoyed the budda in peaceful none tourist filled serenity. I was impressed with the beautiful wooden structure. It was nice to sit with a friend and not have to say a word you just let it all pass by...
From there we went in the setting sun down to Heeia Beach Park. The view we saw was spectacular. We sat a long time and found it very peaceful and restful. I cant believe that there are so many colors of blue I was amazed...
As darkness fell we traveled back to the condo and had a very nice supper and lively conversation. Mike was home from his job and well it was stimulating. These two are intellegent witty people and how I miss having conversations with such people. We had a long chat untill it was time for Claudia to drive us back into Waikiki for sleep and to catch our flight to the Big Island.
We had dinner at Kikodo tonight with my friend and mentor Kathy Hamnmes, I will miss her so. This relationship is far beyond the client mentor situation.... we are friends for life. She was very encouraging to me tonight in the face of the next difficult days ahead.
Our other friends are the baby kitties! Mak and Nani are doing fine. We took them for the health exam that they are required to have for travel to the mainland and both passed with flying colors. No problems are expected with the flight and we all should arrive safely to our new home...
I cant believe its only another day before we leave...
