Aloha Ouch: One Big Bummah

We are, I think, being good travelers. We wear sunscreen, drive the speed limit, tip generously, and eat local. We apologize before asking dumb mainlander questions, we say aloha and mahalo, we even send thank you notes to our hosts. We are working hard, keeping the off topic frolicking to a minimum, and in general, …


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A Day on the Kohala Coast

The first stop we make is the site of a former village and temple. It’s also the place where an attempt on Kamehameha’s life went awry, ending his competition and consolidating his power — he went on to unify the island kingdom, changing the history of Hawaii. Reef sharks swim lazy circles in the bay, …


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Aloha Oy: Island Arrival (Nov 4th)

Flying takes it out of me, more than I like to admit. For the past 12 plus hours, I’ve had a doozy of a headache. I’m drinking a lot of water and applying regular doses of ibuprofen and in the middle of the night last night, I tried some sinus meds – that seemed to take the edge off. It’s the dry, recirculated air and the less than comfortable seats.

Our flight was uneventful, which is all I ask from air travel these days. We left on time, had no trouble making our connecting flights, our bags were there as expected, the rental car company did not badger me with “offers” of overpriced gas or stupid unnecessary fees. Our rig these week is a Dodge Caliber, a heavy feeling car with a low ceiling and lousy visibility. Why, here in the islands where environmentalism is so important and gas so expensive, am I not offered the option to rent a hybrid?


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Aloha, Ay: Twenty Things We’ve Done in Half the Time They Deserve

Ate seafood outdoors Talked with napping sea turtles Drank too much Kona coffee Got lei’d – twice Visited the site of an ancient Hawaiian temple (heiau) Learned and forgot how to say “no problem”in Hawaiian Heard live music Drove to the Hawi overlook to see the Waipio Valley Ate lunch Hawaiian Style in Waimea Fell …


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Aloha, Ah! Postcard

I’m up in Sam Rosen’s place. Ben has sent me there, but when I tell Sam this, he doesn’t remember Ben. Finally, he says, “I remember a guy from Seattle, Uncle Ben? Do you mean him?” That’s the one! I say. “You should have just said Uncle Ben!” Sam teaches a 10 day uke making …


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