We had an early flight from Honolulu to Lihue. Caroline, Jose and Grace arrived on Kauai when we were on Oahu. Jordan, Liz and Mahea arrived on Kauai the day before us.
Makai was so happy to see his cousins, Grace and Mahea! Kathy hand-made plumeria leis and each of the kids got one.
Shortly after we arrived, Caroline, Jose, Grace, and Kathy went to pick up our relatives who were flying in from Korea! Kathy is the oldest sister. Her middle sister is Young Ok and her sister’s husband is Wi Do. Kathy’s youngest sister is Gum Ok. Kathy’s youngest brother is Sang Myoung and his wife is Youngmi.
While they were at the airport, Jordan and George were golfing. Dallas, Liz, Mahea, Makai and I went and checked into our rental house. We got a place that was literally a walk through a yard from the family house. It was the historic Ishihara house, which was owned by the family that started the Ishihara Market. I heard that this house was originally in another location, but was moved up the hill quite some time ago.
We stayed at the house with Jordan’s family and Caroline’s family. So 9 people in a 3 bedroom house. It was not too bad, except that there was only one bathroom.
The house was really pretty and the views of the valley all the way to the ocean were AH MAHZ ING.
That night we had a pretty low-key barbecue, just to get to all see each other again and get to know each other. Dallas had not seen his Korean relatives since the 80s, which means that Liz, the kids, Jose, and I had never met them before. It was fun! One aunty kicked George off the grill. He was making bulgogi and she took over :).
Everyone enjoying the barbecue! Dallas, Caroline, Wi Do, Young Ok, Gum Ok, Liz, Youngmi, Sang Myoung.
Kathy’s brother-in-law brought soju from Korea and was really after me to drink it. It was terrible but every time I tried to abandon it, he’s hold it up like and say “soju!” There was a huge language barrier, but they knew a little English and Kathy translated a lot for us. As for the soju, I finally mixed it with POG to get it down! From Korea, they also brought us so many gifts! Hats, necklaces for the girls (Kathy translated that owl is good luck), bracelets and ginseng candy for the guys, and money for the kids (we put Makai’s in his college fund). So so generous!
Kathy and her sisters enjoying the view at the Ishihara House.