Hawaii 2023: July 26 – August 1: Waimea, Kauai

Our first stop on our vacation to Hawaii was to Kauai. Our time on Kauai is usually slow-paced and laid back, but this week was very busy. We landed in Lihue, rushed to Waimea, and started cooking for a BBQ that night. Caroline and her family were visiting and our time overlapped only by about 6 hours!

On top of that, Aunty Laura and her husband Bill were visiting from St. Charles, IL. Laura’s daughter, Cory, was visiting from Aspen, CO. And her son, Danny, and his family were visiting from Riverside, IL.

If that’s not enough, good family friends Tandy and Chris and their family were visiting from Seattle, WA. And we ran into multiple childhood friends of Dallas’s who just happened to be in town for a few days.

We had a very busy week, but we were very thankful to be able to spend time with so much friends and family!

1. Family BBQ
We ended up being awake for more than 24 hours but it was worth it to see so much family. Especially thankful to meet our new nephew, Luca.


Back: Danny, Caroline, Rory, Niko, Jose, Caroline, Grace, Kathy, Dallas, Makai, Cory, Luca
Front: Bill, John, Laura, Cathy, Dee, George

Makai and Grace were happy to see each other (and started playing video games immediately!)


Niko


Last time we visited Caroline, she was pregnant. Luca was born shortly after. 5 months old.

Dallas happy to meet Luca.

Makai and his dad grilling meat.

Grace had been on Kauai since the end of May – something like 8 weeks! She demands to know who invited all of these annoying boys (John, Rory, Makai). This was also 5 seconds before that ball went over the cliff into the valley.
Aunty Laura and Luca

Makai, John and Rory eating Kathy’s homemade guri-guri.

Dallas and Danny


George, Caroline, Cory, Luca, Caroline

Giant spider!

Danny, Caroline, Rory, and John Hara stayed at The Point at Poipu on Kauai. They were traveling together with Danny’s mom Laura (Fukuda) and her husband Bill Dubois, as well as Danny’s sister, Cory Hara.

It was fun for all of the kids to be able to hang out together. Makai joined Laura, Bill, Rory and John one night at Luau while the rest of us went out to dinner. Makai stayed overnight at the resort and loved swimming with Rory and John in the resort pool. They also all stayed a couple nights in Waimea with Kathy and George.

Aunty Laura (Fukuda) is Grandpa George Crowell’s first cousin!

2. Pooltime at The Point at Poipu
Dallas golfed with his parents and Danny while the rest of us had an all day pool day! Then Makai joined Aunty Laura, Bill, Rory and John for a luau in Kapaa while Dallas and I went to dinner with Danny, Caroline and Cory at Japanese Grandma’s Cafe and drinks at Port Allen Sunset Grill & Bar.

View from Aunty Laura’s room at The Point at Poipu.

First lava flow… and maybe the only one I had!

3. Japanese Grandma’s Cafe

Cory and I both wanted to try the sparkling sake. It was a big bottle – like regular wine size!

Fried wonton taco with poke inside.

Fried rice with tuna on top.

Maki roll.

Hamachi.

Lilikoi gelato.

Dallas, Rachelle, Caroline, Cory, Danny

4. Luau at the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach

While we were at dinner, Makai joined Aunty Laura, Bill, Rory and John at a luau! Then Makai stayed overnight at The Point.

5. Kauai Rooster Hat
 Caroline liked Makai’s hat. I dug out these old photos to show how old it is! Later on she ended up finding it at Kukui’ula and buying one each for John and Rory.

6. Leapin’ Lizards!
Made me jump when I saw it move out of the corner of my eye in the bathroom in Waimea!
7. Swimming at The Point at Poipu
Makai stayed overnight at John and Rory’s and did a lot of morning swimming.

8. Salt Pond Beach
Dallas and I met up with them at Salt Pond Beach Park where we saw endangered Hawaiian monk seals on the beach.

9. Waimea Town
Dallas went home to cook. We then hit Shrimp Station and JoJo’s Shave Ice. Makai and John named all the chickens — the biggest one was named Todd, for some reason!

10. Egret!?I saw this in the yard!

11. Bon Dance at Waimea Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
Later on we went to the bon dance festival. Dallas ran into multiple childhood friends, some of whom he hadn’t seen for decades!

Festival Food: Akule
(got an extra one to bring home for George! Aunty Jane, working the counter, talked me into banana bread and coffee cake too!)


Festival Food: Andagi (Okinawan Donuts)


Festival Foods: Flying Saucer


Festival Food: Pronto Pop (corn dog)



Dallas was surprised to see his childhood friend, Kari. She lives in LA now! Her parents still live in Waimea and her dad told us a lot about the Bon Dance.

We found out Tandy was in town, but Dallas was surprised to see his childhood friend Lad and his sister Rona at the dance too!


Makai and John – John wanted to know when the ninjas were going to jump out!

Bon Dance begins! The leader at the temple came from Japan via Honolulu. This was the first Bon Dance since before covid!

We found out the next day that the woman in white is Janice’s grand daughter, Dana!

12. Family Monopoly Game
Dallas and his mom found their family Monopoly set and figured it is close to 70 years old. The hotels and houses are made of wood.

13. Day at Home
We did laundry. I sat sat on the porch alternating between looking at a book and looking at the ocean. Makai helped grandpa with yard work and running errands. Dallas and Kathy prepped for a party later.

14. Makai, Meet Makai
Makai and I went to get lunch at Porky’s and the guy that took our order was named Makai!

Grilled Cheese with Kalua Pig

Kalua Pig Bowl

15. Friends BBQ
We had a big barbecue with friends and it was great to spend time with people we had not seen for a long time!!!

On one of our past trips, Dallas made chimichurri, which is not a common thing to eat in Hawaii. Aunty Nancy requested he make it again. Janice made homemade pronto pops (corndogs) and the kids loved them. Rory ate 4 in a row! Janice’s grand daughter, Dana, handmade ti leaf and plumeria leis. And funny story, we discovered I’d taken a photo of her the night before dancing at the Bon Dance!

At one point, we realized every one of the kids at the party were hapa haole so we took a photo of them all together.

Dallas invited Ladd and Rona, who we’d run into the night before at the Bon Dance. Kathy was so bummed out she didn’t get to see them because she skipped the dance. She was so shocked and excited to see them at her front door!

Caroline and I, both from Wisconsin, talked with Såfina for a while. She is going to Lakeland University in the fall for Physical Therapy and to play volleyball. I hope we get to see her and her family more since she will only be 2 hours away from Chicago!


Rory running after Janice’s wontons!


Janice’s grand daughter, Dana, hand made these ti leaf and plumeria leis!

Makai, John, Rory

Janice made homemade pronto pops (corn dogs). Rory ate 4 in a row!

Dallas, Ladd, Uncle Bob, Swede, Marissa, Uncle Bob’s brother Warren, Safina, Aunty Nancy

Xavier, Janice, Kathy, Dana (Janice’s grand daughter)

Chris, Kai, Kanoa, Tandy, Rory

Danny, Tandy, Kanoa, Kai, Chris, Safina, Nancy, Caroline, Warren, Marissa, Bob, Dallas, Ladd, Swede, George, George, Linda, Rona

All the hapa kids! Back: Safina, Swede, Kai. Front: Makai, Rory, John, Kanoa

All the hapa kids! Back: Safina, Swede, Kai. Front: Makai, Rory, John, Kanoa

Make a funny face!

Childhood friends reunited: Tandy, Dallas, Rona, Ladd, Marissa


Aunty Nancy, Uncle Bob, Ladd, Rona

Kanoa and Rory

16. Sleepover
John and Rory stayed over 2 nights in Waimea!

17. Mini Golfing 
Kathy took Rory, John and Makai mini golfing at Kukuiolono. Chris, Kai and Kanoa joined them!

18. Shopping at Kukui’ula
With Dallas and Danny golfing with George, and Kathy taking the boys mini golfing, Caroline and I had free time to go shopping!Lappert’s in Hanapepe closed and there was a rumor that the one in Poipu did too, but luckily that was untrue!

Funny sign.

Lunch at Living Foods

19. Red Salt
We went out to eat with Danny and Caroline at Red Salt in the Koa Kea Resort in Poipu. This was our first time to Red Salt. I didn’t love my entree and it was very expensive. Also felt like we were sitting in a hotel lobby. Our view was people getting in and out of the pool. For the price would expect a more luxe setting and exceptional food.



Driving from Poipu to Waimea

20. Waffles
Rory and John stayed overnight. Makai got up early and made everyone waffles.

21. Legos
Makai and John and Rory played Legos with Dallas’s old Legos many of the days of the week!

22. Salt Pond
We met Caroline and Danny at Salt Pond Beach Park. The two Monk Seals were not on the beach any more, but there was one in the water that just kept circling. Every time it came by everyone had to get out of the water!

23. Waimea Town
Afterwards we had lunch at Shrimp Station and Island Taco and JoJo’s again!

24. More swimming!
Makai went to swim at Caroline and Danny’s condo. The kids were tired from a long day!

23. Stevenson’s Library
Dallas and I had dinner at Stevenson’s Library with Tandy, Chris, Kari and Jeff.
Jeff and Kari, Dallas and Rachelle, Tandy and Chris

24. Grandpa’s Pidgin Lesson


Kamehameha Schools Haole Brownies

I got a bit obsessed with the KS Haole Brownies when they were everywhere at the luau events this year. I ate SO many of them! I made Haole Brownies at home from the Kamehameha Schools recipe and they turned out pretty great!

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Haole Brownies
Makes 48 2″ x 2″ brownies

2-1/2 cups brown sugar (packed)
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2-1/2 sticks (10 oz.) butter or margarine
1 level tablespoon baking powder (double acting)
4 cups all-purpose flour
6 large eggs
1-1/2 cups diced walnuts
Cream together brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, butter (or margarine) and baking powder.

Add and mix all-purpose flour until incorporated. Add and mix eggs until creamy. Add diced walnuts.

Mix on low with paddle for 30 seconds if using KitchenAid-style mixer. If not available, then mix with wooden spoon to incorporate, but if mixing by hand, add eggs before the flour. (A hand held mixer may not be powerful enough for this heavy batter, but try if you like.) DO NOT OVERBEAT!

Scrape down sides of bowl and then mix on medium speed for 2 minutes or by spoon for 5 minutes.

Grease two 13″ x 9″ x 2″ pans and preheat oven to 375-400 degrees. (Note: If pan sizes are different, pour batter to a maximum of 3/4 of an inch deep.)

Divide mix evenly into pans and place on bottom rack and bake. Brownies will rise gradually for about 25 minutes and then flatten.

Wait for 3 minutes after they have flattened completely, then remove from oven and place on rack to cool.

When warm to the touch, cut to desired size.

Hawaii 2019 Day 13: Kamehameha Schools Alumni Luau

In the morning we walked around Waikiki. I said hello to Duke, like I always do when in Waikiki. We also later said hi to Don Ho at International Marketplace, which is now SUPER fancy. It used to be all temporary looking stands and a few fast restaurants and now it’s a very high-end mall. Dallas really wanted to go to Quiksilver to get a new aloha shirt for the luau that night. While there, I also got a Hydro Flask water bottle and a Pura Vida wave ring. We stopped for coffee at Big Wave Dave, where we also started to look around for somewhere to eat lunch.

We ended up going to Tim Ho Wan at the Royal Hawaiian for dim sum, which was perfect. Just after we were seated and ordered, the 103rd Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade began and went right past the windows where we were seated. What a treat for everyone at the restaurant! We could not have planned it better.

The dim sum at Tim Ho Wan was great. The bao was very interesting. It had like a flaky dough instead of the steamed white dough we’re used to.

Back at the hotel we showered and got ready for the luau, except for getting dressed. We brought our clothes along, so they wouldn’t get all sweaty! First we went to Vivian’s house in Moanalua to get Makai. We visited a bit and Vivian’s in-laws came over. They’re Japanese (Vivian is Korean – Kathy’s cousin’s daughter) and had just been to a Japanese market. They shared some treats with us. They said that they knew Dallas’s dad when he was young, like a kid!

Next we went to visit family very closeby in Moanalua Valley. Kiki and Duke have a house there and somewhat recently Quincy had an addition built on to make it a duplex. Actually the whole family was still helping with the renovations. Oddly, Dallas had not seen Kiki in so many years that I’d never even met her before, even though we stay in contact on Facebook. It was great to see Aunty Helen, Uncle Bob, Kiki, Duke, Quincy and Kala and catch up. Quincy was excited about his new place and has a great job with the government. Kala has a film degree and has been working on Hawaii Five O for years. We also got the update on Jessica, who moved from Brooklyn to Kansas City (I think!). Quincy also gave us two Hawaiian flags that he made out of wood (we gave one to Caroline later on). We could only stay for a while before we had to get ready and go to the luau!

We headed to the luau and first thing, Dallas had to go meet up to get his class photo taken. Above is how the photo turned out.

While Dallas was off getting his class photo taken, Makai and I came into the luau. We were immediately handed some fans (it was hot out!). We shopped around the marketplace a little bit. I bought a bangle with a Tahitian black pearl on it. I’ve always wanted one! Makai was hungry so I told him we could got to the pupu line and get some snacks. They literally put a fish cut in half on our plate, along with some other Hawaiian pupus like edamame, ahi poke, tako poke, smoked meat and a salad! Makai was SO mad and habut. I got him a Brudda Pop popsicle and also bought two packages of haole brownies (I shared with the family on Kauai later on!). He was still mad. I think very tired from his sleepover. I also got a bag of boiled peanuts for the table, since it would be a while til we got our dinner.

It was so great to see so many friends in our Kamehameha family (and it truly does feel like a family). Some I’ve known for many years, more than a decade now, and a couple I just met. Even when you just meet, there’s an immediate connection. It’s a great community and I’m so glad that Makai gets to spend time with them.

For dinner we had rice, kalua pig, chicken long rice, lomi salmon, squid luau, poi and poke. Makai loved the chicken long rice, the pork and the rice. For dessert there was pineapple, haole brownies, kulolo (made of taro, almost made Makai barf!), and haupia.

During dinner there was some talking on the stage. I honestly don’t remember what it was about. But then they announced the band was Mana’o Company and I could not believe it. They’re one of my favorite Hawaiian bands! And they were fantastic! Everyone knew all their songs.

Also after dinner, the pupu area turned into the dessert area, which Makai was much more interested in. I went to go to the bathroom and Dallas took Makai. They were serving haole brownies a la mode. Makai only wanted the ice cream, so he had two ice creams and Dallas had two brownies! When I got out of the bathroom, Makai wanted me to go back and get another ice cream for him!

Also, while I was in the building with the bathroom, I passed by the silent auction. It was in the final minutes so I took a look around and bid on a few items. I ended up winning a bracelet with a tahitian pearl! So I always wanted one, and now I had two!

At the end of the night, as is customary, the boarders took photos together on the same bench as always! Also, at the end of the night, someone told me I won another auction item. I had no idea! I went back in and I won a box of golf balls and a Kamehameha Schools dry fit Nike golf shirt!

On our way out of the luau, we got these pineapple gummies with such a sweet message on them.

A Birthday Liu-au

Richard and Alisun live in our new neighborhood, so close that we walked to their house for Richard’s birthday! It was great catching up with Richard after many years and finally meeting Alisun. Makai especially liked meeting their dog, Dr. Toof! Richard made some very delicious slow cooker lau lau. He gave us a great tip on where to get taro leaves in the city [Seafood City].

 

Hawaii Day 12: Kamehameha Schools Alumni Luau

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Dallas’s parents went out to breakfast and to buy even MORE baby formula. Makai stayed home with us and got another sink bath. Dallas had this leftover “local” sushi for breakfast. It’s made with egg and canned tuna.

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After breakfast, me and Makai and Kathy went on a walk around Waikiki. SO many people stopped us to say how cute Makai is or to talk about his big cheeks! We took a photo by the Duke Kahanamoku, the famous swimmer and surfer, and by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, who set up Kamehameha Schools. Her husband also set up the Bishop Museum in her memory. (We visited in 2005.

After our walk we went back to the condo to get ready. Dallas’s parents left quite a while before us to go to Kamehameha Schools because Dallas’s dad had to get his class photo earlier. Each class has a time they have to be there to get the class photo taken. It was Dallas’s dad’s 50 year reunion and Dallas’s 20th.

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Since we had extra time, we went to visit Aunty Mary. She is actually Dallas’s great aunt, his grandma’s sister. Dallas’s grandma passed away a couple years ago and Aunty Mary is the only sibling left. I was impressed with her independence, health and sharp wit! I hope we can all stay this healthy as we get older! Makai was sleeping when we arrived at her house and stayed sleeping after we were there a while. When he woke up he snuggled up to Aunty in her lap for quite a while. So cute!

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The view from Aunty Mary’s house in Manoa Valley. Aunty Mary lives on her own mostly. He husband passed away recently and her granddaughter lives in an apartment downstairs, but she is very self sufficient.

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Next we headed to Kamehameha Schools for the alumni luau. We heard there were 1500 people there and that for every one person in attendance there were three more people who couldn’t get tickets! The youngest alumni there graduated five years ago. The oldest was a 98-year-old woman who was from the class of 30-something.

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Dallas dropped us off and went to park the car and then get his class photo taken. Makai and I browsed around this area where they had some people selling things. I bought a really nice necklace and earrings made from sea glass and sea shells. I tried to rock Makai to sleep during the opening band’s performance but people kept coming up to us to see Makai and talk to him!

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There were so many pupus like pickled Maui onion, limu salad, boiled peanuts, poke, edamame, and my favorite, smoked meat. I really like the onions too and ended up buying some at the supermarket later on! For our actual meal, we had kalua pig, chicken long rice, squid luau, lomi salmon, poke, poi, and rice. I didn’t want my poi, so Makai ate it all. And a few other people saved theirs so that he could eat it for the next few days!

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For entertainment there were a lot of bands and comedians. Each class was called out and they had to do a dance at their tables. Class of ’94 won, I think! (I’m not allowed to post any photos or video of that, but just know they do exist!). Ekolu is a pretty famous Hawaiian band that played. And Touch of Gold played a lot of crowd favorites and oldies. Dallas’s mom took Makai to the dance floor to dance with him, but the swaying made him want to fall asleep. Even though there was a live band a few feet away!

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At around 8 p.m., Dallas’s parents took Makai back to the condo to eat and go to bed. We stuck around and the party continued until 9:30, way past when it was supposed to. No one could remember an alumni luau where so many people were dancing! And they wouldn’t stop! Dallas’s classmate was doing the sound and lighting and kept playing all the Class of ’94 favorite songs. While others were trying to break down tables and clean up, Class of ’94 just kept dancing!

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Oh, and before I forget, we also got these photos taken in the “photo booth.”

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After the party we went back to the dorms again. Someone had a couple of ukuleles and a guitar and there was a lot of playing and singing. So many of Dallas’s classmates are in Hawaiian bands that have been nominated for Na Hoku awards like Kekoa in Holunape and Kalehua in Hi’ikua. We stayed out late, dropped Hoku off in Diamond Head, made a late-night run to Jack in the Box, and got home around 2:30 a.m. What a fun day/night!

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Luau After Party in the Dorms

As it got later in the night of the luau and nobody wanted to leave again. Everyone was having such a good time.

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Back row: Garmon, Alika, Dallas, Kilo, Alan, xxx, Koa (and son), Lisa, Brandy
Middle row: BJ, Nalani, Donovan, Jacque, Roxanne, Monte, Rachelle, Jay, xxx, xxx, Hoku
Front row: Sheri, Kamu

The band Kapena was playing again. They’d played the night before at the Gordon Biersch party.

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Kapena, Kamehameha Schools, Oahu

The girls danced a lot and the guys stood around with their hands in their pockets trying to look cool. Just like high school.

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Back row: Alika, Jay. Front row: Haunani, Sheri, Jacque.

These guys all lived together for years when they boarded at the school.

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Dallas, Jay, Kamu, Donovan, BJ, Alika, Kilo

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Monte, Dallas, Jay, Kamu, Donovan, Alika, BJ, Kilo

After the luau a bunch of people went up to the dorms where there was a big party going on. We passed by this bench where all of the boarders used to always hang out, so everyone got there photo taken there for old times sake.

boarders_bench
Back row: BJ, Dallas, Nalani, Kilo, Jay, Kamu, Monte.
Front row: Alika, Hoku, Roxanne, Donovan, Jacque, Sheri, Brandy

Nobody can remember what spurred this, but everyone was going crazy in this next photo.

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Back row: BJ, Dallas, Nalani, Kilo, Jay, Kamu, Monte.
Front row: Alika, Hoku, Roxanne, Donovan, Jacque, Sheri, Brandy

Dallas loves this fruit punch. Probably 0% fruit. He stole a whole bunch of it to bring back to the dorms.

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Dallas

Walking through campus for the first time in 15 years was quite a trip for a lot of people. When we got to the dorm there was food and drink as far as the eye could see. Many stories to be told and memories to be shared. There were at least 1 or 2 rounds of everyone singing the Kamehameha Schools fight song. Everyone stayed and hung out well into the morning hours.

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It was kind of sad to finally leave. And to think the next day how far it was in between the last time Dallas saw his friends til now and how long it may be til we see them again. But if we all make an effort we will stay in touch, even if it’s just online. A hui hou!