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2月25日 The Big Island SpectacularAfter our four nights on Oahu we took a short flight to Hawaii Island - my favorite isle of the three to which I have been. After picking up our car, we checked into a townhouse within the Mauna Lani resort on the South Kohala coast. The townhouse in which we stayed was quite impressive - large, beautifully decorated, and fully equipped for cooking. It was as large as my own home, included a double garage, a large patio, and two balconies. The two bedrooms were both master suites complete with king size beds, large bathrooms that had soaking tubs and big showers. I took advantage of the tub on more than one occasion. We enjoyed every minute in our luxury digs. We barbequed steaks on our first night. The next day we had a wonderful time on the Hula Kai, a fast catamaran that took us snorkeling along the south coast. We enjoyed the beautiful reef and colorful fish within the same bay at which Captain Cook met Hawaiians for the first time back in the 18th century. A monument is located on the shore of the bay and dedicated to Captain Cook, who was killed during an altercation. I also went scuba diving off the Hula Kai. At 100 feet down some divers had set up a duplicate memorial column with a little Buddha statue on the top. I dove all the way down to the statue (90 feet). My buddy and I were the only ones certified to go that deep. We did so with the permission of our dive captain. Then we took our time coming back up. One of the other divers had some trouble. She was scared and breathing too fast with the result being she depleted her tank in record time. Then she panicked because she was running out of air. She dumped her weights and popped quickly to the surface - a very dangerous thing to do. I was amazed she was not injured. Thankfully, I don't think she had gone any deeper than about 50 feet. Perhaps scuba diving is not the best recreational sport for her. Apparently she wasn't even monitoring her air consumption. That's a big mistake! I check mine every 3-5 minutes. The rest of us slowly ascended, stopping at 15 feet for the three-minute regulation safety stop. The dive captain skipped the safety stop, but he had not been down deep - so it wasn't required for him. Once a lifeguard had retrieved the panicked diver and taken her back to the dive boat, the rest of us descended again. We saw many colorful fish, a school of baracuda, and I saw an eel. When I saw the paniced diver back on the boat, she was fine. Mom and Dad snorkeled before and during my dive. They both did well once they were comfortable in the water. Lifeguards were everywhere, so I felt at easy with their safety considering they are both snorkeling novices and no longer spring chickens. Though, I suppose spring chickens aren’t very good snorkelers either! The next day, we drove to Hawaii Volcano National Park. The Kilauea caldera was quite active, spewing noxious gas clouds into the atmosphere that resulted in the closing of the most spectacular section of Crater Rim Drive. We enjoyed taking in the amazing view from spots along the north rim of the caldera. We also took in a movie about the most recent volcanic activity, and we went for a short walk inside the Thurston Lava Tube. On the way back to the townhouse we stopped briefly at Pu’uhonua, a restored Hawaiian royal compound and temple on the south Kona coast. Soon after our nine hours of driving and touring we had a spectacular dinner at The Canoe House restaurant at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel. Our seating was outside overlooking the beach. Torches glowed all around us. The food was delicious and the service perfect. On the last day of our vacation, Dad and I took a two-hour helicopter tour over the currently active pu’u (crater) on Kiluea. Pele cooperated and made sure to show us a small bit of her power by displaying a couple active lava flows for us. One of the flows had set a small island of forest on fire. We also flew over the city of Hilo and the North Kohala rainforest. The helicopter flew into some beautiful deep and narrow valleys. We saw a dozen beautiful waterfalls tumbling down the shear 3000 foot valley walls. It looked like something out of the prehistoric past. After the heli-tour, Mom and Dad went shopping. I treated myself to a 90 minute massage and facial at the Mauna Lani spa. I have never felt so relaxed and pampered in my life. The massage took place in a private hut outside while tropical breezes were blowing through bamboo beads and the sounds of birds chirping and waterfalls contributed to a perfect setting. The trip ended that night with a luau at the Fairmont Orchid hotel – again, set outdoors overlooking the beach. The food was fantastic and well presented. The performance was enjoyable, but a little too modern for my taste. The Feast at Lele that I saw back in 2001 remains my favorite luau of all time. In the end, our eight nights in Hawaii proved to be the trip of a lifetime and I think we all had a great time. All our flights were flawless (thanks to Hawaiian and Go! Airlines). My souveniers of the trip include 3 hours of video footage, a couple hundred pictures, two new seed and nut leis, a Tommy Bahama shirt, and a new diamond and onyx ring - a piece of jewelry I have been wanting for more than 20 years. Mahalo to Hawaii. 2月19日 Life in HonoluluOur trip to Hawai'i is well under way. Our flight on Hawaiin Airlines was simple and arrived a full 45 minutes early. Now we are happily ensconsed at the Waikiki Beach Tower. Our 2 bed/2bath condo is on the 26th floor and it has a commanding view of the beautiful blue Pacific. Far below, the streets are always active and noisy. Mom and Dad have been impressed with the cleanliness and tropical beauty of Honolulu.
Over the last few days, we have been very busy. Upon arrival last Saturday, we drove through town to get a brief overview. After a while, we stopped at the Food Pantry on Kuhio Street to stock up the cabinets. Finally, at 2:30 we pulled into the drive at the condo. We had to wait a few minutes while they finished cleaning and then we rode the elevator up to unit 2601. The first thing I did after unpacking was wade into the warm waters of Waikiki Beach. The relaxation and new adventures had begun.
Over the last couple days we have toured many historic sites. We have been impressed by the solemn memorial for the USS Arizona. We enjoyed touring both the Battleship Missouri and the Bowfin submarine. Yesterday we were disappointed at the Bishop Museum. The most impressive part of the collection, Hawai'i Hall, was closed for renovation. But we enjoyed other exhibts. Our afternoon drive up the windward coast to Byodo In Temple was beautiful, and we appreciated the simple elegance of Queen Emma's Summer Palace along with the broad view at the nearby Pali overlook. The touring ended with a stop at Ala Moana shopping mall.
Twice we have had dinner at the condo. Breakfast or cocktails are usually enjoyed on the balcony while watching the soft waves lap against the shores of Waikiki. Last night we had dinner at Roy's Restaurant, a Hawaiian institution. At first we were seated next to two large family groups both of which included babies and small children. But soon our request to move was honored and we had a wonderful dinner tucked into a quieter corner of the restauruant. Twice we have wandered along Kalakaua Blvd. during the night enjoying the crowds, entertainment, and the bright glow of flaming Tiki torches.
Today we will soon head to Iolani Palace, the state capitol building, Chinatown and the National Cemetary of the Pacific (aka Punchbowl). During the afternoon we will drive to the west side of Pearl Harbor so Dad can tour the old Barber's Point Naval Air Station - the place where he was stationed for the majority of his four year enlistment in the US Navy during the mid 1950s. The base has been officially closed and handed over to the state for private development. It will be interesting to see what changes have taken place since Dad was last in Hawai'i more than 50 years ago.
Aloha 2月2日 The Beginning of the EndFriday February 1st was Gene's birthday. He would have been 52. It was on Friday that his gravestone was finished and set. Mom, Dad and I visited the grave today. Below is a picture of the stone. The stone was designed by me, and has space available for my name when I die. As far as I know, it's the only dual name grave marker for a gay couple in the entire cemetery. I'm very pleased with the way the design looks. The bears in the center represent Gene. He was fond of bears as a symbol. Within the gay community, Gene was known as a "bear" because he was a stocky guy. The Celtic crosses in the corners represent me and my Irish/Anglican/Catholic heritage. The four words at the bottom were key words that I think describe well our relationship of 14 years. I've entered the final phase of letting Gene go. I'm growing comfortable by myself. His burial is complete. Within 6 weeks the estate will be closed. Almost all financial assests have been transferd into my name alone. And, I've started to take the first cautious steps toward dating. My grief therapy is down to one meeting a month and will probably end soon. I'm told (and I agree) I'm doing very well. There will always be sadness and loss. The future holds more holidays, memories of birthdays, and travel on my own. This coming June I will have to get through what would have been our 15th anniversary. I don't think I will every be "over" Gene, but I am moving on - just as he would have wanted. The new gravestone marks not only the place of Gene's burial, but also the end of our relationship. Death has parted us, and now I am moving on alone. I must admit, there are times when it feels strangely satisfying to be me, instead of we. |
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