A New Home for Lulu

We're T minus 2 days until our move, and we're proud to have found a great new owner for Lulu (our car). She seems responsible and thoughtful and, most importantly, very excited to claim Lulu as her very first car. Here's Jake with Lulu and Alex:

Avni and Her Subordinates Visit

Last week we were lucky to have my good friend Resmi come visit us with her family: her mom, her husband Karthik, and the Boss of the Family, bright and adorable little 1-year-old Avni.

We enjoyed the Hawaiian sand and sun, tested the shaved ice, explored the North Shore, and ate good food. What a wonderful treat to have them here in Oahu for a few days :)

Tom Visits Hawaii

My good friend and former boss came to visit us last week. Tom's two boys, Parker and Thomas came as well. The week was a great adventure, filled with more jellyfish stings and sunburns.

Welcome, Beth!

Sent from my iPhone

Hurricane Felicia, Day Two

The news says that Felicia (now a tropical depression, they say) is making its "last pass" through the islands now. Sure enough, we're seeing a downpour. Jake is surprised that it's localized to such a very small area, but I guess we're new to this whole hurricane thing:

Even Hawaiian Hurricanes are Laid Back

All of Hawaii has been in an uproar about hurricane Felicia. The first forecast said it would arrive on Monday. Then it was updated to Tuesday morning. It's almost Wednesday now, and the worst we've seen have been some partly clouded skies with light sprinkles. It seems like we will survive this terrible storm!

Kansas Man Of War

DWC came with us to Sherwood Beach, a quiet and unsuspecting beach marred by many, many, MANY Portuguese Men of War Jellyfish.

The Portuguese Man of War found on the beach are very small. The 'head' is the size of quarter, with tentacles ranging from a few inches to a few feet.

Jellyfish usually swarm the beach 8-10 days after a full moon. We are still a week away from that time. And so, with no Jellyfish warning signs posted, we assume the threat is low. We (Dan & Jake) decide to ride some great Hawaiian waves on the boogie board.

After a few minutes in the water, DWC's foot is attacked by a Portuguese Man of War. DWC bravely fights off the beast, saving Jake and Sam from harm. (Side note: This marks the second time DWC has rescued a soul during his visit so far)

The sting of the Jellyfish packs quite a punch and leaves red marks on DWC's feet. The sting feels like a bad sun burn, but aside from the pain there appears to be no serious danger (allergies, etc).

After washing off with clean water, the sting subsides. We pat each other on the back for the many Man-Points DWC has earned. We celebrate with a manly sized pizza.

Big Island Adventure

We begin our Big Island Adventure by traveling to South Point, the most southern point in the USA. We set out to see the fabled Green Sand Beach.

We come across a small patch of green sand.

After 2.5 miles, we finally arrive at the beach. The above photo doesn't do justice to the greenness.

Day 2: We start the day in Volcano National Park. We take an official tour and learn all about volcanos.

We also walk through a Lava Tube.

We were fortunate enough to see the lava flow. We saw plenty of spurts of red-hot liquid magma rising to the surface.

We spend the rest of the day touring the Hilo side of the island.

Day 3: We venture to Waipio Valley

We take a STEEP hike down to the water.

We make it back alive, barely.

Before flying back to Oahu, we explore more of the Kona coast.

Dad visits!

...and we journey to the Big Island. Here we are after a wonderful day of green sand, flowing lava, and adventuring.