“E komo mai. Nou ka hale”
Welcome, our house is yours.
Our trip to Hawaii would not be complete without accomplishing the main reason for us to travel there. It has been too many years since the last time we visited Brenda and Eric. Arriving in Oahu, we were met by thee Prince and Princess of Millilani (and surrounding areas), providing us a warm Aloha and beautiful Leis. This beautiful tradition is one that we cherish when returning to the islands. Leis are symbols of love, healing and respect or of a spiritual connection.
Our visit started in grand style! We had dinner at Chais Island Bistro which was wonderful…from the extravagant appetizers, artistic designed entrées and the most decadent desserts…all accompanied by traditional "okole maluna” spirits. To enrich the already perfect ambiance, we were serenaded by the renowned local recording artist Robi Kahakalau, Sistah Robi. As our evening came to a close, we left downtown Honolulu knowing that this was not just a welcome back celebration, but a homecoming.
Hale Nicolai sits on the edge of a verdant valley with views that extend all the way to Diamond Head. Recent renovations have brought a casual elegance and warm Hawaiian feeling to their home. Afternoons were often spent sitting out on the Lanai. As we shared our lost stories (talking story), with Longboards and Margaritas in hand, we occassionally paused the conversation to watch the wild parrots fly across the valley below to their evening roosts.
While we enjoyed many "hang loose" moments on the lanai visiting with our Hawaii Ohana, we also ventured out to some of our favorite spots: Kailua Beach, Koolina lagoons, the Shrimp Farms in Waialua and looking for "honu" the ancient sea turtle on the beaches near Haleiwa. Michael also found a new food to fall in love with ... the malasadas from Leonard's bakery truck. Warm, soft, sweet dough balls that are made fresh to order. Good thing we don't have those available nearby!
We also made a special trip out to the Lyon Arboretum botanical garden which has a world renowned collection of more than 5,000 tropical plant species. But of even more significance, it is where our mother volunteered countless of hours preparing rare palm seeds for shipment around the world. Over the 20-year period that our parents lived in Hawaii, she donated many days The gardens are nestled deep in the Manoa Valley. The grounds are quite unique, beautiful and extremely lush with many miles of walking trails. We did our best to hike as many of them and see as much of the grounds as possible in one day. We did come across a number of strange engraved markings on a few of the large rocks. The markings, L.N. ♥ W.N., a strange combination of letters and symbols must have been put there during Hawaii’s colonization period, but no one knew for sure of their origin and significance. We stopped at a few viewpoints with magnificent views of the valley, reminded us just how beautiful, tropical and revered these islands truly are.
And capping our wonderful vacation... Captain Eric Nicolai commanded our Hawaiian Air flight back to the Bay Area! We both felt quite proud of my "little brother", as it seems like it wasn't that long ago that we were just kids growing up...
We shall return soon...in the meantime,
'A' ohe loa i ka hana a ke aloha
Distance is ignored by love.
During our Hawaiian vacation, Sydney had her own petcation! She had a blast at the Creekside Pet Resort. Daily walks around the neighborhood, jumping over all the benches and scampering along the river. And, oh my, the awesome suppers with extra carrots and chicken not to mention those pant pockets filled with good treats! She's already looking forward to a return stay.
Mahalo nui loa and Aloha oe!
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