Having spent four months in California, when January rolled around, we knew it was time to head back to the Islands for some much needed sun and warmth.
Couldn't wait to go fishing when we got back. On our first weekend back, we went with our friends, Shelly and Ed to Bamboo Ridge to try our luck. It was an overcast day and started raining when we got there. Only caught a couple of reef fish and a trumpet fish all day. We weren't having much luck fishing so Ed decided to try his luck picking opihis
. He came back with about 2 lbs of opihis. We ate them raw and also gr
illed them on the barbie. I preferred mine cooked.
To end this trip to Hawaii, Jeannie surprised me for Valentine’s to an overnight stay at Pililaau Army Recreational Center in Waianae on Friday, Feb. 12. This was the start of our Valentine's weekend. Our 2 bedroom cabin was located right on the beach. Our friends joined us for the day, and later, we threw some steaks on the grill as we watched the sun go down on another day in paradise. I managed to get us reservations for dinner at the Kahala Hilton Hotel, Hoku's Restaurant, for Valentine's Day. Even tho I booked three weeks in advance, the earliest I could get a table was for 9:00 p.m. The ambience, service and food were exceptional, and we highly recommend this restaurant.
Couldn't wait to go fishing when we got back. On our first weekend back, we went with our friends, Shelly and Ed to Bamboo Ridge to try our luck. It was an overcast day and started raining when we got there. Only caught a couple of reef fish and a trumpet fish all day. We weren't having much luck fishing so Ed decided to try his luck picking opihis
. He came back with about 2 lbs of opihis. We ate them raw and also gr
illed them on the barbie. I preferred mine cooked.It's not all fun, had lot's of chores to do around the house. Replaced the dishwasher, stove and fixed lots of things that were broken since the house is almost 100 years old and trimmed lots of overgrown trees.
After our chores, we spent the next week playing tourist.The first stop was to the Bishop Museum. 
The reason we decided to go was because the day we went was free for locals. The museum is designated the Hawaii State Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Then we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center for a buffet dinner and to see "Ha Breath of Life", the spectacle of over a hundred performers from across the Pacific, drums and dance to music and special effects, a fire spewing volcano and a world renowned fire knife performance. We got a special price for tickets for being local, but this show was so good, we would go and see it again at regular price! When we got there to pick up our tickets, they asked if we wanted to upgrade our seats for $10. Glad we did because we sat about 7 rows from the stage.
The reason we decided to go was because the day we went was free for locals. The museum is designated the Hawaii State Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Then we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center for a buffet dinner and to see "Ha Breath of Life", the spectacle of over a hundred performers from across the Pacific, drums and dance to music and special effects, a fire spewing volcano and a world renowned fire knife performance. We got a special price for tickets for being local, but this show was so good, we would go and see it again at regular price! When we got there to pick up our tickets, they asked if we wanted to upgrade our seats for $10. Glad we did because we sat about 7 rows from the stage.Then we went to see the USS Missouri ("Mighty Mo") at Pearl Harbor. The day we went was the first day after the
ship has returned to its berth from major repairs in dry dock. It took 53 million gallons of sea water pumped into the dry dock to float the ship. Another reason we went was because admission and guided tours were free to Hawaii residents and U.S. military personnel on that day. So we had a nice time being tourist this week and didn’t have to spend very much money.
ship has returned to its berth from major repairs in dry dock. It took 53 million gallons of sea water pumped into the dry dock to float the ship. Another reason we went was because admission and guided tours were free to Hawaii residents and U.S. military personnel on that day. So we had a nice time being tourist this week and didn’t have to spend very much money.
We also had a Caribbean themed birthday party for our good friend Shelly f
or her 60th birthday. Two weeks later we had a combined Chinese New Year and Valentine Day dinner with all of Jeannie’s friends. Jeannie made her jai (a typical New Year dish), Chinese chicken salad and I made bitter melon and chicken with black bean sauce. Other dishes we had were roast ducks, chicken with noodle & various Chinese desserts.
or her 60th birthday. Two weeks later we had a combined Chinese New Year and Valentine Day dinner with all of Jeannie’s friends. Jeannie made her jai (a typical New Year dish), Chinese chicken salad and I made bitter melon and chicken with black bean sauce. Other dishes we had were roast ducks, chicken with noodle & various Chinese desserts.
