Honolulu fish auction

A visit to the Honolulu fish auction with Pierre Kleiber, Ph.D. fisheries biologist. We got up early for this field trip, as the bell rings at the fish market at 5:30 a.m. Pierre taught us that these swordfish and marlins below show up on the pallets with their bills cut off by the fishermen so that they take up less room.

He taught us about how the auctioneers and buyers assess the value of the fish. They look at color, size, freshness, oiliness, assess for parasites... The process happens early every morning, and it's over before 8 a.m. when the buyers then haul away their fresh fish on ice.

Below we are listening to Pierre teach us about the fish. You can see Grandpa is here with us taking in the sites! We're enjoying his company.

The fishing boats such as the Sea Dragon II are long line boats, with hooks baited every few feet along a line that extends out behind the boat. These boats stay out for up to two weeks before returning with their catch.

Moonfish in front of Silas, auction behind him. Booted buyers snatching up fresh catch!

Waimea beach and whale watching

Waimea Beach
We had tons of unexpected fun last weekend when the freshwater river basin, which is fed by the mountain rain, broke through it's boundaries and flowed with surfing force for about an hour. The guards informed us it only happens a few times each year so we felt very privileged! The guards rescued the same people over and over again during the time we were watching...

Below, the Nicol boys had a fairly calm ride. The surge increased and decreased without warning throughout the hour.(Click on the grey arrow!)

Below, John and the kids also did some whale watching on Saturday, where Silas made himself a very nice lei.


We miss you friends!

Noah's post

They don't call this the windward side for nuthin'! However, there are bigger waves to be had certainly. The north shore boasts something called the "pipeline". We have yet to see it for ourselves, but I think we'll be leaving the boogie boards in the car that day!

Didn't that look like fun! (You click on the arrow for action!)
Below, I am snorkeling in Lanikai. I see rocks, coral and colorful fish 15 feet below me.

Below,I am one of the snorkelers in this bunch. Me and my dad saw a sea turtle and an eel!

This is a sand castle I made(the hole is as long as my arm!).

below: Hiding in these leaves is a gecko, can you find it?


above: I am looking over Kailua, on the left side of the hillcrest. Lanikai (my neighborhood) is on the right side of the hillcrest.

above: I am looking into an army lookout building from above the ladder hole on the roof of the bilding on the top of the hill.
below: I am looking out over Lanikai from the peephole in the lookout.

Pearl Harbor and the U.S.S. Missouri -Arizona Memorial

Many thanks to our friends Pam and Ray for all of the lovely photos in this post.
Silas giving a completely accidental "salute" as we prepare to learn more about the site of the ill fated U.S.S. Oklahoma and it's crew, which was docked in the same location on Sunday morning December 7, 1941. Over 1200 unsuspecting died that day off Ford Island. Only 26 crewmen survived. In addition to the lives lost, several impressively massive vessels (including the USS Arizona) were destroyed. The U.S. thusly entered WWII.Noah, John and Pam standing near a very large brown and gold shell casing. John and Pam looking prepared to step into the next available secret service positions.
That is only the bridge to cross over to the Battleship (where you read .S.S. Missouri..) The battleship to our right.
Us on deck.
Ray and John looking "aft". Ray is the program manager of the work John is here to do. He is also a Major General in the Air Force.
Looking forward. You do not want to be in the way here.
Silas sitting in the blue "command" seat. Action in 3 wars was directed from this seat. It's a scary seat to sit in.

Silas, Noah, and me, observing the site of the kamakazie pilot crash, where only the smallest of dents were left on the side of this huge battleship.
Noah and I on opposite ends of the "interested" spectrum, listening to the guide as he tells us about this spot on deck of the Missouri where the peace agreement was signed, putting an end to WWII. The Missouri was then moved to the site where the U.S. entry into WWII officially began, here at Pearl Harbor, memorializing both the U.S. entry to the war, and the Peace agreement.
To see any of these photos more closely(for reading, or for a better look), double click on the photo square, then use the blue "back" arrow in the upper left to go back to the blog.
Enjoying an open air dinner together at Hickam airforce base. Thanks to Pam and Ray! Mahalo!

A windy hike in Manoa Falls arboretum

A little more Waikiki...


Then, Manoa falls, a rustic hike above the University. As usual, the boys collected sticks which happened to be fallen bamboo. It was an extremely windy day, and the bamboo knocking in the wind dwarfed us as the whole sky seemed to be filled with the hollow wooden knocking sounds.

Ever in search of a "better stick," we left the hike with a few, and a policeman informed us that it wasn't a problem for him, but Pele might take issue with it. Pele must make law enforcement easier.


To learn more about Pele, highlight the URL below and cut and paste it into your web browser (I was unable to make it a link, sorry!).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pele_%28deity%29

Enjoying new sights in Hawaii..

Silas enjoyed climbing and playing in the Banyan trees on the way back to the hotel.


Singing and dancing all the way home.
Doesn't know his own luck. Poor kid.

The sun did rise, and our sons had some fun

Our first day was filled with seeing the beach, breakfast, church, and then visiting some housing options. The prices here are crazy by my humble Wisconsin budget informed standards, however, we've planned for this, and will be able to view our stay here somewhat as a vacation, so those funds will go toward housing. This allows us to choose something that all our friends will hopefully want to visit! Can't wait to see you here! We've found a beautiful 3 bedroom place with an extra pullout in the den (so, 4 BR, really). The owners are great, and we feel very comfortable with the neighborhood. I'm eager to set up our life in this space. The nearby school looks really great (outdoor lunchroom, open air classrooms) and the neighborhood we will live in is very desirable since it "dead-ends". Here the traffic is treacherous, so being in this type of area improves safety for the kids. The house we will live in has a hedge that was featured on Hawaii 5-O, so, occasionally, according to the owners, Japanese tourists may stop by for photo-ops.