Green Gecko (Week 17: April 21-27)

Hawaii has very interesting apartment guests. Everyone likes these guys because they're pretty and they eat some of the other guests like cockroaches. Of course we know some people who are deathly scared of them.

Edible Book Contest (Week 16: April 14-20)

The UH library has been participating in the Hawaii Foodbank food drive that the entire system has been helping coordinate every year. I was asked to be the library's coordinator (it always gets shoved onto the shoulders of the new staff with the excuse that it will look good on tenure). One of the events that was already planned was the third annual Edible Book Contest. I was asked to be a judge so I got to rate the entries, even though my rating didn't include taste. I had to donate a can of food or give some money in order to eat the entries, so my votes only counted on looks. But they were pretty cool looking (and tasted great, too)!

Game of Thrones

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

The Rainbow Fish

Wool

Makapuu Hike (Week 15: April 7-13)

We went on a hike at Makapuu that leads to a beach. We have never done this trail before, but we've seen it down below several times from the Makapuu lighthouse hike.

Bobbleheads (Week 14: March 31-April 6)

Romney let me start a new collection for my office. :D

Engagement Anniversay (Week 13: March 24-30)

March 29th was our 6 year engagement anniversary! Dainan proposed to me at Waimanalo Beach so since we had Good Friday holiday we decided to go out there. As you can see from the cloudy sky it wasn't warm beach weather but we decided to stay and take some pictures. I am so glad I said "YES" 6 years ago.

Congressional Gold Medal (Week 12: March 17-23)

Since I am the archivist in charge of the Japanese American Veterans Collection at the University of Hawaii, I felt it was my duty to attend the opening ceremony and a few of the panel discussions at Bishop Museum for their new exhibit of the Congressional Gold Medal, given to the Americans of Japanese Ancestry who fought during World War II. The medal, made of pure gold, will be here in Honolulu for a few months and then continue on to its next location as it's a traveling exhibit.

Front of the Gold Medal

Back of the Gold Medal

The military medals of Hawaii's Congressman, Senator Daniel Inouye, who recently passed away.

Medal of Honor given to Former Senator Daniel Inouye who had his hand shot off while in combat.

My friend, and a donor to the Japanese American Veterans Collection, Ted Tsukiyama (on the left) with two other Varsity Victory Volunteer members.

Rain and Waterfalls (Week 11: March 10-16)

The other day we were on the Windward side, which typically gets more rain than Honolulu. As we were driving home, we saw that the rain had caused some small waterfalls along the Koolau mountains. We drove up into the neighborhood, getting as close to the mountains as possible to get a better picture (we just had our iPhones with us but not a good camera that zooms well). I've seen these waterfalls much fuller, but this is what we got.