4th of July 2009

Independence Day was another fun holiday for us this year. We were invited to Mark and Marty Alsop's place for dinner with a large group of friends from the McCully Ward. There were several new people we got to meet and get to know. After the meal, some of us walked to the Ala Moana Beach Park where the Shopping Center puts on a firework show each year. It was rated as the 7th best firework show of the nation. We took the 20-minute show and reduced it to four minutes. We had a good viewing spot, but unfortunately, there was a young girl in front of us that kept screaming through the whole show. Why her parents didn't tell her to shut up, I don't know or understand. I wish I had brought some duct tape with me... Anyway, if she is too annoying, just skip through the video to the grand finale; it's pretty cool. Or, mute the sound.

Koko Head Crater Hike

There is a crater over by Hawaii Kai that has a trail that goes straight up it to the top. I think it goes back to World War II when they built lookouts on almost any high hill. Anyway, on this hill they built a railroad track that went straight up and they would pull small mining-carts up and down the hill. Well, the track is still there and the tiers are now used like stairs to climb up. The view on top is pretty spectacular.

Kaena Point Hike

After several attempts, Romney and I made it out to Kaena Point. It's on the most western tip of Oahu. The road you take to get out there doesn't go all the way. You have to park your car and walk the 2.75 miles out to the point. We attempted the hike with my parents but knew we didn't have enough time so we only went a short distance. Then, we planned to go with Romney's parents when they came for her graduation, but that never happened.



We went with Justin and Tomoe Call, who had already been out there a few times before. The hike was beautiful, although very hot. Here are some photos on the way out:




At the point, there were a few albatrosses flying at a distance, but nothing too close. However, we did get to see a monk seal sunbathing on the rocks. We got some good photos of him scratching his head.



After spending an hour on the point, it was time to turn around and head home. It was a beautiful hike!

Romney's MSW Graduation

I graduated with my Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa on May 16, 2009! My concentration is gerontology. Its been a long 3 years, but worth the accomplishment. My parents and grandparents were able to come to the ceremony.
Waiting with fellow MSW before the ceremony

Waving to my family in the stands amongst the crowd of graduates.

Walking across the stage to receive my diploma!





Each department has a different color hood.


After the ceremony we went to Ruby Tuesdays for a celebration dinner with the family.

Romney's Parents visit May 2009

My parents came for my graduation in May. They were here for about 2 weeks. We did several things like hiking and going out to eat! Here are some pics from hiking at Mariner's Ridge hike in Hawaii Kai.
Mom and Dad at the top.




After the hike getting pasteries at Napoleon's bakery.


Memorial day we went to visit graves of my two Uncles and great grandmother at Hawaiian Memorial Cemetery.

Skeem Family in Hawaii

My parents came to Hawaii for a two week vacation and stayed with us. I don't know how many times they've planned to come but it's always fallen through. However, Romney and I were trying really hard to move by June or July so this time they made it.

Right as Romney and I flew back into Honolulu from our trip to Maui on Saturday, my youngest brother, Callin, flew in to meet us. Being a Senior in high school, he was on his Spring Break for one week and was sent ahead of my parents to give him a little extra time since he had to be back to school the following week. Our plane got in a little earlier than his so we waited for about an hour. Then Heber and Olya Moulton from our Ward picked us all up.

We hiked Diamond Head and Manoa Falls with him. We also took him to Dave & Busters for some arcade games and then down to Menchie's Frozen Yogurt. On Tuesday my parents arrived. On one of the days they went to the Polynesian Cultural Center up in Laie while Romney and I were at work. This ended up being Callin's favorite part of his entire stay.






That first week with Callin with us, we took them to the North Shore, all over the East side of Oahu, even where I proposed to Romney, and the Western tip of Oahu. We focused mainly on beaches but made sure they tried a Hawaiian Shave Ice. We also took them to Hanauma Bay for snorkeling. My dad wasn't going to get in originally, but we talked him into it and I kind of think that was his favorite part of the trip. We saw two turtles swimming together, which I've never even seen before; usually just one at a time. We also took them to Punchbowl Cemetery.






For the second week, after Callin went home, my parents went to Iolani Palace, the Archives where I gave them a tour and showed them some of the very cool artifacts we have, and then to Pearl Harbor to the Arizona Memorial. They also went to the Swap Meet twice while they were here. That must have been my mom's favorite part.



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Road to Hana-Back to Kahului

Instead of turning around and driving back the way we came, we continued circling the island, following the road along the southern side of East Maui. The road was narrow and unpaved for a portion of it, but the views were spectacular.