What to DO?

With two and a half days left on the North Shore of Oahu, we decide, why not try something different?

What on earth will these four decide to DO?

Something.....Very, VERY different!

Slow coffee on the balcony....followed by slow breakfast carried up to the balcony...

Followed by slow looking at the palm trees...

 Followed by slow sitting and journal writing while watching the ocean....

....followed by an explore expedition to Shark’s Cove for snorkeling!

Shark’s Cove turns out to be the perfect spot to get in the water and watch the colorful tropical fish swim around you!

No sharks spotted!  A reef encircles this cove and this time of year, the water is calm and easy to walk, float or crab scrabble over and around the

chunks of lava rock.  It might not be this accessible in the winter season, with the 25 foot waves breaking on the shore and probably

over the reef.  We are here now!

We go so slow, in fact, that I can’t quite remember what we did, when...it’s all a collage of great experiences enjoying our last hours in paradise.

We go back to the fish pond and help Duncan with a few last fish prints to leave behind for a fund raiser.

We do a few errands, and find...what do you know, on the way to the post office is....SHAVE ICE!

There must be a little photography from a reclined position.

There must be some ceviche made from local fish we are given by a fisherman.

Of course, there must be happy hour on the beach....even in a rainstorm!

It’s WARM rain!

There must be some sitting in the surf “holes” on the lava shelf...watching the surf....enjoying the warm WARM water....

With a little glance out at the big water....seeing...ummm....???  ...a wave coming our way?

Well, yes....

FUN!!!

Perfect ending to perfect time!

All Good Things....

...come to an end...sooner or later.  Today is the day Uke Ohana Oahu 2019 comes to a close.  We begin with a quick breakfast, continue to tackle the task of packing up.  Then back into the vans and we are off for Honolulu and a tour of the Kamaka Ukulele Factory.

We arrive a little early.  What do ukulele folk do when they have “nothing to do?”  If you guess, PLAY UKULELE, you are RIGHT!

Even in the alley!

Then grandpa Sam meets us for our group tour.  But first, a historical perspective talk by Sam, to understand how Kamaka got it’s start

in the world of ukulele....this tiny instrument with it’s origin in Portugal!  This is full circle for us as this Spring we went to Maderia, Portugal 

to celebrate the send off of the instruments, the Machet and the Braguinha, 143 years ago from Portugal to Hawaii!

One of Sam’s grandsons leads the factory part of the tour.

Next stop, Honolulu International Airport to drop off folks headed for home and beyond.  This is an interesting drop off, as I am not 

to familiar with the airport and most folks were headed to spots other than “departures.”  Hum.  “Alls Well That Ends Well.”   Everyone 

go off...eventually!

Except us.  We have the luxury of staying two more full days.  Back to the bungalows we go, for some go slow time!

The Beat Goes ON!

The birds once again welcome us to morning and today we take a quick pick up trip down to Ted’s Bakery to fetch the morning sweets.

SO many choices!

Evidence of a quick break for coffee first...then off to the day!

More lessons from our cadre of instructors.  

Amazingly, ukulele has brought the understanding of music theory into my life!?  Who knew?!  And, no, I’m not fluent

 in this language...yet!

This afternoon we head for Loko Ea Fishponds to learn about the efforts being made to have sustainable seafood in Hawaii.

Our guide is 20 year old Joycelyn, and she is full of information, stories and passion about this place and program.

The fish pond provides several local species of fish for Duncan to teach us how to make fish prints.

Mahalo, fish!

This evening it’s off to our backyard venue at Kalei’s parent’s home for a true Hawaiian luau, cooked by his dad and mom.  Oh yes,

there is also open mic tonight....but who had time to practice?  There are also individual teacher sessions for those who sign up.

Melany and Duncan have a Hawaiian / English version of The Water is Wide....

Flying a bit by the seat of our pants, we figure out we can close out open mic with a sweet lullaby, “You Belong Up There With the Stars”...including 

an original bridge verse that Steve writes after visiting the Birthing Stones.  Another end to a long, jam packed day!

Uke Lessons, Cultural Experiences....Here We Come!

We awake to the music of Hawaiian birds and early sunlight.  A quick look outside at thick foliage and a shimmering ocean assure us...we are far across the Pacific Ocean and we welcome this new adventure in learning by being immersed in all that Hawaii provides.  

Morning in the kitchen means make the coffee and get the fruit ready.  There is nothing like fresh fruit in Hawaii!

Lessons this morning with Sarah Maisel and Craig Chee...on the patio of Ke Lki Bungalows....ocean waves and sand beach before us...

oh...yes, and ukuleles!

Kalei Gamiao, hometown Haleiwa young man is another one of our great instructors.

BryanTolentino rounded out the ukulele lesson staff.

This is a powerhouse of ukulele masters!

But wait, morning lessons fly by and it’s time for huli huli chicken!  (Rotisserie roasted chicken)....and more!

Afternoon means time for some cultural immersion....ready to go “all in!”

We are now the van drivers to join everyone for a trip to The Birthing Stones, a sacred place.

Walt Keale is our guide and historical story teller.  He is amazing!

Walt explains about this special place and how once a year, when the stars were right, if a person was born within an

eight minute time window, that person would be the next royalty.  Whew.  This was the perfect place to observe the heavens.

The birthing stones, where Queens came to give birth.  

Back at the bungalows, more time for music.  Bryan and Walt are part of that!

This evening there is a teacher concert at Kalei’s family home and backyard!

It is so incredible to have a private concert from these fabulous musicians....

....and it’s back to our beachfront bungalows for much needed sleep after a whirlwind day of deep experiences!