auntrayrobin's blog

I wanted to share a small clip from some of the fireworks on Waikiki Beach tonight, for Aloha Friday. They were courtesy of the Hilton Hawaiian. We had a beautiful night for fireworks.  Wish I could have shared it all, but the video was too large for Youtube. Mahalo, and Happy July 4th. My thanks goes out to all my cousins in the Islands that have served our great country.

I will try to share some more from the July 4th fireworks across the city of Honolulu. We may try to get down to Ala Moana Beach Park. The fireworks from there are supposed to be spectacular.

Fireworks on Waikiki Beach

Mahalo

Ray and Robin Province

I’ve had a chance this week in Oahu to get back in touch with my love of traditional Hawaiian music. For me, that journey always begins with the music of IZ. IZ’s real name is Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. He had the voice of an angel. It is such a shame that he left us at such a young age, passing away from complications of a respiratory disease in 1997.

One of our favorite places on Oahu is Hanauma Bay, and we made a return to this ancient Royal fishing ground today. We took an early charter to Hanauma. There was still rain falling, and we could imagine the ali'i of old making their way down to the shores.

Today, Hanauma Bay is closed to fishing, and has been a protected marine preserve for many years now.  It has not been that many years ago that over fishing almost destroyed this natural wonder. I think many people miss this point in the 8 minute mandatory video that all must watch, in order to be allowed in the park. It was a necessary move. Even in today's times, there are over three million visitors to  Hanauma Bay each year. In today's times, it might help you to know that the park was closed today at 11a.m. to visitors.

We have had a chance to make a trip back to the Islands this summer. Hawaii is a magical place, full of beautiful ocean views, tree, flowers. But that is not what appeals to me most, as I grow older. The Spirit of Ohana is what makes the trip worth it.There is a spirit of Ohana I witnessed on a trollie ride to Hilo Hatties. A mother, and her three small children, were riding the trollie. Depending on where you go, you can ride the trollie for free, or just a tip to the driver. For her, it was a way to make tough times work better.For me, it was a chance to play "peek a boo" with her one year old on our 30 minutes ride to Hilo's. The beautiful child made me feel young again. Even her mother laughed, when she figured out who her child was laughing at. I have granddaughters that age. The spirit of Ohana is in the young.

It has been all too long since we had a chance to come to the Gathering Place, Oahu. Our last visit to the islands had to be delayed, so Robin could undergo heart valve surgery. I am glad to say that she is fine, and I am writing this morning from the Hale Koa on Oahu. We had to chance to  bring grandpa back with us, to  begin our retracing of the steps that Nana Green took many years ago, when she came to the islands to teach children with dissabilities. It is a project long overdue.

We found a new place for box lunches that we wanted to share with our friends on Hawaiian Life.  It is called the Steak Shack. It is located on the beach, just outside the beach in front of the Hale Koa hotel, back toward the main beach at Waikiki beach. In many respects, Waikiki beach starts in and around the western area occupied by the Hilton Hawaiian and Hale Koa Hotels.

This coming June, Robin and I will get a chance to return to Hawaii.  We are hoping to get a chance to retrace the steps of Robin's grandmother, Ruth Rinker Green.  At a very young age, she had the chance to go to Hawaii, from her home in the midwest, to teach the children of the island of Maui.

We are planning on spending some time retracing the steps of where she taught. We are also looking into old public records of who she taught, in order to try to build a story of one teacher's experience in Paradise.  In the meantime, we will be sharing other stories with you: some about her and some about us.