Mike's Last Day on the Flightline

Air Force One at Hickam Field

Air Force One at Hickam Field

Today started out with a trip down the flight line to get a few shots of Air Force One. Then upon my return to the work area, there was breakfast, in honor of one of our workers retiring.
Mr. Mike Lum is calling it a day after 30 plus years. It's been nice to work with him and he will be missed, he was our weekend cook and he kept us laughing with all of his after hour adventures. Here's to you Mike, enjoy all of your retirement time on the golf course, bars and don't forget Las Vegas.
Aloha

Mike Lum retirement

the crew

Prep for the Kapolei Winter Ball

I'm not nervous.....

 After raining continuously for three days, it finally took a break. It was a long day for some of us,getting ready for the Kapolei Winter Ball. There was hair to do, nails to do, amongst other things that ladies do on that big day. After all the prepping, I must admit, they did look good. After all was said and done it was all worth it.
The drive to the Pacific Beach Hotel was uneventful because they were all prepared to get there and enjoy themselves. They were even on time.  Aloha

a few adjustments




enough already




heyyyyyy




Jordan and Nicole




Jordan and Nicole 2




just a little bit more




we're almost ready




how do we look......




we're here



Rainy day in Makakilo

pouring rain

rain is coming

Kapolei soccer field

Today started out raining but there was a chance for clearing up by late afternoon. There was no clearing up and the skies opened up with large rain droplets that sounded like marbles hitting the ground.
The Kapolei boys soccer team had a game scheduled for later that day, the rain was not a deterrent but the lightning was continuous, the game was eventually rescheduled.
This is winter in Hawaii, so the rain is much needed. Maybe our reservoirs will get much needed water, the kids are still playing with the new bicycles and other out door toys they they received for Christmas. The weather in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Minnesota is all the same, snow, snow and more snow. Norfolk has gotten more than can remember in a long time. Minnesota is getting about their usual winter dusting, 8-10 feet at last count.
Well, maybe I will check my facebook, search for a football game or maybe even take a nap.
Aloha

Nicole.....team manager

rain delay

all wet

Kapolei soccer field puddles

wet soccer ball

the only dry spot

Arrival of Air Force One

The long awaited arrival of the President of the United States to Hawaii came in the middle of the night. My work crew was ready to do all the necessary things that keep Air Force One at it's highest peak of readiness.
The President was hurried to his caravan of suburbans, vans, and his police escort to Kailua.

 the eerie look of the flight line

 not a creature was stirring

 Air Force One

 Air Force One

 the seal of the President

 servicing Air Force One

the crew

The levels of excitement changed as the approaching hour neared. Everything went off without a hitch, it was like a well oiled machine running exactly as it was made to perform.

Honolulu City Lights



the Honolulu Christmas tree

 What a wonderful night for a stroll through downtown Honlulu to enjoy the Christmas lights. The tree is gracefully lit to show lots of snow flakes and twinkling lights, there are also many teddy bear figurines around the tree waiting for Christmas.

straw reindeer in red poinsettia

The inside of Honolulu Hale is also decorated with trees that showed different themes, they were nicely done as well. There are lots of wreaths and other various displays that are very nice.
The main drag (King Street) is full of cars, trucks, and buses, there were some horse and buggies too.They slowly cruise the street gawking out the window at the lighted display. The street is lit up showing many kinds of Christmas themes of Hawaiian origin. All the trees along the street are decorated with all kinds of lights and shiny baubles. The place even made me feel like something is about to happen real soon. Aloha. Mele Kalikimaka and Hauoli Makahiki Hou......

red poinsettia

Mr. and Mrs. Claus cooling the feet

           Let me tell you something that I thought was "a real funny". 
It took me two nights to get the shots that I wanted for this blog. Reason being, on the first night everything was perfect......the drive to town was nice and uneventful, there was parking available, the evening sky was just right. As I started to take photos, all of a sudden the camera went dead.....the batteries were done. No problem, me, the one that always preaches about charging batteries for cell phones, ipods, ipads, cameras, was the one that took a bite in the butt because...you got it, I didn't charge my batteries before a photo shoot. I couldn't be upset with anyone because it was all me that allowed this to happen. What a mental break down...I guess I'm only human, rats........ In the end, I got what I came for, the photos of Honolulu City Lights.

the Clauses in the aloha attire

younger Claus

Merry Christmas

two elves



Rudolph with your nose so bright



shaka, from the big guy

National Cemetery of the Pacific

Punch Bowl National Cemetery

What a spectacular day, high clouds, blue sky, trade winds. There is nothing better than that. The drive to Punch Bowl was uneventful, but the entrance was done beautifully with all the decorated wreaths on each grave site. 

It was extremely moving to remember that these wreaths were decorations for men and women that gave the ultimate sacrifice, for the very freedom that we take for granted. It rings home that freedom isn't free, this is the price paid in full. I commend each and every veteran here. Mahalo for your service to the greatest country in the world.

Punch Bowl National Cemetery 2

Surf's up on the North Shore

warning signs

The waves were predicted to be 20 plus feet, but after the drive to the North shore the waves were not that great. But the surfers and the tourists were out in mass. Parking was no where to be found and shave ice and shrimp trucks were every where.
Needless to say I did find a parking spot and settled in for some shooting, it wasn't the best day but I made the best of it.
The tour buses are always just ahead of you, I can hear the driver telling the passengers about the big surf at Pipeline and all the tales that come with it. They herd them on and off the buses, vans and limos so that they can get the experience of their lives. 

 good ole Haleiwa town

waves were okay

checking out the surf

tattoo wahine

more surfers checking it out

all pau

tourist on the beach

catch a wave

tourist on the beach

coming in