Happy Birthday USMC and Happy Veterans Day 2011

This will be the 236th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, which I can proudly say that I was a part of and will always be a part of. I would also like to recognize Veteran's Day, to give a pat on the back and a gracious aloha to all those that have served. The friendships and your comradre will never be forgotten.
Also in memory of my brother, rest in peace warrior.......aloha

Happy Birthday Eddie........

Eddie, Nicole, and Susan aboard the Ali'i Kai

Today started off by getting up late, but time passed by so slowly, I was eagerly awaiting the hour when it would be time to board the Ali'i Kai catamaran for the evening dinner show. Of course, Nicole and Brandi would be dancing. It was even more special because my better half, Susan was there as well. We watched as the boat started to receive dinner patrons for the evening and we prepared ourselves for an entertaining evening of Polynesian dancing. We managed to have a typical dinner and went to the upper deck to observe the spectacular color the was being produced by the glorious sunset. The clouds were still swirling in the sky and the first color was pink, it was preceded by a beautiful orange glow. There have been some crazy cloud formations for about a week now. The ocean breeze, the gentle swaying of the boat and don't forget the colorful skies, how can you describe the feeling at that moment......it was a moment that one wishes could be frozen in time. Oh well, it's time to get ready for the highlight of today, my 60th birthday. I am so lucky to have all the things that keep me going in life, who could ask for more........aloha

the hostess with the mostest

another fantastic evening in Hawaii

it doesn't get any better than this.......

Nicole doing her thing......hula

I think she likes it....

she really is good......

she can even do poi balls.....

more poi balls

even Brandi got it going on....

it looks like so much fun......but it's work

it was a beautiful night for a birthday

ALOOOOOHA

sunset at Ala Moana Beach Park

 Ended up in town by accident after work and noticed some unusual wispy
clouds in the sky. I decided to wait until sunset to see if the the colors in the sky along with the clouds would make for a good photo opportunity. At the same time, the catamaran, Ali'i Kai was leaving Aloha Tower, Nicole is part of the entertainment  as a hula dancer. This may turn out to be a decent place to be for the shoot. The park was alive with walkers, joggers, people sitting on the sea wall and just lots of people enjoying quite a sunset with all the variables in place, the water, the sailboats, surfers, paddlers, dinner cruise catamarans, all the things the make Hawaii paradise. There was a wedding on the beach as well, what a lucky day, now if I can only reproduce what I am looking at. As the sun neared the water it was in all it's splendor, the wispy clouds and the really orange sky, just as I pictured it. I was another picture perfect day on Oahu at Ala Moana Beach Park, what more can you ask for.......aloha.

paddlers at sunset

Ali'i Kai catamaran

Ali'i Kai and canoe paddlers

Ali' i Kai and standup paddler

splash

sunset at Magic Island

Waikiki from Magic Island

the girls put on war paint, Kapolei Homecoming

Niko painting his leg tattoo

putting on eye black

Nicole getting it done.....

 The girls of the class of 2012 decided to put on paint to show school spirit at tonight's homecoming game against Campbell . They put on the eye black under the eyes and painted the year in numbers on the bare tummys. They were so excited and they were getting a sequence together for there show in the bleachers. The boys could not be persuaded to remove their shirts and paint their tummys, I tried to get them to do it. I almost offered a dare but did not. They were definitely prepared by the time they were done. I can't imagine them actually at the game. They are truly experiencing their last year of high school. That time for us seems like it was in another life. They continue to be proud of the fact that they are seniors, the next step is a big one. I guess that this is there last days to have this kind of fun, so let's do it. They really do grow up faster than you think, I look forward to the days to come.......go Kapolei......aloha

Nicole and Jaz 

Kara

class of 2012 Ari, Kara, Nicole, Jaz

Arie, Kara, Nicole, Jaz

Arie, Kara, Nicole, Jaz

Mikey, and Jaz

the back of Nicole

just another day at Ko Olina.........

westside sunset 

out for sunset cruise

Instead of doing my normal walking today, I decided to just enjoy the sunset and take a couple of photos. The setting sun, the ocean breeze, along with the sounds of polynesian music was the ambiance maker of the end of the day. It was another day that had me in awe of what a beautiful place to call home. I can never get tired of watching how the day ends. At lagoon 2, the Marriott condos were full of activity, the people were grilling their dinner for the night, there were folks getting in their last swim for the day, and lots of people were standing on the shore line watching the sun setting in the Pacific ocean. What a way to end my day. I didn't walk my entire route but oh well, there's always tomorrow. Hope your day was a delightful one, A HUI HOU, (until next time)........aloha.

                                                                     the Marriott condos

                                             palm trees at sunset

                                                     last one on the beach.......