OK, so here is at least an update.  Beth and I didn't make it out paddling last week, because the waves were too big. We did have a great time visiting Puhuhonua O Honaunau,  or the "place of refuge," one of my favorite places on the island.  We also snorkeled at nearby two step, and swam with a green sea turtle! The first time!  It was cool.  Contrary to what I imagined, they swim just a slowly as they move on land. 

The next day, we drove up to Pololu Valley with some of Beth's friends who were escaping the Alaska winter.  Pololu is at the end of the road on the north part of the island.  We had enough time and energy after hiking down into the valley (~20 mins) we decided to keep going to the next one over.  There are five big stream valleys in a row on this part of the island, rare here in Hawaii, because the land on the big island is generally too young to have been effected by erosion much.  But we were on the flanks of the oldest volcano on the island, Kohala, about 700,000 years old. So we kept on hiking, into Honokane Nui Valley.  I suppose we ended up hiking for 4 hours or so.  This was a great trip, with promise for more adventures up, in and around the valleys.  There are a lot of trails here made by pig hunters.  I think it would be nothing less than a service to Hawaii and its flora to shoot a pig while I'm here.  Maybe that will be the next adventure. 

pololu from the trail down

we found a playground at the bottom

the ridge to Honokane Nui

Ropes to get up and down

we found people camping with a shelter they built!

this has nothing to do with pololu.  A java finch/java sparrow. pretty.

Tomorrow we leave for Kaimana! (frisbee tournament on Oahu). Wish us luck.

Super Bowl o' pics

Here are some pictures of what's happening in my yard. I've heard December and January called winter here, so does that make February spring?  These plants seem to think so.  Certainly, they have benefited from the rain that January brought. 

Plumeria, a popular lei flower.  Some smell wonderful, some not at all.  I can't really remember the smell right now (lame excuse), but think sweet vanilla.  This is what the kona airport has smelled like every time I've been there.  Totally open air, walk up to the gates without going through security, nice welcome to Hawaii.  But that's a different story.  This small tree is native to tropical America, and called Melia in Hawaiian.

Here be my avacado tree!  I thought it was dying in November, but it turns out its leaves brown and shrivel on the branches before new growth pushes them off.  Like an oak, I guess.

Not-So-Prickly-Pear? This spineless cactus is cool because it is very two-dimensional.  This picture focuses on the flower, but if you could see it, you would see that new lobes sprout in the plane of the older lobes, making a plant that looks very susceptible to blowing over. This one is about 8 feet tall, though.





Beth and I are traveling to O'ahu in two weeks to play in one of the most famous (for being so much fun) frisbee tournaments in the ultimate world, Kaimana Klassic.  She's about to get off work, and I'm going to pick her up to go for a run.  I'm feeling pretty good.  After my first ever professional massage this week, I've been icing my chronically sore back.  This would seem to have been a no-brainer for someone who has had ice on his shinsplints for a cumulative total of about 3 years, but it didn't occur to me.  My back is getting better, and if I can get and hold myself reasonably together in the next two weeks, it should be a good tourney.  I just hope the improvement keeps up, and wish I had thought of the ice earlier!  Thanks to Beth for the massage birthday present.

Second Job

Deli worker at Island Naturals Market and Deli.  I just finished training here, and will be spending weekends as a soda jerk? behind the juice machine and smoothie blender.  Today I opened, with another deli worker.  The bakers were already there when we got in, just me and five women(!).  Needless to say, this is a big departure from the carpentry jobsite.  But so far so good.  We got along great, and had some fun.   Did you know that I wanted to be a chef when I was little?  I made a salad for the salad bar today, and it felt really good.  Just me, realizing my dreams, one at a time.

This job is a great way to meet people and work in a team environment. Most of my coworkers grew up on, or have been living on the Big Island for a while.  I'm glad to get some local perspective. And I can walk to work! The food's good, too.

Primary Occupation

Howdy Howdy,
So it's been a while.  I plead the fifth.  It has been a little busy around here, though, and there is certainly a lot to update you about.  I am the proud holder of not one, but two new jobs.

Typical scene near the snorkel spot.

Primary occupation:  Kayak guide in Kealakekua Bay.   Beth and I kayaked here once before I got the job, and I made a rather unimpressive post here (though if you look at the page, you can link to a sic pic of me and Beth chillin in the bay with some brahs).  Since then, I've gotten a wetsuit, and Pu'uhonua O Honaunau is one of my favorite places on the Big Island. A post on that later, I promise.

Drama! Deceit! Intrigue!

Kealakekua Bay is a beautiful spot with a lot of cool history, one of the best dive/snorkel spots on the Big Island, and even some intersting geology.  I get to lead small groups of guests on a kayak trip across the bay, talk with them about the bay's history, then go snorkeling.  We pack awesome (and generous) lunches, which we ravage after snorkeling.  The lunches are from the store at the Kona Pacific Farmer's Cooperative, a local coffee roaster serving small Kona farmers. http://www.kpfc.com/index.html

Your trusty guide, proudly sporting his freshly-shined Minnesota hide.

My boss helped to write a very informative pamphlet about the bay.  Click on the text to download a PDF.  I've memorized this, and I pretty much just recite it to the guests (no, not really).  But it is a good pamphlet.  To get me to tell you the whole story you have to pay my boss, Betsy Morrigan at Hawaii Pack and Paddle.  She's great.  Very personable and knowledgeable, and even lent me a bunch of books, for as to get me more learned.
So far, this has been a great job.  The only problem is that it is only about one or two days a week.  So that don't fly, though I've somehow convinced Beth that this is an acceptable amount of income.  Thank you Cellana.  Betsy thinks that we can get business to pick up, and she is working on getting guest referrals from Backroads Bicycle Tours and The Four Seasons Hualalai. Needless to say, that would keep me busy (and probably well tipped).  Tell me if I'm revealing more than is appropriate here.  Bottom line: this is a good job, and I would love to have more trips.
Beth is joining me on a trip this coming Tuesday, and I will get her to photo-document so that I can make a better post about the bay.
This job also promises longer Widji-esque trips with school kids this summer.  That is exciting.  This is proving to be a great way to learn more about the island.