Mele Kalikimaka and Out with the Old and in with the New

We went on the Hauula Loop Trail again with a few of
our "closest friends." At the end of the hike we saw
some amazing graffiti.

We had over 30 missionaries on the hike.

We filled up the narrow, muddy trails.

We had to cross some slippery streams.

Santa was among the amazing graffiti. 

And of course we had to visit Santa and the Mrs. at the
Hukilau Marketplace with our friends the Seilers. 

Bill finally got 4 of the 6 permits for the duplexes they
are building, so here they are tearing out one of the old houses.
Gratefully, it's out with the old and in with the new for 2018.

Another Graduation

It was lucky for us that my cousin Hilma Bellessa and her hubby
had a layover in Honolulu on her way home from serving in
Mindoro, Philippines. It was so great to meet them and hear
all about their mission over dinner.

This was the magical  sunrise on one of our morning walks.

Here we are celebrating the crew that hung the Christmas lights
The Hukilau Marketplace. Colleen Williams, Kathy Himle,
Kathy Stott, Spring Seiler, me, Nancy Waterfall, and  Earlene Swasey

Graduation was fun with one of our student workers in
our office, Ryan, from Hong Kong. Elder Rasband spoke and he called on
Donny Osmond to say a few words. Donny  was there for his
daughter-in-laws's graduation.

Jamie from our office needs more leis. She is from Tonga.

Yuri from Japan, another office worker.

Bill and I with  our Mission President Becker and his wife.

Lilikoi Junction

Karla and Clyde Robins took us on a fun hike
for our P-day. We only got lost twice.

We started in a neighborhood in Pupukea above Shark's Cove.

Looking up we don't quite know how this happened...

but perhaps George met the same fate.

Someone had even decorated this palm tree. This trail was
full of mountain bikers and we have vowed to bring our
bikes next time.

The scenery was beautiful with great views. We ended up at
the Sunset Beach Pillbox Trailhead. We had left a car there.

Our Christmas Open House with the BYU-H missionaries.
Sister Perkins (in the yellow) will be returning to Orem soon.

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas (Well, Sort of)

We attended the lighting ceremony for the BYUH campus and
it was very crowded.

This is the best pic of the tree, but not
the best one of Elder Garff.

This is the Aotearoa Devotional. It includes the
 islands of New Zealand, or the Maori people.
The carvings represent their various tribes
 which go back hundreds of years.
 The students all seemed to know  the tribe they
descended from and they told us about it as
they stood beneath their family carving.

The entire group. The couple in the front are senior
missionaries serving at the PCC. 

The haka can be very intimidating to unwelcome visitors. The
young man on the right of center with his tongue out is Sam
from our Ward. We had to speak on dating at our sacrament
meeting last week. There are many more young women
than men here so it is a challenge.

After the devotional we rode to the North Shore where this
was happening; the Vans World Cup. We were glad we
rode our bikes since the traffic was horrible.

There was quite the crowd on Sunset Beach watching the event.

The waves weren't enormous, but the surfers are judged on their
maneuvers and they have a time restraint to perform. They
have to catch the right wave in the allotted time.

Lots of wave runners and  lifeguard support.

Thanksgiving or Grandma's House Hawaiian Style

This is how our Ward sets up "Grandma's House" for
the Thanksgiving feast.

Jema on my left and girls were in charge of
the fun activities.

Sister Bishop (Mahoni) was thrilled to
see my jello salad arrive. 

Bill and I and Sister Dunham from our Ward.

Daniel Joseph Aaron Moricancumer
 Ravia scored a drumstick.

The pie fight was a hit,

Friday  after Thanksgiving we had a rather muddy
but pretty hike on the Hauula Loop Trail.

There was a great view of Laie Point.

Saturday was game day. Here we are at the BYU Tailgate
party with Carrie and Randy Smith, volunteers from our office.

Bill was under duress with this photo with Cosmo.

Here we are  sitting with some of the missionaries. glad
to be out of the rain in the nosebleed section.

They don't call the University of Hawaii the Rainbow
warriors for nothing. Though BYU had a dismal season, they
did beat the Warriors 30 to 20. 

Just Hanging Around

Just hanging around at Pounder's Beach on our P'day. Our
mode of transportation is on the left.

The whole community is excited for the state football championship
tonight. Even the horses got in the act for the Kahuku Red Raiders.

This is behind the temple. 

Another view from below.

Here we are with other missionaries watching the high school
playoffs at Pounder's RestaurantThe game didn't start
until 10pm. We made it until halftime, but in the end
they lost. At least we weren't awoken at 3 am with
fireworks going off.

Hawaiian Weapons

For FHE we learned about Hawaiian weapons. Since
they didn't originally have any metal they used stones,
wood, shark's teeth and swordfish and marlin spears.
They took most of the consonants out of the
Hawaiian language. My coworkers were laughing at
me the other day claiming I was speaking pigeon
English. They said I said "da kind" instead of "the kind"
and I was totally unawares. You can tell I have
been living here for over a year now.

You think you get out of hanging up Christmas lights
when you go on a mission? Not at all. The only
difference is you do it in the rain instead of the snow.

Our Bishop Mahoni was helping that day at the PCC too.
By the way he carves some of those native weapons.
They are beautifully done and are sold at the ukulele store.  

One last farewell to Bill's office mate, Elder Riley.

Tongan Devotional at the PCC. There was dancing, singing,
talks given and food served.

They even threw money at the male dancers