Adventure Travel; "Into the Pacific"

What does it mean to live aloha? Kokua aku kokua mai, to give and recieve help is a reciprocal relationship. This is living aloha, to give others time, energy, to help nurture something or someone. It is giving of yourself without expectation of  return. The cycle of aloha continues, similar to a plant or water cycle. It is from within ourselves when we kokua others, that we in turn create lasting sustainability, a bond between ourselves and that person. When we kokua nature, in turn, nature takes care of us, providing us with all the sustenance we need and then some. We take care of our bodies and in turn our bodies generate better health, improved energy, longevity of life, a glowing exterior. We take care of this world, without worrying about if and when the cycle returns. We do this because it is the right thing to do and as seen in the different cycles, taking care of something equals energy coming back in various forms. Maybe it is the beautiful sunrise over Mauna Kea, the vi...

If you could take your fitness to the next level what would you do? This past week, in addition to my regular workout routine, I have been making it my new goal to include 10,000 steps daily. This is something I have had to get creative about, as I am now in town Monday through Thursday until 7:30 at night. Last week, I brought my 5lb hand weights for walking and two of my 15 lb kettlebells for a regular workout. My plan was to start with a strength training routine at Bayfront soccer field after dropping off my son. I usually have an hour or 45 minutes before I take my daughter to dance. This is enough time to do upper or lower body, intermixing abs during the 20 second breaks. At first, I was feeling awkward, feeling a bit exposed at the field where people can see you working out. Once I got over the fact that alot of people work out down there, not to mention nobody cares, I started to really enjoy it. I decided if I had to stay in town, I might as well make the most efficient use o...

You are in need of relaxation and a sweat session. So you decide to put on your husband's 20lb weight vest and venture into nature. The nature that you are so grateful to live in, on the Big Island of Hawaii, on a lone road down near the cliffs. The only sounds are the birds mirroring each other's voices in the trees, the faint feel of raindrops on the face, the sweat dripping and mixing with the rain. You realize you have not felt this relaxed in awhile, and your body melts into a rhythm with the ground. You become in tune with the crunching sound of gravel, yet your body seems to float and sway in time with the beat of your shoes. You start to become immersed in the aura of nature, how this natural essence make you feel. No longer are you thinking of your schedule, because it is insane let me tell you! No, you are in a transfixed state of meditation; the air smells fresh and pure, the only sounds you hear is the distant rumble of the ocean, as it crashes against the rocks. Th...

Last weekend, we took the kids up to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on a Sunday night, as we are currently homeschooling Adara and Bear didn't have school Monday. This is by far one of our favorite locations on the Big Island, as one can camp at Namakani Paio campground and do a night hike to view the lava! During the daytime, there are a multitude of hikes ranging from a half mile to five miles round trip. The Thurston Lava Tube is an exceptional short hike, in which visitors can walk through a tunnel, formed by lava in a matter of a half mile. For a longer hike, Kīlauea Iki, a pit crator and an old lava lake, is a fascinating traverse through Ohia trees and down across a lava rock, patterned by the older formations of molten lava.This hike is three miles total and a great one for kids, as they love to hear about the stories of Pele, the goddess of lava who grew angry and formed the lake! This was a tale we had spun for them as we kept them occupied along the three mile stretch. ...

Beautiful mess My mind is a torrent of bliss and pain, My heart has been strung with hardship's red vein, But I am alive be I pleasured or pained, Every breath is a gift, feeling life is not vain, Life is but a moment, a whisper in time, Embrace each feeling, each exchanging rhyme, For to feel pain, ecstasy, anger or sadness, You are alive in life's beautiful mess.

Scars on My Heart It was eight pm Tuesday evening, the day of the Florida shooting, the day that high school kids stopped dreaming of prom or first dates. That day they were immersed in a horrible dream that they couldn't wake from! I had heard the news, Hawaii couldn't shield us from the terrible scars of reality, the world into which we had so naively delivered our children. It was that day, that evening, that all the stories brought home of his threats, taunting and assaults became vividly horrible. I had just finished cleaning the kitchen and was heading into the bedroom to take a shower when my cell phone rang. Never hearing from friends at 8:30 at night, I felt cold dread in shivering drips of sweat begin their journey down my back. Hesitating was only prolonging the wicked clock of time that was ticking against my will. “Hello what's up? Is everything ok?” I barely breathe as my friend sounds nervous and a...

This beautiful spot, was one of the first places we visited upon arriving! This vast array of pools, intermixed amongst volcanic rock walls, expanded up to 200 feet offshore. Not only were there fishing opportunities at the further ends of the pools, but endless snorkling, swimming and exploration opportunities! Keep in mind that when entering this area, parking is located only outside of the boundaries of the neighborhood there, called Kapoho Vacationland. Residents are very generous and allow visitors and locals to access through the main road, however, respect for their homes and privacy is of the utmost importance. Please "kokua" and follow all road signs, making sure to access only in designated areas. Furthermore,to protect the coral please refer to the signs on the kiosk, which explain how "oxybenzone," a common ingredient in most sunscreens will result in damage and killing off of coral reefs. Make sure to check ingredients on the back of your sunscreen b...

Our temporary home was a beautiful vacation rental, nestled on a backdrop of open landscape. Our first three months here were not only a unique experience in the outside world, but at our home as well. The hale had a large water catchment, which required me to learn the techniques of care and maintenance. Self sufficiency was a pleasurable skill as long as one knew what they were doing. Our days there, were spent exploring the open backyard space, trekking down the road to see horses and relaxing on the lanai. There were always downsides to an area as much as one might love it overall. One of the biggest challenges that I faced, was the lack of preschools in our area or any preschools with openings for that matter! I started calling a few weeks after we moved, but quickly learned, if you were going to settle in Hawaii, school deadlines ended in April for the following school year! I was finally able to gain an interview at the Waldorf School in Hawaiian Paradise Park, how...

If one owned a pet before moving to Hawaii, they were required to undergo a several month process, in order to be exempt from the 120 day quarantine period. Six months to be exact, was the recommended period of time to prepare the tests and quarantine ahead of time. Our process included the initial Favn Rabies blood test, microchip registration, a waiting period, then a final exam within two weeks of our departure. The entire process was explained online by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, which I will include the link below. It is a lengthy process, takes precision and patience and effort on the part of the owners to do their research initially. Otherwise, glitches may occur at the airport, as I mentioned before. Bar King Dog Kennel, the only approved quarantine facility on the Big Island, was located close by in Keaau, Hi. The staff was refreshingly friendly and helpful, all female so as to bring forth a calming atmosphere, they are avid animal lovers and most importantly the f...

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We arrived in Hilo, Hawaii during daylight hours, feeling happy and giddy with anticipation! We could see the clear blue waters crashing against the jagged coastline, creating foaming white patterns all along the rocky shore. I felt shaky as the excitement coursed through me! We were almost at our new home on the Big Island of Hawaii and we were here to stay! I exchanged a huge smile with Tim as we flew towards the island, the lush trees growing larger by the minute. The day was effervescently clear and we could see the shoreline below. It looked wild and untamed. The waves crashed in foaming torrents towards the shore, then immediately retreated. White sand beaches were nowhere in site on this eastern side, but we loved the Hawaii wilderness! This was an island of adventure, with a shoreline resembling that of the coast of Maine, except warmer. The island drew thrill seekers, adventurers, wanderers and those who sought a quieter life. This place was not meant for the weak, as the quot...

June 14,2016, We were leaving the desert forever! It was approximately 11:00 am in the morning and I had just tearfully said my goodbyes. My best friend faded into the distance as we drove away, tears blurring my vision. We drove from Lake Havasu City Arizona six hours west to Los Angeles, as we had to fly with Fudge out of the LAX location. There was an embargo on pets flying during summer months at the Las Vegas airport.That night we tucked away into a tiny room, tiredness setting in. Little did we know what would occur at 5:00 am the next day! June 15; We were presented with an Uber! At 5:00 am, June 15th, Tim recieved a call from the airport stating that Fudge could not ride in the cabin and a hard carrier was required for the cargo section. This was unbenownst to us, as we had called and confirmed more than a month ahead of time! After arriving four hours before our flight, anticipation ran high, yet we were unsure how to proceed, as we did not have the proper cat carrie...

A Real Life View of Ocean's Force Young women, faces full of youthful arrogance, perched precariously on rocks. They watched ocean tides sweeping in through the channel and then leaping in eager haste, found themselves apart of the ocean in its'rageful rush to sea! Forceful tides carried them, voices barely heard over the rushing water. Leaving wife and kids, a man leaped in to rescue them, only to be drug across the reef and came up with open wounds, as raw as fear, of death, of failure! The minutes dragged, then helicopter swooping,people crying, rescuing, emotions running. The ocean of Hawaii spared them that day!

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If you are interested in reading my first hand account of our move across the ocean and the first year in Hawaii, you can now read it for the lowest possible price, $.99! As the holidays are in full swing, I want to provide entertainment at a low cost. Enjoy and the book is also available in a hard version as well! http://www.blurb.com/ebooks/638978-across-the-pacific

Ho'okena County Beach park, a camper's oasis resides along the ocean in the original steamship hub of Ho'okena,dating back to the 1800's when ships were the main focus of travel. The beach park lies nestled among a cliff face at the bottom of a scenic road, approximately 20 miles past Kailua Kona. Tourists and locals alike flock to this beautiful location to swim, sight see dolphins and Honu and to camp along the sandy beach. The park was the location for our last camping adventure, in which we were ready to try out our new inflatable kayaks, camp along the ocean and play for hours among the waves. Our keiki especially love the water and have been avid swimmers since our recent move to the Big Island a year and a half ago. Ho'okena is perfect for all ages as it is a sandy beach, easy access to the park and the water and offers a breathtaking view of the ocean and marine wildlife. Famous for the dolphins which one may view at sunrise, the beach park is also a non pr...

Night and Day Nighttime faded into day, Like two lovers, threaded, entwined, Two bodies, their colors in brilliant overlay, Senses awaken, darkness into day combined, They mold together, night and day, He, his dark head, lips of black velvet kiss, Gently caressing hers, their bodies sway, Her light, in ecstasy becomes his darkness. The Ocean of Obsession Lying on the glistening board, Wet with sweat, water dripping, Hair in flowing torrents forward, Body taunt, waiting, listening. Then surges come, the wave, it builds, Ecstatic rushing through body, mind, Like orgasmic rhythms, in sensuous frills, The body, the ocean, as one defined. The ocean draws one as a lover to a kiss, Feeling its presence, beyond the unworldly, To be one with the waves in a complete state of bliss, Obsession to be one with the ocean's story. Love and Desire Love drew her in, his arms silken muscle open, Desire in wanting him, yet her lust was afraid, For love had an arrow, as stro...

I am proud to say, my book was just nominated for the 2017 Readers Choice Awards! Please vote for it at www.tckpublishing.com/readers-choice-voting. Page 5 under General Nonfiction.Mahalo to all for your support and please feel free share this!

Waimea Valley on the North Shore of Oahu, is known through ancient Hawaiian culture as the "Valley of the Priests." This valley, was set aside as early as 1092 AD, for the Kahuna Nui (High Priests), because of its' lush environment, free flowing streams and waterfalls and it's location geographically.The valley holds significance in Hawaiian religion and pays homage through its' religious sites to the four main gods, Kāne,Kū,Kanaloa and Lono. Throughout the centuries, this valley has continued to be held sacred in Hawaiian culture and the history is evident through the historical landmarks and religious sites heiau (places of worship)dispersed throughout. Visitors and locals such as ourselves, enjoy visiting and exploring the botanical gardens, historical and religious sites and the beautiful waterfall at the end of the hike! On our most recent trip to the North Shore of Oahu, the kids and I were fortunate to have the opportunity to visit this beautiful location...