HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!
We got up early this morning and joined Halau I Ka Wekiu out at Sandy Beach to welcome the first day of 2012.   And although it was still dark and a bit chilly when we arrived, I was amazed at the amount of people who turned out to watch the sunrise. Just as the sun started to peek over the horizon, the members of the halau began to chant and I suddenly felt my dad’s presence right there with us! Wow …
We spent a very mellow New Year’s Eve last night with a pot of Carla’s Portuguese sausage chili, some prime rib, salad, corn bread, and rice. Our friends, the Noyles and Yamanakas, stopped by to have a bite to eat and hoist a few, but all in all it was a nice, quiet evening … ahhhhhh, heaven! Speaking of quiet, there were a lot less fireworks in our neighborhood than in previous years … probably because fewer permits were issued and the stores had very little product for sale. It’s kinda sad because fireworks have always been a New Year’s tradition here in the islands, but at least it’s not as noisy now and the air is a lot less smoky. Fireworks are still allowed on the neighbor islands, however, so I’m sure it’s still a war zone over there!
We’re going over to the Arcadia at noon today for a New Year’s luncheon hosted by the Yamanakas. Both my mom and Gregg’s dad are residents there so it’ll be a nice gathering of family and friends.
Have a great relaxing New Year’s Day, my friends!!
Much aloha,
“D”