On Safari: April 2009

Farewell brunch at the Hale Koa, Honolulu, Hawaii

Jutta coined the word, "Six Pack", to best describe our group. One can say we enjoy each others company or one can say we like our beers. I think it is a little bit of both with a big tilt towards enjoying each others company.

It began as a training group for the Great Aloha Run (8.2 miles) which is held annually on President's Day in February, however, after the GAR, we continued our training sessions and a casual friendship flourished into what we affectionately call the "Six Pack".

This was our final get together before we board our planes and bid Aloha to Bob and Jutta.

Aloha a hui hou (till we meet again)

left to right; Bob, Jutta, Donna, Allen, Nola and Ken

Donna and Allen checking out the buffet at Hale Koa Hotel, Honolulu, Hawaii

Ken, Nola, Jutta and Bob

Donna checking out the fruit tray

Donna, Jutta and Nola

An Evening with Danny Couch

Our dinner/show with Danny Couch at Chai's Bistro in Honolulu, Hawaii was an evening to remember and cherish. Danny was in great voice and was energized by his many friends and fans that came to share this special evening with him.

Singing his mega hit “These Islands”, multi winner of the prestigious Na Hoku Hanohano Award, Danny took us on a musical journey, singing his late and early compositions of Hawaiian songs, contemporary, and audience requested songs that made him famous worldwide.

Couch is charismatic and connects with his audience in a very personal way with every song. Between sets, he took time to visit our table and we took the opportunity for a few Kodak moments with him. A special treat that evening was his rendition of “Phantom of the Opera” which froze the audience in melodic ecstasy from beginning to end.

Danny Couch singing "These Islands"

"Six Pack + Danny"

Left to right: Allen, Jutta, Donna, Danny, Ken, Nola and Bob

Donna, Bob, Jutta, Nola and Ken

Nola, Ken and Danny

Bob and Jutta

Allen and Donna

Nola and Ken

Danny and Hula dancer

Allen and Bob

Danny singing Phantom of the Opera

Danny singing "Happy Birthday" to Nola

left to right from rear: Shirley, Ken, Nola, Bob, Allen, Donna and Jutta

Danny and Shirley

Honolulu Tax revolt rally 2009

This is the Honolulu, Hawaii Tax Revolt Tea Party on April 15, 2009.

The Honolulu Tea Party is a grassroots group of citizens dedicated to defending the principles set forth by America’s Founding Fathers, specifically restoration of lower taxes and less government and preservation of economic opportunity and the Bill of Rights.

A visit in Paradise on a spring day....

It was a beautiful spring day in Honolulu, Hawaii especially with a visit from our friends from Southern and Northern California. If everyone looks happy, it is because of the Red Mango yogurt and gelato we consumed with enthusiasm after a six (6) course dinner at P.F. Chang's.

Left to right back row; Donna and Allen
Left to right front row seated; Darlene, Robert, Pandy and Frank.

The gals were seated long enough for me to take this photo. Donna, Darlene and Pandy.

Ford Island 10K run, Honolulu, HI.

The runnin' gang

Ford Island Run was interesting as we ran past World War II bunkers, landing strips and a portion of Pearl Harbor where the Arizona and it support ships were moored. Compared to the 1940's, Ford Island is but a shell of what it was, however the air museum pulls you back into time.