Iolani Palace

Another thing on our Summer in Hawaii Bucketlist was to go see Iolani Palace.  There's quite a rich history and its very interesting to learn about King Kalakaua.  He was the first King to leave the island I believe.  He took 8 months to travel around the world meeting with other leaders.  He began to model dress, housing, etc after the British Monarchy.  When he had Iolani Palace built, he spared no expense.  Having materials shipped in from all over the world.  He upgraded the gas lights to the newest technology, electric.  He had the fanciest indoor plumbing with shower heads and flush toilets put in!  And having met Alexander Graham Bell, he had a phone installed so he could call downstairs from his office.  

His successor, his sister, Queen Liliuokalani had a much more turbulent rein.  Shortly after inheriting the throne from her brother, she moved to abrogate the 1887 Bayonet Constitution and draft a new constitution which would restore Veto power to the Monarchy and voting rights to the economically disenfranchised native Hawaiians and Asians.  

There's a whole lotta stuff that's wrapped up in that, but lets just put it this way.... the Americans didn't like that idea.  It was bad for them and bad for their business.  So they came in and arrested her. To avoid military clash and loss of life, she went willingly and temporarily relinquished her authority, hoping it would be restored.  

Another sad piece of information is that as the US moved in, they turned the palace into their military headquarters.  Furniture was rearranged, moved, gotten rid of and sold.  The palace became a museum in 1978 and It is a still ongoing, intricate and painstaking effort to regain, restore or replicate all that was lost.  

In 1895 there was a failed counter-revolution where guns were found at the base of Diamond Head.  She claimed she knew nothing.  They tried her and sentenced her to 5 years hard labor in prison and a $5,000 fine.  The did not make her do the hard labor and instead, imprisoned her in corner room in what was once her own palace.  The room was stripped bare and there she sat.  She composed many songs there.  And despite it all, remained strong in her faith.

In 1898 Hawaii became an incorporated territory of the United States.

Upon her release she had a year of house arrest.  She simply continued to write in protest.  She later traveled to the United States a few times to continue protesting and requesting the reinstatement of the Hawaiian Nation.  She filed claims against the US for lost property.  She brought lawsuits against the US under the 5th amendment seeking compensation for the loss of the Crown Land.  All were unsuccessful.

I love learning.  At the same time it does make my heart sad to think about this and other instances of how my nations forefathers acquired the land in which we live and play.  And I think about how we're not alone.  I think about how, throughout history, this is how land, property, kingdoms were established... by force, by taking. And there are lots of thoughts and emotions still bouncing all around in this brain of mine that I'm not sure will ever be fully sorted out.

For now, I will resolve to learn for myself and to teach my children the raw truths of history.  So that people and cultures and nations are remembered and honored.  And also, so that history can be our teacher and our guide for how we want to live now. 

Sweet kicks you get to wear when touring

throne room

Dining Room

Queens Room

King's Bed.
 Josiah asked if I could make his like this :)

The King's bedroom

Finding our Groove

I mentioned in the last post that we've found our groove.  I no longer feel overwhelmed or like a fish out of water.  I don't want to brag, but people have stopped me and asked me for directions FOUR times 'cause they think I'm local.  And I actually was able to give them directions!  It ain't no thang **brushes off shoulder** .  Maybe it's our tan skin.  Or my kids beat up razor scooter that she zips around on.  Or perhaps its the even more beat up jogging stroller, loaded down with lunch cooler, towels and snorkel gear that I haul my almost 4yo around in because I'd rather push him than wait 1-Million hours for him to walk.  (his nickname in speedy.  The kid is in NO hurry to do ANYTHING.  EVER.And I love him SO!)  Whatever it is, its all good.  But honestly, in the touristy part of town where we are, most people aren't here for more than two weeks and the majority don't speak English... so I don't think its too hard to look "local". :)

This $5 razor scooter we picked up on CL
has changed Ella's outlook on walking
everywhere while her brother gets to ride in
thestroller.  Its her own new skill/freedom!

So, If you're in the area here are a few things we love... South Shore Grill is THE place to go for $2 fish tacos on Tuesdays.  Wailoa Shave Ice tucked away in the middle of the strip mall off of Ala Moana is the only REAL (as in finely shaved ice off a block... not a crunchy snow cone) shave Ice we've found and its only $2.50 for a small.    Makers and Tasters Food Truck spot on the corner of Ala Moana and Ward is a super great place to go for food too!  There are cute tables with umbrellas, pretty white lights strung about and a little mouse that lives in one of the planters.  Careful though, if there's no wind, the flies are fiersome!  Sam's Club on Keeaumoku St. is WAY less busy, and so much cheaper than Cosco!  We got out of there for $199.  Thats crazy good here on Island.  The swap meet at the stadium IS a great place to find some deals.  But there's a lot of cheap imported crap too.  Bargain, don't ever pay asking price.

And trust me, If there was food there that pleased
Josiah... There's something for ANYONE!

We have joined the summer reading program here and have explored many of the libraries.  We have found our faves.  Once a week, we board the bus, spend time reading, hit the gas station across the street for milkshakes, walk to the playground to play and finish our shakes, then come home with oodles of new reads!

The Bus system is awesome.  But daBus App is useless.  Use their info line to speak to a SUPER helpful real human or use googlemaps and click on "transit".  Never fails.  If you're in the Waikiki area, you really can't go wrong with the #8.  And just ask the drivers if that bus will get you where you want to go before you insert cash.  They're super helpful.  

I dare say we're getting used to the city.  The road noise inside doesn't keep us from falling asleep anymore.  And the lanai went from completely unused, to fairly frequented when I decided to pretty it up with lights and candles and make the best of it.  The quieter nights to sit out on the deck are Mon-Wed.  You're still going to hear the beeping of the buses and the cars.  The occasional hot rod, show-off, clearly compensating for some shortcoming, mortorcyclist will still peel out from the stoplight and rev his engine at 100mph right below your lanai but whatev.  You make the most of it by looking at your pretty lights, holding hands with your hubby and not so silently wishing bad karma, and high priced tickets on the motorheads.  

This is the evening view from our bedroom.  Don't worry.  I still long for peace and quiet, for wide open spaces, for the lack of light pollution on our 3 acres on our dead end dirt road at home.  But city sunsets aren't too shabby.

Beach, beach and more beach

Yes, I've been an absentee blogger as of late.  I think that's a good sign.  It's a result of us hitting our stride here in Hawaii which I feel like we hit at about a month in.  We have our routines.  Our fave local eating spots.  A church we love.  We know our way around.  We add in a new adventure each week and of course venture out of the city every weekend.  

Bellows Beach.  The winward side.  Beautiful
 white sand.  Big waves.  The kids are not big fans.

Of the MANY cute bathing suit options
at Wally World back home... Ariella
chose the giraffe with sunglasses.  A
lesson in letting go for this type A mom.

A fun sea urchin find at Magic Island.  We've learned which ones
you can touch and which you can't.  

 Across the street anda  bit of  stroll down the beach boardwalk gets us to the Hale Koa beachfront hotel.  Its for military or DOD employees only and we have access to their HUGE, warm, saltwater pool.  Its become at least a weekly afair.  And we have fun with our underwater camera.

Josiah wont look at the camera.  Don't worry, he's not drowning.

  The super cool thing about Hawaii is that all beaches are public.  Even if there is a resort or something on it, it still has to be open to the public.  We could go to a different beach each day and never hit the same one.

Ala Moana park just a short jaunt away

Josiah is much more of a "play in the sand" kind of kid.  He
enjoys the water in short stints

Man made Lagoon the kids prefer just across the
 street at the Hilton

This is our "everyday" beach.  Its right across the street.
That's diamond head in the background.  We swam with sea
turtles twice right off this beach!

She's really starting to look the part.

Ko'Olina Lagoon #2.  Most people just set up at #4 bc its right next
to the parking lot.  But if you're willing to walk down the lovely
paved boardwalk to #2 it's way less crowded, no resort chairs and
lovely thatched umbrellas free for anyone to use.

Awwwww FREAK OUT!

I'm sorry to admit this, but it's not a true family trip unless there's at least one good freak out from me.  Let's all pray one is enough and I'm good for the summer.

Part way through our second week here, something snapped.  I think it had been brewing just beneath the surface since shortly after we arrived on the Island, but it came out last week.  One afternoon an impending, "WHAT ON EARTH HAVE WE DONE!?" moment set it.

The walls of the condo started closing in on me.  I felt confined, trapped, suffocated, like a caged animal.  And along came all the restlessness, anxiety and agitation that you can imagine would come along with that kind of situation.

I longed for the ability to have my kids just say, "Im going outside mom!" and then open the door to  run free on our ample green lawn, build forts in the woods and jump some energy out on the trampoline.

Here, going out is a production.  Have we lathered on our toxic death cream?  'Cause we'll burn in 2 seconds flat if we haven't.  Do we have any and all gear we'll need for the beach?  Did we lock the condo?  Do I have the keys?  And then when we get outside, we're blasted with the NOISE!  people, cars, buses, obnoxiously loud motorcycles, air brakes, sirens, trucks beeping, people honking.  Its like a slap in the face each time we open those doors to the outside world.  Then there's the super fun walk to..... anywhere. "Hold my hand."  "Josiah, next to me please."  "Stay to the right so people can pass."  "ELLA!  CAR!  watch. out.  You HAVE to look!"  "Stay in front of me so I can see you."  "Come, on.  Hurry up, before the light turns red again."  "No we're not buying that.  No you can't have that.  No we don't need to rent that."  Exhausting.

And if those children argue over who gets to push the flipping elevator button one. more. time.  I'm gonna flip my flip.  Seriously.

 I long for wide open spaces.  I miss peace and quiet.  My heart breaks each time we pass the harbor littered with filthy trash or walk down the street, through a park... wherever and my children ask, "Why do people just throw their trash here?" ...and I have a sinking feeling that I'm powerless to change that.  My lungs need to open wide and breath fresh air.  My mind needs to fall asleep and wake up to the sound of crickets and peepers instead of sirens, horns, engines and tour buses of screeching tourists.

If I had a penny for every-time I've said, "Would you do this in school?  Would you act that way in school?  Would you speak that way to Mrs. Akerberg?" I'd be a rich, rich woman. (Have I told you lately how grateful I am for Mrs. Akerberg and our wonderful Seacoast Christian School!?)  Lets just say, my desire to NEVER home-school my little love that is so much like me has thus been confirmed!

I miss being able to get groceries when I want to.  I miss understanding what people say when I ask for directions and they tell me a street name.  Every single word starts with a K or an A and has approximately 1 million vowels all strung together.  The way I would pronounce them is clearly wrong and so when someone else says a street name I clearly don't understand which one they are saying.  (Examples: Kamehamea, Kaihuopalaai, Kaukonahua) Say those ten times fast!   I'm not making these up.  Really.  Im not.

I miss having my own car and being able to go where I want when I want.  Being restricted to bus schedules and routes is hard.  It stresses me out every-time we attempt public transit.  First of all I'm not sure if I'm taking the right route to get to where I want to go.  Then I'm not sure if I'm at the right bus stop.  Once on the bus I'm not sure which stop to get off at to transfer to the next bus.  And it takes forever.  We went to a home school co-op field trip today and it took us over and hour to get to a place that is a 15 minute drive by car.  Then it took us an hour and a half to get home because the bus back only comes by every 30 minutes.

I feel most helpless when tears stream down my Ella's face and she whispers, "I miss my friends." Which happens a few days a week.  We're trying.  We're reaching out... at church, at the library, at home-school co-op.  But we're limited by no car and most people live outside the city and aren't interested in coming in.  And she's pretty painfully shy when it comes to making new friends here... which is proving tough to do when we're just "passing through".  People seem to have their people already and aren't super interested in investing in someone who's only going to be here 3 months. 

It all just kind of hit me at once.  I began to seriously question my sanity in bringing the kids for so long.  I was truly doubting if we could make it here for 3 months in the city.  So I did the natural thing... and relied totally on my own feelings.  I got quiet and moody.  My stress and anxiety ended up coming out on my family.  I isolated and slept a lot on just a few short days.   And poured over condo listings far, far away from here, dreaming of the ability to move to the Hawaiian country! (Lets just say.... not gonna happen... $$$$$)

Then, as usual, I snapped out of it.  I prayed and turned it over to God.  I talked it out with Jason.  I talked to the kids.  I turned my perspective around and started making plans.  Is it different?  Yes.  Is it hard?  Yes.  But different and hard are GOOOOOD.  They grow us, they stretch us, they teach us.  They shine light on our complacency and the things we take for granted and make us so much more grateful.  They give us glimpses into what others do and how others live every single day... not just for a summer.  They grow our mind, our heart, our spirit.... if we let them.  And so we will choose to let them change us... for the better.  

Anytime we are feeling down or frustrated or homesick, we can ALWAYS turn it around and find the good, the positive, the adventure.  We can always find things to be grateful for.  And we are choosing to do that and asking the Lord to anchor those things in our hearts.  We are, and plan to continue, getting out to a library and a home-school co-op activity each once a week.  Have a few beach days and a stay in and chill day, and reserve the weekend for adventuring.  We made a summer bucket list for Hawaii that we are steadily checking off.  We read A LOT.  We went on Craigslist and got a CHEAP jogging stroller and SUPER cheap little razor scooter for Ella so that we can expand our walking radius... and fun factor!  We continue to explore using the bus and we're determined to know the system and the road name/languages like the back of our hand before we leave!  

I'm sure there will be more "moments".  But I feel like I've had my decent sized panic and freak out and worked through it.  I feel confident we can not only make it for 3 months but really enjoy it and learn and grown... even if we are in the city!  I am grateful for this opportunity and know that God has a purpose for us and through us here!  Thanks for letting me keep in real!

Makapu'u Lighthouse Pictures

        

First Weekend Excursion!

During the week we stay fairly close to home base,
venturing across the street to the beach, a few floors
down to the rooftop pool/hot tub or out on the bus
if we want to get somewhere.  So by the time the weekend
comes we are hankering to expand our horizons and get
 out of town.  Jason is the only one allowed to drive
 the rental car so he's our ticket to freedom on his days off!







MAKAPU'U LIGHTHOUSE HIKE
See my completely separate post for more pictures of this beauty!  We know we want to do a lot of hiking while we're here.  But 3yo legs and intense sun are a limiting factor.  We started out easy on our first weekend excursion and went to the Makapuu (pronounced Ma-ka-poo-eee) lighthouse.

Its a paved path, at a slight but steady incline, about a mile long and the views are absolutely breathtaking.  I cannot describe the vivid blues, lush greens and amazing landscape.

We had hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and water.  But the littles were DYING from the heat and moved pretty slow.  We stopped a lot for water and lookouts, found the tiny spots of shade and kept the pace SUPER slow.  There was quite a bit of upbeat encouraging and pointing out of cool cacti and flowers that we don't normally see, and they made it!  But they don't want to do it again.




BELLOWS BEACH
Next we headed to Bellows Beach.  The Department of Defense owns it and part is public but part is only open to DoD employees.  I feel so fortunate.  Daddy and Ella tried their hand at boogie boarding.  The waves were a little too big for Ella and tossed her around a bit.  Josiah wanted no part of the waves.  We enjoyed but moved on much sooner than we had originally planned.








NUUANA PALI LOOKOUT
On our drive back we went THROUGH the mountains via tunnel which was neat and stopped at the Nuuanu Pali Lookout. (pronounced "New-ooo-ah-new) 
     
This is a steep cliff that is the historical sight of a fierce battle where King Kamehameha (pronounced "Kah-may-ha-may-ah) invaded the shores of Waikiki, marched up this valley and  overtook the Oahuans by an overwhelming margin.  The wind coming off the ocean hits the steep cliff and is driven upward with such force that it pretty much blows your hair straight up!


MAGIC ISLAND

We checked out Magic Island.  Its a lagoon out on the end of a peninsula.  It was built to be part of a resort but they ran out of money and now its part of a public park.  We LOVED it!  Sandy, sunny, gorgeous, calm.  Daddy and Ella donned their snorkel gear and found fish and sea urchins!  Josiah and I played in the water and rested in the shade of the palm trees.

                                             







Sunday morning we tried out Metro Christian Church and loved it!  It was THE BEST sermon I have EVER heard on this topic.  And I've heard a lot in the 15 years I've been a believer in Christ!  The link should take you to it if you want to check it out!  The kids space is awesome, friendly and well staffed.  The message was THE best I've EVER heart on Ephesians 5:22.  And the atmosphere is great.  I'd say its mostly locals.  Ella was the only Caucasian girl in the kids church and I think it is such a valuable experience to be the minority for once in her life, as that is an experience she'll never get in Maine!  She said a boy about her age befriended her and "showed her the ropes" telling her the routine and what would come next as well as offering to be her partner in a game where they needed to pair up.  That was music to my ears and I can't wait for future Sundays.  I want to meet this family and tell them what a blessing their courteous, thoughtful boy was!

24 Hours of Travel. Oh my!

Our gear for 3 months.  Super proud of our packing.

Those two smaller suitcases are empty, for bringing home

presents and souvenirs and such!

4:30am was the time we needed to get the children up Tuesday, May 17th, to start our journey to Hawaii.  Jason's mother suggested he and I don grass skirts and play hula music to wake the children. Oh I WISH I were that cool of a mom!  If y'all have that kind of energy and creativity at 4:30am, kudos to you.  I am NOT a morning person.  I'm a, "kids, you're sleeping in your clothes so I can easily haul you out of bed and throw you in the car with minimal fighting to change you," kind of person.  And so that, my friends, is how it went down.

This little boy was SO excited every time he saw

a plane take off!  Such joy!

After the 4:30am wake-up, the following ensued:

A drowsy drive to the bus station.

1.5hr bus ride to Logan

security, breakfast and boarding

5.5hr flight to Phoenix

1hr layover

6.5hr flight to Oahu
Car rental
Navigating big city
Trip to Walmart
Finding and checking into condo
Finally sleeping at 10:30pm Hawaiian time (4:30am EST)

By the time we deplaned in Oahu it was 6pm Hawaiian time (which is 12am Maine time).  We had been awake and traveling for 19.5 hours with a 7yo and a 3yo.  Each had managed about an hour nap on one of the flights.  Let me tell you, it was purely by the grace of God that I was still energetic, joyful, and patient.  I was determined to make it an adventurous, exciting experience.  With lots of prayer and by the power of the holy spirit, It was!  The kids were ABSOLUTELY amazing.  Only one toddler meltdown was had and thankfully it was o our layover, NOT on a plane.  And only a few minor whines or arguments were had between the littles.  I mean seriously!  Can you even imagine!?  Rock stars I tell you!

Our first view of our home fro the next 3 months!

It took a while to get a rental car.  The kids were getting loopy and goofy, running around the rent-a-car lobby... It's 1am their time by now.  Thankfully no one else was there.  I just went with it.

And, another God provision... we asked if we could possibly get a larger vehicle for the same rate we are allowed by the government.  We got one of those little Mazda minivans! It is PERFECTION.  Enough room for all our luggage/gear in the back or a 3rd row seat if we ever need to transport friends, sliding side doors and still compact enough for easy city driving and parking in tight spaces!

But we still weren't done!  We had to navigate the city (on VERY tired brains) and find a Wal-mart to get carseats and a few groceries for the morning.  We managed to find it, but all started going downhill quickly.  Our sweet little boy was SO DONE.. it was 2am his time.  He was sleepy and running into things as he walked and had a meltdown because he wanted the BLUE car-seat... like sat in it and refused to move, was pulled kicking and screaming from it... meltdown.  Daddy's nerves were done (the poor man had to work in the morning!) and Ella was just wired and excited and enthralled that the Walmart had an escalator!  Again, by the shear power of the Holy Spirit, (because if you know me, you know I am not, by my own nature, the gal that easily stays patient and positive) Mommy was the glue that held the crumbling pieces together.  Oh we were a sight to see!  I laugh now thinking about it!  

This is the first thing we saw when we

stepped off the plane!

We walked through the dark city, hauling our loot back to our parking spot, passing homeless people setting up for the night in parks and doorways and I had a very real, "We are not in Kansas anymore Toto" moment.  

We still had to find the condo, get the keys, find our parking spot in the parking garage and haul our luggage to the 18th floor.  Praise the Lord.  We made it.  The Condo was beautiful, exactly as pictured and the beds were OH SO comfy!  

I think the kids got to bed at 10:30pm Hawaiian time, which would be 4:30am Maine time.  Which means they were awake for 24 hours, with an hour nap each.  Crazy!  Then Ella woke up at 3am!  But that's another story...