WE ARE GOING TO A HUKILAU and other tidbits.

It is the middle of June already. The times keep moving as is normal but there are times you would like to slow it down or speed it up. Maybe sometimes I would like to do both at the same time. Yesterday (Saturday June 16) I had a fun new experience. It was early in the morning and I got up and walked over to Hukilau Beach to experience my first Hukilau. It was a fun experience. I can see why the visitors used to come from all over to watch this unique experience.  After experiencing a hukilau  this song was composed. I love the lyrics and the actual experience are just like the words of the song. Hukilau - by Jack Owens

Oh we're going to a hukilau A huki huki huki huki hukilau Everybody loves the hukilau Where the laulau is the kaukau at the luau We throw our nets out into the sea And all the amaama come a swimming to me Oh, we're going to a hukilau A huki huki huki hukilau   What a beautiful day for fishing That old Hawaiian way Where the hukilau nets are swishing  Down in old Laie bay    A huki huki huki huki hukilau Everybody loves the hukilau Where the laulau is the kaukau at the luau We throw our nets out into the sea And all the amaama come a swimming to me Oh, we're going to a hukilau A huki huki huki hukilau We arrive at the hukilau all excited at 7:00 am but seem to forget that we are on Hawaiian time. We stand around and visit until someone finally arrives at the scene. It takes awhile to get the boat out of the truck and all the nets ready to go. In the background some of the sisters are putting ti leaves into the ropes. The ropes are then tied on to the nets.                Next the nets are loaded into the boat. There are lots of little keike interested in the process, also. The ropes are ready to take out with the nets. Sister Mecham in the blue shirt and Sister Rhodes in the red shirt. With the nets out and the ropes being pulled back in everyone is excited to see what the catch will be like. Here they are dragging the nets back on to dry land. Sister Rhodes in the red helping to pull in the nets. There are snorkelers out by the nets to make sure they don't get caught on any rocks or limbs. I guess if the nets get holes in them there goes the catch. Here is part of the result of the catch of the day.  Some one will have a delicious lunch or dinner. There were a couple of bigger fish. This fish was by far the most interesting one. I have no idea what kind it is. Some actually want to eat theirs on the spot. Actually it is a tradition to put it in your mouth after the catch. I don't care too much for this tradition. Now comes the clean-up and when just about everyone disappears.                               and last of all the boat is loaded into the truck and the ocean erases any evidence of us being there. OTHER TIDBITS! Family is Good! Last week my sister-in-law Linda and all her family showed up at the PCC for a fun day. I was able to go over and spend a little time with them. It was so good to see someone from home. They did look really good to me and I enjoyed the hugs especially from Colby! We missed a few from the family but it was hard to find everyone at the same time. A nice looking bunch. Samoan High School Festival May brought the Samoan High School Festival to the PCC again this year. It is the second time I was privileged to go. I enjoyed it as much the second time around and they even got our tickets messed up so we ended up with front row seats. Sister Nield from Smithfield, my Hale Sister Polly and me.    One of my favorite costumes from this years festival. NEXT TO LAST BUT NOT LEAST:    Regina and I found a crystal ball as we were cleaning out some old drawers. We tried our hands at some fortune telling.  It did say was that Gina would have another week or two with us and that I would be home in December. I guess we didn't do such a bad job after all.  AND LASTLY: A pretty bird of paradise and a new flowering tree I saw at Walmart of all places.