Friday, June 28, 2013

Exploring the West side of Maui

View from the top
Recently, we went to explore the West tip of the island. We drove through the center, and then up the coast and around the tip. The road was very bumpy, narrow, and high up in the mountains. This road was not well paved and the car was moving back and forth like trees swaying in the wind. There were sharp turns, and we never knew if another car was coming around the corner. It turned out to be a dangerous road, but we drove carefully and really enjoyed the gorgeous views of the mountains and oceans.
We drove by a Taro field


Hsnging from a tree branch

 As we drove on, we kept getting closer to the beach, and saw a small parking lot that had many cars. It turned out to be one of the best places to snorkel on the island. The beach was called Honolua Bay. It is a protected reserve so fishing is not allowed, which means more fish for us to see. We took out all of our snorkeling gear, and started walking. We had to walk 1 mile and a half to get to a secluded beach. The walk was  through a thick, green rainforest, and we saw many beautiful trees and flowers. We also saw many avocados, apple bananas, guava, and papaya trees.































Honolua Bay
When we finally got to the beach, we didn't dawdle, but quickly put on our snorkeling gear. There were many rocks, and we had to swim past them befor reaching the beautiful coral reef. While snorkeling, we saw many fish such as trumpet fish,, parrot fish, the humuhumunookunookuappua'a with its blue lips, an eel, and of coures the best part, a turlte. As we swam deeper in the ocean, we nearly bumped into this huge turtle. It swam so gracefully, and many people were crowding around it pushing to see it. We had never seen such a big turtle. Hannah, our little sister, was so close to it, she could touch it. Of course, touching wild life is not allowed, and we let it swim by us. 



I'ini bird
After a nice refreshing swim, we sat down for lunch on the rocks. As we sat down, numerous birds began to surround us. Most of them were chickens and roosters making loud noises, nearly taking the sandwiches from our hands. We gave them pieces of bread, so they would move away. We even saw one Red-rested Cardinal. It had a red face, a yellow beak, and a grey and white body. We quickly ate our lunch, and while eating, one lady that was sitting next to us, told us that she saw a small shark. It was a White Tip about 3 feet long!




Red-crested Cardinal

Fleming Beach
After snorkeling, we started to look for a sandy beach to play in the water. We stopped at Fleming Beach park. It had small waves, and very soft sand. We built big sand castles and deep holes. We also went surfing and rode the waves. 




























Kaanapali Bay
When we finished our lunch, we continued our drive to explore the island. We came to another beach called Kaanapali Bay. It was surrounded by expensive resorts and the water was very calm. We just relaxed in the water and played Monkey in the Middle with a football. It was very fun. The teams were my Dad, Mom and brother in one team, and Miriam, Hannah and I in the other team. Our team was the one that was mostly in the middle because my Mom and Dad through the ball over our heads.



We were then ready to head back home but we first stopped in the historic town of Lahaina for dinner, and to watch the sunset. This city used to be the capital city of Hawaii during the period of King Kamehameha. The capital was later moved to Honolulu. In Lahaina, we found a nice restaurant that had a spectacular view of the ocean. We were seated and served quickly, and the food was delicious. When we left, our stomachs were full, and we were very hiper. We walked around a little, and went to a famous 137 year old banyan tree that was planted in 1873  . It was a huge tree with many branches for us to climb. 



Banyan Tree in Lahaina


















Finally, the sun was almost down and all the people lined the street along the ocean to watch the sunset. Each second, the sun went lower and lower until it disapeared into the clouds. It was a clear day, so there was a beautiful sunset. We took some family photos until it was finally dark. We had a long day, and while driving home, we all fell asleep.




Have you ever been to so many places in one day?
Have you ever climbed a tree?

Monday, June 17, 2013

Congratulations to My Cousin Ron

My cousin Ron just graduated high school. He has studied and worked hard to achieve his diploma.  Ron has completed 12 years of schooling, and will be going on to college to study engineering. We all wish him the best there, and we will miss him very much.

The graduation started with many speeches by students, teachers, and the principal. They talked about the school year, and about all the students graduating. Finally, they got to announcing the diplomas. They went class by class, until finally it was Ron's class. He was second to last to get his diploma because his last name started with a Z.When they finally got to him, they shook his hand, as the principal gave him his diploma.  We all cheered as loud as could as he was called up. The ceremony went on and on, until every kid from each class received their diploma.



Celebrating at the restaurant
Ron is the middle child of his siblings. He has an older brother named Ben who graduated last year, and has finished his first year in college. Ron also has a younger sister, who will be graduating in three years. Ron is a very loving and intelligent boy. His favorite subject is math, and he is very good at that subject. He works very hard at everything he wants to achieve, and in the end, all the hard work pays off. He always plays with us, and is there when we need him. He is especially good at fixing our toys and putting things together.  I will miss him a lot when he starts college.

When the ceremony ended, we all went to a restaurant to celebrate. During dinner, we each took turns saying some nice speeches to Ron. We wished him 4 great years in college, and we hoped he would make many new friends. We also told him how much we would miss him when he goes away.

Here are some photos of Ron with the family doing some fun things together. He used to be a really small and skinny kid, and he grew into a tall, handsome and strong young man.  

CONGRATULATIONS RON. WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!




Showing off his "muscles"

Ben and Ron getting ready to go kayaking at Oxnard


David (Dad) Ron,  Luba, Hannah and I

Ron, Miriam and Luba

Ron, Luba, Miriam and I hiking

All grown up and celebrating New Year

Please leave some nice comments for Ron on his graduation.