A mild morning in Kealakekua

quickly sharing our day from yesterday
when we arrived at kona, we could see beautiful snow on both mauna kea and we think on mauna loa. that's because a big late winter rain came through. now today the vog is back lightly in south kona and kealakekua. but it just creates a light visibility change. kind of pretty actually, a dreamy feeling

we had several wonderful surprises yesterday. after we came from the airport and stopped at kanaka 'Awa bar in kona, and checked in at the Manago hotel, we met our friend Mike and went swimming down at Two Step entry in the water next to Honaunau. That was really nice, slightly surgy water creating drama, and underwater, the many large pillows of coral were slightly muted in tones and there were plenty of reef fish. But one of the nicest things was the first surprise, that among the nice folks hanging out on the rocks, there were 3 hawaiian young folks maybe 25 ish on the two step entrance, and they were talking really fluently, partly making comments about all of us, in hawaiian for the most part. I love hawaiian immersion.It has really worked to preserve the language

Then the second surprise. On a whim we went over to Ke`ei which is an area of the cost where mike and even Craig have spent a lot of time. Near Aunty Margaret's old lomi lomi massage school. Well all the locals were hanging out having a great easter sunday hanging out, at Melinda's house and craigs old friend named Hawaiian was there. and he even pulled out a moisture soaked dheap of photos from Bu being there in 2002. This is an area of properties that includes an old japanese fishing house, where a friend has lived, and lots of local ramshackle houses where as in many hawaiian living clusters much of the living is outside. shades from the rain, with couches and beds.

Then the third surprise, we went to the little beach in kalakekua and two white ladies in their 60s or so were there playing uke and talking about their halau with Keala ching. we played mahina o hoku and he makani kaili aloha for them and played the queens prayer with them

then we went to a great dinner with Mike, and with Pat Ravarra and Keith, at Jackie rey's in kona. so yummy. such good fish and flavors and mix of things to eat

then a great sleep at the manago with early morning rain and cockcrows. the manago is great, high ceilings old panelling pipes here and there and the great drop view out to the ocean which this morning was shimmering in the rain

we will tidy this blog up later as our computer time is running out.

a lot done in one day!