Happy 106th Birthday, Boy Scouts of America!

On this day in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America incorporated in Washington, DC.  One hundred and six years later, 2 million youth and one million adults are registered members.  The 101,161 units include Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venture Crews.  The BSA has weathered controversy as society confronted pacifism in WWI to diverse membership for the 21st century.  On a local level, Scouts have benefited my family through our frequent military moves.  I share some of my favorite pictures from Scouting ...

Above is a vintage photo (link) of scouts placing lei and flags on the graves at Punchbowl - The National Cemetery of the Pacific.  Below is the Scout Take Over Day (link) on Hickam Air Force Base.

My Scouts have stayed aboard the USS Missouri (link) in Pearl Harbor.  Next week, they stay overnight on her sister Iowa class battleship, the USS New Jersey.

We hiked around Hilo (link) ...

... and camped among the volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii (link).

The Aloha Council hosts Mahahiki (link, link, and link) - a celebration of Scouting every year in Honolulu.

When we visited my husband in Korea, they hiked with the troop from Osan AB on the Task Force Smith Heritage Trail (link)

When we moved to Maryland, we jumped right into local activities, such as the Independence Day Parade (link) ... 

... and the Antietam National Battlefield (link).

Do you have any Scouts in your family?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's posts wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 13, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 14.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Below is a canoe trip from Kualoa Beach Park (background) to Chinaman's Hat (foreground) ....

Aloha to the Nu'uanu Pali Lookout and Old Pali Trail

The Battle of Nu'uanu serves as the last conflict between King Kamehameha from the Big Island and the Maui Army he pursued across the island chain.  The Maui Army jumped to their death rather than become Kamehameha's captives.   Once Kaumualiʻi of Kauai signed a peace treaty, King Kamehameha united the Hawaiian Islands.  

The battlefield now serves as a historical monument with breathtaking views of ... 



... Kaneohe Bay.  Let's look closer ... 

... even on a cloudy day, tourists can see the triangle shaped island ... 

... that looks like a hat ...

... Chinaman's hat, to be precise!   It's Hawaiian name is Mokoliʻi.

The Pali Highway cuts through the Ko'olau Mountains.   The old highway hugged the mountainside, following the path of the donkeys who transported people and supplies from one side to the other.

Now kama'aina and tourists alike hike along the old highway for a step back in time.

My kids noticed the graffiti ....

... and wondered how keiki (kids) suspended themselves to spray paint.

 

The Pali Highway overlooks the Mokapu Peninsula ...

... home of Marine Corps Base Hawaii.  The H2 highway connects the marine base with Pearl Harbor.  Do you have a favorite place to walk?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 30.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 31.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

This flower was plentiful along the Old Pali Trail.  

But I don't know its name!

Aloha to Kualoa Beach Park!

My children recently camped at Kualoa Beach Park with their Boy Scout Troop. The Ko'olau Mountains overlook the 'ohana (families) who flock to the green space for weekend fun (at this link).



The lifeguard demonstrated how to paddle an outrigger.



The paddles are decorated in Hawaiiana motif.



Team One launches!



Team Two launches, too!



The teams paddled toward Mokoliʻi (Chinaman's Hat) ...



... and then back to the sandbar! One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Saturday, March 2, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 3, at SOS Aloha.

Aloha to the Windward Coast of Oahu

Continuing our tour of Oahu's windward coast ....

Mokoliʻi is an iconic symbol of Oahu's coast.
It is nicknamed Chinaman's Hat. 

Ivy hangs on to the table as the wind blows!

Driving north along the windward coast,
we find S. Tanaka's Antiques and Bottles!

It is full of collectibles and oddities ... 

... local and worldwide!

Endless summer -
the North Shore's mantra!

Do you have a favorite picnic spot or antique store?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 12, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 13.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii

Ivy asks, "What's next?"
I respond, "The Birthing Stones!"