Last taste of holiday treats ....

While walking around Waikiki, I spotted a few more holiday treats .... above is a sand creation at the Royal Hawaiian Sheraton.    

Here's a closer view of Santa's list ...

... and the menehune (mystical elves) who helped him!  

I love the detail of the Hawaiian doll! 

This bear outside Bear World is ready for Christmas!  

This bear is ready for surfing! 

This bear is ready for Gangnam style!   As we get ready to leave 2012, do you have a favorite memory from the past year?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, January 5, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 6.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Santa is ready for a vacation!

Aloha Tower, Ali'iolani Hale, King Kamehameha, and 'Iolani Palace

  

My mother in law wanted to see the King Kamehameha Statue featured in H50.   So we drove to the Aloha Tower, parked, and walked over to King Street.   

King Kamehameha proudly stands in front of the Ali'iolani Hale - House of the Heavenly King.  It served as the seat of government for the Kingdom of Hawaii.  Today is home of the Hawaii State Supreme Court ... and the fictional H50 office!

This is the second statue cast in Paris to honor Kamehameha the Great.  The first was lost at sea in transit near the Falkland Islands.   

 

Kamehameha is draped with lei on June 11 - a state holiday in his honor.

Ali'iolani Hale is open to the public.   I was lucky to take this shot in between tourists walking through the atrium!

Across the street is the 'Iolani Palace.   The first cornerstone was laid in 1879 on the sight of a former royal residence made of wood.  Two monarchs lived in the 'Iolani Palace - King Kalākaua and Queen Liliʻuokalani - before the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

The gates are decorated with the king's seal.   

The palace served as administrative offices for the the Republic of Hawaii and the Territory of Hawaii.  Once Hawaii became a state, the government moved into a new building and the 'Iolani Palace and it fell into disrepair.   A preservation group has restored it for public tours.

The upper corner room was Queen Liliʻuokalani's "prison" during her house arrest after the overthrow.  The room (or a set of it) served at Steve McGarrett's office in the first H50 series.

The palace is decorated with Chinese Lanterns for the holiday season.  We walked back to the Aloha Tower for another view of Honolulu's icon.   Today is  open comments.   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, December 29, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 30, at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to Honolulu Hale - Shaka under the Sea

Honolulu Hale (City Hall) turns into a Hall of Trees created by the city departments.  This year's theme was "Shaka under the Sea" - Shaka is the hand sign for "hang loose".    Above is an octopus from Community Services, made from Pork and Beans cans (I think the octopus ate the Spam) ....

... here's Ursula from THE LITTLE MERMAID courtesy of the Prosecutor's Office.  I thought this was very clever!

Emergency Services topped their tree with a octopus wearing a Santa's hat and police badge!

One office adopted the surfing Lorax .... 

... these fish are so happy!

Sid from ICE AGE makes a guest appearance in snorkeling gear.

Another Santa snorkeler ...

  
.... and a Santa with a lei!   What's your favorite holiday decoration in your house, neighborhood, or town?  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, December 29, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 30, on SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

 The Royal Band sponsored this tree with 

Sponge Bob (left) and Scuba Santa (right).

Aloha to Honolulu Hale - Holiday Decorations

Did you know Santa retreats to Honolulu after December 25?    He pulls of his boots (to the right behind him), dips his feet in the water, and enjoys a cocktail from a coconut (to the left in front of Mrs. Claus).

Honolulu Hale (City Hall) is the place for holiday decorations .... 

  

  
.... with Frosty and his family, ready to surf!

Slippahs (flip flops) are the official holiday footwear ...

... and Tutu will give you a lei!   Do you have a holiday display in your town?  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, December 29, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 30.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Mele Kalikimaka - Merry Christmas

Hau' oli Makahiki Hou - Happy New Year

Scenes from Maui

My in-laws hopped over to Maui for a few days .... above is the sugar crop that grows on the land bridge between the two volcanoes.    A rainbow welcomed them to the Valley Isle!

They stayed near Kihei on the southwest side of the island.  

Sunset over the Pacific!

Mother in law ventured out on a whale watching cruise ... she spotted several humpback whales!    Have you been on a whale watching cruise?   I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs.   Comments are open through Saturday, December 22, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 23, on SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

A rainbow waves them goodbye ....

Aloha to the Top of Waikiki

On Sunday night, we dined at the Top of Waikiki -a revolving restaurant overlooking Kalakaua Avenue.  The picture above is from the street looking up.   The pictures below are taken through windows that have not been cleaned in a while!  

The historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel is a pink confection!

The restaurant gave us a glorious view of Diamond Head.

Rooftop Tennis, anyone?

The sun sets between the beachfront hotels.  One randomly selected commenter to this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, December 22, 10 pm in Hawaii.   I'll post the winner on December 23.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Scenes from Korea

I am frantically cleaning my house for the arrival of my inlaws on Thursday and hubby on Saturday!  I am borrowing a few photos from hubby's Facebook page for your entertainment ....

Who knew Korea has such color?!?!  What's your favorite color?  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, December 15, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 16.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Sounds of Aloha - Believe in Santa

The holiday preparation has impeded my travel around the island.  Be patient with me as Hawaii scenes will return next week once we resume sightseeing!   On Sunday, my children served as Elves for the Sounds of Aloha (SOA) holiday production, BELIEVE IN SANTA (link).   They handed out programs ....

.... Andrew served as a "bonker" when Uncle Bill read the wrong word in TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS ...

... and they helped Santa deliver presents to the children!

One of the audience was wearing this shirt ... my husband is a bari (baritone)!

The ladies' quartet ALOHA SPIRIT (link) joined Santa.  These ladies also sing with the Honlulu Blend Show Chorus (link).  Their voices are angelic!   The very happy singer on the right, Stephanie, played a Mom on an episode of H50 last season.

What's your favorite holiday song?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, December 15, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 16, at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Even elves wear slippahs in Hawaii!