filed August 22, 2005:

Just a short note to give a BIG MAHAAAALOOOOO to the Maui Crew who set up such a wonderful event for us. Robbie, her wonderful husband Ed Lum, Michelle, Guy Helm and his wife Miki, George for the tents, and beautiful music and sharing his mana'o of slack key with those who were interested in learning that style of playing music and all the others who pitched in to make our reunion a memorable one. And a special thanks to Roy for MCing and keeping us in line.

Walter in his email this morning said much of how I felt .

I had a marvelous time. I was fortunate to attend "Ulalena" a stage production by Arra in Lahaina Maui Theatres, portraying the history of our Hawaiian Culture, through the ages. A powerful performance by talented people from different backgrounds. A "must -to -see show " if anyone of you have the opportunity to see it. We were also privileged to remain after the performance and meet the cast and get a personal glimpse of the special effects for some of the scenes. The music percussions and special sound effects was spectacular. The singing extraordinary..everything being live, not pre recorded or anything like that..Just left me speechless.

Napili Bay was so awesome. I thought our beaches on the Leeward coast was the best, but Napili Bay win "hands" up!!! (heehee). When I arrived and saw the beach I could not wait to change and get in the water. Crystal clean cool water that just soothed the body. Just fantastic. We also enjoyed the water at night with the splendor of a full moon and the coyotes howling at the moon in the cool night air as they enjoyed their moonlight swim. More on that later...Heehee!!

Food was scrumptuous..seafood night, all you can eat crab legs, shrimp, clams, gumbo, salads, and desserts, Friday bar be que..Saturday our Luau with kalua pork, squid luau, chicken long rice, lomi-lomi salmon, smoke meat prepared three different ways, rice, haupia, poke, opihi, and lots and lots of poi. Lunch time we had left overs from the previous nite. So much food left over.

Most of all I treasured the time I got to spend with everyone. I Love you my classmates, those who were in attendance and those who were not. I think about us as a class and how much we are blessed. We are special every one of us and I think our presence being there in Napili showed the mainlanders what a special group of people we are... these people who are called "HAWAIIANS". It will be something that they will never forget when they go home to their country.

aloha for now..
Me ke Aloha pumehana...
Janice