tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467073188905902782024-02-22T04:45:16.134-10:00From Ayuh to AlohaThe adventures and experiences of a Mainer in Hawai‘i.Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-67491067223028180912018-06-15T08:00:00.000-10:002018-06-15T08:00:01.046-10:00Mahalo nui loa and a hui hou<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been an amazing seven years. Thank you for being part of the adventure with me. My heart is filled with the aloha I've been given. I've been touched and changed by this place.<br />
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In Hawai‘i, it's not goodbye, it's <i>a hui hou</i> (until we are together again).<br />
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So, as I set out on the next adventure, mahalo ... aloha ... a hui hou.Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-71284530649155467532018-06-10T10:23:00.000-10:002018-06-10T19:00:48.249-10:00Kamehameha Day Parade 2018Yesterday was the 102<sup>nd</sup> Kamehameha Day parade, and the 146<sup>th</sup> celebration of the holiday. In our seven years of living here, this was only the second time I was able to go and watch it. With less than a week left living in Honolulu, I wanted to be sure and take in as many things as I can (in between all the packing and preparing!).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I really like the parallel of the lei draping from the ladder truck and those already on the statue. It was impressive watching them bring the ladder right in close to place them carefully and respectfully.</span></td></tr>
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On Friday afternoon, I walked over to watch the lei draping ceremony. They use a ladder truck from the fire department to facilitate placing hundreds of feet of plumeria lei on the statute of Kamehameha I. After the plumeria are draped, different organizations bring other lei and gifts wrapped in ti leaves.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Once they had draped the thousands of <span style="caret-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">plumeria flowers, they began putting in additional lei of different colors. It's really beautiful when complete!</span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2017/06/101st-kamehameha-day-parade.html" target="_blank">I wrote about the parade last year</a> and the basic event is pretty much the same. This year's parade had fewer marching bands (I guess the Kamehameha School band is on a trip to the mainland), but the pa‘u riders, warriors, and floats were all there. I set up across from the palace, near the statue so that I could see the groups as they paid tribute to Kamehameha. <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pa‘u riders on the lawn of ‘Iolani Palace as they prepare for the parade.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I am in awe of the intricacy and beauty of these lei!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I love this! The parade began with a blowing of the pū and chant of the oli <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32vcntOp0i4" target="_blank">E Hō Mai </a>(Grant us knowledge from above/The things of wisdom hidden in the chants/Grant it to us, grant it to us, grant it to us). I really loved this moment between father and son .</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kamehameha is represented by the man in the yellow cape and helmet. He is joined by his warriors with spears in hand.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ckf7s9gYJKQ/Wx2B_vzprNI/AAAAAAAAD34/O74u4qn7OVoM5zRWk9ApY6LOsIaife5XwCLcBGAs/s1600/_I7A3487-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ckf7s9gYJKQ/Wx2B_vzprNI/AAAAAAAAD34/O74u4qn7OVoM5zRWk9ApY6LOsIaife5XwCLcBGAs/s640/_I7A3487-Edit.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">As her car approached the statue, this woman chanted an impressive oli.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ytC9o5GH8lk/Wx2B_3QWALI/AAAAAAAAD4A/GQzcilqFnkAPWYJBlr-J9wqjBbQIkieFQCLcBGAs/s1600/_I7A3608-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ytC9o5GH8lk/Wx2B_3QWALI/AAAAAAAAD4A/GQzcilqFnkAPWYJBlr-J9wqjBbQIkieFQCLcBGAs/s640/_I7A3608-Edit.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Each pa‘u unit represents an island. Here, the red and yellow are for the island of Hawai‘i.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BdBvZRKQRKM/Wx2CAX3zGBI/AAAAAAAAD4E/pD0kFuZ9-ukCEnbasOR9eZDfeuoJ8dPQACLcBGAs/s1600/_I7A3643-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BdBvZRKQRKM/Wx2CAX3zGBI/AAAAAAAAD4E/pD0kFuZ9-ukCEnbasOR9eZDfeuoJ8dPQACLcBGAs/s640/_I7A3643-Edit.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I love the elaborate lei for the horses as well as the riders!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">There were a fair number of beauty pageant winners in the parade as well!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The final pa‘u unit did not represent an island, but was instead in honor of Queen Lili‘uokalani. They wore her favorite colors and flowers and marched near the end of the parade. As the announcer commented, the day is in honor of Hawai‘i's first monarch and this group paid tribute to its last. </span></td></tr>
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I have really come to love these beautiful celebrations of Hawaiian culture and history. Even as someone who is not from here, I deeply feel the pride and honor present in days like this. While I know that there will be lots of new things to learn about in our new home, I'll miss this when we move.</div>
Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-2248756576618817972018-06-08T07:31:00.000-10:002018-07-27T12:08:53.200-10:00Wrapping up an AdventureJust over seven years ago, I wrote my first post on this blog. I shared that Miguel had gotten hired at UH Mānoa and that we were busily getting ready for a new adventure. I wrote about the nervousness of uprooting our lives to move to a strange and faraway place and the sadness of saying goodbye to friends and family.<br />
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Well now, seven years later, we are preparing for a new move to another unfamiliar place. This time, Miguel has been named Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Arizona in Tucson. We'll be moving from the tropics to the desert. I'm a bit freaked out by the thought of living far away from the ocean (and by the idea of living someplace where there are poisonous animals!), but we are excited to explore a new part of the country, learn some new things, and embark on the next adventure. I hate the thought of leaving Hawai‘i. We've repeatedly tried to tell people that our decision has nothing to do with wanting to leave, but rather that the opportunity for Miguel is something we couldn't pass up (it's a big program at UA).<br />
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I started this blog to try and document the experience of moving from a life in New England to a life in the Pacific Islands. I wanted to see what it meant to start from saying yes to a new life (that's the <i>ayuh</i> part of the blog name) and move towards an embrace and understanding of a new culture (the <i>aloha</i>). I've been sporadic posting over the past years, but I think that I have done what I hoped. I've shown the beauty of these islands through my eyes and my camera lens (and I've developed a real passion for photography along the way). I've written about new cultural experiences and learnings. I've hiked and swam and danced hula and ate new food and learned some Hawaiian history. It's been a fascinating, enriching, and exciting experience that has changed me.<br />
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It's interesting to me to go back and reread some of my posts from 2011. The feelings I had then have been mirrored over the past month or so as we've prepared for our next move. This has become home, and it's been tough to say goodbyes and experience last times. I've got through another job search (like last time, this was pretty quick and I'm excited to be joining the faculty of St. Michael's School in Tucson as a third grade teacher!). Because of the experience I've had here, though, I know that Miguel and I have the personalities and attitudes to make it all work. We embrace new experiences. We seek out the things that make a place special. We explore, we observe, we listen. I think we'll be ok.<br />
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At one time, I toyed with the idea of writing about what I was calling a love affair with two cities. When we moved here, I didn't know if Honolulu would ever hold a place in my heart like Boston does. What I've learned instead is that each city has managed to capture a bit of my soul, to spark a bit of my imagination and inspiration. I love Boston's bustling energy and Honolulu's (relatively) relaxed calm. I enjoy a run along the Charles River or a jog down Ala Moana Beach. I'm awed by exploring colonial era sites of the Revolution and by walking the halls of ‘Iolani Palace. I've come to love both places for what makes them unique. I'm excited to do the same in Tucson!<br />
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Miguel and I have one week left living in Honolulu (less than a typical tourist's vacation—that realization makes me feel especially sad). We'll be traveling to Spain with his choir from UH for a final Voices of Aloha Tour. Then, we'll spend some time in New England before arriving in Arizona in August (great timing, right?). It'll be a busy week before we go, but I hope to post one or two final blog entries as I wind down this project. I'll let this blog close when we go, but I hope that you'll still keep up with my southwest adventures by following me on instagram @agouldphoto or by checking out my website at www.aagould.com (I hope to start a new blog there if I can get myself organized enough!).<br />
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One more week, so it's not goodbye yet. <i>Aloha.</i>Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-10498482544838195572018-03-13T20:14:00.000-10:002018-03-13T20:14:01.591-10:00Fireworks and Some Abstract Photography<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fireworks at the Honolulu Festival</span></td></tr>
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My pictures folder currently has a lot of fireworks photos on it. Every Friday night, the <a href="http://www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/" target="_blank">Hilton Hawaiian Village</a> puts on a show at the resort full of music and dancing and culminating with a fireworks display. Every few weeks, I like to go and work on getting good fireworks shots (it's sure nice to have a weekly opportunity to practice it!).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PpJtAQpKd64/Wqix_uz575I/AAAAAAAAD18/sZjM3uoXGrEd3pVsS6Pu_W-eJv6xJEFTQCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A8224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PpJtAQpKd64/Wqix_uz575I/AAAAAAAAD18/sZjM3uoXGrEd3pVsS6Pu_W-eJv6xJEFTQCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A8224.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Waiting for the Friday fireworks, I took this long exposure of two boats crossing in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. I love all the different colors of the light trails!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yBQWj3NIncY/WqixzQyUAzI/AAAAAAAAD18/Fpps_KGkOlswUqqIGinCG9pS6b03_4gygCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A8232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yBQWj3NIncY/WqixzQyUAzI/AAAAAAAAD18/Fpps_KGkOlswUqqIGinCG9pS6b03_4gygCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A8232.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Friday fireworks are a great opportunity to practice taking shots like this!</span></td></tr>
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On Friday afternoon, while pondering whether to go out (it was a busy, tiring day at work!), <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2387687/Photographer-Alan-Sailer-captures-moment-fireworks-come-life--creating-images-look-like-flowers.html" target="_blank">I read an article online about a California photographer who took abstract pictures of fireworks</a>. His technique was to adjust the focus during the shot, creating a blur reminiscent of flowers or other natural items. I was intrigued. Having taken the "regular" shot several times, playing with a new technique sounded fun, so I packed up my stuff and headed to Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park.<br />
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While taking the pictures, I had no idea how anything would turn out. I had no clue where I had turned my focus ring, so I couldn't tell in the moment, and in the dark, whether I had anything in focus or it would all just be one big blurry blob. When I got home and put the card in my computer, I found, yes lots of big blurry blobs, but also a few that I thought were kind of interesting!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s7d--HkLl44/Wqix2buWWBI/AAAAAAAAD1s/ifuZQSPEslM0BoFUtHADLoYuU6f2zhRrACEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A8256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s7d--HkLl44/Wqix2buWWBI/AAAAAAAAD1s/ifuZQSPEslM0BoFUtHADLoYuU6f2zhRrACEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A8256.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I love this one, especially the golds and blues. I think that I must have shifted from out of focus to kind of in focus, since the shapes go from wide to narrow. It creates the impression of fish swimming in towards the blue burst. I toyed with calling this one <i>Moment of Conception</i> but that might be a bit too far! (let me know...) </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DMG_ejHi3gs/Wqix2WUhVrI/AAAAAAAAD18/hPmHUA8-pxIotygjEoOWvDpA3WjcGewEwCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A8243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DMG_ejHi3gs/Wqix2WUhVrI/AAAAAAAAD18/hPmHUA8-pxIotygjEoOWvDpA3WjcGewEwCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A8243.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I really like the colors in this one, and the organic feeling of the burst, I find it a bit mesmerizing. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4odqlzfGUnU/WqixzLWYC4I/AAAAAAAAD18/SltltknSU8McRF2OHcZ7GQn0IuzJuhMWQCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A8241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1144" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4odqlzfGUnU/WqixzLWYC4I/AAAAAAAAD18/SltltknSU8McRF2OHcZ7GQn0IuzJuhMWQCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A8241.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This was perhaps a bit too much out of focus, but I like the gentle softness of the purple. It's like flower petals.</span></td></tr>
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Also this weekend, was the <a href="http://www.honolulufestival.com/en/festival/" target="_blank">Honolulu Festival</a>, an annual event that ends with the state's biggest fireworks display of the year. The theme of the festival is "Pacific Harmony" and their stated vision is "to introduce the diverse culture of the Pacific region to the people of Hawai‘i and visitors from all over the world. It is our hope to cultivate the friendship among people of the Pacific, and play a role in contributing to the world peace."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UxKOFPZa_A4/Wqix5F9nsDI/AAAAAAAAD1w/-WXDav6ep94hkoucAd1wUr05pFAAG_4gACEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A8322-HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UxKOFPZa_A4/Wqix5F9nsDI/AAAAAAAAD1w/-WXDav6ep94hkoucAd1wUr05pFAAG_4gACEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A8322-HDR.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Playing with blur by zooming in through the shot. I love the streaks and that the Rainbow Tower is pretty sharp!</span></td></tr>
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The festival fireworks were Sunday night, so I made my way back to the beach and set up. I wasn't sure where these fireworks were going to go off, so there was a bit of a guessing game involved. When the show actually started, I was pointed the wrong way and had to do some quick adjustments. I don't know that I had the best angle for this show (I saw an incredible picture online taken from one of the hills with the Waikīkī towers in front—next year, maybe!) but I tried for a couple traditional shots and then got to playing around again. This time, instead of adjusting focus, I turned the zoom while the shutter was open. This created a cool set of streaks reaching across the sky.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P3KeSkIvVkU/Wqix5sbfkUI/AAAAAAAAD1w/In8_R3RxzkInyRKffqmSNxExYgRhLT_TgCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A8377-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P3KeSkIvVkU/Wqix5sbfkUI/AAAAAAAAD1w/In8_R3RxzkInyRKffqmSNxExYgRhLT_TgCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A8377-Edit.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When I look at this one, I can't help but think of some kind of <i>Voice of God</i> thing. The red streak in the blue has a strong presence to me and I love the shimmering gold that seems to radiate away from it.<i> </i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8vnwPdB0__U/Wqix_K-YXII/AAAAAAAAD14/1zR5l9i2mygQz-cUh6xfTm9MX86hiocNACEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A8409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8vnwPdB0__U/Wqix_K-YXII/AAAAAAAAD14/1zR5l9i2mygQz-cUh6xfTm9MX86hiocNACEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A8409.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My favorite part of this picture is the upper right hand corner. I really like the way the white streaks seem to contain the gold. It makes me think of looking up at some fancy chandeliers in a trendy hotel or something!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdZDl0F8irc/Wqix85bWfvI/AAAAAAAAD10/2s3fR-zrX9YEtlLqFN-_Ysugi7d9bTU2ACEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A8382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdZDl0F8irc/Wqix85bWfvI/AAAAAAAAD10/2s3fR-zrX9YEtlLqFN-_Ysugi7d9bTU2ACEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A8382.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">These colors were great! I like the barrel shape that it took on.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3pJvvw85eAY/Wqix6OVoRmI/AAAAAAAAD1w/43XxfLNv90M-F53PJBIzRTpc7tNozEWHACEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A8378-Edit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3pJvvw85eAY/Wqix6OVoRmI/AAAAAAAAD1w/43XxfLNv90M-F53PJBIzRTpc7tNozEWHACEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A8378-Edit-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is either the cover of a 1970s rock album or the beginning an alien invasion.</span></td></tr>
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I liked the chance to play around with creating abstract images of the fireworks. I still enjoy the traditional shots, but this gives me a couple more techniques to work with now and then. I liked the results!Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-82405394802094230972018-02-12T16:07:00.000-10:002018-02-12T16:07:26.912-10:00Chinese New Year Lion Dances<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9u_T85ekUXQ/WoJD4S4D1JI/AAAAAAAADzg/05115zOQte4XTun28SIsNIa7xYO--BuBQCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A5861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9u_T85ekUXQ/WoJD4S4D1JI/AAAAAAAADzg/05115zOQte4XTun28SIsNIa7xYO--BuBQCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A5861.jpg" /></a></div>
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This coming Friday marks the Chinese New Year—happy Year of the Dog!—and I went to Chinatown to check out some of the festivities this past weekend. Honolulu's parade and festival was cancelled this year due to lack of funding, but they still held a celebration at the Chinese Cultural Plaza.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1OkEo9S6Pes/WoJD4Ijk41I/AAAAAAAADzY/lfX-VaiPAHEutQGoRFqxLTCKYETSCtpWACEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A5878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1144" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1OkEo9S6Pes/WoJD4Ijk41I/AAAAAAAADzY/lfX-VaiPAHEutQGoRFqxLTCKYETSCtpWACEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A5878.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lion dancers outside a restaurant dance as firecrackers go off (notice the onlookers covering their ears – it was loud!).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r-o0STKTngY/WoJD4UFpkdI/AAAAAAAADzc/dHkZhG9y7MEfCns7WXEOe_mbT1lRO6dfwCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A5884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1144" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r-o0STKTngY/WoJD4UFpkdI/AAAAAAAADzc/dHkZhG9y7MEfCns7WXEOe_mbT1lRO6dfwCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A5884.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I like that the red paper from the firecrackers perfectly frames the lion in this shot! (and I love the kid covering his face in the back!)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lQcGyKBSJiY/WoJD7MH1Q5I/AAAAAAAADzo/mxcBpajTmCcJIUPmtsJIysS6ID_8V-pigCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A5966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lQcGyKBSJiY/WoJD7MH1Q5I/AAAAAAAADzo/mxcBpajTmCcJIUPmtsJIysS6ID_8V-pigCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A5966.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I'm not sure why, but I find myself amused when the dancers remove their lion heads. It must get hot in there!</span></td></tr>
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The crowd of people enjoyed food, music, and martial arts demonstrations. But the most popular attractions (and what I really focused on) were the lion dancers. The lion dance is impossible to miss with the brightly colored costumes and accompanying cacophony of drums, cymbals, firecrackers, and crowd of people. Traditionally, the lions are there to bring good luck. The bright colors and loud noises help to ward away monsters and evil spirits. People can help bring themselves good luck by "feeding" money to the lions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sPOIM1oxfaY/WoJD7FUywiI/AAAAAAAADzs/LMt4XnEb3fYmJ_0mZMKGukXMv-n6kJk2ACEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A6018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sPOIM1oxfaY/WoJD7FUywiI/AAAAAAAADzs/LMt4XnEb3fYmJ_0mZMKGukXMv-n6kJk2ACEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A6018.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This lion reared on its hind legs in order to get the banner that had been hung up high and out of reach.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A4Yq5Q10k44/WoJD7944GlI/AAAAAAAADzw/MqYGUNZXpLsfCGcOSplqcJwkfi4-OQjQwCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A6037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A4Yq5Q10k44/WoJD7944GlI/AAAAAAAADzw/MqYGUNZXpLsfCGcOSplqcJwkfi4-OQjQwCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A6037.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I wouldn't want to be balanced on someone's shoulders up on a platform and then have to reach for something, all while holding on to the costume as well!</span></td></tr>
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Lion dancing can become quite elaborate and acrobatic, with the two-person lion leaping from post to post and standing up to reach high objects. A great deal of the fun is simply watching the lions interact with crowds of people!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MI1bbhGjy00/WoJD98CfiUI/AAAAAAAAD0U/GPQ5AyXA3nASsOsLf1Ula1m07WU-uSKAQCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A6270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MI1bbhGjy00/WoJD98CfiUI/AAAAAAAAD0U/GPQ5AyXA3nASsOsLf1Ula1m07WU-uSKAQCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A6270.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was sometimes tricky to get pictures, given the crowd and how fast the lions moved. I like the blur of motion here to capture the action!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The lions were offered different treats, like bread rolls or drinks (with some money underneath). They swallowed the can of juice, put the empty can back, and then crushed it underfoot.</span></td></tr>
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I hope you have a wonderful and prosperous year of the dog!<br />
<br />Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-83977954014920150402018-01-15T20:04:00.000-10:002018-01-16T20:34:57.459-10:00This is Not a DrillI don't need to recap all of the news, I'm sure you've read or heard plenty about Hawai‘i's false alarm on Saturday morning. The short version: at around 8 am an emergency alert appeared on phones across the state indicating that a ballistic missile was inbound to Hawai‘i and we should seek shelter immediately. It ended with the ominous phrase, "THIS IS NOT A DRILL."<br />
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When I was a kid, and when I taught in New England, whenever there was news of a snow day I felt the need to verify it. I had to hear it announced twice or by different sources before I really believed it. The same thing happened to me on Saturday. When I got the notification on my phone, I turned on the tv. Nothing. I listened for the emergency air raid sirens that the state has recently added to its monthly tests. Nothing. I looked out the window toward the airport and Pearl Harbor to see if there was any unusual military activity. Nothing.<br />
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I hesitated. I was unsure of how to respond. I know precisely what the plan is if I am at school and have my students to look out for. I know that I would have calmly sprung into action to move them to the prescribed destination and wait for further news. In my home on a weekend, though, I had no idea what I ought to do. I pictured that scene in every nuclear attack movie where some guy looks out his window as a missile detonates into a mushroom cloud in the distance. Is that me, I wondered?<br />
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I never felt panicked. I'm glad of that, especially after reading news of other people in complete meltdowns. I never quite believed it. After about 10 or 15 minutes, information started popping up on Facebook that it was in fact a false alarm. We then waited another half hour or so until the emergency system sent a retraction alert out.<br />
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It was really the hours afterwards that got to me. In this case, my thinking it was a mistake turned out to be true. But what if it hadn't been? What if it had been real? Since Saturday, I've been pondering a sense of guilt over my inaction and lack of a plan. I honestly felt more shaken up after the fact than I had been in the moment.<br />
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After talking with a few people, I now know where the safest part of our building is (the stairwell is cement and windowless). It probably wouldn't be a bad to idea to create a small store of bottled water and some food, although I have no idea where there is space in my apartment for emergency rations like that! I trust that this is a mistake that is highly unlikely to be repeated, so I am less likely to hesitate next time (dear God, please don't let there be a next time!).<br />
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For the rest of the weekend, I took time to soak in the beauty around me. One friend on Facebook commented that the threat helped us to appreciate being here just that much more. I sat by the pool, went to watch the sun set, went on a hike and took pictures of small, pretty things.<br />
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I think that those minutes of uncertainty will resonate with people for a long time. For me, I hope that they help me to be a bit more appreciative, a bit more supportive, a bit more patient. I hope that those minutes will help prod me out of the house when I'm feeling lazy and will help me take advantage of the opportunities around me, help me to celebrate living life.<br />
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I guess that those last words of the emergency alert were true after all, just not about the missiles. We are here now. We have lives to live. This is not a drill.<br />
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Life is not a drill.<br />
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Here are a few pictures I've taken since Saturday. Just taking time to appreciate small, simple beauties around me:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_G034DXBpGo/Wl2S16cRX3I/AAAAAAAADyg/lb3CLA4ToUEt8zwZjHuVfKgdLClObSkxgCLcBGAs/s1600/_I7A4545-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_G034DXBpGo/Wl2S16cRX3I/AAAAAAAADyg/lb3CLA4ToUEt8zwZjHuVfKgdLClObSkxgCLcBGAs/s640/_I7A4545-Edit.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking across Hawai‘i Kai from Koko Head.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I posted on Instagram with a comment that I was appreciating a beautiful sunset with lovely, non-mushroom-shaped clouds.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A unique tree root along the ridge above Hanauma Bay</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Some boys filming themselves doing backflips. I liked the silhouettes!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMRhNzlYkwdB2ZqiC5bgOeEeLZsyVutuJh6eILHt7GbXAv12_8K1yMeJ5xVOMo6aW84Y1lHwbLQKyirnTkEJebg1OE4UI34PhIQKWadjLim9Vrk_dUl2MlTT6HjH1EhHW9RxAH9AKICE/s1600/_I7A4638-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMRhNzlYkwdB2ZqiC5bgOeEeLZsyVutuJh6eILHt7GbXAv12_8K1yMeJ5xVOMo6aW84Y1lHwbLQKyirnTkEJebg1OE4UI34PhIQKWadjLim9Vrk_dUl2MlTT6HjH1EhHW9RxAH9AKICE/s640/_I7A4638-Edit.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I've been getting the song, "The Long and Winding Road" stuck in my head when I look at this shot of Koko Crater.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a2N2fmbYCrQ/Wl2S4MDzH3I/AAAAAAAADys/JutjjZmv9Yk0R4KICjI2wDHuRpmb12IywCLcBGAs/s1600/_I7A4670-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a2N2fmbYCrQ/Wl2S4MDzH3I/AAAAAAAADys/JutjjZmv9Yk0R4KICjI2wDHuRpmb12IywCLcBGAs/s640/_I7A4670-Edit.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I liked these flowers (anyone know what they are?) when I went hiking Mānoa Cliffs Trail</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jizr9uOH0Oo/Wl2S5aDN0uI/AAAAAAAADyw/JFhWzOUebJUWtT-gAchTz7bmASOXJVIvACLcBGAs/s1600/_I7A4702-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jizr9uOH0Oo/Wl2S5aDN0uI/AAAAAAAADyw/JFhWzOUebJUWtT-gAchTz7bmASOXJVIvACLcBGAs/s640/_I7A4702-Edit.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I liked the way the spider web caught the light. And I like the bokeh (background blur and highlights) that I got here!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OwdbAa_ForY/Wl2S5wHzYHI/AAAAAAAADy0/-NxqxJ7n_98oQC9J-TjFQ2v5P4CohT61gCLcBGAs/s1600/_I7A4736-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OwdbAa_ForY/Wl2S5wHzYHI/AAAAAAAADy0/-NxqxJ7n_98oQC9J-TjFQ2v5P4CohT61gCLcBGAs/s640/_I7A4736-Edit.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I like to play with panning, moving the camera as I take a picture to see what the effect is. Here, I did a vertical pan to capture the lines of the bamboo.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2GETCeo1Lw/Wl2S6fh9StI/AAAAAAAADy4/HbBz-19sFBQzjpi2UlfUJRX8Lnjqh5TPACLcBGAs/s1600/_I7A4783-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2GETCeo1Lw/Wl2S6fh9StI/AAAAAAAADy4/HbBz-19sFBQzjpi2UlfUJRX8Lnjqh5TPACLcBGAs/s640/_I7A4783-Edit.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">For this bamboo shot, I played with rotating the camera and changing the zoom as I shot. I feel like it makes the individual bamboo shoots look like they were spinning.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-36860176523266522292017-12-30T11:09:00.000-10:002017-12-30T11:35:07.826-10:00My Year in Pictures<div>
To wrap up 2017, I thought I'd look through some of my favorite photos I'd taken this year and select a few to share as my favorites. I figured I'd put together a collection of 10–12 pictures that I enjoyed or that had stuck with me as the year went on. It turned out to be a more challenging task than I expected!</div>
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I started sifting through folders on my computer and compiling a set of pictures I liked. After making it through the year, I had a folder of almost 50 potential images—<i>way</i> more than I'd planned! Next came the task of sifting through these images. A few I was able to move immediately into my final <i>yes</i> list and a few I could take out of the running without too much trouble. When I got to about 20 pictures left, though, it became tough. I liked the colors of one image, but another held some emotional weight from a special memory. I went back and forth until I finally had 12 pictures set aside (plus one that I didn't take, but that I had to include as a favorite from the year!). </div>
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If I were to try sorting again, I am sure I'd come up with a different set of images. Just narrowing it down was a challenge, so I'm not going to try ranking these, either! So, in no particular order here are a few of my favorite pictures from 2017. Enjoy!</div>
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<b>Friday Fireworks, September 1, 2017</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PicQjFqafX0/WkbFfiMBPvI/AAAAAAAADxc/rh00Jsd2q8Mn79-41F7J6g3DwXD0phkygCEwYBhgL/s1600/20170901-Fireworks-AyuhAloha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PicQjFqafX0/WkbFfiMBPvI/AAAAAAAADxc/rh00Jsd2q8Mn79-41F7J6g3DwXD0phkygCEwYBhgL/s640/20170901-Fireworks-AyuhAloha.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Every Friday, the Hilton Hawaiian Village puts on a fireworks show. This year, I decided to practice taking pictures of the display. Having a weekly opportunity to try out techniques is sure helpful! Usually, I took pictures from Ala Moana Beach Park, where it's a bit less crowded. For this shot, though, I brought my wide-angle lens and got close to the action, setting up just across the lagoon from the fireworks.</span></td></tr>
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<b>Follow the Sun, September 2, 2017</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pvBJIs0r6Ps/WkbFhUNf_iI/AAAAAAAADxc/9VEjKMDH4-4aSnNANC9T9cQHNVAtNaz-ACEwYBhgL/s1600/20170902-FollowtheSun-AyuhAloha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pvBJIs0r6Ps/WkbFhUNf_iI/AAAAAAAADxc/9VEjKMDH4-4aSnNANC9T9cQHNVAtNaz-ACEwYBhgL/s640/20170902-FollowtheSun-AyuhAloha.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is one of my absolute favorite shots of the year. I went to Spitting Cave on the southeast end of the island for sunset. I was working on getting a picture with crashing waves in the foreground and the sunset in the background when this couple walked through. At first I was frustrated by them, but soon realized that they made the picture more special. I call this picture, "Follow the Sun" (and I get the Beatles song stuck in my head repeatedly).</span></td></tr>
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<b>Sunset at Barbers Point, September 17, 2017</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41UJ4dB6PWw/WkbFgprAM8I/AAAAAAAADxc/Pv9RtEtDk_Ut_qDwNOQD4DAxPo3UHkujwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20170917-BarbersPoint-AyuhAloha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41UJ4dB6PWw/WkbFgprAM8I/AAAAAAAADxc/Pv9RtEtDk_Ut_qDwNOQD4DAxPo3UHkujwCEwYBhgL/s640/20170917-BarbersPoint-AyuhAloha.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is our seventh year living on O‘ahu and it starts to feel like I've seen what there is to be seen (which is also why I sometimes struggle to come up with blog posts!). I was surprised this summer, then, when I realized that there is a <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2017/09/sunset-at-barbers-point-lighthouse.html" target="_blank">lighthouse on Barbers Point </a>that I had never gone to. I drove out one evening for sunset. This eight-minute exposure was the last photo I took of the evening. I loved the colors that came out!</span></td></tr>
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<b>Bailey, October 14, 2017</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lUtkzmA75s0/WkbFitE8YVI/AAAAAAAADxc/i_dpSYsZtH0u_OSo5LHwXHFQCv2qHfsswCEwYBhgL/s1600/20171014-Bailey-AyuhAloha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lUtkzmA75s0/WkbFitE8YVI/AAAAAAAADxc/i_dpSYsZtH0u_OSo5LHwXHFQCv2qHfsswCEwYBhgL/s640/20171014-Bailey-AyuhAloha.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I made a special trip back to <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2017/10/fall-in-new-england.html" target="_blank">New England in October</a>. Miguel is spending the year on sabbatical in Boston, so I flew back to see him and to get up to Maine to see family and friends. On my last day there, Bailey and I were walking in the woods. I wanted to take pictures of autumn foliage colors, but ended up liking this shot of her as a black and white. </span></td></tr>
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<b>Paying Tribute, April 30, 2017</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzRuoPgJibQNqEb8v68bi7aJCnSavyCNFjrZMDLvRzgwTP6uCHX8jbI-XKV8Ak6AG9yPhnZEhrOQpwxhnuSqURN7RaTuwOdn5oDawBL3-evOAawCEquUcXjypABxMlJQ7ghCyfN_cMpM/s1600/20170430-Liliuokalani-AyuhAloha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1069" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzRuoPgJibQNqEb8v68bi7aJCnSavyCNFjrZMDLvRzgwTP6uCHX8jbI-XKV8Ak6AG9yPhnZEhrOQpwxhnuSqURN7RaTuwOdn5oDawBL3-evOAawCEquUcXjypABxMlJQ7ghCyfN_cMpM/s640/20170430-Liliuokalani-AyuhAloha.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">2017 was the centennial year of the death of Queen Lili‘uokalani and there were a lot of ceremonies in her honor. I took this shot of a family visiting her statue last April. I love the colors of their umbrellas and the flowers in </span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">the queen's hands. </span></td></tr>
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<b>Tedi and Bailey, October 8, 2017</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SelgAQBaBrw/WkbraUIIDOI/AAAAAAAADxw/k8laPCCseNQhEQbeI-2YK5iks1gJm7hlgCLcBGAs/s1600/20171008-TediBailey-AyuhAloha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SelgAQBaBrw/WkbraUIIDOI/AAAAAAAADxw/k8laPCCseNQhEQbeI-2YK5iks1gJm7hlgCLcBGAs/s640/20171008-TediBailey-AyuhAloha.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">It's hard enough to be far away from family and friends, but being away from the kids in our family is tough, since they grow up so quickly! It was fun to get to visit with Tedi and Bailey during my trip to Maine.</span></td></tr>
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<b>Hālona Camping, July 13, 2017</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QSpsdR8FxqE/WkbFdQkCmxI/AAAAAAAADxc/ZtnEg67UeGIY_fa-j2pRiRMGK9F3dKregCEwYBhgL/s1600/20170713-HolonaSunrise-AyuhAloha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QSpsdR8FxqE/WkbFdQkCmxI/AAAAAAAADxc/ZtnEg67UeGIY_fa-j2pRiRMGK9F3dKregCEwYBhgL/s640/20170713-HolonaSunrise-AyuhAloha.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">On a couple occasions this year, I coaxed myself out of bed to try and get sunrise pictures. <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2017/07/halona-beach-sunrise.html" target="_blank">In mid-July, I drove to Hālona Beach Cove.</a> I loved the peace and quiet and thought that these campers in the tent had a great idea for a lovely, relaxing place to spend a night. </span></td></tr>
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<b>Contemplating the Leap, July 18, 2017</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xBVfCiy2xuU/WkbFe_B2-DI/AAAAAAAADxc/1yYU_YK6ZOMdGhOCQP2zIMnyHwhM-UU-ACEwYBhgL/s1600/20170718-ContemplatingtheLeap-AyuhAloha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xBVfCiy2xuU/WkbFe_B2-DI/AAAAAAAADxc/1yYU_YK6ZOMdGhOCQP2zIMnyHwhM-UU-ACEwYBhgL/s640/20170718-ContemplatingtheLeap-AyuhAloha.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of my favorite spots to go and take sunset pictures is at China Walls by Hanauma Bay. Watching these guys jump into the crashing waves was a lot of fun. The late afternoon light gave a beautiful golden glow to the pictures, but I liked this more as a black and white.</span></td></tr>
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<b>Hālona Beach, March 22, 2017</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71po0CMufmM/WkbFaHElpeI/AAAAAAAADxc/0Ibw-wwKp4ssA6m5lV9j2i0piS7XIPYWQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20170322-HalonaBeach-AyuhAloha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71po0CMufmM/WkbFaHElpeI/AAAAAAAADxc/0Ibw-wwKp4ssA6m5lV9j2i0piS7XIPYWQCEwYBhgL/s640/20170322-HalonaBeach-AyuhAloha.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">One afternoon in March, <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2017/03/late-afternoon-on-beach.html" target="_blank">I went to Hālona Beach</a> (I know, I go to the same places a lot!) and took some pictures of the water. I played around with getting longer exposures so the water would smooth out. I ended up really happy with the pictures I took. I'm sure I'll go back there to take more pictures! </span></td></tr>
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<b>Homecoming, June 17, 2017</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ATikokc0LE/WkbFaP0dmTI/AAAAAAAADxc/A8ln_5SBRlEB6Ivs_H4f1h4UHH_F5_Y5QCEwYBhgL/s1600/20170617-Hokuleia-AyuhAloha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ATikokc0LE/WkbFaP0dmTI/AAAAAAAADxc/A8ln_5SBRlEB6Ivs_H4f1h4UHH_F5_Y5QCEwYBhgL/s640/20170617-Hokuleia-AyuhAloha.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I was <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2017/06/hokulea-homecoming.html" target="_blank">particularly proud of my blog post</a> on the homecoming of Hōkūle‘a at the end of her three-year circumnavigation of the globe, using traditional Polynesian voyaging techniques. I loved this shot of the double-hulled canoe coming in to dock at Ala Moana, surrounded by an escort of canoes and jet skis with Diamond Head in the background.</span></td></tr>
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<b>Moonlit Canoe Races, July 7, 2017</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LeCzoSo7g20/WkbFcnGytbI/AAAAAAAADxc/J-O2J3XKBikhMgmBwZgPjr_KIkVGLGWHwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20170707-MoonOverWaikiki-AyuhAloha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LeCzoSo7g20/WkbFcnGytbI/AAAAAAAADxc/J-O2J3XKBikhMgmBwZgPjr_KIkVGLGWHwCEwYBhgL/s640/20170707-MoonOverWaikiki-AyuhAloha.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park is another of my frequent shooting spots. It's a great place to go for sunsets, to see the fireworks, to watch sailboats and canoes, and just for people watching. I love this view of Waikīkī and Diamond Head. On the night I took this shot, there was a gorgeous sunset behind me and a full moon overhead. I love the blur of the outrigger canoes as they paddle back into shore.</span></td></tr>
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<b>Koko Crater Plumeria, July 9, 2017</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkKtKTb2kaDkeH2pLP-Ta-wZxCMyf0fCrd9hEcxMUovP43DC5cI138hW8KpkGplNfUOey1jiBDsNqSMRa0inyxzrSWONqNGKPGktnh0ht_XycgVTOhvOukM0RlPcnhx7Sxw1lJ76py-4/s1600/20170709-KokoCraterPlumeria-AyuhAloha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkKtKTb2kaDkeH2pLP-Ta-wZxCMyf0fCrd9hEcxMUovP43DC5cI138hW8KpkGplNfUOey1jiBDsNqSMRa0inyxzrSWONqNGKPGktnh0ht_XycgVTOhvOukM0RlPcnhx7Sxw1lJ76py-4/s640/20170709-KokoCraterPlumeria-AyuhAloha.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Koko Crater Botanical Garden is a lovely place to spend quiet time (see my past posts <a href="https://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2014/02/hidden-gems-koko-crater-botanical-garden.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-few-pictures-from-koko-crater.html" target="_blank">here</a>). It's a dryland botanical garden with cacti, bougainvillea, plumeria, palms, and more. I love the dense grove of plumeria at the entrance to the garden and, on the day that I visited in July, they were in full bloom. I have a definite weakness for taking pretty flower photos and I was really happy with how this shot came out. </span><br />
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<b>Family Portrait, October 8, 2017</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ-2JEF8dTw/WkbFiBJvXCI/AAAAAAAADxg/5mTkZ-qNYbgBmbTTnLJL70LrYdJCMOfswCEwYBhgL/s1600/20171008-FamilyPicture-AyuhAloha.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ-2JEF8dTw/WkbFiBJvXCI/AAAAAAAADxg/5mTkZ-qNYbgBmbTTnLJL70LrYdJCMOfswCEwYBhgL/s640/20171008-FamilyPicture-AyuhAloha.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This wasn't one of my photos, but of course I had to include it as a favorite of the year! When I went back to New England in October, Miguel and went to Maine to celebrate my dad's 70th birthday. It was really special to have both of my brothers and I home at the same time. We missed the rest of Ryan's family who were in Florida, but it was great to get this many of us together for even a short time. A big thank you to my Aunt Wilma for taking this picture of us all!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IWQ7Hk-_rAc/Wkbrq2hE5FI/AAAAAAAADx0/icPN5CmXYlgu1HkEHNNRjK_DnW712nC6wCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-12-29%2Bat%2B3.25.32%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IWQ7Hk-_rAc/Wkbrq2hE5FI/AAAAAAAADx0/icPN5CmXYlgu1HkEHNNRjK_DnW712nC6wCLcBGAs/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-12-29%2Bat%2B3.25.32%2BPM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I had a hard time narrowing down my favorite photos of the year. Like I said, my first pass had over 40 pictures! Here are pics I love that I couldn't include (but I didn't want to leave them out, so...)</span></td></tr>
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Thank you for being part of my 2017. Here's to all the best in the new year! <i>Hau‘oli makahiki hou!</i></div>
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P.S. Most of these pictures are <a href="https://www.instagram.com/agouldphoto/" target="_blank">on my instagram feed</a>. If you don't already, please come follow me there <a href="https://www.instagram.com/agouldphoto/" target="_blank">@agouldphoto</a>. I'll try to keep pointing my camera at interesting things!</div>
Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-79953209492711242322017-11-26T14:26:00.001-10:002017-11-26T14:39:00.085-10:00My 2017 Holiday WreathThe first year that we moved into our apartment, I made a Christmas wreath by folding hundreds of origami flowers out of wrapping paper. Since then, it's become a new tradition to make a different wreath each year. I try to be creative about what materials I use: we've done rolled cones of old holiday music, flowers made from coffee filters, and spray-painted cuts of paper towel tubes. It's been a fun project and adds something new to our holiday decor each year.<br />
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This year, I decided to try making my wreath from magazine pages. Here are a few pictures of the process as it unfolded:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fka7dE77oBc/WhtZGBvzGzI/AAAAAAAADug/7zlFbEt05wsyoLE_WtRDZGpuGcukwXFPQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fka7dE77oBc/WhtZGBvzGzI/AAAAAAAADug/7zlFbEt05wsyoLE_WtRDZGpuGcukwXFPQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0468.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I started by sifting through our old magazines and ripping out any green paper I could find. Then, I cut them into "leaves" of varying shapes and sizes. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUCeZ6W2HTA/WhtZF7APrhI/AAAAAAAADuc/i6HLgfAPN6IoNCBYw3zT5cYaIpb4GwyhQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUCeZ6W2HTA/WhtZF7APrhI/AAAAAAAADuc/i6HLgfAPN6IoNCBYw3zT5cYaIpb4GwyhQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0474.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I tried a couple of variations, but ultimately decided that I liked the effect of bunching the leaves into groups of three and then attaching them to the wreath form.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bb5P7ssfqg8/WhtZGCtzZfI/AAAAAAAADuk/u1xeWc20kgUFrRoAITtDAxiSuY51ER58gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bb5P7ssfqg8/WhtZGCtzZfI/AAAAAAAADuk/u1xeWc20kgUFrRoAITtDAxiSuY51ER58gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0475.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I worked around the wreath, stapling the leaves on and slowly filling things in. The last few leaves needed to be hot glued into place, since I couldn't get in with the stapler.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3r04eun_nrE/WhtZHZLmwcI/AAAAAAAADuo/l9Iz44O20QcL-J3R5viXa2v4mHuyh1h-QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3r04eun_nrE/WhtZHZLmwcI/AAAAAAAADuo/l9Iz44O20QcL-J3R5viXa2v4mHuyh1h-QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0478.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Once all the green leaves were in place, I stopped to appraise the work.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xeSuH85aWI0/WhtZIhf0NHI/AAAAAAAADus/JzeWfP_9kNchEoxCt_AWWX55r0BdBkxNwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xeSuH85aWI0/WhtZIhf0NHI/AAAAAAAADus/JzeWfP_9kNchEoxCt_AWWX55r0BdBkxNwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0488.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">On a bit of a whim, I decided to cut out and add a few bright red bits into the wreath. I really like the way they pop against the greens.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GPPVEIA17LI/WhtZIhDVfUI/AAAAAAAADuw/S0E-ZkiBwaUdaMthFSGrZ8xTW0RMdBb1ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GPPVEIA17LI/WhtZIhDVfUI/AAAAAAAADuw/S0E-ZkiBwaUdaMthFSGrZ8xTW0RMdBb1ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0492.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">It's a bit tucked away in the hallway (after five years, we are starting to run out of wreath space!), but I like this year's addition to our collection! (and you can see last year's paper towel tube wreaths above the speaker on the wall)</span></td></tr>
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Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-70880858483466296672017-10-22T14:49:00.001-10:002017-10-22T14:49:55.553-10:00Fall in New England<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A family photo for my dad's birthday. It was great to get so many of us together again after many years! Big thanks to my Aunt Wilma for getting this shot of us!</span></td></tr>
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When Miguel and I first moved to Hawai‘i, we talked about how we'd miss the changing seasons. We both expected that we'd miss spring the most, since it's such a wonderful time of year. We found ourselves surprised, though, when we realized that we missed fall even more. The joy of spring, we found, was in contrast to the cold of winter. No winter, no need for spring. Fall, however, brings a shift out of summer heat into cool, crips days and nights. I found that this was a seasonal shift I did miss.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Boston and the Charles River from the BU Bridge. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I played around with getting a longer exposure of the Boston Public Garden. It makes it look a bit like a painting, I think!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Miguel met me at the airport and we spent a bit of time walking through East Boston, our old neighborhood. I still love this view of the city from across Boston Harbor.</span></td></tr>
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It's been seven years since I've been in New England in the fall. For my October break this year, I headed back. Miguel is spending his sabbatical from UH conducting at Boston University and we've been living apart since the start of the semester, so I was excited to see him and the city we once called home. My dad's 70th birthday also coincided with my fall break, so it was a perfect opportunity to get home and see my family. It was the first time in over three years that my two brothers and I all in the same place at the same time. It was great to see my family and my friends.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Seeing family and friends was definitely the highlight of this trip. I got to spend time with these two crazy nieces of mine, too.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">On my last day in Maine, Bailey and I went for a walk from her school to my parents' house. We stopped at this bridge in the woods to take pictures.</span></td></tr>
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I had built up some excitement for myself about seeing fall foliage and getting autumnal pictures. I was a bit disappointed that the leaves were not in peak color during my stay, but I still thought they were beautiful. I love the show of color that happens in New England each year, a blaze of red, orange, and yellow. It's quite a flamboyant display for such a typically staid and subdued region! Even in not-quite-peak color, I enjoyed seeing the changing leaves. As I said, it's something I haven't seen for many years!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I liked watching this painter in the Public Garden.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Walking through Boston, I found people setting up a massive display at City Hall.It was for an event called HubWeek that, I guess, is a couple years old and brings big thinkers together. Artists had painted shipping containers and I really like this one, especially contrasted with the red jacket of the woman taking pictures.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Zakim Bridge is a spectacular sight, even on a cloudy afternoon.</span></td></tr>
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As with any trip, it felt too short and I wasn't able to see everyone or everything that I wanted. I left happy, though, glad to have seen wonderful old friends, to have celebrated my father's birthday together with family, and to have spent time with Miguel during his sabbatical. One week of New England fall really isn't enough, but it was a nice dose of something I've missed.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My friend Jodi and I went running at Mackworth Island outside Portland. After our run, I grabbed my camera to go walk around and take a few shots. </span></td></tr>
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Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-10030855105412904412017-09-19T20:37:00.000-10:002017-09-19T20:37:06.551-10:00Sunset at Barbers Point Lighthouse<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_2Uk_sTggDi3KKWPrTAz62eWLFIhgY6CD8fK4A75kEXeUfTvBiE_divyLRy7MNqk1yvAB8eNc76Pv_g6bHAS44C15ebFlyAKg7j4BSKsN4hDiWqksSRLsHFq1iATb08vxg2OLTt0Pmc/s1600/_I7A1577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_2Uk_sTggDi3KKWPrTAz62eWLFIhgY6CD8fK4A75kEXeUfTvBiE_divyLRy7MNqk1yvAB8eNc76Pv_g6bHAS44C15ebFlyAKg7j4BSKsN4hDiWqksSRLsHFq1iATb08vxg2OLTt0Pmc/s640/_I7A1577.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This was the last photo I took of the evening. I made an eight-minute exposure and really like the smoothness of the water and clouds. I always get excited by long exposures!</span></td></tr>
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It's a rare thing these days to find part of Oahu that I haven't checked out already. In fact, I'm frequently told by people that grew up here that I've done more things around the island than they have! So I was recently surprised to learn that there is a lighthouse out on the west side at Barbers Point. I decided to drive out on Sunday evening to check it out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There weren't many other folks out there, just a few fishermen and a couple other folks with cameras. </span></td></tr>
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I liked the opening line from <a href="http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=142" target="_blank">one online description</a> of the lighthouse: "Having a landmark or prominence named after you is typically considered an honor, however, in the case of Barbers Point, it is doubtful that such was the case." The article goes on to tell of a ship captained by Henry Barber went aground there in 1976. The point has been associated with him since.<br />
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Probably one reason that it took me six years to find out about this lighthouse is that it isn't as picturesque or as conveniently located as the lighthouses at Makapu‘u and Diamond Head. The small beach is in a heavily industrial area, surrounded by power plants, factories, and the like. (<a href="https://www.to-hawaii.com/oahu/beaches/barberspointbeachpark.php" target="_blank">As this site puts it</a>, "It's not the most scenic area on the island.")<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It's a pretty industrial area</span></td></tr>
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I managed to get a few sunset shots and then played around with long exposures of some concrete tubes in the water. From looking online, I gather that they were probably put there to help wth erosion control. They made interesting shapes to photograph.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I couldn't decide between this shot and the black and white below, so why not include both?</span></td></tr>
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It was fun to go check out someplace on the island I've never been. I wonder what else is out there! I'll have to keep exploring...<br />
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<br />Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-52739081962866262232017-08-14T19:31:00.000-10:002017-08-14T19:36:31.437-10:00Wai‘anae Sunset and Stargazing<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GIlbAEPsVDc/WZJ-Z5EFnAI/AAAAAAAADrE/_DTFTdDBrYUVl2eBbY_C2MxrmZcCxMplwCLcBGAs/s1600/AyuhAloha-WaianaeStars7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GIlbAEPsVDc/WZJ-Z5EFnAI/AAAAAAAADrE/_DTFTdDBrYUVl2eBbY_C2MxrmZcCxMplwCLcBGAs/s640/AyuhAloha-WaianaeStars7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I was really happy to put this picture together from three different shots. I loved that I could get sense of the Milky Way shining above the west side.</span></td></tr>
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On Saturday night, Miguel and I joined our friends Andy and Jessica for an evening out on the west side. We drove out to the end of Farrington Highway, stopping in Wai‘anae for dinner at a great little Puerto Rican restaurant (if you're out that way, <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/coquitos-latin-cuisine-restaurant-waianae" target="_blank">Coquito's</a> is worth the stop!). We arrived and parked shortly before sunset, with enough time to walk around and for Andy and me to try and catch some photos while Miguel and Jesica waited and chatted patiently.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NVFE8xJ8bWo/WZJ-VjKlqQI/AAAAAAAADrM/U4CSiUpsqs4JmeHiNOi7qwIhKbXA-aErQCEwYBhgL/s1600/AyuhAloha-WaianaeStars1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NVFE8xJ8bWo/WZJ-VjKlqQI/AAAAAAAADrM/U4CSiUpsqs4JmeHiNOi7qwIhKbXA-aErQCEwYBhgL/s640/AyuhAloha-WaianaeStars1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Right before sunset, the mountains start to glow.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7X1iut18dUk/WZJ-ghC9gHI/AAAAAAAADrM/2K3QCCxl7HgDh0etm-L3wZNW33g_nF6mACEwYBhgL/s1600/AyuhAloha-WaianaeStars2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7X1iut18dUk/WZJ-ghC9gHI/AAAAAAAADrM/2K3QCCxl7HgDh0etm-L3wZNW33g_nF6mACEwYBhgL/s640/AyuhAloha-WaianaeStars2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Catching some rays at the end of the day</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7D_jbjQSseU/WZJ-VNHTB5I/AAAAAAAADrM/Bno99vSmSGgolLstSZVV9avAVjrjM-CqQCEwYBhgL/s1600/AyuhAloha-WaianaeStars3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7D_jbjQSseU/WZJ-VNHTB5I/AAAAAAAADrM/Bno99vSmSGgolLstSZVV9avAVjrjM-CqQCEwYBhgL/s640/AyuhAloha-WaianaeStars3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eWu4y-S-tjg/WZJ-XN6snCI/AAAAAAAADrM/rbeqNP2Cj1sScyVJYamAxYT0Zj-lEzxGACEwYBhgL/s1600/AyuhAloha-WaianaeStars4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eWu4y-S-tjg/WZJ-XN6snCI/AAAAAAAADrM/rbeqNP2Cj1sScyVJYamAxYT0Zj-lEzxGACEwYBhgL/s640/AyuhAloha-WaianaeStars4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I love the pink and orange in the clouds and on the horizon as the sun dropped away behind me.</span></td></tr>
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We watched the sun go down and then hung out for a bit as the skies darkened enough for stars to become visible. Our goal was to see some of the Perseid meteor shower and the Milky Way. The shooting stars were pretty few and far between (I didn't see any–always looking the wrong way, I guess). Trying to catch a glimpse of one, I remembered August nights in Maine seeing dozens of them. One year, when I used to work as a camp counselor, I remember paddling a canoe out a lake in the middle of the night and just watching stars streak across the sky. Being further south now, I guess we don't get quite as dramatic a show here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RneSg7mDLfY/WZJ-X3w9SrI/AAAAAAAADrM/V30S23nOwCE4_iYbqDNoWTws2Es32Hh4gCEwYBhgL/s1600/AyuhAloha-WaianaeStars5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RneSg7mDLfY/WZJ-X3w9SrI/AAAAAAAADrM/V30S23nOwCE4_iYbqDNoWTws2Es32Hh4gCEwYBhgL/s640/AyuhAloha-WaianaeStars5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">There were lots and lots of stars to appreciate. None of them shooting when I looked, though!</span></td></tr>
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The Milky Way was great to see, though. Living in town (as Honolulu is referred to by everyone else on O‘ahu), there is so much light pollution that we don't really get great night sky views. Out on the west side, though, the sky was clear and the stars were plentiful! The only light pollution that we had to deal with was the headlights of cars driving in and out and the headlamps of fishermen doing some night fishing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gjZSDoD2ooY/WZJ-Yg85Z4I/AAAAAAAADrM/JhbYCEp5hvAAVDD3lPlMzR9DXIfIiTZUgCEwYBhgL/s1600/AyuhAloha-WaianaeStars6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gjZSDoD2ooY/WZJ-Yg85Z4I/AAAAAAAADrM/JhbYCEp5hvAAVDD3lPlMzR9DXIfIiTZUgCEwYBhgL/s640/AyuhAloha-WaianaeStars6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I liked the way the lights behind the mountain gave it a strong silhouette and lit up the clouds. Along the beach, cars, campers, and even fire dancers kept a steady stream of lights coming and going.</span></td></tr>
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I've never really done a lot of nighttime photography and I was excited to try getting some star shots. The lens that I was using wasn't a very wide angle lens, so I had a challenge capturing the stretch of the Milky Way. Fortunately, I was able to put together a panoramic view from several different shots to make the image at the beginning of this post. I was pretty happy with it. I am already looking forward to getting back out and trying for more!Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-85554730673799079102017-07-14T12:57:00.001-10:002017-07-14T12:57:55.706-10:00Hālona Beach Sunrise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aLjWyYh3FdA/WWlKaqoYlfI/AAAAAAAADp0/UbwUSSvnowIW5a7Ej86o9SouiKE_eamigCLcBGAs/s1600/AyuhAloha-HalonaBeach1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aLjWyYh3FdA/WWlKaqoYlfI/AAAAAAAADp0/UbwUSSvnowIW5a7Ej86o9SouiKE_eamigCLcBGAs/s640/AyuhAloha-HalonaBeach1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This ended up being one of my favorite shots, from the end of my morning. As I walked back to the parking lot, I looked back at the beach. I love the lone tent sitting on the beach!</span></div>
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Miguel's traveling for work and I'm on summer vacation (winding down much too quickly!). So, what do I do with my free time? Go find things to take pictures of, of course! Yesterday, I got up ridiculously early and drove over to Hālona Beach Cove to take pictures of the sunrise. I had looked online and saw that there would be a direct line of sight from the beach to the rising sun, so I decided that the early morning could be an adventure. Besides, it's summer, so I could go home and sleep the rest of the day if I wanted to!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jty5eiDj4NY/WWlKwRRDu7I/AAAAAAAADp4/RoQpSlmh1to-ntBQxiE23P8bjg6FAMcXQCLcBGAs/s1600/AyuhAloha-HalonaBeach4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jty5eiDj4NY/WWlKwRRDu7I/AAAAAAAADp4/RoQpSlmh1to-ntBQxiE23P8bjg6FAMcXQCLcBGAs/s640/AyuhAloha-HalonaBeach4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The low clouds kept the sunrise from being really dramatic, but it was still pretty cool once the sun's rays started to peek through.</span></td></tr>
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Hālona Beach is one of my favorite out-of-the way spots on the island. <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2017/03/late-afternoon-on-beach.html" target="_blank">I've gone there to take pictures in the late afternoon</a>, but never tried sunrise there. I had the beach to myself as I set up, except for some folks who'd camped there overnight and were still asleep in their tent.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_nmPo4_8jU4/WWlLSNckV_I/AAAAAAAADp8/PeJYiIj-abs2lRwcPe1XUd717sxfP5buACLcBGAs/s1600/AyuhAloha-HalonaBeach5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_nmPo4_8jU4/WWlLSNckV_I/AAAAAAAADp8/PeJYiIj-abs2lRwcPe1XUd717sxfP5buACLcBGAs/s640/AyuhAloha-HalonaBeach5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Nice campsite, don't you think?</span></td></tr>
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The sunrise didn't end up being as dramatically amazing as I'd hoped. There were lots of clouds low on the horizon, so by the time the sun started shining through, it was higher up and I didn't get the direct shot or the red and purple sky I'd imagined. Once I got home and checked my pictures, though, I found that there were a couple I liked. Besides, even a subdued sunrise is pretty nice. I wouldn't want to get up that early all the time, but I do like the peaceful calm and quiet of being outdoors in the early morning. Maybe I'll have to try for sunrises more often!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hvm_Vux03mM/WWlLoRSQQhI/AAAAAAAADqE/cLinUGxWEL8z989LUIR_v7LFSPnWUvOpgCLcBGAs/s1600/AyuhAloha-HalonaBeach3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hvm_Vux03mM/WWlLoRSQQhI/AAAAAAAADqE/cLinUGxWEL8z989LUIR_v7LFSPnWUvOpgCLcBGAs/s640/AyuhAloha-HalonaBeach3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The moon was still bright and clear in the sky as the sun came up.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I waited in the parking lot before leaving to see the sun finally clear above the clouds and fill the cove with golden light.</span></td></tr>
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Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-21102050756798062542017-06-19T11:35:00.000-10:002017-06-19T12:16:00.819-10:00Hōkūle‘a Homecoming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jJG2dHOKL0g/WUg_GwAOY-I/AAAAAAAADoE/QZtt0uGZDwgWSBpzexlLMvde47UQEo1-gCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A5589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jJG2dHOKL0g/WUg_GwAOY-I/AAAAAAAADoE/QZtt0uGZDwgWSBpzexlLMvde47UQEo1-gCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A5589.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For about half of the time that I have lived in Hawai‘i, there has been an incredible endeavor underway It's one that I, frankly, didn't quite appreciate until it had ended. Since 2013, a double-hulled voyaging canoe called the Hōkūle‘a (it means "Star of Gladness" in Hawaiian) has been circumnavigating the world, using traditional Polynesian voyaging and navigating practices. The world-wide voyage is called <i><a href="http://www.hokulea.com/worldwide-voyage/" target="_blank">Mālama Honua</a></i>, which means "care for the earth." Their journey spread an awareness of Hawaiian and Polynesian traditions and a message of stewardship for our planet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On Saturday, June 17, 2017, the Hōkūle‘a made her triumphant return into Honolulu with a huge celebration. An estimated 25,000 people came to welcome the boat at Magic Island at Ala Moana Park. I went, hoping to get some good pictures, but I was not really prepared for the emotion of the moment. The pride of the community was tangible and permeated the air. Welcoming chants were called out with gusto and reverberated through the crowd. My friend Rachel and I both commented on getting misty-eyed as Hōkūle‘a sailed into the harbor, surrounded by canoes, jet-skis, and surfboards. We were both struck by the sense of pride for a culture that, while not our native culture, we have become connected to through living here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As I began organizing my pictures and my thinking for this post, I started to learn more about the Hōkūle‘a and her history. I saw </span><a href="https://youtu.be/mvb-MjiqIY8" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">news reports on the homecoming</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. I read friends' Facebook posts. I began to grasp the true momentousness of this accomplishment. I realized that, in order to do justice to the day, I couldn't just tell it from my eyes—I knew that I was going to miss too much on my own. I knew that I had to get impressions from my friends with deeper roots in this culture. I reached out online and solicited people's impressions and reflections. Many shared that it was hard to put into words the emotions that they felt. They told me of tears, of pride, of "chicken skin" moments (where I'm from, they call them goose bumps). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Malia Ka‘ai-Barrett's father, Sam Ka‘ai, has been involved with the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) since the 1970's. He had the honor of blowing the pū (conch shell) welcoming each of the voyaging canoes as they arrived. Malia told me of the importance of the day for her:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">The significance of yesterday was the culmination of the dream of PVS to bring double hull canoe long distance ocean voyaging back, to revive the practice of celestial navigation and to prove that the Polynesians and the Hawaiians were intentiona</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">l about these practices. This is why I was so emotional yesterday because I was so aware of this accomplishment. My father was involved with PVS since 1974 before [</span></span>Hōkūle‘a]<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"> existed and was only a dream. He did all the </span><i style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">‘awa</i><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"> and cultural protocol, he carved the </span><i style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">ki‘i</i><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">, he was a crew member for three voyages. Yesterday's event was so much a part of my growing up. I would not have missed it for the world.</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zMZDctB5qU0/WUg_H1PK9-I/AAAAAAAADow/-7EkylF5g1wFvMrtHW6lta8pV_Znr-utACEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A5641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1069" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zMZDctB5qU0/WUg_H1PK9-I/AAAAAAAADow/-7EkylF5g1wFvMrtHW6lta8pV_Znr-utACEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A5641.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">Melanie Ching, a co-worker of mine at </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">Wai‘alae Elementary School, described her sense of pride:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">It's so hard to put into words what I felt yesterday, and continue to feel today. It's immense pride in a culture that has seen a resurgence in many of its cultural wisdoms. It is overwhelming to see the connections of our culture to the many indigenous cultures all over the world, to know that their struggles are our struggles, and their accomplishments are our accomplishments. I have great hope that people will see that cultural wisdoms are not opposed to today's science. They, in fact, should go hand in hand, so that our land and sea are cherished and protected. Sailing around the globe is a huge feat, doing it using ancient knowledge is yet another, and sharing this with the world through today's technologies gives me chicken skin. I love that the knowledge of how to do this is being passed through the generations, keeping it alive and vibrant. I think the very fact that a collective consciousness was raised, within the people of Hawaii, but also globally, was amazing. I am so grateful that there are people who are willing to sacrifice so much to share their ‘<i>ike</i>. Their generosity is humbling, and that alone brought me to tears yesterday.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">The day held significance and emotion even for people who couldn't be there in person. Three friends who watched remotely sent me their reactions. Kekapa Lee, a local UCC minister, watched on TV and commented, "What a world-wide achievement for us from Hawai'i to be show how our ancestors did it in the Pacific; but this was around the world!"</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">Another colleague of mine, Dian Hermes, watched through live streaming (with frustration at buffering!) from a park in Los Angeles.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">My experience with Hokule`a began as a student teacher in 1999. I was teaching with Alan Akaka at Kamehameha schools when the opportunity to visit the <i>wa‘a</i> Kaulua came to me. I was impressed about her stories and her power even as she sat motionless in Honolulu harbor. As I became a teacher in Kona, I paddled for an outrigger club that taught me many songs about voyaging. I brought them into my classroom and shared them with my students. Three years ago, as Hōkūle‘a was about to head out on her journey, I brought my son to visit her. He was in awe and was part of a group that was asked to contributed drawings and messages to ride aboard the ship and visit all the stops she would make. Of course, I knew many people who have journeyed on her over one or more legs, but when she was returning home, it was such a powerful statement to me. It was as if part of me was returning home after a long time away. I was very upset that I could not be in Hawaii to witness it as i had already planned a family vacation to the mainland, but I spent my last day glued to my phone, streaming live feeds. I cried at each <i>oli Kahea</i> from the boats arriving- as they said where they were from and where they had journeyed from- and then cried again, happy tears mind you, as they were welcomed on shore. I saw my former students in canoes and on surf boards out in the water, welcoming her home and it was so powerful to see the culture that I would stress to them in the classroom, now coming alive through them. It was an emotional day... lots of tears- lots of yelling at buffering screens as I am sure many more people began to tune in... but I was so happy to be a part of it. To see that Kumu Hina, who wrote the <i>oli</i> I performed at Merrie Monarch, was holding learning sessions for <i>oli</i> all over the islands, so we could welcome her back in song. THIS is Hawaii. THIS is Aloha. THIS is why I call this place home. </span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9vAefAS_VyV5pmjsQpEyCQCmkxhiIvyuf-ZPAkMIF-JPKrVKg5ZWXT0OzIIkyde8vbjIbSygWrdXrqUnLjgpD8OgCQResDra7FgR-H3tvshGnEV42Qqa_TyphODeOAkD_WZT1OLJvTo/s1600/_I7A5841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9vAefAS_VyV5pmjsQpEyCQCmkxhiIvyuf-ZPAkMIF-JPKrVKg5ZWXT0OzIIkyde8vbjIbSygWrdXrqUnLjgpD8OgCQResDra7FgR-H3tvshGnEV42Qqa_TyphODeOAkD_WZT1OLJvTo/s640/_I7A5841.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">My friend, Erin Keakealani Richardson Severin, a graduate of Miguel's choirs at UH, commented on the way that </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">Hōkūle‘a has helped spread a message of connection.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">I wasn't there (but my mom was), but for me, just knowing that a little group of Hawaiians from a little rock in the Pacific could have such a big impact on the entire world is a profound moment. Indigenous groups all over the world are striving for recognition and support, and the <i>Mālama Honua </i>mission brought so many indigenous (and settler) communities together, while also serving as ambassadors for climate justice throughout the globe. </span> </blockquote>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">Often, we talk about how western technology (airplane, steam engine, the Internet) brought the world closer together. Hōkūleʻa and the others proved that native technology can also bring the world together, in a different kind of way, and especially one that honors indigenous peoples.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">Hōkūle‘a was built in the 1970s, at a time when traditional Hawaiian culture was nearing extinction. An artist named Herb Kane dreamt of recreating the traditional Hawaiian voyaging canoe. In <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmOccL4pT_Q" target="_blank">one video</a> I watched (embedded below), he described the voyaging canoe as, "the central object of Polynesian culture. ... Were it not for that object there would be no Polynesians today." In 1976, Hōkūle‘a was successfully sailed from Hawai‘i to Tahiti, using traditional Polynesian navigation practices. That feat showed that it could be done, that the stories of how people came to these islands were real. The narrator of the video, when describing the 1976 voyage to Tahiti, says, "It was as if Hōkūle‘a had breathed life into all of the Polynesian myths and legends about ancient seafaring. The pathway to Tahiti had been re-opened and something long-dormant began to stir in the hearts and minds of all Polynesians."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"It gave us a kind of hope that the beauty of our culture, the wisdom of our ancestors, could lead us out of this great deficit that we had fallen into," explained Dr. Lilikalā Kame‘eleihiwa, Native Hawaiian Historian and professor at UH Mānoa's Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nainoa Thompson, president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, put it this way, "As the Hawaiian culture is re-emerging, re-discovering, re-strengthening, that's not a common story around the world. That is a story that is unique. There are cultures and languages that have been lost every single day across this planet."</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">Hōkūle‘a has been key in helping ignite that resurgence of Hawaiian culture. She has been named a state treasure and I was honored to be part of the crowd welcoming her back home on Saturday.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">Here's the video I mentioned on the history of Hokulea:</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"><br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BmOccL4pT_Q" width="560"></iframe><br /></span>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">For more information about </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">Hōkūle‘a and the Polynesian Voyaging Society, check them out at <a href="http://www.hokulea.com/">www.hokulea.com</a>. </span>Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-48134049832254201232017-06-13T14:58:00.001-10:002017-06-13T15:03:35.001-10:00101st Kamehameha Day Parade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPE76iG8OAs/WUB7veY6PbI/AAAAAAAADnU/XTJMBa3skeQeFuzZ_AaNf-w21R6g3RUyQCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A4879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPE76iG8OAs/WUB7veY6PbI/AAAAAAAADnU/XTJMBa3skeQeFuzZ_AaNf-w21R6g3RUyQCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A4879.jpg" /></a></div>
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Last Saturday marked the 101st celebration of the King Kamehameha Day Floral Parade. After living in Honolulu for six years, this was the first time that Miguel and I were able to go and actually see the parade. We only live two blocks from the starting point at ‘Iolani Palace, but travel plans have always kept us away in June. This year, I was excited to be able to go see the parade.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8H84mn7WFIU/WUB7vrQo5yI/AAAAAAAADnU/rBLfioq-JsY4yMlNI41O6bGRSZhiZlGCQCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A4828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1069" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8H84mn7WFIU/WUB7vrQo5yI/AAAAAAAADnU/rBLfioq-JsY4yMlNI41O6bGRSZhiZlGCQCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A4828.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The statue of Kamehameha the Great is covered in thousands of lei. It's really stunning! I made a high-resolution picture from 59 different photos that you can <a href="http://www.gigapan.com/gigapans/199681" target="_blank">check out here</a> or see it below in the post!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamehameha_Day" target="_blank">Kamehameha Day</a> was established in 1871 by King Kamehameha V to honor the first king of the Hawaiian Islands. The parade in Honolulu is the longest parade route in the United States, stretching over four miles from ‘Iolani Palace to Kapiolani Park in Waikīkī. The parade is a colorful celebration of Hawaiian Culture. There are warriors, elaborately decorated horseback riders, marching bands, and more. Flowers highlight the show from the gorgeous lei adorning the horses and riders to the thousands of lei draped on the statue of Kamehameha the Great.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Men dressed as Hawaiian warriors begin the parade. I can't imagine walking the streets of Honolulu from the palace to Kapiolani Park in my bare feet!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B7FwJ-ZW2bA/WUB7xKaIGwI/AAAAAAAADnU/s0wXshMShXwnuWIJZmFusQ4kmUED1ibZgCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A4904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B7FwJ-ZW2bA/WUB7xKaIGwI/AAAAAAAADnU/s0wXshMShXwnuWIJZmFusQ4kmUED1ibZgCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A4904.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Each group paid tribute to the statue of Kamehameha.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This float represents the king and his warriors. One member of the community is selected to represent Kamehameha, dressed in yellow feathered regalia.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2OOY5hlAvU/WUB7zxn_sOI/AAAAAAAADnU/DwWS-mXQFDIiN9gmYqTafvyOmX7QIS9MgCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A4952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2OOY5hlAvU/WUB7zxn_sOI/AAAAAAAADnU/DwWS-mXQFDIiN9gmYqTafvyOmX7QIS9MgCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A4952.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9IH2jHnXIA/WUB70LPJhRI/AAAAAAAADnU/8WRzMTSckY0z8LsBRKfYLHDhf8ha_cOYgCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A4960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1069" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9IH2jHnXIA/WUB70LPJhRI/AAAAAAAADnU/8WRzMTSckY0z8LsBRKfYLHDhf8ha_cOYgCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A4960.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Each of the Hawaiian Islands was represented by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pa%27u_riders" target="_blank">Pā‘ū Riders</a>, elaborately dressed women on horseback. The horses themselves were gorgeously decked out in flower lei. This picture shows the parade's P</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">ā‘ū Queen—check out those peacock </span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">feathers! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NdaescukG1o/WUB70-TIJII/AAAAAAAADnU/VrLiIhATC6IPACKutP2_NCgkMYjLjtFgACEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A4977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NdaescukG1o/WUB70-TIJII/AAAAAAAADnU/VrLiIhATC6IPACKutP2_NCgkMYjLjtFgACEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A4977.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Each island's pā‘ū unit was dressed in a specific color. This group represented Ni‘ihau.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DAZVgL0_XWw/WUB71cctZKI/AAAAAAAADnU/QDi8DLuHiwsr-L0nzKNq7VZiTjmJ0aR9wCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A5047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DAZVgL0_XWw/WUB71cctZKI/AAAAAAAADnU/QDi8DLuHiwsr-L0nzKNq7VZiTjmJ0aR9wCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A5047.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">There were several marching bands in the parade. Of course, the band from Kamehameha School was there! At first, I was frustrated that this man stepped out to take his picture, but I actually think it makes a better image to have him there!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUgcP9H0kNE/WUB71txiPJI/AAAAAAAADnU/rCVvlkySIe0ioigQ52K1yBcL8lbNVWF6ACEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A5113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUgcP9H0kNE/WUB71txiPJI/AAAAAAAADnU/rCVvlkySIe0ioigQ52K1yBcL8lbNVWF6ACEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A5113.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Princess of Hawai‘i was dressed in bright red. I'd never seen bird-of-paradise lei before. Stunning!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-810QDeww7T8/WUB710UstVI/AAAAAAAADnU/0j30KZGwwBYT3k4mFy0WmXdp-GDsfKlCQCEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A5132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-810QDeww7T8/WUB710UstVI/AAAAAAAADnU/0j30KZGwwBYT3k4mFy0WmXdp-GDsfKlCQCEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A5132.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">There were groups from all around the mainland, as well, including a group from Rollo, MO, and this marching band from Porterville, CA.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QO9g3ubjDsg/WUB72EPmA5I/AAAAAAAADnU/S3kGixM51soo2nEIa_Mzmo_REWGvepfdACEwYBhgL/s1600/_I7A5153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QO9g3ubjDsg/WUB72EPmA5I/AAAAAAAADnU/S3kGixM51soo2nEIa_Mzmo_REWGvepfdACEwYBhgL/s640/_I7A5153.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Indianapolis Police Department put on an exciting show of their motorcycle skills. I don't know how you make a traffic stop from this position, but it was impressive!</span></td></tr>
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This year's parade was hot, humid, and rainy, but that didn't dampen the spirits of the crowd or the participants. It challenged my photography a bit as my lenses and camera fogged up considerably and I had to wait it out in order to take pictures. I was really happy with what I ultimately got. I even spent time making an ultra-high resolution image of the lei-draped statue. <a href="http://www.gigapan.com/gigapans/199681" target="_blank">Check it out here! This picture is actually made up of 59 individual images!</a><br />
<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.gigapan.com/embeds/P9YGz6PaQy4/" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen ></iframe>
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I was thrilled to go see my first Kamehameha Day parade since moving here–it only took six years to happen!Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-47970658459224987662017-06-01T09:25:00.001-10:002017-06-01T09:25:41.769-10:00Memorial Day Lantern Floating 2017<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rcWX3RFWNd4/WS9rLbixTzI/AAAAAAAADlc/TGS_h3eu14orSYHlzFyC08qu00zBJo4wwCEw/s1600/_I7A4400-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rcWX3RFWNd4/WS9rLbixTzI/AAAAAAAADlc/TGS_h3eu14orSYHlzFyC08qu00zBJo4wwCEw/s640/_I7A4400-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lanterns float gracefully under a beautiful sunset sky, each one holding the memories of loved ones who have passed.</span></td></tr>
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Monday was Memorial Day, and with it was one of my favorite traditions here, the annual Lantern Floating Ceremony at Ala Moana Beach Park. (check out my blog posts from the <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2014/05/2014-lantern-floating-ceremony.html" target="_blank">2014</a> and <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/05/lantern-floating-2016.html" target="_blank">2016</a> ceremonies)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sInbk338ocg/WS9rH8Xj7mI/AAAAAAAADkw/pWV_-uKYf4kubmrhSE-8TyTbYVtCcM4eACEw/s1600/_I7A4277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sInbk338ocg/WS9rH8Xj7mI/AAAAAAAADkw/pWV_-uKYf4kubmrhSE-8TyTbYVtCcM4eACEw/s640/_I7A4277.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">People relax at the beach all day (like every day just with a lot more people).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5XEmRWFjIw/WS9rHmlYm9I/AAAAAAAADks/SZINoLQuyeY_BgcxJEPUtqI-U7J5HcmMgCEw/s1600/_I7A4280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5XEmRWFjIw/WS9rHmlYm9I/AAAAAAAADks/SZINoLQuyeY_BgcxJEPUtqI-U7J5HcmMgCEw/s640/_I7A4280.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I was trying to think of a caption for this. Something like "Lost and Found" or "Hawaiian Wildlife" maybe?</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67E2aNutoDY/WS9rH0m9p6I/AAAAAAAADk0/nlIIg7gavY0GvKhCfN2aakvE4CrvJo5aACEw/s1600/_I7A4290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67E2aNutoDY/WS9rH0m9p6I/AAAAAAAADk0/nlIIg7gavY0GvKhCfN2aakvE4CrvJo5aACEw/s640/_I7A4290.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The ceremony begins at 6:30 with taiko drumming echoing around the beach.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fO9I686A0U4/WS9rIDV6IaI/AAAAAAAADk4/05ihRjTipjI2F_lvx_vPF5mDsxSLfRvrwCEw/s1600/_I7A4301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1069" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fO9I686A0U4/WS9rIDV6IaI/AAAAAAAADk4/05ihRjTipjI2F_lvx_vPF5mDsxSLfRvrwCEw/s640/_I7A4301.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The sun sets as the ceremony gets underway. It's beautiful.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5v9uvvr1pfk/WS9rIRR9_RI/AAAAAAAADk8/BY2Zi-ayBSQeJ03gxeaY4G5hbQaVEcwQwCEw/s1600/_I7A4312.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5v9uvvr1pfk/WS9rIRR9_RI/AAAAAAAADk8/BY2Zi-ayBSQeJ03gxeaY4G5hbQaVEcwQwCEw/s640/_I7A4312.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1Yp7ZX6xqw/WS9rIqO1mII/AAAAAAAADlA/dUuaKsMT_IwvAAMP_ItQXBZ9PzUqrVRvQCEw/s1600/_I7A4329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1Yp7ZX6xqw/WS9rIqO1mII/AAAAAAAADlA/dUuaKsMT_IwvAAMP_ItQXBZ9PzUqrVRvQCEw/s640/_I7A4329.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I've been playing around with intentionally creating blur by moving the camera with a slow shutter speed. I really like the lines of this water and sky shot.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfLISH73Qns/WS9rIwVIWRI/AAAAAAAADlE/k9RrBUqVYVUEzlPivzjlFVtXiCFYo8pjQCEw/s1600/_I7A4337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1069" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfLISH73Qns/WS9rIwVIWRI/AAAAAAAADlE/k9RrBUqVYVUEzlPivzjlFVtXiCFYo8pjQCEw/s640/_I7A4337.jpg" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com/" target="_blank">Lantern Floating Ceremony</a> is put on each year by the Shinnyo-En Buddhists. It has been a a part of Memorial Day in Honolulu since 1999. Thousands of people attend each year to take part in this beautiful and moving event. This year, over 7,000 lanterns were floated. In bringing together people of diverse cultures and backgrounds to remember their loved ones, the organizers have created a uniquely multicultural event that incorporates traditions from Hawaiian, Buddhist, and American culture. It brings together song, dance, chant, drumming, and the stunning visual of candles drifting gently along the sweeping curve of the beach.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3u5OGvnCsA8/WS9rJJS1wvI/AAAAAAAADlI/lYj9YNbOxQI5UGaHtx7iAbcVi0Ywo3Z7gCEw/s1600/_I7A4362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3u5OGvnCsA8/WS9rJJS1wvI/AAAAAAAADlI/lYj9YNbOxQI5UGaHtx7iAbcVi0Ywo3Z7gCEw/s640/_I7A4362.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">After some music and welcoming comments, people are invited to release their lanterns.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwqHsxx9iyVvMigfxnXV0_1T4zKHtm6rbGJyqxa3SfmVywSfGP21nYrjNate_XhrXD7YnLPIOEXX9lkNE3ognG-T5RIEhyphenhyphenSmBw56eJYg4DmcqbBLbot-dJnpJOyUGTqJohh4S2zwTnYg/s1600/_I7A4375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwqHsxx9iyVvMigfxnXV0_1T4zKHtm6rbGJyqxa3SfmVywSfGP21nYrjNate_XhrXD7YnLPIOEXX9lkNE3ognG-T5RIEhyphenhyphenSmBw56eJYg4DmcqbBLbot-dJnpJOyUGTqJohh4S2zwTnYg/s640/_I7A4375.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KMhSj-iuFuA/WS9rKpnR64I/AAAAAAAADlU/qqL3eeEqZkQHyqt_UvlPjwIdukK1BBWxwCEw/s1600/_I7A4379-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KMhSj-iuFuA/WS9rKpnR64I/AAAAAAAADlU/qqL3eeEqZkQHyqt_UvlPjwIdukK1BBWxwCEw/s640/_I7A4379-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The large screen projects give everyone a close up view.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSofxcCr3fQ/WS9rKqofuAI/AAAAAAAADlQ/lIvh27GG_wgA_s2NMJLAYc2ZjHigMR_pgCEw/s1600/_I7A4396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSofxcCr3fQ/WS9rKqofuAI/AAAAAAAADlQ/lIvh27GG_wgA_s2NMJLAYc2ZjHigMR_pgCEw/s640/_I7A4396.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajbKCq-5Q1M/WS9rLTCQmhI/AAAAAAAADlY/v3_c_tNWAj4slGCe_PPHYuwJfpbHPIlLwCEw/s1600/_I7A4413_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajbKCq-5Q1M/WS9rLTCQmhI/AAAAAAAADlY/v3_c_tNWAj4slGCe_PPHYuwJfpbHPIlLwCEw/s640/_I7A4413_01.jpg" /></a></div>
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It was a gorgeous evening this year, with a beautiful sunset and calm winds and waters. I appreciated the opportunity to sit in peaceful and quiet remembrance and to share that feeling with thousands of others. It's a special moment each year that fills me with gratitude.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNc9xY-PxNc/WS9rLg9XVUI/AAAAAAAADlg/D1kuToFfE0Ab60vFrSTC0ZmoJX3mQ7XTwCLcB/s1600/_I7A4458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNc9xY-PxNc/WS9rLg9XVUI/AAAAAAAADlg/D1kuToFfE0Ab60vFrSTC0ZmoJX3mQ7XTwCLcB/s640/_I7A4458.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">At the far end of the beach, volunteers help to collect the lanterns so that they can be reused next year. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Walking home, I had to take a few pictures of the IBM building lit up for Memorial Day. I love the way they've employed LED lights to make a building that could feel very dated seem vibrant and modern.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-837262981926916802017-03-24T09:24:00.002-10:002017-03-24T09:24:44.685-10:00Late Afternoon on the Beach<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cf-yFQEJIvY/WNVuI21ybSI/AAAAAAAADh0/6qvI0-GwQoY0GRThh3w01qqj7k0QzNbzACLcB/s1600/AG-20170322-HalonaBeach9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cf-yFQEJIvY/WNVuI21ybSI/AAAAAAAADh0/6qvI0-GwQoY0GRThh3w01qqj7k0QzNbzACLcB/s620/AG-20170322-HalonaBeach9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Blue sea, red rocks, and late afternoon light at Hālona Beach.</span></td></tr>
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Late one afternoon this week, I drove to the east side to take pictures at Hālona Beach Cove (also known as Cockroach Cove or <i>From Here to Eternity</i> Beach—it's where they filmed the famous kissing scene). From the Hālona Blowhole parking lot, head downhill to a beautiful, secluded beach with cliffs stretching out on either side.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">These three teenagers were waiting for just the right wave to jump in.</span></td></tr>
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This spot is a small, but dramatic place. The narrow cove funnels waves in, creating dramatic spray against the rock cliffs. When the tide and waves are right, the blowhole sends impressive jets of sea water high into the air. Beachgoers sunbathe, swim, and dive into the shallower, more sheltered parts of the cove. Fishermen cast lines from the rock walls. From some videos I've seen, it looks like there's good snorkeling here, but I'd be concerned about the strong currents on this side of the island.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YO5ggYOsgLM/WNVuHYF7GFI/AAAAAAAADh8/QfXQ86gX0HgdBnmuZSgkehHL1QsmA_wtQCEw/s1600/AG-20170322-HalonaBeach4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YO5ggYOsgLM/WNVuHYF7GFI/AAAAAAAADh8/QfXQ86gX0HgdBnmuZSgkehHL1QsmA_wtQCEw/s620/AG-20170322-HalonaBeach4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I really like this shot. There's a feeling like this swimmer could just set out and head off to the horizon (she didn't!)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JpvsAuRIozk/WNVuGJ54YcI/AAAAAAAADh8/ZiJNz_S4IaEu3ifSRZdd4r8YDBkP4PxXACEw/s1600/AG-20170322-HalonaBeach3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JpvsAuRIozk/WNVuGJ54YcI/AAAAAAAADh8/ZiJNz_S4IaEu3ifSRZdd4r8YDBkP4PxXACEw/s620/AG-20170322-HalonaBeach3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When I took this, I was watching the edge of the waves, and didn't really pay attention to the couple on the rocks. I like the tiny detail of them in a kiss as the water rushes in.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8TfycGMKi9M/WNVuIAUW8YI/AAAAAAAADh8/XR3BuAzKJ2oVW8Bc54-vbT5Ddhoig9IjACEw/s1600/AG-20170322-HalonaBeach7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8TfycGMKi9M/WNVuIAUW8YI/AAAAAAAADh8/XR3BuAzKJ2oVW8Bc54-vbT5Ddhoig9IjACEw/s620/AG-20170322-HalonaBeach7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My feet got soaked a couple of times and I had to pull the camera back once or twice to avoid sea spray (everything that needs to stay dry did!). I love the energy of the water in this shot. It feels like a painting to me!</span></td></tr>
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By going later in the afternoon, there weren't as many people there to contend with and I was able to get some of the pictures I wanted. I hung out as the sky gradually got darker and my camera was able to get some longer exposure images. I love how keeping the shutter open adds some sense of magic. Even just a 1/4 second exposure for some of the pictures gives it a feeling like looking at a painting.<br />
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This tiny beach is a great place to end the day—really it's a great place to spend any portion of the day. And it's only a drive away!<br />
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Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-57764729005988614672017-03-11T16:01:00.002-10:002017-03-11T16:01:19.142-10:00Nu‘uanu Sunrise or "Taking Pictures of Trees and Feeding the Mosquitoes"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cX8Y0L83-M/WMSpY8xvbHI/AAAAAAAADgk/CYT_IJmFbXgu5hO7_OKjtT_2FDL7IX2LgCEw/s1600/AG20170311-Nuuanu6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cX8Y0L83-M/WMSpY8xvbHI/AAAAAAAADgk/CYT_IJmFbXgu5hO7_OKjtT_2FDL7IX2LgCEw/s620/AG20170311-Nuuanu6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of my favorite pictures from the morning! I love the texture of the bark and glow of the morning sun.</span></td></tr>
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For some time now, I've wanted to try taking early-morning pictures of the Cook Pine grove on the Judd Trail on the old Pali Road. The Cook Pines there are tremendous, reaching impossibly high overhead. Today, I decided to take advantage of the fact that I've been waking up unusually early to go out and see what I could find. I grabbed a quick breakfast and cup of coffee and then drove out to the trailhead.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Following the trail .</span></td></tr>
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I got there just as the sky was beginning to lighten. That was good, since I didn't want to be crossing streams and wandering trails in total darkness! I made my way back along the trail until I found myself in the middle of the Cook Pine grove. It's a peaceful spot, made even more so by being there at dawn. The towering trees give a sense of grandeur, but since they stand so close together, there's also a feeling of containment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hLvXHEku-tw/WMSpW5X-dtI/AAAAAAAADgY/Dk9xy69aBP4WQ55u6xK8bU48x8J1P8DcQCEw/s1600/AG20170311-Nuuanu3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hLvXHEku-tw/WMSpW5X-dtI/AAAAAAAADgY/Dk9xy69aBP4WQ55u6xK8bU48x8J1P8DcQCEw/s620/AG20170311-Nuuanu3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Cook Pines reach straight up, seemingly forever!</span></td></tr>
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I walked along a portion of the trail, taking pictures from different angles as the sun rose high enough to stretch into the valley. Along one slope, a stand of eucalyptus trees practically glowed in the morning light. I loved the mix of golden light, reddish-brown bark, and bright green mossy patches.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Watching the sun hit this slope and light up the trees and moss was magical. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-StpX_tqBMlY/WMSpapHT9aI/AAAAAAAADgs/CT9UH5uHgt4lDbmQVyE9XIIahMCOeoggwCEw/s1600/AG20170311-Nuuanu7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-StpX_tqBMlY/WMSpapHT9aI/AAAAAAAADgs/CT9UH5uHgt4lDbmQVyE9XIIahMCOeoggwCEw/s620/AG20170311-Nuuanu7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I really like the warm light of this shot.</span></td></tr>
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As I made my way back towards my car, I took time to wander the stream a bit and take some pictures of the flowing water—I can't help myself with that! I began to be aware of the many itchy mosquito bites I had acquired walking in the stillness of the woods at dawn. I think it was worth it, though, for the sense of tranquility and a moment to enjoy the beauty of living in Hawai‘i.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Moving water! I always like these long exposure pictures!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This tree straddled the stream between big, moss-covered boulders.</span></td></tr>
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Next time, though, I'll try to remember the bug spray!<br />
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Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-68377951556356848402017-03-06T19:22:00.000-10:002017-05-02T21:43:23.203-10:00Kaka‘ako and Other People's Art<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_87mMhGxf0U/WL43SCTHjmI/AAAAAAAADf8/6JkpI5hYtr02R6D3UITdu0Lwc_NIp78hQCLcB/s1600/_MG_3372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_87mMhGxf0U/WL43SCTHjmI/AAAAAAAADf8/6JkpI5hYtr02R6D3UITdu0Lwc_NIp78hQCLcB/s620/_MG_3372.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking across Kaka‘ako toward Diamond Head.</span></td></tr>
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Next to where we live is the neighborhood of Kaka‘ako. It is a place that sometimes seems to be the full embodiment of the changes, celebrations and struggles that Honolulu is going through. There are massive redevelopment projects underway with soaring towers, new restaurants, and shops being put in. Old warehouses and auto shops are becoming bistros and galleries. There is an energy and excitement present. At the same time, the neighborhood is visibly plagued by the epidemic of homelessness that affects our city. A tent city exists in the Kaka‘ako Beach Park, just blocks away from multi-million dollar condominium developments.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow6joKQ_6a65gULuL9w7u_BIp8vf9rr6Pf2b8GCFFzEqmvFkmVY9b9sgWNWpRwnMnm0KKYOrJQqoTdDCvgEpv5f61dEZLPlGcfMXxGOPamc-4qUvgI9cPhWJWTofpY1IcgOAesOi_vr8/s1600/_MG_3334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow6joKQ_6a65gULuL9w7u_BIp8vf9rr6Pf2b8GCFFzEqmvFkmVY9b9sgWNWpRwnMnm0KKYOrJQqoTdDCvgEpv5f61dEZLPlGcfMXxGOPamc-4qUvgI9cPhWJWTofpY1IcgOAesOi_vr8/s620/_MG_3334.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Temporary murals surround many of the new construction sites. This one is by <a href="http://808urban.org/" target="_blank">808 Urban</a>, a non-profit that helps link at-risk youth with urban art programs.</span></td></tr>
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There are those who resist the changes in Kaka‘ako, worried that luxury towers will exacerbate the already unaffordable housing situation or that new towers will only create more congestion. Others say that the character of the neighborhood is being altered. Personally, I am optimistic and excited by the new developments. I think that the changes to Kaka‘ako will turn a dull and industrial part of the city into a vibrant and livable neighborhood.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jSNXlfiEgjs/WL43Pz3u4AI/AAAAAAAADfc/lpfnb8C0Ls0lbqCYSvJqqimUv3xpBtvIwCEw/s1600/MuralPano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jSNXlfiEgjs/WL43Pz3u4AI/AAAAAAAADfc/lpfnb8C0Ls0lbqCYSvJqqimUv3xpBtvIwCEw/s620/MuralPano.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I love this mural. The expressions, and energy of the two much-larger-than-life kids is great. Artists: <a href="http://www.widewalls.ch/artist/telmo-miel/" target="_blank">Telmo Pieper and Miel Krutzmann</a>, on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/telmomiel/?hl=en" target="_blank">@telmomiel</a></span></td></tr>
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On tradition that I hope Kaka‘ako maintains through its transition is the many interesting and creative murals that adorn the walls throughout the neighborhood. Pow! Wow! Hawai‘i brings hundreds of artists to Kaka‘ako every February to create art across the blank canvases of building walls. The murals are exciting and colorful, whimsical and serious, and give a dash of energy to these few blocks that doesn't exist in other parts of the city. I really hope that it's a tradition that holds on, even as Kaka‘ako modernizes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSAeqGNM_uA/WL43QNcOCqI/AAAAAAAADfk/5bcphqK3hxMSJKO7oU4M5RBboePD-dqWQCEw/s1600/_MG_3338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSAeqGNM_uA/WL43QNcOCqI/AAAAAAAADfk/5bcphqK3hxMSJKO7oU4M5RBboePD-dqWQCEw/s620/_MG_3338.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The whimsy of these furry creatures on the edge of the Fischer Hawai‘i building is infectious! Artist: <a href="http://www.naturalborn.com/" target="_blank">Kevin Lyons</a>, on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/klyonsnatborn/?hl=en" target="_blank">@klyonsnatborn</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Zpx7UrZdoI/WL43RMKKvxI/AAAAAAAADfo/Y6JwxAdZs7gxPP52OM-PA-NTWKvxP89LgCEw/s1600/_MG_3344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Zpx7UrZdoI/WL43RMKKvxI/AAAAAAAADfo/Y6JwxAdZs7gxPP52OM-PA-NTWKvxP89LgCEw/s620/_MG_3344.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I like the bold colors and geometric patterns in this one. I couldn't find an artist signature on this mural, so I don't know who to credit, just that I like it!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_VeTu--MVu8/WL43RH8b92I/AAAAAAAADfs/hcG9oPygnoYLH5dtAvXFK4dJA3cYTiHswCEw/s1600/_MG_3346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_VeTu--MVu8/WL43RH8b92I/AAAAAAAADfs/hcG9oPygnoYLH5dtAvXFK4dJA3cYTiHswCEw/s620/_MG_3346.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This "Lychee Bandits" mural by Mung Monster (on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mungmonster/" target="_blank">@mungmonster</a>) caught my attention and made me wonder about the story behind the picture. Two people escape on a scooter with a basket of lychee, being chased by an angry looking dog. (Plus, I like that the spilling lychee looks like it's about to land on top of this guy who's just headed to the gym!)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z_MS4hXcB8U/WL43RWebkQI/AAAAAAAADfw/JRqMvulj3WI1XofW_escYnLbuV44vFPcwCEw/s1600/_MG_3349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z_MS4hXcB8U/WL43RWebkQI/AAAAAAAADfw/JRqMvulj3WI1XofW_escYnLbuV44vFPcwCEw/s620/_MG_3349.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This tree house in a galaxy far far away is a lot of fun! The larger mural includes the caption, "Together we can rule the galaxy." There are so many small details to notice, like the mini Death Star hanging like a disco ball, the clothes hanging on the laundry, and even a small shave ice ready to enjoy! Artists: Matthew and Roxanne Ortiz (<a href="http://www.woodenwaveart.com/" target="_blank">Wooden Wave</a>, Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wooden_wave/" target="_blank">@wooden_wave</a>) and Gavin Mural (<a href="http://www.reckonshop.com/" target="_blank">Reckon Shop</a>, Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reckonshop/" target="_blank">@reckonshop</a>)</span></td></tr>
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Walking around taking pictures, I started to think about the act of photographing other people's artwork (I started calling it "OPA" in my mind). It seemed a bit odd to me, the idea that someone had taken extensive time to paint and create and here I was capturing it with the push of a shutter button. But maybe that's part of the point of street art; it's there for everyone to interact with and engage with. So I can't try to take credit for the artwork in these images, just to share my appreciation for their craftsmanship and creativity.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-va5bNn0AahI/WL43RhdB-SI/AAAAAAAADf0/hikQ6bDk2pImvWE7XIq3-K6yGq_83hUKACLcB/s1600/_MG_3353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-va5bNn0AahI/WL43RhdB-SI/AAAAAAAADf0/hikQ6bDk2pImvWE7XIq3-K6yGq_83hUKACLcB/s620/_MG_3353.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">In addition to all the man-made art, I always like finding natural beauty, like this plumeria blossom on a lava rock wall.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tCbkmDMtvQ4/WL43SbHwlmI/AAAAAAAADf4/c9VDVKmBFlYdp5PooEncrToUXlXIdF5rwCLcB/s1600/_MG_3364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tCbkmDMtvQ4/WL43SbHwlmI/AAAAAAAADf4/c9VDVKmBFlYdp5PooEncrToUXlXIdF5rwCLcB/s620/_MG_3364.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I was amused by this mini-art piece. A statement on the perils of being a pedestrian in Honolulu, perhaps?</span></td></tr>
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<br />Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-8834260860625668142017-01-03T16:37:00.001-10:002017-01-03T18:03:12.203-10:00New Year's Day Hiking and Thinking About the Year Ahead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Miguel and I finished the end of his winter break (I have one week remaining!) with a New Year's Day hike at Ka‘ena Point on the west side of O‘ahu. We got out late (after a much-needed afternoon nap), so we weren't able to hike all the way to the point, but we got to take in the beautiful scenery and sunset, saw whales and albatross, and spent some nice time outdoors and unplugged.<br />
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Walking out here at what feels like the edge of the world, watching the sun dip past the horizon, I thought a bit about the changing year. It's a somewhat arbitrary human invention superimposed on the revolution of the Earth, and yet we have become accustomed to a sense of reflectiveness at this moment of our annual journey. I am sure that 2017 will be a year of unexpected changes, of celebrations and heartbreak, excitement and tedious boredom, of discovery and of daily routines. I'm not big on New Year's resolutions–they so often seemed destined to failure and disappointment–but I do like the practice of taking a moment to contemplate where I am, where I may be headed, and what I hold as most important. A friend on mine on Facebook recently posted about making a list of daily practices rather than resolutions (and the last item on her list was to be OK with not doing everything on the list every day). I like that concept!<br />
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Instead of resolutions or even daily practices, I like to think of intentions for the year ahead. With that frame of mind, in 2017 I intend to...<br />
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... notice and appreciate small moments.<br />
... practice gratitude.<br />
... try new things when opportunity arises.<br />
... be vigilant in speaking up for what I believe is right.<br />
... discover new places and revisit others.<br />
... spend time with friends and loved ones.<br />
... smile and laugh as often as possible.<br />
... help others smile and laugh as often as possible.<br />
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I'm sure there's more to add. It'll be a long and sometimes difficult 12 months. In the meantime, there's a sunset to admire.<br />
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<br />Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-41112952779732779992016-12-28T16:45:00.000-10:002017-06-30T17:21:57.875-10:00Top Ten Posts of 2016Thanks for spending some of your time this year with me! I've enjoyed sharing my pictures, thoughts, and experiences with you. Here are the ten posts that got the most views this year (stats as of 12/28/2016). Thanks, again, and I hope you enjoy my walk down memory lane for the year.<br />
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#10 & #9 (Tie) <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/10/its-all-greek-to-me.html" target="_blank">It's All Greek to Me</a> and<a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/08/summer-tourism-montreal-and-new-york.html" target="_blank"> Summer Tourism: Montréal and New York City</a> (97 views)</h3>
This summer, Miguel and I did a lot of traveling (and five of the posts that made this top ten list are from our trips)! These two posts are the bookends of our travel. We started in Montréal with Miguel's touring choir from UH and ended a month and a half later in Greece.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">We spent our wedding anniversary in Athens. The Acropolis was amazing and inspiring! <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/10/its-all-greek-to-me.html" target="_blank">Read my post here. </a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking back at Lower Manhattan from the boat ride to see the Statue of Liberty. <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/08/summer-tourism-montreal-and-new-york.html" target="_blank">Check out my post about Montréal and Manhattan here</a>.</span></td></tr>
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#8 <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-few-pictures-from-koko-crater.html" target="_blank">A Few Pictures from Koko Crater Botanical Garden</a> (98 views)</h3>
I love the botanical gardens here on O‘ahu. The Koko Crater Botanical Garden is a unique spot to visit. It is a collection of dry land plants set within a dormant volcanic crater. It's a neat spot for an afternoon stroll and to take a few pictures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tjdvTySWc3s/VpdR4IN2hmI/AAAAAAAAC10/3XuBnExEeHU/s1600/IMG_1046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tjdvTySWc3s/VpdR4IN2hmI/AAAAAAAAC10/3XuBnExEeHU/s620/IMG_1046.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of my favorite pictures from Koko Crater was this bee pollinating the plumeria flowers. <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-few-pictures-from-koko-crater.html" target="_blank">Read the rest of the post here.</a></span></div>
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#7 <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/03/visit-to-friendly-isle.html" target="_blank">Visit to the Friendly Isle</a> (105 views)</h3>
In March, Miguel and I spent a weekend with our friends Nate and Martina on the neighbor island of Moloka‘i. We rode mules down sea cliffs to Kalaupapa where we learned about the leper colony that had been established there. We drove around and checked out scenic beaches and valleys. It was a great getaway to a quiet and secluded weekend in the country.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6VRayE-4Tz5hew-cm9-MMdkfFKM4YjIwhs41UZDRf5iVig1BAEmNp18Vw4gqdGqj-NaU0R1yYPE_w_6LMShtHd3vKwWIAjIxeQJcsuJQWfFLkPromGOsWV2ktyh1BHFvnW4y2Lv71QY/s1600/_MG_3329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6VRayE-4Tz5hew-cm9-MMdkfFKM4YjIwhs41UZDRf5iVig1BAEmNp18Vw4gqdGqj-NaU0R1yYPE_w_6LMShtHd3vKwWIAjIxeQJcsuJQWfFLkPromGOsWV2ktyh1BHFvnW4y2Lv71QY/s640/_MG_3329.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Smokey, my ride down the sea cliffs to Kalaupapa peninsula. <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/03/visit-to-friendly-isle.html" target="_blank">Read the whole post here.</a></span></td></tr>
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#6 <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/09/from-gathering-place-to-emerald-isle.html" target="_blank">From the Gathering Place to the Emerald Isle</a> (111 views)</h3>
Another highlight of our summer travel was a trip to Ireland where Miguel worked at a choir festival. It was the first time that either of us had been to Ireland and we were both were really taken by the beauty of the place and the spirit of the people. I'd love to go back and explore (but I'd be sure to prepare for chilly temperatures, especially coming from Hawai‘i)!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-23LUuMH08n8/V-ORxYuewnI/AAAAAAAADUs/U57w5l7axugzD_NiapDSQLaJggeVGqNCgCPcB/s1600/_MG_9576-copy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-23LUuMH08n8/V-ORxYuewnI/AAAAAAAADUs/U57w5l7axugzD_NiapDSQLaJggeVGqNCgCPcB/s620/_MG_9576-copy3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Maynooth University was our home for a few days. It was amazing to stroll across this yard each morning for our breakfast. <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/09/from-gathering-place-to-emerald-isle.html" target="_blank">Read more here.</a></span></td></tr>
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#5 <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/01/2016-calendar-happy-new-year.html" target="_blank">2016 Calendar - Happy New Year!</a> (134 views)</h3>
Last year, I created a project for myself to put together a calendar of images of O‘ahu. I went through many pictures and adjusted them to a more vintage style. When printing the calendar proved too costly, I instead posted the images monthly through the year. This post was my introduction to the project.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JP2jkl5xGEM/Vo2JjntzWcI/AAAAAAAACyo/yFlS8eFC7LA/s762/Gould%2B2016Cal%2BCover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JP2jkl5xGEM/Vo2JjntzWcI/AAAAAAAACyo/yFlS8eFC7LA/s640/Gould%2B2016Cal%2BCover.png" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My calendar cover. I really enjoyed the process of selecting and creating these images. I hope you enjoyed them through the year! <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/01/2016-calendar-happy-new-year.html" target="_blank">My initial post and a link to the whole calendar is here.</a></span></div>
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#4 <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/01/pro-bowl-pregame-show.html" target="_blank">Pro Bowl Pregame</a> (148 views)</h3>
Last January, the UH choirs were asked to sing as a backup choir to Rachel Platten for the Pregame show at the Pro Bowl. It was a lot of fun for Miguel and me to go watch some of their rehearsal the day before. We hung out with the NFL cheerleaders and I got to walk around taking lots of pictures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pa7EMcmrrqk/Vq6xcbEWjcI/AAAAAAAAC_A/WEC_q-vN_QYJhpCAvPvMOFMAilxN6SyPgCPcB/s1600/_MG_2268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pa7EMcmrrqk/Vq6xcbEWjcI/AAAAAAAAC_A/WEC_q-vN_QYJhpCAvPvMOFMAilxN6SyPgCPcB/s620/_MG_2268.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The pregame show was only a couple songs long, but it had marching bands, choirs, hula dancers, drum corps, professional cheerleaders, and fireworks! <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/01/pro-bowl-pregame-show.html" target="_blank">Check out the rest (with video) here.</a></span></td></tr>
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#3 <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/08/summertime-in-some-old-stomping-grounds.html" target="_blank">Summertime in Some Old Stomping Grounds</a> (158 views)</h3>
After the choir tour ended, Miguel and I went back to Maine for a few days of rest and recovery. It was wonderful to spend time with friends and family and go back to some of our favorite spots.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zT3lL3tzwNc/V6wcPxqOouI/AAAAAAAADRw/xAyBdlUA7sY2xoH4NcJhyNEkw7K1_RmEQCPcB/s1600/_MG_9362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zT3lL3tzwNc/V6wcPxqOouI/AAAAAAAADRw/xAyBdlUA7sY2xoH4NcJhyNEkw7K1_RmEQCPcB/s620/_MG_9362.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Maine and Hawai‘i parts of the Gould family were together for my birthday. <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/08/summertime-in-some-old-stomping-grounds.html" target="_blank">See the rest here.</a></span></td></tr>
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#2 <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-goulds-go-to-big-island.html" target="_blank">The Goulds go to the Big Island</a> (183 views)</h3>
My parents visited us in October and we took a few days to go to the Big Island. It was my second trip there. The highlight for me was having time to explore in Volcanoes National Park. The Big Island is an incredible place and definitely worth repeat visits!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAoLOg7wKB45UhrRb75nKPPPU0KPpGpbjFuHvk9fhYO585UTAuL_LhIUZN7pjvuwT-uMNng2YNQuG7eIs_QgUP4lhx9VY30UGpH4E38WwnaNig6d1FcsSXQcSCmxKKntPh6zk2XWPRqc/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAoLOg7wKB45UhrRb75nKPPPU0KPpGpbjFuHvk9fhYO585UTAuL_LhIUZN7pjvuwT-uMNng2YNQuG7eIs_QgUP4lhx9VY30UGpH4E38WwnaNig6d1FcsSXQcSCmxKKntPh6zk2XWPRqc/s620/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-20.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Watching the lava lake at Halema‘uma‘u Crater was mesmerizing. <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-goulds-go-to-big-island.html" target="_blank">Read more about our trip here.</a></span></span></td></tr>
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#1 <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/07/voices-of-aloha-2016-montreal-to.html" target="_blank">Voices of Aloha 2016: Montréal to Manhattan</a> (187 views)</h3>
My most-viewed post of the year was this recap of the Voices of Aloha tour through New England. Starting in Montréal, we made our way through New England (we made it to all six New England states, even if just for a rest stop!) before ending the tour in Manhattan. It was an awesome trip. The highlight for me was having UH singers stay at my parents' house in Gorham, Maine, and hearing them perform Hawaiian music at my home church. It was really special to me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uw5hVt5ByWeJHw2yZvfSeLNB_XXpqFiunzo78NB9j6F-N9_Zns3z48UDRGKiK8j14aIyTKnkrKq8m6p5Epmhi1cqwDu3nAezGhuMN8bUKOr7vwoixQwFGtNMqH0a98zJabyUebSAZ1c/s1600/AyuhAloha-VOATour3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uw5hVt5ByWeJHw2yZvfSeLNB_XXpqFiunzo78NB9j6F-N9_Zns3z48UDRGKiK8j14aIyTKnkrKq8m6p5Epmhi1cqwDu3nAezGhuMN8bUKOr7vwoixQwFGtNMqH0a98zJabyUebSAZ1c/s640/AyuhAloha-VOATour3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The choir performed at the incredibly beautiful Basilique de Notre-Dame in Montréal. <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/07/voices-of-aloha-2016-montreal-to.html" target="_blank">Read about the rest of the tour here.</a></span></td></tr>
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Thank you for being a part of this year with me. I've enjoyed sharing the highlights of my time here in Hawai‘i (and my travels around the world) with you. Peace and best wishes to you for 2017. <i>Hau‘oli makahiki hou!</i>Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-72224526983508099862016-12-24T16:18:00.000-10:002016-12-25T01:07:57.753-10:00Happy holidays!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EIGwuKclWBc/WF8outidiKI/AAAAAAAADdA/ZCd5DKX81WgcAETcLCXTihEs95ILF1o7wCLcB/s1600/_MG_2109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EIGwuKclWBc/WF8outidiKI/AAAAAAAADdA/ZCd5DKX81WgcAETcLCXTihEs95ILF1o7wCLcB/s610/_MG_2109.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A holiday selfie</span></td></tr>
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Merry Christmas!<i> </i>Whether by nature or nurture, I love decorating for the holidays (if you've been to my parents' house in December, you'll know what I mean). I enjoy finding ways to incorporate a bit of Hawai‘i into our decoration—somehow evergreen boughs and snowflakes just feel out of place here!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_5aGdMS1GRw/WF8ouLmTQ0I/AAAAAAAADc8/vYwB6kHYQ7YMe_CthZhsB8VPf2VLnIwxQCEw/s1600/_MG_2100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_5aGdMS1GRw/WF8ouLmTQ0I/AAAAAAAADc8/vYwB6kHYQ7YMe_CthZhsB8VPf2VLnIwxQCEw/s610/_MG_2100.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This year's decorations included covering one part of the wall with pieces of paper towel tubes! </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9bUA-qzy_R8/WF8otoaTiII/AAAAAAAADc0/ARpf6xgIEScWq8loyYzSG9xTzrWHfXnzQCEw/s1600/_MG_2081.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9bUA-qzy_R8/WF8otoaTiII/AAAAAAAADc0/ARpf6xgIEScWq8loyYzSG9xTzrWHfXnzQCEw/s440/_MG_2081.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ectfA_AEC2E/WF8ou8soedI/AAAAAAAADdE/Z9HNCMdbngY-_OF8w6DzYNklpd4fVlDuwCEw/s1600/_MG_2138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ectfA_AEC2E/WF8ou8soedI/AAAAAAAADdE/Z9HNCMdbngY-_OF8w6DzYNklpd4fVlDuwCEw/s440/_MG_2138.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g-3XZtAXpzE/WF8ovMQqqhI/AAAAAAAADdI/mKGwL4jbo8cUcMvwfq91i8t29WbXVVW6wCEw/s1600/_MG_2151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g-3XZtAXpzE/WF8ovMQqqhI/AAAAAAAADdI/mKGwL4jbo8cUcMvwfq91i8t29WbXVVW6wCEw/s610/_MG_2151.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This ornament is actually a "windmill" made by one of my students for our school Market Day. If you blow on it, it spins! I'd love to put it out on our lanai, but I'm afraid it will blow away!</span></td></tr>
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In addition to decorating our own place, I love that we live downtown and can look out at the decorations at ‘Iolani Palace and Honolulu Hale. The two are an odd juxtaposition, with gentle lanterns adorning the palace and a cacophony of bright, flashing lights on city hall, but I've come to really enjoy both of them!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--TJjtosMvyc/WF8osKGk3wI/AAAAAAAADcs/9IQvvSDeDJM6h_Doyz41cR-DjiWQEYlGgCEw/s1600/_MG_1887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--TJjtosMvyc/WF8osKGk3wI/AAAAAAAADcs/9IQvvSDeDJM6h_Doyz41cR-DjiWQEYlGgCEw/s610/_MG_1887.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">‘Iolani Palace, decorated with lanterns the way that King Kalākaua did it.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vXtpJLRbMyg/WF8orj92xCI/AAAAAAAADck/SCPNkeXLJO4FMFMRH5wQ0ua5zFBzqKFVACEw/s1600/_MG_1988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vXtpJLRbMyg/WF8orj92xCI/AAAAAAAADck/SCPNkeXLJO4FMFMRH5wQ0ua5zFBzqKFVACEw/s610/_MG_1988.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This truck was really decked out as it drove past the City Lights display.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n16U_J-OnzQ/WF8or_aUKmI/AAAAAAAADco/Yw5TT1wAl-0_9ccMLtOhFL4TL7XrIKVEwCEw/s1600/_MG_2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n16U_J-OnzQ/WF8or_aUKmI/AAAAAAAADco/Yw5TT1wAl-0_9ccMLtOhFL4TL7XrIKVEwCEw/s610/_MG_2009.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A trolley tour of city lights is a fun way to check out the decorations.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH-3Cuj849s/WF8osgc9CUI/AAAAAAAADcw/mD4ilRR733IDM2rHFM96aAr1CgFzvKNzACEw/s1600/_MG_2026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH-3Cuj849s/WF8osgc9CUI/AAAAAAAADcw/mD4ilRR733IDM2rHFM96aAr1CgFzvKNzACEw/s610/_MG_2026.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I like the palm trees wrapped in lights for a bit of tropical festivity.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0hEqoqOAGV8/WF8ouMB2SGI/AAAAAAAADc4/x-jDPHMdnUouwfcYWBZNBlW7eM96haVsgCEw/s1600/_MG_2044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0hEqoqOAGV8/WF8ouMB2SGI/AAAAAAAADc4/x-jDPHMdnUouwfcYWBZNBlW7eM96haVsgCEw/s610/_MG_2044.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This statue of a man waiting for the bus always surprises me because it's so realistic! I keep expecting him to move.</span></td></tr>
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Decorations also help mark the season in a way that the climate here doesn't. It can be easy to forget it's the holidays when you are still wearing shorts. So a few ornaments, some holiday cookies, a glass of eggnog, and endless renditions of "Mele Kalikimaka" all over town help put me in the holiday spirit.<br />
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Happy holidays to all of you!Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-69551288542912053722016-12-01T00:00:00.000-10:002016-12-01T06:52:11.443-10:00December 2016 Calendar - Mele Kalikimaka<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif73eBl4M34eTydazCqrqWw1itY3nronocH-AFEvKTRzWh9lKYcc-EI9Q3EsxRLcg4GKwcHWy6sj4J-Ep428gA1rwCRrQGWR3aBdXBQUywAEwdjv4RYoBSt9zjQInx1-f3oThfLY7djS8/s1600/Gould+2016Cal+December.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif73eBl4M34eTydazCqrqWw1itY3nronocH-AFEvKTRzWh9lKYcc-EI9Q3EsxRLcg4GKwcHWy6sj4J-Ep428gA1rwCRrQGWR3aBdXBQUywAEwdjv4RYoBSt9zjQInx1-f3oThfLY7djS8/s762/Gould+2016Cal+December.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">December 2016 - Mele Kalikimaka</span></td></tr>
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Each month this year, <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/01/2016-calendar-happy-new-year.html" target="_blank">I'm posting a new image that I created for a 2016 calendar.</a> December brings <a href="http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/December-2013/Getting-Shaka-Santa-and-Tutu-Mele-ready-for-Honolulu-City-Lights/" target="_blank">Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele</a> to Honolulu Hale each year. The <a href="http://www.honolulucitylights.org/" target="_blank">city lights display</a> is crazy and over-the-top, but I have come to really appreciate and enjoy it (even though it brings evening crowds to city hall, just down the street!). Each year, Santa relaxes with his feet in the pool, a soda beside him, and a big <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaka_sign" target="_blank">shaka</a> to greet the crowds. It's a fun part of the holidays. <i>Mele kalikimaka!</i><br />
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I hope you've enjoyed the calendar throughout the year as much as I enjoyed making it. Here's an overview page with thumbnails of each month.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_Rz3kWR83E/Vo3QYBw8znI/AAAAAAAAC1U/mYLz65KMvnA/s1600/Gould%2B2016Cal%2BBack.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_Rz3kWR83E/Vo3QYBw8znI/AAAAAAAAC1U/mYLz65KMvnA/s762/Gould%2B2016Cal%2BBack.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The back page of my calendar. I hope you enjoyed it!</span></td></tr>
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If you'd like to see the whole calendar, <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxxcEZZNOF8eYnFIbUhHd0hfQlU/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">I uploaded a .pdf of it here</a>.Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-76638288920862141782016-11-01T00:00:00.000-10:002016-11-01T00:00:01.224-10:00November 2016 Calendar - Quiet Contemplation <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s8Rhk1VEeLs/Vo3KT-V5TNI/AAAAAAAAC04/8UujQXJN6CM/s1600/Gould%2B2016Cal%2BNovember.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s8Rhk1VEeLs/Vo3KT-V5TNI/AAAAAAAAC04/8UujQXJN6CM/s762/Gould%2B2016Cal%2BNovember.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">November 2016 - Quiet Contemplation</span></td></tr>
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Each month this year, <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/01/2016-calendar-happy-new-year.html" target="_blank">I'm posting a new image that I created for a 2016 calendar.</a> For November, I offer a quiet and contemplative image of a Buddhist statue in <a href="http://manoa.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum/" target="_blank">Lyon Arboretum</a> in the back of Mānoa Valley. This statue is tucked away in a bamboo grove. The peacefulness and serenity of the location can hardly be beat (as long as the mosquitoes are leaving you alone back there in the jungle!). This time of year is great for stopping to reflect on all the blessings we've been given. I know that I can hardly begin to count the many ways that I am fortunate. Maybe the expression of this statue can help guide us toward a sense of gratitude for the simple things, like a walk in a beautiful tropical garden. <i>Mahalo</i> for being part of the ways life has blessed me.<br />
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If you'd like to see the whole calendar, <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxxcEZZNOF8eYnFIbUhHd0hfQlU/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">I uploaded a .pdf of it here</a>.Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-56208564546932832282016-10-24T21:50:00.000-10:002016-10-24T21:50:02.962-10:00The Goulds go to the Big Island<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4huJ92Nvpus/WA2gjXgVkyI/AAAAAAAADa4/mPOgHc1nahoVvUsS_GhP-jiY-fLzomPvACEw/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4huJ92Nvpus/WA2gjXgVkyI/AAAAAAAADa4/mPOgHc1nahoVvUsS_GhP-jiY-fLzomPvACEw/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-20.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I loved trying to get shots of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. With a longer exposure for night, it seems like there's a giant fireball bursting out. It definitely was dramatic and exciting and I could barely look away.</span></td></tr>
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We made it to October Break (yes, we get a vacation in October here—when school starts in late July, a fall break is well-deserved!). This year, my parents came out to visit. It was their third trip to Hawai‘i and they've done a lot of O‘ahu tourism over the past two trips. We decided to go for something different this time and planned a trip to the Big Island. I figured, when else will folks from Maine get to go see an active volcano? We planned out a four day visit for the middle of my vacation week.<br />
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We still made sure to get in a bit of exploring around here as well. I brought my folks to go see <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2014/04/waterfall-hiking-in-nuuanu.html" target="_blank">Lulumahu Falls in Nu‘uanu Valley</a>. I'm not sure if they were cursing me under their breath as I had them wading across streams and climbing over rocks, but we had a great (if somewhat muddy) afternoon!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NuAC7CfUYR0/WA2gKGuXmUI/AAAAAAAADY0/lSCY9-XCYREx7T7HOIVbj4Hr0lIqILQRACLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NuAC7CfUYR0/WA2gKGuXmUI/AAAAAAAADY0/lSCY9-XCYREx7T7HOIVbj4Hr0lIqILQRACLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Due to a previously scheduled work trip, Miguel was only able to be home for a short part of my parents' trip. I'm glad that they got to spend some time together (and that we were able to get this family picture before he left).</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iSUc1OLKAYE/WA2gkXzEkEI/AAAAAAAADZo/8BkzscCWuxQExlWf-FAKq6PGXyNkKBkkQCLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iSUc1OLKAYE/WA2gkXzEkEI/AAAAAAAADZo/8BkzscCWuxQExlWf-FAKq6PGXyNkKBkkQCLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I have a bad habit of underselling the difficulty of hikes and only when actually out on the trail remembering the difficult parts. Fortunately, my parents are good sports and went along with me and my muddy, river traversing expedition!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SJQ2xiVFeGE/WA2g-5nnefI/AAAAAAAADaM/h0KPIIRrk1Y-LyO1_tSkXqIKINsJGHGlwCLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SJQ2xiVFeGE/WA2g-5nnefI/AAAAAAAADaM/h0KPIIRrk1Y-LyO1_tSkXqIKINsJGHGlwCLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I love this shot of Mom and Dad as we enjoyed the late afternoon light at the Nu‘uanu reservoir.</span></td></tr>
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On Monday morning of my break, we got up early and headed to the airport. Arriving in Kona, we picked up our rental car and drove along the South Kona coast, stopping to check out some sights along the way. We stopped at <a href="http://www.thepaintedchurch.org/" target="_blank">St. Benedict's Painted Church</a>, visited <a href="https://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm" target="_blank">Pu‘uhonua O Hōnaunau</a> Place of Refuge, grabbed a bite to eat at <a href="http://www.bakeshophawaii.com/" target="_blank">Punalu‘u Bake Shop</a> (the "Southernmost Bakery in the US"), and saw honu on the <a href="http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/regions-neighborhoods/kau/punaluu-black-sand-beach/" target="_blank">black sand black at Punalu‘u</a>, all on the way to our AirBnB in Volcano.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-23zu_l4gEms/WA2hJujq6TI/AAAAAAAADbE/aMUyjIG0qKMgBF-5lbKAyd2CZZESGqwuQCEw/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-23zu_l4gEms/WA2hJujq6TI/AAAAAAAADbE/aMUyjIG0qKMgBF-5lbKAyd2CZZESGqwuQCEw/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">St. Benedict's Painted Church</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P2Bu48kcTD0/WA2hNEp-ngI/AAAAAAAADao/bzNr61F9mUQkMkcAFiGlG3A_jS8B-lGxgCLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P2Bu48kcTD0/WA2hNEp-ngI/AAAAAAAADao/bzNr61F9mUQkMkcAFiGlG3A_jS8B-lGxgCLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The church's interior is covered in murals (hence the name). One guidebook that we read said that it was best viewed just before sunset, with the golden light streaming in to the church and dark clouds against the mountains in the background. I bet it's stunning!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNDhc5sgZVVqtfbXkGwZ1mxuZ6qJkQTSOVDehdp2B7v3ApS9t65iHkM74qQrBdJveht0uy-zrw92uNNmx1KkhTNKoZZaGTjgE0xyx8VCCT6IH_5aGoTbEjtIlV07PCE8I2nF6CXuR-O0/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNDhc5sgZVVqtfbXkGwZ1mxuZ6qJkQTSOVDehdp2B7v3ApS9t65iHkM74qQrBdJveht0uy-zrw92uNNmx1KkhTNKoZZaGTjgE0xyx8VCCT6IH_5aGoTbEjtIlV07PCE8I2nF6CXuR-O0/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pu‘uhonua O Hōnaunau is a really interesting place to stop and visit. It was historically a place of refuge where those who had broken <i>kapu</i> were safe from punishment and could be absolved of their crimes by the priests. </span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg-WCGGRTYE/WA2hN_7BDmI/AAAAAAAADas/J1pybKTQTBcfIm3XxpyEOuCP7cLUZAO8QCLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg-WCGGRTYE/WA2hN_7BDmI/AAAAAAAADas/J1pybKTQTBcfIm3XxpyEOuCP7cLUZAO8QCLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-7.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2AwD6oigLeA/WA2hP6ZFPtI/AAAAAAAADaw/7RyYFAxZZgUqhFLq-BuJKvirplFGi4A0gCLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2AwD6oigLeA/WA2hP6ZFPtI/AAAAAAAADaw/7RyYFAxZZgUqhFLq-BuJKvirplFGi4A0gCLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There were several honu resting on black sands on Punalu‘u Beach. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRcTELVrKTU/WA2hRgbko-I/AAAAAAAADa0/S5x2IIwHOJsBRInESw9MvEREy8tiraglQCLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRcTELVrKTU/WA2hRgbko-I/AAAAAAAADa0/S5x2IIwHOJsBRInESw9MvEREy8tiraglQCLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We laughed as this guy turned to pose for the shot!</span></td></tr>
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Getting to the place we were staying was a bit of an adventure in itself. We booked a rental in the town of Volcano, just outside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. It turned out to be truly off the beaten path down a rough dirt road. When we got there, though, we were blown away by the beautiful home, totally off-grid and tucked away in the middle of a rainforest of ‘ōhi‘a trees and giant ferns.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YDnOSJF_iAU/WA2gTJ7w8cI/AAAAAAAADa4/wYRSkDaWeeAuh6de3W3nZShZqFFLoFx2wCEw/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YDnOSJF_iAU/WA2gTJ7w8cI/AAAAAAAADa4/wYRSkDaWeeAuh6de3W3nZShZqFFLoFx2wCEw/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-12.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The road to our stay in Volcano was a bit nerve-wracking as we maneuvered our rental car along the mud and rocks, but it was gorgeous to be out in the middle of the forest.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dTd2S7wTz0EcAWO-DQsNrgYxYcSCM0IELJdqyiffklIX2M4VmWp7KzZqO5EIzD_GtypUoJ0HrTUsB7gOYiGOLZiRI-fSPp2FNZte83RLXtHNB2Jsk_i3fN0w9xeiuST0rTDo53q3tDA/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dTd2S7wTz0EcAWO-DQsNrgYxYcSCM0IELJdqyiffklIX2M4VmWp7KzZqO5EIzD_GtypUoJ0HrTUsB7gOYiGOLZiRI-fSPp2FNZte83RLXtHNB2Jsk_i3fN0w9xeiuST0rTDo53q3tDA/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-22.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A rainy morning looking off the porch.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s5A1oDO3bX8/WA2gTTbDGII/AAAAAAAADa4/PpmXVJ-5tXAVj4exe4vWx83v-iZLDyu6gCEw/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s5A1oDO3bX8/WA2gTTbDGII/AAAAAAAADa4/PpmXVJ-5tXAVj4exe4vWx83v-iZLDyu6gCEw/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-13.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The dense ferns were lush and beautiful.</span></td></tr>
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After settling in, we drove over to the National Park for dinner. To celebrate my dad's birthday, we had made a reservation at <a href="http://www.hawaiivolcanohouse.com/dining/" target="_blank">The Rim at Volcano House</a>. I loved having dinner at a window table for my parents' first glimpse of the glow at Halema‘uma‘u Crater–it was really fun! After dinner, we drove to the Jaggar Museum lookout to check out the crater even closer. <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2015/03/big-island-weekend.html" target="_blank">Last year, I visited the Big Island</a> and loved the glow of Halema‘uma‘u. This year, the lava lake was much higher and I was enthralled by watching the lava spray and splash. I could have stayed there for hours!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9akfa2uErE/WA2gKVZvYHI/AAAAAAAADa4/nylimDWeMKEEInY0UlZ36QpUm2MSRzyQACEw/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9akfa2uErE/WA2gKVZvYHI/AAAAAAAADa4/nylimDWeMKEEInY0UlZ36QpUm2MSRzyQACEw/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-11.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The lava lake was high and active. Just with your naked eye, you could see streams of lava and watch it spray and explode. It was incredible!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o16upVu2OxY/WA2gOka-v5I/AAAAAAAADY8/p0pyC2tJ-9w8ZHU734SghvJsHfGoUSPNgCLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o16upVu2OxY/WA2gOka-v5I/AAAAAAAADY8/p0pyC2tJ-9w8ZHU734SghvJsHfGoUSPNgCLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-10.jpg" /></a></div>
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The next day, we returned to the park to explore. We took a ranger-led walk to look at Kīlauea Crater in the daytime. Then we drove along Chain of Craters Road, stopping on the way to go to the Thurston Lava Tube. The next time I go to the Big Island, I want to hike out to see the active lava flow, but I was excited just to see the steam rise in the distance as the lava hit the sea.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TkPQuSRSHHg/WA2gWRUyTNI/AAAAAAAADZI/qm5L8d_7XGg2UugDou0kqQ22KD-PoVclgCLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TkPQuSRSHHg/WA2gWRUyTNI/AAAAAAAADZI/qm5L8d_7XGg2UugDou0kqQ22KD-PoVclgCLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-14.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">At Thurston Lava Tube. A lava tube is formed when the top layer of the lava cools and hardens while the flow continues below. When the lava drains out, the tube is left. It's a very cool spot (literally cool as water drips down from ‘ōhi‘a roots).</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1MdjRDa497MT1mOk4dLelChpyendUiIfG_Y1EZK6jQTzCPRF2ZEldUkedOU1q1dYTwH7_5Rkl93e2VIivqKxL5gbc7SROkIovpUSd0U3MzdtL99H5sSyZONfBvLnNRS_AIwYU1gBJO4/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1MdjRDa497MT1mOk4dLelChpyendUiIfG_Y1EZK6jQTzCPRF2ZEldUkedOU1q1dYTwH7_5Rkl93e2VIivqKxL5gbc7SROkIovpUSd0U3MzdtL99H5sSyZONfBvLnNRS_AIwYU1gBJO4/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-15.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aWSqkBv7Lxk/WA2gZGdeBmI/AAAAAAAADZM/iWln_C2tAh83fZTL97Y8rXV6rUISZ1VZACLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aWSqkBv7Lxk/WA2gZGdeBmI/AAAAAAAADZM/iWln_C2tAh83fZTL97Y8rXV6rUISZ1VZACLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-16.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LHb42G-hsiE/WA2gb6XheZI/AAAAAAAADZQ/7L1RNScFfhckHsJqiOez8hOv-WVBdpj6wCLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LHb42G-hsiE/WA2gb6XheZI/AAAAAAAADZQ/7L1RNScFfhckHsJqiOez8hOv-WVBdpj6wCLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-17.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I love this image. Near the end of Chain of Craters road, we stopped to walk out and see a set of ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs. The starkness of the tree branches and the dark lava rock really make this stand out to me.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYXpZFkV3gs/WA2gcjzCeqI/AAAAAAAADZU/QMpuN0nAVzwgIsKVbRyroy5XVp5SPYRYwCLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYXpZFkV3gs/WA2gcjzCeqI/AAAAAAAADZU/QMpuN0nAVzwgIsKVbRyroy5XVp5SPYRYwCLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-18.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The newest land in the United States is right there where that vapor cloud is forming. The current lava flow is about a four- or five-mile hike from the end of Chain of Craters Road. I hope to hike out and see it up closer next time!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz3F3CpKjQw/WA2ggW3grtI/AAAAAAAADZc/Byu4hj5RlWwo8MUwzqZT7D5S9xgvHlH_gCLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz3F3CpKjQw/WA2ggW3grtI/AAAAAAAADZc/Byu4hj5RlWwo8MUwzqZT7D5S9xgvHlH_gCLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-19.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Near the edge of Kīlauea Crater is a set of steam vents that are magical in the late afternoon light. </span></td></tr>
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After finishing our time in Volcano, we took a long drive around the island to return to Kona. Our circle island was a bit of trying to stay ahead of rain as it followed us to Hilo and beyond. We found enough breaks in the rain to stop in Hilo for <a href="http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/Biting-Commentary/February-2014/For-Girls-Day-Shirokiya-Brings-in-Two-Ladies-Kitchen-Mochi/#.WA7TM6PMzdQ" target="_blank">strawberry mochi from Two Ladies Kitchen</a>. Then we drove north a bit to go to the <a href="http://www.hawaiigarden.com/" target="_blank">Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden</a> where we explored the amazing tropical rainforest filled with beautiful plants, cascading waterfalls, and a nice path down to <a href="http://www.to-hawaii.com/big-island/beaches/onomeabay.php" target="_blank">Onomea Bay</a>. From there we drove up to <a href="http://hawaiistateparks.org/parks/hawaii/akaka-falls-state-park/" target="_blank">Akaka Falls</a>, where we only managed to see the top of the falls since the increasing rain dissuaded us from paying to go into the park. Finally we made our way along the rest of the Hamakua Coast, stopping briefly at the <a href="http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/regions-neighborhoods/hamakua-coast/waipio-valley-lookout/" target="_blank">Waipio Valley lookout</a> before continuing on to Kona.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DfGHRUR67y0/WA2gs2jncjI/AAAAAAAADa4/cVJPXdkWWfwOL21uFVb9o_HzooTDAa4LACEw/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DfGHRUR67y0/WA2gs2jncjI/AAAAAAAADa4/cVJPXdkWWfwOL21uFVb9o_HzooTDAa4LACEw/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-24.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Beautiful waterfalls at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3QN357eZPc/WA2gm6-QeNI/AAAAAAAADZs/ow2wQDCyuxckcEMY48dkwX0wFwP-eW8XgCLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3QN357eZPc/WA2gm6-QeNI/AAAAAAAADZs/ow2wQDCyuxckcEMY48dkwX0wFwP-eW8XgCLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-23.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I loved the yellow fly on this beautiful purple flower.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--CZdCCJsoak/WA2gzD1uf2I/AAAAAAAADZ4/lisZ-GMo7LwLHi4wCffjtSx-af2rnZj_gCLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--CZdCCJsoak/WA2gzD1uf2I/AAAAAAAADZ4/lisZ-GMo7LwLHi4wCffjtSx-af2rnZj_gCLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-25.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another lovely waterfall</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Czfp18-xWF4/WA2g42gkd7I/AAAAAAAADaA/c0qMk_l4t0EGK79PccyaOEZ9qNHhjkUqACLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Czfp18-xWF4/WA2g42gkd7I/AAAAAAAADaA/c0qMk_l4t0EGK79PccyaOEZ9qNHhjkUqACLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-26.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking down to Waipio Valley from the lookout. It's a long way down there (see the two people crossing the river's mouth?)</span></td></tr>
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We spent the last day of our Big Island visit in Kona. We rented a tiny studio apartment for the night. What it lacked in space, it made up for in location, though, as we were right on Ali‘i Drive, across the street from the beach, shopping, and restaurants. We spent the day walking around, stopping in at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulihee_Palace" target="_blank">Hulihe‘e Palace</a> and walking to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamakahonu" target="_blank">Kamakahonu</a>, the site Kamehameha the Great's residence. We finished up our afternoon with a tour of the <a href="http://konabrewingco.com/" target="_blank">Kona Brewing Company</a>, with some tasty samples and a nice meal afterwards. We ended the day seeing the sunset over a field of black lava rocks before heading to the airport to return to O‘ahu. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xf7IBk6MLwE/WA2g5wySH6I/AAAAAAAADaE/b2HET_I2cr4IZ9IzhcldgiStAIyHfyKTACLcB/s1600/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xf7IBk6MLwE/WA2g5wySH6I/AAAAAAAADaE/b2HET_I2cr4IZ9IzhcldgiStAIyHfyKTACLcB/s610/AyuhAloha-BigIslandOct2016-28.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I think my parents are ready to move in to Hulihe‘e Palace.</span></td></tr>
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I really have loved my visits to the Big Island! Its diversity and beauty are stunning and have surprised me again and again. I'm already thinking about when I might be able to return!</div>
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Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-846707318890590278.post-19719225582881635282016-10-03T21:04:00.000-10:002017-02-26T22:02:56.384-10:00It's All Greek to Me<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0URevm51cAg/V_FY7vd5PeI/AAAAAAAADYI/KR7sgfu_uQ8Ka6gkFPsxBLK8dNtEcrSIACPcB/s1600/_MG_0381-copy-stars3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0URevm51cAg/V_FY7vd5PeI/AAAAAAAADYI/KR7sgfu_uQ8Ka6gkFPsxBLK8dNtEcrSIACPcB/s610/_MG_0381-copy-stars3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Night at the Acropolis (full disclosure, I didn't <i>really</i> take this picture. I mean, I took the shot of the Acropolis at night and really like it. But the stars weren't there in the <a href="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/l/t31.0-8/14556777_10210602878567587_7308926039055309078_o.jpg" target="_blank">original</a>. I added them later playing around and loved the final image so much I had to keep it!)</span></td></tr>
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Miguel and I wrapped up our busy summer of traveling with a visit to another country that was new to both of us—Greece. We got up early in the morning in Dublin, flew to Athens, rented a car, and drove five and a half hours along beautiful coastlines and mountains until we reached the small seaside town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preveza" target="_blank">Preveza</a>, where Miguel was working as an adjudicator for the <a href="http://prevezafest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Preveza International Choral Festival</a>. As with our <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2016/09/from-gathering-place-to-emerald-isle.html" target="_blank">stay in Ireland</a>, Miguel was busy with the festival during the day and I explored on my own. Thankfully, we had the rental car, as there wasn't as much within easy walking distance of our hotel and I took full advantage of having the car to go explore.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKWqnL3Evf4/V_FYzjw6GtI/AAAAAAAADYI/UvXN0lepGj0-9OubBs0SuQwm0pU_nXyYACPcB/s1600/_MG_0296-copy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKWqnL3Evf4/V_FYzjw6GtI/AAAAAAAADYI/UvXN0lepGj0-9OubBs0SuQwm0pU_nXyYACPcB/s610/_MG_0296-copy3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sunset from our hotel pool. I was trying to capture the depth of layers in the background and am really happy with the final result here!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The cafes and tavernas were quiet in the daytime, when it was hot.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking across the water from Preveza.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mFJvwd6bykc/V_FYv_DsRyI/AAAAAAAADYI/AMNmXp4-O9UyAZ_oj5rVCYK7gfJAD64FwCPcB/s1600/_MG_0248-copy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mFJvwd6bykc/V_FYv_DsRyI/AAAAAAAADYI/AMNmXp4-O9UyAZ_oj5rVCYK7gfJAD64FwCPcB/s610/_MG_0248-copy2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I really like the bright red and white of this boat against the green of the water.</span></td></tr>
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Greece was fascinating to me for giving a sense of being both familiar and completely novel. From our times in Spain, the Mediterranean culture was quickly recognizable: long leisurely meals; a strong connection through laughter and conversation; ancient ruins alongside new buildings; sleepy quiet daytime streets that opened into vibrant hustle and bustle at night. I was a bit surprised to also sense familiarity from my experiences in Russia—Greece is farther east than I realized and I felt a bit of the influence of Eastern Europe in the sounds of the language and the layout of city streets. Perhaps some of that is also due to my brain trying to use my knowledge of the Cyrillic alphabet to try and decode some of the Greek signage (it didn't work so well!).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The festival in Preveza kicked off with a parade through town and the release of several lanterns by the waterfront.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N9lhR6wgMzs/V_FYQK46HaI/AAAAAAAADYI/zP21Rd9VrJ4soAD5KSwXhMbgZH8m52HVwCPcB/s1600/_MG_0099-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N9lhR6wgMzs/V_FYQK46HaI/AAAAAAAADYI/zP21Rd9VrJ4soAD5KSwXhMbgZH8m52HVwCPcB/s610/_MG_0099-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfuvvuoXsDpIgFb9DJukQNab6Lc_BwZfemQSTxcGzUBTRLzbl8cqQfm87cK1BWQGQMlrnYLxxeS6KH1aXmOMe3cfeP0kJTXO3M6-uMdVs-28HeC82J1jDwwq9K9uze7HsahOHwha6pPA/s1600/IMG_9186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfuvvuoXsDpIgFb9DJukQNab6Lc_BwZfemQSTxcGzUBTRLzbl8cqQfm87cK1BWQGQMlrnYLxxeS6KH1aXmOMe3cfeP0kJTXO3M6-uMdVs-28HeC82J1jDwwq9K9uze7HsahOHwha6pPA/s610/IMG_9186.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I love the Mediterranean diet!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jI7ZphM4ARw/V_FYQhhbLGI/AAAAAAAADYI/kOyayDRg9fI-ibVgWgPqDfKlQ8tRqPiJQCPcB/s1600/_MG_0135-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jI7ZphM4ARw/V_FYQhhbLGI/AAAAAAAADYI/kOyayDRg9fI-ibVgWgPqDfKlQ8tRqPiJQCPcB/s610/_MG_0135-copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wandering through an old set of ruins, I found this grasshopper waiting on a broad leaf. He was patient as I took several shots!</span></td></tr>
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The various familiar elements were balanced by the complete novelty of Greece to us. Neither Miguel nor I knew any Greek words. I quickly decided that the first thing I needed to be able to say was thank you (<span style="color: #212121; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">ευχαριστώ, <i>efcharisto</i>). Fortunately, we were most often with people who spoke some English and could help us out. In addition to not knowing words, the fact that we don't know how to read the alphabet made for a challenge when trying to figure out signs, etc. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2rP6Zvma0o/V_FYlueFPxI/AAAAAAAADYI/PW9q6WS8JWoxGpoAfjMhqIKP0IGZMtdggCPcB/s1600/_MG_0230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2rP6Zvma0o/V_FYlueFPxI/AAAAAAAADYI/PW9q6WS8JWoxGpoAfjMhqIKP0IGZMtdggCPcB/s610/_MG_0230.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This site is thought possibly to be the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necromanteion" target="_blank">Necromanteion of Acheron</a>, an ancient temple to Hades and Persephone. In the 1950s, archaeologists excavated the site and identified images on shards of pottery as being Persephone. Later archaeologists have disputed the idea that this is the site of the ancient Necromanteion and consider that it was likely a fortified farmstead. I preferred the more mythical explanation myself! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The underground chamber was fascinating. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">After a few days in Preveza, we drove </span></span><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">back to Athens for a final two nights of vacation. We arrived in Athens on July 11–our 8th wedding anniversary. We wandered around a bit, watching the sun set from the base of the Acropolis and then getting an anniversary dinner at a sidewalk taverna. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A beautiful view for a wedding anniversary.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #212121;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our final full day began by heading across town to the <a href="http://www.namuseum.gr/wellcome-en.html" target="_blank">National Archaeological Museum of Athens</a>. It was fascinating and a bit overwhelming to take in so much history at once! From there, we meandered through the city to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_of_Hadrian_(Athens)" target="_blank">Hadrian's Arch</a> and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Olympian_Zeus,_Athens" target="_blank">Temple of Olympian Zeus</a>.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemision_Bronze" target="_blank">Artemision Bronze</a> depicts either Zeus or Poseidon and was found in 1926 at the site of a second century BC shipwreck. The identity of the god represented depends on whether the object originally in his right had was a trident or a thunderbolt.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jockey_of_Artemision" target="_blank">Jockey of Artemision</a> was recovered from the same shipwreck as the statue of Zeus/Poseidon. I thought both statues were incredibly powerful and impressive.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MtwK_2TRcwo/V_FZH0CLcwI/AAAAAAAADXk/klsNS7SscakkgbW1FLMqwg9I8U8ZFgTHACLcB/s1600/_MG_0484-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MtwK_2TRcwo/V_FZH0CLcwI/AAAAAAAADXk/klsNS7SscakkgbW1FLMqwg9I8U8ZFgTHACLcB/s610/_MG_0484-copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Walking through the city, we wandered into a fish market.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V47-Y-0sh1A/V_FZJdfotnI/AAAAAAAADXo/zjvxp0l8f_E6iUitLnF85VMv7lZFXeFEQCLcB/s1600/_MG_0488-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V47-Y-0sh1A/V_FZJdfotnI/AAAAAAAADXo/zjvxp0l8f_E6iUitLnF85VMv7lZFXeFEQCLcB/s610/_MG_0488-copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Calamares, anyone?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2vxYJsMcEsw/V_FZCMIgDMI/AAAAAAAADXg/4UKzI5PKSCMph7xEJharFxLbrcV1YtN7gCLcB/s1600/_MG_0503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2vxYJsMcEsw/V_FZCMIgDMI/AAAAAAAADXg/4UKzI5PKSCMph7xEJharFxLbrcV1YtN7gCLcB/s610/_MG_0503.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Temple of Olympian Zeus must have been amazing in its day. Originally there were 104 columns. Sixteen still stand. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #212121; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, we headed up to the </span><a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/404" style="white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Acropolis</a><span style="color: #212121; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to end the day. It was a bit pricey to get in, but well worth it. Walking around the columns of the </span><a href="http://ancient-greece.org/architecture/parthenon.html" style="white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Parthenon</a><span style="color: #212121; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and the ancient temples was absolutely awe-inspiring. Just before sunset, they ushered everyone out and we returned to the spot where we had watched the sun set on our anniversary. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ub1M6vgo_8/V_FZJxEWuXI/AAAAAAAADXs/ldzicukpllcaa5lCDGIaB0yqn7hUs4nvwCLcB/s1600/_MG_0527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ub1M6vgo_8/V_FZJxEWuXI/AAAAAAAADXs/ldzicukpllcaa5lCDGIaB0yqn7hUs4nvwCLcB/s610/_MG_0527.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x4mvSZJDXkk/V_FZPsPnAYI/AAAAAAAADX0/zjR1Pitu1D8iE6Vy-c_Eh1w2harA0jBDACLcB/s1600/_MG_0532-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x4mvSZJDXkk/V_FZPsPnAYI/AAAAAAAADX0/zjR1Pitu1D8iE6Vy-c_Eh1w2harA0jBDACLcB/s610/_MG_0532-copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Athena_Nike" target="_blank">Temple of Athena Nike</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iawHApcxGkc/V_FZPd9ZB7I/AAAAAAAADXw/WoQDWOOHo2oKEmpThomUj3s5pxAHgfsmwCLcB/s610/_MG_0550-copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenon" target="_blank">Parthenon</a> </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iawHApcxGkc/V_FZPd9ZB7I/AAAAAAAADXw/WoQDWOOHo2oKEmpThomUj3s5pxAHgfsmwCLcB/s1600/_MG_0550-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AJ9d5EhtpWQ/V_FZPwNMUQI/AAAAAAAADX4/PW-DnysDkn4v-dLpoJUD9IDCtM72iujJwCLcB/s1600/_MG_0579-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AJ9d5EhtpWQ/V_FZPwNMUQI/AAAAAAAADX4/PW-DnysDkn4v-dLpoJUD9IDCtM72iujJwCLcB/s610/_MG_0579-copy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wy38ZbtoWOk/V_FZV17kFlI/AAAAAAAADYE/0euEJR9-02U-SHr7ANOJHFWGc0LPADqqACLcB/s1600/_MG_0591-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wy38ZbtoWOk/V_FZV17kFlI/AAAAAAAADYE/0euEJR9-02U-SHr7ANOJHFWGc0LPADqqACLcB/s610/_MG_0591-copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The city of Athens stretches out in every direction.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mK_8K1oeA44/V_FZUh-7OjI/AAAAAAAADYA/i5wCMtX7GBge55IsOZFRkQ7PtVo4g2u6ACLcB/s1600/_MG_0602-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mK_8K1oeA44/V_FZUh-7OjI/AAAAAAAADYA/i5wCMtX7GBge55IsOZFRkQ7PtVo4g2u6ACLcB/s610/_MG_0602-copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Crowds gather at a site just outside the Acropolis for incredible sunset views. I liked this shot of a romantic couple.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzNURzya6_Yp5G2zt0y46vTPTioSIDbSLeS5nILWh61b4-XEPrj5R7NdvAQWYkfTdY07qctzilLGuRMjsHD3SDnCu_5YPEXsqRETfIXGTAINCQMBs9n46o1dMkQK4jJSounfHopbpPAs/s1600/_MG_0603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzNURzya6_Yp5G2zt0y46vTPTioSIDbSLeS5nILWh61b4-XEPrj5R7NdvAQWYkfTdY07qctzilLGuRMjsHD3SDnCu_5YPEXsqRETfIXGTAINCQMBs9n46o1dMkQK4jJSounfHopbpPAs/s610/_MG_0603.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #212121; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #212121; white-space: pre-wrap;">After taking in the views of the city, we headed to meet a friend (one of Miguel's fellow jurors from the festival in Preveza) for dinner at a charming restaurant with roof-top seating and incredible views of the many ancient ruins lit up at night. (Whenever the two of them got too deep into shop-talk, I could let my gaze wander across the city and marvel at the fact that I was sitting there!)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Looking back at our time in Greece, I was deeply moved by the weight of the history there. <a href="http://ayuh-aloha.blogspot.com/2015/07/summer-vacation-2015-pt-3-village-life.html" target="_blank">When we travel to Spain</a>, there is an old Roman Road from the village up the mountain pass. I always like to take a morning to hike it and marvel at the people who made it and the centuries of people who have traversed it. The ancient Greek structures are centuries <i>older</i> than that and it boggles my mind. To stand on the stone where countless souls have lingered—philosophers, kings, warriors, lovers, travelers, possibly even gods—and to add my simple presence to the list is humbling.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">ευχαριστώ</span><br />
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<br />Aaron Gouldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13278802289344480968noreply@blogger.com0