Kamehameha day

Kamehameha day is the festival of Hawaiians. Here, it is state holiday and there were parades in Kalakaua street in Waikiki. There were also many concerts outside for Hula, Hawaiian music and even Japanese percussion TAIKO. It has been long since I saw Taiko performance in Japan last time (I don't remember exactly when it was...), so I was happy to see the real Japanese performance.

On Sunday, I went to the beach with my friend. This is Waikiki beach with Diamond Head. The weather was great! I was a bit frustrated with bed bug's problem this week but I could really relaxed today. I went into the water and just play around with sea wave.

In Hawaii, I discovered "Smoothie", which is the crushed fruits and ice. Sometimes it is with some ice cream. But I prefer the smoothie without ice cream. Here, in International Market place, we found good smoothie place. Many kinds of fruit were around and it smelled so gooooood. It was perfect after sea bathing!  

Lava Flow

I remember that I went to see the lava flow in 2002 and 2003. I enjoyed but I injured my lid.
This time, I should be clam and not to be so excited...

This one day trip to Big Island was the part of the course of NDPTC. I am so happy to take the course related to Natural Disaster Preparedness though I feel I should work for natural disaster practically now.

We started to walk from the edge of Kalapana village where several houses are buried by the lava flow. The destination was the south part of the flow marked as "May 11-31 flow expansion " in the map of USGS.

 

On the way to red molten lava, we dropped in on the house buried by the lava flow. Students enjoyed to get into the car in the lava.

Molten lava flow.

 We arrived! after 3hours walk. 

Here we could see the molten lava, some times coming out from by breaking the black surface. I hope you can see red part from the photo. Actually, it was not so clear this time. But students enjoyed to take red lava with a pinch bar or wrecking bar. Some people cooked burritos with the heat of lava. I tried to cook sausages but I was too scared to be burned and didn't make it... Also we didn't have time to stay so long because we had to come back to Honolulu at the same day with the flight. Moreover, we had to walk 3 hours again to go back to the car.

When I see the lava in 2003, it was only 30 minutes walk to arrive at the molten lava. We could easily access and the lava flows are more red and active. It was great chance to take it with my hammer.

The weather was not too hot because of some cloud. It was great condition to walk for long hours. Of course, I was tired, but it was great to see the molten lava again. I felt "I am back to volcano!". Yes. Now I am very happy to be close to active volcano!!!

Weekend at Honolulu

I can see the sea from my apartment! So it is good to go to the beach during weekend.
Today, I bought a swimsuit and went to the beach with my friend.
She is French. So I am happy to speak in French with her because I don't want to lose my French skill. For her, it seems nice, too because there are not so many Francophone in Hawaii. (I think it is much easier to find Japanese!!!)

We went to the "Cheeseburger in Paradise" for lunch and walked to the Alamoana beach. Alamoana is separated from Waikiki, and it is less touristic and there are less people. And the wave is not very strong. So, it is calm and good to have "Tranquille" time.

Now, I feel that I am enjoying my life. It is really important to have nice place to live. Otherwise, I am too scared or too worrisome to enjoy my life. I thank my apartment!

P. S: I prefer Kua'aina than Cheeseburger. I want more fresh vegetable.

Skyscraper!

I moved to new place, 40th floor! It is like a skyscraper for me.
I've never lived in such high building. After one mistake, I decided to live in the high building although it is not really my taste. I wanted to live in a house with a garden. However, I realized it is a bit dangerous only for myself and also I have to fight with COCKROACH! Moreover, I noticed that I don't like lizards either... The solution is to live in the high place.

When I decided, I contacted Japanese company and it was easy to find an apartment with this company. I am surprised that I can use my Japanese privilege here in Hawaii.

At first, I was so happy to see the beautiful night view!
I knew that I can see the ocean from the terrace. However, I didn't know the night view is also so beautiful.

Second, I like big TV and big beds. I have two beds. I don't know it is queen size or double size. But they are vast. At least it is larger than the bed I slept in Geneva. TV is big, too. Actually, I can watch some Japanese TV programs. I haven't expected to watch "Taiga drama" in Hawaii.

Oh, how nice to stay here!! (^ｰ^)v

Oahu Island

I moved to Oahu island on March 29th, 2012. I was not used to write MONTH/DAY/YEAR because in Europe, I always wrote DAY/MONTH/YEAR.... I try to be used to American style now.

There are some problems for bank account and my boxes from Switzerland. I thought that Hawaii is like a developing country because my bank card doesn't work with bank machines even though I entered correct PIN, and my bank card is not blocked!! Also the city is messy and the bus is not punctual. Honestly, I was a bit depressed with such situation at first. For me, Hawaii was a place of longings. It was a heaven. Now, I realized it is not the heaven. It is a place where many people try to live in hard situation or with low incomes.

Even though it is not the heaven, there are many things to enjoy in Oahu Island.
The first thing is... Japanese food. As I was in Geneva, Switzerland, it is not easy to get Japanese food. Here, it is so easy to get Japanese food. Tofu, Natto, Ramen, Okonomiyaki, etc.
Especially, the closest supermarket of the University is Japanese food store called NIJIYA. I was so happy to see this store at the day of my arrival. I was almost crying!

The second thing is... American Burger. Maybe some of my friends know that I like Hamburger with Avocado. Today, I tasted it!!! Kua'aina is a popular hamburger shop in Hawaii and Japan. The oldest shop is in Haleiwa town of Oahu Island.

Look! Here is a big piece of avocado. And what I like here is this carrot stick. Many fresh vegetables are included. So, hamburger is junky food but with a lot of vegetables, it is actually nice. I feel it is better than the steak only with Fried Potatoes (Chips? French fries? Which is the original name of them?).

The third thing... is a nature. Today, we could enjoy turtles at Laniakea beach.

Turtles are protected by volunteers. They are quite immobile... Oh, what do they enjoy in their life? But they seem to be happy on such warm (hot?) sand. I felt sympathy with them. I like them now.

Hawaiian arts are also nice. I couldn't find my favorite painter's picture today. But there are many artists paint Hawaii and they are nice. I can introduce here my favorite painter "Arthur Johnsen"

 

This beautiful woman with powerful touch is magnificent!

I will maybe discover many things in Hawaii from now on. I am happy to come here.

The next thing is to find a house and work as a real volcanologist!!!