Baron’s Blog

Date or Daughter?
If you see Rosie (that’s the guy on the left) around town with this beautiful 19 year-old girl you can humor him as being ‘da man’ or you can know the truth that it’s a friend of his son that’s visiting the Big Island. Rosie is the local public access channel sports video guy and he was at the rodeo in Honokaa for Memorial Day weekend. The gal, didn’t get her name, didn’t have anything to do so she decided to tag along. Rosie put her to work by making her fetch camera batteries when she wasn’t enjoying the rodeo action. Actually she was a very sweet gal, and I guess Rosie is still ‘da man’ anyway…his son is on the mainland.

Hoku and her fiance Chris at Durty Jakes. Hoku was a reporter at WHT before moving to Oahu to work for a PR firm and hooking up with Chris. The two were actually classmates at HPA and were on the Big Island for a grand HPA reunion for all alumni.

Andrea and Carly joined us at Durty Jakes after a very long day putting together West Hawaii Today’s first broadsheet issue. Starting June 1st we’re a broadsheet paper instead of a tabloid. Much stress and rushing around is being done to get us up to speed on putting together the new product.

Our new sports editor Joe joined us for a drink. He’s been put through the ringer learning how to put together WHT as a tabloid only to later have to learn it all over again putting together the broadsheet. A long night for both him and the page designers at work.

As the music group the Go-Go’s said
CHORUS:
Vacation
All I ever wanted
Vacation
Had to get away

I’ve decided to put the Picture of the Day on vacation for at least a week to give myself a break. I will probably continue to take photos but no update for a week. Of course i could always break-down and post something but don’t count on it.

It’s more likely that the cameraphone photo will continue to be updated on the right side but not the usual posts. And it’s possible that there may be a big update with stuff from my week off the blog, but don’t hold your breath.

Aloha,
Baron

Click on the picture above to see a short 10 second video of the start of the Keauhou-Kona Triathlon in Kona. If you don’t have QuickTime updated on your computer click on the QuickTime link to the right in the sidebar to get the latest software for free.

A 1/2 Ironman distance triathlon this race had a clear blue sky during the race which made for a somewhat hot day. The course change was brutal for some as the run portion took a grueling uphill to the turn-around, then already tired legs had to strain to brake the running speed coming off the hill. Some of the world-class triathletes walked the hill as it proved to be punishing.

Chris rakes rocks out of the beach sand at the swim finish fronting King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel then spells out ALOHA in the sand for triathletes.

I’ve updated my May 22nd post about flying over Waimea with video and a map of my flight path. Click on this link or go to it via the archives on the right.

Eggplant parmesan at Travis and Peggy’s apartment in Holualoa. A housewarming party they really outdid themselves, and us too, by hosting a dinner party beyond our worthyness. Italian food with pastas, salads, breads, toppings, cheesecake and gelatto all fresh made.

There’s never a hesitation with Brian when it comes to food as he gets some pasta and sauce. Travis and Peggy must have made an agreement with the gods as it had been raining a good portion of the day and dark clouds ruled the afternoon over Holualoa. But during dinner it left the air clear, clean and cool with not a drop of rain.

Brian, Rani and Tiffany at the dinner party. Folks weren’t too happy being blinded by the camera flash since we were dinning by candlelight, thus the lack of photos from this event. It was best enjoyed without shooting photos anyway.

The lazy day started late with a trip to Paleaku Peace Garden in Honaunau down the road from Chula’s goddess house. The retreat has a nice view of Kealakekua Bay and is a peaceful place.

Chula relaxes at Paleaku Peace Gardens in Honaunau.

Another shot of Chula kicking it back at Paleaku Peace Gardens.

One of the statues at the peace garden. When I photographed this statue over 10 years ago I noticed that the bowl in his hand was actually a skullcap but since then it has been painted to look like a regular bowl.