Raymond Carl L'Amoreaux

Raymond Carl L'Amoreaux
November 11th, 1918 - May 13th, 2011

*photo taken in Kauai in June 2010
A Note From His Daughters
Our Dad passed away peacefully and surrounded in love. He was active and of vibrant mind until
one week before he passed. He taught us to live a life you love. He lead by example and treated our mother with love, respect and tender loving care. Our dad loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly. Through his death he taught us how precious life is and to see the beauty and joy present during sad and difficult times. We love him so much. We are forever grateful to have had such a loving and inspirational father. We will miss him every day.

We thank all of you for your kindness, support and love for our father.

Obituary of Raymond Carl L’Amoreaux
November 11, 1918 – May 13, 2011

Ray was born on November 11, 1918 in Hillsdale, Michigan. On that day, the first Armistice was celebrated, ending World War I. The peace treaty was signed in France at 11 a.m. (6 a.m. EST) and Ray was born 20 minutes later. Ray’s mother told the story of Ray’s birth many times during her long life. She said that the doctor came to their home on Sunday night to deliver Ray. He came up to the house on the walk, smoking his cigar. He placed it on the porch railing and went inside to check on her. He decided that she wasn’t ready to deliver her first child, so he decided to stay all night-sleeping on the davenport. Then, at 6:20 Monday morning, he delivered an eight-pound boy!

Ray graduated from Berea (Ohio) high school, class of ’36. He went one year to Baldwin Wallace College – also in Berea. His family moved to Ypsilanti in July 1937.

Ray enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 28, 1941 in Detroit. He graduated from the Aviation Mechanics’ School at Scott Field. He was assigned to Gunter Field at Montgomery, Alabama, where he was a crew chief on a Vultee BT-13. From Gunter Field he was assigned to Maxwell Field – still in Montgomery, to the Aviation Cadet program. He went through bombardier training at Victorville. Ray received his bombardier wings, and his 2^nd Lt. Commission, on October 31, 1942.

He went on to fly 50 combat missions in B-17’s with the 2^ndBomb Group – part of General Jimmy Doolittle’s Twelfth Air Force, in North Africa. Ray was assigned to the Fifth Air Force and served in the Southeast Asian campaign, flying B-25’s. Later, in 1998, Ray was presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) at Travis Air Force Base, California, for his acts of extraordinary achievement.

After serving in World War II Ray returned to college under the G.I. Bill. He spent one year at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, and then transferred to Cal – Berkeley. He graduated with a B.S. degree in February 1949.

Ray’s first job, after college, was as an industrial engineer with U.S. Steel in Pittsburg. In the spring of 1951 he was recalled to active duty by the Air Force and served during the Korean War. He was stationed at Mather Field, Sacramento, and piloted Convair T-29’s used to train B-47 pilots in radar bombardiering and radar navigation.

He returned to Columbia Steel, after his separation from the Air Force, in 1953. In 1958C. Brewer hired him as Olokele Sugar Company’s first industrial engineer. Marie and Ray, and three daughters, left San Francisco for Honolulu, on January 15, 1958, on a United Airlines DC-6.

Their Hawaii experience was interesting - historically. They arrived when the islands were still a Territory of the U.S. A year later, it became our 50^th State! Two of their five daughters, Joan and Sue, were born in the Waimea hospital on Kauai. The family moved back to the mainland in September 1962, finally settling in Vallejo.

Ray started work as a Methods Engineer for California & Hawaiian Sugar Company, in Crockett. In 1969, he was promoted to work in the San Francisco corporate office. He retired as the Manager of Internal Auditing in 1983, after having worked in the sugar industry for 25 years.

During his working years, Ray was very active in the organizations of his professions. He was president of both the San Francisco-Oakland Chapters of the Institute of Industrial Engineers, and of the Institute of Industrial Engineers, and of the Institute of Internal Auditors. He was certified in both disciplines, and was licensed by the State of California as a professional Industrial Engineer.

Ray had many interests during his lengthy retirement. Marie and Ray traveled extensively – visiting nearly every state, enjoying visiting the Presidents’ Homes and Libraries, and other points of interest. Their travels also involved six trips to Europe. In his 90’s, Ray made several travel trips. In 2009 he traveled to San Diego for his oldest granddaughter’s wedding and then on a bus tour across the United States to see Mt. Rushmore. In June 2010, Ray traveled to Kauai, Hawaii with his daughters and in October 2010 he rode the train to New Orleans.

Ray enjoyed learning new things and audited classes on “Successful Aging” at Cal-Berkeley for many years. He also attended numerous baseball games as a season ticket holder for the Oakland Athletics.

He enjoyed the new experiences of volunteer work and served on many Boards and Committees during his retirement: Solano Ombudsman, Board of Directors; St Dominic’s Church, Finance Committee; Napa/Solano Area Agency on Aging, Advisory Council; City of Vallejo Citizens Budget Advisory Committee; Commission on Aging; Executive Board, Vallejo Senior Citizens’ Council; Solano County Grand Jury.

In 2008 Ray and his wife Marie moved from Vallejo to Paradise Valley Estates in Fairfield to be closer to their family and last year Ray moved to the Veteran’s Home in Yountville.

The family mourns their great loss – his wife of 66 years Marie; daughters Anne Maher, Mary (Greg) Torres, Beth (Jack) Abercrombie, Joan (Manny) Morais, and Susan (Tom) Chilson, grandchildren Doug Maher, Brad (Kristin) Maher, Daniel & Jason Torres, Jessica Nguyen, Jaclyn Abercrombie, Melissa Morais Parr, Michelle & Brittney Morais, Kaitlyn Chilson, and seven great-grandchildren; Jobey Maher, Bailey Maher, Dakota Maher, Colton Maher and Trenton Maher.

* * *

Ray's Legacy

Ray was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He enjoyed life very much, because of his love of people and his relationship to them.

He was thoughtful of others and unselfish. He would send cards, small gifts, and newspaper clippings to many of his family, friends, and acquaintances. He once said that he never read an article, whether it be in a magazine, or a newspaper, in which he didn't recall a person related to an interest in that subject matter. He usually would then clip- or copy, the article and send it to that person.

Ray had a great sense of humor- thanks to his mother and her Irish background. He was also quick-tempered, which he blamed on his French ancestry. While he was aware of these faults, and worked at overcoming them, he did not succeed.

Ray's dad worked for the New York Central Railroad for over 40 years. Ray followed in his dad's footsteps, and rode the trains for thousands of miles- usually on his dad's NYC Pass.

Consequently, Ray had always liked trains, and their many sounds. When he heard the train's diesel horn, coming from the Crockett and Martinez area, he had the urge to ride on the train once again. Ray caught the night train on May 13th, 2011 at the great age of 92.

Ray was ready to die. He crowded a lot of different activities in his 92 years and was very thankful for all those years of life.

After death he wanted a celebration of his life- with a party- rather than dwell on a morbid funeral.

He liked music very much- especially that of the 30's and 40's. Ray's dad was a musician- playing both the violin and E-flat alto horn (a tone similar to a French horn). Ray played this same instrument (his dad's) in his Berea high school band.

"As you live each day you are "writing" the story of your life!" RCL 2/3/06

* * *

RAY’S EULOGY

Delivered by his daughter, Mary Torres, at Ray's Funeral Mass.

Thank you all for being here today to honor my dad. As many of you know my dad was a planner and always wanted to be prepared for any situation. So it is no surprise that he prepared his last days and death by putting everything in writing-including his own eulogy-in a manual titled "Ray's Final Exit". Being my father's daughter I have also added my "two cents" into this final tribute.

My dad was one of a kind. When God made him He forgot the blueprint. Dad's Irish and French heritage was quite a combination-which he attributed to his humor, occasional display of a temper, and stubborn streak.

Dad tried to do his best, and he urged each of his daughters to do the same. He was inquisitive and always interested in others life stories. Dad walked the walk of “treating others as you would want to be treated”.

He was a collector & saver -from empty boxes to photos, and newspaper and magazine articles - a result of being a young boy growing up during the 1930’s and the Great Depression.

Dad was thoughtful of others – usually remembering birthdays (he got this from my Grandma L’Amoreaux), and anniversaries – get well and sympathy cards – or even “I’m Thinking of You” cards.

He also was known for sending Wall Street Journal articles, to people that he knew who shared the interest of the clipping.

Dad enjoyed his family very much and cherished the time spent together on our many get-togethers. Whether it was a picnic at Sonoma’s City Park, an A’s game, camping trips, Christmas Eve’s (he played a good Santa Claus too), Thanksgivings, and family birthday gatherings. Dad was also a regular attendee at the grandkids various sporting events and school functions.

He and my mom liked to travel and when he retired they hit the road. Dad filled many photo albums with pictures, post cards and other memorabilla from all of their many trips - including visiting Europe six times!

Dad was an avid sports fan. He used to play golf and bowl and even took up bocce ball when he moved to Fairfield. He was also a sports spectator attending many baseball games as a season ticket holder for the Oakland Athletics.

Dad taught us so much about how to live. He was a student of life – always wanting to learn something new, including attending classes at Cal-Berkeley, during his retirement years and graduating from the UC Davis Mini Medical School at the age of 90.

He was a traveler, writer, and a nature lover. On his trip in 2009 to Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Nebraska and some of the National Parks he wrote:

"I was in such awe of the quiet, peaceful, and natural beauty of this great land of ours! In the big scheme of things, I felt so humble and insignificant. The scenery was most inspirational. How can one view such splendor and not comprehend a Supreme Being?"

Dad’s favorite poet, Edgar Guest, was also a native Michigan Wolverine. The following is one of Edgar’s poems, which he especially liked and asked to be read at his memorial service.

"I'd like to think when life is done that I had filled a needed post;

That here and there I'd paid my fare with more than idle talk and boast;

That I had taken gifts divine, the breath of life and manhood fine; and tried to use

them now and then in service for my fellow man."

I know that dad is watching over us. He is busy with the new tasks at hand and reviewing the policies & procedures manual that was given to him at the pearly gates. We will miss him, and are better human beings for having known him. Farewell dad! You will live in our hearts forever.

* * *

Galoshes

GALOSHES, OR OVERSHOES.
Today, I am in the mood to blog. What motivates me is Barry Newman’s excellent column in today’s (Thursday, March 3, 2011) Wall Street Journal - “The Time May be Right For Galoshes To Make A Splash Again.”
His write-up brought back many memories of my experience with galoshes/overshoes, over 80 years ago. Putting them on, and taking them off, were not a problem. We took them for granted - they were part of our outdoor- winter “uniform”.
Barry did a good job describing this necessity of the past winters of long ago. I will only quibble with the article’s photographs. Those foot coverings aren’t galoshes - they are rubbers. Galoshes came half way up the calf, and fancier. They were easy to put on (unless they weren’t the right size - too small.). At the time, I was young enough to still wear knickers. But the older kids and men, would tuck their trouser cuffs inside the overshoe before they would fasten them up. The fasteners were very functional. There were four or five snap-over buckles, which were easy to close with cold hands. They not only kept my feet warm. But also dry. The ‘shoes’ were also thinly lined, which made them warmer.
We didn’t have a car back in those days, so my Mom and Dad did a lot of walking. They always wore the foot covering when going outside in the winter. They didn’t care about “looks”. Comfort always trumped style, We had lots of them, sitting on the floor, in the small room inside the back door, where our family of six stored all of our outside clothing. It is a wonder that we could tell them apart.
Today, you can’t get people to abandon their cars - even in winter - when driving on snow and ice is a real challenge and a hazard. So, I question whether the galosh/overshoe foot covering in winter will make a comeback. I am sure if you tried them for the first time you would be sold on the footwear!
Congratulations, Barry, on your interesting and informative column.
RCL - 3/3/11.

From Peaceful to Violent Streets

From Peaceful to Violent Streets.
I was fortunate to have been stationed in North Africa for about seven months in 1943.
Our 2nd Bomb Group was en-route to join the 8th air Force in England during March of 1943, as replacement crews. We flew our new B-17 over to North Africa, using the South-Atlantic route - West Palm Beach, Trinidad, Belem, Natal, Ascension Island, Dakar, and then up to Marrakech, Morocco. While in Marrakech, Field Marshall Rommel (who headed up the German Afrika Corps) broke through General Montgomery’s Eighth Army’s position and forced them to retreat at Kasserine Pass. The “powers that be” changed our orders, and assigned us to the African front. We were part of General Jimmy Doolittle’s Twelfth Air Force. The Group remained in Africa until after the invasion of Italy in September 1943.
During this time, when we weren’t flying missions, we had leisure time to “swim” in the Mediterranean sea, or visit the very interesting cities in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. I also got to spend a week on R & R in Cairo. While playing “tourist”, I was very observant of the large crowds in the bazaars and waking peacefully on the streets of Tunis. The people in Tunis, either spoke Arabic or French, which was very interesting to me. The French influence came in 1881 when France became their protectorate. Tunisia became an independent state in 1956. The British invaded Egypt in 1882, and they became an independent country in 1922.
This experience has motivated me to follow foreign affairs in the Middle East - primarily on the Lehrer/PBS News Hour and the Wall Street Journal. Based on my experiences nearly 70 years ago, I was very surprised, and saddened, by the recent news of the violent protests in the streets of Tunis and Cairo. This didn’t reflect my pleasant experiences of the time when I walked those very same streets and felt safe and secure.
In Tunis, Ray Bernier - our navigator; a fellow bombardier - “Red Bird”, and Bob Wolfcale, a navigator, would jump in a jeep and travel about 20 miles to Tunis. While there, we would usually go to mass at the St. Vincent de Paul Cathedral. We also visited the Cathedral in nearby Carthage, after a swim.
We visited the Red Cross Club for servicemen, where we could get doughnuts and ice cream. Near the Cathedral in Tunis, was a very nice hotel with a huge porch, I think it was the Hotel Tunis. We would sit in the large wicker - rocking chairs, sipping our cool drinks, and “people watch.” (I suppose that a new hotel sits on the spot today.)
The “powers that be” thought a few us were getting “flak happy” from flying so many combat missions. Our Flight Surgeon suggested that we be given an R&R leave to Cairo. I was fortunate to be one of the chosen group. They let us use a “stripped down” B-17, and we flew from Tunis to Cairo and back - an 8-9 hour flight each way.
We stayed at a B & B in Heliopolis - a suburb of Cairo. The city of Cairo is known for it’s large crowds, and beautiful architecture. I can attest to that! I particularly enjoyed visiting the Bazaar, and even went inside a very beautiful mosque. I bought a few souvenirs in the Bazaar. The merchants liked to bargain, and haggle over the final price. I must have disappointed them, because I didn’t have this skill, and consequently, probably paid more than full price.

We visited the Shepeard Hotel near the American Embassy. It was a five star at the time.

Back to today. It saddens me when I compare my pleasant experiences, nearly 70 years ago, in Tunis and Cairo, with the turmoil in the streets there today - justified or not.

RCL - 1/31/11.

ORIENTATION at CALIFORNIA VETERANS HOME.

VETS HOME ORIENTATION.
I have been a resident here six weeks now. I have completed my Orientation already, even though I was told that it could take two to three months. During one of my early sessions, I met Jim Scheers. He has been here a couple of weeks longer. I am glad that our paths crossed. He is very friendly and outgoing. We have something in common! We are nonagenarians. Jim is 95, and I am trailing him by three years.
During our conversations, I learned that he was an author. He has written 25 books - some in collaboration with other authors. His writing career spans about 50 years, and he is currently writing another book! I mentioned Jim to our daughter, Joan. She was familiar with his books, and said that she has two of them.
This morning we ate breakfast together. He happened to mention that if he were eating alone, he would be “writing” in his head. I asked him if he would remember it, and he said “yes”. He would transcribe his thoughts after he got back to his room.
Jim has an interesting philosophy of life. He told me about a guy, after learning that Jim was 95, asked him if he enjoyed being 95 Jim said, “Oh yes”. The guy said, “but you are closer to dying!” Jim replied, “Everyone is going to die, and I am ready. The guy asked “why?” Jim said “Because I am planning on going to heaven. I have led a good life, geared towards this goal. Jim’s mantra is John 3:3. While I consider myself being spiritual, I was not sure of John3:3, so I Googled it, with the following results:
John 3:3 (King James version.) “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily. verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
The the new International version, is similar. “Jesus replied, Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
Footnote:
The Greek for “again” also means “from above”.
Jim’s faith is very interesting and convincing. 12/27/10.

P.S. Mary and Greg invited me over for lunch on Sunday - the day after Christmas. Mary read the quote on the label of her Honest Ade drink. "Do not regret growing old. It is a privilege denied to many." - Author Unknown.
I think it fits in perfectly here!
RCL 12/28/10.






RCL - 12/27/10.






.

PEARL HARBOR

Pearl Harbor Remembrance.
Today, is the 69th anniversary of the “infamous” Sunday, December 7th, 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, in Honolulu. This sad day marked our active participation in World War II.
Today is also the birthday of our youngest daughter Susan, who was born in the Wilcox hospital at Waimea, Kauai. Also, my good friend Jim Leslie is celebrating his “double-eight” birthday back in Ypsilanti.
I recently moved here to the California Veterans Home, in Yountville. A large group of us are having breakfast. The subject of conversation at the nearby tables is, of course, Pearl Harbor. I wonder how many men, and women, in this large dining room, were there, in Honolulu, on that day?
My memory of the day is still vivid - like it was only yesterday!
The human brain is quite a remarkable organ to be able to store data, and release it upon demand, 69 years later!
I had enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 26, 1941 - in Detroit. On this day, I was stationed at Gunter Field in Montgomery, Alabama. I was a Crew Chief of a Vultee Basic Trainer 13. Our mission was to train English lads to fly.
Being a Sunday, four of my friends and I decided to drive to Birmingham (about 100 miles) to spend the day. I was sandwiched in the middle of the back seat - no seat belts back then. I can’t remember the type of car, and who owned it. We had the car radio “on”. All of a sudden an “Alert” was broadcast “All military personnel report to your bases immediately.” One of us said, “Turn off the radio”, and we decided to keep going. So, we sped along as if nothing had happened!
After spending the day sight-seeing in Birmingham, we returned to Gunter Field. I was immediately assigned to “Guard Duty”. I was given an Enfield rifle (WW I vintage,) but no ammunition. I don’t remember having any rifle training in “Boot Camp”. I can still remember walking around the buildings on that cool, spooky December night.
RCL - 12/9/10.

THE TENTH INNING

THE TENTH INNING.
I had anticipated seeing Ken Burn’s documentary on baseball for quite a while. This week I finally got to see the two episodes. I never thought that I would get tired of seeing the “home run swing”. But, during the two showings, I got “homered” out. The fact that HGS provided the “oomph” for a lot of them, didn’t help. I think the traditional- role model athlete is a thing of the past. The millionaire prima donnas, of today’s sport world, are a poor substitute for my old heroes!
Pete Rose has been denied entrance into the Baseball Hall of Fame, because of a character flaw. The same reasoning should be used to exclude the baseball players who are guilty of using performance -enhancing drugs.
This documentary wasn’t a total loss, for it had many redeeming features. It covered many stadiums and players that I had either seen in the ball parks, or on many of the old TV shots that were used in this documentary. Having lived near three American League cities (Detroit, Cleveland and Oakland), I was naturally an American League fan - for as long as I can remember. My memory is still clear, even though it covers about 82 years since I saw my first major league baseball game. We were living in Hillsdale Michigan during the 1920’s. When I was about 8, my Dad took me to Detroit( 100 miles), to see the Tigers play, at Navin Field on Michigan Avenue. This was an all- day outing - on a Sunday. I said that my memory is good, yet, I can’t remember who the Tigers played on that day. (strange!).
We started out early in the morning. My Grandpa Flood, my Mom’s dad, was also along. I don’t even remember having a flat tire, to or from the game. My grandpa owned the 1927 Chevrolet touring car, but he didn’t drive. My Dad drove, but he didn’t own a car. So it was a great reciprocal combination. I do remember one harrowing experience on our way to Detroit. We were “speeding” (probably at 35 mph) in the Irish Hills (on highway 112), when a strap - holding the fabric top to the header of the windshield - broke. The top went swooshing back. Thinking back, it is a wonder that my Dad controlled the car. I don’t remember how he fixed it, but soon we were off again to Detroit. An aside. The touring car had curtains, with eisen glass little windows. In nice weather, the curtains were stored under the rear seat - with the air pump and tube repair kit. So, if it started to rain, my Dad would stop the car, and my Mom and grandmother would have to get out, so that my Dad could remove the curtains. The gas tank was beneath the front seat. So, before a trip my Dad would take a flat -wooden stick, which was calibrated to read out in “gallons”. He would dip the stick into the tank to see how much gas remained. When we got gas, everyone had to leave the front seat, in order to access the neck of the tank.
Back to Detroit and baseball. While I don’t remember much about the game that Sunday, so long ago, I do remember my Dad keeping score as the game progressed. He showed me his technique, including all of the symbols for “strikeouts”, “base on balls”, “errors” etc. I tried his system, for a few games, after I started going to the games alone. It certainly forces you to pay attention to what is going on down on the field. My problem was that I would lose my concentration, and start watching the fans and vendors instead of scoring. So, finally I had to forget keeping track of every play, and let my attention wander as it pleased.
Viewing the documentary was quite interesting and fascinating, because I had seen so many of the players mentioned, actually playing. I go back to having actually seen the following players play - Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, Lefty Grove, and Bob Feller, who was the best right-handed pitcher that I ever saw. Feller was born 8 days before I was. I saw him pitch as a rookie in 1936, in League Park in Cleveland. He was only 17! (In his first big league game before this, he struck out 17 batters - at 17 years of age!). I saw many other old-time stars, also.
Of course, I have seen many of the modern baseball stars. I enjoyed having a Week-day Season Ticket to the Oakland Athletics games in Oakland, for about 15 years. I saw the following players (may of whom were mentioned in the documentary) at the Oakland Coliseum, or at Candlestick/Pac Bell Parks - Reggie Jackson, Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Billy Martin, Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, Vida Blue, Jason Giambi, Alex Rodriquez, Derek Jeter, Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemons. While I never saw Ty Cobb run the bases, I have seen Rickey Henderson steal many bases. He was by far the best base stealer that I ever saw.
A couple of baseball highlights of mine were that I got to see two World Series games. The first was the Detroit Tigers playing the Cincinnati Reds, in the fall of 1940, at Briggs Stadium in Detroit. I was living in Ypsilanti, and “sweating out” being drafted, prior to World war II. The next - and last World Series game that I saw - was in 1972, 1973 or 1974, when Oakland was the American League Champion all three years. I was working for California and Hawaiian Sugar Company at their corporate office in San Francisco. While I remember my boss, Ken Black, inviting me to accompany him, I don’t remember which National League team Oakland played.
An aside: While living in Berea, in 1936, my Dad took me to an exhibition football game in the new Cleveland Municipal Stadium on the waterfront. What an ideal and pretty setting - right on the shore of Lake Erie. I was really impressed with the huge size of the facility. It held 78,000 people for baseball games and 81,000 for football! Today, that would seem small compared to the University of Michigan stadium in Ann Arbor, which seats 110,000. The Chicago Bears were playing the Cleveland Browns. Red Grange was the star of the Bears. He was a great runner - the best that I have ever seen - even at the tail end of his pro career. I only wish that I had seen him play when he was a student at the University of Illinois, where he ran wild against other teams in the Big Ten.

After viewing the Ken Burn’s Special on TV, I had a bad taste in my mouth. I was really disappointed that professional athletes would abuse their bodies with performance enhancing drugs, to promote their fame and fortune. To make matters worse, some denied using steroids - even under oath! Reinforcing my view was the disgraceful acceptance of such an ugly culture by the Commissioner of Baseball, and the powerful players’ Union. Our Society, in general, and Sports in particular, took one in the gut - motivated by vanity and greed - by thoughtless egomaniacs. A black day for America indeed!
RCL - 10/1/10
10/2/10
10/3/10.

ISCHIA

ISCHIA
I received my September copy of Traveler today. I was surprised to see “Ischia’ listed on the cover. This is a small island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, 20 miles west of Naples. I hadn’t thought of this island for over 67 years - ever since I used to fly in between this island and the Isle of Capri during our bomb run on Naples. I was a bombardier on a B-17 Flying Fortress. We were part of the 2nd Bomb Group, which was part of General Jimmy Doolittle’s Twelfth Air Force. I could spot the Island, down to the left, from my perch in the nose of the plane. We usually were about five miles high and indicating about 150 mph, on an easterly- inbound course, over the Bay of Naples. What I remember most about the view were the red-tiled roofs on the buildings. The little island looked very peaceful.
I was on four missions to Naples - two of the targets were shipping in the harbor area. One was the rail- marshalling yards and the other was the Capodichino airdrome. The Naples area was our roughest target area. We had our largest losses of crews and planes. The German 88 guns were very accurate. Sometimes, the black smoke from their bursting anti-aircraft shells was so thick, it looked like I could walk on it. These guns were not only shore batteries, but some 88’s were mounted on barges moored in the harbor. Besides all the flak, we had to contend with the German Me-109’s and FW- 190 fighter planes which attacked our formation. We were unescorted, because Naples (from North Africa) was beyond the range of our P-38’s.
I always hoped that I could return and view this beautiful country close-up - from ground level. My wish was realized in 1985 - 43 years later. I had been retired from C & H Sugar Co. for two years, when Marie and I went to Italy. We visited Rome; Florence; Venice; Naples and the Isle of Capri. I enjoyed flying on the Alitalia air line.
RCL - 8/9/10.

CACHE CREEK CASINO

CACHE CREEK-2
Today is July 14, 2010. We are leaving Quail Creek at 9:15, headed for the Cache Creek Casino, located at Brooke - near Winters. It is time for me to pay my “annual dues”. It is also a beautiful day to be cooped up inside - but one has to do what one has to do! Nearby, Manual Campos Drive is now open. They did a great job on it, and it is a very appealing thoroughfare. The landscaping job is very attractive. This new road will save about five minutes between Quail Creek and the freeway. The rolling hills are a pretty golden brown now, in mid-summer.
We are heading eastbound on I-80, and will exit on to the 505. Traffic is quite light. I would think that there were more vacationers out. We are passing irrigated sugar- beet fields and orchards. This is a very fertile area. We turn off the 505, and head west on the two-way Highway 16, to Esparto. This is a “Daylight Headlight” section - a deterrent to head-on collisions between cars passing in opposite directions.
I notice a sign, “Manca’s Ranch - Fresh Apricots.” A little farther, in Esparto, there is a roadside sign - “Sweet Cherries”. The small burg of Copay ahead, with a 35 MPH posting. I was surprised to see a large vineyard here. It is a pretty drive through this area - about 15 minutes from Esparto. We arrive at the Casino 10:05. I am surprised to see eight “gambler” busses already here. The last time we came, there was only one!
The Casino is one large place - but still very crowded, noisy and smokey. You wouldn’t come here if you were looking for a health resort. I decided to play the nickel machine, but had more trouble than before locating a vacant one. We had two hours - before re-gathering for lunch - so I put a 20 dollar bill in the machine. The last time, there were a lot of vacant machines. But, not this time. I didn’t notice so many one and two cent machines last time. Today, these were all packed with gamblers! I would guess that the management removed some nickel machines and replaced them with the “Cents’ machines.
I “cashed out” before lunch, and had a $10 credit left, which was imprinted on my Cache Creek Club card. I had a nice lunch at Kung Fu Fats restaurant in the Casino - a bowl of chicken-noodle soup. It was very good. My fortune cookie insert says, “You will attend an unusual party and meet someone important.” It didn’t give the date of the party, and directions, though. I had a ten dollar credit remaining, from the original $25 credit I received, when I registered for the first time, the last time we were here. So, I guess you can say that I broke even - considering my $10 “donation” to the slot machine.
I have another couple of hours before our scheduled departure for Quail Creek, so might as well invest the remaining $10 credit on my Club card. It was difficult to find a nickel machine, just as before lunch. You can just push a button on the slot machine to activate the three reels. The old fashioned way of pulling the lever also works. I decided to do this. It is not only the most familiar to me, but I feel that it will slow down “feeding money” (this is automatic - controlled by the remaining credit on your Club card that you inserted to start play,) into the machine. Too, I feel more in control of the action with my manual operation. You can also speed up your “dues paying” by playing five nickels at a time. While this method will multiply your “winnings” by five, it also has the same effect on your losing! I selected the horizontal middle line for my play. It is interesting to watch the results on the two lines above, and the other two lines below my middle line. The winning (and losing) combinations are also shown, but there are no payouts for these lines. I was tempted to chase after the paying results shown on the other four lines, by changing the line that I was playing, to the line that just showed a winning combination. I know this is confusing. You will just have to go and check it out, to better understand the options. I would win some and then lose some, by sticking with the middle line. Finally, I had “slot fatigue”, and decided to cash out the $10 that I started with over an hour ago.
I “people watched” until it was time for us to leave. It was interesting watching the people scrambling to board their busses. We departed at 2:25. One of the eight bus drivers was in a big hurry. Tony had to park in front of one of the buses to load the power chairs. The driver was in a big hurry and complaining about our holding up his departure. We had a young CNA along to help Kelli. JV whipped out his I phone and called the phone number listed on the back of the bus. He got a “this number is no longer in service”. So, JV went to this phone directory, and got the phone number of the bus lines. He called this number and reported the offending driver to the dispatcher. I thought JV’s fast reaction to the situation was pretty classy for a young fellow to use his modern electronic equipment so effectively.
We had an uneventful trip back to Quail Creek. When we passed the Shell station I noticed the $3.14 price of their gas. While price at the pump is up, the $70 spot price is about the same as it has been. We arrived back at 3:18. RCL - 8/6/10.

SAN FRANCISCO

FERRY TO SAN FRANCISCO
Today is Wednesday, July 28, 2010. We are leaving Quail Creek at 9:15 - right on time! - for the Ferry building in Vallejo. From there, we will catch the 10 o’clock boat to San Francisco. Counting Kelli and Tony, there are ten of us aboard our mini-bus. This is the largest group that I have seen in the two years that I have been going on the Quail Creek “Outings”.
We pass the Arco station, and gas is $3.00 a gallon. I don’t know what Shell, nearby, is charging, because Tony used the newly opened Manuel Campus Boulevard cut-off. This saves about 5 minutes (and much less traffic) than our former route. This new road is part of the larger $5 million North Texas/ Highway 80 interchange. The large project has been in progress for over two years. The Futures price for crude oil today is $77.50.
The weather is clear and cool - probably 50 degrees. If I had a “smart phone”, I would know for sure! The traffic, in both directions of I-80, is light. (I was just over this same stretch yesterday, when Anne drove us to Napa for lunch, and then on to Yountville.) It seems like there are more trucks in the westbound weigh station, than I have noticed before. I would think this is a sign that the Recession is easing, but there are other mixed signals that is not the case. We pass the large Sunnyside Dairy. I don’t see many of these anymore.
As we approach Hunters Hill, I can see the high-fog bank overhead. Tony exits on to West bound Tennessee Street in Vallejo. It seems good to be in Vallejo (where we lived for 46 years), and not be en-route to the Kaiser Medical complex. We pass the beauty shop where Marie used to have her hair done and, in another few blocks, the barber shop where John cut my hair for 40 years! Vallejo hasn’t changed much in all that time.
Our Senior all-day pass on the ferry was $13.00. As I remember, when the ferry service started 25 years ago, the round-trip fare - Vallejo-San Francisco was $6.00! We are aboard Bartlinks’ original ferry - the “Vallejo”. This is a much smaller boat than the larger ones that they run during the commute hours. It is also slower - taking ten more minutes to get to the Ferry Building. Consequently, it is packed with vacationers and people like us. We back out of the dock at 10:02.
The Captain sets the throttle at 5 knots as we head south on the Mare Island channel. The slow speed minimizes any wake damage on shore. After 14 minutes of “Idle” throttle, the Captain gooses the twin engines and our speed increases to about 30 knots. I can see Mt. Tamalpais- in Marin County - straight ahead. The water, a few feet away has a grayish color, rather than being blue. Now, Mt. Tam is at 3 o’clock, about 5 miles away. The San Francisco panorama ahead is spectacular. I spot the U.S. Bank building at One California Street straight ahead - behind the ferry Building and the Hyatt Regency Hotel. I always look for the building - named the Mutual Benefit Life building during the 14 years that I worked for California and Hawaiian Sugar Company. My office was on the 19th floor. I don’t see any cruise ships dockside.
We tie up the Ferry Building dock at 11:00 - right on time. About half of the passengers disembark. The others staying on board are headed for Pier 41 - between Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf. According to the encyclopedia Wikipedia, the current structure on the Embarcadero, was designed by Page Brown, and the terminal opened in 1898. The building survived both the large 1906 and 1989 earthquakes. The large clock tower on top of the building is a landmark. The clock and chimes are operational. The 12th century Giralda bell tower in Seville, Spain was the architectural inspiration for the Ferry Building clock tower. The Bay Area Rapid transit (BART) tracks run beneath the building.
We walk the length of the Ferry building, and then returned to Gate B, where we got off. This is near to the Slanted Door where we had a nice lunch. From the restaurant, we had a great panoramic view of the waterfront - Bay Bridge. Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island. The latter was a man- made island constructed particularly to support the infrastructure for the San Francisco World’s Fair in 1939 and ’40. The ritzy World Trade Center is directly above us. With the great food and view, this is a prestigious place to have lunch - if you are lucky enough to find a member who will invite you! Luckily, we arrived early - before the business cliental arrived. I ordered their chicken noodle soup, and it was delicious. It was listed at only $6! This is not a San Francisco price. I was suspicious, presuming that I would be the “cup” portion. I was pleasantly surprised by the large bowl.
After lunch, we split up. We had a couple of hours before our return boarding, plus everyone had different interests. So, I repeated walking the length of the Ferry Building - passing (would you believe?) food shops! I particularly like to go in the “Sur La Table” at the end of the shops. They have many interesting items - geared primarily to the kitchen. Then, back to the other end. I was in the mood for some ice cream, so got in line at the Ciao Bella Gelato. I had trouble deciding between all the tempting flavors. Finally settled on the Mocha Chip. It was very good - even though the ambient temperature was about 60 degrees. I took my delicacy on a bench outside and enjoyed the view and my ice cream.
I still had an hour and a half before meeting back at the Ferry Dock. So, I walked over to the Hyatt Regency Hotel - a couple of blocks away - across the Justin Herman Plaza. En-route, I walked past the most interesting Vaillancourt Fountain with water flowing out of it’s many openings. Also there was a large tent, where Peter Pan was performing. I ended up in the interesting lobby of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Marie and I went to a Tea Dance here in the lobby about 30 years ago, not long after it opened I sat in the lobby for 45 minutes fascinated by the five unique inside elevators going up and down.
I returned to the waterfront. I still had a half hour to kill. Eastbound traffic on the lower deck of the Bay Bridge is light. In two more hours I won’t be able to observe this. The tower clock bongs three times. I don’t get to hear this melodius sound very often. So, my time wasn’t wasted, I got another gelato - this time I tried the Dulce de Leche flavor. I prefer the Mocha Chip. At $3.65 for one scoop in a cup, I spent more on gelatos that I did for lunch! It wasn’t a total loss, as it brought back pleasant memories of our visit to Rome in 1985.
About 3:30, and the inbound Vallejo Solano ferry is docking. This a larger and faster twin-hulled boat. What a great invention the side-thrusters are! The Captain can maneuver along side of the dock and then move the boat sidewise for a smooth berthing. We are lined up on the dock waiting for the passengers to get off so that we can board. There are many arriving San Francisco Giants’ fans, dressed in their team colors of orange and black.
They expedite our boarding, and we move out from the dock at 3:34 - three minutes late! A green “China Shipping Lines” freighter moving across our bow, heading for the port of Oakland. Probably loaded with Christmas goodies! I get a good view of the new East span of the Bay Bridge under construction. Today, they are hoisting the huge first section of the unique single tower self -supporting suspension span between the viaducts. The bridge is scheduled to open in 2013 - six years late! - at a cost of 3.6 billion dollars - a cost over-run of 2.5 billion dollars! The Current parallel - structure between Oakland and Yerba Buena Island - will then be dismantled.
It must be a little more windy now, as there are white caps on the Bay. We are passing a tanker unloading oil at the Chevron Refinery in Richmond. A good view of the California & Hawaiian Sugar Refinery beneath the bridge at Crockett. I worked there for seven years before transferring to the C & H corporate office, in San Francisco, in 1949. I can see the Maritime Academy (now part of the California College system) on the other side of the Carquinez Strait. At 4:13 the Captain is slowing the boat down to 5 knots. We are passing the former Sperry Flour Mill on the right. We are passing another Vallejo Ferry heading to San Francisco. We arrive back in Vallejo @ 4:28 - right on time. We arrive back at Quail creek at 5: 10. It is much warmer in Fairfield than it was in San Francisco - about a 20 degree temperature spread in the 40 miles. We have been gone 8 hours. While it was a long day, it was a very nice one.
RCL - 8/5/10.

DICK

DICK
Today, I lost a friend. While I have known Dick for only a year, I considered him my friend. Dick died this morning in his sleep, a victim of COPD. While I shouldn’t have been surprised with his death, as he was enrolled in the Hospice program. His responses, each time I asked him how he was doing, were indications were also indications that he was “hurting“. I guess it was the suddenness of his passing, that stunned me.
I saw Dick at dinner, here at Quail Creek, last night where he, and four of his male friends had gathered. (Today, I heard that Dick referred to the occasion as “The Last Supper”, or a “The Farewell Dinner.”. Apparently, Dick knew something that none of the rest of us knew! During dinner, he left his table and circled through the dining room in his power chair, greeting his Quail Creek friends at the various tables, as he often did. But, this time, it turned out to be his “Farewell”. Dick stopped at my table, and we greeted each other. Almost from when we met, he has admired my shirts! He would say, “Another beautiful -new shirt!” I used to explain that it wasn’t a “new” shirt - in some cases it was an “old” shirt! Occasionally, it was a new shirt. I would give credit to my daughter, Mary, who had purchased them. Dick would even give me “flyers”, that he had received in the mail, “pitching” shirts. (I needed more shirts like I needed more to eat.) I always checked on him, by asking him how he was doing. His usual response was “Not so hot”. He was on oxygen, along with a lack of appetite.
Occasionally, Dick and I would dine at the same table for four. It was on these occasions that I learned about his interesting background. He grew up in Salt Lake City, While being raised as a Mormon, he was not a practicing one. He met his “wife to be” in Salt Lake City. (She died a short time ago, which prompted Dick to move here to Quail Creek. I am sorry that I never got to meet her.) Besides being friendly, Dick was an good conversationalist. Having been trained, and worked, as a Geologist, he related interesting job experiences he had - traveling all over the world.
Christina, a CNA here at Quail Creek, told me about my “losing a buddy”, shortly after his death. She was in his room when he died. She gave him comfort right through to the end! She told of hearing his heavy breathing, so she played a Duke Ellington recording - Dick’s favorite music. Then, he peacefully went to sleep for the last time. Everyone deserves to have such empathetic and compassionate company when they leave this world. No one should have to die alone.
RCL - 7/10/10.

KAUAI (Fini!)

KAUAI
I am a very fortunate man! How many fathers get to spend 24/7 with their three daughters in tropical Paradise? Not many.
I have a list of things that I would like to do before I check out from this world. High on my list was to re-visit Kauai where we lived for four and a half years, 50 years ago. Dan Canty, Vice President of Industrial Engineering for C. Brewer (one of Hawaii’s Big Five Factors) hired me to be Olokele Sugar Company’s first Industrial Engineer in 1958.
While Marie and I had been back to Hawaii a couple of times since, I still had that longing to once again visit the spiritual beauty of Hawaii. But, at 91, I was realistic, and didn’t expect to do this. But, when Mary, Joan and Sue suggested that we all go over together, my wish took legs. I didn’t hesitate to accept their offer. We enjoyed anticipating our trip while making our plans, and reminiscing since our return.
Stan, airport service, picked up all of us at Quail Creek on Wednesday morning, June 2. He was 15 minutes early for our 5:30 appointed time. Sue drove her truck over, and Katie will drive Tom over to pick it up. Michelle brought Joan and Mary over. I was sweating out room for all of our luggage, but no problem fitting it in Stan’s van. Heavy commute traffic going in to San Francisco, but it flowed smoothly at freeway speed. Having commuted from Vallejo to San Francisco for 14 years, I can relate to being tired from the wear and tear on the nervous system. Stan asked us if we would like to stop for coffee. We declined.
We arrived at SFO at 6:45. Joan had printed out our boarding passes the day before, so this speeded up our check-in at the United Counter. Also, it gave a $2 discount on the $25 bag charge. No wonder everyone hauls huge bags aboard, rather than check them. Some passengers have to stand on the seat to jam them in the bin and retrieve them. As I observe them hassling with their luggage, I can’t believe that the bags weigh 50 pounds or less!
The usual Security check-in. I couldn’t believe the long line - and this early in the morning. We hadn’t any more got to the end of the line, when Security opened another station. So back to where we had just walked from. Security is pretty routine and organized now, after nine years of tweaking the system. We were cleared in about 30 minutes.
I can remember our first trip to Hawaii over 50 years ago. Back then, everyone wore their “Sunday Best”. Contrast that with today, when people are dressed “down” for travel. This morning I saw grandparents each carrying a boogie board for their two young grandsons!
We started boarding United Flight 41 for a direct flight from San Francisco to Lihue, at 8:30 - 30 minutes prior to departure. What a co-incidence! Our 9:00 scheduled departure today is the same exact time as it was back on January 15, 1958, when we first left the mainland on our move to Hawaii. Our plane is a Boeing 757-200 with a full passenger load of 182 people. It is a single aisle - three seats on each side configuration. Three of us took up a row on the left side, with Mary across the aisle from Joan.
We backed out from Gate 89 at exactly 9:00. Not much wind, and being heavily loaded, it took a 40 second take-off run before we were airborne. Usually, it takes about 30 seconds. No free lunches anymore in “Economy”. United would sell us a sandwich for $9. We planned ahead and picked up one at the airport. The crew had a contest to estimate the time (Hawaii Daylight) when we would reach the mid-point. They gave time of departure, trip mileage, indicated air speed, and wind. I carefully worked it out to be 08:38. The actual time turned out to be 8:44. I can’t explain why I was so far off. I would guess that there was an error in the “givens”, or a change in the headwind. It’s a long ride westbound because we are bucking the high velocity jet stream. Before 9/11, one could walk up and down the aisle and stand in the galley. But because of security they discourage this now. I can’t imagine the fatigue, and pooled blood in the legs of the passengers, on the long-non-stop flights to Australia and Japan. Joan picked up a tuna salad sandwich at SFO, and we shared this for lunch. It was very tasty sandwich. United did give me a glass of water.
We landed in Lihue at 11:14 - 30 minutes early. A lady, representing Hawaiian Holidays, greeted us inside the terminal as we waited to pick up our luggage at the carrousel. She presented each of us with a double- plumeria lei. How nice and fragrant! The girls arranged our leis on the lanai at the Outrigger, and they stayed nice almost as long as we were there.
Kauai is sub-titled the “Garden Island”- and rightly so. It’s floral beauty is spectacular. I felt like I was in a spiritual paradise - far removed from reality. This is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. Kauai has an area of 550 square miles, the fourth largest of the main islands. Lihue (County seat) is about 100 miles northwest of Honolulu. .
When we first arrived in Honolulu on January 15, 1958, the Territory of Hawaii’s economy was ranked as follows in importance:
(1) - Sugar
(2) - Pineapple
(3) - Government
(4) - Tourism.
Today, there is no longer any sugar or pineapple grown on the Island of Kauai. (I heard that marijuana is now the number one cash crop!) Tourism leads the economy, followed by Government. This is why the Hawaiian economy has taken such a beating during the current recession.
Lihue is the County seat, and yet Kapaa at 10,000 population, is twice as large! The 2000 census counted about 58,000 people. This figure was updated to 68,000 in 2008. It will be interesting what the Census Bureau comes up with in the current 2010 census. When we moved to Kauai in 1958, the population on Kauai was estimated to be 18,000 (1,000 Caucasians!) Kauai, and the small island of Niihau, (owned by the Robinson family), were the last Hawaiian Islands to join King Kamehameha’s Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810.
There are thousands of chickens roaming everywhere on the Island. They look like Rhode Island Reds to me. The chicken should be the State Bird, rather than the Nene! The original Polynesian settlers brought them as a food source. Hurricane Iniki didn’t help things, when it destroyed many of their coops. I can’t help but wonder what happens to all of the hens’ eggs? The chickens are not bashful. Wherever people are gathered - be it the beach or park - the chickens are there.
Our accommodations are great. We are on the second of four levels, and have partial ocean views, and look down on the pool area. Our condo building is as high as you can build on Kauai. The County building code limits buildings to a height of a palm tree (about 40 feet.)
It was quite a wait before Joan and Mary picked up our Hertz rental car. They said that the Hertz lady was promoting a lot of “extras”. Our car is a Toyota Camry. We need a full-size car for a trunk that is large enough to hold all of our luggage. Joan and Mary shared all of the driving during the week. They both are not only good drivers - with a sense of direction - but they both own Toyotas - Joan a Camry and Mary a Highlander. The driving arrangement made it much more pleasant for Sue and I.
A short drive from the airport in Lihue up #56, the Kuhio Highway, to Kapaa, and our Outrigger condo at Waipouli Beach. Our unit wasn’t ready when we checked in, and the girls went across the highway and shopped at Safeway. (They were shocked by the high food prices. They reflect the 25-30% cost of shipping the goods). There is also a Long’s Drug store in the complex. While CVS bought the Long’s Drugs mainland stores, the 24 Long’s in the Islands were outside of the mainland purchase. CVS plans to buy the 24 Hawaiian stores shortly. Our large “great room’ is very spacious and “open”. It includes a very nice full kitchen, a dining area, and a large living room. Off each bedroom is a large bathroom with a tub. Off the two bedrooms and the living room, there are nice lanai’s with an ocean view. at Wednesday evening, we ate dinner out at the nearby Bull Shed Restaurant - right on the beach. We had a nice Italian dinner in a very pleasant atmosphere.
Thursday morning, and we are off to Kalaheo and Kaumakani to visit the two houses we used to live in. It won’t be long before each time we start out, we will harmonize “On the Road Again!” Our first stop was at our Kalaheo house where we lived from January 1960 to June 1962. Sue was born while we lived there. I never knew our Kalaheo address because there was no mail delivery to our house. We picked up our mail at a “box” in the post office. As I remember, the small post office was located in the country store on the highway. Today, I notice that the address is 5222 Puwai. I recognized the house, and we pulled up in front.
“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to see the ways in which you yourself have changed.” - Nelson Mandela.
The resident, Lawrence Vindinha, Sr. came out on his porch checking us out (slow day). We took a few pictures, and then introduced ourselves. We explained why we were browsing around. He said that his son was out back mowing (the sharp -wide leaved- buffalo grass). It wasn’t long before his son appeared. His father introduced him, as “Larry.” During our conversation, Larry said that he would be 60 on his next birthday. The father said that his wife had died a couple of years ago, and Larry was living with him. I was disappointed that they didn’t invite us to see the inside of the house. Lawrence and his wife bought the house from Bill and Frank Duarte. Our house was between the two brothers’ houses. I don’t know of any other owners other than the man and his wife from the mainland that Marie and I sold to.
We bought “5222” in 1960 for $14,000. Marie couldn’t cope with the very red dirt at Kaumakani. She suggested that we move. We found this house in Kalaheo that we both liked. It was about 1000 feet up the hill, mauka from the highway. So, it was cooler than Kaumakani, and of course much wetter. Even though we were only a 20 minute drive apart. I didn’t have a rain gauge back then. But I would guess that we probably got 100 inches of rain a year, compared to the 20 inches at Kaumakani! (We had to irrigate the sugar cane). At Kalaheo, we were only a few miles from Mt. Waialeale - “the wettest spot on earth” - where the rainfall averages 440 inches of rain a year. As I remember, it seemed to rain mostly at night. I would have mold on the soles of my dress shoes! Now, that is “damp”!
While talking to the two Vindinhas, I couldn’t help but notice the light green metal roof on the house. It looked exactly the same as it did in 1962, when I had last seen it. I mentioned that the roof has surely held up well (after nearly 50 years!) Lawrence. Sr. said he told his son Larry, that they should get a new roof. But, he said, “Each time, Larry says that he is waiting for the Permit!”.
We drove back in the “woods”, where no road existed 50 years ago. That’s where the kids played and explored. Now, there are beautiful homes back in there. There used to be just a foot path that went in there. Mary wanted to check out the spot where she, Anne and the Friedlander boys used to look for “ treasures”. I had never heard Mary or Anne, mention this before. Apparently, people would illegally drop off their junk back there. Mary also wanted to explore the “meadow” where horses and cows used to graze. These memories were quite emotional for her, as I am sure they were for Anne, too, the first time she re-visited those areas.
From Kalaheo, we headed for Hanapepe for lunch. I suggested that we eat at Mike’s Café. Marie and I, and the family, used to go there quite often. Mike’s Chinese food. was always fresh and, along with their tasty rice, was very good. Too, we liked Florence who served us. She was very good with serving the girls, plus she baked Mike’s delicious lilikoi pies. Occasionally, we would meet friends there for lunch or dinner. A memorable occasion was the day we had a Reception there following Sue’s Baptism at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo, during December of 1961. Much to my disappointment, Mike’s restaurant was no longer in business Today, it is still a Chinese Restaurant (Wong‘s). I asked people who were having lunch (apparently, they were the owners, or their employees,) about Mike’s Café . She told me that it was closed after hurricane Iniki hit in 1992. But, I did get a slice of their lilikoi pie “to go.”
So, I suggested that we try the Green Garden across the road, where we used to also go, many years ago. We were greeted by a sign, “Open only on weekends”. So, we ended up eating at the Hanapepe Café and Bakery, nearby. It was very good.
After lunch, we headed for Kaumakani, as we wanted to check out where we lived on the Olokele Sugar Company plantation. The managerial housing complex on the Main, and adjacent street, are very run down. Olokele Sugar closed operations, and Robinson bought the property, in 1994. Robinson is renting many of the houses. While the girls were taking pictures of our former home, John Meideros, who lives in it now, pulled up in his pick-up. The girls had quite a long conversation with John. He was very animated and interesting, and didn’t seem in any hurry to leave.
Friday, June 4. It turned out to be a long day today. It was a good thing that we did some pre-planning, and stuck pretty close to our plan. Otherwise, we would not have been able to accomplish as much as we did. We pulled out of the parking lot of the Outrigger at 0930 this morning - . right on time!
It was about an hour’s ride up to the northern part of Kauai. Mary wondered where we used to go, and slide down the falls, into a pool of water. I told her it was the Kilauea Falls - near the Kilauea Point Lighthouse. We didn’t drive back to the falls (we were on a schedule!).
When we returned to the Outrigger, I asked the concierge about the Kilauea Falls. He said that there had been a fatality there a few years ago, so they closed the falls to the public.
We passed the very pretty Princeville Resort, which includes 36 holes of golf. Princeville always reminds me of when I ran into a tourist on the Hanalei pier. We were spending a week at the beach house, that the plantation rented for the summer. I was standing on the pier watching the fishermen maneuvering their boat and nets. A fellow came up and started talking to me. He said that they were staying at the Princeville Resort, on the ridge overlooking Hanalei Bay, high above. I was impressed, because 50 years ago, it was fairly new. I knew that it was a posh place, because the room rates started at $100 a night. (I wonder what they are today?). He
asked me where I was from. I told him, “Kauai”. He said, “You mean that you live here all the time?” He seemed envious.
Back to the highway, we were approaching the guava turn before heading down into the Hanalei Valley. This is one of my favorite spots. I looked down on beautiful-sandy Lumahai Beach (where they filmed parts of “South Pacific”.) Around the curve, I am looking down and seeing the many taro fields. (They make poi from the taro roots). After descending, we cross the one-way concrete bridge over the Hanalei River. The bridge must be a 100 years old. The State/County wanted to replace it with a modern two-way bridge, but the locals put up such a squawk, that they gave up on the idea. So, it’s still whichever car shows up first - going in either direction - has the right-of way.
I notice a lot of convertibles driving through Hanalei. They are fortunate that it is a nice day, and they can have the tops down. I notice one bald-white haired driver, and his female companion, in one of them. Good for him! I assume that they are all rental cars. Like the Napa Valley, they are popular rentals.
We drive through Hanalei, still on #560, heading for Haena - at the end of the road. We cross many small bridges on the winding scenic road. We arrive at the parking lot at the Haena State Park, and it is full! It is only 11:00 o’clock on a Friday morning, and the place is full! I couldn’t believe it! The last time that Marie and I were there (about 30 years ago) were the only ones on the beach, and the only car in the parking lot!
Outside of Lumahai Beach (that I have mentioned), this beach is the most scenic of any that I have seen. To the left, I can look at the bluff on the Napali Coast. To the right is the sandy beach. The girls unload their snorkeling gear, and Joan has a long walk back from a remote parking spot. I am the sentry, guarding their clothes and purses, while they explore the colorful fish inhabiting the reef, with their snorkels..
Next we had a nice lunch at the Calypso. We had a cool seat on the porch from where we had a good view of all the tourists passing through.
Olokele used to rent a beach house, on the beach at Hanalei, during the summer months. It was really nice. The Pacific Ocean was only a few yards away in the front yard. The plantation would let us take turns, using the house, to spend part of our vacations. I wanted to check the vacation house out while we were there. So we drove around for quite a while searching for the house. (It never used to be hard to find). After a fruitless search for a half hour, I talked them into giving up. The problem was that I couldn’t recall any landmark back then. In addition, there was a lot of building that had taken place in the last 50 years. (After getting back, I checked with our daughter Anne about the house. Anne has spent quite a bit of time on Kauai in recent years, so she was a good source. She told me that Hurricane Iniki leveled the house in 1992 I didn’t think of that, I just presumed that it had been torn down.)
Then, I suggested that we drive along Hanalei Bay beach front, so that we could see the Hanalei Pier and the former Wilcox mansion near the Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park. We saw a large mansion on the green, but it wasn’t familiar to me. I suspect that Iniki got the old mansion too, and what we were seeing was a reconstruction of it. We retraced our route back to Kapaa.
We had a little down time to rest and get ready to head out once again for Poipu. We had reservations at the Beach House Restaurant for dinner. Anne recommended that we eat there so we could also see a great Poipu sunset. She also suggested that we have a mai tai on the huge outside veranda, at the Hyatt, on Shipwreck Beach. While our reservation at the restaurant was for 6:30. We left Kapaa at 4:30 for Poipu, to allow plenty of time to savor the beach and our mai tai’s. We were fortunate to get a reservation, as Mary didn’t call until after we arrived on Wednesday. Dumb luck, they had just received a cancellation, and they squeezed us in. As we were pulling out of our Resort parking lot, we all started singing “On the Road Again”. I wish that I had taken my Willie Nelson CD of the song to play in the car.
The mai tais were great, the dinner was great, and the sunset was great. One couldn’t ask for more than that. While I was tired at the end of our perfect day, as my Mother used to say, “It is a good tired”.
Today, is Saturday. We are heading back to Poipu this morning, for snorkeling and visiting Spouting Horn and Koloa. I hadn’t visited Spouting Horn since we left Kauai in 1962. Back then, we parked at the side of the road and watched the “spouting“. Today, there is a parking lot, and many vendors’ canopy’s - selling everything from jewelry to T-shirts. I wonder where some of the shell necklaces and earrings come from? For there is a State law of “what you find in Hawaii, stays in Hawaii”. There were more people browsing among the shops than there were people watching the spouting! I was disappointed with the height of the “spouting” - perhaps it was low tide. Then, again, maybe my memory was influenced by seeing “Old Faithful” last year. Some of the viewers saw some sea turtles swimming around the lava rock. Try as I did, I couldn’t spot them.
The girls had a nice swim/snorkel at Brennecke’s Beach. This is right next to the pavilion/cove where we used to “splash.” I remember one Christmas when we were all wading in the cove, and the water and air temperatures were the same - 71 degrees! An added attraction were a couple of Monk Seal visitors lounging peacefully on the beach. They are a critically endangered. (there are fewer Hawaiian -monk seals in the wild than there are giant pandas!). The monk seal species turned up 13-15 million years ago before Hawaii was! The life guards tried to give them some privacy by cordoning them off with yellow tape.
Next, we drove a few miles to Koloa. This village is known for McBride Sugar Mill which was the first sugar plantation in Hawaii (1835). Today, a portion of the old mill is now a museum, as the plantation has been closed, along with the other plantations on Kauai. I don’t think there are any plantations still operating in Hawaii. Pineapple has had the same fate, There were 26 sugar plantations operating back in 1958, of which C. Brewer owned half. The annual production of raw sugar in the Islands (97 % pure - C& H Sugar removed the other 3% of molasses and impurities.) was a million tons a year! It became infeasible to continue operating the two agricultural industries. Pineapple and Sugar could be produced cheaper by others in the world. It is sad to drive by the fallow lands that I remember full of green-living plants. Some of the land was converted to macadamia nut and coffee trees. (We drove by the Kauai Coffee plantation every time we were near Lihue.) A lot of the acreage was used for building houses, shopping centers and hotels.
I made the mistake of mentioning the small -warm -coconut pies that we used to buy at the Chinese grocery in Koloa. They were delicious and wanted to experience that wonderful taste again. We got all these bum steers on where we might find the pies. We made many stops trying to track them down. I don’t think there is anyone alive who remembers the individual pies. I think those giving us directions, were confusing them with cocoanut- cream pies. After we returned to Fairfield, I asked Anne (who has a very good memory) if she remembered them. She said, “Of course. Mother used to cut them in half and we shared.” I think the problem was probably because Anne called them “turnovers” (their correct name), rather than pies. Too, how many people are still in the area fifty years later?
It is Sunday and time is zipping by. Today we are heading for Waimea Canyon, Kokee and the Kalahau Lookout. First we will stop at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo - our last parish when we lived in the Islands. Mary called the church and found that Mass was at 0945. So, we planned to attend on the way to Waimea Canyon. I am glad that we did. Even though it was a new church building, it was in the same location. The school that Anne and Mary attended for a couple of years, is still there. I assume that Iniki destroyed the church building that I was familiar with.
When we went there 50 years ago, the women sat on one side of the church, and the men (who weren’t outside “talking stories”) sat on the other side - a strange custom! Now, the modern church is “in the round”, with mixed seating, after Vatican II. A friendly lady put a shell lei around our necks as we entered. What a nice welcome! After Mass, the young priest invited all travelers to come up and stand in front of the altar for his “safe return” Blessing” - Hawaiian friendliness in action!
Afterwards we were on our way to Hanapepe for breakfast at the “Green Garden” restaurant. One family used to eat there occasionally, even though we preferred Mike’s Café nearby. Today, it is just “Open” on weekends, as the owner-operator works in Lihue during the week. We also, bought a few of their papayas. I had a piece for breakfast every morning and they were as delicious - just as I remembered them. (The girls also bought some local Kapaa bananas at Safeway, and they were very sweet and delicious.)
We left the Kaumualli Highway (#50) and turned on to Kokee Road (#552), and started up the grade to Waimea State Park. Had we continued on the highway, we would have ended up in a few miles at Barking Sands, home of the Pacific Missile Range Facility. I read in the Garden Island paper where they are still talking about continuing this road around the northern end of the island to Highway 560 at Haena. Then, you would be able to drive completely around the Island! They were talking about this 50 years ago. It will never happen - unless they can get a lot of money from a future TARP fund. I would hate to have the responsibility to make a cost estimate. It is very hard to just fathom the idea. How would you justify it - by making it more convenient for a few tourists to navigate the Island?
The girls got out and viewed the splendorous Waimea Canyon. They didn’t see any of the white- mountain sheep. Then, we continued on to Kokee State Park. This is a huge green meadow. We used to enjoy a picnic here with Barbara and Don Brandt, who now live in Hilo, on the Big Island.
Next, on to the Kalalau Lookout. What a bum road. Had to drive slowly in low gear and then couldn’t dodge all the pot holes. If Hertz knew that we were mistreating their vehicle (and ourselves) in such a manner, there would have been a sur-charge. While I had been to the “Lookout” a few times, I only remember it being clear once or twice. (That’s why the helicopters do such a good business!) But, the view of the Napali Coast and the Pacific Ocean is tremendous when clear - well worth the extra effort of getting there. Today, it was socked in as per usual - a big disappointment! But, an off-set - the bougainvillea in the area are tremendous! An uneventful ride down the mountain and back up the south-west coast to Kapaa.
Today, must be Monday! The “wash” is drying on the clothes lines in the back yards. The multi-colored garments are waving in the breeze - like Hawaiian flags. We got started at our magic time - 0930. The car thermometer says 77 degrees. (You can’t beat this!) The odometer says that we have covered 337 miles. Gas at the 76 station is posted at $3.58.
We drove to the Wailua Falls, part of Wailua River Park. We turned to the right off #56, between Kapaa and Lihue, and drove about five miles on Maalo Road, back to the Falls area. Naturally, the large Waimea River feeds these Falls. I never realized that the Falls were so close to the popular Fern Grotto. I was surprised to read that Kauai is the only island in the Hawaiian chain, to have navigable rivers. While driving back to the Falls, we came upon a large pasture area with many horses, colts and mules. This must be the foaling season as there were quite a few little ones tagging along behind their Mothers. I didn’t think that Joan would pass this up. Sure enough, she pulled off to the left side of the road and parked near the fence. I don’t think that we were the first ones to stop there. The animals were grazing when we first saw them. But, after they spotted us by the fence, they all sauntered over to be hand fed!
I was surprised to find vendors parked at the Falls. Not only were they parked, there, but they took up the first four prime -parking spots! The first guy was working from the back of his pick-up making small baskets from cocoanut palm reeds. He was quite skilled. Mary and Joan bought one of his (green) baskets. The guy parked next to him was selling shell and bead jewelry (which he supposedly made), from the back of his pick-up. While the girls looked at his wares, I don’t think they were comfortable with the authenticity, quality or prices. The next two parking spots were occupied by women and their cars. I don’t remember what they were peddling. We had a good view of the twin falls - about our level, and not too far away. Quite a way down to the bottom, I could see some people playing in the pool of water from the falls.
After seeing the Falls. We headed for Rice Street in Lihue, for our Saimin “fix”. I used to go to a little café in Hanapepe for saimin when we lived here. But, when we had lunch at the bakery there the other day, I didn’t see it. Funny, how things change in 50 years! We enjoyed our different lunch. While the café’ was small, it was full. When people would leave, it wasn’t long before they were replaced by newcomers. We sat at the counter - on small stools which weren’t bolted to the floor. While they weren’t too safe, they were practical, and were part of the interesting atmosphere. Three middle-aged ladies staffed the facility - one cooking and dishing up in the small kitchen - and the other two serving as fast as she prepared the noodle combinations. So, between all of us, we kept them busy. The overhead fans didn’t quite provide enough cool air.
We were in the area of the Nawiliwili port, so we drove around the harbor area. We wanted to see where our car and furniture was loaded on to the Matson freighter, when we returned to the Mainland - and Vallejo - in 1962. Our furnishings left from here because the Port is the closest to Kalaheo. When our things were in-bound from Antioch in 1958, they arrived and were off-loaded at Port Allen, which is closer to Kaumakani.
It was only about a half hour drive to Poipu. We wanted to see Spouting Horn, and the girls wanted to snorkel at Brennecke’s Beach. This was alongside the cove where we used to go. We stopped first at the Spouting Horn parking lot. The last time that I was here was about 50 years ago. At that time, we just parked along the side of the road to watch the “spouting”. There was a lot of exposed lava rock and we had the place to ourselves. There was higher spouting back then.
Today, besides the large parking area, there are a string of tented shops leading down to the spouting area. The vendors are selling everything from jewelry to sweat shirts. I wonder where some of the shell necklaces and earrings come from. For, there is a state policy of “what you find in Hawaii, stays in Hawaii.” The car thermometer, in Poipu, says 86 degrees.
We stopped a couple of times to pick up real estate flyers touting beach-front rentals or “For Sales”. I sat in a covered picnic area “guarding” purses and clothes while the girls snorkeled.
We had a nice lunch at a cozy restaurant in nearby Koloa. We walked through a few shops, before heading on another “wild goose chase” looking for my “cocoanut pies”, but to no avail.
Back to Kapaa and the Outrigger. The girls went down to the pool and the beach, while I read the Garden Island and the Honolulu Advertiser. About this time, the Honolulu Star Bulletin (the afternoon paper) bought the Advertiser. Their merger resulted in a loss of 300 newspaper jobs!
Monday night, the girls went out for an Italian dinner next door to Bobby V’s Italian restaurant Pizzeria. I was content to stay behind and dined on the remainder of my saimin lunch, and a piece of cocoanut crème pie. I looked forward to breakfast every morning on the lanai, watching the workers below, sprucing up the grounds. How about my menu: papaya, guava juice and cold cereal topped with a very sweet and juicy banana from a local Kapaa tree? What a way to go!
During the week, we passed the former Cocoanut Palms complex on the Wailua River many times. It was ruined by Iniki in 1992. Apparently, the owners didn’t have any insurance, or resources to repair/rebuild it. It sits on such prime property, and is an eyesore. It is extra depressing for me because Marie and I used to go there quite often, for dinner, the lighting of the torches, and entertainment. Now, each time that we pass by, I am overwhelmed by sadness recalling my great memories of 50 years ago.
The girls went next door each morning to Marie’s bakery for their coffee. During their visits their conversation got around to me and Olokele. Marie told them that Ruth Cassel still lived on a farm in Waimea. She said we would remember each other. When they told me, I certainly remembered Ruth! How could I forget? I remembered her for her beauty and friendliness. Even though she was a haole’, she had that Hawaiian friendliness and graciousness. The Cassels had five kids as we did - four boys and a girl. I worked with her husband, Jim, on the plantation. He was Olokele’s Agriculturist. Both of them were from Iowa, having arrived a few months before we did. They were both musicians - Ruth played the piano, and gave lessons to the plantation kids. Jim played the trombone.
Tuesday turned out to be a very interesting - but a long day!
Early in the morning, Mary called Ruth to see if we could get together later on. Ruth said that she had organ practice in the morning. So she invited us to her house in Waimea that afternoon, for cold drinks
and pu-pu’s. We settled for 4:30.
We left Kapaa about 10, heading for the Kauai Museum in Lihue. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the museum. The entry fee was $10 ($8 for me, a Senior, and Kamaaina’s), but the experience was well worth the price of admission. Too, the ticket is valid for several days as there is too much to see during a single visit - especially, if you also visit their very nice gift shop It is strange. The Museum was established in 1960, but I had never been there. The Museum building was dedicated to Albert Spencer Wilcox.
We would have liked to take the guided tour, but no docent. She said that no one was there at 10, so he went home! I enjoyed their great sea shell and wooden bowl collections on the main floor. The building is not ADA friendly, having no elevators. I did climb many stairs to get to the second level, as I wanted to see the sugar plantation exhibit. I found that Olokele Sugar Company was started in 1941, and it was in business for 53 years - until Gay & Robinson bought them in 1994. The exhibit mentioned that the plantation built a 200 home complex at nearby Kaumakani to house the hourly-paid workers. The salaried employees were housed in nice houses on the main street, and the street behind. I would have liked to have seen the Textile festival exhibit of Hawaiian quilts, but that meant walking up more stairs, so I passed.
Back to our condo for some respite and a quick turn around to visit Ruth in Wamea. Afterwards, Mary had made reservations at the very nice Gaylord restaurant - between Lihue and the Kauai Community College,
“On the Road Again”. This time to Waimea to visit Ruth Cassel. It took us a little over an hour for the drive from Kapaa to Waimea. There was quite a bit of traffic, and we allowed only an hour. The narrow -bumpy road (with numerous barking dogs along the way, was as Ruth described it to Mary. Ruth was a very pleasant and gracious hostess. It felt good to see her once again. She offered our choice of beaucoup drinks. She also had prepared some delicious cheese and cracker snacks. Ruth gave us a tour of her charming home, and explained many photos of her picture collection.
Joan had purchased a booklet at the Museum - “NA PUA O KOKEE” - a Field guide to the Native Flowering Plants of Northwestern Kauai”. The author was Katie Cassel. Joan asked Ruth if Katie was any relation. Ruth said that she was her daughter-in-law. Then, Ruth brought out a copies of Katie’s book and gave one to each of us. It wasn’t much longer, when a car pulled up and a young lady climbed the stairs. It was Katie! What a small world. She signed each of our copies of her book.
Then Ruth gave us a walking tour of her farm - about 4 acres overall. She pointed out banana, lilikoi, mango, papaya and monkey pod trees. I asked her about the Waimea hospital (where Joan and Sue were born), and Ruth said that it hadn’t been torn down and was still there. So, we stopped by and took pictures on our way back.
The time for our dinner reservation at Gaylords kept creeping up. Mary called the restaurant twice to reserve a later time. Fortunately they weren’t to busy so they accommodated us. We finally arrived at the restaurant about 8:30 for our original 6:30 reservation. Gaylords is located within the Kilohana Estate, on the outskirts of Lihue. The mansion was established in 1935, but I don’t recall seeing it when we lived here. It was the home of Ethel and Gaylord Wilcox - an old Island family.
We were the only patrons still in the restaurant - except for a wedding party in the private dining room. The girls sensed some hostility in the waiter - probably because he was held over to serve us. (I didn’t sense this attitude.). At the Gaylord menu prices, It was worth their wait for us. While tiring, it was a very memorable day!
This morning (Wednesday, June 9, 2010) is “get-away” day - we return to San Francisco. Our direct (we hope so!) United Flight #62 is scheduled to depart from Lihue at 1:15P. What amazes me is how the four of us were dedicated to being “on time”. None of us wanted to be accused of lagging. Before we checked out from The Outrigger, Joan went on line and printed our boarding passes, and prepaid the $23 for checking each of our bags. Only Mary, whose bag was bumping the 50 pound maximum, got her money’s worth. But, we shouldn’t comment because Mary very nicely volunteered to include some of our stuff in her large suitcase.
Joan left us, and our luggage, off - right in front - near the Baggage Agricultural Inspection Station, and returned our rental car to Hertz. We had a couple of hours wait before departure. But, I’d rather sit at the airport and have a leisurely check-in, than sit back at the hotel and then scramble to make it on time.
Our equipment was a Boeing 757 twin engine plane - the same type United used when we flew over. The same crew had been aboard this same plane, inbound from San Francisco, earlier this noon. The quick turn-around makes economical sense. I can remember back when a passenger plane needed four engines in order to be certified for over-water flights. Today, with these huge powerful jet engines, two exceed the power of four. The Boeing 757 can still fly using a single engine!
It is hard to believe how large the Lihue airport is today. Fifty years ago, when I was flying inter-island on business, the terminal was just a small building - housing the Hawaiian and the Aloha Airlines ticket offices, and a small café`. The turbo-prop operations were small - the ground crew would roll out stairs to the plane, to load and unload passengers. I remember once when I forgot my ticket to Honolulu. When boarding, I explained it to the Flight attendant. She said, “That’s O.K. Just mail it in after you return!” How about that for the Aloha Spirit?
We were number one for take-off. Wheels were retracted at 1:19P after a 25 second take-off run. An uneventful flight, flying at 34,000 feet. We were scheduled to get in at 2125, but the Captain said that we would be arriving about 30 minutes early. He hadn’t any more than said this, when we started a flat 360 degree turn to the right. We flew this pattern for about a half hour. The only redeeming feature was almost a continuous view of the beautiful sunset! The Captain said that the airport was socked in, and we were “holding” waiting for the fog to lift. Shortly, afterwards he came back on the PA and said that we were running low on fuel, and Approach Control was diverting us to an alternate airport - (San Jose). In all my piloting during WWII, and during the Korean War, I was diverted from landing at Mather Field twice - because the weather was below landing minimums - for overnight stays at Travis and Merced. The pilot started his letdown at 8:30P.
Instead of a straight - in approach to San Jose, we zigzagged over the water to take our turn in the trail of planes on their final approach. Instead of landing at SFO 30 minutes early, we landed in San Jose an hour and a half late. We spent 15 minutes taxiing to a remote cargo area to be re-fueled. When refueling was completed, the Captain told us that we would head to a Gate, and those that wanted to disembark in San Jose, were welcome to do so. Then, we would be off to SFO. The next thing they said was that we would NOT be heading to a Gate, but would be heading directly for SFO. I thought it was strange that they would re-fuel the aircraft with all of us aboard. It doesn’t seem like a very safe practice. I wonder if they actually did refuel? We left the cargo area at 10:40P
Mary called Stan, our air porter service, from San Jose, and told him not to wait for us. Stan thanked her. He said he had a 5:30 pick-up for the next morning. We took off for SFO. I thought that the pilot would just leave the wheels and flaps down for the short run up Highway 101. The pilot had just re-tracked them, when the Flight Attendant said, “Prepare for landing! . It was a routine departure. But, it seemed that we were flying just above the stalling speed, to jockey for position on the final approach. An uneventful landing in San Francisco about 11:30 - two and a half hours late! If this were a Southwest flight, the passengers would have clapped!
We collected our luggage at the carousel, and found some chairs to decide on Plan B. Mary called Jason and asked him if he would pick us up. He did his Boy scout good Turn and agreed. Joan and Sue went up to the upper level, to Subway and got sandwiches for us. Jason arrived at about 1:15, and I arrived back at Quail Creek at 2:30.
Things that I miss most about Kauai:
- Seeing the beautiful hibiscus bushes at the Outrigger - the first thing in the morning, and the last thing at night.
- Looking at the ocean from our lanai during my breakfast.
- Experiencing the natural beauty of Kauai all around me.
-Feeling the warm -trade winds on my face.
-Encountering the friendly local people.
-The slower pace of Hawaiian life.
“Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation; for when you come back to your work, your judgment will be surer. To remain constantly at work will cause you to lose power of judgment. When you go some distance away, then your work appears smaller, and more of it can be taken in at a glance, so a lack of harmony, or proportion is more readily seen.”
- Leonardo da Vinci ( from the booklet. “The Tao of Dad”, by Tracy Gold.)
Ray L’Amoreaux
July 3, 2010.

HAWAIIAN MONK SEALS

MONK SEAL
My three daughters and I recently spent a week on Kauai. During the week, they wanted to snorkel at Brennecke’s Beach at Poipu. They pointed out two Monk Seals nearby sunning themselves on the beach. I noticed that the life guards respected their privacy by setting up a perimeter of four poles around them. At the top of the poles they fastened the yellow -crime scene- ribbon. I wondered why they had to do this. Common sense would dictate to leave them alone. But, there are nuts out there who lack common sense, and respect for nature, and harm them - even though they are protected as critically endangered.
I have always liked seals, but I can’t explain why. Probably because they are so docile and graceful. My daughter picked up a tourist publication. “101 Things to Do- Kauai” at the Outrigger Resort where we were staying, It is an excellent publication, with suggestions of things to do and see. On page 30, there is an excellent article on “The Monk Seal Guardians.” I think that you will enjoy reading it, so have copied it here. After reading this, you will never see a seal the same again!
“Monk Seal Guardians.”
“Hawaiian monk seals found the Hawaiian Islands well before human contact. They showed up 13 to 15 million years ago, well before the Big Island exploded from the sea, or ancient Hawaiians came to settle the land. Now, critically endangered, there are fewer Hawaiian monk seals in the wild than there are giant pandas! But, while pandas are celebrities, Monk seals can’t get off the B-List!
An Elephant monk seal, with a talent for grabbing headlines has done a lot to focus public attention on the plight of these ancient, seven foot, 400-600 pound marine mammals.
KP2 was born on a Kauai beach in May 2008. His mother categorically rejected him. Had he not been spotted by a passerby and turned over to NOAA’s Marine Mammal Response team, he would have died. The tiny pup was transported to Oahu and raised by the marine mammal team. When he was old enough to fend for himself, he was released into waters off Molokai.
Now, thoroughly acclimated to human contact, KP2 wasn’t interested in the solitary life preferred by most monk seals. So, he set off in search of human contact.. He found it at Kaunakakai Wharf on Molokai’s southern shore where there were plenty of humans to play with.
Soon, the seal had attracted an enthusiastic fan club, and the press had discovered a “Rock” star with whiskers and fins, abandoned by his mother and belonging to a tribe that is nearly extinct. The Wall Street Journal called KP2 a “people person”, and marine researchers started to worry as he grew and acted like a 600 pound seal, he may unintentionally harm his new friends.
So, NOAA intervened and returned KP2 to the wild. That didn’t work. The undaunted seal simply swam back to Kaunakakai Wharf. That didn’t work either. NOAA finally took him back to Oahu where he was placed in captivity.
All the while, the press followed the monk seal’s escapades, his celebrity growing with each headline. Eventually, it was determined that KP2 had cataracts and had to be moved to California for surgery. His Molokai friends, who had loudly protested his removal from the island, came to Oahu to say a sad Aloha!
Today, the endangered Hawaiian monk seal population has it’s poster child - and none too soon.
Over the pat 50 years, the Hawaiian monk seal population has fallen more than 60 percent to a level just over a 1,000 animals! About 90 percent of them are located in the uninhabited Northwest Hawaiian Islands. The remainder resides in the main islands.
A small monk seal colony has been established on Kauai and Niihau. Numbering some 30 to 40 seals, it is the largest population in the main islands. The seals are monitored by volunteers from the Kauai Monk Seal Watch Program. So, when you come across shoreline cordoned off by yellow tape barriers, you’ll know a seal has hauled up and volunteers are at work.
Seals usually land on the beach to rest, or to care for their young. It’s not unusual to see a pup, but keep your distance. Never pass between a seal and the shoreline. When mama seals feel threatened, on the shore or in the water, they have been known to attack. A Maha’ulepu Beach mama did just that late last year.
In another incident, the community was outraged, when two seals, one pregnant, were murdered. One shooter has been prosecuted. A significant reward has been raised for information leading to the arrest of the other.”

RCL - 7/3/10.