Kona 5/14 -5/15

                                      View from the Mansion overlooking Kailua Kona

Kona May 14 -15

First, just a note from Sunday evening!  We were invited by President and Sister Mossman to join Elder and Sister Horton for dinner at their home in Kona.  This was a wonderful recap for the Sabbath and Mother’s Day with a special evening with our Temple President and his wife.  They were the perfect hosts, which says a lot because the Hawaiians always make you part of the family in about 2 seconds.  We enjoyed hearing about their family and careers in and out of the church.  President Mossman is a former District Court Judge and Sister Mossman was an entertainer, singer and dancer in hotels in Maui for the tourists. They are a very spiritual and gracious couple.

The missionaries we are replacing, the Horton’s, also proved to be a strong example of the gospel and of service.  One surprise was that Sister Horton was an expert in stained glass! Her accomplishments, as part of a company in Salt Lake, include many of the temples.  Her story was inspiring and she will be returning to her work after they conclude their mission. Remarkably, she is a volunteer!

Monday evening, we were invited to a Malama Pono to recognize the Horton’s for their service in the Kealakekua Ward and the temple.  Malama Pono is Hawaiian for caring for each other and is put on by the Relief Society sisters.  Because of the unexpected death of an elderly man that the Horton’s had been fellowshipping shortly before the dinner and program began, Elder Horton was not able to attend.  Along with one other husband, I was the only other man in the group.

This activity was held at the home (read Mansion) of a church member who built the homes (2) on the slopes of the Hualalai volcano overlooking Kailua Kona and Kailua Bay.  I only had my phone to take pictures, which was unfortunate because the views were spectacular and the sunset produced the fabled “green flash!” The house or really two houses connected by elevated walkways were built by an elderly couple.  One ‘house’ was designed for the couple as a master bedroom, dining area and other rooms…probably over 2000 square feet of hardwoods, rock and soaring ceilings.  The other ‘house’ was built for the kids and grandkids and was even larger.  Someone said the monthly maintenance of the houses and grounds was over $20,000 PER MONTH!

This was a Hawaiian ‘pot luck’ dinner with dishes like poi, kalua pork, Hawaiian sweet potatoes, fried reef fish, fresh .pineapple, wonderful salads, baked ham with orange marmalade/mustard relish, Sushi and finished with purple sweet potato tart topped with a coconut custard pudding!  I tried everything but the reef fish, which Carolyn did try it and said it was very mild and good and the Sushi!  This turned out to be the finest “Hawaiian” dinner we’ve eaten.  Our donation, which was very well received, was western Idaho beans and ground beef!

Following dinner, we had a Home Evening lesson from Sister Bean, the Relief Society President, based on Elder Dallin H. Oakes address at the last General Conference.  In the middle of the lesson, Sister Bean got out her Ukulele and the entertainment began. Oh my! We sang, played traditional Hawaiian percussion instruments, and some of the sisters danced the Hula!  Even Sister Horton was brought into the act and was taught the hand moves and swaying of the Hula.  Turns out that four of theolder sisters had been performers’ way back when the ships brought tourists to Kona.  They all were a joy to watch and listen to the songs all the way from the Hawaiian War Chant to the Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua Hawaii. We were, after all, members of the Kealakekua Ward!
Malama Pono was a wonderful, joyous activity with the spirit of Aloha and the teachings of the Savior all equally represented by the love of these sisters.  We were truly blessed by the love and harmony of Aloha!  Carolyn was put on notice that her turn to dance would come at a Malama Pono when we leave the islands!

Today was a long day at the temple!  We got up at 5 AM and arrived at the temple at 6:15 for our shift. It was another day of ‘fire hose’ training from the Horton’s.  Since there is not another missionary couple to handle the Assistant Engineer duties, we get to do things that are not normally part of the Assistant Recorder or Office Assistant duties.  Never thought I would be learning how to manage the Ph balance in the font or be monitoring air handler flows in the 6 zones of the temple to make sure everyone is comfortable.  Carolyn is having similar learning experiences in the office with scheduling, answering phones, recording and a couple of dozen other tasks!

After a 3 hour break around 1 PM, we returned to the temple to help on the afternoon/evening shift.  They finally kicked us out a little after 9 PM tonight.  So far this has not been a vacation but it is so much more.  All the ordinance workers are so loving and welcoming.  I’m sure we have never been hugged and kissed on the cheek by more brothers and sisters in all our lives!

We continue to love and enjoy the work. Wednesday will be a lighter day but the learning will continue.  The spirit of the temple is so uplifting and we are so blessed by being here!

Sister Mossman, the matron, is helping me learn Hawaiian.  One of the phrases she gave me today seems appropriate…”E maka’ala mai I ka hana no ke Akua I ka Hale la’a.” “Be vigilant in the work of God in the Temple.”