Kona November 19 - 25

Kona November 19 – 25

Aloha!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with plenty of love, family and food!  It seemed strange to be far away from family and home but we enjoyed the day nonetheless.  A dear brother and sister that serve in the Temple (and care for the Orchid Aisle), invited the Presidency and Missionaries to their lovely home for Thanksgiving dinner.

 

                                         View of the North Kohala Coast

                                        Thanksgiving at the Maluo's

They warmly welcomed us to their home in the northern part of the Island located in a gated community called Kohala Ranch which overlooks the North Kohala coast of the Big Island.  The view of the ocean is spectacular even though it was cloudy and hazy while we were.  We could hear thunder rolling across the water but it never rained while we are there.  North Kohala is very dry, receiving little rain each year.  The area is famous for beautiful resorts and emerald green golf courses cutting through the black lava fields.  We have played on two of the courses in previous visits but a Missionary Budget can’t stand the green fees.

Table centerpiece

Thanksgiving dinner was delicious…turkey, ham and all the trimmings.  True to the Hawaiian tradition there was enough food for three times the number of guests invited so we ‘had’ to carry enough food home with us to provide another generous dinner.

                                                            Almost full!
                                                   
This week saw our first snowfall of the season!  Not here in Kona where it’s still in the mid-80’s but on top of Mauna Kea (White Mountain) where the elevation is nearly 14,000 feet.  It hardly seems like Christmas is near!  Today at choir practice we began rehearsing for the Christmas program although we didn’t have anyone to play the piano.  We have a lot of work to do!

Today the chapel was decorated with baskets of white anthirium with delicate pink spadix and darker pink spathe.  You’ll need a dictionary or a degree in Botany!  We got involved directing some visitors (malahini) and didn’t get a picture.  Maybe next week! 

One thing we have noticed is the emergence of the striking red Poinsettia that seem to grow everywhere; often shrubs fifteen to twenty feet in height and circumference.  This is a ‘blooming’ season for many flowers and shrubs.  A drive along the old narrow and winding Mamalahoa Highway, where our apartment is located, is becoming like a drive through the Garden of Eden. This P-day we’ll get some pictures!

Serving at the temple this past week was supposed to be somewhat slower than last week because we didn’t have any Wards from Maui scheduled and the Annual Training was over.  Tuesday morning started off with water in the break room from a broken hose on one of the washing machines.  The week got busier from there with special projects for the President and Matron, scheduling a large Maui Tongan Ward visit for the first week of December, and another special project from the President to design and print the Temple Christmas cards by next week.  We love the work and the blessing of stretching ourselves to meet the needs of our patrons and leaders!  E hana me ka ha’aha’a (Let us work with humbleness).

Finally, we put up our mighty 32 inch Christmas tree and Sister Elwood is cutting garland from red tissue paper to add a ‘homey’ decoration.  We will add the 22 ornaments and look for a bag of snow to make everything look like an Elwood Christmas Tree.  You will have to wait until next week to see the final product!  We include a picture below of last year’s tree in Boise to whet your imagination!

Another Hawaiian word for the day –Kuleana – take responsibility; stewardship. Good advice for us all.

Much love and Aloha from Paradise!