For sometime now my friend, Napua, and I have been
trying to get me to Hawaii for a visit.
However, it always seemed something came up
that kept me from going:
I got breast cancer...
So it was postponed for a couple of years.
Then, finally last fall seemed to be right,
but, alas, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
January of 2009 was scheduled and cancelled
due to finding cancer on her Thryoid.
March sounded good, but it too, came and went.
Both of us received clean bills of health from our
doctors and so June was scheduled if we were
to have time together before she went on her mission.
Of course, one of the first things one thinks of
when traveling to Hawaii
is the beautiful sandy beaches and I was not
disappointed. Napua lives on Oahu in Laie which
is about a hour drive from Honolulu.
The beach is about two blocks from her house
and a quick walk. Sunrises are noticeable from
her home. Sunsets are on the Honolulu side.
An early morning stroll caught the reflection of
the sun's rays shining down through the clouds
upon the incoming tide.
The sandy beaches are very clean and inviting.
I loved walking along the sand and feeling the
incoming waves wash over my feet.
In the distance to the right is a small island.
As a young girl, Napua and her friends would
walk over to this island and play when the
tide was out. They had to be careful not to
get caught on the island when the tide came
in or they would be stranded.
The temple in Laie is closed for renovation. I had hoped
to attend a session there. But, we were able to walk
the grounds and see the Visitor Center. This picture
is taken from the Visitor Center.
At the base of the temple is a depiction of a mother
pouring water from a jug over a small child...symbolic
of a Mother's love and protection of her children.
The nuturing and caring influence of a mother
from generation to generation is depicted in
the ever-flowing pools.
The models for the relief statues were members
of Napua's family. The mother was her
great aunt and the little girl was her father's sister.
Napua and myself with temple in background
Up each morning at 5:00 a.m. and out the door
by 5:30 for our morning constitution with her
Korean friend, Jeannie and neighbor's dog, Wylie.
We would cross the street leading to the temple
and walk around the campus of BYUH.
We would walk for about an hour. I loved these
morning walks. The mountains were often encased
in clouds and somtimes we'd get a few raindrops. The flags
representing students from different nations were
set out each day while we were walking.
Oops! guess we'll have to stand on our heads to
see this palm tree with green coconuts. The
neighbors across the street from Napua had three
trees loaded with coconuts...some green and
some ready for harvest. In fact, one fell and landed
in Napua's yard, so we just picked it up for use later.
The flowers in Hawaii are so beautiful that I
couldn't resist taking pictures.
These were all found growing around Napua's home.
I love the Hibiscus!
This orchid is on the grounds of the Kona Temple
From L: Caress, Nola, Napua, Theresa, JiHye, Sung Rye (Jeannie_
Saturday, June 29 five of us flew from Laie to Kona
on the Big Island to attend the temple. Because
it is a small temple, reservations must be made ahead.
We were picked up by Napua's sister, Theresa and
cousin. Joshua.
Kona Temple
Sitting at the base of the temple were missionaries
who had just received their endowments.
Sunday evening, 30th, Napua's family came to visit
and play games.
From L: Shauna, daughter, Napua, Kylie a niece, and Tamara,
daughter.
Napua's grandchildren.
They entertained us with a special song
Kenny (with guitar) had written.
It was wonderful to spend a week with Napua. Our
time was not spent in sight seeing (I'd been there,
done that years ago), but to renew our friendship
and catch up on things. We met at BYU in the
1960's where we worked together in Continuing Education,
Evening Classes.
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