We've known Kara since her family moved into our neighborhood in Chicago when she was about two years old and probably barely out of diapers. Living just one door down from each other, we all became close friends. Her parents are world class anthropologists and Kara's older brother was Keola's classmate.
We were delighted to hear last fall that Kara was getting married, but sad that we would not be back in Chicago for it this year.
Therefore you can imagine how thrilled we were to hear that Kara and her fiance, Ish would be coming to Hawaii to attend a cousin's wedding.
Their time in the islands would be short, but they were able to stay with us for a couple of days.
Their walking into the house laden with flowers and coffee gave Mom a huge smile! You know how she loves flowers. They won her over very easily.
Kara and Ish are both successful lawyers. Good grief! Little Kara is a lawyer! Can you believe it?
Their first day only gave us time to visit the Dole Pineapple Plantation and it was a little drizzly.
We spent a lot of time catching up on our lives and reliving memories. It was also a time for us to get to know Ish. We couldn't help loving him immediately as soon as we saw his sweet smile.
The following day we visited the Iolani Palace, but only had time to see the outside and watch a short video on Hawaiian history.
Since it's nearby, we also stopped at the State capitol and took photos next to the statues of Queen Liliuokalani (Hawaii's last Queen) and Father Damien.
Time was a little short, but I remembered that across the street was Ali'iolani Hale. It is the home of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. You can also see it as the fictitious headquarters for the TV series, Hawaii 5-0.
The statue of King Kamehameha I stands in front of it.
Ali'iolani also contains the King Kamehameha V Judiciary Center. How much more perfect can you get for a couple of lawyers?
Of course, I needed to set them up for a photo. Kara could very well become a judge some day. I did send this photo to her parents.
I wanted to take them to the Pali Lookout, but as we neared the area we saw storm clouds coming over the mountain. The Pali with it's strong winds is NOT a good place when it's raining. We changed course and went to the Tantalus Lookout. We were able to see the broad panorama of Honolulu and the Leeward side of the island clearly.
Then the clouds came. Did it follow us?
No problem. Kara treated us to lunch at our favorite Zippy's where we had saimin and somen.
And then it was time for Kara and Ish to get organized and leave for the airport. We couldn't believe how quickly time had flown.
Time truly has flown. It seems like only yesterday that Kara was being carried everywhere in her dad's arms. And now here she is... a successful lawyer and about to get married.
Sigh...
We were delighted to hear last fall that Kara was getting married, but sad that we would not be back in Chicago for it this year.
Their time in the islands would be short, but they were able to stay with us for a couple of days.
Their walking into the house laden with flowers and coffee gave Mom a huge smile! You know how she loves flowers. They won her over very easily.
Kara and Ish are both successful lawyers. Good grief! Little Kara is a lawyer! Can you believe it?
Their first day only gave us time to visit the Dole Pineapple Plantation and it was a little drizzly.
We spent a lot of time catching up on our lives and reliving memories. It was also a time for us to get to know Ish. We couldn't help loving him immediately as soon as we saw his sweet smile.
Time was a little short, but I remembered that across the street was Ali'iolani Hale. It is the home of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. You can also see it as the fictitious headquarters for the TV series, Hawaii 5-0.
The statue of King Kamehameha I stands in front of it.
Ali'iolani also contains the King Kamehameha V Judiciary Center. How much more perfect can you get for a couple of lawyers?
Of course, I needed to set them up for a photo. Kara could very well become a judge some day. I did send this photo to her parents.
I wanted to take them to the Pali Lookout, but as we neared the area we saw storm clouds coming over the mountain. The Pali with it's strong winds is NOT a good place when it's raining. We changed course and went to the Tantalus Lookout. We were able to see the broad panorama of Honolulu and the Leeward side of the island clearly.
Then the clouds came. Did it follow us?
And then it was time for Kara and Ish to get organized and leave for the airport. We couldn't believe how quickly time had flown.
Time truly has flown. It seems like only yesterday that Kara was being carried everywhere in her dad's arms. And now here she is... a successful lawyer and about to get married.
Sigh...
Great visit. Glad you could enjoy this precious girl and her fiance. I know you entertained them royally
ReplyDeleteI am sighing with you. Time seems to pass too quickly and though I am happy with the now, I miss many things about the past, even though I know it is part of me forever. I especially miss my children as they were growing up! Still, how wonderful it is that you and Art were able to have Kara and Ish stay with you since you will not be able to go to their wedding!
ReplyDeleteamazing how fast time moves for all of us. my twin grand daugthers who are graduating in two weeks would agree!
ReplyDeleteYou are wonderful hosts and what a lovely young couple!
ReplyDeleteAgeing certainly gives us perspective when we see children we knew grow into such lovely citizens of the world.
ReplyDeleteit does go so fast doesn't it. i am preparing my son and his fiance for when they have kids. i keep telling them that though the days will seem endless, in retrospect they will fly by and to enjoy them as much as possible.
ReplyDeletewhat a great post,, such a beautiful couple,, happy ever after, does it get any better,,wonderful visit!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the happy couple! I am constantly amazed when I see someone again after a long absence. Where does the time go? :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful, loving smiles. I hope that court pictures invites future reality.
ReplyDeleteIt was very nice of you to host these friends of yours. All in all, a splendid time for everyone.
ReplyDeleteYour Aloha generosity does not surprise me, and what a lovely looking couple. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are such good hosts showing them around that they must be very happy.
ReplyDeleteAwwww . . . wonderful hosts, you are!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the happy people.
ReplyDeleteThe little redhead who grew up next door and was a threesome to my blond and brunette (I turned heads in stores with those three in tow!) grew up to be a lawyer. She married a lawyer and moved to his hometown of Buffalo. She passed the NY bar first time. Hubby needed the maximum tries of, I think, three.
What a wonderful visit...thank you for sharing this lovely couple with us. :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to spend some time with her and her new hubby. They look very happy, and so talented!
ReplyDeleteHelen Chapin's Memorial Service, four years ago, was in that historic courtroom where the Massie trial took place back in the day, because she had been President of the Hawaiian Historical Society. We had Hawaiian music with Kaipo Asing's Kalawahine Serenaders and some family danced hulas. Kaipo's halau put leis on the impressive King Kamehameha statue beforehand which is not easy, by the way, as the statue is so tall. Kaipo is not only an accomplished musician, but he had been a friend and neighbor on Kalawahine Place when we lived there. I got special permission to hold the service there from the powers that be. It was an altogether fitting and memorable event.
ReplyDeleteHi Hank! It's so wonderful to hear from you again! Wow! What a fabulous place to have Helen's memorial service. It's such an awesome building. No doubt, that's why they film Hawaii 5-0 there. How in the world did Kaipo's halau get the leis up on the statue? Don't you need a cherry picker for that?
DeleteI saw them flinging and flinging and reaching and straining and laughing and eventually, some leis did catch. I didn't get the impression that they had planned very far ahead. It was more of a spontaneous thing. Yes, the city uses a cherry picker to place leis on the gold-hued statue.
DeleteGosh, time really does fly!
ReplyDeleteHow neat that since you couldn't make the wedding that you got to spend time with the happy couple and approve of her choice. I'm sure she wanted that. Always nice to have a lawyer as a good friend.
ReplyDeleteThe TV show 5-0 will have new meaning for them now as that building is in every episode.
Wow! Good eyes, Patti! I forgot to mention that Hawaii 5-0 is filmed at Ali'iolani. I just added it to the post. Thank you!
DeleteWhat a lovely couple! So glad that they were able to spend some time with you. It seems the older we get, the faster time goes by. I think we become more reflective and sentimental as well, which is good!
ReplyDeleteA darling couple. I'm sure they had a wonderful time with you!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you've kept contact. support works both ways even if it is a little scary about time passing quickly.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful that this young lady found a way to include you in her life again. I'm sure spending time together was precious to all of you.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it make you feel old? I can't get over instantly becoming a senior citizen. I think it happened at age 60 and I tried to ignore it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I see little kids that grew up, it does amaze me. Then I try to remember how it was when I was their age, getting married, having children, struggling with making ends meet and still being able to run without peeing (lol).
So nice of you to take them around. It really was too short a time, and time really does fly.
Wow, you managed a lot for having such little time.
ReplyDeleteYeah, funny how the kids grow up and only we parents never change, eh? ;)
Kids grow up so fast. Or else time passes quickly as we grow older. Haven't figured that out yet.
ReplyDeleteThat's our Kay, food, fellowship and fun!
ReplyDelete