Lunch at Shirokiya in Ala Moana Shopping Center

Mom heard on the radio that Shirokiya, a Japanese store and restaurant had revamped their food area to make it just like Japan.

"Would you like to go?" asked Art. We thought she'd say no because she hates imposing on us for anything.

"OK," she said.

"Would you like to invite the aunties and uncle?" asked Art.

"OK, I'll call them now." she answered happily.

Now we were really surprised. It sounded like she really wanted to try this place. Auntie Grace said she wasn't very interested because she didn't like the food there very much.

Mom told her it was supposed to have improved with more varieties. Auntie Dorothy said she and uncle were willing to give it a try. Auntie Grace said if Auntie Dorothy was going, she'd love to join her sisters.


There were a lot of little food booths to choose from. They'd added what looked like an artificial wisteria arbor.

But you know what? The food was still so-so. Art's dish might have been the best of what we all chose. I wouldn't go there again.


It was still great to have the three sisters together and we always love seeing uncle.

Art is now excitedly planning our 2012 trip to Japan so mom can have some much better tasting Japanese food in a real Japanese setting.

Mom, who told us she didn't want to travel anymore is giving him lots of ideas for places to see. Mom, who said she can't stand the cold is saying it'll be OK to go in spring because it would be nice to see some cherry blossoms. Mom, who said she prefers staying at home is saying it'll be nice to see her family in Japan again.

"It'll be my last trip," says Mom. As I recall, she said that after our 1st trip to Japan, our trip to the Northwest, our 2nd trip to Japan, and our trip to the National Parks. She'll probably say it again after our trip to Alaska later this year.

We'll see...

Okonomiyaki and Dolly, Too!

It's been a rather crazy day!

We needed to get to Tripler Army Hospital for Art's blood pressure check up. And here's the crazy part. I decided I could give the hand rails another coat of paint. I barely got finished and it was time to leave so I grabbed my back pack and flew out the door where Art and my mom were waiting in the car. It wasn't until we were on our way that I discovered I'd forgotten my cellphone. Never try to call me on my cell because I always forget it on the charger!

After the hospital appointment we were supposed to meet my nephew, Barry's wife, Miho at their apartment in Honolulu after which we would head out to Ala Moana Shopping Center to pick up some special okonomiyaki to have lunch with my mom's sister. This was a special okonomiyaki lunch being served at Shirokiya (Japanese store) during a Hiroshima Festival. We'd had this egg crepe filled with sliced cabbage, pork, etc. in Hiroshima and was looking forward to trying it again.

When we got to Miho's apartment, she wasn't there. We realized there might have been some miscommunication but there was nothing we could do because I didn't have my cellphone. We decided to head out to Ala Moana, pick up the okonomiyaki and find a pay phone (Do they have them still?) to try calling Miho.

We parked the car at Ala Moana Shopping Center which is one of the largest open-air malls in the U.S. There are more than 240 stores, 70 restaurants and 4 levels! We parked our car and walked into the mall, down an escalator and there stood Miho! You could have knocked us over with a feather. She wasn't anywhere near where we were planning to go, but was just standing there thinking she'd stop at a coffee shop to wait for us. She'd wanted to save us a trip to her place by walking (the long distance) to the shopping center herself. She thought she could wait for our call and then tell us where she was. I still can't believe we actually bumped into her at that time, on that level. Did I tell you this is a HUGE, VERY HUGE shopping center? Craaazy!

We bought our special lunch and went to my aunt's house. By luck, my cousin, Arnold had just returned from one of his flights. He's a Captain with Hawaiian Airlines (rated #1 recently). Here's a photo of Arnold with...guess who? It was taken in 1990 or so. He says the cabin crew were all making a fuss over her and he went back to welcome her and say he was one of her fans. She insisted he sit on her lap for a photo and would not take, (I'll bet it was a weak) "no," for an answer. He says Dolly really is as nice as everyone says. Well, Arnold's a sweetie, too! Isn't this just the coolest thing?