Holoholo!

 We've sold our homes in Austin, TX, and begun our journey back home to Moloka'i. So, for now, Love and Coconuts exists in its new form as this F-150, pulling a Springdale 280BH that will be our home for the next year, as we travel to see family, and say goodbye to the mainland. 

Kiki has outfitted the interior with everything we need. She also busted her tail organizing our home goods to sell, ship, or give away. 

More to come!

Moloka'I Time

We sailed to Moloka'i Saturday before Thanksgiving and spent two weeks before coming back this past Sunday. We watched the weather going and coming and took advantage of light winds and smaller swells.

Departed just before 1800 Saturday, November 22 and arrived at Kaunakakai Wharf just before 1100, with some early morning tacks thrown in to delay our arrival. We had to motor the trip over, since winds were straight on our nose, coming from South of East all night, although very light.

My battery went out as we were getting near the harbor entrance. I put the dinghy in the water and mounted the motor, to have it ready, just in case. Then I was able to cross connect my house batteries and fire up the engine. After arriving in port, I took the maintenance-free battery to the shop and tester showed it to be bad.

I tested the alternator and it appears the voltage regulator is sketchy. I was getting 15.4 volts out of alternator and at the battery.

I'll probably swap out the alternator in the next week or so.

Okay, enough of the techy stuff. Moloka'i was sublime. The trip across was easy, some rocking and rolling on the O'ahu side of Kaiwi Channel, but smoothed out once across the deep part and onto the bank in the lee of the island.

We had another couple along for the ride and they slept most of it, both a little seasick. I think seasick happens the more one concentrates on the idea of it. I've only had one episode and it snuck up on me out of nowhere, while salmon fishing off the Columbia River Bar. I had overindulged the night before with my fishing mates, and was a bit dehydrated, so probably earned that one.

I've had a moment or two, here and there where I feel it, but it's usually standard motion-sickness triggers that cause my problem. As soon as I shift my vision off the thing in my hands, or get out of the cabin and up in the fresh air, it dissipates. I also find I can sleep great in rocking rolling seas. I hit the sack about 2100 and slept until 2315. I took over the watch from Kris and she crashed on the saloon couch until I woke her at 0330 to give myself a break.

It was interesting to me that we could see both islands the whole way. And the sun rising behind Haleakala as we made way up the Kalohi Channel, was spectacular.

And a couple of sunsets were okay, too.

Poor Neglected Blog

We've been doing the thing much more lately and I've not been blogging about it. Mostly just Waikiki trips, outta the harbor, over to Waiks, drop the hook and have some fun.

Going again this Sunday.

My great plan this time is to paddle into Duke's at 4p catch a couple of songs at the regular Sunday afternoon Henry Kapono show.

And I did and it was fun. Used to long paddles in Hawaii, so nothing to challenging. I paddled in caught Dukes on Sunday, chatted with friends, drank a couple of beers, and paddled the 20 mins back to the boat after the two hour show. Then an easy sail with friends, slowing for the post-sunset fireworks at the Hawaiian Village, and moored back in Kewalo by 9p. 

Maui by Plane

We flew over yesterday and found our way to Castaway Cafe, just up from Black Rock in Kaanapali. With wifi, a quiet little bar, and spectacular views of Lanai and Molokai, couldn't ask for a much better spot to spend a work day.

This trip is a little Labor Day holoholo with workdays in Maui as bookends. This morning we are waking up in Makawao, where it's a very cool upcountry 70f, a nice break from Late summer heat in Honolulu.

Anyone who's traveled to Hawaii and spent time on more than one island, knows there's some big differences between town and country. However, having lived on O'ahu for a couple of years, and in Honolulu most recently, it's a very welcome contrast here on the slopes of Haleakala. Cooler temps, life passing slowly and quietly, and a lack of locals with aggressive elbows, reminds us why we love Hawaii. Sure, we can get it on O'ahu, if we try, but traveling to outer islands immerses us in our aloha.

A secondary activity on this trip is to check out boating facilities. We knew things were tight over here, but it turns out that Lahaina harbor has a thirty-year waiting list for a slip. The guy on the top of the list applied for a slip in 1981. They think he will get one this year.

Ouch.

Maalaea is not much better, if not worse, and Lanai is very limited as well.

The one glimmer of hope may be Kaunakakai, on Molokai. We may try and take a ferry over and check things out on Molokai tomorrow.

KiKi Kane Illustration

Kris has been on a creative jag since we broke free of the mainland and she's been working her watercolor style to the point she's getting happier with the colors and designs. Some very-much island-themed fun here: KiKi Kane Illustration

I Believe in You

I don't know if you know, but I'm the proud papa of three beautiful Irish princesses. And this past month, I got to spend some time with them. The eldest, Caeley, is on staff at Cloud and Kelly's, a cute little pub in Corvallis, Oregon. the younger two live in Beaverton, Oregon, and I get as much time as I can with them. 

Somehow this visit this past month afforded me the chance to go to Falls City, Oregon, and jump off the falls and into the Luckiamute River.

Caeley and Aoibhinn (pronounced even), were quick, albeit cautious, to make the leap and climb back up the rocks. As Aoibhinn was working up the courage to make the eight-foot jump, Medbh (rhymes with gave), was very supportive and shouted out to her sister, "I believe in you!" 

It was a beautiful moment, made even more special by Medbh's intensity. She's a passionate, insightful, and amazing little kid. 

My ginger. 

She fought her own battle to get to the point where she was able to make the leap. Later, she told me, "I counted to ten, Dad...ten times...at least." 

Thank you for this gift of this time with these lovely women. And thank you for this gift of their fierce spirits. 

I believe in you!

Post by Mabel Katz.

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