Historic Ewa Beach Train

This weekend Hubby was working a bit on the proposal for his dissertation and needed some quiet at the house. So the boys and I headed for the historic Ewa Beach train. We took a 90 minute narrarated ride from the Ewa Plain to Kahe Point. This is a 300 horsepower Whitcomb diesel electric locomotive that was donated by the military. It was built in 1946.We sat right near the narrator on the outbound. Can you see his twirly mustache? We heard the history of the Oahu Railway and Land company, and how the trains were used on sugar plantations. The trains are former military flatbed cars that have been restored by the Hawaiian Railway Society.

First we rode through the Ewa Plain. This is a coral bed. The ocean used to run over these beds. Now they are building homes over the coral beds. We rode from Ewa through the Ko' Olina Resort, and out to Kahe Point. Everyone must stay seated the whole trip until we get to Kahe Point. Then the passengers are encouraged to get up and stretch, and switch sides. On the outbound, we sat on the makai (Hawaiian word for ocean) side of the train. On the inbound we sat on the mauka (Hawaiian word for mountain) side of the train. While we were standing, we saw several whales breach out at Kahe Point!!! It was so exciting....and Son1 totally got into it. He was screaming at the top of his lungs (with all of the other kids on the train) "A whale! A whale! I see the whale!" I am not sure if it was just one whale or multiple whales, but they completely breached themselves out of the water in a backward arch, from head to tail. The conductor shared that this is the most they have ever seen of the whales in 12 years! The whales travel in the channel between Oahu and Kauai to Maui for their migration pattern. We were so excited we called Daddy at home from the train. The conductor was excited, too. He called his wife back at the station. She was selling train tickets. Just as we pulled into Kahe Point, we saw Electric Beach where Hubby scuba dives. I had never been out there before. That was fun! We rode all the way back to the train station. The kids were all allowed up to the locomotive to pull the whistle. It was too loud for Son2 so I hung back from the train a bit, and he jumped up there all by himself and blew the whistle.
This was at the edge of the outdoor train museum. Inside the train barn, we peeked at this parlor car. It was built in 1900 for the Oahu Railway & Land Co. founder, Benjamin F. Dillingham. It is called No. 64. This was the finest parlor car that ran on the tracks, and was also an observation car. It originally cost about $4,400. It has a double-size rear platform, surrounded by ornate iron grillwork. Inside it is made of oak, mahogany and birdseye maple. The parlor car originally had a galley, lavatory, washstand and sideboard. It was used frequently by the OR&L for visiting dignitaries. Some the famous guests were Queen Lili`uokalani and other members of the Hawaiian royal family.

Here is an old original car that belonged to the Oahu Railway and Land Company.


This train was built in 1890. It has a tender and was the first steam locomotive used on the Ewa Sugar Plantation.

This coal burner was the first locomotive bought and used by Oahu Railway & Land Company. It was built in 1889. Son1 bought a little locomotive at the gift shop. He is holding it here in his hands.

This is a 150 horsepower diesel electric built by General Electric in 1942. It was used as a switcher by the military.

We walked along the rest of these old train cars.

Honolulu City Lights

Last Friday I took Son1 on a tour of the Honolulu Christmas lights via Fire Truck Hawaii. It is a 1936 refurbished fire truck that once served at the Quaker Oats factory in Illinois. It was acquired by a few fire fighters in Hawaii when they got the idea to purchase an old fire truck to give tours. It is now affectionately called "Engine 50", named after this being the 50th state. Son1 jabbered all the way from our house to South King Street about riding Engine 50.

Engine 50 has bench seating on each side, and accommodates 6 passengers on each side. Son1 and I sat across from one another on the back ends. Each passenger was given a hand bell to ring each time the driver rang his old fashioned bell and blared his siren. People on the streets stopped and waved to us. The fire fighter gave us a detailed tour of the city and the lights. I couldn't really hear anything, even though the fire fighter was miked. Son1 couldn't help but ring his bell constantly.The fire fighter gave each child a souvenir fire hat at the end of the ride. That's the one Son1 has in his hand. The other is from his Halloween costume. I really wanted the little dalmatian to come with us, but he needed his rest. He had a cold and an ear infection.

This is a really bad photo of Son1 and the fire fighter. I have an important story about him a little later in this post.On the other side of City Hall and the lawn displays was this little electric choo choo train run by those carnival ride folks. We could see him on South King Street from Engine 50. Once we got off our tour, Son1 wanted to ride this next. So I took him. This engine driver looked like a hippie Santa. Now things here are a little laid back as far as safety goes. Yes, we had seat belts on. However, this Santa engineer played tea cups (spun the engine around over and over) with the three connecting cars in tow. All the folks inside screamed. We followed the paved path for awhile and then took off on the grass for some off roading. That was some bumpy grass! All this to the sounds of island beats being piped through the speaker system.

After we got off Son1 and I made our way to the restroom at City Hall. Along the way we looked at the lawn displays. This was his favorite. LOOK MOMMY IT'S THE BABY JESUS!!After leaving the restroom, and rearranging some things in my purse, I got this uneasy feeling. I didn't remember seeing my keys in my purse. I pulled open the clasp. No keys. I patted my pants. No pockets in my pants. I plucked out my cell phone. "Hubby, start praying. I can't find my keys. They aren't in my purse and I don't have any pockets, so I have left them somewhere." It was after 9pm at night, I was nearly 30 miles from home, and my locked car had Son2's car seat in it. He was home in his crib. So how could Hubby get to us? I grabbed Son1 by the hand, explained the situation to him in a frenzy, and we left City Hall, back to the electric train. Stuff had spilled out of my purse on the train. Maybe I dropped my keys there. I asked the ticket lady. No luck. I went to the line and was peering around in the grass. I explained my situation to one lady. No...she insisted I needed a flashlight. Everyone in line started to look. Someone brought me a flashlight. That's just the way local people are. They help immediately. We looked on the train. No keys.

I had one more shot: Engine 50. So now, Son1 and I made the long walk back up South King to the traffic light, crossed the street and doubled back almost the entire long city block. We had to hurry. Fire Engine 50 might make a run or two more. Soon the fire truck was back at the pick up point. The fire fighter and I both looked. No keys. The firefighter saw I was disheartened. He promised to look back at the station under the lights. I thanked him. Then he asked me to wait. He jumped back on the truck, shoved his hands deep in the red leather, and he pulled out my keys quicker than I could blink. The line cheered. I cheered. Son1 bellowed out a thank you. I called Hubby. We were both relieved. Afterward Son1 informed me he wasn't tired. Good. From Fire Engine 50 I had seen the mock queen sitting at Iolani Palace with her king. Iolani Palace is the only official state residence for royalty in the United States. This was a celebration for Queen Kapio'lani's birthday. So now we could walk down there, since I had my keys.

The palace was decorated with red and green Chinese lanterns for her birthday. It was very late, and by now the mock queen was gone. When we got there, Son1 asked me where all the people went. Then he wanted to know if the queen was sleeping in her castle. Shhh.....he said.
This is the side gate we snuck into the palace grounds.

We made our way back up King Street toward our car. Son1 begged to go back to City Hall, which was there on the corner. I tried to capture what I noticed for the first time...but the picture doesn't show it too clearly. Santa's toes are dangling in the water fountain below, and his boots are off there to his left. "Mele" (means "merry" in Hawaiian) has a gold Hawaiian bracelet around her wrist, that says her name in Old English lettering. Name bracelets are usually given to children at birth in Hawaii. The mother wears it until the child is older and it is passed on. In front of Mele is Lau Lau. This is a traditional Hawaiian dish that is wrapped in ti leaves with taro leaves and chicken or pork.

The other thing that fascinated Son1 was that the Lanakila Train blew steam every few seconds. That is what the blurry stuff is on the right above.

It was a late, but memorable night.

Christmas Tea

Our church had its second annual Ladies Christmas Tea. Since our church doesn't have additional building space yet, the worship center was transformed for the tea. 80 ladies attended. The tea is an outreach opportunity to those that might not have a church home, and might be willing to visit during the Christmas season. Many little ladies (girls) attended as well as our more senior ladies. There were all of us inbetween, too. This is my second year as the tea coordinator. It was a time of food, fellowship, carols, testimony, and of course, door prizes. The food was so scrumptious. Our food coordinator planned an amazing menu that far superceded last year's catered event. ABC led worship, which was sweet and special. She is in the last few days that she will live on the island. Another friend gave her testimony which was well thought out presented gospel truth. So many women of all ages helped in the last hours to make the tea a success and honoring to God.
I was given a Christmas lei by one of the ladies in our church (not pictured). It smelled so beautiful, and was made from tuberoses which are fragrant waxy white flowers. They have an exotic sweet smell.

A Little From Christmas Day

We started by opening gifts.

We called and also got calls.

Both boys enjoy the giraffe. Son1 pets him like he is real. He pretends it is not pretend.

We still had the bounce house left over from the Birthday Party for Jesus. We played in it for awhile and then the neighbors joined us.

Thomas is a bed topper. But Son1 had other plans for him. He wanted Thomas on the floor and insisted on sleeping there. We thought the better of it and put the mattress on the floor inside. It doesn't take much coaxing for him to get in bed for nap or night time.

Fishing on Christmas Eve

Hubby and a group of guys from church went fishing on Christmas Eve. They arrived at the docks at 5:15am to hit the deep seas. After sunrise they had a view of Diamond Head in the distance.Hubby is fishing with Captain Sonny of Aikane Fishing. This is a 40 foot boat. It is the only deep sea fishing company on the island that allows you to keep what you catch. The boat was rocking and rolling on 4 to 5 foot seas. It was pretty rough. Almost the entire group of guys got sick overboard on multiple occasions. When they weren't fishing Captain Sonny suggested that they lay horizontal to feel better. Hubby was super queasy but was one of the only to not throw up. He decided not to touch any of the food he brought, so he was starving when he got home.

One of their catches was a twenty pound Mahimahi.

Captain Sonny raised the yellowfin tuna and mahimahi flags to symbolize what was caught.

Six yellowfin tuna and a mahimahi.

At the dock Captain Sonny filleted the fish for the guys. He also cut up some yellowfin and gave the guys some sashimi. Sashimi is the name for yellowfin tuna (also known as ahi) when it is served raw. Captain Sonny also gave the guys some ono (delicious in Hawaiian) secret recipes.

Hubby had a good time. He plans to go again, perhaps later in 2008 when the water temperature is more ideal and the fish are more plentiful.

So here I am with my appetizer for Christmas dinner...sashimi. I wasn't too sure about it, initally. But I have learned a lot about eating fresh fish here. It doesn't taste fishy. I don't know how to explain it...but it is like a whole different flavor. Hubby made the yellowfin for me three different ways: breaded, grilled, and raw.

Christmas Eve Service

This is the first year Son1 held a candle during the Christmas Eve service. He was taken with the hand bell choir, the Christmas nativity, and the carols.

Birthday Party for Jesus

We really wanted Son1 to understand the granduer of the Christmas season, that Jesus Christ was born, and that is why we celebrate. We planned a birthday party for Jesus. Our plan included a reinactment of the Christmas story, a nativity craft, and some play time. With the characters arriving at different times (understandable with the business of the Christmas season) we passed on the reinactment of the Christmas story. We had some pizza and made our nativity craft, though. Everyone got a chance to bounce in the bounce house, though. We would like to make the party an annual tradition.

Playing Chess

Some of the men were playing chess at the birthday party for Jesus. Son1 calls them the "Big Friends." After they left, Son1 pulled out the pieces again, and the chess clock. Daddy sat and explained how to play. Son1 is good for about the first three moves.

Brothers

Open wide, brother!

Ok, but make sure you don't miss my mouth! It has to make it all in my mouth!

These Farmers DO NOT Grow Ears of Corn!

It happened before my very eyes, as in literally less than 3 feet from me. Son1 had an unpopped kernel of popcorn in his hands, and in less than 2 seconds, he put the kernel to his ear, and cried, "Oh no, Mommy!" I gasped. As if frozen in place, I called for Hubby in the next room. "He just shoved a popcorn kernel down his ear!!" And Hubby, not one one to become easily alarmed, really questioned the situation. So he asked Son1 if he had a popcorn kernel shoved down his ear. Poor little guy. He didn't know what to answer, but his eyes gave him away. He wasn't sure if he was in big trouble. So he put his finger in his ear and gave it a good twist. No, no, no!

My gut tightened and a memory from about 27 years ago flashed in my mind. There I sat, in the emergency room on a bed, held down by a couple of nurses in my red Christmas pajamas, with 2 emergency room doctors dousing my ear canal with first cold water, and then warm water. My mom looked on with glassy eyes, not letting a tear fall. I knew Son1 was telling the truth. Once upon a time I snuck some pearl earrings of my mom's into my pierced ears. The stone was loose and fell down my ear canal. When Son1 put his finger in his ear he unintentionally shoved the kernel down farther down the canal. I could just feel it in my gut.

Hubby peered down that little canal, and sure enough, about half an inch from the opening peeped out the pointy tip of the kernel. Hubby cocked Son1's head toward one side and tried to give it a good shake. Nothing. He fetched some tweezers that are about 6 or 8 inches long and Son1's eyes got really wide. I pulled him up in my lap, held back his flailing arms, and pinned his legs. Hubby tried several times to steady the tweezers and go down the canal, but Son1 would not have it. We became frightened that if Son1 moved just so, we might rupture his ear drum. I suggested we go to the emergency room a few times. But Hubby thought he might dislodge the golden problem from Son1's ear on his own. Besides, the doctors would probably start with tweezers. If Son1 wasn't going to sit still for us, he was MOST DEFINITELY not going to sit still for strangers. Sigh. I just wanted this to be over.


The kernel was lodged past the (b) above. The tip of the kernel that we could see from the outer ear was past the (b) point.

We tried for several minutes to get him still enough to use the tweezers in his ear. We tried bribing him with a lollipop. I sang Frosty the Snowman to distract him. We hugged him. We loved him. We prayed for God to protect him. We threatened him with growing a cornstalk out of his ear, and popcorn popping out of his body. Nothing convinced him. Hubby suddenly thought to vacuum the kernel out of him. No, that would be too loud. Well, how about if he tried to suction it out of his ear? So he tried three times. He took three deep breaths, and made three attempts to vacuum up the kernel with the force of his deep breaths. Nothing. So we tried again to convince him that the only way was to use these tweezers to get the kernel up. Besides, we could see the kernel's little tip. We could get it out if he just allowed us. We pretended to pluck something out of Son2's ear. Then Daddy's ear, and then Mommy's ear. Come on, let's just try. It won't hurt.

"NO DADDY!" Son2 grabbed his Daddy's face and pulled it close to his nose. "YOU KISS MY EAR! YOU KISS MY EAR!" So, I thought quickly. "Ohhh. He wants you to suction it out of his ear, again!" Skeptically, Hubby agreed. So with all of his might he made a suction with his mouth and drew in deep breaths. Over and over. What do you know, that little kernel budged! Slowly that little tip became more visible. Then it started to poke out. It was working!!! So Hubby tried over and over and up it came. Son1 enjoyed the counter pressure as the kernel became dislodged. His crumpled little mouth started to straighten, and then finally turned up some corners. "Again Daddy! Again!" The plan was to get the kernel up to the mouth of the ear canal, and use tweezers to pull it out. The kernel appeared larger and larger in the canal as it crept up. Hubby reached for his tweezers. "NO DADDY!! YOU KISS MY EAR!" So Hubby gave me an optimistic look, pulled the skin around Son1's ear tightly to expose the kernel. He suctioned more and more with his deep breaths. Finally, even though we were all expecting it, we all stared in disbelief when out popped that kernel!

Hoorray! Daddy was thrilled and so was Son1. My stomach loosened from its tightened state. We had a little talk again about not putting things down any body orifices, and let him pick up the kernel with some tweezers. No more corn or popcorn of any kind for our family, any time soon!

Christmas Field Trip

Hubby came home on an earlier than expected flight from his trip back East this month. He traveled about 13 hours home, and got home late on a Thurs night, with a 5 hour time difference. This was great timing. I was going to skip Son1's field trip, but since Daddy could watch the baby, and nap when the baby napped, I was able to go. Well, that made sense to me. But not to my three year old.

"Mommy is going to go with you on the big bus today."

"Noooooo, Mommy! YOU stay home with Son2. DADDY is going on the big bus with me."


I was disappointed. But I let it go. He had been clamoring for Daddy to come home for 2 weeks. So off they went, a jet lagged Hubby and a thrilled Son1.


The first stop was City Hall. For the last 23 years the mayor and the city council has hosted the Honolulu City Lights tour at City Hall. The decorations are amazing.

This is the Lanakila train, which means victory, named for the royal train that once rode O'ahu rails. It is in honor of Queen Lili'uokalani, who enjoyed riding the train. A menehune (warrior) hangs out giving the shaka sign (hang loose).


See the snowmen? He is wearing a Hawaiian shirt and the little one is holding a surf board.


The landmark Christmas tree decorated with huge candies and pointsettias at the foot of it, along with Hawaiian gourds.



Inside of City Hall different businesses set up a Christmas display.

Then the kids headed toward the Fun Factory at Ala Moana shopping Center. Daddy treated Son1 to Islands and took Son1 to do some shopping for me. It was an exhausting day.