2008 Christmas on Maui

Well what a Christmas is was. We started off with a skit of the Christmas story. Mei Lin read the scripture and the rest of the kids acted out the storyline. Sam and Elizabeth were the directors and Linda was the producer.......Kamalei was the baby Jesus. A little noisy at first but got the hang of it and was an exceptional role model. We had the sheep and the shepards and the wisemen and even the donkey, a play horse on wheels. Koa the dog got into the act as one of the sheep. All in all it was a fun time, possibly a little on the irreverent side but it all ended well.
Breakfast was superb with Linda's eggs benedict, Elias did much of the cooking of the eggs and bacon and sausage, as well as many other goodies. I went and picked fresh lemons and squeezed them while Berlinda made the lemonade.
We all had lots of food and fun. Missed the Tuitele's in Oahu for their family Christmas. Megs went to a friend's home 6 hours away by car from Houston. We talked with her by phone. Loved to hear her voice and know she is enjoying herself. Jason was at the McKenzie's in Utah with the McDonnell's clan enjoying himself and with us over the internet. It's great to have Jeff home from Europe for now and looks like the kids all enjoyed Uncle Jeff. We missed Michael and Jamie, Chazzyboy and Ammon. I'm sure they were at the Watanabe's having a good time in Kaneohe. WE really don't need to invite others, our family is a crowd within itself, even if we are missing some of them. Mele Kalikimaka to all. Aloha Pops

Soana was so excited to see the gift from Grandma and Grandpa Akinaka. The gift was as big as she is and she said this is for me?????

What did I do now????

Sam and Elizabeth enjoying the gift portion also....

Nalu setting us up with Jason over the internet.

Mei Lin is smiling....

Mei Lin with her new backpack...

Lanea and Uncle Jeff enjoying the gifts.

Malia, Kamalei and Kalena...

Litty is stoked....

Too serious for the holidays....

Kamalei playing with Gramps....

Elias and Jason on the internet.

Kalena and her Christmas gift..

Kainalu and his new game.

Ellie showing her new present...

Isaac and his motorcycle.

Lanea opening her present with Uncle Jeff.

Elias and Nalu and the kids talking over the net to Uncle Jason at the McKenzie's home in Utah.

Uncle Jeffrey had his presents also.......

Elizabeth and Sam's Family Feud Game Akinaka Challenge. A highlight with lots of particpation and action. Prizes were awarded to the children.

Jeff coming home from Hamburg, Germany

Jeff on the pitch in Hamburg, Germany Jeff playing in Hamburg with SV Blankenese Jeff's new uniform by his club, autographed by player and management. Holding his club banner that is exchanged with every club they play before the match begins. Wearing his SV Blankenese uniform #2 and holding a scarf of the Wolfsburg Pro Club signed by Makoto Hasebe. Jeff's neighbor is the Japanese translator and introduced him to his client, Makoto. They all attended a Uefa match to watch Makoto. They won.. Uncle Jeff and Teija in the backyard

Jeff coming home from Hamburg, Germany. It's good to be back home on Maui, at least for awhile with family and friends............Met many good friends while in Europe. They all want to come to Maui to see where their localboy grew up and what he calls home.....................

Tis the Season to be Jolly

The final product.......Lia's Christmas tree.


Lia is into the yuletide spirit and went out and got a beautiful Christmas tree. She started to decorate it and Christmas will be upon us all soon.



Everyone is into the spirit of Christmas. Lia is decorating the new tree along with the little munchkins. Kailea was sitting on the box right before I took this picture. It fell over and she ended up sitting inside. Check her expression. Priceless.......Happy holidays all. Enjoy the time together with friends and family and take time to remember our SAvior and the many blessings given to each of us.Aloha Pops

Happy Birthday Party for Malia and Kamalei 30 Nov 08

The whole gang is here. The Kehano's came from Kula, Lahela from town. Chris and Shanny Tuitele and kids from Washington DC via Honolulu. And all of the rest of us that live on Maui. The food was fabulous and it was quite the riot as it usually is when we get together. Elias said he could hear us from Aliikoa when they first turned in our road. I think he was exaggerating a bit.............. kamalei opening his presents with a little help from his cousins...... Nalu and Malia looking on ..... Malia opening her presents The reason for all of the festivities and the two special people we all love.....

Our Thanksgiving 27 Nov 08

Today we had lots of friends over to share our thankfulness for our many blessings. The Kirtens came first. Then Byron and Erin Warner with their 3 children, the Andersons came and Lahela and baby, and for awhile Napaka. George, Birlinda's brother came from Kihei with his children, Anna is in Utah, with her Father. The Akinaka's from next door and the Tuitele's, and Moma Linda and myself. What a day together..........


The Kirtens along with Myla. They were the first to arrive this afternoon. It turned out to be a beautiful day with plenty of good food and friends. We have much to be grateful for.



Erin Warner and her daughter. She was playing with a crown and came to me and said she was "Princess Booty". Erin played Women's League with Jamie Akinaka when Mike and Jamie lived here this past Spring. Today is Michael's 27th birthday on Oahu. Happy birthday Mike. Pops



Can you see yourself in the picture? Lots of food and great friendships. Not all of the Akinaka Clan was here today so we invited several other families to make a full house. Happy Thanksgiving to all.....Pops

It was flash flooding warnings in Hawaii but on the South side of Maui a celebratiion was going on. Some of us went to it and enjoyed the friends and scenery and food.

Nalu, Malia, Lanea, Kainalu, Kalena and Kamalei.

Anthony Amaral relaxing with the DLNR officials

Going home.................

Lanea and Kai with Kalena having a blast

Kids having fun.
Persistent Kainalu loving the ice and practice is paying off. Chazzy having fun also on the ice.

Kailea at the Ice Palace with Lia, Myla and Teshia

The girls chatting together.

Tina(Kamu's wife) Linda and Auntie Beatrice relaxing together at the Park.

Resting at Pahoa Park. Kamu's homegrounds, before lunch together.

Visiting Punchbowl where Isaac and Gwen are resting. Kainalu, Malia, Kalena,Ellie and Birlinda posing.

Auntie Jessie and Uncle Kenneth Hakoda at their home on Kapalama street by Bishop Museum. Delores and Linda right before lunch.

The Okimoto Clan and Kalena. We had a wonderful lunch and visit with the Grand parents. Good friends of Great Grandpa Isaac and Great Grandma Gwen Akinaka in the past Central Pacific Mission of the Church in Hawaii. Sister Okimoto's mother used to baby sit Kenny, when Vance was first born in Honolulu.

Our Molo Tree

This is our Molo tree. I have to add this into our blog. It's actually a rainbow shower tree. Not sure what the scientific name is but this is the story. Molo is actually the name of our great dog of many years ago. He was a typical "poi" dog that someone gave to us. He resembled a golden retriever/ labrador. He was a wonderful friend to us all and was very obedient and friendly. He was a great watchdog also. He was fairly good sized so he could be intimidating even though a pussycat at heart. He eventually got old like the rest of us and started to go blind etc. He could hear well or smell, whichever though. When someone would come to visit our home and walk down the driveway you would hear a deep "woof, woof" out of the bushes somewhere. It was funny to hear this out of the tall grass or from behind the tree. No dog, just a "woof,woof".......When he finally passed away we wanted to always remember him fondly, as I know his life from a puppy to old age was our home and family. We all really missed him and his aloha's. We decided the proper thing to do, that he would appreciate, was to bury him beneath our favorite type of tree at the top of the property. This way he will always be there to welcome all who come and go. Our tree that keeps on giving.........our Molo tree.

A walk in the National Forest behind our house with Bishop Grant and Judy Lamphere of the Tahoe Ward

A walk in the forest behind our house

The start of our magical ride at Fanny Bridge in Tahoe City

On our bikeride from Tahoe City to Homewood. Jason, Raf, Linda and myself. What a beautiful lake and weather. Took timeout for a leisure swim.

Sights along the way of our bikeride. Exceptional...

A real shangri-la at Lake Tahoe. Lou and Chris B. invited us to go kayaking from their backyard on the Lake. All the toys and beautiful surroundings. We paddled for several miles down along the coast and played with the paddle boards when we got back to their house.

Jason and Linda exhibiting their skills on the water.

Great house and yard. Lakeside and gorgeous. We had a wonderful time and it was off to go river rafting down the Truckee. No pics of that but equally as beautiful and relaxing in the water. Summertime at the Lake is OK..... Wintertime has always been my first love up here, but summer is not far behind. Aloha all. Come and play.........

Our summertime visit to Lake Tahoe August 2008

Great Grandpa Bob, Linda, Vance, Great Grandma Bev and Jason at Brassie Drive at the Lake

Our trip to Hana 23 July 08

Our gang arriving at Wainapanapa

Down at the black Sand Beach at Wainapanapa

Sam contemplating life and before he took a plung into the surf below

The girls in a small cave at the ocean

Kailea walking on the pebbles

The happy couple, finally made it to the black sands

Everyone checking the surf

Myla patiently waiting for everyone at the caves swimming

Lia and Teija in the cave pool

It's cold, not what?????????

Well let's get going.......

Everyone jumping in...Lia's turn......

Into the small cave exploring...

Kayla coming out of the small cave

Portrait of a happy cave adventurer

Grandma Linda and Kayla caving.......