Full Moon setting

While driving to work, 10 Feb 09, I was captivated by this beautiful sight. A full moon setting over West Maui Mountains with the Wailuku Heights subdivision lights all aglow. Call me sentimental, maybe because Valentine's Day is this weekend. Who knows last night we were all sitting around watching some old video of 1986-87 vintage. The children were all classic with Megs 1st birthday and Sam and Mike goofing off in the yard. This was at the Haumana house with "Molo" the best dog ever. The Rapozo's were there for New Year's, and birthdays, a tradition we carried on for years until Auntie Rowella passed away. Still after all these years Kanoe, Lahela and Wilson make it over. The kids were all having fun and it was good to be reminded how it was so many years ago. Linda was as beautiful as ever. Living on Maui and seeing the full moon and thinking life is good. I am very fortunate and lucky. I hope this sentimentalism finds you all in good health and happiness. Aloha VA

Nalu and Malia's homestead 7 Feb 09

Started the day with two trucks laden down with heavy loads and wet slippery road. Made it most of the way. Nalu went first and got all of the way. Pops followed and slid backwawrds down the last bit of the road. Lucky for us, Tony Amaral came to our rescue and with his tractor pulled my truck up backwards to the house.



Braving the elements of heavy fog and 60 degree weather



Litty, the animal trainer, got tired, but never got tired of playing with the puppys for over 6 hours



Isaac, the inspector, passed out on the 4 runner



Setting the braces



Malia and Kalena looking out of the window



The Crew at the jobsite. Clark, Nalu, Elias, Jeff and Pops

Nalu and Malia's Homestead 11 Jan 09

Nalu and Pops along with Bishop Takitaki and Brother Elias started out in the morning digging and placing the concrete footing stones for the foundation of the pads. Nalu had previously laying out the work after he had cut the driveway and pad with the help of Tony and Anthony Amaral and their heavy equipment. Previously, there was also a forest to cut down and grub the area. Lots of work and manhours have been done before today. All in all it was a good days work with alot of different people and the food and view was outstanding.

Myla checking out her Grandpa taking pictures....

Clark checking out Elias sawing blocking. Hmmmmmmmm..

Clark helping Elias.

Kainalu and his Dad working....

The Inspectors Kamu and Tina along with CJ and Cody........

Here come the reinforcements to help the old guys........

Kainalu working hard. Learning early, just like his father did when he was young.

The girls checking out Nalu's work...

View of the floor pads..

Working on the homestead was fun together, Many more days ahead........

What have we gotten ouselves into??????????

Looking into the valley below and watching the clouds roll in. the Temp at around 4:00pm was a cool 54 degrees.

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