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Aloha!
We have been busy the past few weeks experiencing the festivals/events Honolulu has to offer! Two weeks ago we attended Sunset on the beach which featured the Season 5 premiere of Hawaii 5-0. It was shown on the beach on a giant screen on Waikiki beach to fans two weeks before it's TV premiere. Since parking is nearly impossible on a normal Saturday night, we parked quite far away and arrived to the back side of the red carpet at 5:45pm-ish which was just when most of the stars were expected to arrive. Somehow we got really lucky and had a great spot and saw almost every main cast member arrive. There were three high school girls in front of us who screamed as loud as possible at the top of their lungs (does that make me sound old, lol) which got the attention of some of the cast so they came right to us to sign autographs and take selfies with fans! Considering we got there at the last possible second and we were that lucky to be so close we feel lucky! We even were in a selfie with Alex O'Loughlin! Mark was extra excited to see Daniel Dae Kim and Jorge Garcia as they are not only in Hawaii 5-0 but Lost which he just finished on Netflix! The stars arrived for about an hour then 7ish the show started! There was a gigantic screen and stage nestled on the beach, feet from the ocean, and thousands of people surrounding it waiting for the show to start. Prior to the season premiere episode being shown, there was a hula show and a welcoming for kama'ina (locals) and Ma li hini (visitors/tourists) from the mayor. A few of the main cast of the show spoke and showed their love and gratitude for Oahu and Hawaii. I love in almost every kind of celebration in Hawaii there is an appreciation shown for the land and the rituals of Hawaii. Likewise there is a strong sense to preserve the culture and Hawaii's past. Any event in Hawaii wouldn't be the same without at least one shave ice truck or plate lunch stand serving the hungry crowds.

We just started watching Hawaii 5-0 on Netflix a couple months ago when we arrived and are currently on season 3 so we didn't stay to watch more than the first five minutes of the premiere because we didn't want to ruin the surprise when we get to it. It will be special for us when we start season five knowing that a majority of it was shot within fifteen minutes of our house all while we were on the island. There have been numerous times we have been walking and street blocks have been closed due to filming and crews working on scenes, as well as at my hotel...so when we do finally watch season five it'll be all the more exciting!

There we are in the back! 

Last weekend we attended Waikiki's Ho'olaule'a which was basically a huge block party on Saturday night. Around fourteen blocks were closed along Kalakaua Avenue (one of the main roads going through Waikiki) for food, music, shopping, and more! We were able to walk to the festival right from our house which was amazing not having to fight the traffic. There were three main stages that housed hula dancers, live music and demonstrations. One of the stages was a Christian music stage that played inspirational music and another of the stages we were able to hear music we like from a singer on the radio; Mailani. There was a ton of awesome food; waffles with li hing pineapple, fresh lemonade, shrimp, and plate lunches! We opted for a pulled pork sandwich which was sooo ono! Around the start of the festival King Kamehameha and his entourage made a grand entrance to the festival dressed very impressive! The overall experience of the festival was so exciting because being on one of the busiest streets in the world with zero traffic. At night it reminded us a touch of being in Las Vegas at night with the live music, people and lights. It was so fun seeing Waikiki in a different light during the fest!

^YUM! Li hing pineapple waffle!

As fall is here we are definitely starting to love this Hawaii weather. September in general though has been record setting hot here with a number of consecutive days of ninety degrees or warmer. I guess there's not to much to complain about there as that doesn't seem so bad compared in retrospect with winters we've endured in Wisconsin. It stays warm during the day and now there is a cool fall breeze that comes as the sun goes down. I'm one of those people that is starting to complain at night that I'm chilly when it's mid seventies without the sun. Clearly I am a horrible Wisconsinite, haha. We are super excited to start experiencing some of Hawaii's fall fun; pumpkins, caramel apples, and fall festivities (all while wearing shorts and tank tops)!

My "Office"

If you look very carefully you can see a half rainbow in the clouds. Not a bad work view!

Cleo's first time in the ocean! She's a pro by now! But it was fun watching her out of her element trying to figure out what was going on as the waves crashed up to her.

By far the best pizza we have found on Oahu, Bostons pizza, SO tasty! Note the size of the standard pizza (That is a normal sized plate)!

Fresh lei for our babies!

Not a bad view walking back from dinner.

Mark's new favorite beer!


We will have lots to talk about by the next blog... like moving into our new apartment and a much needed vacation!! Whoohoo! 

Shoots!

XOXO,

Jen & Mark