On set at Hawaii Five-O

Living in Hawaii, there are tons of fun stuff to do - go to the beach, eat A LOT of local grinds, surf, hike, whale watch - but none compare to my recent "hobby" - playing an extra on Hawaii Five-O.  I've had the privilege of being on two episodes.  While my first experience was great, my most recent one was awesome!

My very first episode was episode 11; in this episode McGarrett and Dano track a serial killer who had been killing women that look like his ex-fiance.  The scene was on a cruise ship, although the actual scene was shoot in the lobby of the Kahala Hotel.  McGarrett and Dano are chasing the suspect in the lobby.  Surprisingly I was in 3 of the scenes that were aired.  There were about 40 plus extras that day and Alex O'Loughlin and Scott Caan were the main actors on-site.  It was about 3 hour of shooting and we were basically done by noon.  No interaction with the main actors; matter-of-fact, the casting agency warns us about not posing, taking pictures, approaching, etc the actors while on set.

My recent episode, which I shoot this past Friday, is called "Ua Hiki Mai Kapalena Pau."
Not sure when it airs or even the story behind it but this was a much more fun episode to shoot.  There were only about 10 of us extras that pose as business workers at an office.  I was chosen to be the one waiting for the elevator and as soon as the elevator opens, McGarret and Chin walk out and I walk into the elevator.  Simple and straight forward but the fun stuff was in-between takes.  I was able to talk and laugh with Daniel Dae Kim and Alex O'Loughlin.  Funny guys!  We were asked to arrive at 9 am, but didn't start shooting until about 3 pm.  What did I do for 6 hours you ask?  Well, they stuck us in a room full of food, snacks, and drinks.  Occasionally the main actors came in to take a break etc, but all of us gave them their space in fear that we'd be asked to leave given the warning NOT to approach them.

Overall, my experiences on Hawaii Five-O have been fun, not to mention  I've made a lot of new friends.  Future episodes...possibly, hopefully, most likely.

It's Official!

Keaolani has been accepted to Island Pacific Academy!  We received her acceptance letter last week and are very excited!  Now, we're just going to take advantage of her time at home before she goes to school.

What's Jr. Kindergarten you ask?  Yeah, I had that same question.  What I found out is that, at least at IPA, Jr. Kindergarten is similar to kindergarten with just the age differences.  JK is for 4 year olds, as kindergarten is for 5 year olds.  It's not the same as preschool either as they stay in school for 7 hours and within those 7 hours, are actually learning.  They even start a foreign language at that grade - I believe Hawaiian is the first.

One of the benefits that Mike has as a teacher at IPA, is that he's allowed one-tuition free enrollment, so Keaolani gets to go to a private school for free!  Chee-Hoo!!! If you ask Keaolani, she's very excited to commute with her daddy!  Praising God for answering our prayers!

The Burden of my Heart

Usually I blog about recent events of my family or myself but today I feel the need to relay my heart and the burden of my heart.  For several months now, I have lifted several of my brothers and their families, on the mainland, as they pass thru the trials of cancer; one family in particular is very close to us and it literally kills my spirit at times to not be there physically for them.  Then recently I was made aware that another sister at our home church in CA is battling with breast cancer; this sister, who I call "auntie" because of the fondness we have for her; she is very dear and precious to me.  She has been there thru the difficult times with Keaolani and my own health.  I have tried to contact her recently but found out last night she has been in the hospital for almost a week now due to the affects of the chemo and an infection.


Yes, my heart is heavy and burden to be physically there with my brothers and sisters but I know the resolution lies only in my kneeling before our Heavenly Father and Great Physician.   It would be wonderful to physically be there but what benefit lies solely in "being there."  The greater thing is to go to the One who is able, if it is His perfect Will, to heal.


On another note, the body here on the island is not immune to hospitalization as we learned that one of the members at IGC has been in the hospital since last Thursday.  I was able to visit this dear sister, who I also call "Aunty", on Saturday and what a special time that was for me.  And though I was able to physically be there for her, I know, the greater thing still is to go before our Loving Savior.

"But certainly God has heard;

         He has given heed to the voice of my prayer. 

    Blessed be God,

         Who has not turned away my prayer

         Nor His lovingkindness from me"

Psalm 66:19, 20

Visitors from the Mainland

Whew!  What a month February was; I would say one of my favorites since we moved here - reason being, February was full of visitors from the mainland - close family and friends that came to visit.  Every weekend, except for the third, was filled with laughter, sightseeing, beaches, and local grindz.  Matter-of-fact, one of the restaurants that we took almost every guest, now knows us by name.  

So let's start with the first weekend of February.. Jen Harris, a long, long time friend of mine (since we were in kindergarten) came alone to visit for the weekend.  The trip initially included her almost 2-year-old son but her husband graciously offered for her to have the weekend kid-free.  She arrived on a Thursday night and we meet her at our town's local restaurant, Zippy's.  After dinner, my husband and daughter headed home and Jenny and I stayed at Zippy's talking, laughing, crying til almost 2 am.  We headed home and talked for a couple of more hours.  That night, we only had about 2 hours of sleep.

The following morning we headed out to Boots and Kimo's for their famous banana-macadamia nut pancake.  Our next stop, Kailua beach.  The next morning, we meet up with some friends and enjoyed some Romy's Shrimp truck, North Shore style and then drove around the east shore to Lanikai and meet more friends for some fun in the sun.  The sun was out, the water was warm, the company a delight.  That evening, we enjoyed some huge organic burgers from The Counter.  Wow, I'm getting full just writing down all the eatery places we went to.  And that's only 2 days of her visit.

The next day, after church, she and our other friend from the mainland, Michelle, went shopping.  I went home and caught up with some much needed rest.  That evening, we met up at Hapa Grill, in my town and had a ladies night out.  We ended the night with an appropriate dessert - Beard Papas..We all hung out at a coffee shop until the store closed.  The very next morning, Jen left early to catch her flight home.  I don't even recall if we slept that last night.  Definitely one of the funniest weekend.

The following weekend, we were visited by our dear friends and fellow ministry leaders from CA, Erwin and Becky.  They arrived Friday afternoon.  Had dinner with the Palompos and joined us for our young adult bible study CORE.  Becky even helped us lead worship, just like old times.

The next day, we headed for the Dole Plantation for some pineapple whip and then to the North Shore for some big wave action.  For dinner, we met up with the Palompos and two of our CORE friends at Da Kitchen for some ono grindz...broke' da mout'!

After dinner, we strolled around Ala Moana mall and then ended the night with some Malasadas from Leanord's.  Sunday, after church, we headed out to Lanikai again.  This time, the weather was a bit "chill" so we just sat and chilled out.

The following day, Erwin and Becky left for a couple of days at Waikiki to celebrate their anniversary.

The last weekend, my family made a detour and stopped by for several days on their way to the PI.  This was an exciting weekend, especially for my daughter, who couldn't wait to see her Mama and Papa, her aunty Sha and uncle Peter.  The 5 days that they were here went by fast.  I was especially excited that they would be able to attend an IGC service; they were able to witness one of the reasons why we moved to the islands.  We brought them to the local places and did some sight seeing but their main reason was to spend time with us, with Keaolani.  Here are some places we took them:

Dinner with her Aunty Sha at Da Kitchen

My family at the Dole Plantation; Dad and Keaolani's favorite Pineapple Whip

In CA, her Aunty and Uncle use to bring her to the park to feed the ducks, in Hawaii...Koi fish

Dancing hula with her Uncle

Pineapple Princesses

At Pali Lookout - not so windy that day.

With Mama and Papa

Chillin' with Papa

Posing with Mama

Chillin with the turtles