The Locals Have a Valid Concern About COVID-19

 I gained some valuable insight about how the locals in Molokai feel about COVID-19.  Anytime there is a crisis, the residents must travel to Honolulu for care.  This includes giving birth.  There simply aren't enough beds to go around should there be a major outbreak.

I respect what the state of Hawaii is doing to keep its residents in shape.  I'm also thankful they allowed me in to visit.  I will post more about how to deal with taking care of the paperwork so you can know what to expect when Hawaii is your vacation destination.  Have a great day

The Island Speaks

The ocean waves crashing below me intensified the feeling in my heart and soul at the moment I shot this sunset photo last night on the island of Molokai.  Just as words sometimes have more than one meaning, so does the name Molokai.  When you pronounce it as it rhymes with pie, Molokai is all about the winds that blow fiercely to protect the inhabitants.  When it sounds like Hawaii, it's all about the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks.  Maybe this photo will serve as my reminder that the island wants me to hear it's voice and remember my time here.

I'm thankful to be on this beautiful island.  I feel like my soul is being restored.  It will be hard to say goodbye.  Have a great day.  Aloha.

Salute to My Mother

 

Moms are a blessing.  Today I'm saluting my mother.  She really knows how to live.  One of her best qualities is endurance.  Many in her age group no longer travel because their bodies can't handle the stress.  Speaking of stress, I put her through one of the greatest travel ordeals a person can tolerate and she never complained.  

The picture you see was shot when our commuter plane landed in Molokai.  Prior to that photo, mom traveled from Phoenix to San Diego on her own, connected with us for our flights to Maui, flew to Seattle on a red-eye when we weren't allowed in, and flew back to Maui again once our COVID-19 tests came back negative.  That's over 8,000 miles of travel and countless steps walking before she accepted a wheelchair at the airport.  Way to go, mom.  You get top honors for mom of the year.  You are my hero.  Have a great day.

Aloha from Molokai

Breathtaking.  That's what Molokai is.  It's Hawaii before it's raw beauty was tarnished by brushstrokes from manmade bricks.  It's what the first pacific islanders discovered when they first visited.  It's where my soul is finding peace and serenity.  

The naysayers may be highly critical of my ways.  Who in their right mind would invite their mother to such a primitive place in these times of great danger?  My answer is that I am the one, the same one who took my family to a cabin near the Canadian border that had no electricity or indoor bathroom.  "What about the bears?"  That's what those who live in fear ask.  Not me. Without risks are are no rewards.  I don't listen to naysayers.  Their voices stifle the sounds of palm branches bristling in the wind.  They crowd out the pallette of colors I'm inhaling at sunrise as I send you this message.  Aloha.  Have a great day.

Door to Paradise is Unlocked

 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  For me, this picture I shot this morning is priceless.  Those three wristbands are the keys to paradise.  It was heartbreaking to be standing next to that door Saturday night and be told I could not enter unless I accepted a 10 day quarantine.  It's like visiting Disneyland and all you can do is watch out the window while all those kite surfers float about in the magical waves enjoying the freedom that comes only when you navigate the challenging process necessary to obtain the prized pre-clearance wrist band.

Next to my wedding ring, this wristband I'm wearing today is my most cherished possession.  I'm with my wife and my mother.  On Saturday our three adult children join us.  We are creating memories that will be with us for eternity.  It's really magical.  Aloha!  Have a great day.

Aloha!

 This story is from last night.  We're on a plane headed to Maui.  The morning flight was deferred due to no available test results in time for takeoff.  I must say if there are any people out there better suited for a situation like ours, I would love to meet them because, after today's ordeal, I would like to nominate my wife and mom for sainthhood.  Yep.  They handled themselves with grace and poise.  We didn't know until tje final moment that we would be given permission to board.

It appears the labs who handle COVID-19 tests are overwhelmed.  Here was our test...get a COVID-19 drive up test by a Hawaii approved facility no sooner than 72 hours prior to departure.  Then, make sure to dot the i's and cross the t's on all the online forms where the test results post prior to takeoff.  Failure to comply means you may be on the next plane home before your vacation even begins.

If you read this far, you're probably assuming we got our pre-approval.  The answer is no.  They let us on the plane after hearing my story.  Yes,  the violins were going and the lady at the counter decided to let us take a chance.  I was able to make contact with the lab and ask for assistance. If the results post during our flight we're staying in Hawaii.  If not, it may be a touch and go situation. Stay tuned.  Aloha.  Have a great day.

Sleepless in Seattle

 We're in Seattle for 24 hours.  It's not what we planned.   It did turn out to be an unusual solution to our dilemma we faced last night upon arrival in Maui.  The test results did not arrive in time and we were faced with a mandatory 10 day quarantine in a hotel or go back to the mainland and take a mulligan.  

Maui is waiting for us.  More later.  It's time to get some sleep in Seattle.  Have a great day.