Honolulu Doings

       More Letters From Paradise
          Honolulu Doings
The days are rushing us towards Christmas. Tonto set up the Christmas tree as usual, but a couple of days later it came down with a crash. Too many ornaments on one side. All is well again.

Tonto was given a breadfruit from a friend at her yoga class. I hadn't prepared one for a long time. Breadfruit is about the same size as a melon. One way to fix it is to boil it until it splits. Scoop out the seeds in the center, remove the outside skin, mash, and add butter. It is better than mashed potatoes. First tasters agreed.  This is the plant Capt. Bligh was to bring back from Tahiti, in order to be planted in the Caribbean, to feed slaves.  After the mutiny, breadfruit was introduced, and the slaves refused to eat it. It was not part of their diet.

Honolulu continues to amaze. We have friends Bernard and Mary. He is Filipino, she is Vietnamese. Mary's name in Vietnamese is, Thuy, pronounced "Twee".  I have fun saying "One Two Twee." She has two brothers, Nghi, pronounced  "Nee", and Huy, pronounced "Whee".  Wonderful people, with the most adorable son, Bernardo, almost 2.  They were our very first friends when we moved here 10 1/2 years ago.  They moved to Tennessee and then came back!

Speaking of names.  We were eating at a new Mexican restaurant the other night, and the server made guacamole at our table. Someone asked if he was from Mexico.  He said, "I'm from Micronesia." It figures, I had just finished lawn bowling with a woman who was from Switzerland.

Big holiday plans. We went  with a group of our friends to the annual trolley ride around the city to view the Christmas lights.  Many Christmas parties too, we will be busy.

We took a tour to see the decorations at Washington Place, built in the 1840's and the former home of Hawaii's queen. While there, we heard the choir from St. Andrews Cathedral, and by accident, sat with our newly-elected Governor Ige and his children.  I wished him well, as his is a big job.

President Obama and his family have arrived to enjoy Christmas and the great weather.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas from the land where palm trees sway.  Mele Kalikimaka!
          Aloha
          Grant