Summertime 2025

We're at the peak of summer insanity here on Kauai - and it's been a bit since I shared an update.

A lot has happened since the last post, so here goes...

Waiakalua life continues to be incredible. As I say to people when they ask, "my only regret is that we were not able to move earlier." The culture here, the people, the place, the values, the spectacular beauty and peace and most of all the reality here is just simply better for both of us in all ways. And frankly, it's impossible to share pictures that capture the aloha or the life beyond the superficial. But I'll try.

Summer is the season of abundance. Abundance in all ways. More mountain apples and avocados and guava and soursop and chili pepper than we can possibly eat. So we share the abundance. Our fruits are sold by our friends Megan and Justin at their farm shop Ohi Ohi. We share with our neighbors and our hui. We take 5 gallon buckets to the beach and give them away to the keiki and our beach hui. We make chili pepper water and we pickle starfruit. It is incredible.

Abundance

Chili pepper water

Mountain apple

Summer is also the season of beautiful skies and gorgeous light. And it all kicks off with one of the most important events of the year - high school graduation. I have experienced nothing like this in America - it is a combination of a "reaching adulthood" cultural ritual and a "reward for hard work" party and a "parents congratulating each other and thank god they're not my problem any more" bacchanal. 

Waiakalua sunrise

Kilauea pride

Graduation posters in Kapa'a

Morning light

While the "best" surf here on the North Shore is in the winter, surfing is a year-round activity and lifestyle for a huge percentage of those who live here - including Valerie. Other than a trip to Waikiki where our friend Tex was stung by a box jellyfish, it was largely a good surf summer. Valerie has progressed well, our friend Rodger visited from LA with his kids and went surfing here at the local break, and Tex went to Sumatra and "scored mental barrels" (a quote from him).

There were, sadly, a few negative moments along the way. Both our beloved hanai cousin Elle and I had some rough health and medical experiences. But Elle was saved by the incredible doctors at Straub in Honolulu and UCSF in San Francisco and is on the road back to recovery -- and I am expected to make a full recovery as well and have already fully turned the corner and should be back to full-time work in about a month. And our dear friend Gabe had to have a kidney transplant - but amazingly enough his wife was a perfect match!

Elle at the airport on her return

The other sad news of the summer so far was the final end for my beloved La Marzocco GS. But the new replacement machine is amazing (thank you Terry Z!!!), and great coffee continues to be a regular and daily part of our lives. We continue to hold our open Waiakalua Espresso Garage about once a month - which is an amazing way to bring together the hui and our friends in a casual manner.

Espresso garage

Morning cappuccino

New Slayer single group

My beloved GS

Our social lives are rich and rewarding. We have great friends, a great community, all in a wonderful place. We love being only 20 minutes from Honolulu, especially now that we have friends there as well, and continue to hop over there somewhat frequently.

Faith dog

Pig & The Lady

Of course... food continues to be a central part of our lives - and cooking continues to be something I love and which brings me an increasing sense of both satisfaction and peace. I've been challenging myself by cooking cuisines and styles unfamiliar and difficult for me.

Local dry aged grass fed steak

Panang Curry of Beef and Squash

Double date at Aina Kauai

The first good Pho I've ever made

"Viet Moco"

Another curry

Roasting habaneros

Panang Curry with Beef Shank

Finally... summertime is also all about Valerie's birthday. This year the birthday kicked off with pupus and drinks for our friends The Space Babes at Flying Saucer - followed the next day with an epic meal with friends featuring Miang Kham and Bahn Mi Smashburgers - then on to the following day of Beach Tacos (one of the greatest things in life - thanks to our amazing friend Nancy who supplied the SF tortilla hookup) - before ending with more tacos. It was a lovely long weekend.

Not Chilaquiles

Radiant with lei

Breakfast tacos

Beach tacos

Photobomb

Epic tiki bar cupware