The Big Island

When one gets off the plane in Kona you are welcomed by the outdoors. There is no huge, air-conditioned terminal awaiting you. You step off the plane and walk across the tarmac to a lovely gathering area. The tropical flora surrounds you while you wait for your luggage. You finally take the shuttle to your rental car pick-up and you're off.


The drive away from the airport may surprise you....the lushness of palm trees and bougainvillea (except for an occasional one sticking out of a piece of lava rock) is gone. The landscape is black (literally) because it consists of hardened lava. After about 15miles, though the Hawaii that you came to visit appears in all of its lavishness. Aloha

Driving in Paradise

Today I drove to Honolulu to take my son to school. For some reason, I never grow tired of this drive??!!

Just Another Day In Paradise

I have lived in many different places and in many different states. Most of the time if I wanted to see beautiful scenery, I had to drive long distances. I don't mean looking out my kitchen window into my beautifully landscaped back yard or driving down a street full of trees that are in bloom. I mean being able to walk or drive for 5 minutes and see this! Wow!!!

Kalua Pig

I'm sure everyone that comes to Hawaii for a visit goes to a local Luau....they are a lot of fun, great entertainment and authentic local food. The main dish is Kalua Pig which has been buried in a pit in the ground for many hours. This insures the pork just falls off the bone and melts in your mouth. Well, for those of you who don't have immediate access to a Hawaiian Luau or enough room to dig a pit in the back yard for a pig....try this recipe listed below. I guarantee that you will enjoy!! Ingredients: Loin Pork Roast Hickory Seasoning-Liquid Smoke Banana leaves or ti leaves Preparation: Rub a tiny amount of the liquid smoke on the roast Wrap with the leaves Put into microwave and cook on Lo for about 8 hrs. I use banana leaves from my neighbors tree but you can usually buy some type of leaf similar in your grocery store or possibly a Chinese market. And remember the liquid smoke is very strong so just a tiny bit in the palm of your hand and rubbed on the roast will do fine. That's it! Serve some white steamed rice and a veggie and you will surely have a Tropical delight.