u/elkoubi

When I was a kid, I absolutely loved Godzilla movies. Today was our kids final "all day TV day" of the summer. They get one once a month during the school break. School starts next week. They got to watch whatever the hell they wanted until dinner. After dinner it has to be an acceptable family movie of their choosing. So today after 8 hours of Minecraft streamers they chose Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975). I couldn't be more thrilled.

So, Nirvana Dad, good on you. We should all be this lucky.

Neighbors are moving and dropped this off to me. Is this just overpriced moonshine marketed to people who think it's fancy?

Honestly a bit disappointing. In my opinion, you don't need to make extra effort to go find this drink when visiting Hawaii. Wish I had made an effort to go to Hidden Nene on Big Island instead.

Some Photo Highlights

Preamble: We're a family of four with two kids, ages 10 and turning 8 on this trip. I'm the only strong snorkeler, though the kids dabble. We are very outdoorsy and top priorities were placed on the National Parks. That said, one of us has an autoimmune disease that limits their ability to do rigorous hiking or other strenuous endurance activities. This was our "try to fit it all in" trip.

By Day:

1. Arrive at Kona on Big Island. Briefly visit Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park. Grocery Shop. Early to bed (we came from the East Coast).
2. Stargaze at Mauna Kea, seeing the Milky Way with the naked eye. Snorkel at Kahalu’u Beach Park. Nap. Manta Ray Night Snorkerl.
3. Cross the Saddle Road to Hilo and on to Volcano. Stop at Kaulana Manu Nature Trail for unsuccessful birding along the way. Visit Hawaii Volcanoes NP. Determine Kilauea is going off any hour now. Chain of Craters Road. Dinner in Volcano and check into AirBnB.
4. Up early and up the Mountain. Kilauea begins erupting in episode 50 within minutes. Spend about five hours watching it fountain, growing up to 1,000 feet. Head out to Hilo. Visit Mokupāpapa Discovery Center, Rainbow Falls, and Kaūmana Caves. Dinner at Pineapple Fresh.
5. Akaka Falls and Waipi'o Lookout. Shave ice at Mr. Ed's in Honomu and Malasadas at TEX Drive in while on the road.
6. Fly to Maui. Maui Ocean Center. Lunch at Pukalani Superette. Twin Falls (no swimming due to heavy rains). Check into Kala Lodge. Dinner form Maui Pizza Truck.
7. Sunrise on Haleakala. Birding at Hosmer Grove (saw I'iwis!). Birding at Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge. Water fun at Maalaea Beach. Shave Ice at Ululani's. Check in to AirBnB at Napili Bay. Dinner at Merriman's Kapalua.
8. Snorkel Napili Bay and Kapalua Bay.
9. Dragon's Teeth on Kapalua Coastal Trail. Picnic at Kanaha Beach Park. Fly to Kauai. Check into Grand Hyatt.
10. Kilohana Plantation tour. Pool time at Hyatt.
11. Waimea Canyon and Kalalau Lookout. Shopping in Hanapepe. Jojo's Shave Ice in Koloa.
12. Skipped our plan for a Na Pali Coast cruise (other family members got seasick while snorkeling with mantas). Stayed at Hyatt all day instead.
13. Family stayed at Hyatt to take cultural classes (lei making, hula dancing, ukelele). I headed to the North Shore to hit up Ha'ena Sate Park, Ke'e Beach, Hanakāpī‘Ai Beach, and Tunnels Beach (snorkeled there but not the other two). Loco Moco from Mark's Place on the way back.
14. Shopping around Po'ipu area. Smith's Family Luau.
15. Fly home.

Notable things I had hoped to get to but missed either because of time, spouse being concerned about budget and eating out too much, or other logistical difficulties:

• Mrs. Barry's Kona Cookies
• Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
• Cafe 100
• Hidden Nene
• Two Ladies Kitchen (got some at mochi at Safeway, though)
• Maui Pineapple Tour
• 'Iao Valley State Monument (closed)
• 808 Grindz Food Truck
• Leoda's Pie Shop
• Hanapepe's Friday Night Art Night
• Na Pali Coast Cruise (Spouse and younger child got seasick earlier in the trip, so we cancelled)
• Tiki Iniki (closed during our trip to the North Shore)
• Wailua Falls

Everyone wanted mojitos after yesterday's mint post. Here you go.

* O.75 oz heavy syrup

* 1 oz fresh lime juice

* 2 oz lightly aged and filtered rum

* ~10 fresh mint leaves

* Muddle

* Fill high glass with crushed ice

* Top off with soda water

* Garnish with a slapped mint sprig

Hey guys,

I'm a big fan of the opening act at the Reno show, Danz CM.

I'm already flying from Ohio to California to see her open for Ladytron next weekend, and I am super bummed I didn't know about her show opening for LCDS until yesterday. Otherwise I might have chosen the Reno show, since I've seen Ladytron before but not LDCS (still hyped to see Mira Aroyo perform again, though!).

Anyway, Danz CM just released a retrospective compilation of a bunch of her back catalog stuff, which is as close to a greatest hits album of her tracks as you can get to. I'd recommend everyone give it a listen, because she's honestly really great.

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mAZZhV18A2vn9byksIqtyrFK49ESB7fbc

Most of her newer stuff is a more ambient, but this older stuff is very danceable. Given that she just curated this compilation, which includes some remasters, I suspect she'll play a lot of these tracks in her upcoming live performances.