tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48608629372233074702024-03-05T09:29:55.203-05:00Crazy4H504 friends, Hawaii Five-0 and how they came together. Adventures of the H50Fanatics.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-84358440517746559802012-08-28T07:26:00.000-04:002012-08-28T07:36:55.570-04:00Coming "home" and giving back<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">This year has been a real roller coaster ride for fans. Then during hiatus when we thought the ride was ending, it became an <i><b>extreme </b></i>roller coaster ride. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16px;"><b>But we are all going back to Hawaii !</b></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">The H50fanatics are excited to be seeing each other again, along with the fans who live in Hawaii and the ones who are flying in from all over the world. This includes the friends we met last year, those we've met this year on twitter, and friends we have yet to meet. We are looking forward to meeting all of you.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">So much of the magic of coming to Hawaii for Hawaii Five-0 has been the fan experience. We know it would be impossible to separate it from the "show" experience. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">Last year's trip was over way too quickly. This year, we've decided to stay a little longer. We have a long wish list for the things we didn't get to see and do last year, and we definitely intend to do them all of this September.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><u>The elephant In the room</u></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">After we left Hawaii last year, we began to decide when we would come back. We knew we wanted to return, but weren't sure when to come back. We talked about the opportunities that going during what we referred to as "off-SOTB season" had for seeing filming, versus going when we might be able to see the red carpet event and the season premiere. Being there when hundreds of other fans would be there was a definite consideration for us. In the end, we decided that to be there with the other fans for a possible premiere was what we wanted to plan for.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">Anyone that has ever planned a group vacation across the country, with various work commitments, travel schedules, family commitments and their needs, unanticipated family and economic emergencies, knows how tricky this has been for us. The motivation was there and all plans were eventually set in place.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">This year's SOTB announcement was a stunner for all of us in so many ways. A definite shock with so many extreme emotions to process. It would have been so upsetting not to have any additional </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"> photographs of the stars this year, to add to those saved from the past two seasons. In that regard, it's good that the decision was finally made to have SOTB. We aren't privy to the discussions leading to the cause of the delay in the announcement, but we dealt with it and got back to the business of packing.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">Its wonderful that weeks ago, before any definite news had been announced, our friends @alohabruce, @alohayaling, along with @H50undercover and @wendiejoy, stepped up to plan events for all the incoming fans . With no information at all about a firm date, they planned a tweet up, a tour, a luau and offered many more suggestions for informal events to truly make travelers feel welcomed. </span></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong>Giving back for all that we have been given</strong></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">The H50hana experience has been an emotional and passionate one for most of us. Since meeting through social media and creating long lasting friendships, its made us realize how lucky we really are to have each other. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">Since we were so blessed to have met each other, we want to share our Ohana with others. T</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="background-color: white;">ake a moment and </span><span style="background-color: white;">read Wendie's <a href="http://www.honolulupulse.com/blogs/five-0-redux-fan-festivities-set-for-september?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">Five-0 Redux</a> blog to see </span><span style="background-color: white;">how you can participate in helping to give back and support a wonderful charity this year. Wendie decided to ask Ellen to make a quilt to raise money for this charity. Proceeds from your donations, will all go to, </span><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/individual-fundraising/H50OhanaQuilt/" target="_blank">The Wounded Warrior Project</a> .</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">Alex O'Loughlin would have participated in the Stray Dogs </span><a href="http://toughmudder.com/?gclid=CMqAmbXvgrICFal7QgodEU0AXw" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;" target="_blank">Tough Mudders</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"> this fall. Due to scheduling conflicts, he will be unable to participate. The Stray Dogs Tough Mudders is an obstacle course relay that raises awareness for The Wounded Warrior Project. We believe his fans will step up to donate to this worthy cause in his name. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">We hope that all Hawaii Five-0 fans will want a chance to own this special quilt, and will help us to help others in need. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">Just liked we talked about on the day we left our lei's on this statue shown here...we are <a href="http://www.hawaii-aloha.com/blog/2011/08/26/how-to-dispose-of-a-lei/" target="_blank">returning</a>. </span></span> All of you know that the H50fanatics will enjoy playing hard, sleeping very little, enjoy b<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">asking in the the sun, and enjoy seeing and meeting up with our Ohana, new and old. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><b>See you soon O'ahu - its been WAY TO LONG !!!!!!!!!</b></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Aloha for now!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Ellen, Stacey, Deb and Maddy</span></strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></span> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-68411965804748530992012-07-15T23:25:00.000-04:002012-07-16T13:18:07.728-04:00Sunset on the Beach – so much more than a season premiere<span style="background-color: white;">This blog’s mission has always been to celebrate the fact
that the four of us were strangers, became Ohana by meeting online, and decided to fly to Hawaii to vacation together
for Sunset on the Beach last year.</span><br />
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If you don’t have the time to catch up and read our story <a href="http://crazy4h50.blogspot.com/2011/09/so-it-begins.html">from the beginning</a>, <a href="http://crazy4h50.blogspot.com/2011/09/sunset-on-beach-hawaii-five-0-season-2.html">of last years events</a>, or of our<a href="http://crazy4h50.blogspot.com/2011/11/quilt-questhe-got-it.html"> quilt quest</a>, then <span style="background-color: white;">let us summarize for you how we feel about SOTB, and what Hawaii Five-0 has brought to our lives.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Hawaii 5-0 has been an especially unique experience. Friendships were made with people from other countries and from all across the United States, all because of connections made online talking about the show. These friendships range from checking in daily with each other online, chatting about plot, characters, and actors in chat rooms, to talking about weddings, births, illnesses and job concerns.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Friendships were formed from the love of this show, and solidified for many by participation in last years SOTB event. As a result, we've encouraged each other to pursue their creativity and push their limits to express their love for the show in many ways. Some have <a href="http://cherylsrecipejourney.blogspot.com/">shared their love of the show through their love of cooking </a>. Others have been moved to write different <a href="http://h50show.wordpress.com/">blogs</a> about the show, and even a <a href="http://www.brokenbayblues.com/">novel </a>was inspired by a love for H50's star Alex O'Loughlin. Still, others have made <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.353383198054433.78827.144443722281716&type=3">artwork</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.198753680210382.50607.100002272547874&type=3">charms</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3462374477673.2168291.1220283191&type=3">quilts</a>; not to mention the thousands of <a href="http://www.fanfiction.net/tv/Hawaii_Five_0/"><span id="goog_1516842430"></span>stories <span id="goog_1516842431"></span></a>written by fans.</span><br />
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This special show has a network of behind the scenes volunteers who cannot help but talk about it whenever they can. Promoting a positive spin online, talking about the show locally in their towns, and generating whatever goodwill they can. It's not because they are ambassadors, but because they cannot help talking about their love of the "Show". </div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Sunset on the Beach is a chance of a lifetime to see the new season's premiere WITH the cast and producers, and maybe get a photograph of them on the red carpet. Its a chance for the H50hana to be together, share photos and messages with the rest of the Ohana who couldn't be there with us, and to show our support for our favorite tv show. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Still, to see the faces of the stars and producers was magical. Last year, Daniela Ruah, Terry O'Quinn and especially Lauren German, were so surprised to hear the fans yelling and cheering for them when they hadn't even appeared on show yet. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Its a special thing to thank Hawaiians and mainlanders by giving us a sneak peak, but it's something else to have a place and a time to be standing in front of Bob Orci and Peter Lenkov just to say "thank you" for giving us such a wonderful show, but in return to have them say "No, thank YOU for your support". That was just one of those moments we couldn't forget. </span></div>
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We're VERY appreciative of what was given to us last year at SOTB2, and of the photographs and videos we've seen of SOTB1. We're appreciative of ALL that we've personally received as a result of this fandom. Last year, from the moment we left Hawaii we began to talk about coming back. Could we afford it? Was this crazy to do AGAIN? It's not an easy thing to do no matter what your circumstances. Some of us are married with young children, some are single, many are taking care of other family members or just have a job that doesn't allow them time off. Most of us cannot just write a check for the price of a Hawaiian vacation without careful planning.<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
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Sunset on the Beach is a magical event that has no comparison to anything else we could have ever imagined. Fans from Australia, Germany, Canada and from all across the United States flew in to be with friends they had never met , all because of the show. We will be there to promote and celebrate this show as we do throughout the year online, except in September, we will do it together. We will have tweetups in restaurants, sight see, and enjoy all that Hawaii has to offer. Some may be lucky enough to find H50 filming downtown or bump in to one of the cast members buying a coffee at a local Starbucks. Whether there is a premiere on the beach, a smaller event for the cast to have a Q&A session with fans, a charity fundraiser or no event at all, this fandom will be there to rejoice in all that this show has given us. It would just be a shame if the cast didn't show up to party with us. <br />
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**On a side note, please read the Sunset on the Beach blog entry by our favorite blogger, Five-0 Undercover <a href="http://www.50undercover.com/2012/07/13/the-thought-of-having-no-hawaii-five-0-season-3-sunset-on-the-beach/">here </a>. Please leave your comments but remember to be respectful of others opinions.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-30498748704695324132012-06-02T22:26:00.001-04:002012-06-10T12:35:51.254-04:00Here's to us! A celebration......Hard to believe its been just over a year since the H50Fanatics met. Even harder to grasp the idea that social media played such an integral part in bringing us together. We've come a long way from pen pals and phone calls to keep in touch. Since the onset of computers and the internet, it has changed the way people meet.<br />
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That being said, lets take a page from one of our favorite bloggers, <a href="http://www.50undercover.com/"><span style="color: red;">50Undercover</span></a><span style="color: red;">...</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Things we've learned about each other....the H50Fanatics.</span></b><br />
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Ellen: @ess270 <br />
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Ellen began her twitter life 2/12/2011<br />
Lives and works in Santa Rosa, CA<br />
Married for 26 years to Brian and has 2 sons <br />
She's a very talented, award winning quilter<br />
Loves chatting with Deb while having her morning coffee<br />
Was the 1st of us H50fanatics to meet Alex O'Loughlin<br />
in person (up close & personal)<br />
Spends her weekends boating with her husband<br />
(see delta-delphie.blogspot.com)<br />
Has a mild (cough cough) obsession with Alex O'Loughlin <br />
Mick St. John is her favorite Alex character<br />
Flew to Hawaii in Sept 2011 to meet fellow H50 fans and<br />
saw the Season 2 premiere of Hawaii Five-0 on a beach in Waikiki<br />
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Deb: @mickmcgarrett<br />
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Began her twitter life 12/20/2010<br />
Lives near Newman, IL..works in Urbana, IL <br />
She's a Critical Care Nurse for 28 years<br />
Lives on a corn & soybean farm with her husband, Almost McG<br />
Happily married for 29 years<br />
Has 2 beautiful children<br />
The longer you know her, the funnier she gets<br />
(seriously, she's hilarious)<br />
She is afraid of mice but not much else..snakes too!<br />
HUGE ILLINI basketball and volleyball fan.<br />
(yeah, the basketball is painful sometimes)<br />
Flew to Hawaii in Sept 2011 to meet fellow H50 fans and saw<br />
the Season 2 premiere of Hawaii Five-0 on a beach in Waikiki..AWESOME! <br />
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Stacey: @Staceyj64<br />
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Began her twitter life 2/15/11<br />
Lives and works in Seattle, WA<br />
Loves spicy food, shopping, and hanging out with her friends<br />
Knows more about Alex O'Loughlin than anyone Ellen's met<br />
(show her a pix, she'll name the scene)...we call her "the Alexopedia"<br />
She has a beautiful daughter and a son<br />
Stacey works too hard<br />
Flew to Hawaii in Sept 2011 to meet fellow H50 fans and saw<br />
the Season 2 premiere of Hawaii Five-0 on a beach in Waikiki<br />
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Maddy: @MaddyRico50<br />
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Began her twitter life 3/9/2011<br />
Lives in Iselin, NJ<br />
She has a beautiful daughter<br />
Works as a Customer Service Rep. in the transportation<br />
industry for over 20 years<br />
Went back to school in 2008 to become a Massage Therapist<br />
Loves gardening, photography, listening & singing any kind of music<br />
Became a fan of Alex O'Louglin in 2010 after watching Hawaii Five-0 premiere<br />
Loves Hawaii Five-0<br />
Now owns every movie and tv series Alex has ever done<br />
She would do anything for the people she's closest with (Truth)<br />
Can rock "Sweet Caroline" and sings "Crazy" better than Patsy Cline..for realz..<br />
Loves the New Jersey Devils<br />
Flew to Hawaii in Sept 2011 to meet fellow H50 fans and<br />
saw the Season 2 premiere of Hawaii Five-0 on a beach in Waikiki<br />
Plans on moving to Hawaii one day<br />
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So, do ya see the common denominator here folks? Hawaii Five-0 and Alex O'Loughlin have truly brought four strangers together from across the country. Meeting each other in Hawaii was a blessing for all four of us. We cannot thank Peter Lenkov enough for bringing back Hawaii Five-0. Without the show and twitter, we would have never met.<br />
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The reality is this. You have to try new things. Social media too. You never know where it will lead, or who it will lead you too. In our case, it lead us to each other. Soul sisters at heart, Ohana for life.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-45222775478524481392012-04-24T20:26:00.000-04:002012-04-24T20:26:15.687-04:00A visit from Ohana. Stacey's Coming to NJ! 3/24/12<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">It all started with a promise to her daughter, Nicole; a shopping trip to NYC for her 21<sup>st</sup> birthday. Visiting me in New Jersey was just a bonus!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">During the afternoon, I received a text from Stacey when she and Nicole were boarding their plane. I couldn’t keep from smiling. I missed my bestie and fellow H50fanatic. I had the rest of the afternoon and evening to wait until they would arrive. They weren’t landing until 11:30pm that night. I had a hockey game to go to, so that kept my mind occupied while I waited. After the game was over and I got home, Stacey texted me they were finally here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I got comfy, grabbed my car keys and headed to the airport. On the way there, I received a text from Stacey that they would be waiting outside at the passenger pick up area. As I approached the terminal to pick them up, I could see her and Nicole waving me down. I got out of my car so fast to give her and Nicole a big Jersey hug. I was so happy to see them. Of course, we couldn’t hang there to revel in the happiness; airport security was around to chase you away. So, we loaded the car and headed home.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The first order of business was to tweet and Facebook a picture of Stacey and I together. Some peeps were actually waiting for it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> After that was done, the catching up and weekend plans began. Thank goodness it was a Friday night. Stacey, Nicole and I were up talking until 3 a.m. My daughter, Abbey, finally came home from work at 2 a.m. so she could join in the fun. She and Nicole hit it off so well, that a 2<sup>nd</sup> generation Ohana was born that very night. Unfortunately, she and Nicole would not be able to hang out until Monday night due to Abbey’s work and school schedule. Trust me, the wait was worth it. Pictures speak a thousand words. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt;">J</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Since this was a shopping weekend, I decided to take them to Peddler’s Village in PA on Saturday for our first shopping excursion. The drive was lovely even though it was a gloomy, overcast day. We wound our way through western NJ and into PA. Once we got to the village, we walked around and hit every shop. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Nicole had a lot of fun trying on hats in this one store. Damn her…she looks fabulous in all of them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We headed into the Leather Shop. That was a big mistake, HUGE! Look at what Nicole found to try on. You’re looking at real fox fur. A mere $4,500.00. It was a beautiful jacket though.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">After a while, a rain shower hit the area so we decided it was time to stop shopping and head to the Cock & Bull for lunch. No, I’m not kidding, that’s the name of the restaurant. See…</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lunch was over and it was time to walk it off. There were plenty more shops to hit that afternoon. The showers stopped and the sun was trying to peek out. Along our walk, we stopped to take some pictures to remember the trip by. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stacey and Nicole share a moment together by the pond. Awwwww!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The last stop of the day was my favorite shop, Skip’s Candy Store. Any nostalgic candy you could think of was in there. It was very easy for us to spend almost $50 on our sweet tooth… each! We made one more stop on our way home. Once we got closer to home, we stopped at DSW for some shoe shopping. A girl can never have enough shoes. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The ladies wanted a real“Jersey diner” experience for dinner so we headed over to the Menlo Park Diner. This place had a jukebox at each table and a menu that read like an encyclopedia. Most of them do. We chowed down and made our way home. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We took a survey of our purchases, kicked off our shoes and snuggled up to the tv to watch, what else, the past Monday’s episode of Hawaii Five-0.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stacey and I caught up with fellow H50fanactics Ellen and Deb online. We sent the few pictures of our adventures in the village and caught up with them on the day’s events. Our plan for Sunday was shopping in NYC. This would be Nicole’s very first trip ever to the city.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sunday morning…time to rise and shop! We met up with my sister Maria and headed to the train station. There was no way in hell any of us were driving in NYC. When we finally arrived and headed to the nearest place that served coffee, we were hoping for a Starbucks but settled for Krispy Kreme instead. We were determined to hit as many stores as humanly possible today. Remember, we were all walking city blocks. That’s a lot of walking. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Our first stop, Macy’s on 34<sup>th</sup> Street. As we approached the side entrance, we noticed Nicole frantically looking for something. She realized her cell phone was missing. She must’ve left it on the train, because she had it while taking pictures, but sat it down at some point. Nice way to welcome her to NYC for the 1<sup>st</sup> time. So our first stop w</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">as not Macy’s after all. We hit the closest Sprint store to have her phone turned off. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Luckily, there was one right across the street. After taking care of that nightmare, we finally headed to Macy’s. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This was the first time any of us had ever been inside this store. Did you know that this store has 9 floors? OMG! We didn’t know where to go first. We grabbed a directory and headed to the 4<sup>th</sup> floor juniors dept. for Nicole. I think we spent 2 hours in there just watching her try on assorted outfits. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgOEFySoRcQl1V7iK0Wlcqy-laDVZMUv8W2EQdzEZb10Asuarf1eWqoekTPP4ZKLFycajaJ-l08OJgM1DL7jYOxbrUbI7bSEmcnnSF7XKs1m5IXCRTBXkbFUPn-fEoX6EUnCrDcG1-bQ/s1600/720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgOEFySoRcQl1V7iK0Wlcqy-laDVZMUv8W2EQdzEZb10Asuarf1eWqoekTPP4ZKLFycajaJ-l08OJgM1DL7jYOxbrUbI7bSEmcnnSF7XKs1m5IXCRTBXkbFUPn-fEoX6EUnCrDcG1-bQ/s320/720.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As the day progressed, we stopped for lunch at TGIFridays. The day was spent walking from 34<sup>th</sup> Street to 52<sup>nd</sup> between 5<sup>th</sup> and 7<sup>th</sup> Avenues. We window shopped, stopped into St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Rockefeller Center to enjoy the sites before heading back to Penn Station for the ride home. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">All in all, the weekend of shopping was a blast. I think Nicole got a lot of wonderful new clothes and boots to last her a while. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Since I had no days to take off, Monday was back to work for me. Stacey and Nicole decided to go to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I loaned them my car for the day and Stacey had her Google map ready to go. Setting off on what should’ve been a 40-minute drive tops, turned into a 90-minute drive because Stacey got lost. But, rest assured, they made it just in time to catch the ferry. It had to be the windiest day of all. They survived the ferry ride out to both islands although the water was very, very choppy. Once the tour was over, they headed back to my house to meet up for dinner. Once again, Stacey got lost the closer she got back to my house. Somehow, with no battery left on her cell phone, she navigated her way back and made it to my house before I got home from work. (Quote from Stacey “And they say driving in Seattle sucks? OMG, I will NEVER drive in Jersey AGAIN! I felt like a local driving in Oahu compared to Jersey!")</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Once everyone was back home, I cooked for the first time since Stacey and Nicole arrived (we ate out all of our other meals), and wanted to make them one of my family’s favorites… Arroz con Pollo. I’m pretty sure I saw Stacey and Nicole eat seconds, maybe even thirds. It was a huge hit! </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">After dinner, Abbey and I decided to give Nicole an early birthday party...Jersey style. We bought her an ice cream cake, sang Happy Birthday to her, made her blow out the candles and then served the cake. Well almost. As you can see, the girls had other ideas about that cake and sharing it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">That evening, we watched… ya, wait for it… Hawaii Five-0! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">W</span>hile watching, Stacey and I were of course commenting on something to do with Alex (surprise, surprise) and one of us mentioned Moonlight. Nicole had an instant epiphany and said “Mick and Steve are both Alex?!” Stacey instantly disowned Nicole and was planning on leaving her in Jersey. I don’t think Nicole would’ve minded at first (she has a boyfriend at home in Arizona waiting for her), her and Abbey were like sisters at this point. You would never have known they had only met 4 days before.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Tuesday came and Stacey and Nicole just hung around my house while I went to work. They had packing to do, because it was time to say goodbye later that evening. Once I got home from work we set out for the airport. Where did the time go? It seems like they had just arrived and now I was dropping them off at the airport. Lots of hugs were given as we said our goodbye’s.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Next up… SOTB 3 in 134 days!!</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">From Stacey and Nicole: Thank you, thank you for making our trip one to remember always. We had a wonderful time (minus the cell phone mishap and the getting lost in the car, LOL) and look forward to many more visits!!</span></i></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-76493113634743073782012-03-18T20:41:00.000-04:002012-03-18T20:41:26.404-04:00San Francisco Bay hosts Oahu #H50 Ambassador<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When I first became a part of this crazy #H50hana experience last year I never thought I’d be having friends visit on the mainland (which wasn’t even a word I used much before last year). But here we were on an overcast and WINDY San Francisco Day – feeling the warmth of a week last year in September. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Of course it poured all week and I worried, I mean ~ how does a gray day in the city compete with the time when @wendiejoy hosted us last summer in Waikiki ? I shouldn't have worried, they brought the Aloha with them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We met Wendie, Chief, and D-Bug at South Beach Marina. It’s a great location just next to AT&T ball park and the Bay Bridge. We left the marina and headed up the city front. The plan was to skirt the city front on the way to the Golden Gate and maybe even get close to Alcatraz before heading over to Berkeley/Oakland then back to South Beach. But as often happens with boating – the weather had other plans. It was windy and very choppy on the bay so we ended up having a short boat ride. It was a good thing that Chief was comfortable driving the boat, it was exhilarating on the bay to say the least. Wendie and Ellen were able to sneak in a bit of Hawaii Five-0 talk but it was mostly a family visit and it was wonderful. It makes the long wait til September just a little bit easier. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiI0F-TYGlFJxN4eXvrf5S9Z96nAjG8RGXA0lLUAOBq73IJYcblG0zgyqlMbIvnrkT_7I13F5R38lMO2XD8a4G7vof4_WcaBWL-lkebIa-pkk6cGCLvk7vf6NRwJRjAtICcUXKs-Uq8kc/s1600/DSC_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiI0F-TYGlFJxN4eXvrf5S9Z96nAjG8RGXA0lLUAOBq73IJYcblG0zgyqlMbIvnrkT_7I13F5R38lMO2XD8a4G7vof4_WcaBWL-lkebIa-pkk6cGCLvk7vf6NRwJRjAtICcUXKs-Uq8kc/s400/DSC_1035.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxvkyt7mwAB92W36CyGv2ylJLHnO7-3o1kJZ0ctzz1PLimWJ5a9N01mYYeNKTq-3FE4xs0RHNXfzQViQphQsdpf0IFRa1F9Yd21m_ceYhcrxS5o_FNLmxyJQoHE81iPEqmK8Un0FjatQ/s1600/DSC_1067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxvkyt7mwAB92W36CyGv2ylJLHnO7-3o1kJZ0ctzz1PLimWJ5a9N01mYYeNKTq-3FE4xs0RHNXfzQViQphQsdpf0IFRa1F9Yd21m_ceYhcrxS5o_FNLmxyJQoHE81iPEqmK8Un0FjatQ/s400/DSC_1067.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-37822085175139527972012-03-17T14:23:00.000-04:002012-03-17T14:23:54.366-04:00We're Halfway There!<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hey There!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's mid March! To quote Jonathan Bon Jovi, we are "halfway there" and thanks to the news this week, we aren't "living on a prayer" any more. Hawaii Five 0 is renewed for a third season! Now all we need is for @plenkov to accidentally tweet the SOTB date again! All four of us fanatics have our reservations for SOTB2012 made. Thanks to Bruce & Yaling, we have the flexibility to change dates as needed!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"></div><div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> Exciting things coming up for the H50fanatics in the next few weeks. Tomorrow Wendie (@WendieJoy) of Five0Redux is meeting up with Ellen in San Francisco. Ellen and her husband are taking Wendie,Chief and D-Bug on a boat tour of the bay.. here's hoping the weather clears for them!</div><div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> Next weekend, Stacey and Maddy are meeting in New York for fun in the City. I KNOW they will have a great time! I'll wave as Stacey flies over me... sigh. The joys of living in flyover country.</div><div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> I hope to have another 'Midwest tweetup' in Indianapolis soon with fellow SOTBer Candy and twitter friend Bonnie and my real life friend Cheryl. They are big #H50 fans too!</div><div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> The four of us #H50fanatics still "talk" at least daily and usually WAY more than that...sometimes we have continuing conversations across varying forms of social media...text, facebook, email, twitter, actual phone calls... LOL.. We skype every now and then as well. We have even figured out a way for Ellen to watch H50 with the East/Midwest people via Skype and join in our lively FB chats w/ a few other SOTB friends & H50 fans! </div><div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> Where would we be without our social media? #H50Nation forever!</div><div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: right;">ALOHA! Deb, Stacey, Maddy and Ellen.</div><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">SOTB2012 countdown: 25 weeks ( assuming 9/8/2012)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-73254258742402073212012-01-08T17:29:00.000-05:002012-01-08T17:29:03.702-05:00It's Never Too Soon......Let the planning begin- #SOTB3So we've heard that some of you are already asking about Sunset on the Beach 2012. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's the premiere of Hawaii Five-0's 1st episode of their new season on the beach in Waikiki. Yes, literally on the beach. <br />
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We believe it's never too soon to start planning your trip. Although we <strong>do not</strong> know what day the premiere will be, we do know that it usually lands somewhere around the second weekend of September. That would be September 8, 2012 if we guess correctly. Let me tell you, if they decide to have it that Saturday, you can expect a <b>very, very, very</b> large crowd. SOTB last year had approximately 10,000-15,000 people show up on Queens Beach. Check out this aerial view of the crowd from our hotel located right across the street.<br />
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</div> Here's what you should begin to think about. Some helpful tips if you will.<br />
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1. Plan, plan, plan. Make a wish list of things you'd like to see, do, and accomplish while visiting Hawaii. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2YeXJzxPj0ti1uWoXlHWcQzZzh_DZZ7j089Rvs2DlaLvCK0Bz-7EVhNbWF0BhxfdqNdTt4GowM4sUqVXUdPm3wg-SqNdU4zQfn1MSGimptClfcNrKQGryKrcsWXsHgy-57d8kGoEsNM/s1600/076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2YeXJzxPj0ti1uWoXlHWcQzZzh_DZZ7j089Rvs2DlaLvCK0Bz-7EVhNbWF0BhxfdqNdTt4GowM4sUqVXUdPm3wg-SqNdU4zQfn1MSGimptClfcNrKQGryKrcsWXsHgy-57d8kGoEsNM/s320/076.JPG" width="320" /></a>2. Get yourself a great travel agent. We highly recommend our friend <a href="http://www.hawaii-aloha.com/blog/about-alohabruce/"><span style="color: blue;">Bruce Fisher.</span></a> He worked with us last year to help us plan not only our trips, but he arranged our tweet-up, luau, brunch and tour of Hawaii Five-0 filming locations. You can read about it all in our past blogs.<br />
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Bruce, Yaling and their agents at <a href="http://www.hawaii-aloha.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Hawaii-Aloha</span> <span style="color: blue;">travel</span></a> can help you with airfares and hotel pricing, along with information on whatever adventures you can dream up while visiting.<span style="background-color: white;"> In our experience, as fans of the show themselves, Bruce and Yaling will listen to what you want your vacation to be, (what kind of a mix of H50 and sightseeing you are interested in) and work very hard to find the best and most inexpensive rates possible. </span>They have a wonderful "book now, pay later" program you can take advantage of, so paying for your trip won't empty your pockets. This was a blessing for those of us who couldn't afford to pay for our dream trip all at once. <span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;">Going to Hawaii isn't cheap. Prices can range anywhere from between $1,000 - $2,000. If you want to go, with the help of good information and expert assistance, it can be done.</span></span> You can click on the highlighted link we've provided for their contact information. Don't wait to book. Once events are planned, they will fill up quickly. From preliminary talks with Bruce and his lovely wife, Yaling, we're in for another fun-filled long weekend of wonderful events. <br />
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3. Speak to other Hawaii Five-0 fans and locals that were at SOTB last year. Get some helpful hints about the dos and donts while visiting. The places to eat, shop and some of their favorite places they visited while they were there.<br />
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4. Once your trip is planned and paid for, it's time to think about what to pack. We were told by locals and others that have visited the islands to pack light. There are no truer words spoken. If there is one piece of advice we can give you, it's just that... PACK LIGHT. You don't need 4 pairs of jeans, sweatshirts in case you feel cold and 6 pairs of shoes. Trust us this is all you need:<br />
T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops (aka..slippahs), a pair of sneakers, bathing suit, suntan lotion, sunglasses, hat, camera, batteries, electronic charger cords (for camera/phone etc..) the usual toiletries and undergarments. Trust us, if you forget anything, there are <a href="http://www.abcstores.com/index.htm"><span style="color: blue;">ABC Stores</span></a> on every corner. They carry everything you can think of. (or in this case, that you've forgotten.)<br />
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Trust us when we say, you're all in for a wonderful time. We'll talk again. Aloha for now.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-36245566305277557732011-12-31T22:20:00.000-05:002011-12-31T22:20:56.480-05:00Hau'oli Makahiki Hou ! Happy New year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpX-whLx9iics9Fn3oj00aZ2yc8PEC4S4bwrY0Ia1JOmHZ96PHlA348lmFzXUhxel9xwk0P1UNuiAhgUmsSb0vHmfziUNxogIjY9dl-DYg8pIwQJ_kcGpTRTkBj_tZ4wi-y5Dxcjd2NE/s1600/hawaii_new_years.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpX-whLx9iics9Fn3oj00aZ2yc8PEC4S4bwrY0Ia1JOmHZ96PHlA348lmFzXUhxel9xwk0P1UNuiAhgUmsSb0vHmfziUNxogIjY9dl-DYg8pIwQJ_kcGpTRTkBj_tZ4wi-y5Dxcjd2NE/s320/hawaii_new_years.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2011</span> - We can't remember when we were sorry to see a year go as much as this one, but we're very excited for the new year to begin.<br />
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Looking back its been a year of joys and laughter and even some tears....<br />
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<b><i><u>Winter</u></i></b><br />
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~ feeling an urge so strong to create a tangible thank you gift for a television show that has given so<br />
much to its fans <br />
~ finding motivation we never knew we had to get in shape<br />
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<b><i><u>Spring</u></i></b><br />
~ meeting a universe of friends on Twitter with the same love for H50 as we have<br />
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~ creating a bond with each other stronger than we could ever imagine<br />
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~ taking a wild risk in the hopes of meeting the sexiest man alive<br />
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~ experiencing fun in creating so many original ideas as part of a team<br />
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<b><i><u>Summer</u></i></b><br />
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~ The most unforgettable week of our lives. Incredible with star encounters but even more<br />
special because we met so many wonderful friends @ SOTB<br />
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~ It was around this time we found ourselves hashtagging in all forms of written conversation #truth<br />
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<b><i><u>Fall</u></i></b><br />
~ feeling the warmth Thanksgiving week as the Five0s on twitter wrapped us all in a virtual hug<br />
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Now, we wish all of the H50hana and their Ohana a 2012 that brings good health, dreams fulfilled, and hopes realized. Can't wait to see as many of you as we can at SOTB3!<br />
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Happy New Year! <br />
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Ellen, Stacey, Maddy and DebUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-65226821801888620642011-12-27T20:56:00.001-05:002011-12-27T21:02:49.275-05:00Memories of Meeting Alex O’Loughlin by H50Fanatic Ellen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUtS0HnnJ7ckj2ULf17J5Wt9j7lDzU1M9injwwCeQ2odPm01RAaC7MKbYG0mBiZ71n60Ozj9MaaSmP2rnEkLcGg_58ntkmTn5V73HeHNnRbyWyqz_T4Utans6WUIGQdQHguyDXfG4xEg/s1600/L1070981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUtS0HnnJ7ckj2ULf17J5Wt9j7lDzU1M9injwwCeQ2odPm01RAaC7MKbYG0mBiZ71n60Ozj9MaaSmP2rnEkLcGg_58ntkmTn5V73HeHNnRbyWyqz_T4Utans6WUIGQdQHguyDXfG4xEg/s200/L1070981.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The story of meeting Alex started in February 2011. I was thinking that I wanted to try and meet him. It made sense to me that he might do talk shows after the first season of Hawaii Five-0 wrapped in the spring.<br />
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I have a friend who works in the industry. I started to put together a plan to go to NYC, where I’m from. I thought if he was there for the Upfronts and did talk shows, I’d have a couple of chances to try and see him and see some old friends at the same time. To plan a trip like this, I needed way more information than I had. I knew enough to know that I wasn’t connected at all to the inside information. I started to search the Internet and finally realized that Twitter would be the place to learn what was happening – so I had to “learn twitter”. <br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtr5JXJm8TlDodox7IqDiuD-YNDUz20IZhbqUq0fwtXccTE2_y7jFEzjgMLrzRT7vRnHuYI6rKycQ-KWyw06goS7G_9Nho_9Ufxd6uUoesMRccMPUQLtkOqpLnjM2EeNn22UHMfH0xfKc/s1600/L1070927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtr5JXJm8TlDodox7IqDiuD-YNDUz20IZhbqUq0fwtXccTE2_y7jFEzjgMLrzRT7vRnHuYI6rKycQ-KWyw06goS7G_9Nho_9Ufxd6uUoesMRccMPUQLtkOqpLnjM2EeNn22UHMfH0xfKc/s320/L1070927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I was rewarded almost immediately. I read a tweet from an artist <b><i><a href="http://www.kentwilliams.com/wwwkentwilliamscom/paintings-2011-2012">Kent Williams</a></i></b> who wrote; “My friend Alex O’Loughlin has agreed to host my gallery opening in May”. I started to re-plan my trip to come home from NYC by way of Los Angeles, since the gallery opening was the weekend after the Upfronts. I still couldn't believe that getting into the gallery could be that easy, so I called for information. When I spoke to the gallery staff asking if tickets were needed and what the attire usually was for events like this, the woman said “there is a private reception before the opening, would you like me to put your name on the list?” Incredible! From that moment on, going to New York began to fall off my radar and I focused on a weekend trip to LA.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">I asked a few of my new friends on twitter who also lived in California if they were planning to go. Unfortunately, no one was going. That made me wonder if I was completely mistaken about this. I’d get to LA and no one would be there. I worried about this for weeks. Flying to LA for 24 hours just to try and meet a TV star for a few minutes sounded like a crazy idea to just about everyone I knew. I felt like I just had to try if there was the smallest chance Alex would be there.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv0PkAO1HualY7SLPc6CQRYpIyhpyv7MEjnwG9W6PVSJlZBonbqgL-40wmikpZGdCpnYEv18cTdCRbHJuwPoA6p99YOVfmM64VGOmBU7CyirfjU_QOBlVa3yy_js5zxFRZJqi8gf-eGo/s1600/L1070936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv0PkAO1HualY7SLPc6CQRYpIyhpyv7MEjnwG9W6PVSJlZBonbqgL-40wmikpZGdCpnYEv18cTdCRbHJuwPoA6p99YOVfmM64VGOmBU7CyirfjU_QOBlVa3yy_js5zxFRZJqi8gf-eGo/s320/L1070936.jpg" width="180" /></a>The morning I flew out I was so excited. Wearing the clothes that I bought just for the trip (nothing I owned was “LA gallery appropriate” in my mind), a line from the Alex's movie The Back Up Plan was playing in my head... “did you buy that for me?” It made me laugh out loud as I waited for the shuttle. I started texting Deb. "I'm getting nervous." "This was crazy." Oh, would my husband laugh if I went all the way to LA and <u>didn’t</u> see Alex? I’d never live it down. And what if I <u>DID</u> see Alex and I couldn’t speak?<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">My friend from LA picked me up at the airport. We had a fun day catching up and trying to keep my mind off the evening to come. I had gotten up at 4:00 a.m. to get to the airport on time so by mid-afternoon I was starting to lose my adrenaline high. I went to lie down and Deb sent me a text “how are you doing?” It was so great to have that support from across the country while I watched the clock and wondered what was going to happen next. We texted back and forth for a while and I started to calm down. Mostly by telling myself that he probably wouldn’t even be there so what was the point in getting nervous.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">We drove to the gallery. My friend wasn’t sure there would be anything there to see. She said “I’ll just sit in the car and wait for a bit – you go in and see if there is anything happening before I put money in the meter”. I got out of the car and walked to the door and there were security guards there with a list <i><u>and my name was on it</u></i>. I walked inside and the gallery was almost empty. There were two staff members behind the counter, someone putting out wine and water bottles and a man I guessed was probably Kent Williams, the artist. I looked over just a few feet away and there was a videographer taking pictures of - - Alex. He was talking about a painting. He was standing in a room that was almost empty, not ten feet from where I was standing. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGanIC1AALvqb5dy0L5pn3fkoQ9exaX9pFgONYszhvqmTXpPCwVj6pv9JVGACsdr9VO6iNNBBwB2JKznNJdCqCvkZcCXWWMLZbGxs8DZDVY_OaPNUqzHTmnXB620AjWBBR12dBwtvu40A/s1600/242298_169115243147897_144443722281716_403038_6319532_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGanIC1AALvqb5dy0L5pn3fkoQ9exaX9pFgONYszhvqmTXpPCwVj6pv9JVGACsdr9VO6iNNBBwB2JKznNJdCqCvkZcCXWWMLZbGxs8DZDVY_OaPNUqzHTmnXB620AjWBBR12dBwtvu40A/s200/242298_169115243147897_144443722281716_403038_6319532_o.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPWvyqm6N8zKb546z0SyrSRkjg376AaL5KPPIzkelm-9utL8rqAqG1OAZYE_f4nm8XxifGe3LmuPESHW8rsuyHr_7THhdrlEtsXd7kk3vqxops08ujkNOq5CjVL4Fe5ZioUyzem89770/s1600/L1070967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPWvyqm6N8zKb546z0SyrSRkjg376AaL5KPPIzkelm-9utL8rqAqG1OAZYE_f4nm8XxifGe3LmuPESHW8rsuyHr_7THhdrlEtsXd7kk3vqxops08ujkNOq5CjVL4Fe5ZioUyzem89770/s200/L1070967.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">That’s when I began to feel like I was watching myself walking in a dream or a movie. It was very surreal. I took a quick picture of very poor quality on my phone and tweeted it. I couldn’t believe it. We didn’t take pictures with flash while the videographer was working. There were a few other fans there and we just stood there, watched and waited. As soon as Alex was done, we approached him for pictures and to talk.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTvMCxHeZk_szhFylOuAtGc4CM7VJMKxWWaiW4Aw1q868cbQt4BPJNrnlMr32qbEUHxvaQ6EUaAIaq8CZqOzpcoVeke0PXRyhIOTgWGH1PPpvXf5-dWZ91CjCVh8wQ7dOtbGUTdW_mxY/s1600/L1070979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTvMCxHeZk_szhFylOuAtGc4CM7VJMKxWWaiW4Aw1q868cbQt4BPJNrnlMr32qbEUHxvaQ6EUaAIaq8CZqOzpcoVeke0PXRyhIOTgWGH1PPpvXf5-dWZ91CjCVh8wQ7dOtbGUTdW_mxY/s200/L1070979.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84wI9TxIShOVvNY_wWzwNXY7IgJM9bKWK5A7vZG2ktwQLTWJVxkYE1UV_TDvKuXyrllGXpQVFQpXDDHJhu0KZEGggcxcqZgOToFuCbFl4aTfaul-f__qs_hZDcQo9BEM5zWRjxgeCxyg/s1600/L1070976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84wI9TxIShOVvNY_wWzwNXY7IgJM9bKWK5A7vZG2ktwQLTWJVxkYE1UV_TDvKuXyrllGXpQVFQpXDDHJhu0KZEGggcxcqZgOToFuCbFl4aTfaul-f__qs_hZDcQo9BEM5zWRjxgeCxyg/s200/L1070976.JPG" width="155" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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After posing for pictures with us, he said that he had to mingle with the other guests. He didn’t object when we approached him again later to talk. I brought my dvd case of the Oyster Farmer for him to sign, which he did. He surprised me when he asked me for my name. I guess I assumed he’d just sign his name and give it back to me. Then, and I realize this will sound so fan-girlish, we touched hands when he gave me my sharpie pen back. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KiUJhMeAhz2lhp0dOtorPoaDyTPEP_LSvlTj12mCerYuapCTWeqVY6H3MVyjDFEBrHHAQuWX1MIjpM9Z9kD6t1MfXd2c2Bui_ALRin-NdVzr9_HIYRDzI58VGG67HKCe5wesjSH6Kto/s1600/L1070985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KiUJhMeAhz2lhp0dOtorPoaDyTPEP_LSvlTj12mCerYuapCTWeqVY6H3MVyjDFEBrHHAQuWX1MIjpM9Z9kD6t1MfXd2c2Bui_ALRin-NdVzr9_HIYRDzI58VGG67HKCe5wesjSH6Kto/s320/L1070985.jpg" width="179" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdhyphenhyphenisMha3RC1v3ddJLK69D4Chq6S4TMbg0PVgwizOk7QZqz87M6ldv1rF0k4v1uOhwgZyxZsLnf3c0sE7DsIgWrqHZKH_tLgc2fB4_ErNfmNkNUYmarPgdW8G5_t911XxWE02zlw0bk/s1600/L1070984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdhyphenhyphenisMha3RC1v3ddJLK69D4Chq6S4TMbg0PVgwizOk7QZqz87M6ldv1rF0k4v1uOhwgZyxZsLnf3c0sE7DsIgWrqHZKH_tLgc2fB4_ErNfmNkNUYmarPgdW8G5_t911XxWE02zlw0bk/s320/L1070984.jpg" width="179" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpvRqYxUqHQGoBy4hSrGafOCVX2oEqxxNzJCEQ940B-5fauAQ8dWFBzDLP8g5q_8tU_m2Yej9AHzBxhedrxe_4s-FwfBlA9iHBGDO9ZgfgUcgO-cQPybDCmEvv1t7sF3WDH-1ax1QM8o/s1600/qh4bt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpvRqYxUqHQGoBy4hSrGafOCVX2oEqxxNzJCEQ940B-5fauAQ8dWFBzDLP8g5q_8tU_m2Yej9AHzBxhedrxe_4s-FwfBlA9iHBGDO9ZgfgUcgO-cQPybDCmEvv1t7sF3WDH-1ax1QM8o/s200/qh4bt.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> </div><div class="MsoNormal">After about 45 minutes, my friend decided we should go. The public event was going to start soon and there would be a crowd. I couldn't believe I had to leave him. It still didn’t seem real. Did I actually just spend almost an hour with Alex O'Loughlin in a room with less than a dozen people in it? Yes, yes I did. <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">My friend and I left and drove back to her place to upload her pictures. It was incredible having her there to take photos. I don’t think that I would have been able to do it. While we were driving I called @terrysagirl (another Twitter friend) and told her not to post the phone pictures that I had tweeted earlier on her Facebook wall. We had much better photos in the camera that we would send as soon as we got home. When we got back to the house we uploaded the pictures. Terry posted them and I made an album for Facebook. <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since going to LA, there was one question many people had been asking me. "Are you going to Sunset On the Beach?" Before I went to the gallery I wasn't sure. Would I want to go all the way to Hawaii after flying to LA? Would I feel like since I met him in LA, I’d “done it” and not need to go to the premiere in Hawaii? I thought that maybe if LA was a bust and if I didn’t see Alex, I’d want to try again in Hawaii. I thought that maybe, if I got an autograph I’d feel like I had succeeded and that would be the end of it.<br />
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Well, I don’t remember how long it took, but it wasn’t long before I knew - - I was going to Hawaii in September for the premiere.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-36255443050977778002011-12-17T22:15:00.003-05:002011-12-23T16:19:22.913-05:00Mele Kalikimaka! (Merry Christmas)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOe13mFP8FUobdpqPYl6Ts9AQMT597illYMqHRo1weX0mi_9UadBogrYPaa5cGN2YTGvMTIeXP025s8vmAswXoTjaTtQbVVT9WSKRCIuT1WBkkqGDorOqyd1kjq8O0f9reH3sO8ba3j0/s1600/aliiolani-hale-christmas-0272-500x389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOe13mFP8FUobdpqPYl6Ts9AQMT597illYMqHRo1weX0mi_9UadBogrYPaa5cGN2YTGvMTIeXP025s8vmAswXoTjaTtQbVVT9WSKRCIuT1WBkkqGDorOqyd1kjq8O0f9reH3sO8ba3j0/s400/aliiolani-hale-christmas-0272-500x389.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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What do you do when your favorite show goes on hiatus for the holidays? You write Christmas cards to your Ohana of course. We've all been doing just that. We collected most of our Ohana's addresses when we were in Hawaii in September. For the last week we've been hand writing cards and sending them all across the U.S., Canada, Australia and in France. As you can see, our Ohana has grown in leaps and bounds.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34P1R4Lrn_g1w78O_cXRQ6lTrZzs0Qmdnsh1kj7AFCFhHua_a-v1c_LparcIAGcDTw_aGYLlk_8RZP1aCnbTiwNjsfRbAZYhsgpsenq-VLbZr4enVVCCzctEO_VkpTXmdQtNGpVciDGY/s1600/H50+Fan+Tour+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34P1R4Lrn_g1w78O_cXRQ6lTrZzs0Qmdnsh1kj7AFCFhHua_a-v1c_LparcIAGcDTw_aGYLlk_8RZP1aCnbTiwNjsfRbAZYhsgpsenq-VLbZr4enVVCCzctEO_VkpTXmdQtNGpVciDGY/s400/H50+Fan+Tour+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Every Wednesday night on Twitter we still enjoy each others company chatting away discussing the latest 5-0 episodes, cast and crew. We call the chats "H50tins". (We love you Jools!) Our continued love for the show is very prominent online. So many new blogs, fan pages and even Tumblr accounts are popping up every day. We just can't keep up with all of them. <br />
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With the show going on hiatus and repeats from season 1 in store for the next few weeks, we just want everybody to enjoy the holiday season. Our sincere appreciation for reading our blog and taking our journey with us. We're gearing up for more exciting stories in the new year and we've got SOTB3 to plan for of course!<br />
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May you all be as blessed as we were this year. Fortunate to have traveled to one of the most beautiful places in the world, meeting the most amazing new friends and bringing home a small piece of the Aloha spirit. <br />
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Share you happiness, love, and spirit with everyone you meet. Remember to appreciate your family and friends every day. Life is to be lived, so get out there and live it!<br />
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Peace and blessings to all of you this holiday season. <br />
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Deb, Ellen, Madaline and Stacey<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AsE1ZhCG_ZKzDbec1EtBQDLeLDDKLtVcAe2k43gR6Z7SWCxPK1QgXn5OLdoScA46LvzggKkxJ7m07n690nFwLvo7BNdZ97ViAhQOKIcQ2cd70YA5cZAEtJ8wyF6ZCZyZGszLdTVO1BI/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AsE1ZhCG_ZKzDbec1EtBQDLeLDDKLtVcAe2k43gR6Z7SWCxPK1QgXn5OLdoScA46LvzggKkxJ7m07n690nFwLvo7BNdZ97ViAhQOKIcQ2cd70YA5cZAEtJ8wyF6ZCZyZGszLdTVO1BI/s320/026.JPG" width="320" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-6657250837257312082011-11-27T09:31:00.000-05:002011-11-27T09:31:09.630-05:00Quilt Quest Redux 11-27-2011Just when you thought our quilt quest story was over, it found a voice again. Last week, Mike Gordon from the Star Advertiser in Hawaii, contacted some of us to get an update on what happened. He couldn't keep his readers in limbo knowing if Alex received our gift or not. We told him the quest was complete and that Alex received the quilt. Read his article from today's Star Advertiser below. <br />
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Big Mahalo to <a href="http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/20111127_OLoughlin_fans_quilt_quest_wraps_up_with_a_warm_note.html?id=134552188">Mike Gordon</a> for a wonderful article and to our friends at <a href="http://alexoloughlinrocks.com/">AlexOLoughlinRocks.com</a> for posting it for Alex's fans.<br />
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In case you forgot what Alex's quilt looked like, here are pix of the front and back. Enjoy!<br />
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<h1 id="hsa_storyTitle article-important"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 24pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">O'Loughlin fans' quilt quest wraps up with a warm note<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="mailto:mgordon@staradvertiser.com"><span style="color: #216aad; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #216aad; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="mailto:mgordon@staradvertiser.com"><span style="color: #216aad; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">By Mike Gordon</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 27, 2011 <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXodaZziSL1KFkgIvI4vaVnWYYzc9bzXZiYM11eoomRUsdq3neC-ZQ8ceQXz2kdE95l3A0DefGXMmPEDOVPWmmVv9FMR1T3VlY3hKQL48AyR3zlKeANn4G42uRRwkR9b9FR74AnnZB8oQ/s1600/Ellen+%2526+Alex+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXodaZziSL1KFkgIvI4vaVnWYYzc9bzXZiYM11eoomRUsdq3neC-ZQ8ceQXz2kdE95l3A0DefGXMmPEDOVPWmmVv9FMR1T3VlY3hKQL48AyR3zlKeANn4G42uRRwkR9b9FR74AnnZB8oQ/s320/Ellen+%2526+Alex+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Courtesy photo<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ellen Swedberg previously met Alex O'Loughlin at a gallery opening in Los Angeles in May. Swedberg came to Hawaii for the Sunset on the Beach premiere of "Hawaii Five-0" in September and hoped to get a quilt she made to the actor. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
For nearly a week, the four women worried about what would happen if their quest failed. More than likely there would be tears, frustration and quiet flights back to their mainland homes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They had come to Hawaii for the Sunset on the Beach premiere of "Hawaii Five-0" in September — a dream come true — but they all agreed they could not leave the islands without having given show star Alex O'Loughlin a handmade quilt.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He was busy, though. The demands of making a TV show kept him on set all day with barely a break. It reduced Ellen Swedberg to tears. She had worked on the quilt for seven months.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I was a mess," said Swedberg, a 51-year-old government worker from Santa Rosa, Calif.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Swedberg and friends Stacey Jonson of Seattle, Madaline O'Connor of New Jersey and Deb Young of Illinois first met six months earlier on Twitter when they plugged into the show's social-media universe. They talked about everything in their lives, but whenever they talked about "Five-0" the discussion turned to O'Loughlin, the Australian hunk who plays Steve McGarrett.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The 5-by-5-foot quilt that Swedberg created had separate themes on each side. The front was a traditional Hawaiian design while the back contained squares of cloth that illustrated O'Loughlin's acting career.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The work was intense.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CBS representatives said they would accept the quilt on the actor's behalf, but the women resisted that idea. They wanted to see the look on O'Loughlin's face, in part because they had already shown it to him while he walked the red carpet at Sunset on the Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"You made me a quilt?" the actor commented. "That's amazing."<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And the women felt a sense of purpose that came from strangers who had heard of their story and stopped them on the street or approached them at restaurants.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"People were commenting the whole trip, which then made it even more important for us to have some closure to the story," said the 45-year-old Jonson.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The day before the end of their trip, the four friends had resigned themselves to failure. They were going sightseeing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then they learned that "Five-0" was shooting at Shokudo Japanese Restaurant & Bar on Kapiolani Boulevard. They arrived at Shokudo with nothing to lose.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Ellen goes right up to the security guard and asks to speak to Alex's personal assistant about giving him a gift," O'Connor said. "He came over and said, ‘You are the girls with the quilt.'"<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Better still, they were told the actor knew their story. But the actor's assistant said they would still have to leave it with someone else at the show's production offices — a leap of faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"There was something about him that was so genuine that I believed him immediately," Swedberg said. "He said, ‘If you trust me, I will make sure he gets it.'"<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was the end of an emotional week — a wild adventure, Jonson said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"It kind of was the deep breath at the end of the story," she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But it wasn't the end of the story.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A month later, as Jonson watched TV on a Sunday afternoon, her phone buzzed: incoming email. In inboxes across the country, her three friends received the same message.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jonson stared at the phone and screamed. She jumped off the couch. Her fingers shook but she still managed to dial her friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was a personal email from O'Loughlin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Would like to sincerely thank you for the gift."<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">———<br />
Mike Gordon is the Star-Advertiser’s film and television writer. Read his Outtakes Online blog at honolulupulse.com. Reach him at 529-4803 or email mgordon@staradvertiser.com.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="mailto:mgordon@staradvertiser.com"></a></h1><a href="mailto:mgordon@staradvertiser.com"></a><br />
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<div style="float: left; text-align: left;"></div><div class="clearAll"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-74904911655704138212011-11-24T10:15:00.000-05:002011-11-24T10:15:33.171-05:00Happy Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtioRA33d1NsSqdaUu1CMMmVfSOkqBPB2fWitapsLzXnJes96aTSgO8fxHW7RbWNZBZOr2oLOAzxDTFcOWDOE5NXC6rQNE28NNKZGvMh5m00gbzMQq-7WS73vGK4dawVMZWcY2o_VDVQs/s1600/230.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtioRA33d1NsSqdaUu1CMMmVfSOkqBPB2fWitapsLzXnJes96aTSgO8fxHW7RbWNZBZOr2oLOAzxDTFcOWDOE5NXC6rQNE28NNKZGvMh5m00gbzMQq-7WS73vGK4dawVMZWcY2o_VDVQs/s320/230.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">During this time of the year, we take for granted the abundances we have. Always remember there are those who are struggling to support their loved ones, jobless, homeless, or just without families. Reach out into your communities to help those who are less fortunate. You can serve at a soup kitchen, donate clothing or household goods, donate to toys for tots, select a gift request off of your church gift tree and buy it, or just visit someone in a nursing home or shelter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With the all that you cherish and are thankful for on this day, remember our Armed Forces men and woman who have served or are serving around the world and far away from their families and loved ones. They are the reason we have our Freedom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Blessings to all of our families, friends, blog followers and our new Ohana that we met this year in Hawaii. We are thankful for all of you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Thanksgiving,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ellen, Stacey, Deb and Madaline</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-36787191426114758572011-11-06T22:02:00.000-05:002011-11-06T22:02:17.821-05:00The Quilt Quest....He got it !!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nObxsIICGOIt_pplzoA6Y1f1PJwqFWPqW7ukGrM12lDnZpAsi7n8q2yP7_UCZlSx0h5u7kDA0fjA8On8ttvSVod7veKIZsR2Wac-aEcxTuBDC0o1krVEnkFXYxiR9v-r4Mwnnz3HSjE/s1600/117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nObxsIICGOIt_pplzoA6Y1f1PJwqFWPqW7ukGrM12lDnZpAsi7n8q2yP7_UCZlSx0h5u7kDA0fjA8On8ttvSVod7veKIZsR2Wac-aEcxTuBDC0o1krVEnkFXYxiR9v-r4Mwnnz3HSjE/s320/117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Several weeks have gone by. Besides wanting to be back in Hawaii, there was a nagging question running through our minds about the quilt.... Did Alex really get the quilt for sure??? We didn't want to as<span style="color: black;">k</span> Daniel Dae Kim or Peter Lenkov to ask Alex about it and reply to us. We were just hoping to hear some kind of response from Alex's assistants or anyone<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> </span>on the Hawaii Five-0 staff. When we initially left the quilt at the production offices, we were smart enough to put a copy of our fabulous article <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">(thanks again to @Crankydad)</span> and our contact information in the bag hoping to get a response... any response. Of course we'd be lying if we didn't say we hoped (toes and fingers crossed) we'd get a response from Alex himself. <br />
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We were talking with each other online as usual on the morning of HIFF (Hawaiian Int'l Film Festival), Sunday, October 16, 2011. One of the ladies was checking her email and suddenly squeeeeeeeed and told us to check our emails immediately. Of course there was nothing in our regular email, so we went right to our spam folders. <strong>There it was...an email from Alex!</strong><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
It was a simple line of thanks for the quilt to the four of us, which read:<br />
<div><span style="color: red;">Would like to sincerely thank you for the gift. Your dedication, time, and work put in "making" the quilt is beyond words appreciated. </span></div><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">#AOL</span> </span><br />
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<em>(Did you notice Alex hashtagged his name?!?!)</em><br />
<div>How cool was that! We finally got the news we wanted to hear....Alex got the quilt! <br />
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Looking back and remembering what friends said to us; "You're making a gift and BRINGING it to Hawaii?" It did seem pretty impossible. The closer the trip came, the more and more possible it seemed! </span><span class="Apple-style-span">When thinking back on the "quilt experience" it was so much more than the obvious gift it was intended to be. </span><span class="Apple-style-span">The enjoyment that we had in deciding what fabric to use, and whether we thought Alex would understand our choices, helped to make the hiatus time go by so much faster. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The designing of it was something tangible to make the whole #H50/#AOL experience that was happening on twitter , more real. Something you could actually touch and see. It was "incredible" (which doesn't feel like a strong enough word) that people all over the world could "talk" daily about their thoughts on Alex and the show. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Something that's handmade is one thing - something that's designed so that every part of it shows the recipient that they're appreciated for what they bring to others - well - </span><span class="Apple-style-span">that's</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> something more. It brings us immense joy to know that our message of appreciation made it to Alex.</span></span><br />
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</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-45826990660910487052011-11-03T00:23:00.006-04:002011-11-03T00:33:22.558-04:00Aloha! 9-15-2011<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Such a heavy phrase “The Last Day”, but it felt like a heavy day. We had stayed up very late the night before trading pictures. Yes, we know what you are thinking – the four of us must have had a lot of SOTB pictures to share. Indeed we did, but we were also sharing our #AOL collections as well – so this took TIME!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghknE94kagOyWJ-mYEMGAh8NRrat4FJy_YcvL4ZM_9oQMDfHJdw-FovyokXA67Q1L63k-x-PLSYHwPgkixUhqCyHm_ao0dGVksp0ONtKQMspr2N3USOqm6qbICPhOKKu1PIzTeXUMKqik/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghknE94kagOyWJ-mYEMGAh8NRrat4FJy_YcvL4ZM_9oQMDfHJdw-FovyokXA67Q1L63k-x-PLSYHwPgkixUhqCyHm_ao0dGVksp0ONtKQMspr2N3USOqm6qbICPhOKKu1PIzTeXUMKqik/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4g1-oQ6RBfuzUYqq63fe_9zQSosfbpEgC3ROmhcvQQhFckQenFJCa6xReaBzUq0NU6VCB6FLao75tqs3mRRzEJok6qv_dMKnwd1v7tjIpV88UN7R92797qAXnjWGC6kD8Jcsc_2M91UI/s1600/photo%252878%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4g1-oQ6RBfuzUYqq63fe_9zQSosfbpEgC3ROmhcvQQhFckQenFJCa6xReaBzUq0NU6VCB6FLao75tqs3mRRzEJok6qv_dMKnwd1v7tjIpV88UN7R92797qAXnjWGC6kD8Jcsc_2M91UI/s400/photo%252878%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">When morning arrived, we got up and went to the balcony of our hotel to say “good morning Diamond Head”, which had become our morning ritual this past week. We went downstairs for our Starbucks and breakfast. With us were the lei that Maddy had given us at the premiere. Starbucks in hand, we walked across the street to the beach. As per tradition, we were told to either throw our lei into the ocean to ensure a safe return one day or leave them on one of the statues. We chose to leave them on a statue at “our” beach. Anna Sinclair, one of our twitter pals, was standing right near the statue. We wanted a picture taken since this was going to be the last time the four of us were together in Hawaii. We asked Anna to take the picture for us and she obliged. Queens Beach held a special place in our hearts, so the spot we chose was perfect.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stacey and Ellen had the first flights out, so Maddy and Deb took the rental car back. They “got lost” (really they did) and somehow ended up driving past the H50 production offices. They did confirm that the bag with Alex’s quilt inside was not in the guard shack anymore. They got back just in time to see Ellen and Stacey off, and let them know the quilt was no longer in the guard shack and hopefully in Alex’s hands. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Many tears were shed and hugs were abundant. Nobody wanted to go home. Some fellow twitter friends made their way down to the lobby to see them off. They were on their way out to see the sights of Oahu for the day. Stacey and Ellen gathered their luggage and boarded their shuttle back to the airport. During the ride back, they watched as familiar sights went by. It didn’t seem possible that so much had happened in only one week. It started to drizzle the first real rain they’d seen all week. (Except for the quick shower that came through during the H50 premiere) It felt like Hawaii was crying with them because they were leaving. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">They arrived at the airport. After saying more tearful good-byes to each other, they went their separate ways to their gates. While waiting in line at security, Ellen texted Stacey: “I had NO idea I would feel this way, it’s SO sad to leave”. No truer words had never been spoken or in this case, texted. You know how typically the return trip seems to go faster? They were the longest flights both Stacey and Ellen had ever had. What each had left behind will never be duplicated. Sure, future SOTBs will hold special meaning, but that first one will always be “the one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIeTp45xjOrl5ay0dhR1V7QLULRPz8IVDJCkBPQqpsqpWNyFpitpjBOqh8jJksCaDQO1j_JLUvukmYmmlK1gqWsfBgEtscvVesXXtcNP9P47Z5AexbitZq7hT07fJlke-PZ0KP3aWLU8/s1600/Photo09151109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIeTp45xjOrl5ay0dhR1V7QLULRPz8IVDJCkBPQqpsqpWNyFpitpjBOqh8jJksCaDQO1j_JLUvukmYmmlK1gqWsfBgEtscvVesXXtcNP9P47Z5AexbitZq7hT07fJlke-PZ0KP3aWLU8/s200/Photo09151109.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Since Deb and Maddy didn’t leave until later that day, they decided to take a walk down Queens Beach for the last time after hanging out with their twitter pals. It was lunch time, so they just had to stop at the Queens Surf Cafe & Lanai one more time. Kait greeted them and took their orders. After receiving their food, they sat and shared stories of the week and talked about going back home to reality. Kait also gave them a free goodbye treat…smoothies. They were delicious. Mahalo to Kait and the staff at the Queens Surf Cafe and Lanai for making our luau, brunch and culinary experiences so wonderful. The food we shared that whole week was simply divine!</span><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUNwvqixtDjb1JAW0dqy-4i_xuxLOKyns0p5r-A-W3P90sicNQArYyYN8Z4dvBz9hMcclfLuRcm6oASQfmljLToRVO_LFV3iJCVQ1FOber0eGg1_uQ0wLdTDVS-gZmc-EGPE02hrrUM0/s1600/Photo09150953_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUNwvqixtDjb1JAW0dqy-4i_xuxLOKyns0p5r-A-W3P90sicNQArYyYN8Z4dvBz9hMcclfLuRcm6oASQfmljLToRVO_LFV3iJCVQ1FOber0eGg1_uQ0wLdTDVS-gZmc-EGPE02hrrUM0/s320/Photo09150953_1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Walking back towards the hotel in the rain showers, Deb and Maddy would stop occasionally to take a picture or two. They sat on the pier across from their hotel and just spent some more time talking. Eventually, they made their way across the street to Lulu’s restaurant for one final drink before Maddy had to leave. They toasted to friendship and a once in a lifetime trip. They were so glad they got to share it with everybody they had met that week. They left Lulu’s and went back down to the lobby of the Park Shore to wait for Maddy’s shuttle. They met up with their new Aussie friend, Jen McLeod and talked a while longer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Soon enough, it was time for Maddy to leave. Her airport shuttle had arrived. More tearful good-byes were said and Maddy was on her way. Even though the shuttle was full, Maddy said it was a tearful, lonely ride back. Once at the airport she found a quiet spot to sit and plug in her laptop for some twitter and Facebook time. Finally it was time to board her long flight home. Aloha Hawaii, hello New Jersey...or so she thought. After finally boarding the plane her flight began pulling away from the terminal. The plane stopped taxing. Her pilot came over the PA and told them they were going back to the gate. There was a malfunction in the air conditioning on the plane. Everybody left the plane. They sat in the waiting area in Honolulu airport for what seemed like an eternity. It was only an hour. Happily, she started texting her friends to let them know she may be staying for another day if they couldn't get the problem fixed. Unfortunately that was not to be. A customer service rep came on the PA to advise the AC was fixed and the flight was ready to go. Damn! Foiled again! Maddy boarded the plane again, texted.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYI9yyaTRBscJZ6_yKuAJwBU-QMkyixbL-KgN6de54CbWP56ER7ST5bcFOBfuFbjrl0aW7rhxtvDuI7P41H0w83jdeqVt0NCB6sh-MBpnDykVhDOYDWe4PfDOqTLMGhXZ6fXNyiepdPg/s1600/145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYI9yyaTRBscJZ6_yKuAJwBU-QMkyixbL-KgN6de54CbWP56ER7ST5bcFOBfuFbjrl0aW7rhxtvDuI7P41H0w83jdeqVt0NCB6sh-MBpnDykVhDOYDWe4PfDOqTLMGhXZ6fXNyiepdPg/s200/145.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Being the last one to leave, Deb found herself on her own. A few friends let her know they’d be around if she needed anything before her flight. Since her flight didn’t leave until late that evening, she decided to hike up Diamond Head. Unfortunately, the trails were closed for maintenance. She decided to head down to Queens’s Beach one last time to soak up some sun. After that she headed to the Diamond Head Health Club for another delicious acai bowl. (Damn, and no Alex sighting) </span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eaqLJexLBW9E2Gz7vEuKzsqFgS2tML-027GyrM0VkCeIgl8tlAQQSXjJr3ag7pkhMBvLdzXFBEr1uKJ_sa1x52an6gvNDDC_w2pi7iKENyEKOdqwOyd5vPRN05Y0Dp-pAvrTW8XnCxk/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eaqLJexLBW9E2Gz7vEuKzsqFgS2tML-027GyrM0VkCeIgl8tlAQQSXjJr3ag7pkhMBvLdzXFBEr1uKJ_sa1x52an6gvNDDC_w2pi7iKENyEKOdqwOyd5vPRN05Y0Dp-pAvrTW8XnCxk/s320/001.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Before going to meet her shuttle, she stopped to take one last sunset picture featuring the fountain we laid our lei upon earlier that day. She made her way across Kalakaua Avenue for the last time, got her luggage and made her way onto her airport shuttle. Tearfully, she headed for the airport like the three of us before her. With sand still in her hair she boarded her plane home. She didn’t remember even taking off. Once she got to her seat, she fell fast asleep until she hit her connecting flight in Phoenix, all the time dreaming of her amazing vacation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">We all felt a sense of depression when we got home. So many new friends met and memories made that week. One week in paradise and so much damn fun together. How could that week be topped? Back to our realities and our family life. We can all say this about our whole adventure....Hawaii has captured a piece of our hearts. If that's what Aloha spirit is all about, then we want some more. Mahalo to the Ohana who shared this adventure with us. We can't wait to see you all next year for SOTB 3. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Aloha...for now</span><br />
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The people alone are so kind, gentle and do not judge you. Even though your only a visitor, (Haole) you're treated like one of the family. (Ohana) We've accumulated so many new friends from this adventure, we felt the need to say Mahalo (thanks) for making this the best vacation for us ever.<br />
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<u><strong>From Madaline</strong></u>:<br />
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To all of my <strong>Twitter friends</strong> that accepted me as a follower, let me into you lives, and enjoyed countless hours of talking about our favorite show, Hawaii Five-0, it's amazing cast, crew and producers...Mahalo! We're all now and forever bound together as Five-Ohana! <br />
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To <strong>Bruce Fisher</strong> and his wife <strong>Yaling</strong>, what can I say. If it weren't for you and <a href="http://www.hawaii-aloha.com/">Hawaii-Aloha travel</a> I would have never been able to afford this trip. You found me on twitter struggling to make my plans for the Hawaii Five-0's premiere along with so many others. Your advice about the pay as you go plan, and help with booking my accommodations and flights, made this trip a reality. The many hours you've spent planning the four days of events have not gone without notice. I will never forget the hospitality or kindness you shared with me and the group the entire week we were there. Mahalo nui loa for making me feel so welcome. \m/ ^_^ \m/<br />
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To <strong>Mike Gordon</strong> (a.k.a. @CrankyDad), thank you for taking an unknown woman from New Jersey and giving her the15 minutes of fame she thought she'd never have. Your article about my adventure with my twitter friends was truly amazing. Mahalo<br />
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To <a href="http://www.honolulupulse.com/category/blogs/five-0-redux">Wendie Burbridge</a>, <a href="http://www.50undercover.com/">H50undercover</a>, (a.k.a. JBob) <strong>LisaLisa98</strong> & <strong>Keith Sato</strong>, mahalo nui loa for making this haole part of your Ohana. You were all so kind to hang out with me and my new friends. I loved spending our H50 tour with all of you and learning all about your beautiful home state. Because of you, I've taken a piece of Hawaii home in my heart. I look forward to coming back to Hawaii and sharing new experiences with all of you over and over again. Please keep in touch!<br />
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To <strong>Amy Bakari</strong> for making SOTB a real adventure. I still can't believe the cajones on you girl! Got a palm tree moved! WOOT! You are truly an amazing and determined individual. I thank you for helping us with our "quest". <br />
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To <strong>Peter Lenkov</strong> for bringing back Hawaii Five-0. By utilizing social media to reach your fans, a group of people were brought together by talking about your show on Twitter and Facebook. Without this show, I would have never met my new Ohana. The cast camaraderie shows the true meaning of friendship, family and the aloha spirit each week through your great story telling. You and your writing staff continue to amaze me every week with the twist and turns thrown at us. Continued success with the show and with all of your new endeavors. Mahalo!<br />
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To my new Ohana..<strong>Stacey, Deb and Ellen</strong>. Without you, I would have never made it to Hawaii. You all encouraged me to stay positive when I thought this trip was an impossibility. I'm so glad I listened to my heart and ignored the naysayers who thought I was crazy to jump on a plane, fly to Hawaii and meet perfect strangers. I love you all for making this the best vacation of my life. *MUAH*<br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><u><strong>From Ellen</strong></u>:</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span">Overall, a lot has been said about the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">aloha spirit</i> but I NEVER really understood or felt what that meant until we got to Hawaii. </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Aloha spirit is pervasive – like the smells and the feel of the islands – it’s in the strangers we met everywhere during our week in paradise. But we felt it immediately with all the five0s that we “met” for the first time after chatting for months and those that we truly met for the first time who joined us on this adventure.</span></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But of course a few stand out~</span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bruce</b> took this from the beginning to create something incredibly unique and done by fans for fans – which came to mean much more to me once we were there. The feeling of Ohana was with the group from the minute we arrived and continues today. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Yaling</b> welcomed all of us into her home with such grace, I’m so glad to have met her and look forward to staying in touch.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wendie</b> – you made Hawaii so real for us, not only on the tour but just by being who you are – a natural ambassador.</span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">JBob</b> – you were not what I expected, I’m glad you spent so much time with us, and wish you would have spent more (next year for sure!). *hugs*</span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lisa</b>- you were so wonderful to us, <u>I want your life</u> – to be in Hawaii and welcome visitors who share in your love of all things five-0. Keep it up girl !!! (and see you soon).</span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Keith</b> - who can hold his own with this wild group - a special man for sure</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Amy</b>- You CRAZY Woman! So glad we got to know each other, who knew you could get so close staking out a piece of sand on a beach! Mahalo for everything - and I mean everything! Can't wait for next year.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mike</b> – who was a stranger to us and from the moment we “met” online we were all instantly put at ease. Mahalo for helping to make this the week of a lifetime.</span></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><u>From Deb:</u></strong></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: tahoma, "new york", times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, 'new york', times, serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I struggled with the decision to go to SOTB2. The money, how would my husband, family, friends react to me wanting to do something really out of character for me. The more time I spent talking w/ Ellen, Maddy & Stacey and all the twitter/facebook Ohana, the more I wanted to go. I just knew this was something I had to be a part of. So I worked up my courage, broached the subject w/ my husband and the rest is history! This vacation is definitely one of the top 10 weeks of my life! </span></span></div><div></div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Meeting the other 3 H50fanatics and feeling like I've known them forever was amazing. I miss them every day, even tho we tweet, FB and text. The local Hawaii folks were so fun and welcoming. Thanks to Wendie (and Chief), Lisa, Keith, J-Bob,and Monica. Then there's Bruce and Yaling who got this whole thing off the ground! You all made it extra special. Oh almost forgot! Also Mike Gordon for our "15 minutes of fame" Really weird to get recognized on the street in a place you are visiting. Just a tiny, tiny sliver of what our favorite celebs have in their lives. One more, Kait, at Queen's Surf Cafe & Lanai....your food was delicious and well-priced! </span></span></div><div></div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Meeting and putting faces to all the other twitter/FB people equally incredible! I have a whole new circle of friends brought together by our common love (obsession??) for Hawaii Five-0. Not gonna name names for fear I'll miss someone. I look forward to staying in touch and seeing all of you again next year. I am already saving for it! </span></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">No more or I will start crying. SO looking forward to seeing all of you again next year or sooner. Planning a #H50 tweetup in Indianapolis some time in the next month to see Candy, Cindy and a couple other Midwesterners that weren't able to attend SOTB2. Tweet/FB if you want in! </span></span></div><div></div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In closing, I would say <b>YES Alex, Twitter and Facebook can be used for good. </b>Without them I wouldn't have had this fantastic experience (I understand why you don't want to though!) xoxoxoxo Special thanks to Maddy for all her hard work on telling "our" story!</span></span></div></div></div><br />
<strong><u>From Stacey:</u></strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Where to begin?</span></strong></div><strong></strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When I set out on this journey back in September, I had no idea what to expect. I was getting on an airplane and flying thousands of miles to a place I’d never been, to meet three women I had never met in person (Maddy, Ellen, and Deb), room with one of them for 8 days, sit on a beach with 10,000 screaming fans to watch a premiere of my favorite television show, hoping to give a gift to my favorite actor, and if that wasn’t enough, have our adventure told in the local Hawaiian press. Wow, what an adventure I had planned for myself.<strong> If this was a test, I passed with flying colors!!</strong></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">My adventure of a lifetime wouldn’t have been possible without the help and new friendships of several people. So I say <strong>MAHALO NUI LOA</strong> to…</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><strong>Bruce and Yaling Fisher</strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> – for all you did to organize our trip and group activities. You spent tireless hours for a group of people you didn’t know, and yet pulled off a fantastic event!</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><strong>My new Hawaiian Ohana (Wendie, J-Bob, Lisa, Keith, and Monica)</strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> – the tweetups, the tours (the Bayer Estate will always hold a special place in my heart and scrapbook!), and all of the time you spent entertaining us, YOU ROCK!</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><strong>Mike Gordon</strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> – how you sold your editor on our story, I’ll never know. You took 4 women from completely different parts of the country and made them famous for a few days. The amount of people who recognized us and asked us about our quest in getting the quilt to Alex was amazing!</span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Amy Bakari </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">– what can I say about you woman, you have <b>GOT</b> to be the most determined woman I have ever met. You helped us keep our eye on the ball and reminded us of what was important.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Kait from Queen’s Surf Café & Lanai</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> – Our luau and brunch were amazing! But most of all, that homemade chili of yours was a scary doppelganger for my mom’s and made me feel at home. And seeing the expression on your face when I guessed the secret ingredient was priceless. By the way, the secret ingredient is… go ask Kait!</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Peter Lenkov</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> – To find new ways of entertaining critics and the general public is a tough task, one that you, your team of writers and production staff, not to mention the great talents of your cast, have mastered flawlessly. <b>Thank you for giving us back our Mondays! </b>Oh, and the cocopuffs at 6AM on the beach weren’t bad either. <strong>And please... more shirtless McG!</strong></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Alex</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> – Mahalo for giving me a reason (several reasons) to go on this journey. I’m glad you got the quilt. Enjoy it and enjoy all of the many successes coming your way. You deserve it!</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And last but not least… I raise a glass (ok, it’s a Corona) and say cheers to my new lifelong friends: <b>Maddy (roomie!), Ellen, and Deb</b>. What can I say? I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. I love you ladies! And… <b>WE DID IT!</b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-67161884348289208392011-10-18T00:55:00.000-04:002011-10-18T00:55:39.608-04:00A Little Bird told us..... 9-14-11<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This was our last full day in Paradise. We had already decided that we wanted to see Pearl Harbor, the Arizona and the Mighty Mo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were well aware that we needed to get up and get moving to make sure we got a spot in line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had also gift wrapped the quilt, and had started taking it with us everywhere; knowing our opportunities to drop it off with someone connected with Hawaii Five-0 were getting slimmer by the hour.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A little bird had sent Madaline a Facebook chat message about the opportunity to see Hawaii Five-0 filming locally. Of course we dropped what we were doing, got dressed and headed out. There wasn’t any need to have a discussion. Pearl Harbor would be there the next time we came to Hawaii.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hopped in our rental car and found the location where they were filming. They were at a restaurant called Shokudo, right down the street from the production offices. We saw extras walking in front of the restaurant being filmed in an outdoor scene several times. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While we watched, Ellen spoke to a security guard and asked if there was anyone we could speak to about dropping off our quilt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were very thrilled and surprised when one of Alex’s “people” came over to speak to her. He remembered her from either the news article or the red carpet and immediately knew what she wanted. He and Ellen came over to the rest of us so he could speak to all of us at the same time. He suggested that we bring the quilt to the production offices. He stated he’d call ahead so that the quilt would be held for him and assured us that HE would make sure that Alex received the gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was incredibly nice and Ellen trusted him completely. After we spoke to him, we were keeping an eye on the doors of the restaurant because we were told there were actors inside waiting to do their outside scene.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The extras milling around, were providing the realistic backdrop behind the restaurant windows, but we couldn’t see anyone inside the restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon enough, we were rewarded. The extras took a break and Alex (looking so hot in his blue t-shirt) walked out of the restaurant with Lauren German. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watched as their make-up people got them prepped for the scene. They ran the scene several times from different angles. We were glued to the spot watching their every move. Although we were told not to take pictures, we did sneak one or two. How could you not sneak one of Alex in blue?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*SIGH*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceVkOp7NboyDWs67NLfcuhvznSZHp8HjRwp1A0yxWDamyT3indkyo5L083cSCLTPkEXFy0T_guXT4zhDS-Wza3muUZPuA9BlSEFMqAMmIvnhoKLh3gz9jB26vIhiK_TCRxGuxr0MMbRI/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceVkOp7NboyDWs67NLfcuhvznSZHp8HjRwp1A0yxWDamyT3indkyo5L083cSCLTPkEXFy0T_guXT4zhDS-Wza3muUZPuA9BlSEFMqAMmIvnhoKLh3gz9jB26vIhiK_TCRxGuxr0MMbRI/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfgEjYhcT_zT6KKF0leARL4iDWzDaSYS16nm-4TV9FOMwhJQFIcaoZoVS4678AYcVAAtV691z81QlMONVzSeUyJEkenxtKsfqm1IUSHNfvMtULTeL9wwcxScHZMPtZVnnFWNXpJoP_tc/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfgEjYhcT_zT6KKF0leARL4iDWzDaSYS16nm-4TV9FOMwhJQFIcaoZoVS4678AYcVAAtV691z81QlMONVzSeUyJEkenxtKsfqm1IUSHNfvMtULTeL9wwcxScHZMPtZVnnFWNXpJoP_tc/s320/013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As filming began to wrap at that location, the actors were quickly led to vans awaiting them on the side street. They sped away quickly and it was obvious that the crew was breaking down the equipment for the day. We walked back to our car, and drove to the production office to drop off the quilt. As promised, they were notified ahead of time and were expecting us. They graciously accepted the quilt and told us that they’d give it to Alex’s people personally. Mission accomplished.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To celebrate the quilt quest being over, we decided to do lunch at the Tropics Bar at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. It was a combination of our relief in having accomplished our task, and being in a place where so many H50 scenes have been shot that we felt the need to splurge on lunch. Just eating and relishing in the day’s events was so much fun. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After lunch, we decided to walk around the grounds and check out the many shops on the Hilton property and do a little shopping. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All in all, we were very happy to have been able to see our beloved Hawaii Five-0 being filmed, even if it was for a short time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being able to see Alex in action before we left was the icing on the cake. Now, when we see episode 2.06 air, we can say…we were there.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mahalo to the “little bird” that let us know where filming was that day. You know who you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">\m/ ^_^ \m/<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-7189846679605077182011-10-18T00:53:00.000-04:002011-10-18T00:53:09.650-04:00Road Trip! 9-13-2011<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today was the day we would leave Waikiki, which had served us well so far, but there was so much more we needed to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to rent a car and set off towards the East. </span></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Heading down Kalakaua Avenue, we passed by the Waikiki Aquarium, Queens Surf Café and Kapiolani Park. We made our way up Diamond Head Road overlooking Makalei Beach and Diamond Head Beach State Park. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We continued to follow the road which eventually brought us to the H1 highway. This led us to the windward side of the island. Past the Koko Crater, we pulled into the scenic overlook at Koko Head State Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just below us was Hanauma Bay. Of course, pictures were taken. We were even lucky enough to have a very nice couple take a picture of the four of us together for a change.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7f-izvUHCxuf57ZW2d4TEY4z9FAcRfr9Eo-FjdZGAGDQBhB0RpsNhZ8GXHNUoyyc4rmKkRb6mFZmw4ZT0Y-mSWnkVYds7TZnH0DSxuVMvQsEjrlwk49kUpiJzdw3V0JZwWtqUlaQ_14/s1600/064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7f-izvUHCxuf57ZW2d4TEY4z9FAcRfr9Eo-FjdZGAGDQBhB0RpsNhZ8GXHNUoyyc4rmKkRb6mFZmw4ZT0Y-mSWnkVYds7TZnH0DSxuVMvQsEjrlwk49kUpiJzdw3V0JZwWtqUlaQ_14/s320/064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmH3y6lKl1F8mW6aNZ2MFllENzgRaUT2BQhTLuG9FDYD8EgoIeSs1v9NYWYhdV0hPBFMm54zxzER5hIEtwTMQgHFbg2knhdD35qa7O-nhvYDc4H0Vg5P2ZTmGDx8xMa6b8UnJRg1wQcoo/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmH3y6lKl1F8mW6aNZ2MFllENzgRaUT2BQhTLuG9FDYD8EgoIeSs1v9NYWYhdV0hPBFMm54zxzER5hIEtwTMQgHFbg2knhdD35qa7O-nhvYDc4H0Vg5P2ZTmGDx8xMa6b8UnJRg1wQcoo/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> A little further down the road we stopped off at the Halona Blow Hole. Deb and Madaline got out hoping to get a picture or two of the water actually coming in through the blow hole. Their patience paid off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> After pictures there, we wound </span>our way around the island past Makapu’u Point, the lighthouse and continued around to the windward side of the island. It was truly spectacular. Driving past Waimanalo Beach was just incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That part of the coastline is well worth the trip and we highly recommend making your way there. </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqJphpD3ZcaRzoViHTYHCPnm3Sm25CdANvk0ESoVKuzv0emvew1gOW4kDB-eqN4RSKbS2WQePEZvk_DGiiXqXG9Fd_ke68Aig2r5geh94jyAvm-mZqK4J0O1I-xfp7ke3KGg_2cTLujc/s1600/070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqJphpD3ZcaRzoViHTYHCPnm3Sm25CdANvk0ESoVKuzv0emvew1gOW4kDB-eqN4RSKbS2WQePEZvk_DGiiXqXG9Fd_ke68Aig2r5geh94jyAvm-mZqK4J0O1I-xfp7ke3KGg_2cTLujc/s320/070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had heard that Hawaii Five-0 was filming today at the Paul Mitchell Estate over in Lanikai.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We knew it was going to be a closed set and we knew there was a snowballs chance in Hawaii that we’d see anything, but we headed that way anyhow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The neighborhood was really lovely. Although we didn’t see any of our H50 stars, we did see a part of Oahu, we all agreed, we’d be more than happy to move to, if we ever won the lottery. </span></span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After leaving Lanikai, we worked our way towards Kailua and Kualoa. We stopped at what was perhaps the single most beautiful place we found so far, Kualoa Beach Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water was exquisite shades of turquoise green and blue. Chinaman’s Hat or Mokoli’i Island was sitting right in front of us. The 360 degree view was just spectacular. To one side was Kualoa Beach. When we turned around, we realized we were a stone’s throw from the Kualoa Ranch and the Kualoa Valley. It was here that we decided, was the perfect backdrop to take photographs of the quilt for Alex… which was still in our possession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being between the emerald green mountains of Kualoa and the shores of the Pacific was the true meaning of being in paradise. It’s hard to convey the sense of peace we found at this park.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRaoeJFBGqJt19e9pJPwocTFZx6Lkxfxpqxtd-JMFUPGvXJAnvocExL5el7cBq-hpDCLk8yLTzdXptZ5B-Hq0kPdMi4gxyXQUDjx9QdrBRGwZjN3HNRjMtND1YdLMD6k3SAhevhFOXKE/s1600/079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRaoeJFBGqJt19e9pJPwocTFZx6Lkxfxpqxtd-JMFUPGvXJAnvocExL5el7cBq-hpDCLk8yLTzdXptZ5B-Hq0kPdMi4gxyXQUDjx9QdrBRGwZjN3HNRjMtND1YdLMD6k3SAhevhFOXKE/s320/079.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While taking pictures, we glanced over and realized that we were probably looking at the home used as MaryAnn McGarrett’s rental house from the Hawaii Five-0 Ke Kinohi episode. We went back and forth about it for a few minutes and swore to check the season 1 dvd when we got home to verify.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Of course, we were right about the house</span>. They don't call us H50fanatics for nothing. :)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQ4J0zSWbflwRRB0QG45lHegUh1GGcSAaYNQAsZjUARJqVOLRH3To2ax_225Q1yF8mF3O7gQDf7z1rguCIk_i9335k2XPOrY_6VI4dPKnozjm6g_1KdepxLUoIL3RECDqeQ-9YY-LjUM/s1600/Marianne+McG%2527s+house.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQ4J0zSWbflwRRB0QG45lHegUh1GGcSAaYNQAsZjUARJqVOLRH3To2ax_225Q1yF8mF3O7gQDf7z1rguCIk_i9335k2XPOrY_6VI4dPKnozjm6g_1KdepxLUoIL3RECDqeQ-9YY-LjUM/s320/Marianne+McG%2527s+house.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eventually we left that beautiful place and </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">continued driving towards the north shore. We were ravenous at this point in the day and just had to eat. We came upon our first shrimp truck and decided to stop. The place we stopped at was called Mike’s Huli Huli shrimp truck. Just reading the menu made us drool. Each of us tried something different so we could sneak a taste from one another’s plates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We couldn’t decide what tasted better, the chicken, pork or the shrimp, so we ordered all of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After lunch we continued our drive along the </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">north shore through Laie, Kahuku and around to Turtle Bay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scenery lulled Ellen to sleep. Madaline was still taking pictures and admiring the views along with Stacey and Deb. We decided to take the H2 back towards O’ahu. Ellen woke up somewhere around the Dole pineapple fields and plantation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The road wound its way back towards Pearl City through Aiea and on into the Waikiki area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided we wanted to see Punchbowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we got our bearings, we made our way through town and finally found it. Slowly, climbing up the hills and into Punchbowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a very solemn place to be. It amazed us to see so much beauty within a cemetery. There were these trees aligning the driveway, we'd never seen before that caught our attention. If any of you know what kind of trees they are, please leave us a comment. The 180 degree view of Waikiki below us in the valley was breathtaking. Knowing that our favorite show had filmed there several times wasn’t a bad thing either. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisIFJy2JpDr0RVqcCywzjgrL20q-K8Circmxz9uQkw8WR9DzjBIBAkwdvWTJL2Zm30zdVoR9a254WyQvs78e65klelMdC146hjyzWUPhJCTv9_xb_p4twCDrK5pW7LObXfuzOuFj-xRI/s1600/IMG_0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisIFJy2JpDr0RVqcCywzjgrL20q-K8Circmxz9uQkw8WR9DzjBIBAkwdvWTJL2Zm30zdVoR9a254WyQvs78e65klelMdC146hjyzWUPhJCTv9_xb_p4twCDrK5pW7LObXfuzOuFj-xRI/s320/IMG_0605.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnerQOCYYLjJuoLiXhlFY6oTMUjxdqeS7UxCaBNrOSE3yOo3mKYcnSr6B9dWaha9UcwOaLrQGIlLFdJ5SxOrecERCMEqGoIXgWXdAw-3uqnVx7DuzV2UtUhPd5_T_7zsD2q2uh3-dN_WI/s1600/IMG_0597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnerQOCYYLjJuoLiXhlFY6oTMUjxdqeS7UxCaBNrOSE3yOo3mKYcnSr6B9dWaha9UcwOaLrQGIlLFdJ5SxOrecERCMEqGoIXgWXdAw-3uqnVx7DuzV2UtUhPd5_T_7zsD2q2uh3-dN_WI/s320/IMG_0597.JPG" width="179" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a long day of site seeing, we realized we needed to gas up the car. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did see Leonard’s Bakery when we wound our way through the local streets, but didn’t stop for malasadas or coco puffs. Our final tour stop was going to be at the Diamond Head Health Bar to taste one of Alex </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">O’Loughlin’s favorite treats, an acai bowl.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After our snack we made our way towards Hawaii Kai. Our new friend, Bruce Fisher and his lovely wife Yaling, invited us over for cocktails. Some of the friends we met during SOTB were there. We all were very happy to see each other again. We’d all been doing our own tours and such around the island the last couple of days, so it was nice to catch up. We arrived there around sunset, so of course pictures were taken. The sunsets in Hawaii are just incredible. Every one of them is different from day to day. This was no exception. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">LisaLisa98 and Keith Sato showed up bearing gifts...malasadas from Leonard’s Bakery!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not just one box, but 3 boxes of them. They were still hot too. Once they were opened, they were fair game. I think all 3 boxes were devoured in about 2 minutes. Simply delicious! </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONlJ4uKOpo-n1W1oRZum8HQRHNGNaScse2gJ3_ZJDef5pSmBroi5wVuswNU0XNZ4rwdIyfCLnkNd1yseAtMugD8ufKTK2GA3dp5A061GL76L9N_BZg0nqVCfFo6xEgSTq1aDxxFrqMns/s1600/174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONlJ4uKOpo-n1W1oRZum8HQRHNGNaScse2gJ3_ZJDef5pSmBroi5wVuswNU0XNZ4rwdIyfCLnkNd1yseAtMugD8ufKTK2GA3dp5A061GL76L9N_BZg0nqVCfFo6xEgSTq1aDxxFrqMns/s320/174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bruce asked some of us if we wanted a tour of the area where he lived. It was an island community within the island of Oahu. The Kaupa Pond surrounded him. He took us for a twilight boat ride around and gave us a little history of the area. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was very cool. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Soon after we got back, we decided to head back to the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> So we said our goodbyes, cried some tears and left. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we got back to the hotel, Deb and Ellen went back to their room to settle in for the night. Stacey and Madaline decided to grab a late night snack and a drink before turning in. They found Wendie, her husband, and several others hanging out at Lulu’s bar and decided to join them. Good conversation, good food and friends. What more could we ask for?</span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All in all, this was a great day. Beautiful scenery and spending the day with friends, (who felt more like family to us) made for some memories we’ll never forget. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here'a a link to more pictures of our tour. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2497733803684.299162.1263050188&type=1&l=1a6c4ac1e5">Tour pictures</a></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-30014640819700146492011-10-18T00:03:00.000-04:002011-10-18T00:03:56.882-04:00Fly Makani Kai...... Sept. 12, 2011After four days of meeting new friends, laughing, partying, sweating on the beach at SOTB, touring our favorite Hawaii Five-0 filming locales, and doing some shopping, there was only one thing left to do....See Hawaii from the air! Prior to going to Hawaii, Stacey and Madaline booked their tour online with <a href="http://www.makanikai.com/">Makani Kai Helicopters</a>. Joining them was another twitter friend @TereseaLea. We were all looking forward to our 45 min tour of O'ahu.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nulh7IxE0tXWU1svJLo4Dj2QPNQB_fC3poAC0IHI1D-SmtL_snXQhSeHKReQoKKzC4ADVjaEd2DgJ8StgOFo0OqHAM6QUOFMKXOY4fSdnAZOfyHyBOk-iu5HqYMV9CWjcOQpOb4Dyvo/s1600/322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nulh7IxE0tXWU1svJLo4Dj2QPNQB_fC3poAC0IHI1D-SmtL_snXQhSeHKReQoKKzC4ADVjaEd2DgJ8StgOFo0OqHAM6QUOFMKXOY4fSdnAZOfyHyBOk-iu5HqYMV9CWjcOQpOb4Dyvo/s320/322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The van arrived to pick us up at our hotel. Away we went towards Honolulu International Airport. En route to the airport, we watched our flight safety video and chatted with our driver, Rob. Upon arrival, we strapped on our life preservers and Rob guided us to the chopper. It wasn't 77H that's been used by Hawaii Five-0, but it was great just the same. After a few instructions from our pilot, <span class="text10bld">Eiki Miyasato, we took off for 45 minutes of exploration.</span><br />
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<span class="text10bld"> Our tour took us to places that we did not see on the ground yet. Honolulu Harbor, Magic Island, Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel were just the start. We continued over Waikiki Beach where we'd been all week. Down the coastline headed straight for Diamond Head crater. As we flew over it, we got to see the Army installation that was built inside. That was very cool! </span><br />
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<span class="text10bld">Leaving Diamond Head behind us, we headed for the windward side of the island. Most of the locations we had driven by on our H50 tour were now being seen from the air. Here's a list of the beautiful places we flew over....and yes, there are plenty of pictures for you to enjoy. (see the link at the bottom of the page)</span><br />
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Sandy Beach<br />
Makakpu'u Point<br />
Sea Life Park<br />
Sea Life Park<br />
Mount Olomana<br />
Nuuanu Pali (Pali Lookout)<br />
Kaneohe Bay<br />
Chinaman's Hat (Mokoli'i Island)<br />
Ka'a'awa Valley (a.k.a. Jurassic Park Valley)<br />
Sacred Falls<br />
Polynesian Cultural Center<br />
Mormon Temple<br />
Sunset Beach<br />
Waimea Bay<br />
Dole Pineapple Plantation<br />
Kukaniloko (a.k.a The Birthing Stones )<br />
Pearl Harbor (which included The U.S.S Missouri & The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial)<br />
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Here's a link to our photo's from the flight. I hope you enjoy looking at them. We had a wonderful time. If you ever get the chance to come to Hawaii, please call our friends at Makani Kai Helicopters to book a tour. You will not be disappointed.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2454633806211.297766.1263050188&type=3">Makani Kai Helicopter Tour</a><br />
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Mahalo to Rob Chiong, Eiki Miyasato, and Richard Schuman for making our afternoon flight such a wonderful experience. <br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-30734160524003420352011-10-01T11:22:00.004-04:002011-10-12T07:17:25.063-04:00H50 Fan Tour Sept. 11, 2011Today we walked, drove and drooled through all the places our favorite 5-0 team has done filming for season one. We all met at 9:30am in the lobby of the Park Shore Hotel; Starbucks in hand of course. As we awaited the bus to pick us up, we all had one place on our mind that was on the tour, The Bayer Estate. McG's house in all it's glory. Unfortunately, we had to wait as it was the last stop of the day.<br />
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The bus arrived and we piled on. We were greeted by our favorite travel agent, <a href="http://www.hawaii-aloha.com/">Bruce Fisher</a> and his lovely wife,Yaling along with our favorite Five-0 team, @LisaLisa98, @KeithSato, @WendieJoy & @H50Undercover. Remember, <a href="http://www.50undercover.com/">H50undercover </a> revealed his identity to us earlier this week; however we do not speak his real name (kinda like Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter). He is lovingly known to us as JBob. JBob and Wendie led the tour with a colorful and entertaining commentary. Each location we'd pass by or stopped at included some intriguing ghost stories narrated by <a href="http://www.honolulupulse.com/category/blogs/five-0-redux">Wendie</a>. Hawaiian folk lore at its best.<br />
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The list of places to see or stop at went something like this:<br />
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Ala Moana Park. Our beloved Five-0 cast films here a lot. Whenever you see the Wailoa Shave Ice or Kamekona's shave ice stand, this is where they are. <br />
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In addition to seeing the area around the park, we passed the yacht club used for the tsunami episode, Kai E'E,<br />
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the Wailana Coffee house (this was used not only in season 1 but recently in season 2 Epi 02).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_wxi3ppJksy38lQ6FNMGe8UOCT7mU9FqRb8btbLQ2BylUIgseZIzjrqodzl_XFsd7TlF710GccRvDR5y5fan95KtiC50u_P-y7_Ld00sjYbrx9siia75jaP5XexbGTpzXQjKBarTLXI/s1600/140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_wxi3ppJksy38lQ6FNMGe8UOCT7mU9FqRb8btbLQ2BylUIgseZIzjrqodzl_XFsd7TlF710GccRvDR5y5fan95KtiC50u_P-y7_Ld00sjYbrx9siia75jaP5XexbGTpzXQjKBarTLXI/s200/140.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWt97hzWzU6fzEIGBdOsL4b2WSMdl87zbdJqp_AXUHk8JRhFYpcIPFfU0PJcHW7SBmBVD4SFVkkJ0bUlxxBV6MFvvO2V_OyuijF9YsCYnR-4HtleZqvSUkGi6BdixSI-hJ695ZotvBeGs/s1600/137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWt97hzWzU6fzEIGBdOsL4b2WSMdl87zbdJqp_AXUHk8JRhFYpcIPFfU0PJcHW7SBmBVD4SFVkkJ0bUlxxBV6MFvvO2V_OyuijF9YsCYnR-4HtleZqvSUkGi6BdixSI-hJ695ZotvBeGs/s200/137.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Hilton Hawaiian village, and The llikai Hotel. (This was used in the opening credits. McG does that head turn to look into the camera on the top floor of this hotel.) Then we made our way past the heart of the Five-0 show, the production studios, 605 Kapiolani. It looked like any other bldg in town. The best parts were on the inside. All the sets, the green screen for the internal cargument segments, the computer table, the Five-0 HQ offices et al.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4Z4wyKxFIcnP2oPKos885TMC-tbxX4cuElbfNIi9TCyEvK6oRuK0zKXeoYWbB8MPNHYeXJjiWRpnW_fCtLg4tJZIMH_jIN1RnKcAoLQQZ_rgYkUHMsZqeeUHUglXtqzfN7ZEyYkAWzM/s1600/164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4Z4wyKxFIcnP2oPKos885TMC-tbxX4cuElbfNIi9TCyEvK6oRuK0zKXeoYWbB8MPNHYeXJjiWRpnW_fCtLg4tJZIMH_jIN1RnKcAoLQQZ_rgYkUHMsZqeeUHUglXtqzfN7ZEyYkAWzM/s320/164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Slowly, we made our way through downtown. Yes, we're off to Five-0 HQ. All the major buildings you'd see in the show. The post office, Ali'olani Hale, King Kamehameha Statue, and the I'olani Palace. Our driver pulled over on the side street and we all grabbed our cameras and headed out. With our jaws dragging on the ground, we slowly came upon the King Kamehameha statue. We were there. The place our favorite cast has walked so many times before. Of course we all stopped to take individual & groups pictures. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3qspcjflZb8M9b5M7o5H_UBttFfPYs8s98GQMi4ndmstl_3AqUjKx_O1Pl4dTHeaG9TF-MT5FkuZsly0brr2k65XDyWc78ogPG4r1oGl-J55z4EdDk0CJZhG9xmvbSLx2jt5SIZiA2A/s1600/203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3qspcjflZb8M9b5M7o5H_UBttFfPYs8s98GQMi4ndmstl_3AqUjKx_O1Pl4dTHeaG9TF-MT5FkuZsly0brr2k65XDyWc78ogPG4r1oGl-J55z4EdDk0CJZhG9xmvbSLx2jt5SIZiA2A/s320/203.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6l-7lDYQIZweyxRO2z59cr3Cy6Kj4RRnepdAROqwLUTCq_nVdYEjHYWtoY4rPOETUyv0_3PrJXMRKANnqV_C9PNF-wPXmq6sQdC-DwKgO1T-AS15oYvnc25Tlz7Tuscz1QIH5muaxRVA/s1600/211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6l-7lDYQIZweyxRO2z59cr3Cy6Kj4RRnepdAROqwLUTCq_nVdYEjHYWtoY4rPOETUyv0_3PrJXMRKANnqV_C9PNF-wPXmq6sQdC-DwKgO1T-AS15oYvnc25Tlz7Tuscz1QIH5muaxRVA/s320/211.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5DBUT96rqTDujCr2CsHKmxrgVB5eFzFx1aYBwlP5IFvSdReQqSKHVq6_MFI0Xyb2hUWwzb6kT1awH6nDUcLK0foJGQMy_tmvRV3CCVQCKxR9-SDmjV6aYLdYDRQDNjI0QLQSFz3hnOc/s1600/208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5DBUT96rqTDujCr2CsHKmxrgVB5eFzFx1aYBwlP5IFvSdReQqSKHVq6_MFI0Xyb2hUWwzb6kT1awH6nDUcLK0foJGQMy_tmvRV3CCVQCKxR9-SDmjV6aYLdYDRQDNjI0QLQSFz3hnOc/s320/208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJryZ8yS99FcenvSH37q6R4Wa9KInUDR3gqiBxt4w5Qj4_6gzJGiKWYAOmctlmNjMInbBOCrhw5KZrJ0AJYZVD8HgvKVJxApH1DcT8MdPnivCgAsvxphDAS0EuKSvm3ofb7A34sBcf8U/s1600/214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJryZ8yS99FcenvSH37q6R4Wa9KInUDR3gqiBxt4w5Qj4_6gzJGiKWYAOmctlmNjMInbBOCrhw5KZrJ0AJYZVD8HgvKVJxApH1DcT8MdPnivCgAsvxphDAS0EuKSvm3ofb7A34sBcf8U/s320/214.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we drove down the H1, 2 or 3 (I can't remember which one?) we headed towards the Pali Lookout. We gradually made our way up the mountain. The bus driver found a shady spot to park and we made our way off the bus and up a long path. As we walked up the pathway to the top of the lookout, we could see a peek here and there of our surroundings. All around us were these amazing , lush,green mountains full of crevasses. They alone were so beautiful and majestic to look at. As we approached the overlook, we all just held our breath. At the end of the path was the most amazing view of Hawaii we've ever seen. There in front of us was Waimanalo Valley, the Pali Highway cutting through the valley below, and Hanauma Bay in the distance with its sparkling blue/green waters. Trust us when we say, these pictures do not do this or any other part of Hawaii justice. You've gotta see it for yourself.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After taking in the view from above the valley, we soon boarded the bus once again and made our way into the valley, passing through Waimanalo, past the Makapu'u Beach and lighthouse, the Halona Blow Hole and Hanauma Bay. Just breathtakingly beautiful. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After driving around for an hour, it was time for lunch. We stopped at the Koko Marina Shopping Center to eat. With a plethora of places to eat, we didn't know where to go first. Stacey, Deb and I decided to try the Loco Moco. Stacey had the traditional meat one. I had some kind of seafood combo and Deb had the chicken and shrimp. Ellen ate at a new cafe across the way. She had chicken of some kind. Do you really care? Just know everything we ate was delicious! After lunch some of us decided to have some ice cream. Bubbie's mochi ice cream was da bomb! I don't recall what flavor I had but it was so good. @LisaLisa98 insisted I try it and I'm glad she did. I also had a cup of mint chocolate chip. So much tastier than back home in New Jersey. Lunch was over and it was time to get back on the bus. Last stop, the Bayer Estate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So we finally arrived at the <a href="http://the%20bayer%20estate/">The Bayer Estate</a>. As we all filed into the front yard through the gate shown above, a familiar sound filled our ears. You guessed it, The Hawaii Five-0 theme! It was rigged to go off when we came in. The family that now owns the estate, the Mirakitani Family, greeted us as we walked in. Even their dog got greeted us in true Five-0 fashion. In staying with tradition, we were asked to remove our shoes before entering their quaint home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamyaG02CUVZ45hD_iNtEUrh6Iy8Rumnef3KTkUwIxpG_fw-S9gAaXa7I3Q2H6We5PiH-N6tai-LiC-7hekSgff52ebbB8TGeNAn98cxLUVxNL3u61AST2JmYdvPUT-n7wf0izVSJ6Zq0/s1600/297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamyaG02CUVZ45hD_iNtEUrh6Iy8Rumnef3KTkUwIxpG_fw-S9gAaXa7I3Q2H6We5PiH-N6tai-LiC-7hekSgff52ebbB8TGeNAn98cxLUVxNL3u61AST2JmYdvPUT-n7wf0izVSJ6Zq0/s320/297.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjogu3B3wAAkUEl2flK_DAnI4gyk1BnEl8JAwrc4K23CxmjXU599Mi2Zs6Qj-xQ8dgrXlrLWCdE9539k7xIYRMTUvLAxIqF1nuadLjHwJ9swxQMy6TEwXAWMnTy1j4_OR-KPjhVHTLDM/s1600/298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjogu3B3wAAkUEl2flK_DAnI4gyk1BnEl8JAwrc4K23CxmjXU599Mi2Zs6Qj-xQ8dgrXlrLWCdE9539k7xIYRMTUvLAxIqF1nuadLjHwJ9swxQMy6TEwXAWMnTy1j4_OR-KPjhVHTLDM/s320/298.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogCmN6KaUhQmlAanF70Tg1dDjy54tobVbpeleQFZvNi5A_wYYFQZAkgWA9s39bt2GtzzDlofrs3j8XxOqlbIkbjYuIO_ig5_tRvzIuFUmUxwJHKddBU-s9DmQjtcp6laOxSVu-SZAooM/s1600/302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogCmN6KaUhQmlAanF70Tg1dDjy54tobVbpeleQFZvNi5A_wYYFQZAkgWA9s39bt2GtzzDlofrs3j8XxOqlbIkbjYuIO_ig5_tRvzIuFUmUxwJHKddBU-s9DmQjtcp6laOxSVu-SZAooM/s320/302.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJ5WuF_yIUXBReddIyVmYOUL0kvHUwg6Gd9B3Ux_-rpUR6On7dwBipGU6O9ZF8rOHxyhWDtUmQqGoaVc5ZCqVsz97VWAdqd1MB9PzIn-a4A8xwS9GeXv5z92u56pyLf_pkcVnW5K7T2Q/s1600/303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJ5WuF_yIUXBReddIyVmYOUL0kvHUwg6Gd9B3Ux_-rpUR6On7dwBipGU6O9ZF8rOHxyhWDtUmQqGoaVc5ZCqVsz97VWAdqd1MB9PzIn-a4A8xwS9GeXv5z92u56pyLf_pkcVnW5K7T2Q/s320/303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fgvkS6_qRElGx_6qw-gv7MWAS7oi2p3cVVAXnVNwR2xu-oxaBpfR4becNj8VgK8Qk3jBpzc0WnUPeoBw6f-NMYoM6a7CXPEw3z1mk1593O4P8HAa4-YFBu2UhHe-_r1_yGGHkVtIb_U/s1600/305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fgvkS6_qRElGx_6qw-gv7MWAS7oi2p3cVVAXnVNwR2xu-oxaBpfR4becNj8VgK8Qk3jBpzc0WnUPeoBw6f-NMYoM6a7CXPEw3z1mk1593O4P8HAa4-YFBu2UhHe-_r1_yGGHkVtIb_U/s320/305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So how familiar does all of this look to you? Then you can imagine how we all felt walking in the footsteps of McGarrett himself. It was so surreal! Looking at the staircase he walked down in Ke Kinohi, walking out through the doors out to the lanai into the backyard and seeing the famous "chairs" that he and Danny sat in having beers in the Pilot episode. (not exactly the same chairs but close enough) Of course, we all took turns taking pictures in them. LOL </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_Qc7iaJKk1xenRl-cjQ1yWUHO-U08JzNy7j0h1aXwI-GlaS0bkw4KnkRjaoZpJLBs92lFMX4pFFn7uyJtAp4ZAX-Cn_-F0dN8bt5P-o0-rXOeo-0Y-Rm_brf2xgCtjrShaZuEwt_GV0/s1600/331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_Qc7iaJKk1xenRl-cjQ1yWUHO-U08JzNy7j0h1aXwI-GlaS0bkw4KnkRjaoZpJLBs92lFMX4pFFn7uyJtAp4ZAX-Cn_-F0dN8bt5P-o0-rXOeo-0Y-Rm_brf2xgCtjrShaZuEwt_GV0/s320/331.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjkNClpZy-erwiOV7qq_eEtk0zQpavtrYUfpiDQ5UR3o1rJGR0Iz4q4dFZjFOTfl2I3MR5v_RTHqBT6FXFuzFYHetSG1Ei04exIEUTXZrTJNgc_xQ8FrPUFd828YNtg-wOMFQ72lsp4E/s1600/313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjkNClpZy-erwiOV7qq_eEtk0zQpavtrYUfpiDQ5UR3o1rJGR0Iz4q4dFZjFOTfl2I3MR5v_RTHqBT6FXFuzFYHetSG1Ei04exIEUTXZrTJNgc_xQ8FrPUFd828YNtg-wOMFQ72lsp4E/s320/313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh yeah, and the view was beautiful from here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After our pictures, we were invited to have refreshments, compliments of the family, on the lanai. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mochi_ice_cream">Mochi ice cream</a> and assorted beverages for all. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then, we made our way back into the house. We floated around the dining room, back through the living room and into the kitchen. Just across the hall from the kitchen was McG's bedroom. (which in the H50 episodes it's shown upstairs.) When we walked into the bedroom, there it was...the brass bed McGarrett and Catherine were in together in Nalowale. Once again, many pictures were taken in this room and on this bed. *wink wink* </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NzsaTr4O4Nak0eKOkczXRLInIx_qYXrkJgJm0DRYzz3AsEG_moSpd6xk6P-WiyfU3LmSAsyDgSRD1yrmbuhb_WU8xskKqN7PbhSqPo4aDq3oSVvzIGY3Z1Hp5g1CDDPtMFLK0U_3bPo/s1600/316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NzsaTr4O4Nak0eKOkczXRLInIx_qYXrkJgJm0DRYzz3AsEG_moSpd6xk6P-WiyfU3LmSAsyDgSRD1yrmbuhb_WU8xskKqN7PbhSqPo4aDq3oSVvzIGY3Z1Hp5g1CDDPtMFLK0U_3bPo/s320/316.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After lying in McG's bed and wishing he were there with us, some of us went back upstairs to look around. Again, very familiar rooms. Den, another bedroom and the balcony off the back of the house we see in many aerial shots of the home. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2B_1x5y8z11IEoWyjr1BN-hGQo4v5AkfMdx8dTeIuDifzgAtTefscYEWDY6KU0q-2dkWlj504iDvmZI2Qmjboo-ETVh91ZEKwRlNSZthroGxlCDfABUMQRrN2QwCHzIhZLv7eStqOpAs/s1600/321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2B_1x5y8z11IEoWyjr1BN-hGQo4v5AkfMdx8dTeIuDifzgAtTefscYEWDY6KU0q-2dkWlj504iDvmZI2Qmjboo-ETVh91ZEKwRlNSZthroGxlCDfABUMQRrN2QwCHzIhZLv7eStqOpAs/s320/321.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately, the time had come for us to go. Couldn't believe an hour could go by so fast. Some of us found the owners and thanked them for their hospitality and for allowing us to roam around freely taking pictures and drooling. As we headed for the front door, one of the family members recognized us from the article that Mike Gordon (a.k.a. @CrankyDad) had done in Friday's Star Advertiser. She asked us to sign the article for her. Of course, we obliged. She also asked if we had seen "the bed" where McG had been. 2 of us did and 2 of us didn't. She insisted that we take a picture on the bed together before we left. It as a crowning moment to the day. The H50Fanatics were enjoying our 15 minutes of fame once again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NUililVzBSVbAqUROtyd4fzubA-pEi2tG1rUjCNFx8yoBiFFW1Vo-F9pjNKzd-QAVvNINOt83eGq4WI1CC3mYCJjqSTss-yqTDjetH82ZJ0RFPsEQYmKV8DmYp4z40KKhkv7L1evIIo/s1600/338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NUililVzBSVbAqUROtyd4fzubA-pEi2tG1rUjCNFx8yoBiFFW1Vo-F9pjNKzd-QAVvNINOt83eGq4WI1CC3mYCJjqSTss-yqTDjetH82ZJ0RFPsEQYmKV8DmYp4z40KKhkv7L1evIIo/s400/338.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCo_vVvHPHjIsA64PWWSb2McNKDk9_xdgWLoBfMIg05jpYKCZdetPAafNMZNINPAlnind-_UTN6Q8YkuNaNUpR6N47GzAkJ87nA7HOBhQpiuUH9e7wRwxk_ufT9pF-AKL5vPIRL5m7pT4/s1600/340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCo_vVvHPHjIsA64PWWSb2McNKDk9_xdgWLoBfMIg05jpYKCZdetPAafNMZNINPAlnind-_UTN6Q8YkuNaNUpR6N47GzAkJ87nA7HOBhQpiuUH9e7wRwxk_ufT9pF-AKL5vPIRL5m7pT4/s400/340.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We'd like to thank The Mirakitani Family for their hospitality, generosity, and for allowing us to invade their home for one glorious hour. Mahalo and Aloha nui loa to the entire family!<br />
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This had concluded our Hawaii Five-0 location tour. For their first attempt at a tour, Bruce, Yaling, Wendie, H50Undercover, Lisa and Keith had all done a wonderful job. It was very informative, interactive, and best of all, they gave a lot of Hawaii Five-0 fans memories to last a lifetime. Mahalo for the effort and Aloha nui loa one and all. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RV3SGHK6D5KrjseFPfnPmzutMvO7yuZxOBzlWL2LW77IOoBm-T3YZVVfI0rbYcjWtKseXWtNsT1bJDbRoBIko3EbPdLPmnwOMcicFZtN6TsEfWqoStAFO2YjHp0F8K2zbPcxVcUxdZ0/s1600/H50+Fan+Tour+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RV3SGHK6D5KrjseFPfnPmzutMvO7yuZxOBzlWL2LW77IOoBm-T3YZVVfI0rbYcjWtKseXWtNsT1bJDbRoBIko3EbPdLPmnwOMcicFZtN6TsEfWqoStAFO2YjHp0F8K2zbPcxVcUxdZ0/s640/H50+Fan+Tour+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-76864623226909867082011-09-22T01:54:00.002-04:002011-09-30T12:38:57.523-04:00Sunset On The Beach - Hawaii Five-0 Season 2 Premiere 9-10-11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHZvb1zbQEyIHImOqxoH4T7Vv72k727lm5PXAORyUGfXLgSWnhyc1PwBNE6Dd5Jargl3WlucxbzO24yO6vHK-iymoSvp4r7qvBmPZWi_wqBYMCajiohW3rHUJYJ4j-2mWHoOzp2LL9lU/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHZvb1zbQEyIHImOqxoH4T7Vv72k727lm5PXAORyUGfXLgSWnhyc1PwBNE6Dd5Jargl3WlucxbzO24yO6vHK-iymoSvp4r7qvBmPZWi_wqBYMCajiohW3rHUJYJ4j-2mWHoOzp2LL9lU/s400/010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <br />
The sun begins to set on Waikiki and the red carpet has been rolled out. Lights, camera, action! The festivities began with some live music from Hapa. Then we were treated to some awesome fire dancers. Along for the ride was a local DJ tossing some Hawaii Five-0 visors to the crowd. The media lined up along the red carpet setting up their areas for their interviews with the stars. One by one, the crew members arrived and made their way to their seats as we awaited the arrival of the cast. Amongst the media, some of our own Five-0 twitter pals, <span class="profileName fn ginormousProfileName fwb">Wendie Staszkow Burbridge </span>(@WendieJoy), Mike Gordon (@CrankyDad), and Mel (@Melapaloosa).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU670bl_nH081hYz2Fh6Ocutubkf1o_r7RNsNjQtx0oAiZ6xZFoKcB3NAaZw0HodYEuBcJ4aKlyGsDyrExfsurnfDCBXT-WYLvLdqR1P90tv1gPQsAJOp2vyipzsUwmhbpY0VHXSfsztY/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU670bl_nH081hYz2Fh6Ocutubkf1o_r7RNsNjQtx0oAiZ6xZFoKcB3NAaZw0HodYEuBcJ4aKlyGsDyrExfsurnfDCBXT-WYLvLdqR1P90tv1gPQsAJOp2vyipzsUwmhbpY0VHXSfsztY/s320/016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
In the distance, we could hear the fans screaming behind the massive viewing screen. Making their way through the media blitz, the Hawaii Five-0 cast. First cast member down the carpet, Masi Oka (Dr. Max Bergman) He was so nice to everybody. Signed many autographs and greeted all of the five-0 fans graciously.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkE5YaPI3BbZyCc9PGbocg9_pmi_f8P_8WWpQXfqO3Wz1IfcWik2J1b0BpTfxGnrmzxzIcK6y32e3XlA8JKjgSBbz6W1DLdJLCBlYwrpXsMUhztWeoZYeWjHfO0hY_mjMnbL6WnfeHtS0/s1600/053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkE5YaPI3BbZyCc9PGbocg9_pmi_f8P_8WWpQXfqO3Wz1IfcWik2J1b0BpTfxGnrmzxzIcK6y32e3XlA8JKjgSBbz6W1DLdJLCBlYwrpXsMUhztWeoZYeWjHfO0hY_mjMnbL6WnfeHtS0/s320/053.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Second in line, the five-0 Executive Producers, Peter Lenkov and Roberto Orci. They were both so overwhelmed to see the massive turn out for the show. People as far away as Germany, Hungary and Alex's native Australia were among the crowd. Many of us were locals or from the mainland. We were all there to cheer on our favorite cast and crew and to celebrate season 2. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgb-NR-0_6vLAl6zigNdCFR-Ij_9rt_qqB_f7iHqAlUZGFn5lR4u6atnemyPsV7G-qRQT0t0w3aqsqbahh12qH-JysillXZjg52efcF_uPnTa3Q_KzYlRS4W6513Wcx0CvwBM-gbZapc/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgb-NR-0_6vLAl6zigNdCFR-Ij_9rt_qqB_f7iHqAlUZGFn5lR4u6atnemyPsV7G-qRQT0t0w3aqsqbahh12qH-JysillXZjg52efcF_uPnTa3Q_KzYlRS4W6513Wcx0CvwBM-gbZapc/s320/041.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKlZqQvVhu6xu9ov-PaVwj2o3afy7sy6bNIQV_hrfgW8OJdN70j-mHWLsK2fvWz4nV8kNY4Q2gXdlneMyEIm-OB28Lt34PjEJpi0X2z97hLeU_fjePeLcW-6MpkPjo_OF95cd1mN_HhI/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKlZqQvVhu6xu9ov-PaVwj2o3afy7sy6bNIQV_hrfgW8OJdN70j-mHWLsK2fvWz4nV8kNY4Q2gXdlneMyEIm-OB28Lt34PjEJpi0X2z97hLeU_fjePeLcW-6MpkPjo_OF95cd1mN_HhI/s320/047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Little by little the screaming would crescendo. We knew the Five-0 team was here. Daniel Dae Kim arrived looking handsome as ever. He was also very gracious, stopping for pictures and signing<br />
autographs for the fans that waited all day in the hot sun for him to arrive. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTS9OihfjOFM8QYqPyIT1mozlbvCqu1fRqm-3-5iZYYHf7MqQPpvMMVw-afY0-Xn4_G18vvddDV7wlp352-z4hlQK4BCFc2pOE_xzcJdpaNlY_Md5xq6ysr8F2qEZVbUDjHjbtkEVEU8Y/s1600/074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTS9OihfjOFM8QYqPyIT1mozlbvCqu1fRqm-3-5iZYYHf7MqQPpvMMVw-afY0-Xn4_G18vvddDV7wlp352-z4hlQK4BCFc2pOE_xzcJdpaNlY_Md5xq6ysr8F2qEZVbUDjHjbtkEVEU8Y/s320/074.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Following Daniel were the beautiful ladies of Five-0 this season, Grace Park, Lauren German and Daniela Ruah. Daniela was in town to film her cross-over episode from her series NCIS:LA. Grace walked down the carpet so fast, I didn't get one shot of her. Thank goodness one of us did. We hear she looked stunning all dolled up for this exciting occassion. Daniela and Lauren looked beautiful too. Both wearing white and cream colored dresses and very high heels. Wearing them proved to be a risky venture when they stepped off the red carpet and onto the beach to greet the fans. Sinking fast into the sand and making their way to the fans behind the barricades calling to them for a picture or an autograph.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK0YVlXQRaFV3I_MOmMFwlS9FGn5pOH_Jv9kBdroH-379VvXHJMWlSko1ZL5Y6QsmE-iLwJVij7vEyvHDG4K-dNh3pytyw2TPKxdIWrnOtb-QVXDyTiCfhtakLtmFNvnGeixGpB4XoFM/s1600/080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK0YVlXQRaFV3I_MOmMFwlS9FGn5pOH_Jv9kBdroH-379VvXHJMWlSko1ZL5Y6QsmE-iLwJVij7vEyvHDG4K-dNh3pytyw2TPKxdIWrnOtb-QVXDyTiCfhtakLtmFNvnGeixGpB4XoFM/s320/080.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM16EVsAfQvx5HjoN0mkowlSm9F2gev3VODvKa03ZleDkjHTjrcSxK4H9mToT68e1qck1z5G4Jzo223YxdYBUrYh21euAYExqp9kx6j6ODa-DiE8xjAFzlphL8ZO6z5VjMBGUOWz2ZJHc/s1600/087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM16EVsAfQvx5HjoN0mkowlSm9F2gev3VODvKa03ZleDkjHTjrcSxK4H9mToT68e1qck1z5G4Jzo223YxdYBUrYh21euAYExqp9kx6j6ODa-DiE8xjAFzlphL8ZO6z5VjMBGUOWz2ZJHc/s320/087.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiib8NG_Miiow4xqaB-4JTJh4tO4bNwrRswBAziGYofCJmCzMlxZkoHrOxztdcfBk4hY6cfFqnXAhIBUO7wlMxCxLckUF4TJDZBqHGkCEluHKFpGR5HUNp-NI2-sIZK29s0I71kQ2Wz2EU/s1600/Grace+Park+SOTB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiib8NG_Miiow4xqaB-4JTJh4tO4bNwrRswBAziGYofCJmCzMlxZkoHrOxztdcfBk4hY6cfFqnXAhIBUO7wlMxCxLckUF4TJDZBqHGkCEluHKFpGR5HUNp-NI2-sIZK29s0I71kQ2Wz2EU/s320/Grace+Park+SOTB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The crowds screams were hitting a higher decibel level now. Scott Caan, Terry O'Quinn, Marc Dacascos and the Big Kahuna himself, Alex O'Loughlin finally arrived. As they made their way down the red carpet, screams of Scott, Terry, Mark and ALEX danced upon the night air. Flashes were going off like fireflies dancing in the night. You just didn't know where to turn next. Each of them came off the red carpet, greeted their adoring fans, stopped to take pictures and signed a lot of autographs. All we could do was watch and take pictures as each handsome man went by us. Scott was kind enough to stop and strike a pose with another one of our twitter peeps, Andy. (@Andyisjiajia) We think Andy had an outer body experience when Scott came up to him, signed his photography book and took this picture. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwMlEMYev0DxGyaaTxGOUxmf1PkCXlUXIXp1pdEN3PUvqzrCaJY7YtasamVyipi-cEGQ1ORH4G1g3itacSo4iS6N0xHnyoODvd2t3XxEtUNsRFAK4hLjZw-exgVOXQ0U0FknQRvOpkZI/s1600/093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwMlEMYev0DxGyaaTxGOUxmf1PkCXlUXIXp1pdEN3PUvqzrCaJY7YtasamVyipi-cEGQ1ORH4G1g3itacSo4iS6N0xHnyoODvd2t3XxEtUNsRFAK4hLjZw-exgVOXQ0U0FknQRvOpkZI/s320/093.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2iTpLhN93Mih2_4x6-PFs8bsb4sDpwoNIJvAF-czw27ZnDt4dvgNoB4oe0YG8pri30c059G0qJ-H38CgMhuva9GCl8Qr_XQPmY6oc9Ljr6kFf6g9InBWHorwwvlmqa7Kl3fLykALoy0/s1600/071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2iTpLhN93Mih2_4x6-PFs8bsb4sDpwoNIJvAF-czw27ZnDt4dvgNoB4oe0YG8pri30c059G0qJ-H38CgMhuva9GCl8Qr_XQPmY6oc9Ljr6kFf6g9InBWHorwwvlmqa7Kl3fLykALoy0/s320/071.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Marc (WoFat) Dacascos was kind enough to stop and take a beautiful picture with me. Thanks to my twitter pal @ltaelor (Letty) for getting such this great shot!</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6MwOLv6nqFZtkob8ZnxlslpcG4Ks2Wy5-Ngj2c80t_bj2q3P_g5OXGPRRoHZ5ioPQ5wo-frJe9YrpEQp1sL6tKEdBPO3MkrtVRUaT1NS7eDlMuhBaMKu6-jjDdW1249m-wV3wrFo0dk/s1600/Marc+Dacoscos+%2526+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6MwOLv6nqFZtkob8ZnxlslpcG4Ks2Wy5-Ngj2c80t_bj2q3P_g5OXGPRRoHZ5ioPQ5wo-frJe9YrpEQp1sL6tKEdBPO3MkrtVRUaT1NS7eDlMuhBaMKu6-jjDdW1249m-wV3wrFo0dk/s320/Marc+Dacoscos+%2526+I.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sneaking his way quietly down to the end of the red carpet with his kids in tow, Taylor Wily (Kamekona) stopped to say hello too.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then it was finally time to see Alex. As he came off the carpet and greeted his screaming fans, we just stood by and watched his every move amongst the crowd. Each of us took as many pictures of him as we could. We had to remind ourselves to just breathe. He was so much more handsome in person than we could have ever imagined. His rugged good looks and stunning greenish-blue eyes with those long eyelashes just left us speechless. He passed me by and walked over to the other barricade area to my right. He continued to sign many autographs, pose for pictures and give hugs when he could. As he tuned back around, he was greeted by my buddies, Ellen, Stacey and Deb. Each of them said hello, gave him a lei or just got an autograph. As many of you know from our initial story, the four of us made a special quilt for Alex. At this point in he night, he finally got to see it hanging on the barricade in front of us. Ellen explained that one side of the quilt was traditional Hawaiian fabric. The other side was a dedication to him from us and a few other fans. Each square represented some movie, tv show or part of his life. He was thrilled and amazed by it. He thanked us and told us to please drop it off to the H50 production offices making sure he'd get it. So on Wednesday afternoon, we did just that. Thanks to our twitter pal @LisaLisa98 for getting it all on video.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://youtu.be/ewGazmgJaVY">Alex seeing the quilt</a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As Alex made his was back down towards the red carpet. Madaline could barely get up the nerve to say his name loud enough for him to turn towards her. As he did, all she could do was present him with an orchid lei. He lowered his head, she placed the lei around his neck, and he graciously bowed and acknowledge her with a kind thank you. She definetly died and went to heaven. Thank goodness<br />
our twitter friends Letty and Lisa had her back. Pictures and video were taken of that very moment. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dysgV2jh3mZfPq8wBOhBUnWTDWRp3o97RuaEkQwdvG2MS0HVmANgnvtkOrccO-VxwVFh6EArQgbK0rJVM_Lhw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKs1l3XzTGGp9DwQg6aWtfIxn9XVrJUKH3Hkc8KX2zGsB8nBMyKfKm8ZExiesRuyuY6mCrZFmkTMXUbebdwoBYKDQg2KBYYCGeQEqEC7iuSLpz0f6fvyybsbTiaNIQcAN2BsBh9Vasis/s1600/115+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKs1l3XzTGGp9DwQg6aWtfIxn9XVrJUKH3Hkc8KX2zGsB8nBMyKfKm8ZExiesRuyuY6mCrZFmkTMXUbebdwoBYKDQg2KBYYCGeQEqEC7iuSLpz0f6fvyybsbTiaNIQcAN2BsBh9Vasis/s320/115+%25283%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-W3Ic5qfuxAlU1xTPaJyNeaP6aRrEm8WHIkNp810ZlSBMFcL44RBr0nMdY8o42dXcz7v6_osS-u-OOmAfLqBR3VZncgb_b-mOu7MDReuak24Hy6l5SDsKlTY0JvwCGaOJ7JyVq-3oCfQ/s1600/124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-W3Ic5qfuxAlU1xTPaJyNeaP6aRrEm8WHIkNp810ZlSBMFcL44RBr0nMdY8o42dXcz7v6_osS-u-OOmAfLqBR3VZncgb_b-mOu7MDReuak24Hy6l5SDsKlTY0JvwCGaOJ7JyVq-3oCfQ/s320/124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After the cast made their way back up the red carpet they found their seats among the crew, family members and friends seated in front of the viewing screen and stage. The mayor of Hawaii got up on stage to declare Sept. 10th Hawaii Five-0 day. The crowd went nuts! After the President of CBS, Peter Lenkov and Bob Orci said their peace, they began to call up the Five-0 cast members on stage.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Each was presented a beautiful lei and lined up on stage for all of us to cheer. Alex said a few words of thanks to the fans and his fellow cast members. When they were all done they departed he stage. It was finally time for the big premiere. The lights were dimmed and the crowd grew quiet. Opening scene played and season 2 had begun. Then a familiar sound came through the speakers...the Hawaii Five-0 theme song. Everybody cheered with excitement. During the premiere the were many ooo's and aah's going on. Pleasant sighs every time Alex was on screen. Gasps and screams were heard during some scenes too. We won't give anything away as so many of you have not seen this episode yet. Just know this...you're going to love it! </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A fun time was had by all on this very long day. Getting up and onto the beach at 3:00 a.m. was worth the lack of sleep. Mahalo to Peter Lenkov, cast and crew on a job well done. Season 2 is going to be a</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">very exciting time. Many new twists and turns are in store for all of us...and that's just the way we like it. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-24146798475053583552011-09-18T01:23:00.001-04:002011-09-18T01:39:02.942-04:00SOTB Brunch and a surprise! 9-10-11We watched from our prime seats as the big screen went up along with the concession stands of food and shave ice. The time had come for our lunch down at the other end of the beach. We ventured back again to the Queens Surf Cafe for a delicious brunch spread. We went in groups so we didn't loose our prime seating on the beach. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgcuHWo5eQvVdWrHcvOG9hrh-hvCbWjtiwMU-dIgl7MimbKKna2dW3TkCzfx0N931oWuIkf1o6abloFJXDk-KQGlyZTDjFyWB8fj_WWPR01vfWJArcjqCiTzDD7Rl65brC1zzXK8iqqo/s1600/French+toast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgcuHWo5eQvVdWrHcvOG9hrh-hvCbWjtiwMU-dIgl7MimbKKna2dW3TkCzfx0N931oWuIkf1o6abloFJXDk-KQGlyZTDjFyWB8fj_WWPR01vfWJArcjqCiTzDD7Rl65brC1zzXK8iqqo/s200/French+toast.jpg" width="200" /></a>As we entered the cafe, the smells of eggs benedict, bacon, french toast, chirizo, spam fried rice and fresh fruit filled the air. It was quite a spread laid out for us to enjoy. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNJXUpyJ1x423tgPC_7RQAyfbn0hqoc4c6fNTgdw7nFi1x8fjAyU6kFc3CspM8EXzq5VykQ4NKfjLj6uRRwI9g31akD4R6zNb-uGUNZZHjviNEWdptfEom93raumiXUb6HzeJEWqaaGM/s1600/113+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNJXUpyJ1x423tgPC_7RQAyfbn0hqoc4c6fNTgdw7nFi1x8fjAyU6kFc3CspM8EXzq5VykQ4NKfjLj6uRRwI9g31akD4R6zNb-uGUNZZHjviNEWdptfEom93raumiXUb6HzeJEWqaaGM/s320/113+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>To our surprise, we found out that a cast member of Hawaii Five-0 was going to join us for brunch. No, not Alex as we all hoped. We were fortunate to have Brian Yang grace us with his presence. Brian plays Charlie Fong. He's works in the lab at 5-0. He was most gracious to all of us. He posed for pictures and signed many autographs. We thank him for being such a great sport sharing such a busy day with us. Mahalo Brian. <br />
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In addition to Brian visiting our brunch, we received yet another surprise from 2 other special guests. Twitter friends @LisaLisa98 and @KeithSato joined us. They surprised us by bringing in a very yummy and special dessert. Our very own Sunset On The Beach cake they made especially for us. How cool is that! The adorable cast figures, complete with a fallen shave ice muppet and the Camaro with it's flashing lights and siren were delicious! We hated to cut into it and eat it. Yumminess for all!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uDgSbJYaMh7sQE9Tpw2zkftCyyfCcuxMFcdRAaOfkHkcwz0QcxEV_GwYiJcbKhNb239MD1prdQ_BeQogJB61lQvebhAwQdt2SB1oerR-mV4NxtXwePVhQRDVcDULkJ6HbCzyPruUHek/s1600/SOTB+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uDgSbJYaMh7sQE9Tpw2zkftCyyfCcuxMFcdRAaOfkHkcwz0QcxEV_GwYiJcbKhNb239MD1prdQ_BeQogJB61lQvebhAwQdt2SB1oerR-mV4NxtXwePVhQRDVcDULkJ6HbCzyPruUHek/s200/SOTB+Cake.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyC1n9W8y_BfkqtnnxrN-rPEyl-NiKkRsJFJSWDSV97Pnkgap6Wtjn5j5F8QOJTdIC8cO9xMSXLaTH5SCPNcR3_JS_RLAfFyijNdZWSrTuZTAMIsSyRCPoQHkkH8mw13ziu36QXLL46E/s1600/098+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyC1n9W8y_BfkqtnnxrN-rPEyl-NiKkRsJFJSWDSV97Pnkgap6Wtjn5j5F8QOJTdIC8cO9xMSXLaTH5SCPNcR3_JS_RLAfFyijNdZWSrTuZTAMIsSyRCPoQHkkH8mw13ziu36QXLL46E/s200/098+%25282%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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We continued to go back and forth to our group on the beach until we were all fed at the brunch. With full bellies, we sat in the hot afternoon sun. Anxiously, we awaited the arrival of the H50 cast on the red carpet. Before we knew it, the time was upon us! <br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-9860431622544563142011-09-18T00:42:00.001-04:002011-09-18T22:38:21.081-04:00The Stakeout on the beach...3:00am 9-10-11<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUWS6rNYie7XWbdLPPUCrg8RJfft9SzTUJ8jcM12pCXTk1uiNNt909pfq4cmPz4b2DvlcYuUNTUSRoTeJzw6nF-RAYPVZSNPa0JIbgKG0PKtpDpgfKcOlWfGLXlRClHGhLomYVDRBqTo/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUWS6rNYie7XWbdLPPUCrg8RJfft9SzTUJ8jcM12pCXTk1uiNNt909pfq4cmPz4b2DvlcYuUNTUSRoTeJzw6nF-RAYPVZSNPa0JIbgKG0PKtpDpgfKcOlWfGLXlRClHGhLomYVDRBqTo/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a>After a night of partying at our luau, we settled in for a quick nightime nap. 2 hours to be exact. Stacey and I set our alarm for 2:30am to get up and settle in on the beach for our prime red carpet spots. We get down to the beach wondering if we'll be the only ones there. Low and behold, we run into fellow 5-0 fans Monica (@monimoob) and Andy (Andyisjiajia) who've been there since 2:00am. We settle down right at the end of the red carpet behind the barricades. Prime location for all.<br />
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As the morning progressed and the sun began to rise, our fellow H50 groupies showed up to relieve us of our posts. We had several groups set up to do so throughout the day. Long about 5:00am, we decided to begin our tweeting process. First up, a note to the executive producer of Hawaii Five-0, Peter Lenkov from Candy (@Promogirl2) and myself. <br />
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<a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" data-screen-name="PLenkov" href="https://twitter.com/#!/PLenkov" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #2d76b9;"><s>@</s>PLenkov</span></a> We wish you were here at the SOTB site. Got here at 3am and we're waiting for you. Send coco puffs for Leiliha Bakery.<br />
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<a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="46983261" href="https://twitter.com/#!/Promogirl2" title="Candy Abrams"><strong><span style="color: #333333;">Promogirl2</span></strong></a><span class="tweet-full-name"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;">Candy Abrams</span></span><br />
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<span class="icons"><div class="extra-icons"><span class="inlinemedia-icons js-icon-container"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></div></span></div></div><div class="tweet-row"><div class="tweet-text js-tweet-text"><a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" data-screen-name="PLenkov" href="https://twitter.com/#!/PLenkov" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #2d76b9;"><s>@</s>PLenkov</span></a> Waiting on the beach! Been here steak-ing out our red carpet spot since 3am sir! Bring food please! Malasadas will do! <a class=" twitter-hashtag pretty-link" href="https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23SOTB2" rel="nofollow" title="#SOTB2"><s class="hash">#</s>SOTB2</a></div></div><br />
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<div class="tweet-content"><div class="tweet-row"><span class="tweet-user-name"><a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="57409636" href="https://twitter.com/#!/PLenkov" title="Peter Lenkov"><strong><span style="color: #333333;">PLenkov</span></strong></a><span class="tweet-full-name"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;">Peter Lenkov</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="icons"><div class="extra-icons"></div></span></div></div></div><div class="tweet-row"><div class="tweet-text js-tweet-text"> <a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" data-screen-name="staceyj64" href="https://twitter.com/#!/staceyj64" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #2d76b9;"><s>@</s>staceyj64</span></a> <a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" data-screen-name="handsofgold265" href="https://twitter.com/#!/handsofgold265" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #2d76b9;"><s>@</s>handsofgold265</span></a> <a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" data-screen-name="Promogirl2" href="https://twitter.com/#!/Promogirl2" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #2d76b9;"><s>@</s>Promogirl2</span></a> <a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" data-screen-name="mickmcgarrett" href="https://twitter.com/#!/mickmcgarrett" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #2d76b9;"><s>@</s>mickmcgarrett</span></a> see u guys soon</div></div><div class="tweet-row"><a class="tweet-timestamp" href="https://twitter.com/#!/PLenkov/status/112550334789976065" title="11:37 AM Sep 10th"><span class="_old-timestamp" data-long-form="true" data-time="1315669065000"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;">10 Sep</span></span></a></div><div class="tweet-row"></div><div class="tweet-row"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMWLRJHK62siCW_Tht1NdFbqERw8bHe0d3O5OAPPtRTETDR4OboE_AMi2kSqXaVnl6uXgWlKYHY74XHOm2t6Mk_sC5xCLTIxdKR3fCC_V-XQ1-jJgy94pOiQOIHN5PqPxoY2CYoVSONk/s1600/069+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMWLRJHK62siCW_Tht1NdFbqERw8bHe0d3O5OAPPtRTETDR4OboE_AMi2kSqXaVnl6uXgWlKYHY74XHOm2t6Mk_sC5xCLTIxdKR3fCC_V-XQ1-jJgy94pOiQOIHN5PqPxoY2CYoVSONk/s320/069+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a>After those tweets were sent, Peter did see us in a round about way...He sent @HarryCovair to us with some CoCo Puffs from Leliha's Bakery. This was my reply to Peter.</div><div class="tweet-row"></div><div class="tweet-row"><div class="tweet-content"><div class="tweet-row"><span class="tweet-user-name"><a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="262994024" href="https://twitter.com/#!/handsofgold265" title="Madaline Rico"><strong><span style="color: #333333;">handsofgold265</span></strong></a><span class="tweet-full-name"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;">Madaline Rico</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="icons"><div class="extra-icons"><span class="inlinemedia-icons js-icon-container"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></div></span></div></div></div><div class="tweet-row"><div class="tweet-text js-tweet-text"><a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" data-screen-name="PLenkov" href="https://twitter.com/#!/PLenkov" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #2d76b9;"><s>@</s>PLenkov</span></a> Mahalo for the breakfast yumminess. We love you Peter! See you later.</div><div class="tweet-text js-tweet-text"></div><div class="tweet-text js-tweet-text"></div><div class="tweet-text js-tweet-text"></div><div class="tweet-text js-tweet-text"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyOR_c8Ieecl6-dQY-QjUDv_qxKzu-SRX_0vGXQswHVPqo9V2G8Y2DxEd_SwVZ7Mzycg2A9K80N2vhyIWrnYE3BHePM_vjI7lqEUuz4z6VmstqhB0wMI6e0XyNLfFImO0i3j96SlDu-4/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyOR_c8Ieecl6-dQY-QjUDv_qxKzu-SRX_0vGXQswHVPqo9V2G8Y2DxEd_SwVZ7Mzycg2A9K80N2vhyIWrnYE3BHePM_vjI7lqEUuz4z6VmstqhB0wMI6e0XyNLfFImO0i3j96SlDu-4/s320/073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="tweet-text js-tweet-text">After sharing breakfast with our H50 groupies, we settled in for a very long day in the hot, Hawaiian sun. Umbrellas were in order along with a sunblock bath. The hours drew closer and closer for the premiere to begin. Red carpets were being laid and palm trees from hell were going up blocking our spectacular view of the red carpet. A phone call to some H50 insiders got at least one of the palms removed so we could get part of our view back. This is our view from the prime seats up front.</div><div class="tweet-text js-tweet-text"></div><div class="tweet-text js-tweet-text"></div><div class="tweet-text js-tweet-text"></div><div class="tweet-text js-tweet-text"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOKqaDzpiBvJx_JCskxxdjbR-Gkr01Xb2qD__lbhdbfH78ZpnGQIfCFww0wJRCcrVrU_UX-sFO7ySUUaGoohT0uyMbtyXfgsus7xvLT6F6xsaW3CYzA0MXUEvQM0Z17JvcgeyxaTWAso/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOKqaDzpiBvJx_JCskxxdjbR-Gkr01Xb2qD__lbhdbfH78ZpnGQIfCFww0wJRCcrVrU_UX-sFO7ySUUaGoohT0uyMbtyXfgsus7xvLT6F6xsaW3CYzA0MXUEvQM0Z17JvcgeyxaTWAso/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="tweet-text js-tweet-text"></div><div class="tweet-text js-tweet-text">All in all, our steakout was a huge success. Now onto the big night's premiere of season 2 for Hawaii</div><div class="tweet-text js-tweet-text">Five-0.</div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-37068079245872773702011-09-17T23:36:00.001-04:002011-09-22T23:07:40.829-04:00SOTB H50 Luau 9-9-2011It's Friday night and you know what that means....LUAU! We were greeted with shell leis to start off the festivities at Queens Surf Cafe & Lanai. It overlooked Queens beach and gave us the best views for the impending sunset that evening. Many pictures were taken and warm hugs were exchanged by all. <br />
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We received a blessing for the evening festivities. Several blasts from a conch shell sounded the arrival of dinner. Then, there is was. A full pig, butterflied open lying on an extremely large platter passing us by. The presentation was amazing and made us all drool. The menu consisted of Kalua Pig, lau lau, chicken teriyaki, white rice and of course, poi. Every bite was an explosion of flavor in your mouth. The food served at Queens Surf was just delicious. We loved it so much we went back for lunch several times. We highly recommend going there for any meal. The food presentation alone should merit an award. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Queens-Surf-Cafe-Lanai/256148937746091">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Queens-Surf-Cafe-Lanai/256148937746091</a><br />
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Bruce put together a wonderful show for us too. We had traditional Tahitian, Maui, New Zealand and Polynesian dancers. Live music mixed with some on CD put us in the luau mood. Some of us were invited up to learn the Hoki Lau dance and show our stuff as dancers. <br />
The night would not have been complete without the fire dancers as seen in this link by Ernest Sanada. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D3yqoqZOvU6g&h=hAQBvPEE9AQD-XGyKB4xRiYjRFsj5WNVt6Fh-wtZmkzqH6g">http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D3yqoqZOvU6g&h=hAQBvPEE9AQD-XGyKB4xRiYjRFsj5WNVt6Fh-wtZmkzqH6g</a><br />
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To cap it all off, we were treated to fireworks from the Hilton Hawaiian Village in the distance. A spectaular show the whole night. Mahalo to Bruce & Yaling Fisher for giving us a night to remember.<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2391290462667.295687.1263050188&l=02a5364123&type=1">Luau pictures</a> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hawaii-aloha.com%2F&h=-AQCLaJ8u">Hawaii-Aloha Travel</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-68734405954270616792011-09-10T05:52:00.000-04:002011-09-10T05:52:20.648-04:00Tiki's SOTB Tweet UpHello followers,<br />
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Tonight we got to meet our fellow Twitter Ohana at Tiki's Grill & Bar in O'ahu. Had a great time meeting everyone. So nice to put the faces with the names. Here are some pictures with some familiar Twitter Ohana faces! How many do you know? <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2362868512136.294828.1263050188&l=290ddad29b&type=1">https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2362868512136.294828.1263050188&l=290ddad29b&type=1</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4860862937223307470.post-80217865593331991322011-09-09T14:27:00.030-04:002011-12-28T07:44:15.205-05:00So it begins.... 9-9-2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMAa9kQ_OlIv9Dxq9ODAKdioX0J3tvjJ3WAlo6nJ5MKHNaLwhPH-kvoIFmtHrqpJ0_cgmO0zIgxkmuP9excD3biVUYa07DCa2pRhEdLXOXgFTAhJGgF23v5P8zuNApa3y-QP1dOdZ37M/s1600/Freshies+meet.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMAa9kQ_OlIv9Dxq9ODAKdioX0J3tvjJ3WAlo6nJ5MKHNaLwhPH-kvoIFmtHrqpJ0_cgmO0zIgxkmuP9excD3biVUYa07DCa2pRhEdLXOXgFTAhJGgF23v5P8zuNApa3y-QP1dOdZ37M/s320/Freshies+meet.png" width="320" /></a></div>4 Women, Twitter and Hawaii Five-0. How does this all fit together?<br />
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It all began back on September 20, 2010 with a remake of Hawaii Five-0 and it's premiere. The Pilot episode exploded onto my t.v. set with such a force, I was blown away and I wanted more, much more. The cast: Alex O'Loughlin as Steve McGarrett, Scott Caan as Det. Danny Williams, Daniel Dae Kim as Chin Ho Kelly and Grace Park as Kono Kalakaua played off each other so well, I was hooked. <br />
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I had to learn more about this cast and the show. I decided to join the 21st century and set up a Twitter account around March 2011. I began to follow some H50 fans little by little each week. We'd talk about that week's episode, the cast, and what we'd like to see happen with the storyline. We'd watch faithfully each week. Passing around behind the scenes pictures from our insiders on the island of O'ahu (@LisaLisa98) where this was filmed. As my followers grew, I found that many of us had a growing love for the main character Steve. Actually, more realistically, the actor who portrays him, Alex O'Loughlin. I'd get a daily picture from my friend @Terrysagirl and began to save them. Now my computer has more than 1000 pictures of the actor archived on it. <br />
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As the months progressed, I found myself conversing only with specific individuals. New friendships grew from these conversations. This is how I met Stacey, Ellen and Deb. Ellen is from California, Stacey is from Washington state and Deb is from Illinois. I am from New Jersey. We'd talk and exchange pictures daily of our favorite 5-0 Alex, and from that our friendship grew. You'd never know that we never met each other in person or have not known each other prior to meeting on Twitter. Today, we're thick as thieves and best buds. A day doesn't go by that we don't tweet or Facebook each other. Occasionally, we'd even video chat. <br />
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With the season of Hawaii Five-0 coming to a close, we were wondering how we'd make it through the summer not seeing our man Alex. Yes, there would be repeats but no new pictures or stories to tell. This is when we found Executive Producer, Peter Lenkov on Twitter. He began to tweet us updates from the H50 set and tease us with behind the scenes pictures. With each tweet, he intrigued us and made us really wanted to be there with him. He had built up the finale so much, we didn't know how much more we could take. We began to hear a lot more about SOTB or Sunset on the Beach. This was how they premiered the pilot episode last year to the people of Hawaii. We knew we just had to be there for the premiere this year after watching the season finale. This is when the trip to meet came about. <br />
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The cast and crew left the island for hiatus until filming would begin for season 2 in August 2011. During the early months of the summer, we found out where our favorite actor(s) would be. Scott Caan was heading back to L.A. to do some acting on Entourage and other projects. Alex O'Loughlin was also heading to L.A. for a friends gallery opening party he was hosting called "Convergence". When we all found out, we wanted to go. It was too far for some of us, but right in Ellen's backyard. She decided she was going to go. <br />
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Ellen was the first of us to have her "Alex experience" in L.A. Alex was hosting the party for his artist friend, Kent Williams. She got her name added to the "private party" list and off she went. We cheered her on and lived vicariously through her the whole trip. When she began to tweet pictures of her with Alex, we just about died and went to heaven. She said he was the nicest person and felt so at ease when she was next to him. We think we would have passed out right then and there. That Aussie accent alone would have put us over the edge! <br />
Her pictures were a welcoming breath of fresh air. We craved anything new that would let us see our H50 or its actors.<br />
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I began to ask the other ladies if they could get the time off to go since they all worked. Little by little we discussed the idea of meeting up in Hawaii in September for SOTB2. At the time we found out about it, I was unemployed and didn't care that I had no money, I really had a good feeling about wanting to be there for season 2. The dream somehow became a reality for all of us. We worked ourselves up into a frenzy about how to get the trip planned and how to save for it. With that, amongst our twitter Ohana, we found @AlohaBruce, a travel agent for 30 years in Hawaii. He saw us speaking to each other about the trip and said he'd put something together for us. That whole trip idea was blown up times 1000 and SOTB2 became the place to be. Bruce got so many of us excited for this trip. He began by finding us a host hotel for us to stay in. In addition, he planned many fun events around the H50 premiere happening on September 10th.<br />
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Somehow, scrimping and saving and selling items on eBay and Amazon, we all had our dream come true. Trips are paid for, bags are packed and the screaming has begun. We will finally met each other for the first time at the Park Shore Hotel in Waikiki, Thursday afternoon (9-8-11) Screaming and hugging abounded. We we all pinching ourselves wondering if this trip had finally come to fruition.<br />
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Mahalo to everybody who helped us get here. Aloha for now.<br />
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P.S. We were interviewed by <a href="http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/20110909_Five-0_Fanatics.html?c=n">Mike Gordon</a> of The Star Advetiser. Our story was in today's paper on the front page of the Today section. Mahalo to Mike for sharing our story with Hawaii. Thanks to Jools of The Five O's for posting it on her blog page. <a href="http://t.co/0qMNNrX">Star Advetiser post</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1Waikiki, Honolulu, HI, USA21.273699712787515 -157.8213508215820921.265042712787515 -157.83623482158208 21.282356712787514 -157.80646682158209