Hawaii my my

Just back from the lovely islands of Hawaii, where my cousin had the wisdom to take us to celebrate her marriage. A week with just me and the 'rents.

Initial worries of over-togetherness were assuaged by the lovely aloha spirit that cast peace and harmony over all.

The few days before the wedding were spent on the island of Maui, a lovely set of volcanoes beset by an ugly swarm of tourists. The sunny west coast of the island is classic Beach Resort, with the same sort of concrete hotels and mini-malls that can be found in any place cursed with the combination of beaches and package tourism. But not everything was ruined:

Fortunately, we escaped into the sea, snorkeling around the sunken crater of Molokini.

It was here I saw a shark. Swimming in the same water as me, able and willing to tear me limb from limb in an instant. As I've mentioned here before, I have phobia of these cold blooded ictho-killers (no doubt a Freudian issue related to having oceanographer parents). It occurred to me that I should be scared. But, strangely, I was not. Not even a little. This is what I believe is referred to as a breakthrough.

There are many sides to Maui. The Haleakala volcano rises 10,000ft above the sea, providng space for a range of climates on its slopes. A tour was taken of the Nature Conservancy's precious preserve of indigenous forest:

Ferns are very important.

Apparently it rains in the rain forest. A lot. This was made very clear on our drive to the remote eastern coast of the island, which turned into an EPIC battle of man against nature.

Trees blocked the road:

Feral cats and chickens (not domesticated, but savage jungle beasts) lurked where least expected:

But there was also a gorgeous landscape of lava tubes and waterfalls:

Then it was time for Honolulu, and the main event.

We stayed on the famed Waikiki, also a strip of high rise hotels full of a strange mix of midwestern and Japanese tourists. And lots of surfers. A bit like Big Wednesday, in a good way. Inspired, I even managed to stand up on a board. Briefly.

Despite the Waiki-kitsch, M+M organized a very tasteful wedding. Short, sweet, and fun for the whole family. The rehearsal dinner was in an acquarium, beautufilly located on the ocean

And included some unexpected guests.

Delicious food. All grown locally on the islands, all cooked to perfection (well, the gnocchi were a little mushy, but that is really a quibble), and all porked down with reckless abandon.

Musical entertainment was provided by an Elvis impersonator. What's not to like?

The last night provided a nice surprise: a dinner with former David Ginn roommate and future senator from Hawaii Stanley Chang. Evidence of his political activities were to be found all over Honolulu.

AND he took me to Honolulu's only Korean Fried Chicken restaurant! It was greasy, breaded, and bland. All wrong. But good to know.

Last, it turns out hale means "house" in Hawaiian. This led to much pun.