Ohaka

We went to the ohaka (cemetery) this morning to clean up the headstones, put up the chochin (lanterns), & put up fresh flowers. We brought anthuriums, blue ginger, & heliconias from Grandma's garden. Aunty Florence & Tomiko cleaned while Sarah & I took care of the flowers, Evan & David kept Kaia occupied.

L to R; Aunt Florence, Tomiko,

L to R: Kaia, David, Evan.

L to R: David, Sarah, Kaia, me, Aunty Florence, & Tomiko. (Photo by Evan)

Besides Grandma & Grandpa Takatani's grave we also cleaned and put up lanterns at Great-grandma & Great-grandpa's grave. We also cleaned & put up flowers at Uncle Kazu's parents' grave. Tomiko & I spent a short time visiting with Sensei Wansa; we told him we would like to accompany him when he blesses the graves before the Obon service.

After we were done at the ohaka, David, Sarah, Evan, Kaia, & Aunty Florence went to the Sweet Potato Kitchen for lunch. Tomiko & I met them there after we dropped off 3 bags of garbage at the transfer station. I had seen the Sweet Potato Kitchen the day before when I was on the hunt for avocados; Kohala Grown is sort of across the street from it. I was curious so I looked it up online and suggested that Sarah should try it out while she was here; so today was the day! Food, "Like Gramma would've made if she was vegan!" We also tested their desserts.

Tomiko had the Bounti-Burger Plate with a side of Green Papaya Sweet & Spicy Slaw, David had the Ramen Bowl with papaya slaw, Evan had the Huevos Paniolos, Sarah also had the Bounti-Burger Plate with the papaya slaw, Aunty Florence had the Curry Polenta Plate, and I had the Boco Moco. We also tried 2 of their desserts: Brownie Bites & a bar dessert with berries.

L to R: Tomiko, David, Evan, Kaia, Sarah, & Aunty Florence.

L Tomiko with Bounti-Burger Plate, David with Ramen.

Close-up of Tomiko's Bounti-Burger Plate & side of Green Papaya Sweet & Spicy Slaw.

L to R: Evan with Huevos Paniolos, Kaia, & Sarah.

L to R: Evan, Kaia, Sarah, & Aunty Florence.

Close-up of Aunty Florence's Curry Polenta Plate.

My Boco Moco.

When we got home I saw a gold dust day gecko stalking flies at the garbage can.


We had a bunch of people come over for dinner; we had Lem, Uncle Kazu, Mom's best friend Elaine's youngest daughter Suzanne and her family, and Shirley & Greg. The dinner was catered by Minnie's; we had Roast Pork House Special, Korean Chicken Plate, Ahi Plate, and Prime Rib & Lobster Plate. Although the food was good, there were a lot of leftovers.

L to R: David, Tomiko, Shirley, Evan, Sarah & Kaia.

L to R: Evan, Sarah, Kaia, Manu, & Greg.

L to R: Kaleo, Kawaiola, Suzanne,  Lem.

L to R: Manu, Shirley, and Lem.

Happy Birthday to Uncle Howie!