Driving Miss Daisy

Aunty Daisy, Scott, & Wakana arrived in Kona this morning. On the way back to the house I took them along Hwy 190 between Kona and Waimea; its on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa. This would have been the road that Aunty Daisy would have traveled on when she was living here; she didn't recognize anything. We had lunch in Waimea at Village Burger. Scott, Wakana, and Aunty Daisy shared a couple of Big Island Beef Burgers, I had the Upcountry Lamb Burger.

Upcountry Lamb Burger.

Before we left Waimea we stopped at the farmers market. Scott wanted to see what types of fresh fruits & vegetables were available. We spent too much time taste testing the jams & preserves! I picked up 2 different types of avocados for Wakana to try; she was surprised to see avocados that were not Hass avocados.

L to R: Wakana, Aunty Daisy, & Scott.

Since it was cloudy we took the 'Akoni Pule Highway from Kawaihae to Hawi instead of the Kohala Mountain Road. Along the way we stopped at Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company, Mahukona Harbor, and Takata Store.

It's powered by the sun! Makes sense.

We also stopped at Mahukona Harbor; if Aunty Daisy left by boat, this is the most likely place she would have left from. We did the same with Upolu Airport.

L to R: Scott, Aunty Daisy, & Wakana.

Wakana checking to see how warm the water is.

While in Waimea Scott needed to stop for some beer, just in case his brand was not in the stores in Kohala. So on the way in we stopped at the grocery store I usually shop at, Takata Store; they had his brand! The Island Style Grindz trailer was parked in their parking lot, I went over to get us an order of poke nachos! They're so ono!


For dinner we went to Bamboo Restaurant, I have been told it is the best restaurant on the island. But since I don't eat out much in Kona and Hilo I don't really know if that's true. What I do know is that in the 3 times I have been there, I have greatly enjoyed everything I tried. This time was no exception. Wakana had the Crispy Polenta with Fish, Scott had the Coconut Crusted Fish, Aunty Daisy had the Pot Stickers, and I had the Thai Fish Salad. Bamboo is in the old Takata Store building.

You can buy a kit at the gift shop to make your menu cover quilt piece.

Crispy Polenta with Fish. (Photo by Wakana)

Coconut Crusted Fish with mashed potatoes. (Photo by Scott)

Potstickers. (Photo by Scott)

Thai Fish Salad.

L to R: Wakana, Scott, & Aunty Daisy. The gift shop is in the background.

Complimentary shot of tomato soup with Parmesan cheese.

Later we spent time in the gallery & gift shop portion of the building. I had a great time talking to Tama, comparing notes on people and places that we knew.

It was a very busy day, packed with lots of sights and food. Tomorrow there will be less driving but more visiting with people. We are also going to walk around in town more to see what Aunty Daisy remembers. I have had the good fortune to be able to fill Scott in on some of his family history, like how Aunty Daisy ended up in Chicago. I only know the history because of what Mom told me about it.

For me the day started out watching the sky slowly turn a rosy pink  color from my bed. I went to check the cat food on the front porch; it looks pretty certain now that the cats that were around in July and September have left. I also took the Solar Helix apart; the plastic housing is disintegrating; the solar panel and LED lights work without the housing.

Photos just can't capture the true colors of the dawning sky.

This bowl was out overnight; it wouldn't have lasted even 30 minutes when the cats were here.

The disintegrating housing on the left; panel and LEDs on the right.

Happy Birthday to Cheech, Dean, Geoffrey, & Sho! And Happy 9th Anniversary to Judy & Keith!