MY TRIP TO KANEOHE, OAHU, HAWAII:

On Sunday June 23, 2002, while on a business trip, this webmaster was privileged to visit Kaneohe Bay on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii. There I met some of of the greatest hosts ever: Bob, Nancy, Caroline, Barbara, and Rocky.  (In the interest of privacy on the internet, I'm leaving off the last names -- they are all members of the Kaneohe Flotilla.)  (I kept them off the USCG server to save space.) The pictures do not begin to do justice to the experience. In real life the colors were so rich and vivid, and the people were so warm and friendly.

Bob and his wife Nancy are dedicated Auxiliarists with many years of service between them. (Bob and Nancy retired to Oahu after his long career as an executive in the steel industry in the Midwest.) Caroline is Bob's regular crew; they operate the facility like a well rehearsed dance team; it was a great pleasure to be included. Barbara and Rocky met us for breakfast, but could not accompany us on patrol because of work obligations. Barbara is originally from Omaha and still has family here.

Our day began at 7am when Bob picked up Nate (my business colleague from the Los Angeles area) and me at our hotel in Honolulu, and drove us on Highway 3 across the mountains to the north. That is some pretty country. As we emerged from the mountain tunnel on the north side of the island, the scene was breathtaking. Bob took us to a local Deli for breakfast. The proprietor, Ernie, was a gentle man with a big, kind smile who really made us feel welcome. The food was great and served by lady with a wonderful smile and a welcoming way. I couldn't believe the prices! Breakfast for six at the Deli cost about the same as breakfast for one in our hotel on Waikiki. I guess you have to know where to go on Hawaii.

After breakfast, Bob and Caroline took Nate and me on a four-hour patrol.  Here's a summary:

After leaving the ramp, we navigated around barely submerged coral heads, passed around the University of Hawaii's Oceanographic school, looked for sea turtles, visited the famous Kaneohe sandbar at medium-low tide with its Sunday morning revelers, headed out towards Chinaman's Hat (rock formation) where we experienced 3-4' swells, then stopped back at the Deli for gas. After gassing up, we took a turn through the Kaneohe Yacht Club (where the Flotilla meets), scooted by the south side of the US Marine base motoring well clear of the numerous sail boats enjoying the Sunday morning sunshine, watched helicopters and a jet maneuvering around the island base, passed by the Kaneohe sandbar revelers again (at high tide now), then headed back to the ramp. The four hours passed far too quickly for my taste.

My most sincere Thank You to Bob, Nancy, Caroline, Barbara, and Rocky for superb hospitality and friendship :-)