Aloha mai kākou e Studio fans! In our islands it is Hoʻoilo, the wet season, and thankfully as I write this the rain is forecasted to stop in five minutes.
After sitting my gallery shift at the big Windward Artists Guild /Artists of Hawaii exhibit at the Honolulu Downtown Art Center today (still holiday shopping, anyone?), I’m heading back over the mountains for a neighborhood happy hour. Woohoo! By the way, today is DH’s birthday!
On Sunday we’re planning to join my bff Becky and Susan in Waikīkī for brunch, then help Santa Claus with some deliveries.
On Monday we’ll see Ken and Georgia for a meal at the Crouching Lion Inn. Daughter Ari’s for Christmas Eve—I can’t wait to play with their dachshund Massimo—and then to Helen-and-Marty’s on Christmas Day — and then a get-together with the Jin Dui Sisters on Boxing Day—I’m in the holiday mood, so very blessed and thankful!
So Merry Christmas, everyone, or, as we say in Hawaiian, Mele Kalikimaka!
Two souls close to my heart passed over this season. Itʻs what happens when one gets old. But, really, itʻs a celebration of life!
Ivalee Mae Haus Sinclair, who I call my hānai mom and who the younger generation has so very nicely translated to “honorary mother,” lived until age 97 years. She passed on September 30, 2025, in Honolulu.
Rebekah and Ivalee
We put JJ the dog down on Nov. 16. So sad, but it was time. He didn’t eat for three days. He was a very good boy.
Thinking he’d better use his Hawaiian Airlines frequent flyer miles, DH booked a weekend in Kailua-Kona to celebrate our wedding anniversary—41 years of marriage. DH (darling husband), refers to himself as my easel, and this weekend was a test.
Besides having “kupuna status,” I have been living with sciatica.
Five years ago, I had back surgery.
Two days ago, a new shooting pain went down my right leg. It hurt to walk, and my physical balance was off. My PCP’s nurse advised me to go to the emergency room at Castle Medical Center where I could be evaluated.
Long story short, the physician at Castle MC sent me home with pills to take three times a day.
Feeling a little bit better, I told DH I could go to Kona.
Part 2
From the airport in Kona, a taxi drove us to the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort. Here is my “Kona Weekend” photo album.
Balcony view Beach goers“Kamehameha the Great, 1815” by Herb Kawainui KaneMokuaikaua Church across the street from Huliheʻe Palace in KonaLauhala Mokuaikaua Church across the street from Huliheʻe Palace in KonaHuliheʻe Palace interiorHuliheʻe Palace interiorPrincess Ruth’s bedDetail of Queen Kapiʻolani’s sandalwood armoire Queen Kapiʻolani’s mirrored sandalwood armoireLooking toward Ahuʻena Heiau across Kailua Bay from Huliheʻe Palace Top view of a feathered kāhili at Huliheʻe PalaceSee descriptions in the next photo below
DH took an hour-long talk and walking tour of the King Kamehameha Hotel grounds with the cultural guide Kaʻuhane.
Soon it was time to catch our flight to home-sweet-home on Oʻahu. I thanked my easel for allowing me to lean on him for support, making the weekend getaway so very pleasant.
For my July 4 post, I wish a “Happy Birthday!” to America and my many friends. My apologies to you if you are also a July baby and I missed listing you.
Ariel HyltonLori A. WongMe & Carol HarperJimbo HancockMe & Linda AnusasanananBob BonarKarl SinclairCleo BL to r: Rebekah, Emma Pavich, Cynthia Yamasaki, and Lori A. Wong
My collage art group has a big show during June 2025 at Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden Visitor Center Gallery.
If you recall, the tissue paper that is slick on one side as for gift wrapping is dunked into a solution of silk screen dye, water, and an oil float for unique effects.
Apropos to the most recent volcanic activity at Kilauea volcano, I have chosen to show my collection of works inspired by the 2018 eruption. Here are three:
“From Haleakalā”“Crater View”“Leeward”/“Windward”
The exhibit runs June 2 to 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden entrance is at the end of Luluku road between Pali Highway and Likelike Highway in Kāneʻohe.
With the month of May more than half over, I’ve returned from Europe where I went on an 8-day Viking River Cruise on the Danube all across Austria with Pete, Becky, and Susan—from Budapest, Hungary, to Regensburg, Germany—on the Viking Atla.
My welcome-home souvenir gift for Becky and Susan
I have recovered from a bug that I probably picked up en route from Honolulu—several different airports to get to our destination and happily resuming a routine.
A wonderful couple, Helen and Marty, took care of our house and dog JJ while we were away. Mahalo nui for that!
Viking offers a variety of activities on land at the ports of call along the way. For example, in Vienna we attended a concert of Strauss and Mozart music. At Krems we visited Gottweig Abbey and the apricot groves; purchased ample apricot products for gifting, too.
Pete and Becky
While Pete and Becky went bicycling in Passau, Susan and I got on the “hop-on-hop-off” bus. Mostly we stayed on the bus for continuous siteseeing. We did manage to go shopping for a few souvenirs.
Susan
I thought that Vienna was so very civilized. Bicycles were a common sight.
At the edge of the apricot grove
Viking takes care of everything, from the time the traveler signs up with the EBD—early booking discount, to walking you by phone call through the travel options, to following up after you return home. They check with you during the journey to find out if you are satisfied with the service staff on board.
The food was excellent. Somehow they knew exactly how I liked my food prepared. Meals were from a buffet or printed menu.
Pete in Passau
Every evening before dinner, the onboard program director gave a little talk about what to expect the following day. If we preferred, we could watch the briefing on the TV in our stateroom. The after-dinner piano entertainment sometimes competed with parlor games.
These young ladies are on their way to work as tour guides
My recommendation to those who ask about our vacation is, “Go!” You can’t go wrong with a Viking River Cruise. There’s scenery, proximity to medical care, no kids, 4- to 5-star cuisine, a variety of land excursions, and a chance to meet new friends.
Chef’s herb garden surrounded by a dedicated walking path and putting green on the top deck
But as always, it’s great to come home. Wherever you are, be well.
This Easter weekend heralds the excitement of upcoming travel from Hawai’i to Europe. From the Studio, DH Pete and I will join our dear friends Becky and Susan on a Viking River Cruise on the Danube, going east to west across Austria.
Pete and I booked a similar cruise some years ago. At that time we went from west to east and in winter when it snowed every day. The Christmas markets and the gluwein at each stop were highlights!
We have already lined up friends to take care of our house and our dog JJ. For sure, I will keep you posted on http://www.rebekahstravels.wordpress.com. That’s my companion blog.
It’s going to be so much fun. My bags are packed! Here’s my BFF Becky with the Easter Bunny:
This Rebekah’s Studio is the blog created by the Rebekah who lives in the small village of Kaaawa on the island of Oahu. A journalist, artist, and healer by training, I invite you on any part of my journey shared here. I use a full palette, so come along, let’s see what unfolds together!
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Key to Characters
DH = Darling Husband
Miss Marvelous = #1 granddaughter
Popo = Chinese grandmother, me
Alice Brown = adorable puppy dog (2003-2014)
Ula = big brown bossy cat (R.I.P.)
JJ = current family dog
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