Wedding anniversary

25 08 2025

Aloha mai kākou e studio fans!

I went to Moku o Keawe this past weekend.

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 Kane
Mokuaikaua Church across the street from Huliheʻe Palace in Kona
Lauhala
Mokuaikaua Church across the street from Huliheʻe Palace in Kona
Huliheʻe Palace interior
Huliheʻe Palace interior
Princess Ruth’s bed
Detail of Queen Kapiʻolani’s sandalwood armoire
Queen Kapiʻolani’s mirrored sandalwood armoire
Looking toward Ahuʻena Heiau across Kailua Bay from Huliheʻe Palace
Top view of a feathered kāhili at Huliheʻe Palace
See 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.

Blessings always,

Rebekah


Comments : Comments Off on Wedding anniversary
Tags: , , ,
Categories : About me, Hawaiian, Travel

Tissue-paper collage art show on tap

30 05 2025

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.

View art and be well!

~Rebekah


Comments : Comments Off on Tissue-paper collage art show on tap
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Categories : About me, Fine Art, Travel

Back from Europe!

22 05 2025

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.

~Rebekah


Comments : Comments Off on Back from Europe!
Tags: , , ,
Categories : About me, Friends & Family, Travel

Happy Easter, happy travels

18 04 2025

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:

Happy Easter

As always, be well.

— Rebekah


Comments : Comments Off on Happy Easter, happy travels
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : About me, Friends & Family, Travel

Holiday 2024 calendar

10 11 2024

Usually I wait until Thanksgiving Day has passed before preparing for Christmas, but there are events of art and music to put on your calendar now.

Sunday, Dec. 1, Handel’s “Messiah” singalong, 4 p.m., Christ Church Uniting in Kailua, Oʻahu. Bring your scores or ask to share. If you wish attend as audience, please do come!

Friday, Dec. 6, Opening Reception for “The Holiday Art Fair,” 5 to 7 p.m., ARTS at Marks, 1159 Nuuanu avenue at Pauahi street, Honolulu Chinatown. The art exhibit runs noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday through the closing reception on Dec. 27. Visual art by the Windward Artists Guild and the Association of Hawaii Artists.

Sunday, Dec. 15, Windward Choral Society Concert, 4 p.m., St. Anthony of Padua Church, 148 Makawao Ave., Kailua, Oʻahu.

Windward Choral Society, Artistic Director Susan McCreary Duprey

Come one, come all!

With love and blessings for the holidays,

Rebekah


Comments : Comments Off on Holiday 2024 calendar
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : About me, Fine Art, Music, Travel

Art at Honolulu city hall

23 08 2024

Honolulu Hale at Punchbowl and King streets is the venue for the 64th annual member exhibition of the Windward Artists Guild. The juried art show, “Islands of Diversity,” runs through September 11, 2024, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The building itself, designed by Charles Dickey, is a work of art. But we came to see the creations of current visual artists. The awards reception was yesterday afternoon. With 97 pieces on display, I was bound to run into long-lost friends such as Shelley S. M. Miller, who changed her name. I did not recognize her, but she recognized me. Shelley won Honorable Mention for “The Temari Tree.”

DH made this bird’s eye view from the second floor:

Below are my “Rain Fantasy” oil on canvas and “Lava Flows to the Sea” paper collage.

Artist and her “Rain Fantasy” and …
“Lava Flows to the Sea”

My friend Bernadette Chan submitted her 2D piece along with her ceramics. “Something different,” she said proudly.

Bernadette Chan

DH admired “ʻUkulele” pictured here with its artist George Evan David.

Mixed-media Art by George Evan Davis

The Susan Rogers-Aregger Best in Show was awarded to “The Dog Days of Summer (A Goddess of the Star Sirius)” by Vanessa McCowan.

“Best in Show” with the artist and benefactor Dan Rogers-Aregger

As juror Robert Mace wrote, “I truly wish we could have given every work in the exhibit an award, because they are all winners. Keep making art my friends. This world needs it.”

Be well.

~Rebekah


Comments : Comments Off on Art at Honolulu city hall
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : About me, Fine Art, Travel

FestPAC 2024

8 07 2024

Aloha, studio fans!

The events of FestPAC in Hawaii, the 11-day festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, are past, but its impact will be long lasting. Occurring last month in June, Kanaka Maoli in Hawaiʻi hosted the most diverse cultural gathering on the face of the planet, representing 27 Pacific Islands nations. 

The theme was “Hōʻoulu Lāhui —Regenerating Oceania” (or, “Increase and Preserve the Nation”). Another such event will not occur in Hawaiʻi for another 50 years.

I donʻt want you to think I had my head in the sand, hence this late post. My ʻohana and friends wanted to participate, but how to choose where to go? We watched the arrivals of the waʻa kaulua (double-hulled canoes) to O’ahu on television.

The next day we went down to nearby Hōkūleʻa Beach at Kualoa Regional Park where there were craft booths and music playing, as well as the canoes!



We ran into friends Kura & David Tovey there.

We went to Honolulu to the “Festival Village” at the Hawaii Convention Center. 

There I bought a souvenir flower for my hair from the Marshall Islands village. It’s woven from coconut leaf fiber. I ran into my Hawaiian language teacher Bill Keoua Nelsen, who is also a lauhala weaver. He was hosting a booth displaying woven lauhala crafts.

Bill Keoua Nelsen

My takeaway is that the Hawaiian Islands are at the top of the Pacific triangle, and that we would do well to look South of us for additional perspective to ideas West and East.

I just read that the Cook Islanders delegation arrived home at Rarotonga within the past 24 hours.

Be well.

~Rebekah


Comments : Comments Off on FestPAC 2024
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : About me, Hawaiian, Travel

« Previous Entries