Week 18: 4/30-5/6

Sunday: Business Men’s Regatta

Today was another really early day. I was up at 6:00 am and was out the door by 6:30 so I could meet Emma, John, Stefanie, Isaiah, John’s girlfriend, and Mallory for the Businessmen’s Regatta. The Businessmen’s Regatta is an outrigger canoeing race that takes place every year. It is a fundraiser for the Kamehameha schools paddling club. Companies from all over the island pay to enter their team in the race. The race is held on bay front every year. For the Novice and semi novice groups the race was a quarter mile, for the open and more experienced paddlers the race was half a mile and they had to turn the boat around the flag pole at the opposite end of the racing area. UH Hilo had a men’s and a mixed team. I was back up person in case someone got sick, hurt or had to leave. The men, were the first ones to paddle that morning and they came in first in their first race. Next, was the Mixed race where our team came in 3rd which was exactly what we need to get on to the next round. Then we sat around and watched the other groups race until it was time for the guys to go back up. They came in first again and advanced to the finals without a problem. About 2 races after them, it was the mixed crews turn again but came in fourth and did not make it to the final, or so we thought. We found out after having missed the race, that the mixed team had made it to the semifinals for mixed. It surprised us all. We had all just assumed that we didn’t make it to the next round because they came in fourth, but the team that came in third was disqualified so we got in. We were really sad when we found out but it is what it is. We played and watched the other races for the rest of the day. It was really fun watching our coaches Rosa and Jonah compete. Rosa raced for the female team of the puna used cars and then raced with Jonah for another company for the mixed and then Jonah also raced in the men’s open for that same company. It was great cheering them on! After their races, it was time for the businessmen’s race. All of the UHH students on our team were at the end of the race cheering, and I mean cheering if they won the race it meant some serious bragging rights around here, we were all jumping up and down getting excited! When they got close to the finish line it was looking really close but our men pulled it off! THEY WON!! IT WAS SO INREDIBLE! We were all so excited! We were getting pictures left and right and everyone was coming up to our team congratulating them and the whole group. They could see how talented and a great group of kids we were. We stayed for the awards and pictures and then had a picnic under our Halau. Around 6:00 we were all so exhausted that we headed back to campus. I took a really quick shower and then went to church with John, Alexa and Frankie. When church was done, I hung out with Stefanie in her room. I needed to work on my Volcanoes and Earthquakes paper and she had to finish working on classifying fish for one of her classes so we decided to do homework together. Stefanie at one point need to get coffee so we called Kama and he picked us up and took us to Starbucks at 10:30 pm so she could stay up all night. Kama then drove us back to my room so I could get some homework I left in my room and we stopped by campus center to grabs so free food for OH hells week. When we were done grabbing food, we went back to her room and I did homework while Kama facetimed his friends who was away at school in California. It was a really fun night. Around 2:00 am Kama and I left so that we could go to sleep.

Monday: Nā Ala ‘Ike Hawai‘i

In Hawaiian ʻOhana, the last group had their debate. This group did their topic on the pro and cons of geothermal energy. I think it is a good idea to use geothermal energy because it is so prevalent here on the Big Island, they have a volcanoe, and it could power 75% percent of Hawaii and all of the Big Island. To me it makes sense but there is a lot of controversy over it because of cultural beliefs. According to cultural beliefs, it would be considered stealing from the ʻAina and Pele and you do not want to do that. But, in the long run the pros did win the arguement. When ʻOhana was over, I went to Aquaculture and we continued to review for our take home exam. When class was done, I had lunch with Michaela and then went to the library for a little while to do homework and study and then I went back to my room to take a nap and relax before my Nā Ala ‘Ike Hawai‘i ceremony and dinner that NSE and Global Exchange do. I woke up around 5:00 and went to Stefanie’s room to get ready. She did my makeup and hair and then we walked over together. To start the night off, Tod and Kadian talked to us about the semester and all of the things we have done and told us how excited they were for us to complete the certificates and then we had the best dinner ever. It was catered by the same group who did the mixed plate event from earlier in the semester. We had Kaula Pork, Teriyaki chicken, white rice, salad with lilikoi dressing, vegetable curry, and sweet potato turnovers. It was so yummy! When we were done eating it was time to give our speeches about the semester and what we thought about Hawaii. When we went up there, we were given a kukui nut lei which was to symbolize the light of Hawaii. The kukui nut produces an oil that when lit on fire with light up and allows people to see. Along with this, they gave us a jar of Hawaiian salt so we could preserve our memories from Hawaii. This was probably my favorite gift. It was so me, cheesy and adorable! When it was my turn, I must have had something on my face because everyone was laughing, that or I am a funny person who knows, but I talked about my count down, stepping off the plane and feeling at home, I talked about my incredible friends I have made and all of the exciting adventures I have been on. After we all gave our presentations, we got a group photo and hung out for a little bit. When the night was done, I went back to my room and went to sleep.

Tuesday: Studying

Today was a normal school day. I went to Global change where we finished giving our sustainable project presentations and then reviewed some for our final that is in a week. After classes, I went to Volcanoes and Earthquake and presented my presentation extra credit project on Crater Lake. I was the first person to give the presentation and my teacher said that I had one of the best presentations she had scene in a while. I am apparently good at presentations, but I don’t believe it. After the extra credit presentations, we reviewed for our final exam that is also in a week. We played a review game and our teacher just quizzed us on the material. It was fun! Then I went to lunch with Michaela and then went to Coral Reef Ecology. During Coral Reef Ecology, I listened to the rest of the presentations. It was great relaxing way to end the class. When I was done with class, I talked to Dr. Beets and set up a time to come by his office to study on Wednesday. When I was done with our meeting I went back to my room to take a nap and to start working on my aquaculture take home exam. I then met with Stefanie and some of my other friends for dinner. I spent the rest of the night watching movies and making my review flashcards for Volcanoes and Earthquakes. Then I went to bed.

Wednesday: Last Day of class

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF CLASS AND I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!!!!!!! This semester went by so fast! It feels like just yesterday I was in my first class. My first day was actually exactly 4 months ago. It’s hard to believe that I have lived in Hawaii for 4 months now. My last Hawaiian ʻOhana class was spent reviewing what we did this semester. We played a game to see who could remember the most stuff. I didn’t win but I came in third which was fun! Look at me I’m practically Hawaiian now! HAHA not really but I did learn a lot! When class was done, I went to my last aquaculture class. In this class, we finished our review for the take home exam and we finished early. After this class I went to BCM for the last free lunch and grabbed a plate for Stefanie. Then I went up to watch Stefanie’s presentations for one of her biology classes. She did a great job presenting the information! It was very informative and a great way to practice presentations for conferences. When the presentations were done, I met Dr. Beets in his office and we went over all of the old exams from the class. He helped clarify everything I missed. Then I was allowed to take notes off of the old exams. I spent 3 hours with him talking and writing notes and it really helped. When we were done, I went to the library and started studying for all of my exams. Then I met my friends for dinner and went back to my room do homework and get a good night’s sleep.

Thursday: Beach Barbecue/Harry Potter movie Marathon

Today was a great day. I woke up early so that I could spend the morning working on my Aquaculture take home exam. Marcellus and I met in the library at 10:00 am. We worked from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm and finished the first draft of the manual we were making. Michaela joined us around 12:00 pm and was with us until we finished. When we were done, I went back to my room to continue making my Volcanoes and Earthquakes flash cards and to get ready for the Beach Barbeque with BCM at 5:00 pm. Alexa and I walked over to BCM to get a ride with Anita. The barbeque was at Carlsmith beach park. When Alexa and I got to the park the first thing we did was go take pictures in our Hawaiian shirts. When we were done, we came back and socialized and got pictures with everyone. We honored the graduating seniors by giving them leis, a card and some snacks for them as well. It was a really sweet ceremony. Then we said the blessing and had teriyaki burgers, macaroni salad, chips, dessert, frozen guava slush and tons of snacks. When we were done, we hung out for a little while sang some songs and talked about our favorite parts of the semester and yes, I did cry. There was no way I wasn’t going to cry talking about this semester. Everyone at BCM became family to me. I spent so much time with them this semester I cannot imagine what my time in Hawaii would have been like without them. I love them all! It is going to be so hard to leave. When the barbeque was done, Kama, Rocky and I went back to campus and got food from munchies and sat at the picnic tables talking. Rocky left at some point and Ikaika and Stefanie meet with us. We were outside talking until midnight and then Stefanie asked if we could go to the Harry Potter movie marathon at campus center so she could try and win a wand. The plan was to stay for an hour or so but our friends Ellen, Gavin, Michaela and Kailah were there. We ended up staying there the entire night until 7:30 am. This was the first all nighter I have ever pulled. I know shocking right. I’m in college and it’s the first time I have stayed up for an all nighter. What can I say I need my sleep J. When the movies were over I went back to my room to sleep. ​

Friday: SLEEP and First Friday

As you can imagine, I was exhausted after staying awake the entire night and I slept until 11:00 am, yea I know it’s not that long but I needed breakfast, so I got up and went to get food. Then I went back to my room grabbed the packages I was sending my family and got them sent out. I ran a couple other errands and then went back to my room to sleep until 5:00 pm. When I woke up, Kama picked up Rocky and me and took us downtown to go to first Friday and celebrate one of his friend’s birthdays. While we were out, Rocky and I got some Ice cream. Jack Richard got us Ginger and Dragon Fruit Ice cream. It was really sweet of him to buy us the ice cream. It was probably some of the best ice cream I have ever had. Then Rocky and I walked around downtown for a little while exploring and listening for to the different bands and musicians playing. We watched some dance groups and even went shopping. After a while we met up with the group and spent some time with them. Then we went back to campus and hung out for a little while before Kama had to leave for another friend’s birthday. When he left I went straight to bed and crashed.

Saturday: Hamakua Coast

This was one of my favorite days. I woke up early and met Emma, Mallorie, Bell and Gina at the picnic table to so we could go on one more adventure. We left Hilo around 9:00 am and made our way up the Hamakua Coast line. We stopped at the first overlook and had a great view of Hilo and the bay. You could actually see how massive the bay is, I didn’t realize just how big it really was. Then we got back on the car and took the scenic route along the coast. You cannot really see all of the coast driving this way but you do pass through a lot of the rain forest. Most of it is a two-lane road but there are areas that turn into one way bridges which is really neat and fun to drive over. Along the way, we found a hiking trail and decided to walk it. The trail lead to the ocean. We decided to wade and play in the waves for a while and then continued on following the path. The path we took went straight through Hawaii’s botanical gardens. It was really pretty. We crossed a little stream and ended up at this great point where the ocean was splashing all around us. On the way back to our car we even found a little waterfall, well I don’t know if you can call it a waterfall being as it was maybe 2 feet high but we still called it a waterfall and got a picture with it. When we finished the hike, we got back in the car and drove up too Kalopa State Recreation Area. We walked a 2-mile trail through a native Hawaiian rain forest. It was really pretty and was a great hiking trail. When we finished the hike, we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to Waimea and tried stopping at a pizza place for lunch but found out that they only took cash so we stopped at a really cute coffee shop and got hot chocolate. When all of us where finished, we hopped back in the car and tried to take the scenic route to Waipio but ran into the problem that we needed a 4-wheel drive car in order to make it so we had to turn around and get back on the highway. It was so worth it though to go and explore the area though. On the way back towards Hilo, we stopped at Texʻs to get malasadas. As always, I got a guava filled one. They are my absolute favorite! Once everyone got one, we drove to Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park and went swimming. It was a great way to relax and cool off after driving around all day. When we got back into Hilo, we stopped at KTA, one of the grocery stores on the island and picked up food for the Paddling Potluck tomorrow. I got all the ingredients for banana pudding and Emma got stuff for sweet potato pudding. Then Emma dropped us all off so she could go take John to the hospital, I offered to go with her but she told me to stay and make my banana pudding. After I made my banana pudding, I grabbed dinner and then spent the rest of the night working more on my take home exam and was up until 2:00 am before I could fall asleep.

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