more from 4851 wainiha powerhouse road

The wainiha project continues...... We found a great contractor to come in and finish what the previous owners had left unfinished. Bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room. we added a few things to the list, like a puka window in the upstairs bathroom shower. You can look out at the giant mango tree this way. Brother Ross is in the main house keeping the crawlies from coming in, and the container from LA is on the water headed for Nawilili harbor as I type! It will arrive on the 16th Feb. Leah and Zoe (my grandpuppy) will arrive on Feb 12th to live with Ross in the main house. It was a lot of fun working on the place the last time we were there in Dec. 22 truckloads of green vegetation (thank you Brysone & Kathy) to the dump. Cutting back the jungle. Lots of clean up with more fun to follow. Leah and I had a chance to load up the container she ordered with a washer dryer, kitchen table, chairs, sofa, and living room furniture. Three queen size beds, and all the other little things you need to put a house together. Mirrors, clocks, rugs, towels, bedding, pots pans etc. We get to see all the completed work for the first time Feb.20th. Thank you Ross, for cleaning all the windows and screens, and keeping the crawlies at bay. A Big thank you to Leah and Corin for packing the container. Lets hope this is a beginning of good times to follow for all. We are soooo greatful and thankful to all that supported this project.

4851 Wainiha Powerhouse Road, Hanalei, HI 96714

For years my heart has been drawn to the Islands of Hawaii, with ample opportunity for exploration. Where did that desire spark? Was it my father's pictures and stories from when he lived on Oahu and the Big Island in the 40's? Was my connection with Hula spurred from watching my dad's wahine tatoo on his arm dance? What ever the inspiration was, now has become a reality for me.



The first of August 2007 we got a phone call from a really sweet friend on Kauai (who quickly became our realtor), asking us if we wanted to live on Wainiha Powerhouse Road, Kauai (this is the area where we stay while on Kauai), to which our answer was "TELL US MORE!" With Brother Ross on island, we called Ross immediately to go and check out the property. One third of an acre with two houses, surrounded by the lush Wainiha River Valley and Mountians. After a quick family pow-wow we said YEESSS!!! Then the rollercoaster ride began. Two and a half months later 4851 wainiha powerhouse road is now a reality for our family. WE ARE SO GREATFUL!! And thrilled beyond belief. This is a dream that we had put in front of us 10 years down the road, so much for the best laid plans! As our dear departed friend Quentin would say "FAR OUT! It's about time!). When God tells us that he wants for us to have the desires of our hearts, God's not joking. We are excited to see how this place will be used for the greater good.

Summer at Keeler Kai

This summer has been a blast working in the yard, jamming with Peg & Anne Marie, hula, ukulele kanikapila with true friends. Can't believe it is almost over! We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful place.

Greater Love

Aole ko kekahi kanaka aloha i oi aku i keia, o ka waiho aku a kekahi i kona ola no kona mau hoaloha.

Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends

White Christmas

"I'am dreaming of a White Christmas, just like the ones I used to know. Where the tree tops glisten, and children listen, to hear sleigh bells in the snow. I'am dreaming of a white christmas, with every christmas card I write, may your days be merry and bright, and may all your christmas be white!" Those lyrics penned by Irvine Berlin bring back some of my strongest childhood memories of Christmas. A few weeks back, my sister Penny treated my mother Billy Jean and I to the play White Christmas at the 5th Ave. theatre in Seattle. We made a girls night out of it, dinner at the union street grill, and walk down the city block to the theatre, and then we started dreaming! The costumes were awesome, as well as, the music, and acting. At the conclusion of the musical the snow started falling on the audience! Thank you Penny for the lovely evening, and I hope that your Christmas's are merry and bright!

The painter within

When I was in my early teens, my aunt Madeline who is an accomplished artist taught me how to tole paint. My brief intro into the world of painting left me yearning for more. Thirty seven years later that yearning has had a chance to take root. After a quick two hour errand to Michaels craft store I happened to come across a class in progress. The ladies were painting and it looked like they were having fun. Well I signed up for the next class, and after hounding all of my neighbors for their Michael and Joanne 50% off coupons, purchased my supplies. The pictures are my first projects. My teacher Loretta is so much fun, and really helps us with our painting.

The knitting projects in my baskets at home have some stiff competition!

Snow days

The snowstorm here was wild! It took a couple of weeks before all of the snow went away. The damage was kept to a minimum here at Keelerkai, just a broken seal on our big kitchen picture window,our poor neighbors did not fare so well. They had broken pipes and major flooding. Hawaii is sounding better and better all the time, however, you can't beat the beauty of freshly fallen snow.

This one's for Janice

After much encouragement, I have been urged to post. So much has happened since my last post. A job, snow and wind storms, painting classes! And yes, now the holidazes are upon us. Life is good, even while you are trying to figure out the next phase of your life!

For my friend Pablo Prado

You see Pablo, I do love cats. The picture is of my beloved Cocoa (aka Modie). He lived to be 17 years old and is no longer with us. I have not had the desire to replace his huge kitty paws in this household as his spirit is still all over this place. We love this cat immensely, he was the best. When he wanted a drink, he would go to the bathroom, sit on the counter until we turned on the water faucet for him. No bowl for this kid! Only fresh would do. Then on hot days he would sleep in the sink, or was he just waiting on us to give him a drink? We were graced to have Modie for as long as we did, and he will always hold a special place in our hearts. Missing your motor Modie Mo!

UW Crane Trip

This was the goal, but the winds picked up and we had to be satisfied with exploring the area. which we had no problem doing.





So instead of exploring the treetops, we went sub-terrainian. This is Ape Cave. Ape Cave is 12,810 feet long-- that's almost 2-1/2 miles long! It is the longest intact lava tube in the United States, and the second longest in the world.
Ape Cave lava tube, which formed in one of these basalt flows ... (Cave Basalt flows about 2,000 years ago) ... is the longest lava tube (12,810 feet or 3.9 kilometers) in the conterminous United States (similar tubes are found in Oregon, California, and Idaho) and one of the longest in the world. The cave was constructed by a pahoehoe flow that crusted over; soon after, the molten lava on the inside drained away, leaving the outer crust in place. Lava stalactites and stalagmites and flow marks can be seen on the walls and floor of the cave. Lava stalactites, conical or cylindrical deposits of lava that hang from the ceiling of a tube, are formed by dripping; stalagmites are similar in shape and are formed on the floor of the tube by the accumulation of drips from the ceiling. Some time later, a sandy lahar flowed into the cave, possibly in A.D. 1480 or 1482 because the deposit contains white pumice granules that resemble W tephra.

views from Washington

Here are a few views from Washington. The first two are from Mt Saint Helens blast zone. The Envc. club went to the UW canopy crane and got to explore St. Helens instead

Living large in Ecuador

Life is great when you can explore some of the worlds last unspoiled places. This picture was taken off the coast of Ecuador.

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread ~ Alexander Pope, from "Essay on Criticism"

My Furry Family

Well it would not be fair to introduce you to my family and not talk about my scalely, furry family. Lindon and I share our household with two dogs and a fish. Stuart the fish is a beautiful blue ~ red beta. I have had Stuart for three years now, and he was named by a young patient of Lindons. Now for the furry part. Brodie is a Blue Healer, and is 8 years old. He has been the easiest dog I have ever had. Intelligent, loyal, and after 6pm gets a little tweaky. Some little glitch in the hardware! He goes everywhere with us (except when we get on a plane), and has become the therapy dog at the clinic. Only once in Brodies life has he ever been out of eyesight when we he is with us, and that was when he went after his little baby sister Ruby Rae Keeler(Parsons Russell Terrier). Ruby wanted to follow a couple who were walking down our road to the beach! Sure enough an hour later here comes Brodie with no Ruby! It was too much fun for her to stay on the beach.

Ruby will be two years old in May. We got her from Posey Canyon Creek Kennels. Ruby is my dear companion and I love her to pieces. We have not been able to train as much as I would like, however, when I am done with school that will change. She comes with me to school, then when it is to hot in the car she goes to Doggy day care. Ruby is excited to see her friends in the morning, then by the time I go to pick her up, she is like a pogo stick! Take me home, take me home! Or it's more like, I get a cookie, I get a cookie! Yes, I will admit, she works me for the cookies, and is quite good at it! The first picture is when Ruby was an innocent four month old bundle of cuteness. The second picture is what she has turned into. A Huntress! No big suprise there huh! She loves to chase the squirrel that eats the bird food. The third picture is her attempt to constantly go a little higher in the tree each time. It's been fun watching her figure out how she can egg her way up a little higher. I wonder if she ever dreams of having thumbs?

My Family Continued

We are a big family, so this is a continuation. Top picture is my sister Penny, husband David, and daughter Jessica. I am so blessed to have such a great sister in my life. Next, is our newest family member Jasmine. She is such a firecracker this one. We just love her to pieces.

This is my brother Jake and my Mom. he is rolling his eyes because we were teasing him "Jake is Mom's favorite!" Hey, what are sisters for?

My Family

I have a wonderful family. We are all diverse, creative, hardworking, and caring people. They are all so important to me and the light of my life.
The first two pictures are of my Children, Jason and his girlfriend Samlouay, and then there is my daughter Leah Jean.

This is my mother Billy Jean, and my niece Jessica. My pretty and favorite ladies!

Cool Guys! Brother David, Husband Lindy, Cool Lou (Mom's boyfriend), and my good looking son Jason. Their futures so bright they goota wear shades!

Weekend Camp Trip To Moran State Park

Weekend Camp Trip To Moran

This last weekend the Environmental Club (which I am president of) took a trip out to Moran State Park. We helped with their spring cleanup. One of the task was peeling logs. This was the first time I have ever used a spud and peeling knife. The experience felt like a chapter out of the pioneers of the west! My hats off to all of those hardy individuals who were able to construct homes out of raw materials. The second half of the day was clearing four miles of trails after winter storms.

On Sunday we got to go out to Sucia Island and look at fossils.