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Wednesday, January
23rd, 2002 |
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6:00 pm - Hawaii - Day 4
MPI's PEC closing ceremonies last night were somewhat more sedate than usual.
Located in a large 
ballroom
in the Sheraton Waikiki, we were greeted by beautiful Hawaiian children as we
entered. A singer with a backup quartet (who did most of the performing)and a
band were the major entertainment. Four large screens showed a continuous loop
of scenes from some of the many movies that have been made in Hawaii. There
were also impersonator's available to have your picture with, Elvis, Indiana
Jones, etc. Beth couldn't resist having her picture taken with Elvis. An
interesting meal consisting featuring a Saké Shiitake Glazed Filet Mignon
accompanied by a strange concoction called a Garlic Pannacotta Vert made a 
pleasant
spread. The Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii was the key speaker. An very
interesting woman, she is the first immigrant to hold a statewide office in the
United States. She will probably soon run for Governor.
We got up early today and headed for the airport for the quick jump from Oahu
to Kaua'i. We dutifully arrived 90 minutes before takeoff as is recommended for
inter-island domestic flights. I now long for the simplicity of my previous
check-in at Newark airport. Aloha Air (soon to merge with Hawaiian Air) has one
of the new-fangled machines that checks stowed baggage. What a disaster! Not
only was the line a mile long, but when a bag got stuck in the machine, we
feared we would, indeed, miss our flight. We talked our way into having our
stowed baggage hand checked or we would never have made it. As we left for the
gate, I noticed an Aloha employee crawling into the machine. Yikes!
The
short flight on the 737 was uneventful and we picked up our rental car and
headed for the Marriott Kauai Beach Club and Resort. What a beautiful setting.
As I type this I overlook the sun setting gently over Kalapaki Beach. We
arrived quite early and our room was not yet ready so we spent time frolicking
in the surf. Although the red warning flags were up, the waves seemed tame
compared to the colder east U.S. coast froth that we are used to in Long
Island. A quick dip in what is apparently the largest swimming pool in Hawaii
and a few lethal Tai Chi's (don't ask…four different rums including Bacardi
151) and we have completely relaxed into our vacation.