July 15, 2007
Sunset on the Beach weekend in Maili
I had a grand time at Sunset on the Beach. I think I spent about an hour in the community services tent being run by a the local community clinic. My blood pressure was 158/86, but the nurse didn’t seem alarmed by that since I had just finished walking the length of the midway. My blood sugar was 68, which I’m told is good. I was also tested for Hep C, not because I anticipate a positive result, but because the survey results are useful to various community services. I’ll get that result in a few days. I got cookies and a syrupy sweet drink for doing that, and also got to select a free tee shirt, but I didn’t know any of that when I volunteered to be tested. I watched young parents learn how to correctly install a car seat and I got two free AIDs prevention packs which include literature, condoms and needle cleaning equipment. I have no need for them, but, sadly, these are much-needed services in our community. There were scads of other useful services represented, but I’ve forgotten what they are now. Most were child and family related, so not much use for me, but good for the Coast in general. I also spent a little time in the HECO tent. HECO is the Hawaiian Electric Company. I had a long discussion about installing solar panels in order to cut back on energy use and expense for hot water and electricity. Turns out neither is very useful for a one-person household that doesn’t consume many resources anyway. Ah, well. At least now I know.
I enjoyed watching the kids on the rides and bouncers. Did you know that rock-climbing walls have evolved into a ride of sorts? I watched a pre-school-aged boy get strapped into a harness and winched up the wall as he tried to use the hand and foothold rocks to propel himself. I’d have been terrified to try that myself, but the kid was fearless. There were bands playing on the main stage the entire time, and a high-school dramatic arts group did a hip-hop type interpretive dance that was very entertaining. My favorite, though, as always, was the keiki (children’s) hula. Ahhhhh, I could just watch them all day! The tiny keiki class (four years old) had only been dancing for two months, but they followed their routine well and were adorable to watch. The slightly-older kids (maybe first grade age) didn’t need an instructor standing off to the side and performed flawlessly and gracefully.
I didn’t see much of interest in the merchants tent - it was mostly tee shirts, cheap jewelry and overpriced aloha wear. The food booths made up for that disappointment. Plate lunches, shave ice, desserts and finger foods aplenty, with most of the local favorites respresented and reasonably priced. I felt like maybe I should have loaded up on some Ephedra to combat weight gain from the intoxicating aromas that filled the air. I nibbled on a few snacks and brought home a plate lunch that I will feed off of for several days.
There was a visible police presence, but I didn’t see that they were overworked. The crowd was friendly and easy-going, mostly families. I haven’t heard any reports of any trouble at all through the two days of the event. I didn’t stay for the movie either night, but heard and saw the fireworks this evening from my windows here at home. By the time I go to work tomorrow morning the booths will be gone, the rides packed away and the wide, green lawns ready for strolling and sunning once again.
About the last three pictures: One purchased tee shirt and one free, along with the other contents fo my goody bag. I was in the process of writing a post about the event possibly being rained out, to be illustrated with the cloudy picture and the wet slippers, when the sun came out, so I scrapped that post. The weather was beautiful for the rest of the weekend. 
Click on any photo to be taken to my flikr, where you can see all of the phtos full-sized.
[tags]carnivals, community events, entertainment, Hawaii, Maili, Sunset on the Beach[/tags]
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July 16th, 2007 at 2:01 am, Blog Drive-Bys for 2007-07-16 - Untwisted Vortex Says:
[…] at Skeet’s Stuff wrote about an event called “Sunset on the Beach” in Maili, on Oahu in Hawaii. I spent […]
July 16th, 2007 at 8:46 am, Laane Says:
That sounds and looks like a wonderful time.
Funny…they test for bloodsugar and give you a sweet drink. LOL!
That community service tent, was that a one time occurence or is at always done with a special event?
July 17th, 2007 at 4:11 am, josh Says:
wow, those are some amazing photos! thank you for sharing them with us! you make me jealous that you got to travel!!!
July 17th, 2007 at 8:12 am, Laurie Says:
So beautiful… hubby and I were just talking about wanting to go back for a visit. The sky in the picture on the right is amazing!
July 17th, 2007 at 11:25 pm, Fez Travel Says:
WOW, who doesn’t need a vacation? All I want is to take a break from work. In seeing this post, I can’t help but feel like I’m missing a lot. Anyway, it’s good to know that you had such a great time. Maybe, I’ll have mine soon. Wish me luck!