Day 9, 19Nov 2009

...17.95 miles from Nanakuli to Aiea United Methodist Church...

Last night and tonight were my first nights with an 'acceptable' signal to the ether that allowed me to get Day 7 up with substantial content...making the Day 7 post the FIRST post that I was almost satisfied with. But with 18 miles to cover today through some of the heaviest traffic on the island, today's challenge is going to more than just physical. St Rita's gave us a great dinner last night and breakfast this am. [Day_09.01] Today's passage requires that we negotiate multi-lane streets and intersections, and get past on/off ramps leading to and from the most heavily traveled freeways, highways, byways, and streets on the island... [Day_09.02] ...so Utu had to go graphical on us to get the vision embraced. [Day_09.03] Nothing romantic about walking along side 4 lanes that are the only reasonable option for...everyone...who has to get in or out of the Waianae coast; or perhaps we're redefining romance. Maybe it's appropriate for these walkers to talk about a concern that challenges the regard that some of the "haves" embrace concerning the "have nots". Was it this "regard" that motivated Charles D'jou's recent attempt to criminalize homelessness? Ugly traffic....ugly regard...we'll keep walking. [Day_09.04] With my late start, almost everyone was past Kahe power plant by the time I approached. [Day_09.05] Beyond Kahe Point, there's Winnie and Gary and one other I can't identify on the far left top just about ready to disappear around the bend to the left. [Day_09.06] That might be Robert with one other(Suzy?) in the distance coming toward me walking beside the Makaha bound lanes. [Day_09.07] Kahe Point is one of the popular dive spots for the tourists because the warm effluent run-off from the power plant spawns a robust sea life. Snorkeling here several years ago, I dove on a turtle(just to say, "hi"), that was easily two spread hands wide across its back. [Day_09.08] Winnie is still truckin' on... [Day_09.09] Just passing the Ihilani Resort turn-off...and I haven't a clue who those two are approaching... [Day_09.10] ...but that's Tom and Pete with ??? out in front as they pass the Nanakai Gardens/Honokai Hale neighborhood... [Day_09.11] ...and Kenny and someone hiding behind his hat just past that mark. [Day_09.12] This was an important turn not to miss. H1 officially begins here as all traffic, going and coming, is on our right. You can see Roz up ahead standing guard to make sure we stay on "old" Farrington Highway to the left as we zero in on Kapolei. [Day_09.13] There's a momentary peace as we pass, walking on the almost completely abandoned highway. I am just about caught up to the leaders as that's Keith closest to me; and what appears to be Gene, Mike, and Ivan up in front. [Day_09.14] Those are the three musketeers as they approach the beginning of Kalaeloa Blvd... [Day_09.15] ...and are greeted by Arlene, Denzie, and two others(?) with refreshment for them. [Day_09.16] A little while later, Robert and Suzy(?) approach while Utu sits in the tailgate shade for a moment of rest. [Day_09.17] Gene leads the boys off to a short, short-cut... [Day_09.18] ...while Tom and Pete don't take the risk. Explanation: The short-cut had an incredibly narrow sidewalk shoved up against a guard rail leaving walkers more vulnerable to possible vehicular indiscretion. No one died today. [Day_09.19] This is the guard rail impinged sidewalk. It ran for the length of the H1 overpass. [Day_09.20] Winnie, Gary, and one other(?) coming down Kalaeloa to make the two lefts at Costco onto Kapolei Pkwy and Kamokila Blvd. [Day_09.21] That's Kenny and Moose(?) "J" walking on former cane haul road deep in former sugar cane producing land...now Farrington Highway in future 'second city' suburbia. [Day_09.22] In this ugly shot, you see Tom hard at work on today's 18-mile task...unaware that he has just visually passed the most recognized of Hawaiian geographic icons. Through the Ewa haze, faintly visible is Diamond Head Point. [Day_09.23] Still on the Kapolei end of the Ewa plane, these two were with us today but I'm not sure how many other if any other days. Somebody tell me who they are...Kainui and Rita? [Day_09.24] Winnie met her match today and hung it up at lunch. She's a world traveler who has visited Europe many times and is set to go soon to see some sort of an epic christian theatre presentation in Denmark or Germany that is done only once every 10 years. This will happen during the Easter season this Spring. Something tells me she'll be back to walk with us next year. [Day_09.25] Pete and Tom arrive at the lunch site that was staged just before Waipahu. [Day_09.26] Gary is hard to see on the left in this over-exposed shot also on the last steps before the lunch wagon. [Day_09.27] Roz and Arlene have some shade up as Gary and Suzy take part. Curtis is hiding behind Arlene. Utu, Moose, and Winnie take nourishment. [Day_09.28] Curtis moves on after lunch. He plays a big part in providing IT support for the work of H5, and additionally for "Partners in Care," a consortium of agencies that include H5's efforts. He missed a few days to "take care of business" but he also was challenged by the physical demands of this 'exercise' and fought to keep walking. [Day_09.29] "What?......bodder u?" Just kidding...who knows what Moose was thinking? [Day_09.30] Now, we're back in the city as we enter the west end of Waipahu, the 'town' that sugar cane production built. Pete and Tom appear still plugging away. [Day_09.31] For some reason, I'm convinced these two are Kainui and Rita. This is the last of the 18 miles and their spirits don't appear to be waning. [Day_09.32] Kenny and Ivan are passing by Wai`awa Towers...or the towers in Wai`awa. I don't know what the name of the property is. And this is where Farrington turns into Kam Highway, right?... [Day_09.33] ...and H2 heads north... [Day_09.34] ...while H1 heads back to town. [Day_09.35] At this point, I think I was wearing out. I failed to take any more photos till arriving at the Aiea United Methodist Church, our night's lodging. Steve, Suzy, and one other(?) are coming back to the church property after hanging one of the WtT signs out on Kam Highway so walkers won't miss the turn up Laulima St. [Day_09.36] I go back down to Kam Highway to catch Keith as he reaches the Laulima turn... [Day_09.37] ...and watch him be the first to arrive today. [Day_09.38] This Heliconia reminds me that I live in Hawai`i... [Day_09.39] ...even if I have to search to the right of the AUMC stairway to find it. [Day_09.40] It looks like the crew has arrived... [Day_09.41] ...and a well-earned dinner is enjoyed... [Day_09.42] ...by a group that will sleep deeply tonight having earned their day's rest. [Day_09.43] But first...! It's a string assault on Denzie. Her husband stands aside as she gets a substantial birthday portion of aerosol dispensed "string." She wears it well. And then Roz helps "untie" her. [Day_09.44-46] Tomorrow it comes to an end. ***** Finally...go to "blog archive" in the right column and click on "Day 10, 20 Nov" under the "November(11)" heading.