Aloha from Meliko & Kila

Meliko (Mark) and I got back from Hawaii last night. I know you are going to ask... it was wonderful! The weather was warm (most of the time) and we both worked on our tans. Meliko looks more successful than I do, even though I have a very definite tan line both on my chest and where my swim bottom ends. You wouldn't know it looking at me with a T-shirt and shorts... but I am TAN!

We stayed on the island of Oahu so we were able to do many exciting touristy things. We spent a whole day at the Polynesian Cultural Center where we visited "villages" from all of the major Polynesian islands. Including Tonga, where I took this picture of Mark participating in the spear throwing contest (Mom won) and we made fish out of Banana leaves. We played local games in the village of New Zealand. We listened to awesome drummers in Samoa, and many more. Mom even got a one of the senior couple missionaries to teach us a song on the Ukulele. That evening we had front row seats at a Luau where we were treated to the local foods, dancing, and music. Finally we went to the awesome stage show put on by the BYU students. Our favorite part was the fire dancing!

One day we visited the Honolulu Flea Market where we compared prices to those in the International Market Place. Afterwards we went to Hanauma Bay where Meliko saw 2 sea turtles as they were swimming along the coral reef. Near the end of the day went on a WWII submarine named Bowfin in Pearl Harbor.

Dad, Curtis, and Meliko boogie boarded the famous North Shore waves one day while Kila and Mom watched and soaked up the rays. We finished the adventures at Dole Pineapple Plantation where we saw pineapple in all stages of growth.

It was an awesome vacation that won't be soon forgotten (even if Kila's tan is gone before school starts back up)!