November 20 -26 2023

Windward Mall

Rainy season has started so we went to the mall to walk for exercise and to see the new Light the World giving machine. We saw all the other elders and sisters there as well from our district (which we didn’t expect), and the ones in the Kaneohe 2 district. Some were at the glow in the dark golfing, and the others were going to the arcade. They love to play on P-day.

First we stopped at the Light the World vending machine. Elder Whitman wanted to buy a chicken and I bought some meals and formula for children. All the wards were taking turns manning the machine. Two people were sitting on chairs ready to answer anyone’s questions. We had signed up, but got bumped, so we are back ups. I think having it manned will help get more donations and interest in it from the members.

Giving Machine

After that we stopped at an unusual ice cream shop. They had some weird flavors like corn and queso. I tried that one and it tasted like vanilla but it had pieces of frozen corn and cheese in it. Other flavors include Jackfruit, lychee, avocado, purple yam, cheese, etc.

Corn Queso Ice Cream

You can see the corn in my ice cream.

Elder Whitman trying a sample of the avocado.

Chameleons and Hairless Gerbils

We also topped by the pet store and looked at chameleons, and we watched them change colors and move their strange eyes. I love how they wrap their tales and rock back and forth.

They also had lots of strange hairless guinea pigs for sale at the pet store.

MCBH Plane in Bay

On Tuesday we went to the Thrifts hop to help them with making Thanksgiving boxes and passing them out. They had enough help so we went to the base to see the large plane that had overshot the runway and ended up in the bay on the reef. Fortunately, it wasn’t in deep water and all crew got out okay. We had to go to the pier to see the plane.

While on the airstrip we saw an Osprey land

We also saw a line of helicopters from the pier

And some long nose fish in the water.

And we saw some weird old training equipment. One looked like a space shuttle. We also saw a helicopter that looked like it had been in an accident.

USS Missouri Service

We went to do service at the USS Missouri again. This time with the other district. Elder Santiago and Elder Vonk from Kaneohe 2 ward were in the other district. So we are in two districts.

It had been raining for a couple of days so on our way we got to see the waterfalls in the mountains. They were everywhere. So amazing and unique!

At the Missouri all elders, sisters and us cleaned all the chrome in the galleys (kitchens). There were several galleys. Love these big soup kettles!

While we were on the Missouri a nuclear submarine came into port.

We got to see some parts of the ship we didn’t get to see the last time. This is the second in command’s quarters. (Executive Officer)

The Elders had to take a photo with this gun!

And this gun!

These are the giant bumpers that prevent the ship from hitting the dock. They used to tie up the ship with rope but it would stretch so they use chains now. I guess storms can still move the ship. (You can see the volunteer shed we go to to get cleaning supplies and our assignments, and our ice cream when we are all done.

There are two people who are over the volunteers. They are both super nice. Kevin always gives us a tour after we are done with our work. He took us to the bridge today.

There are three bridges. The bottom one, where all the windows are, is called the Navigation bridge. The open are just above this is called the open bridge, and above the ball is another bridge called the flying bridge. The flying bridge provides unobstructed views of the fore, aft, and the sides of a vessel.

Bridge

Open Bridge: The armored conning tower is in the round section. It is super protected because the steering wheel is in there. The radar on top of the conning tower was actually turning. In front of the conning tower was some more bridge instruments but I didn’t get a picture of it.

Navigation Bridge Next, we went below to the Navigation Bridge.

In front of the conning tower was the windowed room looking over the deck with a captains chair.

Behind the conning tower was the navigation chart room. People sitting outside on the tall chairs on each side of the ship would take readings of various land forms to confirm position with the navigation chart room. This was the technology of World War 2.

The Captain at Sea Cabin. It was right next to the Navigation Bridge so he could quickly be alerted during an emergency. One of the captains had a heart attack sitting in the captains chair. They carried him to his cabin and he died in there.

Ford Island

USS Oklahoma Memorial

After we left the Missouri we stopped at a couple of memorials. On was for the USS Oklahoma. It was hit by 8 torpedos in Pearl Harbor. The whole ship turned upside down. Over 400 crew were killed. They tried to cut into the hull to rescue people but openings would let air escape and the water inside to rise. They were only able to rescue about 32 people. The marble poles represent each soldier that died and their name and rank is on them. It represents them standing at attention lining the rails of the ship in their dress uniform when they come into a harbor.

We drove by the air museum but didn’t stop because it cost 18 dollars a person. Other base’s air museum’s are free but this one has become a tourist attraction. Ford Island is really nice. The housing is some of the nicest I’ve ever seen on a military base. Modern and new looking. We drove around the outside of the Island. They had a big NOAA facility and ship.

USS Utah Memorial

Then we stopped at the USS Utah memorial. There were only two ships that weren’t recovered, the Arizona and the Utah. They are both tombs to those who died in them.

Valley of Temples Memorial

Byodo-in Temple

As we were driving home from the Missouri, the Clarks texted and wanted to know if we wanted to go to the Byodo Japanese Temple. It was situated at the Valley of Temples Memorial Cemetery. The temple was built in 1968 and was a replica of the 11th century phoenix hall Byodo Buddist temple compound.

It was still raining. Fortunately, we had umbrellas

We each took turn ringing the giant Bon-Sho (Sacred Bell).

Then we walked through the gardens with lots of Koi ponds

The Buddah Statue was in the center of the temple and everyone took off their shoes to go in and see it.

There was raked gravel gardens all around the temple

More Koi ponds on other side of temple

Black Swans

Next we went into the gift shop. We found out that my birthday falls in the year of the dragon and Johns in the year of the tiger according to the Japanese Zodiac (horoscope).

The rain finally stopped just as we were leaving

You can see the two gold phoenixes on top of temple in this picture.

Japanese Black Granite Cemetery

The backs had the names of the family members whose ashes were in the tomb.

A Chinese cemetery was right next to the Japanese.

While driving through the cemetery we saw lots of cats everywhere. I don’t know why they hang out there. I think they are wild cats.

The very rich had these fancy family mausoleums.

View from mausoleum road.

Higher up on the hill was a new part of the cemetery advertised as as Ocean View Estates. Which was kind of funny because the deceased don’t need an ocean view.

Thanksgiving

Turkey Bowl

Thursday morning the YSA’s played flag football. I guess it is a big thing in Hawaii. There were several other groups on the field doing their Turkey Bowls too.

There were over 35 people at the YSA Turkey Bowl. It was a little too many people, making it too hard to make any plays, so they had to divide into two groups. Mostly military in one group and mostly Polynesian in the other group. When they got back together the Polynesians beat the military. They are very athletic. Below is the mostly military group. Brother, Charlie, Justin Knight’s Sister, Carly, Humberto, a very athletic from Honolulu YSA, Justin Knight, Tucker Caldwell, ?, Benson, Justin’s little brother, President Rovner’s daughter’s boyfriend, ?

Elder Whitman playing?

Benson, one of our new guys, scoring a touch down.

A flock of red crested cardinals tried to eat the YSAs snacks.

Dinner at Aki’s

In the evening we went to the Aki’s for Thanksgiving Dinner. We wanted to have a Thanksgiving for the YSA that didn’t have a place to go. There weren’t that many. So is was cozy, relaxing, and fun. The Aki’s had cleared out their garage and decorated it with Christmas lights and had candles on the table and music playing. It created lots of atmosphere. Sister Aki’s orchestra friend was also at the dinner. She is a marine biologist. Grant brought a couple of friends. Very nice evening!

From left: Brennan, President Aki, Elder Whitman, Sister Whitman, Sister Aki’s friend, Elder ,Elder Lacey, Humberto

From left: Grant, two friends that are also Navy Corps man medics, Carly, Max (we are teaching him temple prep)

Martin Family Thanksgiving

Siara and Nate went to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving. Looks like lots of family, yummy food, and fun.

John and Ali Thanksgiving

John and Ali had Chinese food for Thanksgiving. Haha

Nathan, Josie, and Mom Thanksgiving

Nathan, Josie and mom had a wonderful meal together for Thanksgiving.

Senior Missionary Get Together (parakeets)

On Friday there was a senior missionary get together at the tall apartments by the mission offices where most of the office missionaries live. You can see the old tabernacle from the parking garage

Every night thousands of green parakeets fly in from the mountains to roost in these trees. What a sight to see and hear!

Missionary Car Wash

On Saturday we went over to help the missionaries with their car wash. It’s a service project they do to also help find people. They were so kind and good at inviting people to church after the car wash. We helped hold up the signs in the front of the church to get people in but the sisters had the most luck. Here are the elders doing it.

We gave talks in the Kaneohe 2nd ward on Sunday. They gave us these beautiful leis. An Area Seventy and a counselor in the stake presidency were visiting.

After Kaneohe church we went to YSA Branch council. It was the last one for President Rovner. He was finally released. His wife is a doctor and was working on another island, so she couldn’t participate anymore, so he felt like it was time to be released. It was hard for him because he loves the YSA. President Aki is the new Branch President. He is an ER doctor. He still needs another counselor. Ethan (a YSA) is his other counselor. They like to have one YSA in the Branch presidency so they can get leadership experience. They switch them around every year.