Back in the Frozen Tundra

Traveling to Kaua'i has been one of the best experiences of my life.  I got to meet so many great people on that island that I will never forget.  My favorite part of being on the island of Kaua'i was working with the students from the Kekaha Learning Center.  Most of the students that attend Kekaha are from Niihau, also known as the "forbidden island."  Today, only about 50 people live on the island of Niihau.

Working with the students from the Kekaha Learning Center was a life changing experience.  The children had so much to offer and made us ohana instantly.  We spent three days with them, which was definitely not enough time in my opinion!  I worked with a group of 5th graders, who blew me away with how smart they were!  They kept asking me about what it is like back home and what snow is like.  I told them they are not missing out on much!

After spending time with them I now know my Hawaiian name, the alphabet and numbers in Hawaiian and "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes!"

Now that I am back in Minnesota I value my time spent in Hawaii even more, not only because the weather was great but because I know that our class will always have an impact on the students of Kekaha's lives and they have left a large impact on our lives as well.

Until next time Kaua'i! 

Aloha & Mahalo!

Next Stop: Kaua'i

Good internet/wireless is darn near impossible to find in Hawai'i.  So this will be short and sweet!

Sunday was our last day in Oahu, looking back at it now those two weeks flew by!  Now we are on the island of Kauai and the atmosphere is SOOO much different!  But in a good way!  It is nice to lay in bed and not hear people screaming outside at 3 in the morning and sirens whaling every 10 minutes because you are on the Waikiki strip!  The Waikiki area was great, but the ability to relax in Kauai is perfect.

As of today I will be back in Minnesota in 10 days!  I can't tell if that feels like a short amount of time or a long time.  Time will tell.

Tomorrow is our first day working with a charter school that serves children from the Niihau, also known as the "forbidden island."  It will be definitely be something that I have never experienced before and I am very excited for that opportunity!

Also, in case you're wondering gas is $4.39 a gallon on the island of Kauai.  That's the highest gas price in the country!

Aloha and Mahalo!

When a Minnesota Girl Goes to Hawai’i!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  2014!

So far Hawaii has been absolute paradise, I mean that is what they call it right?!  It is currently full day 3 and all of us are basically in love with Hawaii.  The temperature today is close to 90 and it is sunny without a cloud in the sky.  I’m happy that this trip is filled with a bunch of great people.  There are 26 of us on the trip from 4 different universities and so far everyone seems to be getting along great, which is awesome!  So far we haven’t done much besides lay out in the sun on Waikiki Beach and walk around the main strip in Honolulu.  I had no idea how many designer stores there were here!  It’s crazy!  The only bad thing about this trip so far is that I have spent $200 on food already.  Food is ridiculously expensive here.  Every time we go out it costs around $20…and that’s with ordering water!  So at least I am staying hydrated while saving money…and calories.  My roommates and I bought a gallon of milk at the local ABC store and it cost $10.69!  Which is insane!  A box of cereal is almost $9 as well. 

So far the biggest difference between Hawaii and the Twin Cities is the insane amount of diversity everywhere you go!  Yesterday while walking the strip, my roommates and I helped a Korean couple with minimal English find a bus station.  They were on their honeymoon so that was cute!  After we did that, we headed over to the International Marketplace.  It was a special day to go to this market because it was the last day they would ever be open….EVER.  After talking to some of the vendors, they said it was pretty bittersweet.  The good news is bargaining was super easy!  I got 50% a bracelet for my mom just because they were trying to get rid of all of their stuff!   

Since last night was New Years Eve, a bunch of us decided to go down to the beach and watch the fireworks to bring in the New Year!  It was fun, but man was the beach crowded!  Getting out of there was a new challenge all on its own.  Our group ended up getting split up, but no worries because we all made it back all right. 

Today we are doing our first big adventure as a class!  We are about to hike to Diamond Head in a couple of hours!  I’m super excited!   

That’s it for the meantime, but the adventures of Hawaii J-Term 2014 have only just begun!  Stay tuned for more to come!