Happy New Year!

On our last few days here in Hawaii, we enjoyed our time visiting different parts of the island, Oahu.  One of those days was at the Polynesian Culture Center, which features the different South Pacific islands.  We felt right at home as we visited the Fiji village.

My grand-daughter, Dakota, was happy to pose with Rick, in Fiji...

Getting ready to watch the amazing evening Lauai Show...

The Loewens, some with face tattoos from the Fiji village.

Each country had their own float. This boat featured Fiji.
The young boy was a hit, as he kept up dancing with the adults.

Here at the Samoan Village, we learned to weave some angel fish.

This snowman made out of sand, was a creation by Lee & Tamara.
It was a popular attraction, as several people stopped to take photos.

Rick & I went for a walk along the beach, when we came across this sleeping
Hawaiian Monk Seal.  They often come up on the beach and rest for hours.

These seals are now on the endangered
species list, so they are protected
on what ever beach they decide to visit.

On another day, we found about 7 large turtles in Paradise Bay. 

 We had a blast, as they would swim right by us, 

and even bump into us.  What a unique experience. 

We also had an outstanding time on all the variety
of water-slides at the Wet'n'Wild Waterpark. 

We brought the new year in, with a few thousand other people, at the Ko Olina beach, watching the most amazing fireworks show I've ever seen.  



Happy New Year to all of you.  It's been a great 2015, and now we're excited to return to Fiji to continue our humanitarian mission in 2016.  For your information, from mid October to mid December 2015, I performed 2705 eye exams, and we gave away 1602 glasses, and now we look forward to more in 2016.