Fillmore 2014

   Last April 2014, sister in-law and her family flew from Texas to Hawaii to attend Rap's graduation. We all had a great time catching up and going around the island. Abbie, my sister-in-law, asked me if I could take their family photos and I said yes, of course. I am not really a photographer but I looooove taking pictures.

   I didn't have a hard time taking photos of my sister-in-law's beautiful family. They were a bit shy at the beginning of shoot and didn't really know how to pose in front of the camera. Nevertheless, we still had a good time. The boys were absolutely adorable and funny. They like funny and wacky poses over formal poses. On the other hand, Abbie and Seth strictly told me that they don't like "cheesy" poses. They look sooooo good together and sooooo in love and that is why "cheesy" poses are not necessary anymore. LOL! I had an amazing time taking their photos. It was a sweet experience to be able to take pictures of this gorgeous family. Here are some of my faves......

Photos Taken at Marriot Ko'olina Hotel, Oahu, Hawaii

Photo by: Michael Hernando; Edited by: Pateet Hernando

Makapu'u Lighthouse Hike 2014

   This is our sequel of our previous post about Makapu'u Lookout. In this post, we will share to you our one of a kind hiking experience. If you know us personally, then you would know that we are not a big fan of hiking. The idea of going up and down makes me already tired and exhausted. LOL! Anyway, last spring break we went hiking for the first time with Rap's sister and her family since they wanted to hike. We chose to hike Makapu'u Lighthouse because its kid friendly.

• Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail
• Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline
  Kalanianaole Hwy
• Honolulu, HI 96825

    According to http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=141:

"According to Hawaiian legend, Makapu`u was a supernatural being who, after arriving from Tahiti, took up residence on the point now bearing her name. This being's defining feature was her set of eight bright eyes, which is reflected in her name Makapu`u, Hawaiian for bulging eye. On October 1, 1909, the light from another bright, bulging eye was seen on the rocky point of Makapu`u as the giant lens in the Makapu`u lighthouse was illuminated for the first time."

Left: My brother-in-law Seth with my nephews Brent and Matt
Right: The Makapu'u Lighthouse

   There are many ways to hike the Makapu'u Lighthouse but we chose the one that will not give our nephews a hard time. The pavement saved my life! (LOL) If you're visiting Oahu and you want to go on a hike with your family, especially if you have kids, I strongly encourage you to try the Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail because its easy walk and the trail is paved all the way up.

Here are some of my hiking tips:

1. Bring Water - this is an essential need when you're hiking...You don't want to be dehydrated!
2. Wear a Hat - avoid direct heat from the sun
3. Bring a Hiking buddy - during the hike my hiking buddy was my nephew, Matt! I had so much fun talking stories with him and getting to know him
4. Bring your camera - take pictures! Capture memories!
5. Bring a padlock - if you're with your someone special :D bring a padlock with your names on it and lock it on top of the trail! Good way to leave a mark!
6. Wear comfortable clothes
7. Go to the Lighthouse Trail early - the trail gets crowded and so if you want to enjoy more go early. Also, going early will be an advantage for you because the heat of the sun is not that bad. Around 12noon-3pm is the peak of the heat of the sun, try not to get toasted.
8. Bring a handy towel - if you get a little sweaty, wipe it off and walk all the way up!

Success!!! We made it!!

We made it!!!

   We enjoyed the hike! The hike up was totally worth it. The view was magnificent and amazing. We are so grateful to live in this beautiful place. We love Hawaii and we are so blessed to call this our home.

My nephew Matt and I

The Hernando siblings :D

Lovers <3

Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii

   We had a great opportunity to spend our weekend with the Kimaks, last June 14, 2014. We went to Hanauma Bay to experience the beauty of the sea. Too bad we didn't have an underwater camera, we saw a lot of pretty and beautiful sea creatures. Raphael and I snorkeled our hearts out. YES! We finally learned the art of snorkeling.

• 7455 Kalaniana 'ole Hwy
• Honolulu, HI 96825

   For tourists who are looking for the perfect beach to bring their family for some well-deserved family outing, Hanauma Bay is the place to be. Here are some tips for ya'll:

   1. Go to Hanauama Bay in the morning. Less people, more fun. Also, when the parking space is full, they close the gates. I suggest you come as early as possible.
   2. Bring cash. You will need to pay for your entrance fee. We paid around $7.50 per person. Locals don't pay for anything.
   3. Make sure you listen and watch the video that they will play before you enter. The video you will be watching will help you help preserve the beauty of Hanauma Bay and its living creatures. If you have a lot of things with you I suggest you take the tram. The tram is 2$ per person. The hike going down and up is okay if you don't have a lot of things with you. :)
  4. If you don't have snorkeling gears, do not fret, there is a booth there where you can rent. They also offer some snorkeling activities and lessons.
  5. There is a public restroom and showers.
  6. Bring food if you don't want to spend your money there.
  7. Don't forget your sunscreen and sunblock.
  8. Do not keep your things unguarded.
  9. Enjoy and Have Fun!

   Before we swam, we put on some sunblock and sunscreen. While we were snorkeling, we saw different kind of fishes. One of the many fishes we saw was the Hawaiian Fish. called Humuhumunukunukuapu'a (See picture below).

Picture from google

   Snorkeling is such a fun activity. Raphael and I didn't even notice that we are swimming at the deep side of the bay. We only noticed it was deep because the fishes are swimming waaaaaaay below us. We were so happy to see the fishes. Too bad, we didn't get to see the turtles. Who knows? Next time, we'll swim with one.

   This was far the best snorkeling experience we've ever had. We had so much learning about the history of Hanauma Bay. We saw and learn new things. The best part is we get to spend some quality time together. I love doing fun activities with my husband as it helps strengthen our bond as husband and wife. I encourage you all to visit Hanauma Bay when you go to Oahu, Hawaii! My warmest ALOOOOOOOOOOOHA to you!

Hanauma Bay at its finest!

with Kuya Geoff, Samantha and Thomas

with our little beasty Samantha!

Us :D

With Ate Darryl! :D

AMAZING!

Beach Lagoon (Marriott Ko'olina)

    Our Thursday Adventure (April 17, 2014) involves water activities, meaning, BEACH AND POOL DAY! There is a private lagoon only for the Marriott guests to swim and relax. I personally prefer swimming in the pool so that I don't get the sand in my skin (Lol!). When we woke up, my sister-in-law invited me to do Zumba. I don't like exercising but since its my sister-in-law and I love dancing and I went to the Zumba class.
     The Zumba class was amazing! The instructor was so much fun to exercise with because she is lively and very energetic. After our tiring Zumba class, we went to the beach and swimming pool to enjoy the sun and just relax. Rap and I went with the rest to the beach lagoon but I we didn't swam there. I preferred going to the reflection pool where its quiet and shaded (Lol! I did not want to get a tan). I enjoyed it very much and so did Raphael! Thank You Fillmores for the amazing experience!

My sister-in-law Abbie and nephew Matt

the lagoon!!! :D

Rap and I...were sooooo fat!

Our super cute nephew Matt

The Vacation Villa were we stayed at!

Raphael :D sooo handsome

Yes! That's our nephew Brent

ITS SOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOT!!!!!!

we are so in love!

Goofing around!

Love them!

Marriott Ko'olina Beach Club

   Last spring break, we got the chance to spend some quality time with the Fillmore family. We are so blessed and grateful for their generosity because we were able to experience something that we've never experienced here in Hawaii and that is to stay at a hotel. Take note! This is not just a hotel its a Vacation Villa. We are very fortunate enough to enjoy the beauty of the scenery because of the Fillmore family. Here are some of the photos that I grabbed from the internet:

The Hot Tub! My favorite amongst all the pools. Very relaxing.

Bedroom set-up

Kitchen

The swimming pool where we swam! Believe me we enjoyed it veeeeeery much!

   I love the relaxing ambiance of this place. I remembered the first night we got there we went to the hot tub and relaxed. I have never been soooooo relaxed until the moment I put my foot inside the hot tub! IT WAS THE BEST FEELING EVER! An amazing place to stay! Though, very very very expensive...its still worth the try! Loved our little vacation here!

Makapu'u Lookout

   Raphael and I find that every spring break for the last three years of our lives here in Hawaii that we have great adventures. Our first spring break in 2012, Rap and I went to Waikiki for his birthday (It was his first time! LOL). Our second spring break in 2013, we spent it at Kualoa Ranch and other places with my parents who came here for my graduation. This year, for our spring break, we spent it with Rap's sister and her family. 

   We are so blessed to be able to tag along on their vacation. The Fillmore's are so welcoming, mindful, loving, and caring. They let us stay in their vacation villa at Marriott Hotel in Ko'olina. For our outdoor/nature activity as a family, we decided to hike Makapu'u Lighthouse since the reviews said that the hike is family friendly.

   Before heading to the lighthouse, we stopped by the Makapu'u Lookout. The view was AMAZING! Indeed, we are sooooo blessed to live here in Hawaii. I am so grateful for the opportunity to gaze upon the Lord's creations and wonders. Here is our view of the Makapu'u Lookout.

• The Rabbit Island
• Makapu'u Lookout
• Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline
  Kalanianaole Hwy
• Honolulu
  , HI 96825

The Hernando Siblings

The Fillmore Family

Just in the neighborhood is the Sea Life Park

Ready to Hike that Lighthouse Trail

Memorial Day 2014

   This year's Memorial Day, Raphael and I decided to do something that we will never forget. I always tell Rap that life is about making memories. Instead of taking the day off, I had to work in the morning. I was searching things to do during Memorial Day. The Floating Lantern activity here in Hawaii popped in my screen and I read that its going to be held at the Ala Moana Beach Park. I immediately messaged Rap about the Floating Lantern activity. We then decided to go to Ala Moana Beach Park to participate in this event.
   It was raining very hard in Laie that I really prayed that the sun will shine so we can go and enjoy this activity. Mother Nature cooperated for the first time and we happily went to Ala Moana. When we got there, we thought that we had to pay for the lanterns but they told us that its free and we can just donate any amount to their organization. We got our lantern and we wrote on it. Raphael and I decided to honor the lives of our grandfathers. We wrote our heartfelt gratitude of message to them and hoped that it will reach them. 
    When the emcee said that it was time to let the lanterns float, I thought that the water will only reach my knees. Apparently, to be able to let the lanterns float without disruptions from the people around me, I had to go a little deeper. Well, I ended up really wet but it was worth it. We had a great time in Ala Moana. Truly, it was an experience that we will treasure forever.

How was your Memorial Day? Share and comment what you did?

Floating Lanterns

My letter to Papito

Rap's letter to Papakay

The Beach packed with participants

Rap and I ready to make our lantern float

I had to go through all of them.