Travel

Regarding the "Kohala" selections:

Rosalee and Ken have enjoyed trips to Hawai'i since 1985 when they took Rosalee's parents (Harold and Bessie Shifflet) to Maui, a first for everyone. It was H&B's 50th wedding anniversary and K&R's 25th. Since then (before 2007) their Hawaiian travels included Maui once, Kaua'i twice, Moloka'i once, Hawai'i once and Oahu five or six times. They found it very pleasant on the North Shore of Oahu, and their stays increased in duration to four weeks at a time. Their last stay in a lovely beach house right on the beach was a nightmare with a neighbor with an electronic band that was moving the next month and he felt he 'owed' everyone some music. Literally every night so loud you could not hear your TV in your home with the windows closed. Police came once but were not effective. The home we rented was owned by a retired judge and he could not pull any 'favors' to get the guy to shut the music down. We have not been back, sadly.

In the early 2000's Rosalee worked with a young lady who turned an interest into a career when she started Suzy Cruizy, a travel agency that specializes in cruises. In late 2006 she sent a note that basically stated "...I have a client that is considering cancelling their 35-day cruise because their house/pet/mother-in-law sitter is not able to fill in for them. I asked if they minded if I check with friends to see if they might be able to help them out. It will be next Fall... you can think about it. Oh, the house is in Hawai'i and I know you two enjoy spending a month or so over there..." Suzy received K&R's response within a few moments. LOL.

So, that is how the Smith's met the Brown's, who live in a lovely home they built in a beautiful gated community high up on the Leeward side of Kohala Mountain, the northernmost of the five volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawai'i, with a front-row seat for 365 ocean sunsets a year. Each of the entries labeled "Kohala" will be one of those 'duties'. Yes, it is a job, ...and SOMEONE has to do it!

Dennis and Donna Brown are lovely people and gracious hosts. Donna's mother Clyde lives about twenty-five minutes away from the Brown's and is a real delight. Ken and Rosalee are blessed to have been introduced to such wonderful friends.

The Brown's have created three lovely acres of Paradise on a rather arid site.