Day 1 –

We are up early due to the time change . . .3 hours earlier in Hawaii compared to home in Idaho.  There is no better way to start the day for us than enjoying a cup of coffee on the balcony of the hotel room.  We watch the sun come up and clouds burn off to be a beautiful sunny day in Hawaii.

Today our first plans include heading out to the beach to figure out where we need to be to meet the catamaran for Tuesday’s swim with the turtles.  It’s early as we head out but the city is alive with people heading to work, heading to the beach and some just heading out to whatever they day holds.  As we hit the beach, there are a lot of people out walking, some surfers paddling out to the ways, boats out on the water and others securing their place on the beach to enjoy of day of relaxation.

I see a walkway they leads out into the water and I can resist going out to the end of it.  The waves are splashing up over it and at times are so strong I can barely stay standing.    The water is so clear and blue, I can see to the bottom as I look down.  I just want to stay out here forever and feel the breeze on my face, the water rolling over my feet and the sun warming me.  As I look back to shore I realize that my husband has wandered off so I had better catch up.

As we continue to stroll down the beach we continually pass people who are just as excited to be here as we are and why not . . . we are in paradise.  All at once, someone stops us and tells us that we cannot continue on our path because Hawaii 5-O is filming and they are shooting directly at us down the beach.  Apparently, they do not want us in the shot!  This is one of our favorite shows and my husband is pointing out Kamekona’s Shrimp Truck and we are headed to watch as they shoot the show.

There is a small crowd of people just like us watching as they do several takes on the shot for an upcoming episode.  In this shot we have Danny, Steve, Kamekona and Flippa and they look intense.  Once they capture the shot, we hear some yell “break the set” which lets us know they are moving on.  As everyone on set is moving, out walks Kamekona’s cousin Flippa.  Shawn Mokuahi Garnett has been portraying Cousin Flippa for 4 seasons and has been in 24 episodes.

This incredibly talented man is also kind, humble and very patient as many of us wait in line to get a picture with him.  As you watch him interact with everyone you realize that while he may be a star, it certainly hasn’t gone to his head.  He’s just a regular guy who feels so blessed to part of this show.  If you’ve watched the show at all, you know that he is also a fabulous musician.  Learn more about this amazing young man at:  http://www.staradvertiser.com/2014/04/19/features/five-0-redux/five-0-redux-shawn-garnett/