Hawaiian Airlines online check-in isn't working and we've just been told that everyone on the flight needs to check in with an agent at the airport before our 9:37 flight in the morning. Can't wait to see what a clusterf*<k this is. 🙄 The Alaskan-Hawaiian Airlines merger is just going swimmingly.

Dude seated next to us at the bar cashed out and left without eating his happy hour onion rings and it’s all the hubs can do to not eat them. They do look really good. 👀

What's obvious here is that Trump truly wishes he could dismember journalists who ask questions he doesn't like.

Visited the volcano today and now we’re settled in for rain. While it’s been relaxing here in a sense we’ve kept so busy seeing the sights we’ll need a vacation to rest up once we’re back in California…and then it’ll be the start of thealcoholidays so 🤷🏼‍♀️ #livingintheUSA

No rain today so we passed on NFL Sunday and visited on of our favorite botanical gardens. However, when I see people in these places taking endless selfies in pose after pose I have to wonder whether they’re there for the history and beauty of the place or is it just a pretty backdrop for photos?

On our way to the other side of the island we saw a few of these hōnu. Completely different vibe over here.

We are lunching at the southernmost bar in the United States on the south Kona coast. Although people are watching college football on TV no one here cares who the president is. It seems they’re still adjusting to becoming the 50th state and it hadn’t been an easy transition.

It is now common knowledge that the President of the United States was, at the very least, involved in a child sex-trafficking ring, and very likely molested underage girls himself. This should be the most important story in America until the problem is resolved.

Last night after a sunset happy hour we dined at the Manago Hotel, Hawaii's oldest restaurant - over 100 years. Now we're packing up to move to the other side of the island tomorrow. This evening we've tickets to a slack key guitar concert which is part of what is loosely called a "festival" here.

This afternoon, instead of an overpriced luau, we'll be dining at a paniolo barbecue at an historic working ranch, part of a long tradition of cowboy culture on the Big Island. The ranch is home to 2,500 head of cattle but since the pandemic most are shipped to the mainland for sale these days.

We took a tour of the sacred Waipio Valley today. Access to the valley floor via the road is allowed for only Big Island residents and tour company operators and only in 4-wheel drive vehicles. It is the steepest road of its length in the US. What a beautiful day we had.

Went on what was described as an "easy hike" but ended up being a very taxing trek across shifting sand and large pieces of broken lava in very warm and humid weather. And then we watched MNF over a lunch of poke and seaweed salad. Good to get some exercise, I guess, but now we're both wiped out.

Just had to breathe for a few minutes and remind myself that everything’s going to be alright. It is, isn’t it?

Oh boy! After we already saw the SF Niners lose big to the Rams, we’re being offered a split screen so we can watch the Steelers v Chargers game along with a live look at the Senate on CNN. Could it get any better?

It's beautiful, but Hawaii has always been an expensive place to visit. It's even more difficult for many people who live here to make ends meet, especially now. Charitable donations are being sought everywhere while the state is stepping up to help SNAP recipients. www.civilbeat.org/2025/10/hawa...

“Considering the last POTUS was essentially forced to abandon his campaign for re-election based on widespread panic concerning his mental acuity and physical stamina, we owe it to ourselves to apply the same unwavering focus and myopic hysteria … to the reality we now face concerning Trump.”

Had to get out of the condo early this morning because the house cleaners are coming so we went for breakfast at our favorite cafe from Lahaina. They moved to Kona after their place burned down. It’s definitely to the benefit of Kailua-Kona.

Lest you think it’s all rainbows and unicorns over here I woke up screaming from a nightmare last night and the hubs keeps saying I look depressed. This country is not good for my (or anyone’s) mental health. . . But we do our best. #livingintheUSA

Ran into some friends from our hometown here on the Big Island earlier in the week. Met up with them for happy hour the other day and today we’re meeting for lunch. They’re morning people and we are not and it’s so much nicer to have friends nearby rather than staying with you.

Visited the Paleaku Gardens Peace Sanctuary today and we feel so centered. Here are a couple of photos.

Spectrum internet is down and that means no WiFi, streaming or cable TV at the condo this evening. Fortunately, T-mobile works so we have some connectivity and can at least listen to Spotify. (Sorry, was I supposed to be boycotting these companies? I get confused…there are so many.)

What now? Hope we can get back to the mainland later this month and then on to Mexico. When does it end with this guy?

Surely, the country is in need of a bigger ballroom to showcase this.

My impression of Prop 50 in California is if you were in favor of it you voted for it and if you weren’t you didn’t vote. So, win-win. Correct me if I’m wrong? Anyhoo, way to go CA. ❤️

Today we made a trip to the Mookini Heiau, one of the oldest and most sacred heiau (places of worship) in the Hawaiian Islands. This National Historic Landmark is located on the northernmost point of the Island of Hawai'i in the Kohala Historical Sites State Monument, 5 miles southwest of Hawi, HI.

Between the time difference from here to California and Daylight Savings Time ending there (but not here) I have no idea when any sports event will be aired this weekend. We hardly ever participate in daylight savings but it affects us anyway through our TV viewing habits. 🏈 ⚾️ 🏀

At this point we’re trying to figure out where we can watch #game7 tomorrow after we arrive at 10:30 am in Hawaii. We hear Scherzer is pitching??? We have to check into our condo between 4 and 5. This is a challenge. #BeatLA

Happy Halloween! We’re having a World Series party with a friend featuring Chinese food while we hand out trick-or-treat candy. All must end early so we can get up for an 8 am flight tomorrow. #Game6 #BeatLA

Today we've been sampling a little of what our hometown has to offer. For lunch we took advantage of a free Yelp experience at an underrated under-the-radar food truck. In the evening we'll attend a free screening of Bruce Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere courtesy of AARP Movies for Grownups.

With the way every day now is in the United States, scary Halloween seems a bit redundant.

And the BlueJays win the important Game 5! TOR 6, LAD 1 FINAL #WorldSeries #BlueJays #BeatLA .

I wish there were some other announcers we could listen to during this game…the over-the-top admiration for the Dodgers is rather sickening. #WorldSeries #BeatLA

Doing some conditioning for our upcoming trip to Hawaii by setting the alarm and getting up early so I can go to bed earlier and also walking at least 4 miles during the day. Those 8 am flights aren't easy and I have to be in shape for it.

Good thing we’ve dinner plans this evening. I sure don’t want to watch much more of this World Series game. #BeatLA

Great thread. She articulates well what I've been thinking too.

I still can't get my mind wrapped around the fact that private donations funded the destruction of the White House. On what planet is that in any way okay? Make it make sense!!!

Last night we attended this solo show at a local theater that is based on his real-life experiences growing up in a racist suburb in the Bay Area. This deeply personal story explored race, identity, and belonging with heart, humor, and insight. It was very thought provoking and we loved it.

Today we're going to a nearby voting center to cast our ballots for Prop 50. I'm registered as an overseas voter so I need to go in person and vote while the center is open today. I'm glad that option is available to me!

Has a much better ring to it, wouldn't you say?

This is the ad Donald Trump woke up furious about. Would be a shame if it went viral.

….Although I do recall Kamala Harris saying that he’ll send the military against citizens who disagree with him.

Today I'm going to see an optometrist and get a COVID vaccine and flu shot. This evening we'll be surprising friends by attending their annual Day of the Dead party where, coincidentally, the hubs and I first met 21 years ago. It's so quiet here compared to our neighborhood in Mexico, I slept well.

Or, shall we call it the "ballroom"?

It's almost surreal being in the US right now. We met a US citizen on our flight back last night who also has perm residency in Mexico, lives lakeside near Chapala, and who has been stopped and questioned on every trip to the US lately. We kept quiet about our residency status at immigration.

Welp, the hubs has talked me into selling our California house. I really can't live in the US any longer. We'll be visiting for about 10 days....and then stay tuned. Hasta la vista.

I’m glad I got to see the old White House, and the old United States. Gonna miss both.

Giving the house one last thorough cleaning before we pack some of our warm weather clothes for a US trip. This evening we'll be discussing Under The Volcano with our book club while sipping tequila and mezcal, as seems appropriate. I'm a little nervous about leaving - I feel safer here in Mexico.

HEY New York Times, IT WAS SHIT HE DUMPED ON PROTESTERS! If he can post it, the least you can do is write it!

After the #NoKings rally yesterday we took a bus across town to attend two Oktoberfests that were completely different from one another. The first was packed with 8-10 craft beer makers represented and a lively DJ. The second was quieter and roomy, with a few special German beers available.