Kicking off Memorial Day weekend with HAWAII FIVE O and BATTLESHIP

Last night, as I worked out on my exercise bike, I enjoyed a rerun of Hawaii Five O - He Moho Hou (New Player),  I previously reviewed this episode at this link. The secondary story line featured Kono reuniting with a nemesis from her teen surfing days - Rosey Valera.  As H50 fans know, Kono blew out her knee, thus prompting her to attend the police academy. Rosey's path was not so rosy - she joined the Army, deployed to Iraq, and lost both legs from a roadside bomb.  She is now living among in a homeless camp as she struggles with her demons.  The producers avoid the "Kono can fix everything" plot. Instead, Rosey makes it clear to Kono that she has to work this out on her own.  Yet Kono extracts a promise from Rosey. The closing scene features Kono taking Rosey surfing on a modified board.

The scene reminded me of AccesSurf, link, a nonprofit organization with the vision:

In following the spirit of Duke Kahanamoku, AccesSurf continues to be a pioneer in the advancement of adaptive water sports, ocean recreation, and therapeutic instruction for people with disabilities throughout the state of Hawaii and worldwide.

AccesSurf hosts wounded warriors each month. Thank you, AccesSurf, for caring for our military!

Once H50 was over, I was channel surfing until I landed on FX broadcasting BATTLESHIP. 

I LOVE THIS MOVIE.

Granted, it was the last 30 minutes as the young sailors and the old salts navigate the Mighty Mo to save Oahu from an alien invasion. They receive a helping hand from wounded warrior Mick Canales who stumbles across the aliens during his therapeutic hike in the Waianae mountains,  Mick is portrayed by real life wounded warrior Greg Gadson (link) who, like his character, lost his legs in Iraq.  My family share a mutual friend with Greg - my children have met him at our neighbors' home.  Indeed, Greg demonstrates that he doesn't need legs to be a successful officer, husband, father, and motivational speaker. Thank you, Greg, for your service!

Today Americans kick off Memorial Day Weekend.  From usmemorialday.org,

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America .... Memorial Day was borne out of the Civil War and a desire to honor our dead. It was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11. 

“The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed.

As we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, I also salute the military personnel who have made other sacrifices - time away from families, service related injuries, and the struggle to overcome emotional scars of war.  Thank you for defending my freedom.

My oldest son and husband at the
Margraten American Cemetery in the Netherlands 

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash.  To enter the giveaway,

1. What are your plans for the Memorial Day Weekend?  My family is planting perennials around our house!

2. Comments are open through Sunday, June 4, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, June 5.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Hawaii Five O Season 7 - Bromance, Tango, and Bond

Back in July, the cast and crew of HAWAII FIVE O participated in a Hawaiian blessing to kick off production for Season Seven.  The above picture was published by the Honolulu Star Advertiser (link). Two months later, fans welcomed the new season with Makaukau 'oe e Pa'ani? - Ready to Play?  My friend NL Gassert (link) and I played yeah or nay with the episode (she was my travel buddy when I lived in Hawaii):

Yeah to the wheel chair races between Steve and Danno as they recover from liver surgery (Danno gave Steve half of his liver at the end of last season ... something that will be a recurring joke between them for the rest of their lives).   

Nay to Steve meeting "Jack" in the hospital chapel.  "Jack" was a CGI creation superimposed on an actor who resembled the original Steve McGarrett - Jack Lord. The producers intended for the two "Steves" to meet ... but I thought it was creepy. 

Yeah to return of the bromance and carguments between Steve and Danno.  This is why I watch the series ... along with the scenery, of course!

Nay to the serial killer. I wasn't drawn into the plot.

Yeah to the new governor being an Asian wahine (woman) - a closer representation of the Hawaiian ohana (families) than previous governors.

Last week's episode was aptly titled No Ke Ali'i Wahine A Me Ka Aina - For Queen and Country. Above is 'Ioloni Place - home of Hawaii's last queen and the fictional office of H50.

In the second episode, Harry - an rogue MI6 agent - lands in Honolulu and recruits the H50 team for his mission. Again, NL Gassert played Yeah or Nay.

Yeah to the references to James Bond. Jerry was delighted to play with the agent's gadgets.

Nay to the Tango that Kono danced with the bad guy to distract him. There was no passion.

Yeah to Kono's red dress during the Tango (I can't find an online image to share with you).

Nay to the action leaving Hawaii to follow the bad guy to Europe.

Yeah to the bromance in the air as Harry flies Steve and Danno to the Czech Republic. Danno teases Steve that Harry flies a jet (while Steve only flies a helicopter).  

Yeah to Steve reflecting upon his feelings for Catherine and acknowledging that they will never again be a couple.

Yeah to Steve and Danno accompanying Harry to place flowers on his wife's grave back in London (a flashback to the opening scene of Roger Moore in FOR YOUR EYES ONLY).  

And it would not be H50 if they did not jump the shark - Steve and Danno receive an award from the Queen!  

FYI, three of Hawaii's queens - Queen Emma, Queen Kapiolani, and Queen Lili'uokalani - enjoyed a warm friendship with Queen Victoria. Below are Queen Kapiolani and then Crown Princess Lili'uokalani at Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.  Picture courtesy of the Hawaii State Archives.

Although H50 has lost some of the spark, I still find it entertaining. And the scenery ... yes, the water is that blue!  I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash.  To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about the new TV season - what are you watching?

2. Given the shipping costs, the giveaway is only open to US residents, but I welcome comments from all readers. 

3. Comments are open through Sunday, October 9, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 10.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

NL and Ivy near the Navy's Boneyard

in Pearl Harbor West Loch

Best of 2013 (part 2) - Contemporaries, Novellas, and H50

Continuing my list of the top 13 books of 2013, spotlighting contemporaries, novellas, and even H50!

Contemporaries ...

7.  Jodi Thomas' CAN'T STOP BELIEVING (Berkley)

Link to my guest post on The Reading Reviewer
Link to my review on Goodreads

8.  Stephanie Evanovich's BIG GIRL PANTIES (William Morrow)

Link to my blog post
Link to my review on Goodreads

9.  Jenny Colgan's MEET ME AT THE CUPCAKE CAFE (Sourcebooks)

Link to my guest post on the Reading Reviewer
Link to my review on Goodreads

10. Anne Elizabeth's ONCE A SEAL (Sourcebooks)

Link to my blog post
Link to my review on Goodreads

Novellas ...

11.  Michele Gorman's CHRISTMAS CAROL (Notting Hill Press)

Link to my blog post
Link to my review on Goodreads

12.  Laura Levine, SECRET SANTA/Nightmare on Elm Street (Kensington)

Link to my blog post

 .... and Hawaii Five O! 

13.  HO'ONANI MAKAU KANE - HONOR THY FATHER  

From my blog (link),

Hats off to the producers of Hawaii Five O for last night episode, HO'ONANI MAKAU KANE - HONOR THY FATHER. This episode, airing one week after the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, focuses on an unsolved murder from WWII. The episode offered a historical perspective of the surprise attack, the internment of Japanese Americans, and the 442nd Infantry Regiment - comprised of Japanese Americans who served in the European Theater. The 442nd is the nicknamed the Purple Heart Battalion because it is the most decorated unit in Army history. For an excellent review of the episode, check out this link.

The emotional content was gripping ... and I enjoyed the scenes shot on Pearl Harbor ... places I've lived, visited, and posted on my travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND (link).

Well done, H5O, well done!

cbs.com

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Do you have a favorite contemporary romance, novella, or even TV episode from 2013?

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, January 4, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winners on Sunday, January 5.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Check out my Best of 2013, Nos. 1 - 6, Historicals, at this link.  

Celebrate Little Victories ... Part Time Job, Romance Conventions, and Hawaii Five O

Aloha!  I am now back to work, part time, where I was employed before we moved to Hawaii.   I am thankful that my boss welcomed me back and remains flexible with my schedule. My job will fund my adventures at this year's romance conventions.  So far, I am signed up for:

Big Book Getaway at the Mohegan Sun Resort in CT, February 21 - 22.  From its website (link),

Friday, Feburary 21, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
> Steamy Stories ~ An Intimate Conversation with Bestselling Romance and Erotica Authors: panel presentation in the Convention Center featuring Avon authors Eloisa James, Laura Kaye and Cathy Maxwell; joined by Lisa Gabriele, author of the S.E.C.R.E.T erotica series.

Saturday, February 22, 11:00 - 11:45 am

> Racy Romance ~ Bestselling Authors Presented by Avon featuring Eloisa James, Laura Kaye, Cathy Maxwell and Lisa Gabriele

Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon in Milwaukee, April 26.  From its website (link),

Join us as we welcome 50+ authors to Wisconsin ... including NYT best seller Debbie Macomber.

I am sitting with the fabulous Eileen Dreyer!

RT Booklovers' Convention in New Orleans, May 13-18.  From its website (link),

SOS America Military Salute: Kathryn Falk, founder of SOS America Inc., invites all booklovers to join her for this annual salute to military families. Our celebration includes an Honor Guard, barbershop quartet, and special guest speaker, Chief Michael Jaco, retired US Navy SEAL. We will recognize military veterans from the US and its allies plus the extended family who serve back home. Goodie bags will be presented to the military families.

Color Guard at Military Tribute
RT/Chicago 2012

I'm eyeing a few others:  WRW Retreat (link), Book Expo America (link), and RWA Annual Conference (link).  All this travel translates into more books to giveaway!

Speaking of RWA, I receive its monthly magazine and enjoyed this month's issue with Shana Galen's article, IS A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT RIGHT FOR YOU?    I read the magazine at the gym and I almost fell off the exercise bike laughing when I read a quote from Eileen Dreyer,

"My husband once tried to be helpful and filed the paperwork in my office.  I still haven't found it".

This is why I am sitting with Eileen at Barbara Vey's luncheon!

Eileen Dreyer, Patricia Rice, and Cathy Maxwell
RT/Los Angeles, 2011

Hats off to the producers of Hawaii Five O for last night episode, HO'ONANI MAKAU KANE - HONOR THY FATHER.   This episode, airing one week after the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, focuses on an unsolved murder from WWII.   The episode offered a historical perspective of the surprise attack, the internment of Japanese Americans, and the 442nd Infantry Regiment - comprised of Japanese Americans who served in the European Theater.  The 442nd is the nicknamed the Purple Heart Battalion because it is the most decorated unit in Army history.   For an excellent review of the episode, check out this link.

Byodo In Temple on Oahu
Built on the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Japanese Immigrant

The emotional content was gripping ... and I enjoyed the scenes shot on Pearl Harbor ... places I've lived, visited, and posted on my travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND (link).  

Well done, H5O, well done!

How was your week?

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

The cast of H50 visited my son's school, Hickam Elementary.
Pearl Harbor is behind the school.

Weekly Winners and Two King Kamehameha Statues

King Kamehameha in Kohala, Big Island

H50 was a winner on Friday night - it featured conspiracy theories, hidden treasures, and the two statues of King Kamehameha (link).  I posted pictures of the original statue on my travel blog at this link and the replacement statue at this link. 

We also have winners at SOS Aloha:

Jules Bennett's TO TAME A COWBOY
- Betty H. wins a print copy.

Mia Marlowe's PLAID TIDINGS

- Diane wins a print copy.

Elizabeth Hoyt's DUKE OF MIDNIGHT

- Jeanne M. wins bling that matches the cover's dress.

Winners - please claim your prize by sending your mailing address to sos.aloha@yahoo.com.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

King Kamehameha in Honolulu, Ohau.