Hawaii became my home in the 1960s and I have lived in on the Big Island since 2000. Hilo is home to the MERRIE MONARCH FESTIVAL, a huge international Hula competition that is held every April.
In my early years I frequently crewed on a charter fishing boat out of Kewalo Basin on Oahu which gave me the opportunity to travel by sea throughout the islands. I have visited them all, with the exception of Kahoolawe and Molokini and have crossed the channels more times than I can count.
I have two children, grown and on their own. I am the owner and operator of the online antiquarian entity, MANDARIN BOOKS HAWAII that deals exclusively in rare and vintage Pacific Isle books and art. (This interest, fueled by a bit of passion for the sea has further culminated in my "sailing" on a cruise ship from the mainland to Hawaii in the 70s and more recently, crewing from Hawaii to French Polynesia on a 38 foot sailboat. I also spent several months living aboard and sailing on a 43 foot s/v in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand followed by a passage from NZ to Tonga, American Samoa
and back home. I have had the privilege of traveling on the mainland, Canada, Italy, Portugal, Japan, France and the Czech Rep.. I love them all, but there's no place like
home.