Its Christmas in Kona

Cute girls with cuter Pit Bulls.  Does it get any more Christmas than that?

   Its Christmas in Kona!  There are a few houses and condos decorated with lights, but there are signs far more sure.  For one thing, we had the Kona Christmas Parade last Sunday evening.

   There were lots of dogs decorated for the holidays, along with the usual mix of inhabitants in various stages of derangement and undress.  This place is certainly great for people watching.

We all showed up for the Christmas Parade.  Rummy tum, tum.

   





And before you ask...Yes!  I resemble that remark.

    The parade itself featured the local girls roller derby team (the Kona Outlaws) in full regalia and some sweet little girls doing the hula on the back of a flat bed truck.  The local hospital and the Aloha Theater were well represented.  And of course there were racing canoes, some of which bore  kids instead of the actual rowers.  Marching bands played Mele Kalikimaka over and over.  And at the end, St. Nicholas himself made an appearance.  Ho, ho, ho!



      "Wait a just a stocking stuffin' minute!" you might ask indignantly.  "What is a  Christmas parade in the 

Paul Allen's Boat: a sign of Xmas in Kailua Kona

21st Century without the Grinch?"  Well, here in Kailua the G Man doesn't require a parade.  He arrives (as of yesterday) in his very own yacht.  Or possibly two.  That's right kane and wahines, Paul  Allen is back.  Some of you out there may disagree with me.  If you are a fan of the Seahawks, Sounders or Trailblazers you may value Mr. Allen as a necessary evil, or maybe a source of civic pride.  If he had owned the Sonics, they might still be in Seattle.

   Here in Kona, among us less fortunate, and without any major league sports affiliations within 3,000 nautical miles, he is known as a frugal tipper and one who does his best to keep his distance from us menehunes. If he is going to give away his gazillions, doesn't it seem reasonable that he could drop a little here in the community he loves (I assume) to visit.   For most of us, all we have received is a lungfull of dust when his whirlybird lands on his estate near the pier.

    Yesterday I went snorkeling off the pier with Paul Allen's yacht gleaming nearby.  I was lucky.  Swimming way out in front of the Canoe Club (formerly Don Drysdale's Bar, may he rest in peace) Santa put a

Scribbled Filefish,  Aluterus scripta  Kailua Kona,  Dec. 2013

Scribbled Filefish in my stocking.  Mr. Scribble isn't truly rare...yet. But every time I see him, I wonder if its the last time.   Will I ever see you again  in these very Sandwich Islands, my fine freckled friend?  This fish was spooky, as they pretty much all are nowadays, and I had to struggle to get the photo you see here.  After I got the picture, I sang to the fish.   And then, being in a musical mood, I composed the following Christmas carol for Mr. Allen.  (You can sing along to the tune of O Tannenbaum).




 Paul Allen's Boat, Paul Allen's Boat.
How proud you ride the water.

This is a Christmas Parade!  Not a Bar Mitzvah, You Putz!

Paul Allen's Boat, Paul Allen's Boat.
The Grinch is quite a plotter.

When Christmas comes, We'll thrill to see,
Your Helicopter in a Tree.

Paul Allen's boat, Paul Allen's Boat,
How white upon the water.

  Well, you got a look at the yacht, my friends at the parade, a really cute girl and her dog and our good friend Mr. Scribble.   I'll leave you with some cute kids in an outrigger on wheels and wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Jeff

What's better than a parade?