What makes hiking Koko Head memorable

Be determined in achieving your goals, fuelled by passion and sacrifice,
no matter how difficult it might look as long as you have perseverance
 there is nothing impossible. 

View from the parking when we arrived at the Koko Head Park.

Before you raise your brows and ask if I was able to really survive, let me just first state that it was difficult and it took me an hour and a half to hike Koko Head which has 1,048 "torturous" steps and this mountain is 1,200 feet above Hawaii Kai. The weather then was so fine and not sunny so the heat was bearable. 

Looks so minute from this view but
totally opposite when you're hiking it. 

It was almost 7 o'clock in the morning when we arrived and started our hike. We passed by these cables wherein these shoes are hanging onto. Some of the shoes are clean, do look like new ones, and what made it unbelievable is the fact that some shoes hanging here are all brand-new. Accordingly, those who were able to survive hiking Koko Head started a tradition of just throwing their shoes above and leaves it on these wires if it gets on to it.  

Ate Den-Den who was here during our hike on her 7th time at Koko Head, led the trail. She was prepared and got her belt bag on and got water tumbler.

On our first set of photos are fine- we can still put a smile on our faces and everything seems okay. 

Tito Rey walked this part of the trail which served as a bridge- totally no land but huge rocks on the bottom, but not for me. Auntie Belen took this photo as I literally crawled going up this part. Some tourists also crawled while others used some trail walking poles- just like that lady at my back with yellow walking poles. 

I have to stop for twenty or so times to rest because aside from the steepness of the trail, what made it more difficult is a number of people passing by. Some are fast and that they were going down already while others just started. Both though were fast except for us.  

 It took me an hour and a half to reach the top! While Ate Den-Den, Ate Pam, Robie, and Uncle Roland hiked for only 40 minutes! Perhaps, being a first-time hiker is a good excuse!  

Accordingly, Koko Head was used during the war to combat attackers. 

Train rails which we passed were used to deliver bombs and other artilleries for air-to-ground weapons. 

Overlooking Hanauma Bay.

The view from the top is breath-taking!

I am grateful to this Filipino family, Uncle Rey and Auntie Belen, Uncle Roland and Auntie Virgie, Ate Pam, Robby, and Ate Den-Den. This is also a chance to reconnect with them since the last they saw me was when I was still little. My mom grew up with Auntie Belen and their family as neighbors in our community.  

With Uncle Roland.

Uncle Roland, Uncle Ben, and Auntie Belen proved that they can still hike this far and this difficult despite their age! Salute! Note that we did not even have stretching first prior to hiking. (BUT for safety purposes, before going and doing physical activities please do stretching first.)

Auntie Belen and Uncle Roland

We stayed on top for 20 minutes to rest, drink water, take photos, and eat pandesal!

Pandesal! 

Check out this Facebook live video.

 Going down the mountain was easier! It took me only 30 minutes to trail down. Of course, this part which is the "bridge" still made me crawl though I tried walking I failed when my foot slip.

See this gap between the rails?

Yeah, that's my haggard face. LOL!

I think that this hiking journey does not only give us the view of nature. It gives us moments to ponder on our life goals. It teaches that no matter how difficult the problem or situation may look, as long as we are determined and passionate about the things we do, we can overcome every obstacle. We can take pauses, but we should never give up. 

  

Survived Koko Head!

Visiting the Valley of Temples

 

With mountains on its background, a pond, and a temple on its foot, this definitely is another paradise here in Hawaii. 

By the beauty of its view, who would have thought beside this Buddhist temple lies a memorial park where thousands of Buddhist, Shinto, Protestant, Catholic residents of Hawaii are buried. This is Valley of Temples located at windward part of O'ahu island and at the foot of the Ko'olau mountains which is just near Kaneohe.

This is one of the spots my fraternity brother Andrew brought me into when we met. I find it timely then because it was Halloween and that was also the first day of November in the Philippines when Filipino come to churches and cemeteries to pray for the soul of their departed.  

Accordingly, thousands of Buddhist, Shinto, Protestant, and Catholic residents of Hawaii are buried here. On this part of the valley, a hill of tombstone are located. 

This year should have been the second year when we have to go to the cemetery and visit the tomb of my dad, and since I cannot visit his tomb, went instead to this peaceful place where I remembered and prayed for his soul. What's good about this place is aside from the connection that you have with God is the connection that you also have with nature. 

I also visited the Byodo-In Temple where an Amida Buddha is located here and lit a candle. According to sources, this temple has been established on June 7, 1968, to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of first Japanese immigrants in Hawaii.

Aside from the beautiful beaches and hike activities, this temple is definitely one of the must-go here in Hawaii- not just because of its beauty, more its peacefulness, but also because of how people value and respect religious beliefs here.  

I am grateful for this fellowship opportunity because I did not just learn about legislative process and governance, it took me to new heights in understanding diversity and culture especially here in Hawaii which I think is a melting pot of varied culture. 

Thank you to the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, American Council of Young Political Leaders, and National Movement of Young Legislators in the Philippines! 

Why Dog Parks matter and how legislation can help out

Odin and his buddy playing at the beach. 

It was a group of nine people coming from different professional background and descent coming together every afternoon, but they all have something in common- their love for dogs.

This group of dog lovers come here daily to walk their dogs
and socialize with other dog lovers, too. 

During my homestay, my hosts Michelle and Joe introduced me to their two-year old dog and baby,  Odin who is a big sweet dog with black hair. After walking at the beach with Michelle and before having dinner, Joe and Michelle brought me to Kaha Park for Odin to play with other dogs.

With handsome and sweet Odin.

They meet every afternoon after work to allow their pets to play and to poop, but of course they have plastic bag which they use to pick dog poops. Dogs can run freely in this park without any leash, while their owners chat with each other about work and their advocacies.

Michelle and Joe playing with other dogs.

Benefits of having Dogs

According to some dog owners I met at Kailua, because of their dogs they get to destress, to mingle and to meet other people. I find it interesting how dogs can easily bring people together, and how people easily connect with other when they talk about their dogs.

Corner (2009), writes that emotional bonds is one of benefits from pet ownership especially people with inadequate human social support.

I learned from Michelle and some of her colleagues in the dog lovers community some of the benefits of having Dog Parks in the community which include having a healthier community since dogs could encourage to walk in them making the said person be physically active, community will show value and importance to pets as well as pet lovers, children will be taught the value of responsibility at a young age by having pets and by taking care of them such as walking them in parks, and dog parks could bring the people and community closer.

Advocating for Dog Parks

On Sunday of my homestay, Michelle and I walked Odin at the beach and Odin just carelessly enjoyed the sun, the sea. He was wearing his leash for easy catch whenever he is being difficult.

Here, we met Samantha Miller or just Jen. She is the dog owner of this totally awesome dog which knows how to swim and she is the person who leads the advocacy for having dog parks. In our conversation at the beach, Jen said that pet dogs must have the right to freely play in parks.

Jen added that there is now an ongoing public hearing on their concern to have it passed by legislature, but they still need to educate more people about their advocacy. She added that she can go house-to-house to disseminate information about their advocacy and to convince residents there on their campaign to have legislation act on it.

With Jen and Michelle who are lead persons in advocating
for Dog Parks in Kailua.

Source: WalletHub

2017 Most Pet-Friendly Cities

In October this year, WalletHub wrote an article listing the 100 most-pet friendly cities in the United States of America. The article ranked each city based on Pet-Budget, Pet Health and Wellness, and Outdoor Pet-Friendliness.

The city of Scottsdale in Arizona led the overall rank with a total score of 65.93, ranked 80th on Pet Budget, ranked first on Pet Health and Wellness, and second on Outdoor Pet-Friendliness. Meanwhile, Honolulu City of Hawaii only ranked 98 overall with a total score of 39.69, ranked 79th on Pet-Budget, ranked last on Pet Health and Wellness, and 34th on Outdoor Pet-Friendliness.

"Our data set ranges from minimum pet-care provider rate per visit to pet businesses per capita to walkability," said the article.

Michelle dressing Odin up for Halloween.

Odin in his Batman costume.

Inspiring Legislation

I am grateful to Joe, Michelle, Jen, and the rest of the dog lovers community for informing on their advocacy which could be adapted in our own municipality through legislation. In our town, we only have the Anti-Rabies Ordinance which is closely related to pets and responsible pet ownership.


Being the committee chairperson on Agriculture in our council, this could be a good initiative to care for pet owners especially dog lovers in our community.
I admire the courage of this group, but I admire their love and care for the protection and health of their pets more. Surely, pets are not just there to play around with, but pets are family, too.

Homestay, Politics, and Food: Inside an American Home

Dinenr at Kalapawai Cafe and Deli in Kailua, Honolulu County. 

Never did I think that I will have the opportunity to live in an American Home and to know how welcoming Americans are until this fellowship program.

Well yes, the Office of Citizen Exchanges Program Officer Chris Remsen of the U.S. Department of State have already told the professional fellows affiliated with the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) during our meeting back in Washington DC that one of the unique characteristics of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) fellowship program is homestay, or the chance to live in an American home for a day or two; however I did not know that it is this meaningful.

With Michelle at Kailua beach.

Couple Michelle Stephenson and Joe Roswarski accommodated me in their home last week where I spent overnight there. I rode the bus bound to Kailua and met them at Starbucks there. Michelle approached me with a warm and sincere smile and Joe came after. We went to their house and met their awesome baby dog Odin. I dropped my bag, and decided to walk in Kailua beach.

On Tourism

Michelle accompanied me to Kailua where she toured me on some of the best spots in the area. It was a good walk having to see some of the best views which I have not yet seen in Waikiki Beach.

Kailua Beach has less tourists here as compared to Waikiki beach
 and it offers this beautiful scenic view. Photos taken by blogger.

WATCH: Live Facebook post at the Kailua Beach when Michelle toured me here.

On top of the hilly part of the beach.
Photo taken by Michelle.

On Politics

What I appreciate more about this homestay is that ACYPL chose or matched our homestay with our interests. Michelle is the Chief Revenue Officer of a political technologies company NGP VAN + EveryAction. While Joe is a medical doctor in the Military based here in Honolulu. Both are active in political discourse and it was actually our main conversation over dinner and even while driving me back to Lincoln Hall.

Our conversations gave me context on the political situation here in the America and in exchange discussed various political and socio-economic issues in the Philippines with them. I think we agree on one point that their incumbent president has almost the same traits as ours on some aspects. We agree that some careless statements lead to more misunderstandings and division among citizens and the country as whole.

One of the crazy statements made by the current US administration was made late July this year when Trump announced that the "United States government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. military." Such statement "reversed a year-old policy reviled by social conservatives."

I think that it has impact to those who are already serving in the military and/or those who are already assigned in various bases, and worse would be those who wanted to sincerely serve this country but are barred just because of their sexual preference and orientation.


Watch New York Times report on this below:
 

On Anti-Intellectualism 

Dr. Joe is reviewing for his specialisation examination in medicine which is oncology, or on the study and treatment of cancer. I told him that I see my nerd friends who are actually in law school, med school, and grad school.

Selfie with Dr. Joe before leaving their home.

I clarified that nerd in a positive way because in our country there are two connotations of such word. Which led me in sharing about smart-shaming in the Philippines or the culture of anti-intellectualism. Which, according to him is also prevalent here in the US. (Here is a good read from GMA Network and from Rappler). Some people even use satire to shame others, which is very typical among circle of friends.

We both agree that to make build a stronger nation, people should invest in nurturing their skills and in learning more.

On American Food

Another common interest the couple and I have is our love for food, albeit both of them are good in cooking while I am not. They hosted me for dinner at Kalapawai Cafe and Deli, a restaurant by night and a deli by day.

Macaroni and cheese. 

I forgot the name of this barbecue steak. 

I was not able to sleep long that night since it was my first time there and because I also received a call from home. However, I really love the simplicity and comfort of my bedroom Joe and Michelle provided.

Inside my cozy bedroom. 

Exchange programs such as this, I believe, opens a gate of opportunities to a person not only to immerse in the culture and learn from various people and experiences while here, but also to share his perspectives on some political and social issues which could contextualise his understanding on various issues.

I am grateful to my homestay host and to ACYPL for this opportunity to learn and share ideas with Americans inside and out of their warm American home. Mahalo Joe, Michelle, and Odin!


CHECK OUT my next blog entry which is about our walk at the beach and dog park advocacy of some dog lovers in Kailua. 


NOTE: The opinion of the blogger does not reflect the opinion of the US Department of State, the ACYPL, and the Philippine government.