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Hawaii Ski Club – July,
2008
EXECUTIVE ORGANIZATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President – Geof Chu – 330-7432
Vice President – James Purvis
Secretary - Anita Hodges, 486-8667
Treasurer - Wanda Sowell – 487-7485
Ross Kuraya
Aaron Setogawa
Toby Kravet – 224-1065
Wanda "Wandi" Sagum
Linda Giers
Sylvia “Sam” Wright
-----------------------------------------
Club Historian
Jo Yee
Newsletter Editor
Toby Kravet
(Click on Contacts for e mail addresses)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Every Monday evening (except on holidays): 4:30 P.M. A group of ski club members and their friends play tennis at Keehi Lagoon courts, off Lagoon Drive. Stay in shape and share refreshments afterwards!
June 12, (Thursday): 5:30 P.M. Board Meeting at Henry Loui's, 5:30 P.M.
June 13, (Friday): 5 P.M. Pau Hana at Ige's Restaurant and 19th Puka, 98-761 Oihana Pl., Aiea, (off Kaahumanu St. right above Moanalua Rd.--one of Geof's favorite watering holes)
June 21, (Saturday): 6 P.M. Casino Night at Mary Beth and James Purvis' house, 2156 A Amakua St., Pearl City.
June 29: (Sunday) Flavors of Honolulu, Frank Fasi Civic Center. Ski Club volunteer have traditionally worked the wine booths during one of the days/shifts and then "partied hearty" at this annual charity event. Details and requests for volunteers forthcoming.
July 4 (Friday): 5 P.M. Independence Day Celebration in Waikiki.
Potluck at Geof's Condo, 430 Lewers St., Apt. 30C until
it's time to walk to the beach for the fireworks display.
July 19, (Saturday): 3 P.M. Diamond Head Theatre: The Wizard of Oz
with lunch before the performance and dinner afterwards.
July 26, (Saturday): 8 P.M. Manoa Valley Theatre: The Rocky Horror Show, with dinner before the performance.
August 3, (Sunday): 4 P.M. Pau Hana at RumFire, Sheraton Waikiki.
August 23, (Saturday): Annual pool party and wine tasting at the Hodges' "manor." More details to follow.
September 20 - 21, (Saturday - Sunday): Superferry trip to Maui.
February, 2009: Hawaii Ski Week in Japan.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:
A sure sign of summer is the great traffic. Driving the entire length of H-1 practically every weekday I really notice how traffic has lightened up. Perhaps it’s part due to the soaring price of gas but I tend to look at the brighter sides of things. Just like last weekend’s Casino Night where yours truly was the first to lose all of his chips but the chance to kick back and hang with fellow members made it all good. Those not in attendance missed their chances at some great prizes.
The response to next year’s Japan trip is outstanding and has the potential to be the best attended event since I have been a member. From what I am hearing, the Trip Committee has a formidable task ahead and needs those of you who plan on going to lock in your travel dates. Early and intelligent planning on your part will be greatly appreciated.
A lot of money went into fixing up Waikiki starting with the Beachwalk area and the recent renovations of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. The club has two events this summer that showcase these two areas; the Fourth of July get together at 430 Lewers Street and the Pau Hana @ RumFire in the Sheraton. For those of you who haven’t been down in the heart of Waikiki lately, come down and join us.
Aloha,
GEOF
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:
FLAVORS of HONOLULU
June 29 (Sunday): 11:30 AM - 4 PM
Abilities Unlimited will again sponsor "Flavors of Honolulu" on June 27, 28,
and 29, 2008 at the Civic Center (the grounds between Honolulu Hale <City Hall>
and the Municipal Building. Flavors of Honolulu is a replacement for the Easter
Seals' Taste of Honolulu, and features food from some of our most popular local
restaurants as well as great entertainment. This is a major benefit event for
Abilities Unlimited, which assists individuals with disabilities to realize their
full potential by providing them with community-based employment. Hawaii Ski
Club members have volunteered to help at this fundraiser for the past 15 years. Please join us in supporting this worthwhile cause. We have requested to work on
Sunday, June 29, during the morning shift (11:30 AM until about 4 PM) in the
wine booths. Volunteers receive a t-shirt, admission ticket, and $10.00 in
script. After our shift ends, we gather to eat, socialize, and enjoy the live
entertainment. We will meet near Skygate, the big, black, modern sculpture in
the middle of the Honolulu Hale grounds, and then proceed to the music stage
area. Bring a cell phone to locate ski club members in the crowd.
WANDI
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION IN WAIKIKI
July 4 (Friday): 5 PM - 9 PM
Last year's Independence Day celebration in Waikiki was so enjoyable that we decided it was a must-do-again event. Accordingly, our president, Geof Chu, has again generously offered us the use of his Waikiki condominium as a place to eat, drink, and socialize on July 4th prior to viewing the annual, spectacular fireworks display at Ala Moana. From Geof's condo, it is a relatively short walk to the beach where we will be able to watch the fireworks. Geof's condo is located at 430 Lewers, apartment 30 C, telephone: 921-9945. The building is on the block of Lewers St. between Kuhio Avenue and Ala Wai Blvd. and, after making the left turn from Kuhio, is on the left side of the street, at the junction of Lewers and Manukai St. Look for a tan colored building with the address (430 Lewers St.) on a brown sign tacked to the wall. There are 11 guest stalls available at 430 Lewers as well as in the building garage directly across the street from the condo which is also part of the complex. Additionally, there might be free street parking available (because of the holiday) in the area. Register your vehicle/parking stall in the lobby, ring up Geof's unit (using his telephone number above), and he will buzz you in. Bring something to drink, a dish to share, and celebrate the 4th of July with us! Please note that this event will "replace" both the July General Membership Meeting and Pau Hana.
WANDI
DIAMOND HEAD THEATRE: THE WIZARD OF OZ
July 19 (Saturday) 3 PM
Join us for this enchanting musical classic! We will meet at the Diamond Head Theatre parking lot at noon for those who are interested in having lunch together before the performance. We are also planning on having dinner together after the performance as well. Details on the restaurants selected will be given later via an email message.
WANDI
MANOA VALLEY THEATRE: THE ROCKY HORROR
PICTURE SHOW
July 26 (Saturday) 8 PM
Due to the tremendous response for tickets, Manoa Valley Theatre has
extended their production of The Rocky Horror Show for 2 more weeks. Please join
us for a wild night of campy good fun! We will also be meeting for dinner in the
area before the show and will notify everyone via email about the restaurant
selected. Adults: $35; Senior Citizens (65+)/Military: $30.
Each admission ticket includes one standard complimentary beverage from the MVT
bar. For tickets go to:
http://www.manoavalleytheatre.com/NowPlaying/index.htm
WANDI
AUGUST PAU HANA AT RUMFIRE IN WAIKIKI
August 3 (Sunday) 4 -6 PM
August Pau Hana: SUNDAY August 3rd at RumFire
(Sheraton Waikiki, former Esprit Lounge) 4-6PM , Validated parking in Sheraton
parking structure and for-fee valet parking. Because many club
members don’t want to fight Friday evening traffic, we’ve decided to have a
Sunday "pau hana" gathering in Waikiki. Enclosed is an abridged review of the
Sheraton’s new RumFire Lounge: "RumFire is the hottest new place in
Waikiki, offering an ambiance - and menu - unlike any other, as well as some of
the best views of Diamond Head and that famous beach. The hottest new place on
the beach. This new Waikiki experience challenges your senses and everything
that’s remotely associated with dining, cocktails and social events. "
"Call it what you may - a bar, a lounge, a club or even a restaurant - because
it seems that even Kelly Sanders, general manager of the Sheraton Waikiki, can’t
quite put his finger on it either. "
"Because we have a full menu it’s like a restaurant - but it’s not a restaurant
and it’s really not a bar," says Sanders. "It’s difficult to put your arms
around, but it’s more about the experience. It’s a place you can come off the
beach and have a great snack, to coming in and having happy hour with your
friends or just watching the sunset, to getting very hip at night. It’s not just
a bar, lounge or a nightclub or a restaurant. It’s all of that, depending on the
time of day." "Private fire pits adorn the stylish outdoor lounge
sections, perfect for cozying up with that special someone or socializing with
colleagues and friends. The flame-carved fire pits are just one of the
well-thought-out elements that create a relaxed, upscale and warm atmosphere,
with a view that simply can’t be beat. With ceiling-high glass windows that
slide open to let in the ocean breeze, RumFire lets in all the beauty of a
Waikiki beachfront setting."
ANITA
HAWAII SKI CLUB'S ANNUAL END-OF-SUMMER
CELEBRATION AND POOL PARTY
August 23 (Saturday) 4:30 PM
FOOD - DRINKS - WINE TASTING - PRIZES
Enjoy the final days of summer AND lots of great food
Share time with old and new friends
Swim in the pool - Relax in the hot tub
This is one of the club's best-attended and most enjoyable activities each year,
so make sure you and friends join these festivities!. Guests are welcome.
WINE TASTING EVENT
Prizes awarded to the winners of the best white and best red wines. Everyone can
taste the wines and vote on their favorite. However, if you wish to qualify for
a prize for the best red and/or best white wine, you must bring a bottle of wine
for the tasting. The red and white wines with the most votes wins a prize for
the person who brought that wine.
RETURN OF A CROWD FAVORITE
Wanda's chocolate dessert fountain. More chocolate was consumed last year than
anything else!!!!!
TIME: 4:30 - 8:30
Wine Tasting contest begins at 5:30 so have your wine ready for the beginning of
this event
LOCATION: Bill and Anita Hodges, 98-1006 Palula Way, Aiea, HI ,486-8667
Directions from town: take the Aiea/Pearlridge exit on either H1 or Moanalua
Freeway; turn right on Ka’onohi Street; right on Iho Place; and left on Palula
Way)
WHAT TO BRING: a potluck dish to share, BYOB, a lawn chair, bathing suit
and towel, and of course, a bottle of red or white wine for the wine tasting
event.
The Ski Club supports responsible drinking and driving: PLEASE HAVE A
DESIGNATED DRIVER WHO WILL NOT BE CONSUMING ALCOHOL DURING THIS EVENT.
If not, we will be happy to call a taxi for you at the end.
ANITA
SEPTEMBER SUPERFERRY TRIP TO MAUI
September 20 - 21 (Saturday - Sunday)
Take advantage of the Superferry’s low summer promotional fare and join us for a Ski club excursion to Maui from Saturday, Sept. 20th to Sunday, Sept. 21st! Geof Chu is offering use of his condos in Kahului, and both he and Craig Shaffer are offering to car pool people to the departure pier and to take their vehicles aboard for our use on Maui.
The Superferry’s summer promotional fare (good until 9/30/08) is $49 one way for Adults and $65 one way for passenger vehicles, with no fuel surcharge. For children (2-12yrs), seniors (62 yrs +), and retired military, the fare is only $39 one way. With tax and fees, the roundtrip fare for an adult will be $107.85 plus your share of the expense of taking a vehicle.
Our proposed itinerary is:
9/20/08
5:00am – check-in at Superferry terminal at downtown Honolulu Harbor.
6:30am – ferry departs Honolulu Harbor.
9:30am – ferry arrives at Kahului Harbor.
Check in to Geof Chu’s condos and leave for Haleakala.
Stop at Ali’I lavender farm in Kula for a 30-minute walking tour and tea and scones at the gallery gift shop.
Spend the rest of the day touring Haleakala National Park, including several short hikes.
Dinner at Casanova’s, a family-style Italian restaurant or at Hali’imaile General Store, Bev Gannon’s fine-dining restaurant.
9/21/08
8:30am – breakfast at Tasty Krust Restaurant, a Kahului landmark and home of the best pancakes on Maui!
9:30am – check-in at Superferry terminal at Kahului Harbor.
11:00 am – ferry departs Kahului.
2:00pm – ferry arrives at Honolulu Harbor.
If you are interested in joining us, please email me at aaron@hawaiisnowskiclub.com by July 20, 2008. If we get at least 10 people, the Superferry will give us special group treatment, including a special check-in station for passengers and vehicle security clearances, a section reserved for us in the passenger deck, and advanced purchase and distribution of food vouchers.
AARON
NISEKO SKI RESORT/SAPPORO SNOW FESTIVAL,
JAPAN
Sunday, February 8 to Monday, February 16, 2009
FULL PACKAGE PRICE PER PERSON: $2,200 (However, please be aware that we have
not signed a contract yet.)
LAND PORTION ONLY: $1,200
FULL PACKAGE INCLUDES:
* Roundtrip airfare from Honolulu to Tokyo on Japan Airlines (JAL)
* Roundtrip airfare from Tokyo to Hokkaido (the northernmost island of Japan)
* Ground transfers throughout the tour
* Five nights lodging with five buffet breakfasts at the Niseko Kogen Hotel
* Two nights lodging in Sapporo (Hotel Hokke Club Sapporo)
* 4-day Niseko United All Mountain Lift Pass
* English-speaking assistant on several segments of the trip
TRIP ITINERARY:
February 8 (Sunday) Leave Honolulu in the morning on Japan Airlines (JAL),
allowing ample time to connect to the domestic flight to Hokkaido upon arrival
in Tokyo.
February 9 (Monday) Arrive in Sapporo late at night.
February 10 (Tuesday) Full day in Sapporo to see the Snow Festival.
February 11 (Wednesday) Spend half a day more in Sapporo before continuing on to
Niseko (2.5 hours away by charter bus). Arrive in Niseko with ample time to
check into our hotel and to rent our ski equipment.
5 buffet breakfasts are included at the Niseko Kogen Hotel
February 12 - 15 (Thursday - Sunday) 4 full days of skiing in Niseko with the
Niseko United All Mountain Lift Pass included, giving skiing access to all 4
resorts on the Niseko-Annupuri Mountain (Grand Hirafu & Hanazono, Higashiyama,
and Annupuri, connected with each other at the top of the mountain and connected
at the base by free shuttle buses)
February 16 (Monday, Presidents' Day holiday in the US) Leave Hokkaido in the
morning, catch an evening flight out of Tokyo and arrive back in Honolulu in the
morning on the same day (Monday).
The Sapporo Snow Festival will be held from February 5 through February 11,
2009. There is no admission fee to this festival.
WANDI
NISEKO HERE WE COME
Imagine schussing thigh-deep in snow down the perfect slope, stopping at the
base for a bowl of crab ramen, and later jumping into an outdoor onsen (hot
spring spa)….that’s what you’ll get when you hit the slopes on our next ski trip
to Niseko, February 8-16, 2009!
Located in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, the Niseko ski area is made up
of four independent ski resorts on the mountain of Annupuri. The resorts (Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Higashiyama, and Annupuri) can all be skied on the one all
mountain pass lift ticket included in your package. Groomed runs offer beginner
(30%), intermediate (40%) and advanced (30%) runs with a vertical of nearly 3000
feet. The longest run is 3.5 miles with a top elevation of 4,295 feet.
Niseko’s selling point is snow, especially from mid- December through February,
the resort gets buried in some of the lightest, driest powder you’ll ever find. The resort records an average of nearly 500 inches per year! There are 35 lifts
and 3 high speed gondolas covering 61 runs over 2,191 acres of powder. Many of
the chairlifts are covered, so you can ride in comfort on even the most extreme
blizzard days. As Hokkaido is the northern-most island, it has a sub-Arctic
climate and will have an average high of 25 degrees F and a low of 10 degrees F. Brrr…and if that doesn’t sound cold enough, there is also night skiing for the
die-hards who could start at 8:30 am and go till 9:00 pm (must purchase a
separate night skiing ticket if you ski past 4:30 pm). Expect that it will be
very cold.
Annupuri is the quieter, beginner resort with wider runs, but tends to be colder
facing the windy, west side. Higashiyama is home to the Prince Resort hotel and Hanazono is newly developed, and is known for its incredible tree skiing. Grand Hirafu, where our Niseko Kogen hotel is located, tends to be the most popular
and sees more crowds with their primarily intermediate class slopes and many
après ski activities. Grand Hirafu also has night skiing, a 328-foot half pipe,
a snowboard park and spectacular views across the Niseko valley to Mt. Yotei – a
Mt. Fujii look-alike that is a 6,227 foot volcanic cone.
The resort facilities cater to the English language market with bilingual signs,
making life very easy for first time visitors to Japan. Many restaurants also
offer English menus due to the large influx of foreigners, mainly Aussies, who
have discovered Niseko.
Cash is king in Niseko. Many of the local businesses do not accept credit cards
and the closest ATM appears to be in the town of Kutchan, about 3 miles away
from Hirafu.
See you on the slopes!
Niseko Kogen hotel information. Our hotel is a ski in, ski out hotel with twin
beds and buffet breakfast included:
http://www.grand-hirafu.jp/en/hotels/kogen/index.html
To see the trail map of the ski resorts:
http://www.travelplan.com.au/gallery_pop.asp?id=2978
If you are interested in renting equipment:
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/niseko-guide/niseko-gear-and-rental.html
Here’s a recent video of skiers and
snowboarders making their way down a Niseko slope.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhQM9DwaOrI
SUSAN MURATA
FUN FOR NON-SKIERS IN NISEKO
Niseko boasts of a wealth of winter fun for
non-skiers. Half-day snowshoe tours range from $35-$50 (US), and include
equipment and a snack. There are snowmobile tours for all levels of experience,
and guided tours of remote backcountry areas accessible only by snow cat. Winter
horseback riding and snow rafting (like sledding only softer?) are also
available. The nearest town (10 minutes by car; accessible by rail)
is Kutchan, pop. 15,000 and the capital of Shiribeshi subprefecture.
Kutchan is known for potatoes and potato products, and is most famous for its
gosetsu-don (potato flour noodles). Jagata-ken ("big, fat potato boy") is the
skiing potato cartoon mascot of Kutchan. Kutchan offers the Kutchan
Natural History Museum, the Shu Ogawara Art Museum, shopping and restaurants.
Day trips to Sapporo or the port city of Otaru are possible. Sapporo is
approximately a 2 1/2 hour bus ride (one way) from Niseko, and Otaru is about 2
hours away. The good news is the bus leaves from the parking lot in front of our
hotel. Otaru, pop. 138,000, is historically an Ainu habitation and the largest
city in Shiribeshi. Facing Ishikari Bay on the Sea of Japan, Otaru
is a major tourist destination with its picturesque historical buildings,
mountains and beautiful beaches. One attraction is Nishin Goten ("herring
mansion"), the former home of the magnate of the herring fishing industry and
now open to the public. Otaru is also know for beer and the freshness of its
sushi.
AARON
PAST EVENTS:
PAU HANA AT IGE'S RESTAURANT AND 19TH PUKA
June 13
Pau Hana at Ige's Restaurant & 19th Puka was attended by 14
club members. The seating was "no frills" but plenty adequate as the place is
huge! A large variety of pupus were sampled and shared, with a few favorites
coming out like Joal's Teriyaki Flap Meat, Calamari Steak Strips, and Shoyu
Pork. Our waitress did a superb job of keeping our individual tabs straight. As
we were winding down, the band was just gearing up. Maybe next time we'll
reserve a table, show up a bit later and enjoy the music!
LINDA
CASINO NIGHT AT JAMES AND MARYBETH PURVIS' HOUSE
June 21 (Saturday) 6 p.m.
It was a great night of food, drink and fun at the Purvis’ beautiful home in Pacific Palisades with a fantastic view of Hickam Harbor and the ocean. About 15 members shared the wonderful potluck dishes and then set about winning poker chips. James Purvis tried to deal everyone winning hands at Blackjack and Bill Hodges ran the Craps table where some tried the luck of the dice. Some in the group pulled the levers on the three slot machines where one lucky lady hit a big jackpot. Finally, James auctioned off prizes to the highest bidders. Lucky winners made off with $50 gift certificates to Ruby Tuesdays and Buzz’s Steakhouse, $20 gift certificate to Starbuck’s, a bottle of scotch, a bottle of Jack Daniels, an 8 foot beach umbrella, James and Mary donated a new sleeping bag and a giant conch shell, a basket of goodies from Sam Wright, and assorted other prizes. The night was topped off with birthday cake in honor of Jim Kelley and Marybeth. What a great night at the casino!
JAMES
Mahalo to James and Marybeth for hosting a fun-filled casino night at their home.
ANITA
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SNOWBOARD FOR SALE
Craig Shaffer has an unused size 141 snowboard for sale. $250.00. Craig may be contacted at 261-5989.
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Contributions from the membership to future newsletters are encouraged and will be greatly appreciated: Please e mail them to Toby (see Contacts) no later than 7 calendar days from the end of the month. Thanx much.
Updated club info available at http://www.hawaiisnowskiclub.com