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A new place to sweat

Mele kalikimaka is the thing to say on a bright, Hawaiian Christmas day......

This santa fish is a humuhumunukunukuapua. That's right. It's the state fish of Hawaii. Cool, huh? I stole this image from the net, so it's the least I can do to give credit to it's painter, Debbie Houter. Actually, she gives permission on her site to download the picture, so I'm in the clear. No copywrite infringements on this blog. No siree!

We're loaded down at our house with oodles of Christmas pupus. Ono kine grinds to da max! W got all kine cheeses and salami and crackers and pate'. We also got all kine poke and edamame and mochi. Between our own self indulgences at the market and the stuff coming as gifts in the mail, it will take more will power than I've got - not to mention some serious time on the treadmill - to keep from piling on the pounds.
I'm now officially a Friend of KMC (Kilauea Military Camp). It's pretty easy to become a friend. Just have someone you know who is either in the military, has ever served in the military or who works for the National Parks Service sign a voucher on your behalf. Voila! You're in.
Speaking of treadmills, I joined their gym. It's tiny, especially compared to Spencer's in Hilo. Hey, it's all I need. Better still, it's just about a 12 minute drive from home. KMC is located inside the park at 4000 feet above sea level, so it's much cooler than Hilo. I've only been to the gym there once, but on that visit I had the place to myself. KMC is a quiet, low key lodge. It's nearly 100 years old. I think at one time, service men were actually stationed there. For years, however, it's been a place for current and former military to stay while visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It's a collection of small cabins situated on an area of meticulously groomed grounds, surrounded by the Ohia and Hapu'u rainforest. Some of the cabins are built of wood, plantation style. Others are made from black lava stone. All have fireplaces. they need them, too. It can get a little chilly at this elevation. There's also a rec center with arcade, the fitness center, a lounge where they often have live music, a cafeteria, general store, cheap gas, tennis courts, playground for kids, even Starbucks. They show movies. I hear their guided tours of the park and the island are great. Non-military folks can stay there too, I think. It just costs them more. They also have a theater there where they put on live concerts and plays, open to the public. I have not attended one yet, but plan to.
When the sun is shining on the forested areas surrounding Volcano Village and the national park, it really is one one of the most perfect places I've ever been. The high temperature is usually in the low 70s. When the fog shrouds it all in cool mist, it takes on a mystical quality.
I'm heading up there tomorrow. Weather permitting, I'll shoot a few photos.
A hui hou. Aloha!

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