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August, 2013
EXECUTIVE ORGANIZATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President – Toby Kravet – 808-224-1065
Vice President – Jonathan Carr
Treasurer - Geoff Chu
Cathy Lau
Jon Kleinschmidt
Momi Kleinschmidt
Roy Manzoku
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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!
August 1 (Thursday) 6:00 P.M. General Membership Meeting at Seven Palms
August 28 (Wednesday) 4:30 P.M. Pau Hana at Ige's Restaurant & 19th Puka. Yes, this is on a Wednesday rather than a Friday, and we are going on that day because of what Geoff calls "Geezer Jazz" presented on that day of the week.
September 5 (Thursday) 6:00 P.M. General Membership Meeting at Seven Palms
September 14 (Saturday) 9:00 A.M. Hike from the Koolau Golf Course. This is a repeat of the hike we did in September, 2012 (Seems more recent than a whole year ago), and is back by special request.
September 20 (Friday) 4:30 P.M. Pau Hana at Vice Inferno, Ward Center.
October 3 (Thursday) 6:00 P.M. Annual Kick Off Meeting which, again, this year, will be held at Geoff's condominium in Waikiki. The usual for this meeting, the Club will be buying all the food. Bring your checkbook to "re-up," and bring a prospective member.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:
Due to some situations which have arisen, I've had the need to delve into our club's history during the past few months. I knew that the Club was formed in 1953, primarily to promote skiing on Mauna Kea, but I didn't know that we were formally incorporated as a non profit organization, under state law, on May 14, 1969, for the purposes of "promoting recreational skiing in the state of Hawaii" and development of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and any other suitable areas for recreational skiing." How times change???? Our name has also gone through some changes. Originally, we were the Ski Club of Hawaii. We were incorporated, however, in 1969, as the Ski Association of Hawaii, Ltd., and although we voted at a General Membership Meeting, in November, 2004 to become the Hawaii Ski Club, a name closer to our original name (who knew?), we never actually changed it with the Business Registration Division in the state's Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. We rectified this a few weeks ago, and we are now a not-for-profit corporation officially named Hawaii Ski Club, Ltd.
By the way, the original incorporators were Richard L. Tillson, Ray Belnap, Herbert M. Mark, John S. Carroll, and F. James Lunn. Richard "Dick" Tillson, at one time, ran a ski shop in Hilo, chauffeured groups up to Mauna Kea, came up with the Mauna Kea trial map which appears on the "Skiing in Hawaii Link on our website, and unexpectedly came to one of our meetings, I believe back in the 90s when we were having them at the old Yum Yum Tree at Ward Center, to say hello.
Returning to the present, as you can see from the schedule, outside of Pau Hanas (Thank you, Geoff), we are a little weak, to the say the least, on activities over the next two months. I'm not doing another hike in August because I'll be down in New Zealand (for the seventeenth time-I counted my passport stamps) skiing. Yes, it's winter down there, and, so far, they've had a pretty good snow season (for them). If you want to put together a bike ride, visit to an attraction, or something else, and invite the ski club along, get in touch with me, and we'll add it to the schedule.
Finally, we're only two months away from the annual Kick-Off which, this year, will again be at Geoff's condo in Waikiki. He thought that he would be losing the free parking opportunity off Lewers St., just a couple of blocks from his building, but, alas, he still has it. If you were there last year, you'll remember that getting there (Ooooooh! Not Waikiki!!!) wasn't as bad as your mind may have made it out to be, there was plenty of food, and almost everyone got a raffle gift. Start thinking about it now and, especially, think about who you might bring who is interested in joining.
See you at the activities and meetings.
TOBY
UPCOMING SKI CLUB ACTIVITIES:
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Seven Palms Bar and
Grill (formerly Sam Sneads)
Navy-Marine Golf Course Club House
943
Valkenburgh St., Honolulu, Hawaii
August 1 (Thursday) 6:00 P.M.
Come to our General Membership Meeting at the usual location on August 1. Although the meeting doesn't "officially" begin until 6:00 P.M., many members start coming at 5:00 for drinks, dinner, and "talking story." Also, they have re-started the reduced price dinners for two, but you need to be there by 5:30 P.M. to take advantage of it.
TOBY
AUGUST PAU HANA
IGE'S RESTAURANT & 19TH PUKA
98-761 Oihana Pl., Aiea
(Steve Lucas - A Fellowship in Jazz)
August 28, (Wednesday) 4:30 PM
This is one of our regular stops on my way home from work in Kapolei and yes, it is a Wednesday night. Every Wednesday at 6:30 PM the jazz band starts up. Happy Hour is from 3:00 to 7:00 PM with discounted drinks and pupus. I'm a regular, this restaurant serves local "comfort food" at reasonable prices, and their special Shoyu Pork is onolicious. Parking is free and plentiful and the location convenient just off the Waimalu interchange above the corner of Moanalua Road and Kaahumanu Street.
GEOF
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Seven Palms Bar and
Grill (formerly Sam Sneads)
Navy-Marine Golf Course Club House
943
Valkenburgh St., Honolulu, Hawaii
September 5 (Thursday) 6:00 P.M.
Come to our General Membership Meeting at the usual location on August 1. Although the meeting doesn't "officially" begin until 6:00 P.M., many members start coming at 5:00 for drinks, dinner, and "talking story." Also, they have re-started the reduced price dinners for two, but you need to be there by 5:30 P.M. to take advantage of it.
TOBY
HIKE FROM KOOLAU GOLF COURSE
September 14 (Saturday) 9:00 A.M.
We did this hike on September 8, 2012, a whole year ago (would you believe?), and Wanda's been after me to repeat it ever since. Ms. Sowell! This one's for you!! This is a relatively short hike (about 1.75 miles, round trip--unless you opt to go up a ladder and walk the extra distance to the Pali Lookout, approximately another mile). This is a bit "technical" at a few spots (rocks, roots, the need to duck under branches, mud and wet rocks near the waterfall if it's been raining, and one short section with 2 ropes). The route varies from typical Hawaiian trail to old, paved pathway, to concrete road (the Kailua portion of the old road coming down from the Pali which is closed to traffic,). We will detour to a waterfall, retrace our steps, end up on the old road, and walk up to a grassy area between the two viaducts coming out of the Pali Tunnel. Those who are more adventurous and want a longer journey can go under the viaduct, climb a approximately 6' wooden ladder with a missing rung or onto the frame of a broken, wooden staircase, hoist themselves onto a wall, go up a short trail to the old road coming down from the Pali Lookout, and walk up to the lookout. Following whichever end point you choose, we will return to the parking lot by walking down the old road and allowing our minds to wander and imagine the times before the tunnel. To get to the Koolau Golf Course parking lot, turn off Kamehameha Highway, running between the Pali and Likelike Highways, onto Kionaole Rd. If you are coming from the Pali, it is the first left after you go under the H3 overpass: There is a turn lane. If you're coming from the Likelike side, it is the right hand turn, of course, before the overpass. Take a left down Kionaole Rd., at first paralleling Kamehameha Highway, and just follow the signs to the Golf Course/First Presbyterian Church. Park by the trail head in the upper left hand corner of the parking lot. See you there.
TOBY
SEPTEMBER PAU HANA
VICE INFERNO @ THE WARD CENTER (f.k.a. Brew Moon)
September 20 (Friday) 4:30 P.M.
Another one of our regular stops, this place is known for it's cheap Microbrews and good pizza. Definitely a step down in class from the former tenant, Brew Moon, it is easily two steps down in price. Happy Hour is from 4:00 to 7:00 PM with $3 drafts and $3 wells. My favorites, the MacNut Brown and Kona Coffee Stout, however, are a buck more. You can even opt for inventing your own "Black and Tan." Because it is in the Ward Center, it is not considered a "dive." Read the Yelp and Honolulu Pulse reviews, and it should perk your interest. The wood fired pizza is good and all prices are reasonable. While I have been coming here for over a year, it seems to be more popular each successive time. Like the Soho Nightclub this place really starts happening late at night after we go home so the deals are better earlier, sort of like "shoulder season."
GEOF
ANNUAL KICK-OFF MEETING
ALOHA TOWERS CONDOMINIUM, DIAMOND HEAD TOWER
2215 ALOHA DRIVE, WAIKIKI
October 3 (Thursday) 6:00 P.M.
For our annual Kick-Off Meeting, the one General Membership Meeting of the year when the Club pays for the grinds, rather than hold the event at Seven Palms or another Restaurant as had been the custom prior to last year, we will again be holding the event in the Recreation Room at Geoff's "condo" complex. By buying all the food ourselves, rather than paying a restaurant to cook and serve it, we should be able to feed, without problem, all the prospective new members we hope you will be bringing with you (along with your checkbook to renew your membership) and have more gifts to raffle. Last year, I don't think anyone went home empty handed. Start thinking about whom you might bring. More information on time, parking instructions, etc. will follow.
TOBY
HAWAII SKI WEEK 2014
SUN PEAKS, B.C., CANADA
January 17 - January 25
We are returning to Canada for Hawaii Ski Week, 2014.
Our destination, Sun Peaks, (www.sunpeaksresort.com)
is the second largest ski area in British Columbia with 3,678 acres of skiable
terrain on three different mountains. It is 10% novice, 58% intermediate, and
32% expert. The largest vertical drop is 2,894’, from 6,824’ to 3,930’.
Other activities are extensive Nordic skiing trails, a 9 acre terrain park,
snowshoe rentals (and snowshoe golf?), tube park, heli-skiing, ice skating rink,
cat-trax groomer rides, snow limo tours of the slopes, snowmobile tours, dog
sleds, and Kamloops Blazers hockey games with bus shuttle. Every Thursday there
is a shuttle to Revelstoke, an expert ski area 2 hours away.
The Sun
Peaks Village is a pedestrian only village with over 25 bars, restaurants or
coffee shops. We will be staying in the village at Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Lodge
(www.cahiltylodge.com), a ski-in, ski-out mountainside hotel with sauna, hot
tubs (one outdoor and one indoor), fitness center, wireless connection, in room
coffee, daily newspaper, and slopeside ski storage. Next door is the Sports
Centre with heated pool, hot tub and activity desk.
We have two lodging
choices: (1) a lodge room for 2 people with two queen beds and TV, or (2) a
family suite for 4 people - a lodge room with a connecting door to a studio
kitchenette which has a queen bed and either a queen Murphy bed or a sofa bed, a
counter-high refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, dishwasher and small
appliances. All rooms come with a hot breakfast buffet in the Lodge.
We
will be flying to Kelowna, British Columbia with a connection in Seattle. The
bus from there to Sun Peaks in about 3 hours, plus a grocery stop.
The
full package price, including air, bus transfers, 5 day lift ticket, and 7
nights of lodging is $1,588 or $1,638 depending upon type lodging selected.
The land package, with the same inclusions, is $823 or $873. Senior lift
tickets (65+) are available and will reduce the price. Also, a 6th day
ticket is available.
Prices may be subject to change with the
final payment based on air fuel surcharges and the U.S./Canadian exchange rate.
The travel schedule is:
Alaska Airlines-860 V Depart: HNL 1/17/2014 10:40 pm Arrive:
SEA 1/18/2014 06:20 am
Alaska Airlines-2478 V Depart: SEA 1/18/2014
10:50 am Arrive: YLW 1/18/2014 11:55 am
Alaska Airlines-2477 L Depart:
YLW 1/25/2014 12:35 pm Arrive: SEA 1/25/2014 01:45 pm
Alaska
Airlines-859 L Depart: SEA 1/25/2014 05:45 pm Arrive: HNL 1/25/2014 09:54 pm
If you have not received a registration form via email, you may contact Jonathan@hawaiisnowskiclub.com .
TRIP COMMITTEE, TOBY
PAST SKI CLUB ACTIVITIES:
MEAL SERVICE AT THE INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN SERVICES
June 29 (Saturday)
Our fears of a low turnout were dashed as ten Ski Club members ultimately appeared for the second volunteering effort to help serve the noon meal at the Institute for Human Services in Iwilei on Saturday, June 29. For those who are unfamiliar with the Institute for Human Services (IHS), located across Summer St. from the entrance to KMart, it is a private, not-for-profit agency which provides shelter, social services, and food for the needy. With minimal kitchen staff, IHS requires volunteers to "scoop" the food onto plates in assembly-line fashion, help control the line of beneficiaries, and assist in cleaning the serving area following the meal. Believe it or not, it took all ten of us to try and stay ahead of the hungry line, and I'm sorry to say that, in the last half of the meal service, we failed. Thank you, Roy, for setting this up again? Maybe, next time, we'll "win" the race.
TOBY
TANTALUS HIKE
July 13 (Saturday)
A small group of the "usual suspects," Wanda, Kathy, and Peggy, Lise (sic) (former member Asta Poirer's daughter) and her husband, Jaime (sic), bravely appeared at the Kalawahine trailhead on an overcast Saturday morning to hike to the back of Tantalus and then to an overlook above the Nuuanu Reservoir. Thankfully, the rain, which had periodically pelted the area for the past two to three days, held off for the duration of the hike, but there was mud aplenty offset by the lush greenery and a patch of pungent ginger on trail. Also, "Wrong Way Corrigan" had nothing on the hike leader this morning as he zagged when he should have zigged and led the group in the wrong direction to a spot on the Manoa Cliff's trail which he had been through many times in the ( past but not since they had installed a pig gate, fencing, and a map which didn't make any sense to him given that he thought he was somewhere else. Fortunately, we got it corrected, made it to the overlook where you could see all the way to Kailua through the notch in the ridge above the Pali Tunnel, and made it back to the trailhead a little later but a little more exercised and probably a lot muddier than anyone had anticipated. We'll have to do it again sometime, when it's a bit drier.
TOBY
PAU HANA AT
GORDON BIERSCH BRWERY RESTAURANT
ALOHA TOWER MARKETPLACE
A small contingent of "Ski Clubbers" (seven in all) turned out on Friday afternoon, July 19, for some pupu and a few "cold ones" at Gordon Biersch. It was a little on the empty side for a Friday afternoon, we had no trouble scoring a table outside, and the weather cooperated beautifully. It's still a very convenient setting for a Pau Hana, and the quality of the in-house brew is as good as ever. I'll be back.
TOBY
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SKIS FOR FREE
A generous Manoa Valley resident contacted our Club to give away his 2005 174 cm. Rossignols and 130 cm. poles to whomever wants them. I have a picture of the skis, and although I remember them as being somewhat popular in the mid 2000s, I don't know the model. They are shaped and on the "wide" side. If you are interested, let me know, and I'll send you a picture. If, then, you are still interested, I'll take a short drive over to pick them up for you.
TOBY
THE HAWAII SKI CLUB IS ON FACEBOOK
If you are on Facebook, add the HSC as a “friend.” You will be up-to-date with recent HSC activities that members upload. The HSC Facebook page has photos from members on ski trips and at Club activities. You can also include your personal photos and announcements relating to the club for all HSC members to view.
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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 9 calendar days from the end of the month. Thanx much.
Updated club info available at http://www.hawaiisnowskiclub.com/