Back to my childhood summers in Hawaii. When I was probably around 10, my paternal grandmother announced that I was going to take hula lessons. No one asked if I was interested, but I was driven once a week to a group class where I quickly descended to the most hopeless member of the class and I was so miserable I petitioned to drop-out before the summer ended. I never heard about hula again until much later when my grandmother admitted she danced hula as a child and well enough that her group would perform for visiting tourists at the local hotels on Oahu. She described the end of performances, when the tourists would throw pennies up on the stage and the girls would all scramble after their tips. Finally, I understood why I had taken hula lessons. My grandmother had 4 boys. I was the first girl to come along, but unfortunately I (still) have none of the grace or coordination required of a dancer.
I’ve been to the islands over 20 times and I’ve gotten a little jaded when it comes to visiting Hawaii. I mostly see family and I can’t quite get excited about it like everyone else who visits from the East Coast. After my great aunt (a septagenarian that knows a thing or two) recommended sunset on the lanai at the House Without a Key as a true old-style Hawaiian expreience, I was determined to visit the Halekulani on our next trip… I couldn’t agree more. The Halekulani is such a welcome oasis of beauty inside the heart of bustling Waikiki. Without a doubt, photographing the hula dancer Kanoe Miller was my favorite, though most challenging, shoot of our trip. This former Miss Hawaii has been performing at the Halekulani’s House Without a Key for over 30 years. I certainly hope to see much more of her my future trips to Honolulu.
The performance takes place under this craggy kiawe tree.
The House Without a Key offers a lovely selection of cocktails and lighter dining options to enjoy while you wait for sunset. We nibbled on some poke sliders! (Sorry, no photo)
Yes, cockatil in hand… when the late afternoon sun hits you, you will feel as radiant as this guest.
I recommend getting here around 5 pm, you’ll want to get a seat and the crowd grows as sunset nears.
While Kanoe Miller and the Sunset Seranaders were the main attraction in my book, even they know when the sun nears the horizon, it’s time to take a break. Guests suddenly stampede to the edge of the Halekulani property to take photographs over Waikiki Beach.
This is Hawaii, so we had some rain after sunset. Most people moved on to dinner or other plans, but when the showers ended the hula continued under the night sky.
There are some things that the camera will never capture. Even this short video from my point and shoot will give your more insight on Kanoe Miller’s magical performances.
We went at lunch time after flying in from the Big Island and it was very quiet. There were just a few locals having lunch and a few military guys off-base and engrossed quiet conversation. I can imagine this place gets rockin’ at happy hour.
Wow, your probable thinking these are some super grainy, blurry photos! They’re from the point and shoot G10, but somehow I still feel they capture the spirit of La Mariana.
I got excited earlier this year when I heard that 
And there was a constant crowd dancing the two-step.
Nope, I didn’t hit the dance floor, but there is plenty of space to sit observe the swirl of cowboy hats go by.
My aunt and uncle are into ballroom dancing (left) so they were perfectly at home on the dance floor. Brand spankin’ newlyweds, Terry and Ryan even went out for a spin (right).
What is this animal? A giant armadillo? Who knows, but you can get a pineapple upside down cake shot for $6.50. We passed on that and later in the evening, I convinced Terry to let me try on her cowboy boots. It was a good thing we flew home the next day, or I might have come back with an impulse purchase. You know, something ridiculous like a pair of Lucchese’s from 
Finally, here’s a really low-quality video from my point and shoot G10 camera. I only share it because there truly are some things that a photograph will never capture.
Ms. Lambert has plans to work her magic in San Antonio. She recently added the Havana Riverwalk to her empire and plans to spruce that historic landmark.
The Vicky is made of reclaimed building materials. Your host at Park Lane whips up a lovely breakfast AND is a master carpenter!
Here’s the exterior of our tiny Texas house!
If you decide to stay at Park Lane: breakfast is included, there’s a beautiful pool out back and trust me, snag the Garden Cottage and you’ll have plenty of room to spread out!
I always like looking for cats when we take walks at home, but I don’t seem to have much luck. Connecticut cats seem to be more elusive. New England felines should thank their lucky stars to live without that opressive humidity clinging to their fur coats all summer long.
if you are lucky to get one of the 75 parking spots at the 
This pool and grotto were formed when the dome of an underground river collapsed long ago. 
There’s a small beach facing the far side of the grotto where a beautiful waterfall tumbles 45 feet to the pool below..
The day we visited the pool wasn’t open for swimming due to nesting birds, but this allowed us to visit this virtually deserted hideaway in solitude. If you’ve got your heart set on swimming, be sure to 
This was simply one of the most unexpectly stunning sights I’ve seen since visiting the Canadian Rockies. Who would expect to find a spot like this just outside Austin? If you are looking for another unusual outdoor Texas experience, I also recommend 