The End

I can't believe it's all over...two weeks, and it's done. It feels like just yesterday I was swimming with dolphins, watching the sun rise...oh, yeah. It was yesterday. Nonetheless, this trip went way too fast. I saw so many amazing sights and met so many incredible people.

Honolulu was our final stop and I only had a few hours to enjoy it. I immediately ran to the beach to photograph the sunset and then woke up at 5:00 am yesterday to watch the sunrise. I then took a quick shuttle ride to the other side of the city to swim with dolphins (again). After a long day including three flights (on which I got no sleep), I finally arrived in Pittsburgh.

I feel like it was all a dream with mere photos to remember it by. Those kids will always be on my mind and in my heart and I hope I can see them again. Here are a few more photos from the last days of my trip.








"The more you know, the less you need."

The Keiki's Graduation

Tuesday night was the graduation luau for the children. There, we were able to say goodbye to them and give them their back to school supplies. Magin also gave each family several boxes of food since most of them cannot afford it with so many children. The kids looked adorable and watched in awe as the teens performed their hula. At the end, they all rushed up to the girls to hug them and give them their praise.

I hated saying goodbye and, of course, they don't know the concept of us leaving and most likely never seeing them again. I had to try really hard not to cry as I watched them leave with their families.

Before they left, we had some of the kids put their handprints on our t-shirts at the party, and I know I will be wearing that shirt until it rips. Here are a few photos from the party.

The Black Sand Beach

Yesterday on our way from Kona (where I went on a dolphin cruise and saw/swam with wild dolphins!), we stopped at one of the many black sand beaches on the Big Island called Punalu'u. It was absolutely beautiful and I only wish we could have stayed longer. The water was so incredibly blue and the grass soooo green. We also got to see some resting turtles on the shore- you have to stay 15 feet away. Here are some shots from that day:

To think I only have three days left baffles me...I feel like I just got here! Hopefully I get some more shots to post later in the week after our graduation luau.

Mahalo :)

The Falls and the Valley

So far, the two most beautiful places I've seen here (and possibly anywhere) are Akaka Falls and Waipio Valley. On our way to camp, we stopped at the falls to hike around and take photos. Akaka is one of the largest waterfalls in the world. Here are some photos from that beautiful place:

Last Wednesday, Cliff and Malama took us to Waipio Valley, a sacred place in Hawaiian religion and culture. It was so incredibly beautiful and looked even better than the photos I have seen. Only four-wheel drive vehicles are allowed to go down into the valley and onto the beach, so we were lucky enough to enjoy it! It was extremely dangerous driving down and some of us almost fell out of the back of the truck, but we made it down and I was able to get some amazing shots.

Finally- a post!

So I've been here for a week now and haven't had time to post anything until tonight. I have a few minutes, so I'm going to sum up the week quickly.

Day one: Zip line!!!

The teens and myself were able to do zip line at a small town outside of Hilo on our way to the camp. At first I thought I would be scared, but once I saw the scenery I was able to look at as I glided across the sky, all fear went away. Here are a few photos from the day.



Days 2-5: Project Hawaii Sleepover Camp at Kalopa State Park

All of these days blurred together. We woke up before 7, ate breakfast with the kids, ran around and gave piggybacks, made art, ate lunch, more running around, dinner, more running around, and sleep.

Every day was something new for the kids. Sand art, rocket launching, volcano-making, glamour night for the girls and race car night for the boys. The girls loved putting makeup on us mentors and oh, did it look fabulous!

Each kid had their own crazy personality and I fell in love with all of them. Jenna, 7, loved taking photos with my camera and she was actually not too bad at it. Pihana, 4, was the sweetest little boy who was always laughing and smiling and wanting you to hold him. Stanley, 5, was extremely quiet and very sneaky, but we loved him anyways. Isis, 4, was beyond adorable and she knew it...this created a problem, however, because she thought she could get away with anything. You know me...I don't let anyone get away with anything.

Chacho...at 6-years-old, he is already a ladies man. He would take off his shirt in front of the girls and constantly said he was in love with Katalina, another girl at the camp. He also loved singing the song "Billionaire".

Mehealani...I wanted to pack her in my suitcase and bring her home. She was the cutest, most well-behaved 3-year-old I've ever seen. She kept to herself and observed everyone, laughing and giggling as she watched. On the very last day, she became attached to my hip, which I did not mind.

There were 20 kids total...I cannot go through and describe them all, but I pray that their situations get better and hopefully with the Christmas Wish Program's director, Magin Patrick, that prayer will come true. They deserve healthy and happy lives and nothing less.

Here are some photos of the kids...check out my Facebook or Flickr for more!

Sara

Shaina and Pihana

Chacho and Jastin

Jenna and Nesya

Mehealani!

Isis

Peace out!

13 hours and 45 minutes...

My bag is packed, my camera is charged, and my fingers are itching to press down on the shutter button and take my first photo in Hawaii. I have been wanting to take this trip with the Christmas Wish Program for over a year and I cannot believe I am actually going! I am sure there were people who believed I wasn't going to follow through, but to all of those who encouraged me along the way, thank you!!!

I leave tomorrow morning at 6:15 and then it's a long 10 hour flight to Honolulu where I get five hours to walk around and do as I please until my transfer to Hilo.

Who knows what this trip has in store for me, but whatever it is, I am sure it is going to be a wild, fast ride.

Make sure to follow this blog at chelseyengel.blogspot.com or wait for notes in Facebook. I will update everyone whenever I get the chance!

It's all happening...:)