Summer in Kona

Aloha, all! Life is starting to return to Kona - and all of Hawaii. Air arrivals are almost back to 2019 numbers, but of course, still no cruise ships.

As long as you are vaccinated, you can pretty much jump on a plane and come to Hawaii! They actually have a wristband system that lets vaccinated people skip most lines and delays at the airport. I'm told you can fill out all the paperwork online so that you are good to go when you arrive at the airport. The biggest problem for visitors right now is the lack of rental cars!

More and more businesses and eateries are opening, mostly with just mask and distancing restrictions. Our dear friends, the Seidels, were here in May to celebrate Barbara's birthday. We met in restaurants with no COVID drama. Things went so well that they are returning to Maui in a couple of months!!!

My friends Carol and Gary will be here in August. I can't wait to see them!

The only sad news here is that our dear friends and neighbors, Steve and Luke, sold their house and moved to Missouri. Steve wanted to be nearer to his daughter, and Luke (a dog in case you didn't know) just went along for the adventure. He's now on a farm with alpaca and chickens and a couple of other dogs.

Poor Sophie has had a stressful month... Shortly after Sophie and Luke went to Paws for Luke's last visit, we had an outbreak of doggie flu here on the island. Paws had to close for a few weeks. Lots of dogs, including Sophie, caught it and had to be isolated. Big thanks to Dr. Barbara, who once again saved the day, making sure that Sophie had the meds she needed. Sophie was pretty sick (mostly just an incessant cough) for over a week, but she's fully recovered now.

We've dodged COVID and survived Canine Influenza... we're doing OK.

Aloha, y'all!

Dana