Weekly Winners, Roller Coasters, Space Adventures, and Surprise Book Giveaway

Who will be the winner from today's Super Bowl - the Cheese Heads or the Terrible Towels?  How about the commercials?  We have winners here at SOS Aloha:

January 30, Carolyn Jewel's IMMORTAL ASSASSIN:  Heather

January 31, Carolyn Brown's Honky Tonk Series:  Miss Kallie
Plus two copies of I LOVE THIS BAR:  Claudia and Alba

February 1, Billy Coffey's SNOW DAY:  Danielle G.

February 2, Barbara Freethy's
- SUDDENLY ONE SUMMER:  Molly
- ON SHADOW BEACH:  Johanna

February 3, Pamela Schoenewaldt's WHEN WE WERE STRANGERS:  Estella

February 4,
- Bill Bowen's THE TARGET:  Judy
- Go Red Gift Pack:  Jodi
- Patriotic Gift Pack:  Artemis

I already have the winners' addresses except Judy - please send it to sos.america@yahoo.com.

Yesterday I missed the opportunity to write about roller coasters and space adventure here in Hawaii.  We don't have any roller coasters yet so the closest we have is Ziplining.  Not for the faint heart, the rider is clipped to a suspended line and zips down a mountain, over the tree tops, with a bird's eye view of the world.   Hmmm ... I'll meet you at the bottom.

Space adventure can be found on two islands.  Maui is home to Haleakala National Park.  Haleakala is the name of the sacred mountain peak, not the mountain itself.  Hale is House and akala is sun, so it is House of the Sun.  Indeed, tour groups drive up the winding road (almost like a roller coaster) to watch the sun rise and set.  The Haleakala crater is magnificent - your first thought would be, "This must be what the moon looks like."   The observation tower gives you a gorgeous view of the volcanic mountain sloping into the Pacific Ocean.  Nearby is the Air Force's satellite tracking facility - imagine that commute everyday!

The Big Island of Hawaii is home to two distinct peaks - Mauna Kea (White Mountain) and Mauna Loa (Long Mountain).  Just landing at the Kona Airport puts you in the mood for a space adventure as the area is built up from lava flow.  The black rocks with sparse vegetation also reminds you of a moonscape.  Follow Saddleback Road to the access road up Mauna Kea - first stop is the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitors Information Station.

Aloha! Welcome to the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station on Mauna Kea! Located at the 9,300 foot (2, 800 meter) level on Mauna Kea, we are here to provide health and safety information, education about the many reasons Mauna Kea is such a significant place, and make sure you have all the hot chocolate you need!

It is named for Colonel Ellison Onizuka, the first Hawaiian born of Japanese heritage to fly in space  Sadly, he died in the Challenger accident in 1986 and is buried near at Punchbowl Cemetery on Oahu. 

Note the snow in Hawaii!

From the Onizuka Center, you can join a tour group that has special clothing (and vehicle) to take you to the top of Mauna Kea for star gazing.   This truly is not for the faint of heart, other breathing ailments, or young children.  Mauna Kea is considered the tallest mountain in the world if measured from its base in the Pacific Ocean.  Thus it home of several international telescopes.   If you are well enough to do this, it is worth this trip to sit atop of the world.

Mauna Loa is home of the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.   According to Hawaiian mythology, Pele, the Volcano Goddess, lives on Mauna Loa's calderon, Kilauea.   Kilauea is the US's only continuously flowing volcano.  Lava is flowing both above ground (destroying houses in its path) and through underground tubes into the Pacific (extending the island's land mass).   Kilaua's cauldron, lava tubes, and steam vents are the perfect setting for a science fiction adventure!

In honor of space adventure, I am giving away Susan Kearney's Paranormal Trio paranormal trio - LUCAN, RION, and JORDAN to one randomly selected winner.  Mary Gramlich, The Reading Reviewer, posted reviewes all thee books on her website.  To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about Super Bowl (teams or commercials) and/or star gazing (constellations or celebrities).

2. The giveaway is open to US residents only ...

... but I encourage all readers to leave a comment, even if you are not entering the giveaway.

3. Comments are open through Saturday, February 12, 10 pm in Hawaii to enter the giveaway.

4. If you are a new reader (US or international), I am happy to share Aloha with you. Send your mailing address to sos.america@yahoo.com for a Hawaiian treat!

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

I am eager to see the TRANSFORMERS 3 trailer during the Super Bowl.   Mary turned me onto the first two movies.  The third movie premieres on July 1 when Mary and I will be in NYC for RWA.  Hmmm ... will we give up smoozing with romance stars to see the battle of machines?