Kaneohe Marines Honored...

I am a peace loving person. I hate the fact that we are fighting in Iraq, however, I am not going to make a big fuss about it. But I do think that soldiers enlist because they want to serve this country, and that means in times of war or in times of peace.
It is unfortunate that this country is in a time of war, but we are, and our soldiers are out there giving their lives for Americans everyday. To be perfectly honest though, I don't really think about the toll that Iraq is having on families and other people in the military. I have friends in the military but I don't really hear from them on a regular basis, so honestly, I don't get worried until I hear on the news that Marines or Army guys have been killed in action. Selfish, I know. But it's just how it is.
When I saw that three Kaneohe soldiers were killed in Iraq, and that their memorial service was being held at the Marine Corps base in Kaneohe, I was overcome with sadness for some strange reason. For some reason, this time was different. Maybe it is the fact that Kaneohe is right on the other side of the island. Maybe its because in reality, those Marines go to downtown Waikiki and I could have seen them. Maybe I met them. Who knows. But the fact is, that people are dying, and we are more worried about the body count, then what the stood for.
They embody selflessness, in every sense of the word. They went into battle for their country, which is one of the most honorable things that can be done. They sacrificed themselves for the betterment of this country, and for that, we oew them our eternal thanks.

Thank you.

Shark Attack!!!

On Monday afternoon, Todd Murashige was attacked by a shark while surfing at Crouching Lion. Now normally, I would just tell myself that it was on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and it had no relevance to me at all because I lived in California. But now that I am living in Hawaii, I am a little freaked out by this event. In fact, I am petrified.
I think that my worst fear is getting attacked by sharks, and the fact that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is telling people to be careful about going into the water...IN HAWAII, kind of makes me nervous.
We live on an island. With that comes the draw of beaches, surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, etc. What are we supposed to do? Not go in the water? Stop swimming? I sure hope not. But at the same time, I am not inclined to go in the water at all. I don't want to go in the water right now because I am fearful. What is that going to do for the tourism business? Or for local people in general?
Officials say sharks are traveling closer to shore because it is mating season. I hope this mating season ends early, for everyones sake.