The Aloha Crew

The Aloha Crew is what we eventually ended up calling ourselves. I am so very proud of these Ohana (Hawaiian for family). They stayed radio silent and had great military discipline to pull this operation off without my beautiful soul mate finding out. Our trip to Hawaii started as a seven day trip for me, Shannon and William. For the first 3 days of our trip that’s who it was. Ohhhh the torture I endured trying to keep the mission a secret. “What do you need a Karaoke machine for in Hawaii?” “Why did you rent an AirBnB so huge just for us three?” “I like coming in and having my bed made up every day.” ”Those activities seem kind of lame.” Yes I was the planner and it appeared I was failing at having the best trip ever.
I was even told I couldn't plan our
Europe trip and she would plan it. lol

This was all part of the cover story. Every event we did, I made sure we were VIP. On the first night we went straight to an upscale Luau. On the second day we drove an hour to the east coast to Kualoa Ranch and did 3 tours there. On day 3 we went fly fishing on the North Shore. This trip was nothing like our first time 7 years ago. Back then we hit all the hot spots and hung out in Waikiki where there is hustle and bustle. The 4th day is where things became amazing and she just didn’t know it yet. I couldn’t fly our entire family out here but I flew out the oldest sister and the youngest sister. I swore them to secrecy….REAL SECRECY not the standard don’t tell so and so I told you but….lol We started a secret online Facebook Messenger group to coordinate flights and everything. I didn’t want them to need anything so I told them ALL EXPENSES PAID….including souvenirs…I just need y’all to show up and don’t miss your flight.

My plan further developed back on Halloween night. Yes, this was some months in the making but also last minute. I was so moved by seeing my beautiful little girl get married that night so I immediately hatched the new plot to get her and her husband to Hawaii as a Honeymoon gift. So, The Aloha Crew arrived on our 3rd day and they had to stay in a hotel near the airport for the night because the vow renewal was the next day. I got my wife to the beach by telling her that this trip I wanted to focus on family (OHANA) and do simpler activities that were more unique to Hawaiian life. So, day 4, our anniversary date (December 1st), we were scheduled to go to the beach and make Hawaiian crowns out of flowers and do a photo shoot. I knew she couldn’t resist the camera no matter how lame she thought it was. The afternoon activity I had scheduled was painting with a twist with a local. Little did she know what the real twist was...I fun time of drinking wine and painting with The Aloha Crew.

Despite some initial confusion, we got out there and met the photographer who was already prepped with my story to keep my wife unaware. Then from behind a tree the Reverend comes out. My wife thinks he is just a friendly man who wanted a picture with her because that’s what he asked. Then he revealed that he was a reverend and he would be performing our Hawaiian vow renewal ceremony. She was surprised and seemed to be happy about it. He grabbed her hand and said, I need you to close your eyes because we have a few surprises for you. He turned her in a circle and made her face him with eyes covered. Behind us about 40 yards away, I noticed The Aloha Crew walking toward us. I shushed William with a finger to my lips. Then she turned around when instructed and let out the loudest scream ever.

From that moment on, everything started to make sense because the house we stayed in had 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and was more than big enough for The Aloha Crew to stay there with us and do everything as OHANA.

These words really don’t do the moment justice. But, I hope the video puts it in a little better perspective.

ALOHA