Rainbows Are Squishy: Maui - An Island of Beauty Even While In Uniform

So, the hubby blogging type (me) took a trip to Maui last week. Of course, being a loving husband, I offered to take the better half with me. However, she refused. Or rather, she decided that full time employment in the Navy is better than part time employment in the Hawai'i National Guard. Well, pot-ay-toe pot-ah-toe.. you get the idea. It's that time of year. Time for National Guard Annual Training. Or, "AT" as we call it. Usually a good time for some team building bonding and when you're in the band, CONCERTS!

Of course, no trip to Maui from O'ahu would be complete or really adequately exciting if not traveled on a CH-47 (click the link for more information!). Last Tuesday, sometime between sunset and a few hours before sunrise we met at the armory to begin loading up the truck. (let's just say it was early.. ok, ok, for those wondering HOW early, it was 0500). I woke up at 0330 to pick up a fellow soldier and then headed down to prepare. Packing went really smoothly. All except for the part where I got to feel like a dumbass for tracking mud throughout the band room (they had us park our cars in some grass that was kinda muddy). Apparently I was the only person who did not realize I had mud on my boots. Yep. FAIL.

Group photo of the 111th Army Band waiting for the CH-47s to be prepped for take-off

Well, whatever, I'm dumb, that's not new information.

Because we work as a team and stuff we loaded up and were on our way quickly. Now overall, I'm fuzzy on the timing because this was a long, long, really, really, long, long day. At some point we also loaded up the chinooks (another name for the CH-47, which if you clicked the link you would know). We had one for all of our music gear (instruments, amps, etc) and another for ourselves and our personal items (clothes, toiletries, etc). Then we went inside where I think we were supposed to get a brief on some safety. Which, this confused me, because I thought we already got a safety briefing. Basically, the front propeller is only 4 ft high, so, if you like having your head attached to your body, it is generally agreed to be better to not walk in front of a chinook with a rotating prop. Also, try not to vomit on the craft, it's a pretty disgusting thing to do to whoever is sitting next to you. Lastly, have a flotation device.

Loading all the stuffs. It rained a little bit too.

We sat in a classroom for a bit. Everyone was super tired. I think these next few pictures PERFECTLY describe the mood and the energy level everyone had. While I think everyone was a bit geeked to fly on a CH-47, it was something that was hard to really enjoy because we were all just so dog tired. So, catnaps were taken.

Then we were told "it's time to go." So we got into two lines to prepare to depart. However, it was kind of a "j/k" moment, because you see, a light

2 lines

was not functioning properly on one of the chinooks. Soooo, we sent a group of soldiers down to offload the malfunctioning chinook and load the gear on to a *hopefully* functioning one. Cause, you know, Army.
That being said, it sounds like a nuisance, but really, it just is what it is. We sat around in the hangar opening and talked, napped, etc. I had a deck of cards in my pocket so I played some solitaire. Until, finally, it was time to go!

The walk to the chinooks. Better have your ear
protection!

We got ourselves strapped in and I tried to stay awake and enjoy the view(s). I took a picture or two, however, I realized my
phone (Galaxy S3) has a severely insufficient camera compared to the newer phones. I would try to get a picture of the view out the end of the chinook, but it would look like garbage. At some point fairly quickly into the trip, I gave up, picked up my back pack and put it in my lap. I Laid my head on my pack and promptly passed out until we were nearly there.

All settled and ready for another nap!

As you can see on the left. All I get is a bright light. However, most likely there is a beautiful view of Diamond Head crater, or a soaring view of Honolulu or Waikiki. If I can find someone else's picture, I will steal it. It really was quite breathtaking. Not so much when viewed later on when captured by weak-sauce technology. OH WELL.

I didn't take this picture. Someone else from the band did and I like it. So, I stole it.

After naps (and the flight) we landed of course. We touched down right at the armory on Maui. We had

Specialist Omizo looking particularly badass during our "hot"
offload.

been informed prior to our arrival that we would perform a "hot" offload of our equipment/gear, etc. What this means is, unload everything while the propellers are still rotating and the engines are still running. All of this equates to us unloading our gear with near hurricane winds and intense heat being blasted in our faces. To say it was uncomfortable is an understatement. To say we felt badass would be accurate. (well, I did anyway!)

We got settled in. We set up our cots. We ate the first of MANY, MANY bento boxes which consisted of "one meat, one starch (always rice) and one vegetable (macaroni salad)" Yes, you read that right. MACARONI SALAD is a VEGETABLE. Cause, you know, "salad." We put things away and found space for them in the rooms where the smaller groups would practice. I resigned myself to the fact that we were sleeping in the gym and got all that I needed to get together. We had some rehearsals, including a full band rehearsal at Maui High School. On the way I snagged a nice pic of Haleakala.

Our MPT (musical performance team) performed at a career center the next morning and also at an old folks home. Of course, we also got more bentos for lunch (lots of rice, which I basically stopped eating and lots of meat). We then stopped at the Maui Mall to "scout" it because we had a gig scheduled there for Thursday. I bought a juice from Jamba Juice. It had carrot juice in it. Which, carrots are vegetables, just like macaroni salad, so this made me happy.

In our MPT we break off into smaller groups. Here is a breakdown
to one of the configurations of the brass quintet. Picture was taken
at the career center.

Performing was really nice. We were received very well at both venues. Admittedly, the kids at the career center may have been more excited about not having to attend their classes than they were about our performance. But, an applause is an applause. Besides, there were moments where you could feel that they genuinely enjoyed the music. The audience at the "home for those advanced in age" was equally receptive and excited to have us play for them. These are the moments where being a member of the National Guard Band is most rewarding. Play music. Entertain others. Receive applause and appreciation.

Thursday we had our first rehearsal with the Maui "massed" Band. This was a band made up of EVERY student in high school in Maui County. (or at least, it sure seemed that was if it wasn't) there were no less than 300 people in this band. SOOOO MANY PEOPLE. The members of the 111th were placed throughout the massed band to assist and also play with the group. Our commander and 1st sergeant ran the rehearsals and conducted the concert. It was actually a lot of fun. I know what you are thinking "300 people in a band, no way that can be fun!".. but really, really it was. It was an opportunity to connect with high school trumpet players and impart whatever little bit of wisdom I have (oh so very little).. or at least, make them laugh with my random weirdness. (like psyching them out and making them pick up their instruments way too early after rests).

So many!

Breakfast Bento. I guess those orange
things technically count as vegetables

Being the only type of weirdo I know how to be!

At some point we stopped at a
Whole Foods. I ate all the colorful veggies!!!!!!!!!!!

We did a fairly un-noteworthy
rehearsal with the Maui Community
Band. This was a piece we played.
I liked the name of it anyway!

A lot of these days, admittedly blend together. I am probably remembering events not quite in the correct order. But, oh well. Thursday night was the big shazzam, the Maui Parade of Bands. All the high school bands played a few pieces in the gym at Maui High School and then we closed with our 3 numbers. As a group, I thought we sounded good. Personally, I played well enough, lol. Actually, I played fairly well, a few mistakes, including hitting a high C instead of a D (just turned into a jazzier dominant 7 chord, so, since it was during a funk section of the piece, that's ok?) but overall, we sounded solid. I was quite impressed with the high school groups. Kind of makes me want to get a job and teach. Kinda need that to make some progress.. no calls yet. But, I digress.

The 111th Army Band all gussied up

Don't really remember which day, but we had an MPT gig right after another group (saxophone quartet called "Sax Forte") I took a neat little picture of them at the mall.

Being able to sleep any time and any
where is an important skill when a
member of the 111th Army Band

MPT - "Drive On" at the Maui Mall

Now, let's for a second talk about our sleeping arrangements. We slept on cots (with sleeping bags) In a gym. With the doors open. We all head choke (that means a lot on the islands) mosquito bites. I mean, some guys looked like they were having a teenager, pizza binge induced, hide your face from your momma break out all over their foreheads (I will not name names). Additionally, it is a gym, in a National Guard Armory. Oh, they have a PHA (periodic health assessment) one morning, so regardless of the fact that we didn't get back until late (10pm) the night prior, they will just roll in at 5am and start getting ready for that.

This is what it looks like when your sleeping
arrangements are invaded by a Hawai'i Army
National Guard PHA. Hooah.

There was also a morning where the other units rolled in at 4am to conduct a PT test. LUCKILY, someone (I forget who) had the brilliant idea that we should move our cots into the classrooms and sleep in more secluded type areas. To say we were tired most of the trip would be an understatement. To say that I may have got cranky and unleashed my crank on a few people would be factually correct (and that sentence escalated quickly).. To say that we persevered, drove on, and performed our missions professionally and with great precision. Well, no one is perfect, but I would say we did!

Saturday morning we had some MWR time (morale, wellness, and recreation). So, a group of us hopped in a van and headed up to Lahaina to hit a beach. On a whim I had grabbed my snorkel gear before we took off Tuesday morning. Unfortunately, I did not bring the underwater camera, so I was not able to take a picture of any of the 6+ turtles I saw. Or the really cool eel. So, you will just have to imagine that I have posted great pictures of turtles and an eel. Oh well.

On the road for Lahaina

With Lana'i in the background

All that was left that Saturday afternoon/evening was to listen to the Maui Honor Band and then perform with the Maui Massed Band. Then have some bonding time with members of the band and get ready to load up the chinooks and prepare for our return to O'ahu. Of course, also, eat a few bentos on the way. There were a few opportunities to not eat the bento box. I of course took advantage of those. After many complaints to Deanna via phone calls, she promised that she had a super veggie intense dinner planned for my return. So I definitely had that to look forward to.

Having good times

Below is a video of one of the chinook's arrival to pick us up. Thankfully we did not have to do another "hot" load.. or "hot" offload for that matter.

Everyone gets a flotation
device

View from our flight.

I also have included some videos I took during the flight back. I was much more awake, so I figured, why not?

Two lasting impressions from this trip are that I am part of a really tight knit group that I am excited to get to know better over the next 3-4 (or more?) years and I really can't wait to go to Maui in July as we have planned. Oh, and third last impression.. I just can't eat that much rice and NEED vegetables.

Also, SFC Ventura is my hero, because he looks out for his soldiers and brought us a REAL salad. It had green stuff and everything!