FITTED HAWAII

Sunset beach to Haleiwa run. Lost 3 big strikes but couldn’t get em to stick. Only got opelu heads back. Need to adjust the stingers. Was able to hook this guy up in 150ft. One big shark fin and whale following us. – LABIN

By now you are probably thinking I am a mouthpiece for a Cali visitors bureau. Truth is I became enchanted with California in 1967 during a 24 hour layover in San Francisco whilst in transit from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center to the conflict in south east Asia. I still sport the American Eagle on my arm as a reminder of that day. ‘Tis true 45 years of reality has worn off much of that initial magic but after having visited or lived in many great metropolises around the globe I have never stopped California Dreaming.

Travelers heading south from Los Angeles via Pacific Coast Highway will treated to some of the most beautiful shorelines in the USA. Along this route are located affluent neighborhoods with such names Huntington Beach, Corona Del Mar, Seal Beach and our favorite, Newport Beach. Should you wish to relocate here be sure your cash flow exceeds 200k per annum. Sure Newport is the stereotypical beach town, the bikini shops, surfboard rentals on the sand, the eateries from gourmet to corn dog. This writers favorite happens to be bar called Blackies by the Sea, I am pretty sure I have dropped 200k for liquid refreshments in this dive over the years. But look landward, see those mansions tucked into the hillsides, I think that’s were all those reality show housewives live. Who else could patronize the specialty stores lining the strip, what the heck, 95 bucks for a bottle of scented olive oil?

My suggestion; pack your cooler, load up the kids and head to south Newport and the Wedge. Here sometimes, an outrageously vicious shore break tests the mettle of even the most skilled of surfers. If this fails to excite you, meet me at Blackies, they have a drink there that’ll raise the hackles on the back of your neck. This one’s for you, Domonique.  A fun video by a SoCal band called Fools Gold,..get it, California, the Golden State, Fools Gold. As always, it’s been a pleasure! – POPS

“Kuli’ou’ou Ahupua’a Maunalua Bay or in haole terms Hawai’i Kai scenic lookout near Hanauma Bay.” – Naone

“Chicano Power” or como nuestros padres lucharon contra el systema. Let me start by saying that for me there is nothing more pleasurable [ in every sense of the word ] than pushing around  a paint brush, the bristles saturated with pigment, onto a canvas or any  surface for that matter. Here at Chicano Park, on the piers of the Coronado Bridge, these pigments have been beautifully applied not merely to decorate but more so to raise social consciousness. This whole complex stands as a monument to the victory of the common man over the establishment.

But back to the art. The painting of murals as you know go back thousands of years but it certainly were the works of 1930’s artist like Diego Rivera and Jose’ Clemente Orozco [both card carrying members of the Mexican Communist Party] that brought this style of social realism to the forefront. Politics aside, one can study the works of Chicano Park and cannot help but notice the powerful symbolism, religion, oppression of the poor, homage to civilizations long past.
But let me tell you the real reason we are here today and it’s not magnificent art. Within shouting distance from the park is a Mexican restaurant called Las Cuatro Milpas [Las Cuatro Milpas - Barrio Logan - San Diego, CA.] Read some of the reviews and you’ll understand why it is THE place to come for Mexican food. I myself have stood in line for long periods along with Gaslamp hookers, naval officers in full regalia, suits from the financial district, TV anchor men, the homeless person that just cashed in his cache of aluminum cans for a chance at some delicious grub. So, give me a heads up next time you are in town and we’ll go there and grind some carne asada burritos,..on me.
I cannot leave you without the usual dedication, this one for my main squeeze Maria. Lets give it up for Carlos Santana! Maria Maria. – POPS

Sky called me yesterday during my morning commute and said he was at the Sand Bar with a couple of his buddies, asked if I wanted to join them for breakfast. Yes please. Zipped over the Pali after dropping off Capri at school to join them. Sky picks me up at the Heeia pier in his K-Bay cruiser freshly decorated with Fitted stickers. I should have known that breakfast would consist of homemade ham and cheese croissants washed down with blue mountain cuzzo lights. Nice. If only every day could start like this.

“Welcome to Ocean Beach, California! At the terminus of Interstate 8 and the confluence of Interstate 5 lies the town of Ocean Beach, but for locals only, known as OB. It’s a place where time has stood still. The main street, Newport Ave, is still populated with the same establishments I have visited for over 40 years. A death in the family may have forced ownership on occasion but the swill and easy over eggs, biscuit and gravy breakfasts will never change. As a matter of fact at the recent opening of a Starbucks the locals started a loud protest that was televised live on the 5 o’clock news. OB being on the end of the road, as you may imagine, can also be the end of the line for some folks. Bring pocket change and extra cigarettes during your next visit. It will be appreciated. Not all are clothed shabbily, pricey threads abound and tie dye is the derigueur here, there you see, a Hollywood type emerging from his Jag wearing a silk Aloha shirt and sporting a Rolex. All the action is at the beach, though. Street musicians, muscle men, surfers, skaters, the substance abusers, hucksters and con-men crowd the sea wall. I sense the aroma of a fine spliff, who, where,..? Aloof, painted ladies walking their pure bred hounds but as required by a local ordinance, are in possession of a poopie bag. On the sand, glistening under a hot California sun, girls in bikinis are dispersed among mounds of kelp that have washed ashore. Then there is the OB pier. A stretch of concrete jutting out into the Pacific ocean and at most times a peaceful place with gentle sea breezes but during winter months when the jet stream brings cold, wet, low pressure systems down from the Gulf of Alaska, waves of twenty feet will crash over the railing. No bikinis on the beach at during this time of course. Rain or shine, it’s a great place to walk off those two dozen oysters, four shots of Patron and two pitchers of Yellowtail brew you and your sweetheart have consumed at Nicks by the Pier. The pier itself is 1,9971 ft long and another 2,612 miles due SW lies Honolulu. Oh, that little girl you see running down the pier, that’s my grand daughter, I would like to dedicate this song to you, SweetCakes. The 1963 Beach Boys classic “Little Surfer Girl” – POPS