Last night we invited Miguel Felipe and Aaron Gould to dinner and I am happy to report that we all hit it off smashingly well! In case you’re wondering what was on the menu, Carl cooked one of his “typical” dinners: rounds of pupus (including taro chips with mango salsa, stuffed lychees with ginger cream, assorted tropical fruits, stuffed cucumber with shrimp salad, stuffed tomatoes with baby corn and basil), and spring mix salad with cherry balsamic dressing garnished with cherries and oranges. The entree was macadamia nut crusted mahimahi with pineapple-papaya marmalade, saffron rice and sugar snap peas; the dessert was two flavors of panna cotta: lavender and lemongrass, with a choice of fresh peach or strawberry-orange glaze, accompanied by a macadamia shortbread cookie. All of this was in the spirit of “Aloha,” to welcome Miguel to his new position as Director of Music and Liturgy at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu.

He reported that he has been warmly welcomed in both his new positions: that of Director of Choral Activities at the University of Hawaii as well as at LCH. I told him about the “Aloha Spirit,” the attitude of welcoming and openness that is almost palpable in the people of Hawaii. You can feel it even through the flight attendants who serve the Hawaii air routes. You certainly can feel it in the parishioners at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, who go out of their way to welcome strangers to their midst. I know they will warmly welcome Miguel and Aaron.

Over the next two weekends we will further be able to demonstrate the aloha spirit as we celebrate Carl Crosier’s 38 years at LCH. On Saturday, August 13th, following the rehearsal of Haydn’s “Lord Nelson Mass”, choristers in all four of LCH choirs will join in a potluck in the courtyard. And next Sunday, August 21st, there will be a catered reception in the courtyard following the 9:15 am service to which all are welcome.