Coney's of Volcano 2025 Christmas Letter
Mele Kalikimaka 2025
(Choose Pidgin, English or photo version to read)
Hawai'i Pidgin version (English is below)
Mele Kalikimaka! So glad you wen go scan da QR code fo find us. No can believe 2025 stay pau already! Dis year was so big, we had to go digital fo tell you guys da whole mo’olelo (story). Grab one coffee or one POG, and check out our monthly highlights:
January: Nature wen start da year wit' one bang—da eruption at Halema'uma'u was still going! John hit 35 years at UH Hilo, and Janet got fo talk story wit' da Obamas at Kilauea Lodge—ho, such classy people! One guy wen go "bang" John’s car from behind, but lucky ting nobody wen get hurt. We wen go "green" wit' one new electric car, a Kia Niro. Hardest part of da month was saying aloha to our 16-year-old pet "Kitten." She was da best.
February & March: Janet hit her 35-year mark at da Lodge! Den in March, we wen go Keauhou Bird Conservation Center fo see da ‘Alalā (Hawaiian Crow) at da bird sanctuary. So majestic, da birds.
April & May: Retirement Time!
April was all about planning fo da "no work" life. In May, Janet wen retired! Da company threw one mean party, and da ‘ohana flew in from O'ahu fo surprise her. We wen Maui fo keep da party going wit' da kids and friends. Was one whole month of celebrating! Chee hoo!
April was all about planning fo da "no work" life. In May, Janet wen retired! Da company threw one mean party, and da ‘ohana flew in from O'ahu fo surprise her. We wen Maui fo keep da party going wit' da kids and friends. Was one whole month of celebrating! Chee hoo!
June: We stayed busy outdoors—backpacking Keauhou, camping Kapapala Ranch, and Janet wen go scuba diving and saw one "bait ball"—so many fish, was crazy!
July: We got our campervan, "Ka'a Nui," ready and shipped 'em to San Diego. On Jessie’s birthday (July 28), we headed mainland-side fo start da big adventure. Same day, Jessie wen call us—she and Branden stay engaged! Ho, we stayed so stoked!
August: John, he officially retired from UH Hilo afta 35 years, yeah? We had one celebration wit da 'ohana in Cali before we when go cruise up to Oregon and Washington. We started our mission fo find da Thomas Dambo Trolls—sick sculptures made of recycled stuffs. In Washington, da na keiki when go surprise John wit one retirement party (had one vintage photo cake, too!) and when go to a crazy fun Weird Al Yankovic concert. Janet, she squeeze in one heart-warming trip to Wisconsin fo visit her friend Suzy's 'ohana. Was good kine fun!
John when go cruise all ova da Pacific Northwest, visiting friends, exploring, and hiking while stay getting da camper van ready fo da big US tour. John and Bob when do one great hike to da top of in Oregon, plenny fun before heading back to sister Nubee's hale.
September: We wen back O'ahu fo niece Calla’s wedding. Was so good fo see da whole ‘ohana together before we started da "Big Road Trip."
October & November: 10,500 Miles!
We drove from California all da way to Maine and back to Arizona. 31 states, 25 trolls, and 16 National Parks! Even wit' da government shutdown, we had one blast. You folks can check our blog and videos here: [Blog Link] and [Relive Video Link]. We came home Nov 11, just in time fo one Hawaiian blessing of Jessie and Branden’s new 4-bedroom house on O'ahu! Nicholas wen come home fo' Thanksgiving, and us guys went go camp in da park.
We drove from California all da way to Maine and back to Arizona. 31 states, 25 trolls, and 16 National Parks! Even wit' da government shutdown, we had one blast. You folks can check our blog and videos here: [Blog Link] and [Relive Video Link]. We came home Nov 11, just in time fo one Hawaiian blessing of Jessie and Branden’s new 4-bedroom house on O'ahu! Nicholas wen come home fo' Thanksgiving, and us guys went go camp in da park.
December: We stay spending Christmas at Jessie and Branden's new place on O'ahu with all da kids. Our hearts stay full. We so grateful fo all of you.
Wishing you and your ‘ohana one Merry Christmas and one Happy New Year!
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou,
John and Janet
coneyohana@gmail.com
coneyohana@gmail.com
English edition
Mele Kalikimaka! We are so pleased you scanned the QR code to join us for this digital update. 2025 has been a monumental year of transitions, milestones, and miles driven. Here is a look back at our monthly highlights as the year unfolded:
January: We kicked off the year with nature’s fireworks as the Halema'uma'u eruption continued. John hit his 35th year at UH Hilo, and Janet had the honor of meeting the Obamas at Kilauea Lodge! After a car accident (everyone is okay!), we transitioned to an all-electric Kia Niro vehicle. Sadly, we said aloha to our beloved pet, "Kitten," after 16 wonderful years.
February & March: Janet celebrated her own 35-year milestone at the Lodge! In March, we enjoyed a rare visit to the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center to see the Alalā (Hawaiian Crow) through the Hawai'i Nei Art Exhibition.
April & May: The Retirement Era Begins!
April was spent planning our next chapters in life with a quick Maui escape. In May, Janet officially retired from Kilauea Lodge. Between a surprise party from family and a follow-up celebration on Maui with the kids and friends, it was a month-long party to honor her incredible career.
April was spent planning our next chapters in life with a quick Maui escape. In May, Janet officially retired from Kilauea Lodge. Between a surprise party from family and a follow-up celebration on Maui with the kids and friends, it was a month-long party to honor her incredible career.
June: We embraced the outdoors with backpacking at Keauhou, camping at Kapapala Ranch, and a spectacular scuba diving trip where Janet witnessed her first "bait ball."
July: We shipped our custom campervan, "Ka'a Nui," to San Diego. On July 28th (Jessie’s birthday), we arrived on the mainland to start our journey. We also received the best news: Jessie and Branden are officially engaged!
August: John officially retired from UH Hilo after 35 years! We celebrated with family in California before driving to Oregon and Washington. We began our quest to find the Thomas Dambo Trolls—incredible sculptures made of recycled materials. In Washington, the kids surprised John with a retirement party (including a vintage photo cake!) and a Weird Al Yankovic concert. Janet also squeezed in a heart-warming trip to Wisconsin to visit her friend Suzy's family. John Trapped about the Pacific Northwest, visiting friends, exploring, and hiking while getting our camper van set for our big US tour. John and Bob did a great hike to the top of South Sister in Oregon, great fun before heading back to sister Nubee's home.
September: After a quick trip home, we flew to O'ahu for niece Calla’s beautiful wedding. It was a treasure to have almost the whole family together before we flew back to California to start our "Big Drive."
October & November: 10,500 Miles of Adventure
We crossed 31 states from California to Maine and back to Arizona! We found 25 Trolls and explored 16 National Parks. You can see our photos and "Relive" videos here: [Blog Link] and [Relive Video Link]. We returned home on November 11th just in time to celebrate Jessie and Branden purchasing their first home on O'ahu! Nicholas returned home for Thanksgiving, which included a camping trip in the park.
We crossed 31 states from California to Maine and back to Arizona! We found 25 Trolls and explored 16 National Parks. You can see our photos and "Relive" videos here: [Blog Link] and [Relive Video Link]. We returned home on November 11th just in time to celebrate Jessie and Branden purchasing their first home on O'ahu! Nicholas returned home for Thanksgiving, which included a camping trip in the park.
December: We are ending the year exactly where we want to be—celebrating Christmas at Jessie and Branden’s new home with all the kids.
We have so much to be thankful for and are so grateful to have you in our lives. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy 2025!
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou,
John and Janet
coneyohana@gmail.com
coneyohana@gmail.com
And for the visual family and friends, our year in pictures!
(click on photo to expand)
January-
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| "Kitten" our 16-year-old Cat |
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| 39 Eruptions at Halema'uma'u this year |
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| Van test 3.0 at Maunaloa, cold & elevation. It works! |
February-
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| 35 years at Kilauea Lodge |
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| Janet celebrates her retirement! |
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| And hiking back! |
June-
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| Hiking to Keauhou |
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| Diving at Hookena |
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| Truck camping, we love camping |
July-
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| Our retired Mayor Harry Kim, super cool guy! |
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| Engaged! July 28th! |
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| We finally arrive, but very late at sister Nubee's. |
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| My super way cool sister and her kids! |
August-
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| Bob and John summit South Sister |
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| Janet and Suzy tubing in Wisconsin |
September- 
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| Family at Calla's Wedding |
October and November found us driving from California to Maine and back to Arizona.
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| Driving! |
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| Ice cream freezer, left side... |
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| Someone's phone is on fire... |
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| Speaking of on fire... |
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| Cape Cod, it should be "cape cold". |
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| One of the best sunsets of 2025 |
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| Kaukau |
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| fall colors |
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| A cool cave |
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| Dinner and a campfire |
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| Epic sunrise |
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| Looking back at 42 nights under the stars. ✨ Sept 29 – Nov 10, 2025. |
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| Cruising the HVNP with Nicholas |
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| Nicholas goes camping! |
December-
John and Janet
coneyohana@gmail.com
Cheers to more years!
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| Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau'oli Makahiki Hou From our Coney 'ohana to yours |
(the end)
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