A is for Ashley in Arizona!

Each time we shared with our family and friends that we would be vacationing in Arizona for a week, we’d get a peculiar look followed by, “What’s in Arizona?”

Sure, my sarcastic gene was tempted to answer something along the lines of; scorpions, cacti and “not you” but I settled for truth and humility. I joked that the peculiar looks were not because it was an uncommon vacation spot for Hawaii residents, but has been part of local conversation since the State of Hawaii began shipping prison inmates to be jailed in Arizona.

Lilinoe is the oldest of three children and her brother Joshua and sister Ashley are neatly spaced four years apart. Following her high school graduation, Ashley seized an opportunity to move to Arizona. In the last four years she has earned her degree, gotten married and purchased her first home. To say she’s doing well is an understatement.

As the oldest child, Lilinoe burdened the responsibility of not only serving as “big sister” but surrogate mother to both Joshua and Ashley. Despite the family dysfunction that they continue to endure to no fault of their own, they continue to pull together and support one another with unconditional love.

Our primary reason for traveling to Arizona was to spend time with Ashley and her new husband, Uncle Chuy. Based on the memories that we created, we plan on returning to Arizona each year, but next year we’re taking Joshua and his rock solid for life, Auntie Kristie!