I got to talk with two important ramp van resources on island who can help with our transportation needs:
1. Albert Amiott of Ali'i Adaptive Equipment (albjoe@hotmail.com; work: 676-3816; cell: 232-7956) - ALbert is an adaptive equipment installer who works with van conversion companies in the mainland. Basically, he puts the finishing (and most important) touches to your van. This service is vital in the islands because as many of us know, there is no conversion service in Hawaii! For newly converted vans, one must look to purchase in the mainland, have it converted by, for example, Braun,and have it shipped to Oahu. Albert puts in whatever accessories come with the conversion, eg, automatic wheelchair clocks and delivers the van to you. Aside from this important service, he does the initial assessment (much like the fitting for a new wheelchair) before he advises you on the best route to take, eg. which van conversion is best suited to your needs. According to Albert, it takes a wide range of 2 weeks to 5 months from ordering to arrival of van in Hawaii, depending on the accessories the van requires. The average cost of a new Rollx converted van is $42,000 while a used one would cost in the mid-$20,000's.
2. Judy Heller of Access Aloha Hawaii (www.accessaloha.com; phone: 429-4560) - Judy provides converted van rentals. The cost depends on the number of days rental, with 2-3 days at $502, all inclusive.
Having scouted for the above information, let's proceed to the last reason why October just whizzed by like someone needing to answer nature's call FAST!
FRIENDS ARRIVE
We, in Hawaii, get visited a lot, one reason we are lucky we live Hawaii, especially to folks like us to whom arranging travel outside the home is like plotting a rocket launch, without NASA! So when Britt's longtime friend from UCLA, Karen Ito, fulltime professor and parttime caregiver to her husband who has Alzheimer's, breezed into town, it was definitely a reason to chart trips to museums and dinners with the family.
Meet my friend, Karen, from UCLA.
She took this picture of Diamond Head up in Tantalus when we made a wrong turn off of Makiki Street in search of the Contemporary Museum!. We had a fun drive, tho!In the second week of Karen's visit, my pal from college, Sokie Roman-Dinglasan and hubby, Jimmy, came to visit, too! It was also around this time that my once trusty steed, DA CARAVAN, decided to cough and screech. Despite the van problems, Sokie, Jimmy and I had a great time reminiscing with our co-UP'ians at a picnic under the stars in our backyard and a lovely dinner at John Dominis.
So. Is it any wonder why my usually steady neural circuitry suffered a short? Well, the Trusty Steed is still in Windward Dodge but notice I already have November plotted on the right? Hah! I am on the rebound and ready for November! Are you?
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