Midway or Midway Atoll, like all the North Western Hawaiian Islands, has its own Hawaiian name, in fact more than one: Kuaihelani (‘the backbone of heaven’) and Pihemanu (‘the loud din of birds’). Pihemanu is particularly apt! The sounds never stop, day or night. When the albatross settle in the evening, the Bonin petrels take over, and the albatross still whistle and clack intermittently all night long.

Last night was a fun Christmas Eve party for everyone on island, kindly hosted by the Refuge Manager at Midway House.

The main event, the annual gift exchange, is always full of funny and imaginative gifts, and therefore much stealing…the latest Pihemanu rule is no limit on steals, which led to many truly hilarious interactions!

Christmas Day is traditionally celebrated with a single family-style meal in Clipper House at 11am. The choice of delicious food is almost overwhelming, and everyone brings takeout containers to pack leftovers to last them through til breakfast tomorrow, so that the kitchen staff can at least have a break from one dinner service after all their work preparing for this special meal.

Coming from Kaua’i, it was fun to see they built an Imu (an inground oven) to cook a whole pig.

As I write we’re in the midst of a downpour, so no chance to walk off the Christmas meal. Oh well! Will just have to make up for it when we’re back to counting tomorrow.

Mele Kalikimaka!🎄