Have your SO pick up poke from Paina and sushi from Ward Sushi, and some soft drinks. Head to Kakaako Park - avoid the horrid potholes in the parking lot near John Dominis, park and find a picnic table. Enjoy the food, company and incredible views: surfers, sailboats, commercial and pleasure craft. Not enough?

Gaze at green mountains, rainbows, clouds of all colors. Then take a walk. Head west to see the Waianae mountain range and the promenade of dog walkers, Segways, ski pole walkers and homeless. Stroll east for views of Point Panic, Kewalo boat harbor and Waikiki and Diamond Head in the background. Stay to watch the sun set behind the mountains.

Lucky you live Hawaii!

Go straight from work to the Honolulu Academy of Arts Honolulu Academy of Arts Park on Victoria Street. You'll have to feed the meter for an hour's time, but it's close by, so worth it. Pay the $10 admission - or it's free if you're a member.

You'll be there on the ONLY night the Academy is open - the second Thursday of the month - for aloHAA. aloHAA After checking in for your sticker, pop into gallery 14 for a look at the exhibit there.

Now, head right for the Pavilion Cafe. Buy enough scrip to get some food and a cocktail, wine or beer. Or water or a soft drink, if you MUST. Note: the margarita was STIFF, and resulted in loud women at an adjacent table!

Relax, and around 6 pm, the Chris Yeh jazz quartet starts: 4 young guys who play seriously old school sounds. Not quite as dry as a Paul Desmond martini, but still very tasty. Gaze at the amazing Jun Kaneko "dango" sculptures, the soft water feature beneath them, and the serene face of your significant other having a swell time. When the set is over, talk to the musicians - 4 fellows who clearly love what they do.

Then head for gallery 28 and the print show: http://www.honoluluacademy.org/cmshaa/academy/index.aspx?id=5162 Prepare to be amazed by the Academy's works from master of light and dark, Winslow Homer, the singular vision of Thomas Hart Benton, the power of Kathe Kollwitz, and the mind of Marcel Duchamp. You will each of you find something that captivates.

If you can tear yourself away, return to the cafe for the final jazz set, and another drink. Things wrap up around 8 pm, but you still have time for modern art gallery 27. Check out my favorite painting, by Francis Bacon. Powerful!

Visit a courtyard - the Chinese is our family favorite - and see our old sculpture friends. I've known the Kwan Yin since I was 6 or 7 years old. DH's inspirations are the fierce temple guardians. Finally, head out into the night, and you'll want to take a long walk to discuss all you've enjoyed.

Art, jazz, food, drink - what's not to love?

The next aloHAA event is scheduled for Thursday, July 8th, from 5 pm to 9 pm. PLEASE, don't all rush to be there.

I kinda liked all the elbow room, and choices of where to sit!