Have you ever had a 5-hour dinner for two with a view of Diamond Head and a Waikiki sunset that cost a thousand dollars?  We did last night at La Mer, which is on the second floor above Orchids. The evening began with a gin martini on ice with olives at House Without a Key. We went on to be served Heidsieck Champagne at La Mer, which once was free...but no more. After being kept away from fine cuisine for more than 2.5 years by the pandemic, we splurged on Malossol Caviar.  The roe came from  U.S. aquacultured sturgeon .  Caviar prices are absurd, but  China  is entering the picture, and prices could drop. We selected the $300 version. Sunset at Waikiki. We selected the following Menu Dégustation. First the amusement, of more caviar in a soup sauce. Foie gras paté, beets, onions and popcorn, with a Justin Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles. Then a roasted scallop/lobster consommé with cuttlefish. Followed by a plate of chorizo, lobster and squid ink gnocci. The final entre was filet o

                     From  Worldometer  (new  COVID-19 deaths yesterday):     DAY     USA    WORLD      Brazil      India      South Africa June     9     1093     4732         1185        246       82 July    22      1205     7128         1293      1120     572 Aug    12      1504     6556        1242        835     130 Sept     9      1208      6222       1136       1168       82 Oct     21      1225      6849         571        703       85 Nov    25       2304    12025        620        518      118 Dec     30       3880    14748       1224       299      465 Jan      14       4142      15512        1151        189      712 Feb      3       4005    14265       1209       107      398 Mar      2       1989     9490        1726       110      194 April     6        906    11787         4211       631       37 May     4        853     13667        3025      3786     59   June    1        287    10637         2346      3205      95  July    7         251      8440        1595        81

                     From  Worldometer  (new  COVID-19 deaths yesterday):     DAY     USA    WORLD      Brazil      India      South Africa June     9     1093     4732         1185        246       82 July    22      1205     7128         1293      1120     572 Aug    12      1504     6556        1242        835     130 Sept     9      1208      6222       1136       1168       82 Oct     21      1225      6849         571        703       85 Nov    25       2304    12025        620        518      118 Dec     30       3880    14748       1224       299      465 Jan      14       4142      15512        1151        189      712 Feb      3       4005    14265       1209       107      398 Mar      2       1989     9490        1726       110      194 April     6        906    11787         4211       631       37 May     4        853     13667        3025      3786     59   June    1        287    10637         2346      3205      95  July    7         251      8440        1595        81

  That is my view from where I sit writing my blog this morning.  I will shortly be at the Ala Wai Golf Course, and a perfect day is predicted.  The weather, that is.  Hawaii has this year been spared of serious hurricanes.  There are two ocean disturbances in the East Pacific, but neither one should threaten us. Today, people in Florida, specifically just north of Fort Meyers, will suffer the worst day of their lives, for Hurricane Ian, at 155 MPH, will any moment now as I write this make landfall over those islands facing Port Charlotte.  Much of them won't be the same in a short while because of the storm surge, of perhaps up to 20 feet.  Ian became a hurricane only Monday, and could well still attain Category 5 strength, which begins at 157 MPH.  Gusts are up to 190 MPH.  Here is something I learned from my time involved with wind power.  The energy of wind increases by the cube of the velocity.  Thus, image standing in winds of 45 MPH.  You can be blown over.  Now, compare the