{"id":94824,"date":"2026-03-25T23:24:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T06:24:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lilesnet.com\/dailydiary\/?p=94824"},"modified":"2026-03-27T09:12:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T16:12:40","slug":"94824","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/lilesnet.com\/dailydiary\/?p=94824","title":{"rendered":"Day Five\/Wednesday: The Meet Begins!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Today we were lazy!\u00a0 We walked to the beach and had a White Russian for pre-breakfast before going to the Elks.<\/p>\n

We met some folks from Australia, shared stories, and enjoyed a drink with them.<\/p>\n

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Definitely an amazing breakfast in Hawaii!<\/p><\/div>\n

We had to eat something for breakfast, so we had the hummus, and it was quite tasty.\u00a0 The meal held us until 1:30 pm, when we went to the Elks.<\/p>\n

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Lunch at the Elks<\/p><\/div>\n

At the Elks, we had a hamburger (Mary), and I feasted on a Caesar Salad loaded with shrimp!\u00a0 We watched the world go by as we enjoyed each other’s company and the terrific view of the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n

We wondered where he was sailing to and how long it would take to get there.<\/p>\n

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We watched the large container ships enter and leave Honolulu harbor.<\/p><\/div>\n

Honolulu Harbor, originally known as Ke? Awa O Kou, nicknamed “Fair Haven,” was first entered by Westerners in the late 18th century and developed from a small, reef-sheltered basin into Hawaii’s primary commercial port.\u00a0 It played a key role in the 19th-century sandalwood trade and as a whaling hub.<\/p>\n

Mary loaded up her camera with pictures of the “cats” and their magnificently colored sails.\u00a0 I see her now doing some serious watercoloring.<\/p>\n

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The “cats” were going back and forth.<\/p><\/div>\n

It was that time, we needed to be at the gym at 5:45 pm, so we went on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.\u00a0 In and out back streets, through alleys, over curbs, down the sidewalk, barely missing someone pert chicken, we went at Warp 2.<\/p>\n

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The University bought an old Catholic School gym, refurbished it, and it looked pretty good, but it was hidden away in the depths of Honolulu.<\/p><\/div>\n

Meet the team!<\/p>\n

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The team gets ready!<\/p><\/div>\n

Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) boasts a highly competitive Acrobatics and Tumbling team, often recognized as a top-ranked program in the country (ranked 12th as of March 2025). Based in Honolulu, the Sharks compete in the NCATA, performing in compulsory, acrobatics, and pyramid heats.<\/p>\n

In Hawaii, the Shaka (thumb and baby finger pointing in opposite directions) represents the “aloha spirit,” conveying friendship, understanding, compassion, and solidarity.\u00a0 It is a quintessential gesture of positivity, frequently used to mean “hang loose,” “right on,” “thank you,” or to say hello and goodbye.\u00a0 It is officially recognized as Hawaii’s state gesture, symbolizing local culture and respect.<\/p>\n

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Mega” Meg” Gilliland, a 5’5 base, mid-base, and tumbler from Camarillo, California, joins the Sharks with a decorated background in acrobatics and tumbling.\u00a0 Training under Jasmine Honors and Sergio Restrepo at Rancho Campana High School, she was part of teams that won 10 Acro & Tumbling National Titles at the Level 3 division between 2022 and 2023.\u00a0 Known for her versatility and strength across multiple positions, Gilliland continues her athletic career at Hawai’i Pacific while pursuing a degree in mathematics.\u00a0 She chose HPU for the team’s supportive environment and coaching staff, which she felt would help her grow not just as an athlete but also as an individual.<\/p>\n

I was going to clap and whistle, but in Hawaii, whistling at night is believed to summon the HuakaI’I P’\u00a0 (Night Marchers), the spirits of ancient Hawaiian warriors.\u00a0 According to local superstition, this action attracts malicious spirits or bad luck, or causes them to follow you home. It is strongly advised to avoid whistling at night, especially near forests.<\/p>\n

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The performance was dizzying!<\/p><\/div>\n

At the end of the meeting, things went wild.\u00a0 The teams did their final, and it was dizzying.<\/p>\n