North Shore revisited

16 Friday Sep 2016

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Today was an explore on our own day. We left probably a bit later than D. had hoped (I was a bit slow getting going this morning, as we had awoken to flash flood warnings on our phones. I turned on the news to catch a weather report, and well, got a little distracted with local news, shall we say? My parents were news “junkies,” and it appears the apple may not have fallen far from that tree. The sun was shining in Waikiki, and it appeared whatever storm had blown through overnight had blown out to sea. It was another beautiful day in paradise!

We headed out to the North Shore by way of the USS Bowfin Museum store as we’d seen something there on Sunday which we’d not seen anywhere else. Time to stop looking and just run in and get it. The only item on today’s agenda was a visit with one of my daughter’s best friends (affectionately known in our family as Daughter #2, and yes, occasionally “favorite”daughter when mine was being a typical teenager) and her son whom I had not yet met.
First stop, Waialua Coffee Company (and tea) which was quite yummy. They had a very eclectic collection of coffee advertisements from around the world on the walls, and a small cafe area. A more local, hipper vibe than the chain coffee stores…locals in with their laptops, visiting with friends, and us tourists thrown into the mix. (We tourists likely brought the “hip” vibe down a notch, but we did purchase a bit more than the locals, so it seemed a good balance to me.)

A beautiful drive along the coast to Haliewa where we wandered around for a bit. I managed to find some Christmas gifts, got some ideas for craft projects, and took pictures of things that brought back memories while we waited for Daughter 2 to meet us.

This was the main “highway” around the island when I called Oahu home. One lane in each direction kind of highway!

Queen Liliuokalani Protestant Church, Haliewa, HI

Seriously, does it get much better than this?

I believe my father had this LP. (Mom will let me know if he didn’t!) If he didn’t, he should have because I have a memory of someone having it!

We definitely had a set of these…at least 6.

We had a wonderful lunch at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck (I believe garlic will be oozing out of my pores for the next few weeks. Apologies to anyone standing or sitting close to me!) combined with a visit with Daughter 2 and the cutest little surfer dude I’ve ever seen. I could tell he was a “local” as he arrived barefoot and was walking around the rocks as if it was nothing. Flashbacks to my brother at the same age many, many (ok, maybe only one many) years ago. We got some ideas of further places to explore, said our farewells (yes, for those who know me well, my eyes leaked), and we were on our way.

Our directions were head “that way, left at the stop sign and around,” or something like that…we were headed somewhere, and that was really all that mattered. When you’re on an island you really can’t get too lost!

As we are driving down this road, we pass a sign…Camp Mokule’ia. Seriously?! This was my first ever overnight camp. I think I was 7? Maybe 8? I still have the shirt with my name embroidered on it. This was such a trip down memory lane – especially as I had recently scanned my father’s slides from when they dropped me off and picked me up. I couldn’t have found this place if I’d tried. But I could yell “Stop! I need a picture!”

We kept driving and came upon another long stretch of beach. I opened the car window for a picture, and D. commented “Now this smells like the beach.” I couldn’t have agreed more. Outside of Waikiki with all its aromas mingling with the sea air, you really don’t smell the beach. On this stretch, you really smelled the salt air, the sand, the sky, the Beach. (Yes, at The Beach you can even smell the sky.)

Love the wind power in the background.

We came to the end of the road at Ka’ene Point in Molokai and headed back to see where else the road would lead. A few turns later and we stumbled onto The Old Sugar Mill in Wailua. It has been turned into shops, boutiques, and a coffee roastery. One of the wonderful things about Hawaii is how people take care of one another. Here in the middle of the old sugar factory, which likely employed most of the community at one time, was the Community Kitchen. Where anyone can come for a meal. How much better would the world be if we broke bread together and shared our abundance with our neighbors?

It was still relatively early, so we headed for Waiamea. On the way we crossed Rainbow Bridge. I immediately thought of my Auntie S. who tells the BEST stories about the heavenly Rainbow Bridge. I didn’t see any fish here, so this one was good to cross.

We were hoping for the lighthouse, but saw signs for the Waiamea Falls and turned in there. Unfortunately the falls were closed by the time we arrived, but they had a wonderful farmer’s market going on, and we had a great time exploring it. And we may be back next week to explore the falls and surrounding area further. Lots of Hollywood movies have been filmed here, and it definitely peaked our interest. I was able to get a few pictures from outside the entrance, though.

We started back to the hotel, but made a detour back to Haliewa Beach to watch the sun set. This is where we swam with the turtles on Monday, and it was fun to sit and watch for them to poke their heads up out of the surf. And yes, I am my father’s daughter, and if one sunset photo is good, more are better. Fortunately I will only share one…ok, two.

WWII Veterans Memorial at Haliewa Beach

Tomorrow the actual “work” part of this trip begins, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be out exploring. I believe there may be a mouse involved in tomorrow’s adventures.

Posted by andreapw | Filed under beach, Haliewa, Hawaii, Hawaii beaches, Honu, Molokai, North Shore, Oahu, Pacific Ocean, sea turtles, sunset, Travel, Waiamea

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Relaxation

14 Wednesday Sep 2016

As yesterday was a full day, and tomorrow’s adventure requires a 5:45AM departure from the hotel, we opted to have a relaxation day today. We returned one rental car, picked up another, walked a bit of the Waikiki strip, ate lunch at Duke’s, then sat on the beach and poolside for a few hours. We’re going to explore the other end of the strip tonight, grab a bite to eat, and call it an early night. Yes, it truly was relaxing even if it doesn’t sound like it!

International Marketplace is very different than it was 43 years ago, even than 3 years ago. What used to be stalls selling inexpensive souvenirs and chatzky, is now an upscale shopping mall anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue. Trendy chain restuarants are on the third floor. The only thing that remains of the original International Marketplace is the banyon tree. They have incorporated the history and stories of the original Marketplace throughout, and you even have the opportunity to share your own memory.

There were seating areas throughout the shopping center…great idea to give those who don’t like shopping a place to relax!

And, of course, Dad had to “make an appearance” today…as I took the first photo of the banyan tree the song “Hawaiian Superman” started to play. It wasn’t Iz’s version, fortunately, I might have had to sit in one of the rocking chairs to compose myself. (My father passed away in 2008. Hawaiian Superman was the song playing as he took his last breath. So the song can still transport me back to that day in an instant.)

We had walked down an alley on Saturday night lined with surfboard lockers. I wanted to find it again for a picture…fortunately it was right across the street from the Marketplace! The different sizes, shapes and colors of the surfboards, lined up next to each other, making a wonderful collage.

It was then back to the room to change into our bathing suits, grab some lunch, and claim our spots in the sand and in the ocean. We’ve been in Hawaii for 3 days, and we’d yet to spend any significant time on the beach. We opted for lunch at Duke’s. Fish tacos and Korean steak street tacos. Both delicious! We will be back to try the Hula pie – the beach was calling and the rain had stopped!

The honu statue at the entrance to the hotel lobby

View from Duke’s

I was too busy swimming and napping to take pictures while we were on the beach. While we were eating lunch I kept hearing a noise that sounded like thunder. Turns out it was the waves hitting the sea wall just in front of our hotel as the tide came in. It was fun being in the water and watching the wave crash and roll along the wall. I will bring the waterproof case next beach visit and see if I can’t capture it. I did take some photos of Diamond Head from the pool area. After all, a trip to Hawaii isn’t complete without photos of Diamond Head, is it?

We took a walk down the other end of the Waikiki strip to the Hawaii Convention Center and around the area a bit. We got to see some crew practice by what seemed to be a club rather than a local school as the rowers were different ages, stages and genders.

The backside of the Convention Center. There are beautiful waterfalls running down the outside which you can’t see in the photo.

We had Vietnamese phô for dinner, and are now back ready to say good night. Tomorrow we off extra early to explore the island of Kuai for the day.

Posted by andreapw | Filed under beach, Diamond Head, Hawaii, Hawaii beaches, Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, Honu, Honu statue, Oahu, ocean, Pacific Ocean, Sea turtle statue, sea turtles, Sheraton Waikiki, Vacation2016

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Hidden Gems and Sea Turtles

13 Tuesday Sep 2016

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Hawaii, Hidden Gems, Oahu, sea turtles

Today was an early start as we had to meet the tour bus at 7:30 for the Hidden Gems Tour of Oahu. We were up in time to see the sunrise, but being on the west side of the island with a mountain range in between, it was a little hard to see. And the cloud cover wasn’t helping much, either. Once the van was full our driver, Mikos (the short version of his name. He is named for 7 generations of grandfathers, so his given name is very long!) pulled over and had us introduce ourselves. Quite an international group in our tour – Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Brazil, Egypt, Alaska, Slovakia, California, and of course, Arizona and Georgia. It made for very interesting conversation throughout the day, but I have to say the youngest two Californians did not make the best impression. They did provide us with plenty of “entertainment” throughout the day, though. Our driver was very patient and kind…I’m sure he has seen it all! The driver’s wife and 2 year old grandson were also along for the ride.

We drove around the south end of the island, past Hanauma Bay with our first official stop at Blow Hole and Eternity Beach. (So named because scenes in the movie From Here to Eternity were filmed here.) Unfortunately it was low tide, so we weren’t able to see it “blow.”

An ancient altar to a Hawaiian god on the way to Halona Blowhole.

From there we went to Makapu’u and Rabbit Island, Waimanalo Bay, through part of Kailua and on a small portion of the Pali Highway to He’eia Park where we could see Gilligan’s Island.

Gilligan’s Island was filmed on the small island on the left.

When the tide is high, the waves carry fish over the sea wall. Holes in the wall allow the smaller fish to return to the sea when the tide goes out. The medium and large fish are then caught by local fishermen.

A quick stop at the Macadamia Nut Outlet for samples of macadamia nuts and coffee, stretching our legs and picking up some gift items, and we were back underway to Kualoa , Ka’a’awa, Hau’ula, and on into Kahuku for lunch at Funi’s Kahuku Shrimp.

Hala, or pandanus trees.

Mokoli’i Island, otherwise known as Chinaman’s Hat

One of two houses built with coral. It is illegal to use coral as a building product now.

The “back” side of Crouching Lion in Ka’a’awa.

Hukilau Cafe – part of the movie 50 First Dates was filmed here.

Hawaii is seeking alternative forms of energy, including wind energy. We passed 2 areas of windmills today.

After lunch you need dessert, right? And why not a Hawaiian fried banana and fresh fruit? The fried bananas were scrumptious, and the fruit will be dessert after dinner tonight.

Fresh coconuts…juice, anyone?

After filling our bellies, we began the drive south with stops at Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay Beach, and on into Hale’iwa Beach to swim with the Honu – Hawaiian sea turtles.

I purchased a waterproof case for my phone on Sunday just for the turtle swim. With the weather today, the water was just a bit murky. Between the murky water and my mask continually fogging up, I really wasn’t sure what I was taking pictures of…but somehow managed to capture a photo of a turtle!

Murky water today due to cloud cover

I managed to get a photo of a honu underwater!

We were lucky to have a turtle come very close to shore (the waves kept washing it up, and he didn’t seem in much of a hurry to leave), so I was able to get some better pictures. Such an incredible experience!

After all the excitement of seeing the honus, we dried off and boarded the bus. A stop at the Dole Pineapple Factory for those who were still hungry and wanted a pineapple whip (we both passed but wandered around the gift shop), then it was on to the final bit of our journey, down the west coast and back to Waikiki. We dropped one couple off in downtown Honolulu just near the Aloha Tower, once the tallest structure in Honolulu.

Pineapple field

Hawaiian free range rooster

A short walk back to the hotel from our drop off spot, and in time to catch the final moments of tonight’s sunset. Tomorrow is a “down” day with nothing major planned. A welcome break after the long day today.