Hawaii 2012

Part 1

No one was waiting for us with a lei as we got off the plane so here are the ones for sale nearby.

View of the mountains as we went to Waikiki.

Interesting building of Japanese design. One of a pair of twins.

Our hotel, the Pacific Beach, was across the street from Waikiki Beach.

Not too bad a view even if we were only on the third floor.

Many pretty things along the street.

Gardens everywhere.

Music on the streets.

Other things too. Many high-end stores, Prada, Coach, etc.

And some quite cute shops as well.

Duke Kahanamoku. Duke Paoa Kahanamoku lived from 1890-1968.

He was born and raised in Waikiki and was a full-blooded Hawaiian, representing the

culture to millions of people. He was an Olympic champion winning three gold, two silver,

and one bronze metal in four Olympics between 1912 and 1922. He is known as the

Father of International Surfing, thus the board behind him.

Breakfast at the Hard Rock on the tour company. Sales pitch!!

Early to bed and then up to tour. This is the Ioloni Palace. Neat place.

Lots of Kona wood. No pictures allowed inside.

Was the seat of the state government after the Queen was removed.

Banyan tress all around.

Flowers everywhere.

A long ride on TheBus took us to the Aloha Stadium

and a huge market surrounding the entire stadium.

The stadium was surrounded by trees like this.

Waikiki Beach was under repair. This was one of the few good spots.

It is easy to rent surfing gear.

Sun, safe, surf; take your pick.

The state flower.

And many others too.

The sunsets were very nice!

The next morning and the sign says it all.

There is where we are headed.

The path starts out smooth but soon looks like this. Most of it was much steeper though.

There is some of it above us.

Getting closer.

From one of the lookout spots.

Some steps followed by a 100-yard tunnel in the dark.

More steps but there is a more picturesque route that we took.

The last group of steps and we will be there.

The view! Waikiki Beach below us.

Housing on the nearby hills.

The eastern lighthouse.

Things happening in the crater and houses beyond.

Some sort of facility in the crater.

Nice places but it is tough to get to the grocery store from there.

Lots of hotels on the beach.

The going down part was difficult.

And down some more.

TheBus was a very efficient way to get around. Took it everywhere. The Bishop Museum was a nice ride.

In front of the Bishop Museum.

More flowers.

Saw this portrait of King Kamehameha many times.

Totems.

Whale bone and human hair. Wearer has the right to speak so this is chief stuff.

You could not travel more than 20 yards without seeing an ABC.

You can learn Hawaiian from the sidewalks in Waikiki.