Mighty Mo

Watching vids on the Missouri, after visiting "the surrender deck".

Pearl Harbor read all about it

I have a hard time visiting the Arizona without tears. Spry and proud vet shares his story. I have my own autographed copy of Herb's book "Counting My Blessings" which I am happy to lend out. See more about Herb at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcA8ZzkZ10c.

Crime in Honolulu

Hey, it can't be so bad with these guys in charge ..

School near Honolulu

Malama i Ke Kai means Take Care of the Ocean in Hawaiian.

Sunset Beach on the North Shore of Oahu

I was there on a scheduled  on test day. Unfortunately, because of wind, it was rescheduled for tomorrow. Was thrilled to see some of the pros out practicing.

http://vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com/vansworldcupofsurfing2014/video-view/this-is-the-north-shore

They Said Avoid Oahu

I am so happy I ignored that advice. So far Honolulu and Oahu is the best for me. Beaches, sun, surf, beautiful outlets plus everything else, like good restaurants and fantastic shopping, and much more. Waikiki alone is worth the trip. Like South Miami Beach on steroids. Just gorgeous. I can see why Beach Boy "Duke" loved it here.

Oahu - Maili Beach

It just never ends. Kauai is supposedly the best island for the beaches, but Oahu is great too. Maili Beach, not too far from Honolulu, a public beach with free parking and free showers. Way to go Hawaii!

One is not enough

Gorgeous azure blue water, invariably perfect for surfing, and a tropical mountain background. But heed the signs. Swimming in Hawaii can be a life-ending experience. Hawaii warns you with two signs!

"We do a lot of rescues and we use it all."

is what the handsome young life guard told me when I remarked on the vast array of equipment he had, including surf board and jet ski and EMT gear. They guard the beaches 365 days a year (exc leap years when it's 366 ;-)  They are professionals, rather than college kids.  They have no life guard games. Too bad. I bet it would be an event to watch. I wish they could send a team to Rhode Island. I bet they would beat Narragansett!

View at the end of Kuhio Road

If you lived here, you'd be at the beach now. And there is an absolutely splendid home here on this point on the northern tip of Kauai with private surf beach and scenery from Bali Hai. 

Nearby is a Hawaii state beach. And you can, with permit, camp in this idyllic spot. Not half bad! Bravo Hawaii!

Hawaii has its own Grand Canyon

Waimea Canyon Overlook in Kauai is impressive indeed. Yesterday we met a man from Kansas, recently widowed, who is in Kalaleo, Kauai house hunting! He hasn't even toured yet!  Everyone suggested he rent for a spell before selling his house in Kansas. I suggested that he additionally consider that his new home will be on a small island (smaller than Rhode Island) with BEACHES and BEAUTIFUL views and not much else.

Baby Endangered Wedge - tailed Shearwater

At the Kilauea Lighthouse on the northern coast of Kauai this little guy is ready to fledge. He will be gone tomorrow.

Not many boats

Hawaii has magnificent coast line so there are lots of boats. WRONG! Hardly any boats. The rough seas make for a very bumpy wet ride. Not many swimmers either. We took the catamaran to see the land of Bali Hai.

Kauai thinks it's Key West ... with desolate beaches

The minute we got off the plane I spotted the chickens. They were begging for food outside the car rental office. I knew they would be all over the island and that roosters would be crowing at 5 AM. The only other place I ever saw over run with worthless feral chickens was Key West. Such a nuisance with their pre-dawn crowing. In Kauai it is actually good to be wakened early so you can walk beautiful desolate beaches, as we did today.

Beautiful

Hawaii lives up to its reputation as beautiful. Cliffs overlook inaccessible beaches.

Surfers - the reason I came here

I love watching surf videos and I am so happy to be be seeing the real thing. It never gets better than at Ho'okena Beach in Maui.

Maui Volcano

It's cold up on volcano rims. Wear sweaters and fleeces.

Most of Maui

We hear about the strips of luxury resorts. Desolation, inaccessible coastline, coffee / macadamia  farms, and cattle ranches comprise the real Maui.

Maui

Everything they say it  is: exquisite and expensive. Surfers love it here. Plus sunsets end with a green flash.

Munching on a Handfull of Macadamia Nuts

Hawaii is Macadamia nuts, and a great way to start the day is to be out early munching on Macadamia nuts while taking in all the wide green landscapes with jet black cattle grazing in the fields. Hawaii has huge ranches. Some overlook steep cliffs.
Hawaii is also McDonalds, Subways, Ace Hardware and tourist strips that could be Newport, Key West, or Galveston.

Not just beaches, Mai Tai and hula

Hawaii is desolate ranch lands and it is where the southern most point of the USA is located. When we finally got there we found campers in vans and tents.

Like Iceland

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is like Iceland or the Galapagos. Lava fields are hard and sharp and not very inviting. It is impressive.

Drive SLOW, be polite and see Volcanos too.

Hawaii is undoubtedly the only state where virtually EVERYONE has in state license plates. I have not seen one out of state plate. I guess that is a no brainer, but it is weird. And they are the slowest, most polite drivers we have ever encountered. No one blows a horn. I like it, but you know who is going insane. It is considered outrageously rude here to toot or be inconsiderate of other drivers.

They have noisy frogs. They have pretty cool volcanos too. Or should I say hot?

We're here!

After 3 flights we are in our hotel on Big Island where we will see the volcano.  Hawaii is definitely the floral paradise it is known for. It is also hot and humid so there's lots of mold. Reminds me of home hee hee.

Traveling light

After about 12 hours of flight time - i.e. actual time in the air - we landed in Honolulu. Hot, humid, but pleasant. They actually do say "aloha".

No rest for the weary

Back from Oklahoma on Sunday and on the way to Hawaii Tuesday morning. I pack light with my net gym bag plus my soft cooler which holds my purse and my healthy lunch. I packed my snorkeling gear, so no frills. 

Is it done microwaving?

America's most spoiled cat awaits his breakfast.