2003-8-10---Hanauma Bay:

Hanauma Bay was declared a protected marine life conservation area and underwater park in 1967.  Formed within a volcanic cone, today Hanauma Bay offers a pristine marine ecosystem after the City and County of Honolulu laid out a plan in 1990 to restore the “curved bay,” after years of use from the millions of visitors who visit and love to snorkel Hanauma Bay.

 In 2002 a marine education center was opened for visitors and part of the conservation plan requires first-time visitors to watch a 9 minute video before entering the park so they can learn about the marine life, preservation and safety rules for the park.

 It is one of the premier destinations on Oahu if you want to get acquainted with hundreds of fish and marine life.

 Voted the Best Beach in the United States for 2016 our volunteers have a booth located on the beach level to help visitors learn about conservation of the reef and the types of fish that live there.

 Today Hanauma Bay sees on average 3000 visitors a day, or approximately 1 million visitors per year

 The walk to the beach from the parking lot isn't too bad, but going back up is a bit of a challenge.

Back in Waikiki, we headed out for dinner.  Decided to give the military hotel a try.
On the west end of Waikiki Beach and close to our condo is Fort Derussy Park. It was built in 1904 and was known as the Kalia Military Reservation. Later it was renamed Fort DeRussy and several batteries were built on the grounds of Fort DeRussy. In 1949, the fort was closed, and the property became the Fort DeRussy Armed Forces Recreation Center. Within the park there is a large grassy park with picnic tables and barbeques, the U.S. military's Hale Koa Hotel, and the United States Army Museum of Hawaii.

 Anyone can enjoy the grassy grounds or the museum, but you must be active or retired military (or with one) to get into the Hale Koa hotel and restuarant grounds.   

 We wandered around the Hale Koa and had a great dinner there thanks to Dad's 21 years of service in the Air Force.  Loved that the restaurant was covered but open to the outdoors.

 The lobby of the hotel is pretty impressive, too.

 Pretty much a perfect day---but then they all have been on this trip so far!