2003-8-11---walking around Waikiki Beach:

No stay in Waikiki is complete without wandering around Waikiki!  So today DAd and I spent the day walking all over town.  It's definitely a great walking town.
There was talk that the International market was going to be closing down.  So we made sure we saw it today.

 Love the landscaping throughout the area.

 also love that there's a beach here!

 more cool landscaping.

 Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole was a prince of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi until it was overthrown by a coalition of American and European businessmen in 1893. He later went on to become a representative in the Territory of Hawaii as delegate to the United States Congress, and as such is the only person ever elected to that body who had been born into royalty.

 another statue in Waikiki

 there's even a protected swim area along the beach

 Waikiki Beach is a great place to learn to surf.  Perhaps if I came here earlier in life, I would have tried it.  It usually has long rolling low breaking waves perfect for surfing on.

 as seen from a pier.

 posing by a waterfall

 would have liked to watch this guy for awhile! 

 Wonder if he has a gallery?

 walking by one of the swanky hotels.

 stopping for another photo

 there was even a mass on the beach today.

 Dad and his new friends.

 walking around in Fort DeRussey.

 Baskin Robbins was close to our condo so we stopped here quite often.

 Checking out the sunset on Waikiki Beach.

 I'm not one who loves crowds, but occasionally they can be fun.  Especially in such a scenic area as this!

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! 

2003-8-9---Riding around with Sean :  base; Waimea Park:

It's so nice having family on the island!  Someone to drive us around and show us the good spots!  First spot---lunch.  Sean suggested one of his favorite places---Dixie Bar b q.  It was very good.

 Then we headed to Schofield Barracks to check out his digs.  Along the way, he pointed out these rice paddies!   I didn't know they grew rice here.

 Too bad Dad was never stationed in Hawaii!

 We didn't spend a lot of time there.  He basically had a private bedroom and a communal open living room/kitchen area.  Nice way for a single person to live.

 Not too far from there is Waimea Park.  So we headed there.  There was a fee to get into it, but it was worth it.  I think it was $12/person at this time.

 Waimea Valley is a unique Hawaiian botanical garden within a significant cultural and archaeological site.

 One of the park residents.

The area used to be an adventure park where you could see cliff-diving shows, ride ATVs and trams and go kayaking. It was shut down and turned over to the Audubon Society in 2003, and turned it into a botanical garden. Now it is managed by Hi'ipaka LLC - a nonprofit organization with much more of a focus on cultural and botanical preservation.

 The 3.5-mile hike, which is mostly along flat, paved ground, is well worth doing as the path meanders through the magnificent gardens and historical sites.

 It was a beautiful day for a stroll.

 even the local peacocks thought so.

 I was also surprised to see cotton growing here.

 By the time we got done in the park, it was clouding up and making more rainbows.  Time to hit the mall.

Got a kick out of this sign in the mall.

It was a fun day.  A great start to another great vacation.

2003-8-8 Imperial Waikiki Resort---1 bedroom/2 bathroom unit:

Our accommodations for the week.  I found this week in some online rental site for $450.  It was short notice, so I figure that's why the price was so good.  For not knowing anything about the resort, we were very happy with it!

  It was about about a block South from Ft. Derussey Park and about a half block from the beach.   Turned out to be a great location!

 the open kitchen/dining room/living room.

  Since it was only a one bedroom, I let Dad have the bedroom and I took the fold out couch. It was actually more comfortable then I expected. It was also really nice having our own bathrooms.

 It wasn't huge, but it was efficient. 

 LOVED the large window!

 LOVED LOVED LOVED the view from our window!!!  I had called and asked for an oceanview room.  Don't know if that helped any, but we were on the 25th of something like 27 floors. 

 There were a few hotels between us and the ocean, but we still have quite the view!

 What could be better then an ocean view?  An ocean view with a rainbow!!!

 The resort even had a work out room---which we did go to---to use the jacuzzi.

 IT also had a rooftop pool which was never crowded. 

 Unfortunately we didn't get to see sunset from our room too many times since we were out and about a lot. 

 But even the night views from the rooftop lounge were impressive.

I wouldn't hesitate to stay in this room again!!!!