2003-8-14---Submarine ride:

I had done this when Ken and I were on Oahu a couple years ago and really enjoyed it, so I suggested to Dad that we do it, too.  He agreed, so we did.
 So we walked over to the pier by the Hilton where the shuttle picked us up.

 rode the shuttle out to the submarine. 

 enjoyed the views along the way

 almost to the sub

  took our place in the sub.

 inside the sub

 descended the 100' to the bottom.

 a couple large jacks

 little reef fish at the man made reefs---or junk planes and boats that were sunk to be "reefs".

 it looked a whole lot clearer then these pictures show.

 back on the shuttle and heading back to the beach.

 great view of Waikiki beach from the shuttle.

 back on the pier.

maybe it wasn't as cool as the first time I went on one, but it was still interesting.

2003-8-13---celebrating Dad's 72nd birthday with a Limo tour:

Since we live so far away from each other, it's always nice when we're able to celebrate a special event with each other.  Today happened to be Dad's birthday.  We decided to celebrate in style and signed up for a limo tour.

 Sounded like a good idea, but turned out that limos aren't all that comfortable!

 But it was nice seeing more of the island.  This is another place on my list of places to see---the aquarium.  But it won't be this trip.

 The driver took us up into the ritzie area of town.  He named off a bunch of celebrities that lived in the area.  Don't remember who any of them are, but I did love the houses.

 We had a short stop at the overlook of one of the beaches where part of the South Pacific was filmed.

 Another stop was at another place---Kualoa Ranch.  Here we were treated to a bus ride through some of the property.

 Kualoa is a 4000-acre private nature reserve and working cattle ranch, as well as a popular tourist attraction and filming location on the windward coast.

 We were also treated to some Hawaiian music

 and dancing.

 and fruit that was grown on the property.

 More than 50 movies and TV shows have been filmed at Kualoa over the years

 sampling star fruit.

 from the ranch, we continued on to the infamous shrimp food trucks.  Unfortunately I'm allergic to shrimp.

 At least there was another restaurant near the food truck so I could get some lunch, too.

 Back at the condo, Dad opened the few little gifts I got him.

I hope he had fun on his birthday.  What better place to spend it then Hawaii!?

2003-8-12---Diamond Head hike:

Another activity that should be done on Oahu is hiking up Diamond Head!

 The trail to the summit of Diamond Head was built in 1908 as part of O‘ahu’s coastal defense system. 

 The 0.8 mile hike from trailhead to the summit is steep and strenuous, gaining 560 feet as it ascends from the crater floor.

 good view of the caldera from here.

 The walk is a glimpse into the geological and military history of Diamond Head.

 Definitely not ADA accessible.

 The view from the top is stunning!

 Looking over the caldera again.

 We made it!

 the navigational lighthouse looks tiny from here.

 Heading back down

  a lighted 225-foot tunnel leads to the Fire Control Station completed in 1911

 map of the full hike

 So glad we did this.  I know Ken would never do it.  But it was so worth it!