Category: USA

First Day in Honolulu

Island of Oahu

So we made it to Honolulu! Oahu is the second of five islands we will visit. We will stay here five nights before heading to the island of Moloka’i.

In Maunalua Gardens, this is “The Hitachi Tree.” This is actually a monkey pod tree, estimated to be 130 years old. 75 feet tall, 120 feet wide with a trunk 21 feet girth. This tree is recognized by the state of Hawai’i as an “Exceptional Tree.”
This is a red crested cardinal, native to South America but also in Hawai’i and Puerto Rico.
The view from our room in Waikiki.
Statue of Don Ho, who was an iconic Hawaiian pop singer in the 1960s. His biggest hit was “Tony Bubbles.”
First dinner in Honolulu. This is ranked as the 4th best restaurant in Honolulu.
We both had filets. So tender and tasty!
Waikiki Beach sunset.
Kalakaua Avenue, the Honolulu street famous for shopping and restaurants. Packed with people. When I planned this trip I did not realize that it would be right in the middle of Spring Break!
Moon and palm tree.

Morning on Island of Kaua’i

Lihue HI

Sunrise at our hotel in Kapa’a. Yes, it really looks like this!
Our first encounter with malasadas! Portugese donuts filled with various fillings. I had the mango – yummy!
This was the view from the front of our hotel.
At the Lihue Airport, yellow hibiscus bushes! Yellow hibiscus is the Hawai’i state flower.

Our first Luau

Lihue HI, Island of Kaua’i

We plan to go to three luaus while in Hawai’i. This is the first one, the Luau Kalamaku at Kilohana Plantation.
This show told the story of how Kaua’i was originally settled by ancient Polynesians, presenting the voyages between Tahiti and Hawai’i. Ultimately, Kalamaku, child of the new land, carries the fiery torch of one family’s future. Excellent story and performance!

Hawai’i!!

Island of Kaua’i

In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. -Psalm 95:4-5

Known as the “Garden Isle”, it has lush green rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and some of Hawaii’s most spectacular scenery. This is an amazing part of God’s creative majesty!

90 percent of the island is not accessible by car. So we took a helicopter tour of the island.

We also learned a little about the Hawaiian language. Every word in the Hawaiian language ends with a vowel, and all words do not contain two consonants together.

We booked a helicopter tour of the Island of Kaua’i. First helicopter ride for both of us.
First stop: Manawaipuna Falls, also known as Jurassic Falls. These falls were featured in the opening scene of Jurassic Park.
As we turned around the bend of the mountains toward these falls the helicopter pilot turned on the theme music from Jurassic Park. It was pretty cool!
The pilot was also very cool about pictures. He took this with a prop that he has been using for years.
Okolele Canyon.
Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
Waipo’o Falls.
Close up at the Nā Pali Coast.
Nā Pali Coast.
Nā Pali Coast.
Mount Waialeale Falls. These cascade down 2,950 feet! We would never have seen these falls except by helicopter.
Mount Waialeale Crater.
Back at the heliport. The pilot photobombed us!
Wailua Falls.
Afternoon at our hotel.

National Infantry Museum

Fort Moore GA

Impressive museum at Fort Moore in Columbus GA.
Capture of Redoubt #10 at Yorktown VA, 1781.
The Battle of Antietam, Sharpsburg MD, 1862.
Battle of Soissons, France, 1918.
Daniel Inouye would go on to serve as US Senator from Hawai’i 1963-2012.
Recapturing the Rock, Corregidor Island, Philippines, 1945.
Millett’s Bayonet Attack, Soam-Ni, Korea, 1951.
Air Assault at Landing Zone X-Ray, Ia Drang Valley, Vietnam, 1965.
Infantry Operations in Iraq, Northwest of Bayji, Iraq, 2003.
M2/M30 4.2 inch Mortar.
Vietnam jungle scene.
Operation Tapeworm, Iraq, 2003.
Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, 2001-2014.