Travel note:
We chose to fly out the San Jose Airport because it was more than $100 cheaper per roundtrip ticket than any of the other Bay Area airports.
Day 1:
After a long flight on Hawaiian airlines, where the staff if a group of very nice people, we landed in Honolulu 3 hours backwards in time from California. The flight was uneventful, and we now know to bring our own snacks on board with us, and to check in at the kiosks before approaching the ticket counter. Hawaiian Airlines provided and fruit platter with crackers and cheese as a main meal. Everyone was still hungry.
Later in the fight small chip bags were handed out, as were complimentary Rum drinks, but still everyone was hungry. They do have a snack cart which I refuse to pay $6 for a little bag of M&M’s. Flight issues aside, arriving in Honolulu Airport is an experience, especially with being a Bay Area native, and being fully versed in our 3 airports.
As you walk out of the departure area toward baggage claim, you enter a garden area right in the middle of the airport. We couldn’t believe what we were seeing. However, baggage claim for Hawaiian Airlines is 2 buildings over, so be prepared to take a walk for your luggage. We had 2 kids with us ages 4 and 8, and they were troopers even thought they were exhausted. Getting to the car rental, the minibus was having issues and Avis was having issues being organized. But, we got our cars and headed for the market (being Costco) as we are staying in a private home with a gourmet kitchen and bbq island. Honolulu Costco is scary and so it the neighborhood it resides in. We didn’t stay long.
Driving to the house we are staying out was like being in a movie. The road literally abates to the coast line; we were being hit with ocean spray from the water striking the curbs. Just being able to look out at the vast area of sea and that is all you see….it’s amazing.
After all of the luggage and groceries were attended to, the first thing we all did was head out the back door to the beach and terraces. We goofed off a bit stepping quickly in and out of the water, started marinating meats, and dinner was soon to be eaten.
Day 2
Everyone is on California time, so while we were waking up at our normal internal clock times, we were up about 3am Oahu time. Being as there are neighbors, we couldn’t exactly go out and play. So we did what everyone in 2015 does, we got out our tablets and played games!
As the sun came up, some photos were taken, playtime in the lagoon happened, as did some underwater photography. This afternoon, we are off to the Polynesian Center for a full day of the Hawaiian experience.
The Polynesian Cultural Center, the name is an understatement. This place is as big as Disneyland Anaheim, and it’s all about the islands. Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Aotearoa (now New Zealand), Fiji, Tonga, and Marquesas (think Survivor). We visited all of the “islands” with the exception of Marquesas’ it was being renovated.
It was interesting to learn that the Hula (hippy hippy shake) as we know it, was not a native Hawaiian dance. It originated in Tahiti. As tourism of the islands progressed it was assumed the Hula was native to Hawaii. The original Hawaiian dance of welcome to a visitor (or cousins are tourists are referred to) has coconuts filled with dried beans and a floral top, much like a maracas, and is a smooth flowing, very beautiful and gracious dance.
The men also dance, and actually were the first island dancers; as usual women had to fight for the place of expression. The men’s dance is very testosterone heavy, it’s mostly about expressing power and position. However and women became to be allowed to dance the male dances softened, for dances of courtship, or telling a tribal story, or announcing the birth of a child. All of the islands dances represent a story of some kind. It can be announcing the hunt or the successful hunt has been completed, to announcing a courtship, to showing the love to and elder whom has passed on.
Now with that trivia aside, at the Polynesian Cultural Center, and you go to each area, there are exhibitions of things that are native to that island community. When we first hit the Tahiti area, my partner, daughter and daughter-in law were pulled from the crowd to learn and try a traditional Hula. It was interesting to see that the hip movements are actually controlled by the bend of a knee and slight turn of the thigh. Not easily reproduced in about 5 minutes of practice time. Keep in mind both girls of the younger generation are both pregnant and managed this quite well.
Our son and son in-law were pulled into the Tahitian welcome dance. For 2 boys (both in their -mid-20’s) who are not accustomed to moving like this, they did a really good job. Not 15 minutes later our son was picked from the crowd for a drum exhibition. The poor master of ceremonies had no idea whom he had chosen. My son has the gift of mimicking any instrument after hearing it just once. The performance master kept trying to mess him up, but it just didn’t work. In the end he gave my son a crown of banana leaves with a banana leaf bird flying skyward. The 2 other fellas the MC picked out didn’t manage as well, but they tried.
The second guy got lost on the rhythm so he produced “we will rock you” to the crowds enjoyment, and a very amused MC who admitted no one had stumped him like that before. The 3rd guy, he was from Korea, was very soft spoken and terrified to be on stage. Of course the MC had a field day with guy, (who took it all in stride); in the end he earned the crown of shame, but was a great sport about the whole thing.
As me moved from island area to island area, we saw exhibitions of spear throwing, more styles of dance, what homes of the past looked like, how cooking in a pit dug into sand happens, then to a movie that was done in 4D about the history of the islands. Finally it was Luau time. We had all been looking forward to this all day long. We wanted what we understood was traditional island food and the show that went with it. We got it!!!! Even the grandkids ate well.
The Luau was more than we imagined. Dinner of traditional island foods, (ok I can do without poi), but it was a bit salty for my tastes. The steak was done great, great flavors, the pork too salty for me, I’m not a fish person so the salmon I skipped, the chicken too salty but great overall flavor. The entertainment made dinner worth it. We were introduced to several styles of dance from the various islands, and our daughter (who is pregnant) was invited up to do a very soft “hula” by one of the young men. After all her brother and her partner got to do Tahitian dance and Tongan drums earlier in the day. It was only fair! The young man who picked her from the crowd did his best to keep her laughing and relaxed so she could hula gently! I am very happy the Polynesian Cultural Center was aware enough to realize the pregnancy and keep my girl happy.
After the luau, was “HA”. A performance I am glad I did not miss. While I understand that most of the dances performed tell a story, and I did get most of them…..some of the performances were lost on me. On the way home, it was not just me that missed the point of some of the dances…..but that’s ok, it gave us a lot to talk about. Overall the presentation of “HA” I got the gist. From here it had been a very long day at the Center….we were tired and still operating on California time, so by the time we got home it was 2AM our time…we all slept until 7AM California time the next day.
Day 3:
A day mostly at the house, a little grocery shopping, and a little beach time…a little catching up with work for all of us….boring stuff like laundry….and off to Kailua Beach to snorkel. I am so glad we bought an underwater camera for this trip. I have chosen to stay home from the beach today, too much sun yesterday, and it gives me time to catch up on my writing. I can’t wait to download my camera after my partner returns with a lot of under the sea images.
Apparently Kailua has amazing waves to surf or body surf in, and amazing amount of sand that sticks to you everywhere so that you bring it home, leave it in the car, etc…..this led off to Spaghetti night.
Day 4:
Hanauma Bay! Snorkeling in a crater!!! Ok the key word here is CRATER. When you reach the entry center for Hanauma Bay, (a national park) you will pay $7.50 per adult to enter and kids under 12 are free. From there you go to a presentation film of the do’s and don’ts of visitors to the bay. It was well worth watching.
However, having watched numerous National Geographic documentaries and having seen fish approach divers, I was not prepared when one came right up to me and kissed my mask. I was so startled I had to surface for a moment. Now I am a trained scuba diver on the California coast. It does not meet what you experience in the Hawaiian waters. The colors of the aquatic life are just so bright, and you see smaller fish swimming under larger fish for protection from being eaten.
We watched schools of fish eat on the reefs; we saw fish I that I cannot even name. As the day wore on, we all traded off on rest and snorkel gear, all talking back and forth about what we saw or what we got close too.
Hanauma Bay is even really great for small children. We had the 2 grandkids with along with their parents, and a few blow up rings from the dollar store the girls were floating on the tubes with their little masks on, and still being able to see the sea life, just excited them to no end. BBQ – Our son-in-law loves to BBQ. Twice while we have been here he has grilled dinner for everyone, and one lunch for everyone. The boy has grill talent might have to put him on one of those Food Network grill shows!
Day 5: We both opted to stay home and let the young folk go and play. The humidity and constant on the go was catching up with both of us. The home we stayed in has upper and lower balconies, as well as a private back lawn and beach. Staying home was not a hardship.
Day 6
Pearl Harbor! There is really no explanation for how it feels to walk on the Monument! After watching the pre-boarding film (narration by Stockard Channing), approaching the monument has a completely different feel from just being a tourist. To be honest, this was not a tour I wanted to do. However the family wanted to go, so being out voted we went. I am now very happy we did. There is so much information our public education did not give to us. At this point, unless a Vet can tell the tale, do not believe what you are told in school!
Dole Plantation was so much fun. It’s also the only place to get a Dole whip besides Disneyland! We started with a trip to the oyster counter where both grandkids got to pop open oysters. Both got lack Pearls….that were turned into charms. From there we went on the Dole Pineapple Express.
The Express takes you all over the Plantation, and shows you the diversity of the fruits that are grown on the Hawaiian Islands, as well as the wild life that depends on this vegetation.
Fine ass chocolates, the name says a lot…but the taste for the chocolate is just so so…and the coffee was comparable to Starbucks. A lot of acid and a minimal taste profile. Alas the chocolate shop has a Guinea Hen as a door person that will escort you to your car, upon leaving the shop.
Day 7:
Waimea Valley! Waimea Valley, it really doesn’t sound like much…does it? But it is!!!!!! Waimea Valley has a very fine café and restaurant, gift shop, river with botanicals and the waterfall. The waterfall and botanicals are not to be missed.
Our son says the Tuna Melt at Waimea should not be missed. Go figure boys and their stomachs are the first register. I have to say the ¾ mile walk is taxing if you are not ready for the humidity factor. But I can say the walk to the falls is more than worth the effort. Especially when watching the grandkids becoming exposed to native lives in some way!
Being as it was our last day, we opted to order for pizza. We were disappointed. Pizza on the mainland is soooo much better. We tried to supplement with wings and it dip but it didn’t help much…
So departing on the AM of Day 8.; we went to Denny’s on the way to the airport. The service was deplorable. 45 minutes to seat and 45 minutes after the order we placed. We barely made our fight. Talking of flights everyone but 1 made preflight TSA, but 1. That 1 was in a security to the parking garage. Which as a group is BULL. How does TSA take 1 from a small family of 8 that has been pre-booked and our legal names are in the system…then one of us spends more than an hour going thru nonsense security crap. Over a BOTTLE of GATORADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let’s say I hate flying and were to prefer to take the train everywhere!
Road Tripping! 
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