Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor
We had heard that the lines at the Arizona Memorial were long and there was a limited number of tickets issues each day, and that we needed to get there early to beat the crowds. We left the B&B around 7:00 am and got to the parking lot around 7:40 am, the doors open at 7:30 am and the line was wrapped around the front of building. Once inside you can rent a hand held audio guide which is full of good information and is recommended. There is also a small snack bar and gift shop next to the museum. After about 30 minutes in line we finally made it into the main building and were handed tickets to the 9:00 am movie and then the boat trip to the memorial.
After the 30 minute or so movie we were directed to the Navy transfer vessel and then crossed the harbor to the memorial which took about another 20 minutes or so. Once there we are given 20 minutes to tour the memorial, which seems to just about enough time to see and experience the site.
Once on board the memorial you can see the Arizona just under the water and some portions are still exposed. Also, oil still seeps from the structure and it is said that these are the "tears of the fallen ones" who are entombed below. Over 30 soldiers who survived the infamous day requested to be interred once they passed and they are memorialized in a separate section of the shrine room.
The boat ride back is another 20 minute trip and then we toured the museum, returned out audio guides and headed toward the north shore and the next stop....pineapples!
Dole Pineapple Plantation
Only about a 30 minute drive north from Pearl Harbor is the Dole Pineapple Plantation, what a nice and refreshing stop and just in time for lunch too! The boys each got the Chicken Teriyaki Sandwich which looked really good (Ben gave me a bite too), and Monique and I split an order of Pineapple Shrimp with Fettuccini, it also came with a fresh orchid flower for garnish and grilled garlic bread. And all you can drink fresh pineapple juice too!
After lunch we toured the gift shops and bought some roasted nuts, T-shirts and shot glasses. Then we headed outside and it started to rain heavy. We spent a few minutes under a kiosk umbrella to stay dry and then one of the workers ferried us by groups of two under her large umbrella back to the building.
We then took the Pineapple Express miniature train ride tour through the plantation and got to see the pineapple groves. The train conductor is running to the locomotive with a bucket of sand, the wet rails prevented any traction and we were stalled for a few minutes until he shook some sand onto the wet rails. We also saw many banana plants, coffee plants, orchids, bromeliads, carambola plants, and hibiscus plants throughout the ride. Then we toured the gardens but it started to rain again so we ran through the beautiful flowering plants. That's Ben trying to stay dry under some banana leaves. Here are a few more photos of us running through the Dole gardens and trying to sing... or just be funny! And not doing well with either!
So we ran back to the main building with the restaurants and gift shops and spent some more time improving the local economy and then decided to head to the north shore.
North Shore and ShrimpAfter running in the rain back to the car we headed north for about 30 minutes and made our way through the northern towns of Waialua, Waimea, Sunset Beach, Waialee, and Kawela Bay. These areas are famous for the Banzai Pipeline and other surfing destinations. The peak of the surfing high waves is in January and February so we did not see any spectacular wave action, just normal waves on our trip. 
Traveling south now and near Kahuku we spotted a few places selling fresh shrimp so we decided to stop at one of them and picked Romy's which looked inviting. We ordered 2 lbs. of steamed shrimp, some corn and waters for everyone. Everyone got a kick out the fresh steamed shrimp, especially after Dad got some red shrimp gunk all over his face and clothes. Then the camera when to work, thanks Monique! LOL 
Drive South on Windward SideAfter cleaning up from the shrimp we drove south back toward Honolulu on the windward side and stopped at a few beachside parks along the way. The first one was Laie Beach Park and had a great view as you can see below. 
Then we drove south some more and found Kahana Bay and stopped for a few minutes for another photo opportunity! 
Then we got back on Kamehameha Highway driving south and stopped again at the Kualoa Regional Park for a pit stop and look around. With all the rain from earlier in the day the beaches were just about deserted. 
More driving and we found ourselves back at Makapu'u Head just around sun set and it had a spectacular lighting effect as you can tell from the images below. Ben stayed in the car for a nap while Monique, Bryan and Ryan took in the view. 
And then again we hit the road and stopped at Sandy Beach for a few more photo opps, also saw the Blow Hole too and took a few shots of that as long as we were there for the view. 
|