A VISIT TO PARADISE WITH MY FATHER AND THREE SPECIAL SISTERS

HAWAII TRIP--Jan. 11-20, 2013

My father wanted to visit Hawaii and see the new Pacific Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor.  My sister, Natalie, told him she would take him since the timeshare he owns on Waikiki was scheduled for the week beginning January 12.  Well, when three other sisters heard what Natalie was planning, we started making arrangements.  So, there was a total of four sisters taking their father to beautiful Hawaii.  The only sister unable to come along was our sister Beth who was just beginning a new semester of teaching at BYU-I, and her son is having some health problems.  We missed her!

We knew that Hawaii would be in the 70s, but what we didn't know was that the day we flew out of Utah, a big snowstorm dumped 1-1/2 feet of snow.  What a change in weather and temperature for all of us, except for Laura, our sister who lives in Florida.

When we arrived at the Honolulu airport, Stephanie (my niece whose husband is stationed in the air force in Hawaii for the next 3-1/2 years) came to meet us and presented all of us with a beautiful lei!!  That was so sweet of her.  She was extremely helpful in our trip planning even inviting all of us to stay with her and her family!  She looked great!  It was fun seeing her.

The next day after checking out of our one-night hotel because we went a day early for checking into the condo, we asked the concierge some ideas of what to do.  He suggested that we attend "the best farmer's market on the island," which was situated at Kapiolani Community College.  It truly was a wonderful market with many, many people there.

We saw so many beautiful flowers for sale--

--munched on kettle corn--

--tasted fresh pineapple--

--and saw more flowers!!

The avocados were huge,

as well as the papaya!

This vendor was preparing coconuts for tasting the meat and drinking the liquid.

After attending the farmer's market, we drove along the ocean highway on the Windward side.

This picture shows the different hues of the aqua-blue water in the ocean.  Of course, there's nothing like seeing it in real life!

Beautiful hibiscus flowers were everywhere!

World famous Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve--closed for the day since the environmentalists are avidly trying to preserve (and restore) the coral reefs!

Closer look at Hanauma where Elvis Presley filmed the 1969 movie Blue Hawaii!

The bay was formed within a volcanic cone and is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island, especially for snorkeling.  The bay has suffered somewhat from overuse--at one time accommodating over 3 million visitors per year!

Halona Blowhole--(see the spray to the right)

The blowhole is a natural occurrence formed by tubes from volcanic eruptions thousands of years ago.  The lava tubes run to the ocean and, when the surf is right, the blowhole shoots water up to 30 feet in the air.

Situated to the right of the Blowhole is the Halona Beach Cove, which is a small sandy beach that is great for swimming when the surf is calm.  The site is known for the famous love scene between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in the 1953 movie, From Here to Eternity, and several scenes from the Adam Sandler movie, 50 First Dates.

Beach to the left of the Blowhole

We then drove a little further and viewed Makapuu Beach Park from a lookout!  This point marks the eastern-most point of Oahu.

Manana Island (big one) and Kaohikaipu Island (Can you believe the amazing color!)

IOLANI PALACE--
The official residence of King Lalakaua and Queen Liluokalani, the last king and queen to rule Hawaii.  Originally built in 1883, the palace was the royal residence (the only royal residence ever in the U.S.) until the monarchy was abolished in 1893. 

With our several trips to Hawaii, this was a site none of us had ever visited! 

Banyan Tree--
Near where we parked was this huge Banyan tree.  The tree is an enormous tree that puts forth roots which form secondary trunks to support the expansive limbs.

This is just one tree, which looks like several!

For our tour, we entered in the back entrance

This is where our tour began--under the porch entrance.  The circle contains the Royal Coat of Arms.

The grand hall that runs the entire width of the palace faces a staircase of koa wood.

At least four years before the U.S. White House installed electricity, the original gas lamps in Iolani Palace were replaced by electric lights in 1886.  King Kalakaua was very interested in new technology, and once met Thomas Edison.

Portraits of 10 Hawaiian kings and queens line the walls above niches where valuable vases and statuary from England, India, and France are displayed.

The Throne Room (off the Grand Hall)--  

Held diplomatic receptions, state balls, and entertained guests

Crowns, sword and scepter belonging to the royalty

Blue Room (across hall from Throne Room)--

Used for informal audiences and smaller receptions

Portrait of King Louis Philippe of France hangs there--presented to  King Kamehameha III by the French government in 1848.

Beloved items that belonged in the palace were unknowingly bought at auctions and carried off to far-flung places, stored in family attics or subjected to the ravages of time and use.

Portrait of King Kalakaua

State Dining Room--

One of three massive sideboards specially made in Boston, MA

The palace was ahead of its time, including hot and cold running water, flushing toilets and bidets, copper-lined tubs and other amenities.

King's Suite--

Royal Coat of Arms quilted bedspread

Old picture of the King's bedroom

Gold (or Music) Room--

Gathering place for the royal family, who enjoyed composing, playing and listening to music.

Beautiful music box with inlaid marketry design (this is for you, Doug)

Close-up of the beautiful Japanese-designed carpet

Another view of the grand stairway--looking down from 2nd floor

Old picture of Queen Kapi'olani (last ruler of the Hawaiian Kingdom)

The Queen's bedroom--

Upon the overthrow of the monarchy, Queen Lili'uokalani was imprisoned for eight months in a small room on the upper floor.  She hand-stitched this silk quilt while imprisoned.

The queen stitched into this quilt the Hawaiian flag, as well as the names of people who remained loyal to her during this political crisis.

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Basement collection--

After our tour of the main and upstairs floors, we went outside and entered the basement.

The basement gallery included an exhibit of select treasures from the Royal collection, including the Hawaiian crown jewels.

The jewelry reminded me of the jewels displayed in the Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen, Denmark!  I guess all monarch's are the same, as far as their jewels are concerned.  They are all lavish and don't worry about the cost!

The 13.880 carat diamond in this platinum pendant was once the center-stone in a gold pinky ring belonging to King Kalakaua and passed down to ancestors.

After King Kalakaua's death, his sister, Lili'uokalani was named as heir and regent.

Collection of china

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Coronation Pavilion for King Kalakaua and Queen Kapi-olani in 1883.

Interesting tree on the grounds--reminded me of an elephant!

These beautifully decorated tables were being set up for some lavish occasion.  

After a long day, we were hungry!  We walked the block from the Banyan (our condo) to Waikiki Beach and ate a delicious meal at the Marriott Moana Terrace, which was a poolside restaurant on the third floor with only a street and palm trees separating us from the ocean.  

We sat in the warm evening air, listening to two excellent singers accompanying themselves on guitars while watching the spectacular sunset on the most famous beach in the world--Waikiki!

Life was pretty much perfect for those few moments!

My flatbread pizza with fresh mozzarella and garden vegetables!

After we ate, the evening was so beautiful we walked a little down the beach front until we reached the International Market Place.  We wandered through the booths of trinkets and souvenirs until we found our dessert--whipped Dole pineapple in waffle cones--an end to a perfect day!!!

We walked back to our condo and immediately fell asleep.  Our sister Natalie flies in tomorrow afternoon.