We headed back to the North Shore to attend the Laie Hawaiian LDS Temple. This was something Dad really wanted to do (a trip down memory lane again) because when he, Mother, Beverly and I visited Oahu just before Mother learned of her cancer, we visited the temple on her birthday--her request!
On our drive there, we stopped at a park to take a picture of some of Hawaii's most dramatic mountain scenery including eroded volcanic pinnacles, razor-sharp ridges and pointed spires with beautiful palm trees swaying in the breeze.
On our drive there, we stopped at a park to take a picture of some of Hawaii's most dramatic mountain scenery including eroded volcanic pinnacles, razor-sharp ridges and pointed spires with beautiful palm trees swaying in the breeze.
There were some tender moments shared within the temple for all of us! We are so glad we attended this very special temple!
Looking down the striking Hale Laa Boulevard from the steps of the temple to the highway.
A large fountain is in front of the temple with other pools cascading along the boulevard.
Carved friezes decorate each side of the top of the temple, depicting four dispensations of time: Old Testament (west), New Testament (south), Book of Mormon (north) and Latter-day (east).
The temple was closed in 2008 for two years for structural and extensive remodeling, so it looked like a totally new temple from when we visited in 2001.
The temple is surrounded by lush Hawaiian flora.
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After we finished a session at the temple, we were hungry. When Beverly has visited Hawaii with Larry and the judges, they like to try the local garlic shrimp. We found Tita's Grill just a few miles outside of Laie and had a wonderful meal. Shrimp is definitely one of my favorites.
The picture was taken from my I-phone and not the clearest, but at least you get the idea!
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We then came back to Laie and found the "hole in the rock," as locals refer to it. This hidden sea arch was created in 1946 when a tsunami blasted a hole in the middle of this sandstone island.
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On our drive back to Oahu, we passed the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. I had remembered Jerry taking our family to see a Japanese temple 32 years ago when Dad and Mother took their children and spouses on a trip to Hawaii. Just out of curiosity, we drove in and found the temple.
The Byodo-In Temple--established on June 7, 1968, to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The temple in O'ahu (built entirely without the use of nails) is a smaller-scale replica of the over 900-year-old Byodo-in Temple, a United Nations World Heritage Site in Uji, Japan.
The Byodo-In Temple--established on June 7, 1968, to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The temple in O'ahu (built entirely without the use of nails) is a smaller-scale replica of the over 900-year-old Byodo-in Temple, a United Nations World Heritage Site in Uji, Japan.
Surrounding the temple are ponds with large koi (goldfish) and black swans.
Around those ponds are lush Japanese gardens set against a backdrop of towering cliffs of the Ko'olau Mountains.
Is this what they call refer to as "frog spit?"
Inside the temple is a 18-foot, hand-carved wood Lotus Buddha. It is covered in gold and lacquer.
The Buddha is thought to be the largest figure carved since ancient times.
Outside the temple in the Bell House is a five-foot, three-ton, brass peace bell. A soft wooden log is used to strike the bell, and when struck the sound creates an atmosphere of tranquility and peace.
So, we felt fortunate to have been able to visit two temples in one day!
When we arrived back in Oahu, we walked through the iconic and famous Royal Hawaii Resort and then the adjoining Sheraton Resort on Waikiki Beach. Another wonderful day!!!
2 comments:
So much fun to look at all of your pictures Mom!! You are adorable! And it is amazing all that you fit into your days. Grandpa is so young in so many ways.
I particularly loved this day. I like how you entitled it: "Visiting Two Temples in One Day". Going through a session in one of our truly beautiful Latter Day Saint temples was such a together experience, especially having Dad with us and feeling Mother's presence.
And I know that we have stopped at the Byodo-In-Temple before on one of our trips, but never did I appreciate it more than when we saw it this time with all the exotic plants, fish and gardens surrounding the historic building.
All I have to do next time is remember to put bug spray on my legs!!
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