I bought tickets for us to go do an after hours tour of the Honolulu Zoo, but turns out Brian wouldn’t be home, so I brought a friend instead. This tour books out a few months in advance, and it lives up to the hype! It was super cheap, I think $10 for each of us as members. Our tour guide was great, she was very knowledgable and told great stories about the animals. We saw almost every animal that we stopped at, and a couple that she claims “are NEVER out” (I believe she was authentic about it, but it was funny that it happened to a couple.) One was the lizards and the other was the Aardvark.
A couple story highlights; the zebra and the giraffe are BFFs, the Rhinos were matched in hopes of mating but she didn’t think he was man enough, the male lion died of COVID, so the female now does the territorial scouting.
Loved this guy and it’s shame he doesn’t keep his window clean.
This guy was mesmerizing swinging around… apparently doing a territorial dance because there was a large man in our group.
We had a really great time doing this and I can see why it sells out! 10/10 would recommend this behind the scenes tour. There was only 15 of us, including three kids, so it was really easy to take pictures and never felt crowded.
The short way to Lanikai Pillbox is right outside my door and takes all of 25 minutes, but includes a couple sections of rock scrambling. A friend, Jess, is past her due date and wanted to go for a hike to try to move things along. I was nervous about her doing the steep fast way, and have been wanting to do the back way, so we went for it.
To get to the back way, I can actually park on the other side of my complex and walk. (This comes in handy later).
The views from the back are incredible… dare I say better than the short way.
You’re set further back from the ocean, so you can see the bay a bit better. You also climb higher (maybe?) at some points… essentially we went over three-ish peaks to get to the ocean. You can see we’re kinda starting that section after doing a decent amount of climbing to get there in the first place.
You also get a really great view of Bellows and Waimanalo
And view after beautiful view of the mokes along the way.
If these pictures seem blurrier than normal… it’s because my lens stopped talking to my camera. I didn’t know that’s what was happening until I troubleshooted at home. I switched between manually focusing and trying to get the camera to do it. Oh well, good excuse to do it again. Here we are finally coming up to the first pillbox.
That took an hour to get there (It felt like two if I’m being honest), so we decided that we should go the “short” way home. It was actually the perfect amount of wet… it wasn’t super dry and slippery and it wasn’t muddy and slick. I’m really glad we picked that way. Then we walked through my complex back to the other side to get my car.
It’s kinda hard to get on the top of the pillbox… and by that I mean it’s hard for anyone scared of heights… but Jess did it so I figured out a way. It is actually kinda hard logistically to get up, takes a couple big steps. Anyway! This was my first time to the second pillbox and first time on it… lots of firsts for me this hike!
This is on our way back down.
And of course I had to get a selfie with the fantastic new signs on completion.
10/10 recommend doing the hike this way… if you have the in and can get into the fabulous community somehow. The views of the mokes just keep getting better and better… it feels more like a hike… you hit both pillboxes, it’s so much quieter (we saw two people until we got to the pillbox).
Taken from Wikipedia: Diamond Head is a volcanic tuff cone on the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu and known to Hawaiians as Lēʻahi (pronounced [leːˈʔɐhi]). The Hawaiian name is most likely derived from lae (browridge, promontory) plus ʻahi (tuna) because the shape of the ridgeline resembles the shape of a tuna‘s dorsal fin.[3] Its English name was given by British sailors in the 19th century, who mistook calcite crystals on the adjacent beach for diamonds.
This hike is ridiculously popular, so it was on my list to just check off. I planned to do it with people from KOSC… but no one ended up committing… so I just did it with my thousand best tourist friends(i.e., alone). (Brian is gone, again…not for long). Thankfully, I don’t have to pay anything because of Kama’aina (I have a Hawaii license). Normally it’s $10 to park, and $5 to hike. They probably could charge $50 to park and there’d be lines… however, when I went (7:45a on a Saturday), it only took me ten minutes waiting to get a spot (there are attendants who do a great job monitoring). There’s a lot of turnover, so it goes quickly. I can imagine this being horrendous in prime tourist season.
The trail starts out nice and paved, and then it’s uneven and paved. Some parts of the unevenness get dirty, but truly most of it is paved. The elevation gain is 500ft. It starts in switchbacks and then there are a couple sets of stairs and a tunnel to get you to the finish.
Someone was BLASTING Christmas music on the way up. And I immediately understood why this hike gets a bad rap, and why I love my in the jungle ones. Anyway, in the photo above you can see the sheer amount of people that come. You can also see the bunker hidden in the dirt. There are a lot of history plaques and an audio tour, should you chose (I didn’t…)
The views were pretty cool.
You can see a couple more bunkers.
I’d put this on par with Haunama bay. Should you do it once? Probably. Is it a complete tourist attraction? Yes. It is an easy “hike” to take not in shape people on to see a decent view? Definitely. Am I worried about my car getting broken into? Not so much. Are there are million other hikes I’d recommend over this one? Absolutely.
The lady in red Hawaiian shirt is a 92 year old survivor of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. She lived on MCBH during the attacks and told her story of her experiences on that day. Her name is Joedy Adams, she was 12 at the time. You can hear a rendition of her full story here. Her dad told her and her mom to escape to Honolulu. When they got to Honolulu, they crashed their car trying to avoid a bus driving on the wrong side of the road (reportedly driven by a Japanese man). They knocked on the door of the house where they crashed, and it was a Navy officer’s house. He had no idea it was happening, so he ran out the door to drive to Pearl. Crazy how they couldn’t hear it happening in Honolulu. At one point on the ride over, they pulled over because of a plane flying overhead and hid. The plane was shooting down the middle of the road. It took her dad five days to be able to communicate with them. When they finally got to go home, they drove at night without headlights to stay hidden. Her mom had to sit out the passenger side hanging her hand over the side driving around the cliffs to make sure they were still on the road.
It was cool to hear her talk. She was still very with it!
She also told a story about a spy living in her house. A friend told him this was discredited, but she still tells it like it’s true, and that no one really corrects her because it was her rendition of the day.
Oh, “Talk Story” is a common phrase in Hawaii, and it basically means to “shoot the shit” most of the time, or times like this a more specific “chat” gathering.
KOSC had a Holiday party and they advised us to dress “festive”. Well, knowing this group I thought it’d be a little more casual, so I wore my favorite Christmas onesie (which, for the record, is a bit warm for Hawaii). Anyway, it’s like 60% people dressed really nice, and 39% dressed in ugly sweater-ish type attire, and I was like… the most outlandish. But I received so many compliments! And everyone enjoyed my festive-ness.
Anyway, I brought a cool ornament from Micromahalo . The blue pieces are micro plastic from the beach.
The host was the base CO and his wife, so you can imagine their house is huge. They live in the house that Eisenhower stayed in after WWII. Apparently it’s called the “Kane’ohe Bay White House” but I can’t find much about it online beside this. You can see it has a massive open space for hosting.
It also has a gorgeous view of the ocean as you can imagine. The husbands were our bartenders. It was a truly fantastic night. We had what we call “mando fun”, mandatory fun, meaning you’re all going to take a picture inside this frame or else.
We also collected a lot of toys for a toys-4-tots type program on base.
It was such a fun night, and I’d love to keep doing ornament exchanges past Hawaii. No stress, no swapping… just raffle style. It’s hard to see, but I got a santa playing a ukelele riding a sea turtle, and that’s PERFECT.
I live by arguable the most popular hike on Oahu called the Lanikai Pillbox hike. This causes all sorts of disturbances for our neighborhood. For one, the path used to start at a different point essentially up someone’s driveway, but it was moved to start right off the road instead. However, AllTrails (A popular trail mapping app) had outdated data. So I emailed them a few times to get it corrected, which thankfully it finally did. But, nonetheless, people must read old blog posts on the hike and still try going up the driveway. Hawaii is terrible at trail maintenance, which is kinda crazy, so there are no signs pointing to the start. OK, there was one, but it hardly counts and is now missing. On my sunrise walks people continuously try to walk up the driveway only to get yelled at, which isn’t pleasant for anyone. Or, they’re often asking for the starting point, and there’s not really a good landmark to tell them where. I have had it in my head I’d help correct this for a while, but the pieces didn’t fall into place until recently.
When Jess and I visited the Bishop Museum, they were hosting a pop up exhibit of sorts by Parley, a company working to repurpose microplastics found on the beach. They made these plastic slabs and weren’t sure what to do with them. Well, I didn’t think of it until later, but I realized they’d make GREAT signs. So I had Jess go grab a few on her way home from work one day. I don’t think I have the before pictures…but you’ll get the point.
Jess and I then borrowed a cricut from another officer spouse and cut out lettering to stick on to the signs. We also drilled holes and bought plastic zip ties. These are our results:
It was our first go around and I am proud with how they came out. However, with version 2.0, I think we’ll work a bit more strategically on color picks. (see a trend with my sign for my husband? Graphic design has never been my strong suit). I thought the bright blue would pop better. Oh well.
This is what they look like hung up, and the remnants to the frame of what was the other sign:
I tried to remind myself that this signage was better than no signage and it’s a great first go around. Again, you can tell we probably should’ve done better color pairing… it was deceiving though!
Anyway, we went in the cover of darkness to hang them. I am sure we will not get in trouble and they are very easily removed. However, our neighborhood is just uppity enough that something like this could cause a stir. I don’t know, I’m probably being dramatic, but with all the weirdness that is Hawaii I wouldn’t be surprised if someone complained to be honest. You’d understand this better if you lived here. I’ll just say Hawaiians are very protective of their lands, as they should be!
Well, we’re a few days in and they’re still there. That’s encouraging!
I’m happy with this little community improvement project and hope it lasts.
I also invested in my own cricut after pleading with Brian for a bit. We’ll see what projects I get my hands dirty with next…
Still Alice A book about a woman who gets early onset dementia. Very depressing, 10/10 would not recommend reading it. The whole time I was worried I was getting divorced from Brian and my kids hated me. This was for book club. It did bring up some interesting questions, like would you get tested to know if you’re predisposed. I am unsure.
When Breath Becomes Air I have a list of books I’ve saved to Amazon I’ve been meaning to read. Audio books in the car is my new thing, and I also finally figured out connecting to the military library via an app, so I perused my list to find one that was available via the library. This was one… except that it is another depressing story of getting sick too young. Mind you, I’m reading these while my husband is away, which makes it that much more difficult to not think WE HAVE NO TIME LEFT TOGETHER. Anyway, this is about a doctor who gets lung cancer and his balance with leading the rest of his life not knowing how much time he has left. Keep pursuing doctor career? Spend all time with family? I thought it would delve more into what makes a life a life, it did a little but it was mostly about the balance part. Anyway, another 10/10 would not recommend.
Brittney vs. Spears Documentary As Brian would say, there’s two sides to every story and we’re only hearing one. But man, is this a compelling story against a money hungry father. And conservatorship is nasty, something that one wouldn’t even think could exist in America. If everything that was said was true, she was essentially a slave.
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark How long is it before you stop finding stuff out about your significant other that you didn’t know? Apparently Brian is a big fan of the Indiana Jones’ movies. So while he was gone I thought I’d start them (Can’t remember if I posted this, but I was looking for pop culture series to catch up on while he was away. My family wasn’t big on watching movies. I started with Lord of the Rings. We also did Star Wars back in quarantine). This is such a boy movie. Not a fan.
Maid: Based on a book, this woman who was impregnated young and by an abusive boyfriend tries to leave him and make it on her own. I did not like it, because while I guess the choices she makes could be believable, some of them are outright really dumb (like going back to him while this very smart, handsome, funny guy is trying to date her). She seems too smart and emotionally intelligent to do that. I feel like in real life it’s definitely plausible women make that choice, but her character is very much built to make you believe she wouldn’t. As a series it hooked me, so I guess it did what it was supposed to.
Love Hard A Movie about a woman who flies to some guy she’s been talking to online dating for Christmas and it turns out she’s been catfished (his pictures and profile were actually of his best friend). I’ve never actually shown up to a date that’s done this, but I have found out that people were not who they said they were. So of course the story line intrigued me, and you can predict how it ends, but it’s really cute and funny.
Alec Baldwin’s interview with George Stephanopolous via YouTubeTV- It was very interesting to hear his angle and his claims of innocence. I told Brian that I’d never feel comfortable pointing a gun at anyone, regardless of how many times I checked it wasn’t loaded and I’d never get myself to do it. Brian thinks that Alec was irresponsible for not checking the gun status out himself. Either way, a very difficult tragedy that will haunt Alec for a long long time.
I took Brian to Ho’omaluhia for his first, my third time. I did check the weather the day before, but turns out it was definitely going to rain. Looking back at these pictures, they actually came out really cool. But at the time, we were walking around in the rain and it was cloudy, and it just felt less magical being there.
Brian tried to remind me he can’t pick his days off and he was just happy to be with me.
We did discover this cool bridge while meandering. We did a lot more walking than I normally have through here. (usually I drove).
Anyway, still highly recommend this place. It’s so peaceful and very accessible.
Now that Brian’s back, I’m trying to slowly get him to do things. Friday after Thanksgiving was supposed to have big North Shore swells, so we took a chance and took Jess with us to go watch. We stopped at Laniakea in hopes of seeing turtles, but it looks like the trend is either big swells and no turtles or small swells and turtles.
The beach was way busier this time around and there were a lot more opportunities for pictures.
Jess is a big fan of boogie boarding and appreciated these guys for making it look badass.
I think I’m making this experience out to be less exciting than it was. I really loved going back. I think the waves weren’t maybe quite as big, but really what difference does an extra two feet make when they look gigantic.
Brian slept while we were there. It’s kinda just how recuperating goes. I was thankful to have Jess there and surfers to keep me occupied.
Then we took off and tried to find turtles further down the coast where I thought my Aunt had said they saw a lot, but we didn’t find any. Then we took off for Dole Plantation, strictly to get Dole Whip (no touristy other parts). If you recall, last time I went to dole I didn’t get any camera pics because my SD card corrupted. I was successful this time!
I tried the chocolate coating this time around and that was the wrong choice. I think I’ve just been lucking out picking the right choice the first time! That doesn’t mean this was terrible, I just don’t think Chocolate is a good match. I think the fruit topping is, though.
I guess overall this was a great day, except we went on an adventure for turtles and didn’t see any.
The Dole Whip was amazing, as usual, and I just made the wrong choice.
There wasn’t a lot of traffic and we were able to find parking relatively easily. I hear this can be rough, but both times it has not yet been… it might be a benefit of COVID or timing, unclear which.
Maybe my expectations are just being set too high. Anyway, stay tuned for another post about the second round being not so great.
Duke’s is a pretty famous restaurant in Waikiki. It sits right on Waikiki beach and in homage to Duke Kahanamoku.
Duke Paoa Kahanamoku was born August 24, 1890 in Honolulu, Hawaii, the first of six sons and three daughters of Duke and Julia Kahanamoku. He grew up in carefree Waikiki with the ocean as his playground, doing what he loved – mostly swimming, surfing, canoeing and bodysurfing.
At the age of 21 he won his first Olympic gold medal, then went on to represent the United States in the Olympics for 20 years, winning not only medals but the hearts of people all over the world. He is remembered as a swimmer not just for remarkable speed, but for his grace in the water, his good humor, and his sportsmanship.
Brian and I are very fond of eating at restaurant that sit on the water, and this restaurant has a ton of great reviews. The reservations also book THREE months out… I originally reserved it for August, but as we know shit hit the fan and Brian left. So I booked for after he was supposedly getting home. Correction, I booked for three weeks after he was supposed to be getting home to “play it safe”. Well, you guessed it, they were delayed by a full four weeks… BUT thankfully I ALSO booked one for four weeks after he got back, just in case. This ended up with me having back to back weekend reservations for Duke’s (How lucky!). I invited my friend Jess to join with me and she graciously accepted.
Jess and I’s experience was FANTASTIC. We went early to walk around Waikiki and stumbled upon a Hawaiian show, which I want to make a point to specifically go see sometime.
We roamed around Waikiki, got caught in an anti vax march (if you see pictures and we’re in them, we’re just trying to get through, I swear!!) and ended up at Duke’s. We had an amazing table in the corner of the patio over looking a smaller small bites bar and live band patio. Our waitress was great, she was attentive but not overwhelmingly so. She asked if I wanted my cocktail (guava jamz) on the rocks or slushy (on the rocks was my choice). I got the macadamia nut crusted fish. It was an amazing night.
If you recall, Jess came with me to celebrate my birthday as well, and I had prefaced to her that the place we bought the cake from we’d only need one slice. So when we went to get the Hula Pie at Duke’s (10/10 recommend), I told our waitress the other cake story and had just though hula pie would be a lot smaller size, so I said Jess and I should get our own pieces. I talked about it with such confidence that the waitress thought I knew what I was talking about, except that I didn’t at all. When the pie arrived, it turns out it was HUGE and Jess and I could’ve totally split a piece. This is why I’m laughing so hard in this picture. The waitress said “Well, it’s mostly whipped cream” (spoiler alert, just LOOK at it, it’s NOT mostly whipped cream).
Regardless, we both did a solid amount of damage to our individual slices which come with a specific plate and fork/shovel (it’s a big spork) engraved with “hula pie” on the spoon. I know some people in the family who could finish this on their own, for sure. It was incredibly delicious. It’s macadamia nut ice cream, an oreo crust, fudge, whipped cream… my mouth is watering again.
Anyway, I’ve been learning that my second time around experiences have not been as great as my first round. I’m not sure if it’s beginners luck or what. But I returned the next week with Brian. We had a seat a row back and on the pool side… so while I was trying to take pics of the sunset there were half naked old men (Nothing against them enjoying their lives but they don’t make good picture aesthetics). Then the band was there again, but they were really loud so I was also kinda glad we weren’t near them, but it was that or screaming kids at the pool. My waitor didn’t ask if I wanted it on the rocks, so it came as a slushy… I ordered the slow roasted prime rib instead of the fish, and I wasn’t all that impressed. I did get a free hula pie because I mentioned I was there celebrating my birthday in the reservations. Brian got a Mai Tai.
Anyway, I thought round one was a way better experience for a lot of small reasons, I guess. It’s been hard having multiple experiences of things, because I’m finding the next sets aren’t as good as the first for one reason or another. It’s very weird. Maybe it’s a sign I should stop experiencing things without Brian, but I don’t have much of a choice. Maybe it’s the magic of experiencing things the first time? Anyway, more posts to come about this.
I convinced Brian to walk around after a bit to let our stomachs settle. We went back to the Royal Hawaiian Center and were treated to their Christmas decorations.
I would definitely go back to Duke’s and know better what to choose and make sure happens I guess. Idk that we could really pick our table… The food in and of itself was enough to bring me back.
