Chapter 18 - Hawai’i, United States

Day 1: Honolulu
We have traveled extensively but had never visited our state of Hawaii. And so we thought that it would be a fine way to end our round-the-world trip while breaking up what would have been a LONG 14 hour flight through LA. To see more of the islands we booked a seven-day cruise from Honolulu aboard the NCL Pride of America. We stayed in the Waikiki Beach area in Honolulu, where culture shock immediately set in. The surfing culture permeates everything. In fact, at dinner, Jason Momoa sat next to us. Later we saw another one of him carrying a surfboard down the street. Later still, on the ship, Khal Drogo played in the piano bar. In Hawaii, everyone seems extremely physically fit—except maybe the tourists.

We visited Pearl Harbor, and the USS Arizona memorial and the atmosphere changed again as we watched actual footage that captured the strafing and bombing of the Imperial Japanese Navy launching the surprise attack. Although we may have family members who served in the Army, Navy, and Air Force during World War II, the war never touched us quite as closely as it did viewing this video archive of December 7, 1941 realizing the horror of how more than 1,100 sailors and marines died. There was even a scale model of the attacking Japanese aircraft carrier.
We took a ferry to the USS Arizona Memorial erected above the sunken ship. After seeing the film, viewing the remains was chilling. The simplicity of the memorial was just perfect.

Honolulu itself was very pretty decked out in Christmas decorations.

Every Friday night they host fireworks off the beach and we were able to view them right from our hotel window.

Day 2: Norwegian cruise line’s Pride of America

When we boarded of the Pride of America, the culture shifted from surfers to Polynesia. From hula lessons to Hawaiian art and musicians, we’ve been steeped in Hawaiiana.

We’ve learned that ‘Hono’ means port and ‘lulu’ means calm or quiet. Hawaiins spell The state with an okina which is like an apostrophe and it’s pronounced Ha-vie--ee with a little break between the last two syllables.

And of course, there are the usual ship amenities.

Day 3: Maui

From Honolulu, the ship chugged to the island of Maui, most recently, the scene of horrific wildfires on the west shore. Our port was not to be Lahaina of course, but Kahului on the North Shore.

What a beautiful island! We fully understand all those ads Michiganders are subjected to in the winter announcing “It’s Maui time!”

We saw evidence of rain, but really didn’t experience any. We’ve noticed a pattern of clouds descending down the mountain sides as the day progresses. But this rainbow settled a bit out to sea.

Day 4: Hawaii, the big island

On day four we arrived in Hilo on the big island of Hawaii. Hilo is situated on the east, windward side of the volcanoes that we came to see. This meant that the clouds hung low over Volcanoes National Park limiting our vision. We were up about 4000 feet and it was much chillier than the balmy 85° or so that we were used to. We could just barely make out the shape of the lower slope of Mauna Loa, hugged by white clouds. We almost saw the largest active volcano on earth.
On this excursion we also got to visit a chocolate and coffee manufacturing facility where we enjoyed a yummy cup of Kona and chocolate-dipped shortbread.
Back on the ship, we warmed up in the sun.

Day 5: Kona

Cruise day 5 was an R&R day as all we did was stroll the streets of Kona enjoying the views and an ice cream cone.

Kona is on the western or leeward side of the big island and so was sunny and warm.

Really. We did nothing today!

Day 6: Kauai part 1

The last island we visited was Kauai docking for a two-day stay. Kauai is the oldest, westernmost and fourth-largest Hawaiian island, and it is lush. We understand why it’s called the “Garden Isle”. It also has tons of feral chickens!

Within all this lush greenery is an amazing canyon as colorful though not as large as the Grand Canyon. It definitely looks longer than its 14 mile length. Waimea Canyon was formed by the Waimea River and is so gorgeous with its red, orange and green hues—especially against blue skies. It’s approximately 3,600 feet deep though we travelled up more than 4000 feet up to the rim. And there are even chickens here.

On the way up we stopped at Spouting Horn Park, where a natural lava tube forms a blowhole geyser. (With chickens)

We stopped on our way back from the canyon at the little town of Waimea where we had, at the bus driver’s suggestion, one of the best tacos ever! Maybe we are just a little homesick for Mexican food, but even the chickens agreed—this was good! A little more driving through coffee plantations, and we’re back at the ship.

Day 7: Kauai part 2

Wow— our trip is almost over!
It’s packing day and tomorrow we fly to Detroit. So the last day on the ship in Nawiliwili Port is the last day of R&R.

Last images of Hawai’i

You’ll never get avocado toast like this anywhere else.

A meditation garden at Hawai’i International Airport.