Hawaii Day 9 (Honolulu, HI): The Last Day

Today was our last full day out here.

We started out with breakfast at the hotel and then we went out to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet one last time.

After spending most of the morning at the swap meet we went to went back to the hotel to drop some things off and went back out to Maragume Udon.

We wondered around Waikiki for a bit after that and went to that hotel market again. It was the same as when we went a couple of days ago.

I feel like I’ve done a lot more running around this trip than I have on other trips out here. We didn’t do any museums, exploring or tours this time. Hopefully we can do more of those next time we’re out here.

Tomorrow we head back home.

This trip has been so much fun and I really enjoy every minute on the island.

Welp, it’s getting late and I still have to pack.

Until next time Hawaii,

A hui hou

Hawaii Day 8 (Honolulu, HI): A Fabric Supply Store, Costco, and Back to the Mall

Today we went to a fabric supply store near the Dole Cannery, Costco, China town and the Ala Moana Mall.

After breakfast at the hotel we headed out to Pearl City. Today’s breakfast was a lot better than yesterdays. Today they had actual food— bacon, eggs, pancakes and fruit. Yesterday it was just pre made jimmy dean sandwiches. Not a fan of those at all.

On our way to the fabric store we went to a high end thrift store. They had a lot of premium stuff there. Some of it was a bit over priced but it’s it was there and available. There’s another one of these second hand stores at the Ala Moana Mall.

Last year there was a cute, yappy dog named MoChiChi at the fabric store. She had the day off today. I didn’t have much interest in this store so there’s not much to report. My mom and her hula sister got a few things.

After the fabric store we went out to Costco. I wondered around for a bit and got a hot dog. Little did I know this hot dog would throw my eating schedule off for the rest of the day. There are a few snacks that are unique to Hawaii at this Costco but that’s about it.

There was a store that we was highly recommended to us but was closed last time we were in China town so back to China town we went. We didn’t spend much time here this time. I swear I’ve been up and down all of China town but I find a new street that I haven’t been to each time I go.

Before we headed back to the hotel we went back to the Ala Moana Mall. This time it was mostly to kill time but everyone was exhausted. We got some food at the Foodland here. Word on the street is they have the best poke on the island. It was pretty good.

It’s been quite a trip, tomorrow is our last full day before we go home

Hawaii Day 7 (Honolulu, HI): Don Quijote, Ala Moana Mall and a Night Market

After breakfast at the hotel we headed out to Don Quijote, Ala Moana Mall and a market at a hotel.

Don Quijote is one of our favorite spots out here. It’s a Japanese market with a catchy theme song. Look it up if you’re bored, thank me later. It’s a pretty big store with anything and everything Asian- food, toys, appliances, etc.

I spent so much time at Ala Moana the first time I came out here that I thought I could go the rest of my life without going there again. I was wrong. I made a few short stops into a few of the stores that turned into more than a few stops. Long story short I spent most of the day there with out knowing it. Welp… Back to the hotel we go.

After we got back we dropped off our stuff and headed out to a market at a hotel we stayed at a few times before. It was the same as every other time we’ve been here so there isn’t too much to report on that.


Tomorrow we’re heading out for more shopping.

Hawaii Day 6 (Honolulu, HI): Forty Niner Walk Up Counter, Kahala Mall and Marukai

Today we got breakfast at the forty niner walk up counter again. This time we got a loco moco. I really liked the patty.

We left one hotel for another, dropped our stuff off at our new hotel and headed out to Kahala Mall. My mom’s hula sister likes this mall better than the Ala Moana Mall. It’s a lot smaller, less crowded. I like Ala Moana better.

For lunch we went to Marukai. I think this grocery store is part of the same chain as Don Quijote. I feel like Marukai is focused more on the local market— simple, functional, no frills, and Don Quijote is focused more on the tourist market. It has a lot of the same products, design and signage. I even saw a couple of product bins with the Don Quijote penguin on it hidden away behind some shelves.

After we got back we unpacked at our new hotel, lounged around for a bit and headed out to the strip. On our way back we grabbed Marugame Udon for dinner. It’s one of our favorite spots out here.

I felt like I walked a lot today. Tomorrow we’re planning on doing more shopping.

Hawaii Day 5 (Honolulu, HI): The Polynesian Cultural Center, An Amazing Buffet and A Couple of Hula Festivals

We spent the day at the Polynesian Cultural Center for the Moanikeala festival today. 

Before we went to the center we went to the forty niner diner with the rest of the group. Not the actual diner but a walk up counter at one of the hotels near by. We got a big boy plate- three eggs, two scoops of fried rice, 2 bacons, 2 spams and 2 Portuguese sausages. It doesn't look like the full menu is available at the walk up counter, just the breakfast stuff.

Our halau is performing at the Polynesian Cultural Center later this afternoon. This place is huge and I could probably spend the whole day here but there wasn’t a lot going on when we got there. I walked past a lagoon show which was pretty cool. Each Polynesian Island has it’s on little section here. I spent some time wondering around and ended up heading to the Hawaii area to meet up with everyone else.

The Moanikeala festival celebrates Sally Moanikeala, The Polynesian Cultural Center’s first Kumu, with hula performances, live music, cultural demonstrations, poi tasting, hula lessons, and craft and food vendors.

After the performance we headed to the buffet at the center and it was amazing! There was so much food laid out. My favorite stations were the seafood station and the pork and beef station. I had so much poke, brisket and finished off with a dole whip. The garlic noodles were pretty good too!

After the buffet the halau participated in another hula festival at the Marriott Courtyard North Shore. The halau has performed here once before and it’s now turned into a festival. This year there were vendors in the pool area. This performance was a little more intimate than the performance at the center.

Today was the last day with the halau and a few of the haumana are leaving tomorrow morning. We’re staying a bit longer but moving to another hotel tomorrow.

Now that all the halau activities are over for the trip it’s all free time from here on out.

Hawaii Day 4 (Honolulu, HI): Set up, Party, Tear Down

Today we started out at the workshop venue to prepare for a party. It was super early and there was a lot of running around.

The party was a lot of fun but the set up and clean up was exhausting. There was good food and good music. I only get this stuff once a year, when we come out here. After clean up the haumana were supposed to have another rehearsal at the hotel but it was canceled.

I don’t have much more to report. Tomorrow the halau has a couple more performances.

Hawaii Day 3 (Honolulu, HI): Practice, Practice, Practice

Today was a workshop day so nothing really interesting happened for me. Today was focused on teaching, rehearsal and coordinating for the performances later on this trip. I mostly ran around to make sure everyone had everything they needed. I had a lot of down time but it was still exhausting. There was only one day of workshops this year an there were a lot more participants.

When we got back to the hotel the halau practiced for a bit before bed.

Today was exhausting! Tomorrow’s going to be another busy day