Hawaii Day 7 (Honolulu, HI): The Last Day

Today was our last full day in Hawaii. We went out to Pearl Harbor, the Ala Moana Mall, Sam’s Club and Don Quijote.

We got there pretty early and were able to get on a ferry to the USS Arizona Memorial pretty quickly from the standby line. We didn’t have reservations or pay for a tour and we only waited about 30 mins. There was a cost to check our bags but that was it. You’re not allowed to take anything bigger than a wallet and water. They made sure to specify clear water. The memorial is a very controlled environment and you’re given clear concise instructions throughout your time there. It’s pretty quick and they get you in and out. After we went through the exhibits, the gift shop and watched the introduction video that looked like it was meant to be an intro to the memorial. We did things backwards.

After we spent a little bit time at the Ala Moana Mall. Then we went to the Sam’s Club down the street. My mom likes the snacks at the Sam’s Club here. They sell a lot of the same stuff that the convenient stores sell around here at a cheaper price. A lot of it is unique to Hawaii. 

On the way back we stopped at Don Quijote and grabbed a few pre made things for dinner. This time around I noticed some halloween decorations were setup. I’m not sure if they set them up over night or I didn’t notice them last time. 

Tomorrow we have a cab scheduled to take us to the airport. We're also going to try to get some snacks at an ABC Store for the plane, Marugame Udon one last time and haupia pie's at McDonald's before we leave. It's a bit ambitious but I think we can do it.

This trip I got to spend a lot of time with my mom’s halau and her hula sisters. I learned a little more about Hawaiian culture and was able to do some of the less touristy things. It was such a fun experience. Hopefully, we can come back next year. 

Until next time Hawaii, 
Aloha ‘oe. 

Hawaii Day 6 (Honolulu, HI): Shopping at Ala Moana, Marugame, and A Trip To The Water

We didn’t do much today. My mom went to the muumuu factory with her hula sister and my sister and I hung out in the room for a little bit before heading out to the Ala Moana mall and meeting with my mom. We hit a lot of stores that we did come across last time. As much time as I spent there last time, there’s a lot of stuff that didn’t notice last time we were here.

After the mall we headed to lunch at Marugame then we went to the International Marketplace to hit the asian market and a couple of other stores. 

My mom and her hula sister had some lei’s that they had to release back to the ocean so we decided to take a quick trip to the beach. My mom’s hula sister got her lei’s and met us back at our hotel. In the Hawaiian culture, flowers and other vegetation have to be returned to the land that they came from as a sign of respect. A quick google search also tells me that people release their lei’s into the ocean to guarantee a trip back to the islands but I think it has more to do with respect for the land. After, we spent some time at the street market that was happening at our hotel. We went last year and it was mostly the same stuff. 

We headed out to some of the smaller shops on the beach side of the street and spent some time out there before we went back to our hotel for the night.

I can’t believe this trip is almost over. Tomorrow is our last full day.

Hawaii Day 5 (Honolulu, HI): Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, Marugame Udon and A Little More Shopping

Today was kind of a transitional day for us, we moved to another hotel, went back to the Swap Meet at Aloha Stadium and did some shopping

There was only a few more vendors than the last time they went and most of them sold second hand garage sale items. Nothing too interesting or different than last time. We spent way to much time there.

After we checked into our new hotel down the road and went back out to Marugaume Udon, International Marketplace, A couple of ABC Stores and a 7-11. I make a point to stop at longs to get a pair of Local’s. Mission accomplished! 

We ended our day early and are going to try to catch up on some much needed sleep. 

Tomorrow we’re heading to the Ala Moana mall.

Hawaii Day 4 (Honolulu, HI): Polynesian Cultural Center, Two Performances and Don Quijote

Today was the big performance at the Polynesian Cultural Center. We didn’t have to be there until early afternoon but everyone had to get ready. 

The Polynesian Cultural Center is a lot bigger than it looks on the outside. It would take a full day to see all of the shows and explore. This is one of the biggest attractions of Hawaii. Its almost like a theme park. The 42 acre property has 6 “islands” to explore— Hawaii, Fiji, Aotearoa, Samoa, Tahiti, and Tonga. We weren’t able to spend much time there. We had to run straight to the performance once we got out tickets and left to prep for the next performance at the Marriott nearby right after. We did go back for about 15 mins after we finished prepping but  we only had time to rush in for food and get out. On the way back I was able to get haupia pies at McDonalds. McDonalds haupia pies are only available in Hawaii and they’re fried!

After the second performance at the Marriott we packed up and stopped by Don Quijote for food on the way back. 

It was late by the time we got back so we ate and went to bed. Most of my mom's halau are heading home tomorrow. We're staying a few extra days.

Tomorrow we're planning on going back to the swap meet at Aloha Stadium

Hawaii Day 3 (Honolulu, HI): Running Errands,Waiahole Poi Factory and Rehearsals

Today we spent the day with my mom’s Halau. They rehearsed and we ran errands and stopped at a few places. 

We drove around the area looking for flowers to pick for lei’s and stopped at a few places on the way. We went to Longs, Starbucks and the Waiahole Poi Factory, where I got haupia ice cream.  After going to longs I am now on a mission to find a few pairs of Local’s flip flops in my size. I hear they run small.
The Waiahole Poi Factory was a fully functional factory until 1971 and was turned into an art gallery. In the 80’s the kitchen was refurbished and rented out to locals to use as a test kitchen. Later, in 2019 the factory went back to producing hand made poi and traditional Hawaiian food.

Most of our day was spent driving around, collecting flowers. While we were out and about we drove through the Valley of The Temples. The Valley of The Temples is a huge, gorgeous cemetery built on a hill with an amazing view. The centerpiece of this cemetery seems to be the  Byodo-In Temple. The temple was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Japanese Immigrants coming to Hawaii.
We came back to the rehearsal site periodically to drop off supplies we picked up and for lunch and dinner.
There were about 5 other Halau’s that participated in today’s workshop. All from the same lineage. Three were from California and two were from Japan.

After dinner they ran through their performance for tomorrow at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Today was a long day.

Hawaii Day 2 (Honolulu, HI): Iolani Palace, Queen Emma Summer Palace and Nu'uanu Pali Lookout

Today we went to the Iolani Palace, Queen Emma Summer Palace, did a lot of sight seeing and ate a lot.

I didn’t get back to the hotel until late last night and woke up a lot earlier than I needed to. We’ll see how today goes. 

Our first stop today was the Iolani Palace. My mom’s halau chanted a prayer and presented a lei as a sign of respect to the past monarchs of the palace. A representative accepted the lei and chanted a prayer in return. It was beautiful. 

Iolani Palace is an American Florentine palace and was the royal residence of the rulers of Hawaii from the Kamehameha Dynasty until the Kalakaua Dynasty. Each room is filled with gifts that the royal families have received over the years. A lot of us would consider the lavish gifts and decor as clutter but it was perceived as wealth. More clutter meant more money. Our docent took us from room to room, telling us the history and significance of most everything as we went.

Our next stop was the Queen Emma Summer Palace. This palace is much smaller than the Iolani palace, there was only 2 bedrooms, a living room and a common area. This tour is a self guided tour. With a bunch of artifacts on display. Lots of furniture, fine china and jewelry.

Nu’uanu Pali Lookout looks out over the northeast coast of Oahu. This was the site of the battle of Nu’uanu, where Kamehameha took over the island of Oahu. There’s also a hiking trail out here. We didn’t do the hike. 

We headed back to the hotel for a bit before my mom and her hula sisters went to the beach. I was able to get a nap in before we headed out again. I spent some time in the water while they made lei’s on the beach.

We grabbed a quick dinner at an ABC Store and my mom went out to practice with her halau. 
Tomorrow is a rehearsal day for my mom and we’ll be hanging out with her group while they rehearse. I’m not too sure what we’ll be doing.

Hawaii Day 1 (Honolulu, HI): We're here!

Today was an early travel day. We grabbed McDonald’s on the way to the airport and waited around for the rest of my mom’s hula sisters to get there. I’ll be hanging out with my mom’s hula group more this time around, I’ll have more to write about than the last time I came here.

After we landed we got on a rented van and headed over to the flea market at Aloha Stadium. This van is huge! It can fit about 16 people. The flea market takes place right outside of Aloha Stadium and normally wraps around the stadium 4 times. Because it was a week day, there was only about a third of the vendors they would normally have on a weekend. We’re planning to go back on a weekend before we leave.

We made our way to the hotel and stopped at Zippy’s along the way. It was really good. I got a beef, chicken and spam plate. They don’t give you a lot of sauce though, I would ask for extra.

When we arrived to the hotel, we settled in and made our way out to Foodland Farms at the Ala Moana mall. This supermarket is really big and I was told it resembled an H Mart. I spent so much time at the Ala Moana Mall last year and can’t believe I missed it. I also found a Ross that I didn’t come across last time. 

After we got back I met up with a coworker that’s in the area for his honeymoon. I was able to crash his honeymoon for a few hours and we got food and a few drinks… Thanks bro! It was fun.

It’s super late and I might have to be up early tomorrow. We have a couple of tours planned.