Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

On this day, the anniversary of the attack of Pearl Harbor, I thought it fitting to post my thoughts on our recent visit to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial.

We've all heard stories and seen movies depicting the epic tale but I don't think you really get the full impact of the event until you are actually standing there, looking at the harbor, the moors for the ships that went down, the numerous lists of servicemen, ships, submarines, civilians, etc that were lost on that infamous day and the various memorials erected in their honor.

Upon entering the site you can see the harbor, the giant anchor of the USS Arizona, and several areas to explore including the Walk of Remembrance, the USS Bowfin (submarine) and sections of other submarines, the USS Missouri (battleship), small planes, a section which had missiles, torpedoes, harpoons, big guns, several museums and a theater. Memorials included the Lost Submarine Memorial which also has a time capsule to be opened in June 2050. We explored each of these areas, learning much.

Afterwards, we headed to the theater which is the beginning of the USS Arizona tour. Here we saw a film explaining what led up to the attack, plus details and actual footage of the attack.  It was very informative and very well done. It explained a lot of things and it made me sad as I imagined how family members who had lost loved ones here might have felt watching this. When the film ended, we boarded a Navy launch which took us over to the USS Arizona Memorial. As we crossed Pearl Harbor, we were reminded that the soldiers that died on the ship remained on that ship and, as this was their final resting place, we should give it the respect it was due. (I think that was a given.)  Entering the memorial, looking up through the open ceiling at the clear blue sky and then looking down into the water at the remains of the ship with the souls at rest therein, made the experience eerie and peaceful at the same time. Seeing the wall of names, the flowers and wreaths, the remains of the ship spanned by the Memorial, made it all a very "real" and moving experience.

 I highly recommend this as a "must do" if you visit Oahu, Hawaii. There are tour companies that you can purchase this tour from but entrance to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona are free of charge. If you want to ensure a spot, you can purchase reservations through the National Parks Service for a $1.50/person. Tours of the Bowfin and Missouri have an additional fee.

We should all have a profound respect for those who have fought and continue to fight for our country and our freedoms, for their bravery and selflessness, and for their families who also make these enormous sacrifices so that we can all be safe.

Paradise Cove Luau - Kapolei, Hawaii

You can't go to Hawaii and not go to a Luau.  We bought our tickets for the Paradise Cove Luau as a combo deal with the Ko-Olina Ocean Adventures tour (see my previous blog) and the luau takes place on the beautiful Ko-Olina Resort premises.

After a day of snorkeling, we quickly showered and changed into our tropical luau garb and headed over to Paradise Cove. After checking in, we noticed that there were different levels of packages you could purchase. The basic Hawaiian package (which is what we got) which included a shell lei, a Mai Tai upon greeting plus 2 standard drink tickets, luau buffet, wing seating and show.  The Orchid package gets you the same thing except a flower lei, 2 premium drink tickets and middle seating.  The Deluxe package got you a flower or Kukui Nut lei, 3 premium drink tickets, front row seating and table service. I think the deal we got was just fine. We had a great view of the stage and didn't mind getting our own food from the buffet.

The Luau lasts about 4 hours from the time the gates open to the end of the show. Upon arrival, pictures are taken with the hula girl and you get "leid", then you get your MaiTai and are free to roam around and take pictures in the gardens with the spectacular sunset. There are free activities for the kids (and adults too) such as spear throwing, a rolling ball game, braiding palm fronds into head-wreaths, hand-drawn tatoos and outrigger canoe rides in the lagoon.

 

 

The show started with locals showing ways to tie sarongs (men's version is hilarious), then audience members were chosen to put on hula skirts and learn how to do the hula. Moving to another area, a local raced up a coconut tree and fishermen in the lagoon showed how to cast the nets (while several male guests in hula skirts improvised a comedy skit). This was followed by the Royal Court explaining the Imu Ceremony (putting the pig in the ground for cooking and removing it) and a short dance show. We then took our seats as the real show began and the luau buffet opened. A nice selection of dinner and dessert items were provided and although the pork was the highlight, the fish was my favorite. Of course, no luau is complete without the famous "poi", made from taro root, but I wasn't brave enough to try it. The show was excellent - brightly colored costumes, dances from various islands including Samoa and Tahiti, fire-dancers and lots of audience participation. It was a fun experience!

Kid's View:  "It was lots of fun, especially the spear throwing and the rock game. They called all the birthday  people up on the stage to learn to hula dance so I got to go up there with a bunch of people. I got a turtle tatoo and a cool tribal tatoo."

 

 

http://paradisecovehi.com/Luaupackages/hawaiianluaubuffet.htm

Ko-Olina Ocean Adventures - Oahu, Hawaii

Once in a while my posts will be for something to do outside of the MD/DC/VA area and here's one of them....

On our recent trip to Oahu, Hawaii, we wanted to do something special and memorable for our daughter's 10th birthday. I searched the Internet and came up with a list of Disney approved things to do and Ko-Olina's Ocean Adventure was one of them.  The Adventure is a snorkel trip which includes a boat ride to three stops - a fish reef, a turtle cleaning station and a wild dolphin area - where you will be amazed at the wonderful undersea world.

Located on the west coast of Oahu in Kapolei, is the beautiful Ko-Olina Ocean Resort. (There's also a Disney Hotel on the premises.) The adventure begins at the marina at Lagoon 4 where you register, rent wet suits, underwater cameras, buy fish food, and pick up snacks. (We didn't rent the wet suits but I highly recommend them as the water is very cold.) The trip is about three and a half hours long and ends back on shore with lunch.

Once we registered, we bought fish food, rented an underwater camera ($40 which includes an 8GB disk that you get to keep and can be used in regular cameras) and picked up our complimentary snacks (chips and soda or water). I was initially disappointed when I saw the pontoon boat (I thought it would be a catamaran or something nicer) but later on I realized why it was necessary to have this type of vehicle.

Before leaving dock we were briefed on safety procedure, fitted for flippers, life vests and snorkels. (They even had prescription masks for the blind people like me and my husband!!!)  As we left the dock, and the breeze began to hit us, it became all too clear that we should have rented the wet suits....but alas, it was too late and we were just going to have to suck it up and take the plunge.

Our first stop was the fish reef. We put on our gear, made our way to the back of the boat and the chicken that I am, sent my husband and daughter off into the water while I was still trying to convince myself that there were no sharks in the water. Eventually I made it in and after a quick look around, began to feel more comfortable and we ventured out in search of fish to feed. There wasn't a huge variety of fish but there was still plenty to see on this reef including starfish, sea urchins and anemones. (and no sharks!)

The second stop we made was to a turtle cleaning station or turtle "car wash" where the turtles sit on the sea floor and let all the fish clean their shells. Every once in a while, the turtles have to come to the surface for air and we actually got to see one up close which was so cool. There was a different variety of fish here and as my daughter released the fish food she was so excited (and terrified at the same time) to see the fish come charging at her all at once. 

Turtles on ocean floor getting shells cleaned by fish

Feeding the fish

Turtle coming up for air

The last stop on the adventure was to see the dolphins. We were very lucky to find a pod of wild spinner dolphins resting in the area. It's illegal to swim with wild dolphins in Hawaii so we were allowed to get in the water with them but not allowed to kick or swim. While the boat was moving, we quickly slipped off the pontoons into the water, one by one, and floated quietly while we waited for the dolphins to come by. The first jump was uneventful and my daughter and husband were freezing so they decided to just watch them from the boat. I, on the other hand, said I hadn't come all this way to give up so easy. Doing the second and third jump without them was a little scary, and even though there were other people in the water with me, I couldn't help but hear the music to Jaws playing in the back of my head.... as I floated on the water like an unsuspecting baby seal about to be dinner. And then it happened...the pod of dolphins swam right under me!

That was sooo amazing! My day was made, and freezing my butt off was worth it.  After we all got back in the boat, the captain let us hang out and watch the dolphins for a while (who took the opportunity to show off their spinning, flipping and tail slapping skills), and then took us on a short boat ride before taking us back in to port. Once we docked, we were given a yummy lunch (choice of 3 hot sandwiches, chips and a soda) and sent on our way.

Pod of dolphins swimming under me

Dolphins next to our boat

I highly recommend this trip if you are ever in Hawaii (Oahu). It helps if you are a good swimmer but they will provide a board for you if you are not. The crew are very friendly and make the experience even more enjoyable. It's not cheap but it's worth every penny! http://www.koolinaoceanadventures.com/

Kid's View: "It was so much fun! I loved watching the dolphins do their tricks and I liked feeding the fish. It was a little scary having them come at you and surrounding you all at once though. The turtle car wash was really cool and we got to see one come to the top right by us. It was really cold but I would like to do it again when the water is warmer."