We had a blast Ron; thanks for asking 
I had a little additional (unwanted) excitement on the date of departure; thankfully, it got sorted out in the end .. https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php?t=1304320
Flight outta Chicago got delayed so went to Minneapolis instead of Salt Lake City, then Seattle, then HNL; arrived at 10:00 P.M. Called ahead and reserved a $29 drive to the hotel with charleystaxi.com.
Checked in at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (Lagoon Tower) and went for a walk around 11:30 P.M. City was deserted. Found out during the stay that this town goes to sleep at 8:00. Had dinner at the McDonalds on Ala Moana and Hobron, and had a heart attack when we bought a gallon of milk at the ABC store across the street for $13. Since we had a suite with a full kitchen, it made sense to buy breakfast.
Shot 16GB of Diamond head, and surfers the 1st morning. Walked to the Ala Moana center after breakfast to pick up my rented 17-40 and underwater camera from the FedEx place across the street. This place has the most awesome food court I've ever seen. We had a great lunch after which the wife wanted to walk the mall and buy some stuff, but we prevailed Walked to WalMart and got some more groceries, then took a cab back to the hotel. Walked on the beach to the Royal Waikikian Hotel to watch some special fireworks
, got some primo seats; they were a bit far out in the ocean, but still spectacular.
Wednesday, took a pink line bus ($2/passenger/ride) ride around town ending up at the International Marketplace where we had a great time. My wife enjoyed it the most because she got an opportunity to buy crap that we'll never use, ever. The touristy areas of Honolulu naturally are full of great shops and restaurants, and this strip of land is just fabulous. Kalakaua Avenue is awesome and the beaches around the Duke Kahanamoku statue are happening places. It rained for 20 seconds while we were walking around. As planned, I gorged at Marukame Udon; if you're into Japanese food, you should do the same. Also had some fresh coconut, and shaved ice somewhere along there as well. Got back after sunset and since we're sedentary folk, we all fell, and went to sleep as soon as we walked in the door. I had to force myself so I could download some GBs.
On Thursday, we rented a Caddy from National Car Rental at the Discovery Bay Center across the street for 4 days. They were a great bunch of people and got a nice upgrade (GPS+massaging front seats+both rows of heated/cooled seats) and finagled $306 for 4 days including insurance! The Hilton has a $27/day self parking, or $33 valet, so the guy at National told me to park overnight at the parking structure across the street (above the Red Lobster and Outback Steakhouse) for $7. It's advance payment and you can only park for 10 hours, after which every hour is like $4. I did that for the 4 nights I had the car, and had no issues other than the quarter mile walk to and from the hotel.
Note: Economy vehicles are booked months in advance, so plan ahead.
The one of very few homeless guys/girls I saw used to hang out on the bench across the street from the Discovery Bay Center. I think he sleeps there every night as well. A few of them also live at the edge of the Hilton property. They just have little pup tents, or are in hammocks. I never felt threatened by any of them or anyone else on the island either.
Visited Alamoana Beach Park and filled up a 16GB; great place with some awesome surf. A front had moved in on Tuesday which was making the waves really nice and high, so I got my wish for some wave shots.
Went to Pearl Harbor and was lucky enough to get on the boat ride to the Arizona Memorial!!!!! So here's the scoop on that. They have a certain number of seats for the (I think) three boat rides they do every day (there used to be more before the sequester); they some some at the counter, and some online. The online tickets are sold out MONTHS in advance and you are supposed to go to the booth at 7:00 and wait in line to try for tickets at the counter. I had given up on the Arizona Memorial because I had not got the advance tickets and knew I would not make it there on time to be in line, but I did ask a big guy at the counter if there was a chance. He pointed to the boat dock and said, "Go see Carol". I left the family behind, and ran to where Carol (I think that was the Park Ranger's name) was letting people into the auditorium for the video before the boat ride and asked her if she had 5 seats. She said YES!!!!! My wife asked me why I was so happy and I explained; got there at 12:45 P.M., and we were on the boat ride at 1:00 P.M. Returned from the Arizona, and went to two of the three other memorials (USS Bowfin, and the USS Missouri). Did not get time to go to the Aviation Museum, because we were dying of hunger. Missed the shrimp truck we had planned to go to (went the next day) but ended up in Haleiwa for an awesome sunset and shaved ice. We had pizza at the hotel that night. Why? Because Honolulu is closed after 8:00
Note: The Arizona Memorial, and the USS Missouri are AWESOME!! Try to do them both!!
Thursday we drove out east and as we passed Hanauma Bay, the sign said parking lot open; so guess what we did? Yes, we drove in and snorkeled for the entire afternoon!!!! Our first time snorkeling, and we are hooked!!! Used the Canon D20 I had rented; took pics and made videos. It was wonderful. Drove east once we were done and stopped for pics of the Blow Hole, Rabbit Island, Sandy Beach, and Chinaman's Hat, etc., ending up at Giovanni's White Shrimp Truck for dinner. If you are on Oahu, you have to eat there; the Shrimp Scampi is amazing, and it's all fresh caught, and cooked to order. There is also little bitty mom 'n pop place right behind the truck for a badass Funnel Cake if you're into that
Witnessed an incredible sunset at Sunset beach. Truly amazing. Got some sliced fresh pineapples from this old dude parked roadside. It was just as good as the sunset.
Note: The truck closes at 6:30 P.M.
Note: Sunset Beach is the world's most aptly named beach.
Went east again on Friday and drove through town past Diamond Head (nice homes in that one chintzy neighborhood), shooting the entire way, stopping at parks and beaches. Did the Dole plantation tourist thing. Visited Haleiwa again for some more shaved ice.
Drove West on Saturday; went as far as we could on 93 (Farrington Highway), stopping at every beach along the way, and parked for the day when the road ended. Witnessed the MOST incredible sunset I have EVER witnessed.
Note: Do as I did.
Sunday was for Waimanalo Beach Park and Sandy Beach in the morning and afternoon. If you want waves in Summer, Sandy Beach is your friend. Had a BLAST!!! Waimanalo, is too beautiful for words. Went to the Paradise Cove Luau in the evening. Don't bother with the expensive seats, but do call ahead so you can get decent side row seats. The food was horrible, but the girls are very attractive and filled up a 32GB card nicely.
Monday morning I returned the car, checked out, put the luggage up with the Concierge, walked around the Village, and went for a submarine ride. It was very expensive ($400 for 2 adults and 3 kids 12 and under) but was not bad as a first experience. Caught the 9:00 P.M. back to Seattle, and then back to Chicago.
Left the damned charger for the rental Powershot camera in the room, and lost a 77mm lenscap at Yokohama Bay but nothing else. I am happy to report that I did not have any issues with the natives, or anyone stealing anything out of our rooms, vehicle or anything else while we were there. It goes without saying that I did not leave anything out in plain sight either.
Note: A week is not enough for anywhere, and the same's true for Oahu. I will go back there; for longer periods if I can. I will not be wandering about in Honolulu; it's just like any other city other that the total excess of name brand stores. I will find cheap places to live up north, or east, or west, in that order; but I will go back.
Note: Start saving $$
Hilton End of Wakikik Beach
Seawall at Hilton End of Waikiki Beach
IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kykhans/9101628044/ Street Performer on Waikiki Beach
IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kykhans/9101627948/ My Son playing Robinson Crusoe at Yokohama Bay
IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kykhans/9101628718/ I have not even looked at all of the 300GBs I brought back; I'll be taking my time with them. If you'd like to see more, please check my FB page or 500px account linked in my signature.
Thanks again for asking.
