Day 12 (June 3 Monday) – Icing on the trip

Day 12 (June 3 Monday) – Icing on the trip

> Ending an annual trip is always a sad and happy experience. Sad because you’ll be leaving your home for X days and it’s back to reality. Happy because like they always say, there’s no place like home. We left Prospect St. at 730am.
> We stayed in Ma’s place in Salt Lake for 2 hrs., met Ma’s landlady, fixed her PC and smartphone settings. I wish I could have done more – fixed her busted lights, covered her “sunroof” but time was not on our side.
> I had a short window to check out Salt Lake Shopping Center while looking for a wireless router.
> We were off to Honolulu Airport around 10AM.
> We arrived in Manila June 4 at 10PM and already reported to work 8AM the ff. day. Life goes on.

Day 11 (June 2 Sunday) – The Only royal palace in US

Day 11 (June 2 Sunday) – The Only royal palace in US

> First up for the day was a Mass at Our Lady of Peace. It holds the distinction of being the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the US. The family was asked to do the offertory and given leis.
> Honda Pflueger – it was in the vicinity of the cathedral so I checked it out but not much parts and accessories on stock. You’d have to order.
> Honolulu fire Department – It was right beside Honda and the structure was eye catching so I took some pictures.
> Chinatown – So Jose Rizal’s monument was there right beside Sun Yat Sen.
> Iolani Palace – The only royal palace in the US. Unfortunately, we were not able to go inside since it was closed that day.
> Honolulu State Bldg – It houses the Congress and Senate.
> Kamehameha Statue along S. King Street
> Ross for Less my favorite store
> Shaved Ice not Matsumodo. Close but not so close.
> Leonard’s Malasadas – It’s a donut with no hole. Best served hot.
> Waikele Premium Outlets – we’re back and with a vengeance. Credit card got a whipping

Day 10 (June 1 Saturday) – Waikiki Beach

Day 10 (June 1 Saturday) – Waikiki Beach

> We were at Waikiki Beach at 7AM. It is considered one of the most famous beaches in the world. To think that this used to be a swamp and the beach sand is imported from Australia once every 2 years.
> We rode DaBus again today and got lost. The normally 20 to 30 minute ride became 2 ½ hours. It was a blessing in disguise though since we got to explore the Manoa area.
> Ala Moana Shopping Center – I’ve lost count how many times we visited this mall.
> Aside from the beach, the second objective for the day was to do most of our shopping so we shopped in Nordstrom, Ross for Less, Macy’s and Walmart today. We did go to Neimann Marcus for some window shopping. We got home around 11PM.

REFERENCE:
Pls. click here to view the video.

Day 9 (May 31 Friday) – Submarine Adventure, first time for everyone

Day 9 (May 31 Friday) – Submarine Adventure, first time for everyone

> Hilton Hawaii Hotel – We were not able to go around the village as time was not on our side. We had just enough time to check out the penguins.
> Atlantis Submarine Adventure Waikiki – Port Hilton was the starting point of the submarine adventure. We choose the premium sub even if it was more expensive since this was probably a once in a lifetime experience or at least the first time for all the whole family.
> Maui Divers – There was a free trip to Maui Divers after the ride where we saw our 3rd sub for the day. I reckon Maui Divers is the original company and the Atlantis Sub adventure was just an offshoot.
> Lunch at Ala Moana Shopping Center
> Dinner at Wah Kung hosted by the Garcias, Tita Siony and Tito Greg.
> We were off to Ward Center after dinner to learn some yoyo and watch their son Alex Garcia, who was a legend in the Yoyo circuit.

REFERENCE:
Pls. click here to view the video # 1
Pls. click here to view the video # 2

Day 8 (May 30 Thursday) – North of Big Island

> Day 2 of our Big island self guided tour brought us to the north of Big Island.
> First up was Akaka Falls. Two falls can be seen in this site. A pretty, old town in Akaka is also interesting.
> Pepeekeo 4 mile drive – It’s an alternative from the I-19 or Hawaii Belt Road. It’s the original road with a scenic view. No regrets passing through this road.
> Kohala Coastline – This is closer to Kona than Hilo.
> Lapahoehoe Train Museum – Just a few minutes to take pictures, not much to see and didn’t interest the family.
> Pu’ukohola Heiau (Kamehameha Temple) – Our trip’s farthest point up north.
> Dinner @ Zippy’s Nimitz – B. Obama’s favorite restaurant in Hawaii. He has eaten in this resto already.
> Explored Punahou - Obama’s residence which was an apartment, High School and Baskins & Robbins where he worked during summer.
> Makiki Heights – Honolulu nightline

Day 7 (May 29 Wednesday) – Hawaii Volcano National Park, Big Island

> First of all, let me tell you that the Big Island of HI and Honolulu, Oahu, HI are two different island. While the Big Island is bigger as the title suggests, it is the younger brother island of Oahu. Honolulu is both a city and a county in HI. I didn’t know that until our trip.
> So we jumped on the opportunity to check out the Big Island while in HI. The choice was either Maui or Big Island and volcanoes seemed more interesting than beaches.
> Our travel agent CSL arranged everything – Hilo Seaside Hotel, Hawaiian Air RT and Budget car rental. We just shouldered the bill. The arrangement was so convenient. Thanks mother!
> The 45 minute drive from Hilo International Airport to Volcano National Park was a bit challenging. Try driving in a new area with 10 to 15 feet visibility due to the rain and an unfamiliar car. We wanted to get a Toyota, Honda or Subaru for less adjustments but none were available.
> Volcano Lodge – a renovated old house served as a souvenir shop. It was one of the many souvenir shops in the HI Volcano National Park.
> Steam vents – Sulfur vents abound in this active volcano. It didn’t smell good but at least we know that our sense of smell was perfectly fine.
> Kilauea lookout – So this is what an active volcano looks like. We were about a little over a kilometer near the crater.
> Kilauea Military Zone – The theatre in the military camp is interesting.
> Jaggar Museum – Named after American Volcanologist Thomas Jaggar. He founded the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
> Mauna Loa lookout – The sky was not clear that day so the largest volcano on Earth in terms of volume and area covered volcano was not really visible.
> Thurston Lava Tube – Named after Lorrin Thurston, a local newspaper publisher, this lava tube was discovered in 1913.
> Chain of Craters Road – Lots of interesting things to see along the 23 mile road – actual lava flows through the ocean, roads covered numerous times by lava, a number of craters.
> Holei Sea Arch – a beauty carved by nature.
> Mauna Loa factory – This is where they make the produce and manufacture the Mauna Loa macadamia nuts. The company is owned by Hershey’s.

REFERENCE:
Pls. click here to view the video.

Day 6 (May 28 Tuesday) – The mini Reunion

Day 6 (May 28 Tuesday) – The mini Reunion
• A day with my college friend Erwin Wong. We met in 2006 in San Jose, California and now in Oahu, Hawaii.
• Lunch at Nico’s Restaurant
• Fisherman’s Wharf
• Waikiki Area
• Waikele Premium Outlet

Day 5 (May 27 Monday) – First mountain climb in 2013

Day 5 (May 27 Monday) – First mountain climb in 2013
• It was relatively a relaxed day save for the "challenging" mountain climb.
• Diamond Head Crater lookout – my first mountain climb for the year.
• Ross For Less – my kind of store
• Ala Moana Shopping Center – a staple for every Hawaiian and adapted by visitors like us

REFERENCE:
Pls. click here to view the video.

Day 4 (May 26 Sunday) – North Shore

Day 4 (May 26 Sunday) – North Shore
• It was Sunday so we heard mass at St. Philomena near Mama’s place
• Dole Plantation – location of the world’s largest maze
• Lunch was at Kua Aina Sandwich Shop. One of the best burger’s I have tried.
• Turtle Bay – guess what can be found here? Though they were no shows that day.
• Waimea Valley – so this site is pretty. It’s a geologist’s haven.
• Banzai Pipe – surf’s up.

Day 3 (May 25 Saturday) – Culture Un-shock

Day 3 (May 25 Saturday) – Culture Un-shock
• The schedule for today was to explore East Oahu.
• Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout (bonus)
• Valley of the Temple where Byodo-In Temple (bonus)
• Kualoa Ranch – location shoot of Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates and many more.
• Chinaman’s Hat – right in front of Kualoa Ranch
• La'ie Point State Wayside Park
• Lunch was at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck along Kamehameha Highway to try their popular garlic shrimp
• We had dessert at a slightly different McDonalds along Kamehameha Highway. While the place looked different, the hot fudge sundae tasted the same.
• Polynesian Cultural Center – a lot of learnings about Hawaii’s culture and day ended with a show called Ha – Breath of Life

Day 2 (May 24 Friday) – Pearl Harbor Galore

Day 2 (May 24 Friday) – Pearl Harbor Galore
• The schedule for the day was to explore Pearl Harbor.
• First on the list was USS Bowfin – this is the first (out of four) submarines that saw during our trip
• USS Arizona Memorial – arguably the most popular tourist destination in HI.
• SS Missouri or Mighty Mo – the only ship that served in WW2 and the gulf war
• Pacific Aviation Museum – generations of airplanes housed in this complex
• We rode DaBus from Pearl Harbor to Ala Moana.
• Late lunch and early dinner (6pm) was at Ala Moana Shopping Center food court.
• We rode DaCab going back to Punchbowl.

HOLIDAY IN HAWAII / Day 1 - Ready Jet Set Go!

The trip to Hawaii actually started in February when we got a schedule from the US Embassy in Manila for a May 9 interview. The whole family got a multiple 10 year tourist visa.

Day 1 (May 23 Thursday) – Ready Jet Set Go!
• The airline of choice for this family bonding time was Hawaiian Airline. It was an early evening Thursday night flight that will bring us on the same day lunchtime in Honolulu.
• My mother and her good friend Tita Siony picked us up at the airport.
• Lunch was at Ala Moana Shopping Center food court which would be our hub for the duration of our vacation. It was at the center of Waikiki.
• Next up in the sight seeing was a quick stop to Hanauma Bay and Koko Head.
• We checked out Diamond Head Crater Park and Kapiolani Park (where we saw the different kinds of cactus)
• Dinner was at Bangkok Chef along Nuuanu Avenue.
• For whatever reason, the hotels within our range in Oahu were packed and our savior was Mama’s good friends Tita Lita & Tito Francis who lived in Punchbowl, Honolulu.

HIGHLIGHTS OF HAWAII STATE

• Hawaii (HI) is the 50th US state. They were admitted to the union last August 21, 1959.
• It is also called “The Rainbow State” or “The Aloha State.”
• It has 8 islands – Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau and Kahoolawe.
• The total population is 1,392,313 and 70% is in the island of Oahu.
• The top ancestry of the population are (1) Filipino 13.6%, (2) Japanese 12.6%, (3) Polynesian 9%, German 7.4% and Irish 5.2%.
• There are 13 volcanoes in the state of Hawaii. The Big Island has 7 volcanoes.
• It boasts of having the biggest maze located at the Dole Plantation, one of the most active volcano Kilauea, Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on Earth in terms of volume and area covered, Mauna Kea is considered the “tallest” mountain if measured from base-to-peak.
• There are quite a number of movies filmed in Hawaii. The more popular ones include: Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates, Pearl Harbor and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
• The current US President B.H.Obama was born and raised in Oahu, Hawaii.
• The Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United States.