Hawaii: Pearl Harbor Excursion

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Partway through our visit to Hawaii Charlie and I moved from the Big Island to Maui.

We boarded our plane at Kona Airport for a short flight to Honolulu.

We could have taken a direct flight but decided instead to detour through Oahu so we could visit Pearl Harbor. After saying good-bye to our AirBnB hosts, we stopped for coffee, dropped off our rental car, and waited at the gate for our flight to Oahu.

Oahu from the air.

After about 25 minutes in the air we could see Oahu below the clouds.  I had arranged for a car service, Honolulu Airport Transfer, to pick us up at Honolulu Airport, drive us to Pearl Harbor, then return us to the airport for a flight to Maui, our ultimate destination.

Baggage storage is to the right of the main entrance.

The car service was very punctual and texted me as our plane landed.  After picking up our checked luggage we met our driver who took us to Pearl Harbor National Memorial about 7 minutes away. When we arrived we headed straight for the luggage storage kiosk as no bags or even purses are allowed into the memorial. Ten dollars for large bags and $6 for smaller ones plus tax.

A display of the island and information regarding the attacks in 1941.

Charlie was especially eager to see the plaques and displays at the monument which has changed a bit since I was last there about 30 years ago. We had timed tickets for a 1 p.m. cruise out to the memorial above the sunken USS Arizona for which we queued up about half an hour in advance.

The offshore monument is visible from the park.

After congregating together in an auditorium we were led to our transport. (The movie that was previously shown before the cruise has been moved to another area where it runs on a continuous loop since the COVID epidemic.)

The US Navy runs the transports and the US Park Service runs the monument.

We boarded a Navy ferry where we were given instructions by the crew then took a 15 minute ride to the USS Arizona.

Our boat came alongside the dock where we disembarked.

We unloaded from the ferry before it filled up again with visitors from the prior run.

A monument to “a day that will live in infamy”.

Charlie was clearly moved by this very reverent monument to the men who were killed and still buried here.  The Park Rangers did a great job answering questions and telling interesting facts about what has happened during and since World War II.

A final look at Honolulu and Diamondhead from the runway.

After about half an hour we lined up to catch the ferry back to land.  We toured through the gift shop and claimed our luggage from the storage building.  I notified our car service that we were ready to be picked up and returned to Honolulu Airport where we checked our luggage and flew to Maui.

The USS Arizona Memorial (in the center of the photo) is almost invisible from land.

Although the detour to Oahu was logistically tricky and added about $175 to our overall trip, both Charlie and I were happy to have had the experience together.

Aloha

Jo

Hawaii: Another Black Sand Beach

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While Charlie and I were in Iceland last year we visited a serene black sand beach.

The black sand beach at Reynisfjara in Iceland.

Reynisfjara is a world-famous black-sand beach found on the South Coast of Iceland.  We were there in the fall so swimming was out of the question.

Our first stop was the a scenic point on the slopes of Mauna Loa.

Fast forward one year — we drove Ka’u Scenic Byway to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on our final full day (Monday) on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Much of the Big Island is covered with as yet unvegetated black lava.

First we stopped at the scenic point at mile marker 75.

Turn in at this sign!

We had to choose from two full cases of malasadas.

We drove through the small town of Punalu’u where we stopped at Punalu’u Sweetbread Bakeshop for malasadas (Hawaiian donuts).

Charlie chose Bavarian crème both plain and chocolate covered while I chose plain Bavarian crème and mango.

We sat in their open pavilion listening to a live musician while chatting with some of the locals at the next table.

No swimmers but lots of visitors to Punalu’u.

Black sand beach on the island of Hawaii.

Our next stop was Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach situated a stone’s throw from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The light-colored rocks are actually Hawksbill Sea Turtles sunning on the lava.

The volcanic strand itself is a dream for photographers, and is home to the critically endangered Hawksbill turtle.

Individual Kalua pork and pineapple pizzas — soooo goooood!

Finally we reached Volcanoes National Park (my senior pass covered the entrance fee of $30) and headed straight for the lodge so we could eat lunch at Uncle George’s Lounge at Volcano House (good view of volcano) inside the National Park.

Kilauea Caldera is steaming.

A close-up of the crater of Kilauea.

The restaurant overlooks the park’s centerpiece, Kilauea Caldera which is smoldering and glowing. Since 1983, Kilauea has created 600 new acres on the island of Hawaii. While we were not in the mood to hike any considerable distance, Charlie and I drove to some steam holes and an observation deck to get as close as safely possible to view the caldera.

We were delighted to score an elusive white pineapple after hearing about them on our coffee tour.

On the way back to Kona we stopped at a farmers’ market in Punaluʻu and bought a white pineapple — the best pineapple we’ve ever tasted.

A half hour after the sun has dropped below the horizon the sky is still beautiful.

Not surprisingly, we stopped again at the bakeshop then drove back to our AirBnb to pack up and enjoy our final Kona sunset.

Aloha

Jo

Hawaii: Beaches and Kona Coffee

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Charlie and I came to Hawaii to get away from our daily schedule.

The view from our AirBnB.

On our second full day (a Saturday) I planned a day of visiting beaches and coffee plantations near where we were staying in Kailua-Kona on the west side of the Big Island.

Kahalu’u Bay

We left early in the morning (about 8 a.m.) for Kahalu’u Beach Park,  about 2 miles south of us, where there is a free parking lot. Locals were already setting up a pavilion for a day of partying.

Charlie examined the wildlife that can be seen from the beach.

People were both snorkeling and surfing in this sheltered cove. Although we did not get in the water, the placid offshore waters harbor a vivid array of sea life, including orange-lipped unicorn fish, electric-blue parrot fish, and loads of turtles.

A variety of brewed Kona coffee was on-hand for unlimited tasting at Greenwell Farms.

After stopping at the lava rock beach we headed to Greenwell Farms for a free coffee-tasting (8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.) and tour (9a.m.-3 p.m.) I suggest arriving as early as possible before the buses and tour company vans arrive.

Rows of coffee plants are grown on the Big Island of Hawaii.

A detail of the photo above.

Kona coffee has been grown on the island of Hawaii for over 150 years. As we took the hour-long guided tour of Greenwell Farms we were fascinated by all the processes coffee has to go through to become drinkable.

The cascara (coffee cherry skin) and the creamy colored bean (above) eventually become coffee.

I wondered how anybody ever figured out that coffee would make a good drink. Legend says an Ethiopian goat herder first discovered the potential after noticing his goats became so energetic that they did not want to sleep at night after eating the berries from a certain tree.

The farm grew a variety of other crops in limited quantities such as bananas.

From the coffee farm we were ready for lunch and stopped at Rebel Kitchen  a small bar and restaurant on the  Mamalahoa Highway in Kealakekua.

Hawaiian pulled pork, often called Kalua pig, is delicious

I ordered a  pulled-pork sandwich and Charlie had Cuban rolls which he had come to love while in the Islands.

The Cuban roll like the Cubano sandwich is grilled ham and cheese with the addition of pulled pork.

We toured around some of the second-hand shops in Kealakekua where vintage Hawaiian clothing could be had at reasonable prices.

The sunset from our lanai is intensely more beautiful than the photo.

Then back to our AirBnB to swim and relax.

Aloha

Jo

October, 2022: Intentions

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In Maryland October is the month the trees change colors and weather changes from summer to winter — sometimes overnight.

Last year Charlie and I wore masks to our outdoor party.

Now for my October list of good intentions:

  1.  Work on travel plans for Winter, 2023.

    Hoping to see the bioluminescence of Mosquito Bay in Puerto Rico.

  2.  Autumn décor for the mantel and tables.

    Lots of opportunity for fall color foraged from our yard.

  3.  Take a day trip.

    Hoping for an up close look at the Liberty Bell.

  4.  Clear out all clutter in pink bedroom including non-functioning printers.

    Time to tackle our smallest bedroom.

  5.  See a movie.  Lots of potentially good new movies are opening in October.

    Amsterdam is a period mystery comedy — sounds promising.

  6.  Address work-related items concerning retirement .
  7.  Read a book:  The Dramatic Imagination.

    Perhaps this book will encourage my creative juices.

  8.  Start getting Christmas gifts together.  I have made a list already.

    Maybe this year we can downsize some of our Christmas decorations.

  9.  Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: CHANGE.
  10.  Write a goal list for November, 2022.

Jo

Hawaii: Helicopter Tour Over Volcanoes

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Our first full day on the island of Hawaii Charlie and I headed out early in the morning to drive from Kona (west coast) to Hilo (easy coast).  The trip takes about an hour and a half.

Our route from Kailua-Kona to Hilo by car.

We were set to take a helicopter tour over the volcanos and waterfalls on the Big Island.

Several helicopter services run out of a small building at Kona Airport.

We arrived in plenty of time to check in and take the pre-flight safety lecture.

Our pre-flight instructor.

There were 6 passengers on our flight plus the pilot.  Each of us was issued an inflatable flotation device which we wore around our waist in case of a water landing.

Our helicopter was refueled before take-off.

We watched while the helicopter was refueled. We ready for our trip over 3 volcanos — Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, and Kilauea.

Our pilot not only flew the chopper but also kept up a running oral presentation about volcanos, Hawaii, history, and consequences.

Once on board each of us were issued headsets so the pilot could communicate with us.  As we flew over the volcanoes various areas details of different types of volcanoes (shield volcanoes in Hawaii) and and their particular action on the Big Island were explained. Lava does not always shoot out the top of a volcano.  Sometimes it runs underground then surfaces miles away unexpectedly destroying property and homes.

Mauna Kea caldera (crater).

We flew over Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Kilauea volcanoes.

Mauna Loa is still steaming with visible glowing areas.

Mauna Loa is the largest and one of Earth’s most active volcanoes. Since 1843 it has erupted 33 times producing lava that has covered over 309 square miles.  It’s last eruption was 1984 and is expected to erupt again.

Waterfalls and streams near Hilo.

In addition to volcanoes we flew over water falls

The nearly 2-mile-long breakwater o Hilo Bay was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1908 and 1930 in order to shield ships in the bay from rough waves.

and the city of Hilo.

Please note that Charlie and I are wearing our flotation devices.

We had a great tour and can highly recommend it.

Ahi poke and fresh fried purple sweet potato chips.

After our flight we headed to Hilo Bay Cafe for a bite of lunch.  I ordered my first poke (pronounced poh-keh) of the trip and was immediately hooked.

I ordered 2 malasadas — one plain and one filled with Bavarian crème.

We returned to Kona via the northern route so we could stop at Tex’s for malasadas (Hawaiian donuts) which we enjoyed immensely. After trying malasadas at many more places I can say that Tex’s are the BEST!

Aloha

Jo

September, 2022: Well Intended

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My word for the month was “relationships”.  We started the month out strong throwing a party for over 30 friends and acquaintances.  Then Charlie and I made some new connections on an island far, far away.  As Charlie always says:  travel is as much about meeting new people as about seeing new places.

In addition to the numbered list below:

  • I saw Rocky Horror Picture Show  for the first time with a crowd of crazies.
  • I started making plans for next year’s travel — Puerto Rico and Egypt.
  • I began a new season of evening courses one of which I’m helping facilitate.
  • I purchased a season subscription to the Columbia Orchestra mainly because they’ll be presenting Rhapsody in Blue — my favorite.
  • I saw a movie — See How They Run.

Now for my completed September list of good intentions:

  1.  Host Sug’s retirement party at The Glade.

    All eyes were on Sug as we honored her “rare” character and said “well done”.

    The weather was great, the bugs stayed away, the guests were congenial, and the food was hailed as delicious — what more could we ask for.

  2. Travel to Hawaii — the Big Island and Maui with a quick side trip to Oahu. 

    Sunset on the Big Island.

  3. Celebrate our lace anniversary.

    The staff at Ulu was most accommodating. The food was delicious, too.

    Charlie and I had a sunset dinner on the Big Island of Hawai’i at the Four Seasons resort in Kona. My gift to him is a sling backpack given before our trip so he could always have his snack with him.

  4.  Begin Disciple 3 class. I started this 32-week in depth class on Paul and the Prophets with friends from the first two installments.  It was great to be back together again with our esteemed leader.
  5.  Work on clearing out the back bedroom: specifically pack up, arrange, put to use, or get rid of picture frames.

    Picture frames are a major clutter factor in the back bedroom.

  6.  See a movie:  Three Thousand Years of Longing.  I saw the movie after I read the book (#8 below).

    The director George Miller, and the actors Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba.

    Even with the director’s introductory “thank you” for coming to the movies I would pass on seeing the film and just read the story.  I didn’t hate it but I definitely didn’t love it.

  7.  Address some small item on 101 in 1001 list. I started #30 — Mommie album

    My mother circa 1946.

    and worked on details of #38  finish Laundry room.

    A couple of laundry projects linger.

    I also pulled out #43 my God box, cleared out the non-essential, and deposited my first prayer.  I also finished #80 — get a manicure. I still must #50 organize papers from renovation and #53  install the final bit of trim.

  8.  Read a book: I read The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye by A. S. Byatt, a short story that’s both challenging and engaging.

    Swedish glass with a traditional Turkish pattern.

    After a little research I realized the “nightingale’s eye” is actually a swirling pattern of blown glass something like my inherited Kosta Boda vases.

    Without a stopper my djinn has escaped.

  9.  Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: RELATIONSHIPS.
  10.  Write a goal list for October, 2022.

Jo

Hawaii: The Big Island

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Charlie and I traveled for two weeks in the middle of September to Hawai’i.

We were eager to get started on our Hawaiian adventure.

We left Baltimore airport on an early morning flight to Las Vegas.

The landscape just before we arrived in Las Vegas.

Our layover in Vegas was uneventful. We indulged in some coffee then waited for our plane to the Big Island of Hawai’i.

The airport at Kona on the Big Island – roofs but no walls.

The airport at Kona is a totally open-air experience.  No walls to speak of even at luggage retrieval.  There is only one runway.

Our first glimpse of the cloud-covered Big Island.

I had arranged for a rental car through RentalCar.com which was actually represented by Enterprise. We hopped on a shuttle to ride to the rental car office a few minutes away. The benefit of Enterprise was that spouses may be added on as a driver without extra cost.

Charlie and I were both excited to be in this lush tropical paradise.

We headed to our AirBnB rental about half an hour away in the town of Kailua-Kona.

Our private pool.

Honestly we loved this little cottage with its own saltwater pool overlooking the ocean.

Our first sunset in Hawai’i.

The sunsets (which we could see from the bedroom) were stunning.  Our hosts were congenial and even supplied us with fresh eggs from their own chickens.

A rainbow is always a positive sign for me.

We asked for recommendations from our host about good local places to get some inexpensive food.  On our first excursion we were greeted with a full arc rainbow. What could be a better welcome than that?

The sun rises on the east side of the island and reflects on the clouds on our side.

The next morning we were please to discover that not only were there colorful sunsets (Kailua-Kona is on the west coast of the island) but that sunrises were equally beautiful.

Aloha!

Jo

Working on Hawai’i Plans    

Retirement Fête

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On Labor Day weekend we celebrated Sug’s retirement from her job in transportation.  She’s been working since she was a kid.

The theme of the party.

We invited everyone we could think of to at least stop by for a few minutes to celebrate with her at an outdoor party.

The mini apple pies were a hit. We made 4 dozen.

We started cooking a few days in advance.

Tables and chairs were set up all over the backyard.

On party day we set up the backyard to accommodate 3 dozen guests.  We thought folks would drop by for a few minutes, say congrats, then leave.  Instead, everybody stayed for the entire evening.

A small chore for party guests.

When guests arrived they were asked to write Sug a note.  Most complied with heartfelt sentiments — both clever and sentimental.

Tables were pulled together and chairs rearranged to allow for easy conversation.

Our guests were definitely in a party mood and very congenial.  They ate homemade barbecue and cole slaw served alongside ham and cheese sliders and hot dogs freshly grilled by Charlie.

Charlie (gray shirt) and I (red silk shrug) made time to talk with guests.

As the evening progressed I served a large pizza-sized cookie left over from Sug’s office celebration.  Instead of cutting it in wedges, I used an inch and a half round cookie cutter and speared the disks with small skewers.

Small cookie rounds were served on meat doneness skewers.

When everyone had a piece of cookie I made a short congratulatory speech.  I had carefully separated steak doneness marking labels so that only “rare” and “well done” were used.  I mentioned how “rare” a person Sug is and that everything she puts her commitment to is “well done”.

All eyes were on Sug while we honored her “rare” character and said “well done”.

Everyone waved their skewers and cheered.

Charlie lit sparklers as evening fell.

Every party should be this nice — all due to the guests.

Jo

September, 2022: Intentions

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September is usually the month we go on our big trip for the year.  This year we’ve already been to the island of Manhattan,  on a short cruise to Bermuda , and now we’re planning to travel to the islands of Hawaii and Maui.  Who doesn’t love an island?!!

Now for my September list of good intentions:

  1.  Host Sug’s retirement party at The Glade.

    We have a theme!

  2. Travel to Hawaii — the Big Island and Maui with a quick side trip to Oahu. 

    Looking forward to an exotic trip with Charlie.

  3. Celebrate our lace anniversary.  I’m trying to think out of the box — lace cookies, shoe laces, a snack laced with a favorite flavor (think coffee ice cream), lacy flowers (think Queen Anne’s Lace).

    I donated some doilies to a local theatre prop shop but I still have more.

    It would also be a good time for me to address my inherited lace doily collection.  I’m not really the doily type.

  4.  Begin Disciple 3 class.  I’ve completed Disciple 1 and 2 — both are 32 week small group study courses.

    Number 3 in a 4-part series.

  5.  Work on clearing out the back bedroom: specifically pack up, arrange, put to use, or get rid of picture frames.

    Picture frames are a major clutter factor in the back bedroom.

  6.  See a movie:  Three Thousand Years of Longing. 

    3000 Years of Longing is based on The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye.

  7.  Address some small item on 101 in 1001 list. #30 or #38 or #43 or #50 or #53.  Not all of them, just one or two.
  8.  Read a book: The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye by A. S. Byatt.

    Is the djinn stuck in a bottle like this?

  9.  Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: RELATIONSHIPS.
  10.  Write a goal list for October, 2022.

Jo

August, 2022: Well Intended

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August has been a busy month for us both traveling, getting ready to travel, having an evening class twice a week, getting ready for a party, and enjoying the garden harvest.  We have been taking it easy on some brutally hot days and trying our best to stay cool.

The Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin.

In addition to the numbered list below:

  •  I read some more of the Hamilton biography which is more interesting after visiting the Capitol.

    Over halfway finished reading this very detailed account of Alexander Hamilton.

  • I attended a Stargazing Party at a local park with an observatory and knowledgeable astronomers.

    Inside the observatory looking out at the half (yes, half) moon.

    The same moon seen through the telescope on a computer monitor.

    The highlight was a close-up look at Saturn and two of its moons just before the clouds set in.

  • Our 6-week study on the Armor of God concluded near the middle of the month.

    We had a good time getting to know each other better.

  • Finished all the party prep items on this list for a get-together a few days from now.

    Quick spray painting of the olive tree pots.

Now for my August list of good intentions:

  1. Go to a concert:  We had lots of summer concerts to pick from this month.  We saw the big band  Shades of Blue which played a large variety of music from the Great American Songbook to The Beatles, Chicago and Earth, Wind, and Fire.

    Shades of Blue Big Band

    Then we went to see Ayreheart, a progressive folk trio with lutes and percussion.

    Ayreheart Trio

    We also saw The LPs and A Classic Case.

  2. Visit Washington D.C.  Charlie and I spent an educational and fun day visiting the US Capitol building and Washington Monument in DC which was truly enough for one day.

    Southeastern approach to the U S Capitol building.

    #7 on my 101 in 1001 list.

  3.  Start a surprise project. I have started a project that includes scanning a pile of old photographs.

    My grandfather and his sister.

    It’s tedious and time consuming.

  4.  Work on simplifying the Treetops Room.  I started by getting rid of old toys and games.

    Listed these old games on Facebook for FREEEEE and someone came to pick them up.

    I also moved a large dresser out of the room.

    This dresser has been moved to the pink bedroom.

    Looking forward to more free space than stuff.

  5.  See a movie:  Bullet Train.  This Brad Pitt action film was bloody but fun.  Loved the twins — Lemon and Tangerine. I also saw Easter Sunday which made me laugh.
  6.  Pack for Hawaii trip. I made a list of necessary clothes, documents, and items then carefully packed everything into a suitcase and carry-on.

    I pack carefully and economically.

    Charlie likes to wait until the last minute to do his packing.

  7.  Read a book: Moloka’i by Alan Brennert.  After reading Hawaii I was eager to continue learning about the archipelago. Although Moloka’i is a novel I felt the truth about Hansen’s disease (formerly known as leprosy) was informative and heartbreaking.  I enjoyed this well-researched novel and wish we would have time to visit Molokai while in Hawaii next month but I fear we’re already fully booked.   Auwe (alas) as they say in Hawaiian.

    Moloka’i

  8.  Practice the ukulele.  I practiced and took another class/jam with the intention of doing the same when we get to Maui next month.

    Our secondhand ukes.

    I also purchased another instrument so Charlie and I can play together.

  9.  Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: ANTICIPATION.
  10.  Write a goal list for September, 2022.

Jo