Pacific Aviation Museum, Hoku"s

Liz, CL, R and I were very fortunate that Jay drove us around Ford Island before taking us to the
Pearl Harbor Pacific Aviation Museum.
Crossing the bridge to Ford Island.

On Ford Island are two memorials that are usually missed by visitors.

USS Utah
A tomb for the dozens of crewmen who were trapped inside the overturned Battleship.

Memorial for the USS Oklahoma
14 marines and 415 sailors were killed.
The Memorial of white standing marble standards represents each fallen warrior "manning the rails".
It is very beautiful and moving.

And of course the USS Arizona, a memorial for the 1,777 men entombed there, as seen from the back.  A tour boat is stopped in front disembarking visitors.

The main Hangar that houses  the
Pacific Aviation Museum
There was a birthday celebration for Amelia Earhart going on , but we were so interested in Jay's interesting and detailed explanation of the displays that we hardly noticed the balloons and cake being served.

Japanese "Zero" plane which were very fast and maneuverable.

Time for lunch at the very good cafe in the Hangar.

We were happy that Denise joined us for lunch.
She recommended the hot dog, which was
crunchy on the outside and juicy and tasty on the inside. 

Great lunch and we just missed the crowd.

Jay's specialty is the Flight Simulators, using Oasis Programming he has put together a virtual cockpit.

We wore the headpiece and tried to maneuver the "plane" to land on water and then take off into the skies.
Very realistic.

The Holy Heli.  On Sundays, the helicopter would lower the pastor down to give his sermon on each ship and then haul him up again throughout the day.

A bomber with holes in its flaps enabling it to cut it's speed.

Getting ready to board the DC3, a workhorse that could carry anything.

Inside.  Not comfortable but eminently useful!

There is another Hangar, still with the holes made by Japanese gunfire, that houses many other aircraft .  The tarmac on the old runway outside is pitted and broken also by bullets fired during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Such a fascinating tour, made more fun by a deeply knowledgeable and interesting person like Jay.

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In the evening, Liz, CL, Les, Daren, R and M had dinner at Hoku's at the Kahala Hotel.

Very delicious Sweet Potato Soup

We all ordered the Onaga, but in different preparations.
Steamed Onaga with Tofu

The whole deep fried Onaga shared by Les, Daren and me.
Crispy on the outside and tender inside.

There was only room for Sorbet or Ice Cream for dessert.

The Hotel will shortly change owners and the restaurant will be refurbished soon.  A good thing.

Waiting outside the Hotel for our cars and saying goodbye until their next visit.
Looking forward to seeing you all again.

Enjoying Hawaii

Saturday morning at Orchids.
Grandma would've been 100 this year.
She would be surprised to see the great Kiawe tree downed, but a new branch is bravely growing into a young tree.

Les giving one of his wonderful welcoming speeches to family and aunties.

Most opted for the American Breakfast, but the Japanese breakfast choice looked good too.

Uh oh.  Is that Penny?
Luckily she is very unobtrusive and quiet in restaurants.

Grandma would've enjoyed being with her family.

Sunn and Aunty Liz waiting for the car to be brought around by the  valets, many of whom were bringing around our cars with a friendly smile when Sunn's mom was still a student.

Heading towards the back of Diamond Head...

...to see the cactus garden at Kapiolani Community College.

Pink flowers?

Barrel cacti.
And a lizard cafefully making its way between the spines in search of lunch.

Weirdly pretty.
****

Take out Korean Barbecue meals are another  family get together tradition.

Sunn and family enjoyed the pool.
Come into the water Penny, Sunn calls enticingly, but water doesn't sit well with Penny.

Fearless Sunn! 

Yay Umi.  Note her colors.

More delights

Next day, after my Zumba class I walked over to meet Daren at Southshore Market in Kakaako.
And who should come by but Sun and Umi, Erica and Jesse.
Babies grow so quickly.
Daren and I had a nice light lunch and chat.

Light, because, that evening we all met at our must stop, Bairin, for Tonkatsu!

Next day, was Mall day.
The noon Hula show is always popular.

We stopped for another LIGHT lunch at a coffee shop because we were going to Harbor Restaurant that evening.

It's fun to go shopping with visitors because you discover new things too.  Didn't realize that this shop had light breakfasts and lunch delights too, besides their teas and coffees.
Strawberry Nutella toast and Flatbread with tomato and pesto were  quite good!


For dinner, we met at Harbor Restaurant at Pier 36.
Nice, but sound  bounces very well so here so be prepared to use your forte voice!

They are proud of their Brasa oven.
I had the Lamb Chops which were tender and tasty but hard to get at unless you pick it up and gnaw on it, which I couldn't do there.
Les, Jesse and I shared the Escargot.  Usually quite delicious but tonight there was too much shaved cheese over it.

The Affogato is good here - just cream, vanilla gelato and espresso.  Always look forward to it.