June 25 - July 19 O’ahu Hawaii

 Aloha, it’s us again!  WARNING:  This is a long post with lots of photos so be prepared!

We welcomed our grandson, Keegan (15) to Oahu with a Kukui Nut Lei.  He took a non stop flight from Atlanta and we applaud him for being able to get through a 9 1/2 hour flight.  The flights from the mainland are long, no matter where you come from and we equate it to ripping off a bandaid, just do it and the healing (and fun) begins. We will start with an overhead map of the condo we moved to.

In keeping with the Aloha spirit I tried very hard not to over schedule him.  We visited, ate, and gave him the lay of the condo unit.  He loves to walk so on go the headphones and music and off he went most days.  He took advantage of the on site gym most days before a “light” breakfast of 4 eggs, 3 slices of toast 5-6 slices of bacon and a banana.  Geez I was full just watching him devour his meals.  Growing up is hard work.

The first week we explored Pearl Harbor, a must for everyone who visits as well as the aviation museum which Les and Keegan enjoyed while I awaited their return in the car.  A local restaurant and back to the condo for a nap!  

Les and Keegan did the hike to the pillbox atop Diamond Head.  We had previously done it and enjoyed it but I was not able to get a parking reservation so I just went shopping and picked them up later. They both enjoyed that.  The views are just amazing.

Another day we explored the H3 (basically the freeways are H1, H2 and H3) and found ourselves at the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout in O’ahu.  It was unbelievably windy and at times we had to hang on so we didn’t get tossed against the safety railings.  Since we previously had stayed in Ko’Olina we wanted Keegan to see the area and we wanted to spend some time at the Lagoons.  Another fun day.  

On July 4th we spent the entire day at the Polynesian Cultural Center beginning with a guided tour of the 6 islands represented at PCC. We had an opportunity to have a canal boat ride, eat coconuts, drink the coconut water, play a “stick” game in New Zealand land, and Keegan and Pat got temporary tattoos.  After the tour of all the islands represented we attended the Luau and believe me, the all you can eat buffet was terrific for Keegan.  Les turned his nose up a bit at the purple Ube rolls but finally acquiesced and tried and liked them.  PCC is part of the cultural experience on the campus of BYU and hence there are no alcoholic beverages served or allowed but they offered a terrific pineapple, coconut type of drink served in the pineapple. After the Luau we attended the Ha Breath of Life theater production at the center.  It was fantastic (Les and I had seen previously) and Keegan enjoyed it.  Since it was July 4th there were also fireworks when the PCC closed at 9:00 pm.  We watched from the car for a short while and then we all voted to go back home since it was about an hours’ drive.  

The following Monday Keegan and I went salt water fishing.  It was a little rough but we had a good time.  Les did not go because…lets just say he tends to be uncomfortable when the boat is stationery and rocking.  I think grandson has the same issue.  Lesson learned.

In between some of our relax time we went to a couple of large Malls, a local swap meet and poked around.  Keegan and I also may have gone to Costco (down the street from us) a few times, okay many times!  We needed to restock the refrigerator! 

Next on the list was a private surf lesson for Keegan.  It was so much fun to watch him progress in that short time from getting on the board to staying up and riding the wave!  

We all hiked a local trail, Kuli’ou’ou Ridge.  We really were not as a prepared as we should have been and Les and I only made it to just shy of 450 vertical feet.  This was about 1/2 way to the summit.  I called “uncle” first, it just didn’t seem worth it to make it up and then not be able to make it back down.  We will, however, put this on our list of “we will master” at some point.

Winding down our visit all three of us went canoe surfing which was super fun.  You paddle out in a canoe outrigger (attaching a photo of our canoe, although no one was there for us to get photo of us in it) so you can see the “boat”.

No visit is complete without a meal of Huli Huli chicken which we chose Yummy Huli Huli chicken near Kaneohe.  While I ate from Les’ plate (chicken, rice, macaroni salad) Keegan ordered and ate a whole chicken.  Ah to be young!

I’m sure I am probably forgetting some activities but this was probably a lot for anyone who follows this blog to digest!  Mahalo for your patience.