2018 Hawaii (Oahu)
From iGeek
Family Thanksgiving (Nov) in Hawaii: family, friends, and a Jellyfish sting.
Contents
Travel
We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (Tapa Tower). Multiple other friends were staying there around the same time. And we visited local friends.
And the accommodations were great (and discounted): we went as part of Bridge Tournament Nationals that my Mom/Marcus participate in.
There were a couple of Santa Sand Castles (at a neighboring resort). It was Thanksgiving, but close enough -- and we alternate Families/Holidays, so we are going to Pheonix and M's family for XMas.
Beach Time
I got hit by a box jellyfish on Waikiki. It was a light hit: about 2" long on inner thigh -- very painful for the night, irritated for days. I shaved it with a razor, put on Benadryl, but I didn't have a reaction. (Maybe my Black Widow bite toughened me up?)
Snorkeling
Look, a blurry Turtle (that you were supposed to touch), but the turtles didn't always follow the rules.
Church
Marcus had diabetes and was on the short road to death, when he visited this Church. The Pastor mentioned he would be cured, and he soon got a rare liver/kidney transplant, which cured his diabetes and he got a new family (us). So we returned there to a black, gospel, very rival feeling church.
We had snapped a flashless picture before they got full and announced "no recording/photography". We honored the request (after that). But the music/singers/praise was incredible. Ella mentioned "any of them could be on the Voice". Just about everyone in the choir solo'd, even the little 80 year old frail looking lady belting gospel music like Aretha Franklin. My brother talked about stepping up their churches game, with the enthusiasm of this place.
Sea Life Park
Luau
Of course we went to an obligatory Luau, and to celebrate Mom's Birthday (that was part of why we went to the Sea Life Park).
Really, if you've been to one Luau, you've more or less seen them all. Similar food and things. We've done this one and the Polynesian Cultural Center one (a decade ago): this one wasn't quite as culturally educating, but just kind of more relaxed and fun (and better with family). We had a good time.
Really, if you've been to one Luau, you've more or less seen them all. Similar food and things. We've done this one and the Polynesian Cultural Center one (a decade ago): this one wasn't quite as culturally educating, but just kind of more relaxed and fun (and better with family). We had a good time.
Pearl Harbor, Waimea Falls and North Shore
Dole Plantation
Parade and Fireworks
SideStreet
A local friend suggested we try Side Street Inn: so we took the family.
It was in an office building looking place. We were warned: each serving will feed a Samoan. So we ordered a sampler for 3-4 people -- it fed nine of us, and we had left-overs. I'd describe it as fantastic Asian Fusion. We went back the next night and ordered the same thing, and it was still delicious.