Aloha from Honolulu: A Dream Hawaiian Adventure
When our daughter Minerva and son-in-law Bram invited us to a holiday in Hawaii, I was all excited. Unfortunately, later the political climate became tense, which turned my excitement into worry. Every TV channel back home was bursting with news of uncertainty at the borders. However, with lots of assurance from my daughter and daughters-in-law, ultimately we decided that we had to seize the moment — it was now or perhaps never.
We took a direct flight to San Francisco, were out of US border control in a jiffy, stayed with Mini and Bram for a few days and then took the Hawaiian Airlines flight to Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii. I knew after arrival in Honolulu that I was in for an unforgettable experience.
Mini and Bram rented a car from the airport and we drove to the Hilton Hawaiian Waikiki Beach Resort. We stayed here for 3 days at this oceanfront retreat and tropical paradise.
Day 1: Waikiki Beach
Our first day was all about soaking in the Waikiki beach ambience. We strolled along the beach, taking in the sights and sounds of tourists from around the world dressed in colorful Hawaiian attire. The evening was perfect, with a stunning sunset and a mouth-watering seafood dinner at Roy’s – a popular local spot.
Day 2: O’ahu Island Circle Tour
We embarked on a grand circle tour of the O’ahu island using the Shaka App which provides guided audio tours and acts as a virtual guide on scenic drives. We drove in a counterclockwise loop along the eastern edge of the island to start with. Our first stop was at Leonard’s Malasadas to try out their famous Portuguese donuts. It was delicious- the filling reminded me of our very own Mumbai Kyani cream puffs, which my mom Cecilia would get us when she went on her occasional Crawford Market shopping sprees back in the day in Mumbai.
We then visited the stunning Byodo-In Temple which serves as a cultural centre of the Japanese who were the early settlers in Hawaii. The scenic drives through downtown Honolulu and the Kualoa Mountain Range were breathtaking. The mountain range includes Kualoa Ranch, which is where Jurassic Park was filmed. We didn’t have time to do one of the many available tours there, but just the quick visit of the magical landscape was amazing.
Our next stop was at the Polynesian Cultural Centre. The PCC encompasses eight tropical villages, in which performers demonstrate various arts and crafts from throughout Polynesia. Bram drove us around the neighboring Brigham Young University with its unique layout and natural surroundings of beaches and mountains.
We enjoyed dinner at Monkeypod restaurant with a Waikiki beachfront view.
Day 3:
Pearl Harbor and Polynesian Delights
After a hearty breakfast, we headed to Pearl Harbor, a historic site which gives poignant details of the Japanese attack on December 11, 1941 which provided the trigger for Americans joining World War II.
The memorial serves as a place of learning, remembering and honouring those who served and sacrificed during one of the most crucial moments in American history.
It was hard to process the Pearl Harbour experience specially watching the movie at the memorial. We were in a sombre mood when we left Pearl Harbour.
Our next visit was to a luau experience which helped us unwind. The luau is a traditional Hawaiian feast and celebration with music, dance and Polynesian entertainment. We witnessed the cultural dances of Hawaiʻi, Fiji, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Samoa, Tahiti, and Tonga. This feast for the eyes was accompanied by lunch.
After experiencing the luau, we made our way to the Wailele Waterfalls. Vasu and I took a shuttle, and Mini and Bram hiked the whole distance and met us up at the falls.
Days 4-6: Maui, Hawaii
On Day 4 we took a local 45-minute flight from O’ahu to Maui. For some strange reason the airline tickets of Vasudevan, Mini and Bram had TSA-approved prechecks, but my ticket did not have the TSA approval. This resulted in us going through different lines. Mini forfeited her TSA privilege and joined me in my line towards border security formalities.
Our Maui adventure was filled with excitement – from the roller coaster drive to Hana with 620 winding turns. While Bram drove the winding streets, Mini graciously allowed me to be in the front seat as she knows how I love scenic drives. It was a drive of a lifetime made memorable with the Shaka Guide’s narration of Hawaii’s history and legends.
One of the hidden treasures on the Road to Hana was the lava tubes. It’s an exciting stop with a small hike to the exit. These lava caves provided shelter from the elements as well as enemies. They are looked upon as sacred and reflect the island’s volcanic history.
At Hana, we stayed at the Hana-Maui Resort, a secluded hotel on Hawaii’s eastern coast. We had dinner at the Hana Ranch Restaurant, and enjoyed the poolside ambience during the day.
Later when Mini and Bram went snorkeling at Kapalua Bay beach park, both Vasu and I lounged on the beach, relaxed and enjoying the Hawaii beach experience.
We savored local flavors, including Huli Huli chicken at Nahiku Marketplace and Mai Tais at Sea House Restaurant and Ulu in Kaanapali.
As I look back on our Hawaiian escapade, I’m reminded that you’re never too old to have an adventure. The beaches, valleys, cliffs, and sunsets left me in wonder. Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” aside, “Dreams Come True in Blue Hawaii” resonated with me throughout our stay.
Hawaii, you will always be in my heart! If you’re looking for a paradise escape, look no further than the Aloha State. Thank you ‘Mahalo’ to Mini and Bram and Hawaii for the unforgettable memories.
