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Nowhere on earth is there
a place quite like the Arizona Memorial at Pearl harbor. It is more
than just a symbol of American patriotism ... it is a reminder of
the sacrifices and sufferings that one generation endured for the
benefit of those who would follow. It is unthinkable that two
nations as closely linked economically could have possibly been such
bitter enemies 60 years ago. The National Park Service tour is free
... get there early to avoid the long line. A historical film
precedes the ferry ride out to the memorial. For the best pictures
of the memorial, get in the back row of the ferry on the return and
take pictures as the boat is leaving the memorial.
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| World-famous Waikiki Beach
at night ... Diamond Head can be seen looming in the darkness.
Everyone wants to see Waikiki, but Hawaii isn't about tall buildings
and one-way streets that dead-end into parking garages. I recommend
ONE NIGHT at Waikiki ... then move on to a more natural island like
Maui, the Big Island, or Kauai. |
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| The view from the top of
Diamond Head looking toward Honolulu. The hike takes about 45
minutes. |
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| Beautiful Hanauma Bay, a
few miles east of Honolulu. This bay is actually the inside of an
old crater, and one side has been eroded away by the pounding of the
waves over time. Lots of beautiful fish here, but don't expect
privacy. This beach is extremely overcrowded as busloads of tourists
come here every day. There is a fee to access the beach and coral is
badly damaged from people standing on it. |
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| One
activity I highly recommend on Oahu is taking a dinner cruise. The
evening views of the city lights of Honolulu and Waikiki are pretty
as the sun sets. This is the Navatek I, a boat with a unique hydrofoil
design for a smooth ride. I also highly recommend the
3-star dinner aboard the Star of Honolulu. |
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| On the windward side of
Oahu is the famous little islet known as Chinaman's Hat. |
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| If you want to see authentic Hawaiian culture, one
place to avoid is the highly advertised and highly over-rated
Polynesian Cultural Center. The photo at the right is a good example.
This is their "Pageant of Canoes" held every afternoon. I
didn't know that Polynesians used green indoor-outdoor carpeting on
their canoes when they were crossing the Pacific. The luau is just
plain bad ... worst one I have ever attended. Instead of Mai Tais,
they serve red Kool-aid with no ice!!! Don't believe me? Click
here to see an actual photo taken at the table. If you are
going to be visiting other islands, do your luau there. If Oahu is
your only destination, check out Paradise Cove for the best luau.
The best luau in all of Hawaii??? Hands down ... the Old
Lahaina Luau on Maui. |
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