Posts from — February 2013

The days are flying by, as the last few days always do on any vacation. I attended my final ukulele lesson on Thursday and we played Aloha Oe‘ for all those who are leaving the island. It is such a beautiful and at the same time sad song that was written by Queen Lydia Liliuokalani.

Last night from our room we were lucky enough to see two humpback whales swimming by Waikiki beach. The thing that caught our eye at first was the spouting of the water and then you could clearly see the humpback as they surfaced. A couple sunset cruise boats were pretty near by so those folks would have had good stories to tell of their evening cruise.

Attached are some sunset photos from our lanai.

Then a panorama shot from Waikiki Beach this morning.

Finally, one of us having a Kona Coffee on the beach at Waikiki.

Well the days have been busy, they’re flying by and it’s time for another update from Waikiki.

Since the last post we have seen the Royal Hawaiian Band perform once again, this time at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center in the performance grove, what a great location for a concert.

Of course there has been the Tuesday and Thursday ukulele lessons, many walks and morning coffee on the beach.

Friday we did a walk right around the base of Diamond Head, we have done this walk in past years and it was always just the two of us walking for most of it, however it was definitely busier this year with a lot more people out hiking.

We have always gone clockwise around the base as you get the nicest views of the ocean coming around the back side of Diamond Head starting towards the west. The first part of the hike is through a residential and business district, then you walk through some park area, past the Diamond Head Park entrance, then past the Military Reserve Center, past some more residential areas on the hillside of Diamond Head and then the cliffs of the ocean heading back to Waikiki. Some pretty amazing views and homes. You definitely get a different view of Diamond  Head from walking around it and from all angles than the traditional one most folks see in he pictures from Waikiki Beach.

Many forget that during WWII Diamond Head Crater was a military observation post and so on both sides of the only road that goes around the crater are the two original stone guard houses.

It’s pretty good hike and with a couple stops for water and a snack it takes the better part of 2 1/2 hrs and at one point there is a sign warning of “Fallen Rocks”. Now, this got us to thinking, if the rocks had already fallen why did we need to be warned…….. shouldn’t the sign saying “Falling Rocks”????

Later that night there were the weekly Friday night fireworks at Hilton Hawaiian Village.

On Saturday we attended a free Concert/Jam Session in the International Market Food Court. The main performer was a lady by the name of Melveen Leed who was a back up singer to Frank Sinatra years ago. Accompanying her was Tito Bernibos on rhythm guitar. This lady is a professional and what a performer and a talent. She played and sang and the place was packed. we will definitely go back next Saturday.

At points throughout the show she has guests come up from the audience to jam with her and she accompanies them on her keyboard. One Japanese gentleman, who we met through ukulele lessons was a guest performer this week. He was hilarious and actually quite talented. He started by playing a Japanese Mandolin, then moved on to his Harmonica and finally played a song with his Ukulele. He wasn’t the strongest musician, but he was energetic and he was having fun; plus he had the audience in stitches with his facial expressions as did Melveen when he would change key in he middle of a song and she would have to adapt.

Finally we headed over to the Hyatt Regency Courtyard fountain area where they were wrapping up a 3 hr. Ukulele Contest. Performers of all ages and from a number of countries were in attendance. The second to last performers were a couple of local kids about age 12 and  15 years old and they were fantastic. They took Ukulele playing to a whole new level. Their final number was the theme song to Hawaii 5-0, it was amazing. What a great setting and a great crowd, pictures don’t do it justice.

So, lots of fun here and lots more fun to have.

Sunday morning we walked over to Kapiolani Park to see the Royal Hawaiian Band perform.

The band was formed in 1836 by King Kamehameha III and is the longest serving community band in the United States and they perform at 300 concerts, parades, etc. each year. The band consists of about 40 musicians and singers.

They opened the show with conch players and a traditional Hawaiian anthem. However, today’s performance was part of the Vietnamese New Year Celebration that is going on throughout Waikiki. This included an all day celebration in Kapiolani Park with food vendors, kids activities and entertainment.

Today’s band performance included a number of traditional Hawaiian songs, some newer age popular Hawaiian tourist type songs and then some Vietnamese traditional military songs or anthems. In fact the band claimed they were the only band in the United States who practiced and performed Vietnamese music.

As part of the show number of gentlemen from the audience came on stage to sing. Well let’s just say they would have trouble “carrying a tune in a paper bag”. In fact the Vietnamese Master of Ceremonies admitted that they had not practiced with the band prior to today; but they gave it their best and they tried. Definitely proud Vietnamese people.

The celebration also included a Lion Dance. Vietnamese custom and tradition is to give the Lion a gift and in return it will bring you good luck for the next year. The gift was a $1 from every person that was watching and I think the good luck today went to the Lion 😉

We are finally getting into a bit of pattern with our days here in Waikiki. Although each day is different and busy.

Wednesday I went golfing in the morning at the Ala Wai Golf Course. It’s a municipal golf course and claims to be the busiest golf course in the world. For example on Tuesday they recorded 360 rounds of 18 holes and another 24 rounds of 9 holes. Anyway, about the only way to get a reasonable morning tee time is to show up when the Starter’s window opens at 5:30 a.m.. Now, I didn’t do that but I did show up at 5:50 a.m. and I was already number 15 on the waiting list. I finally got to the tee box by about 7:50 and played 18 holes with a couple of guys from Vancouver and a Japanese gentleman who was 92 years old who had a push cart and walked the course.He didn’t hit it far, but it was in the fairway most times , but we did learn some Japanese swear words. 🙂

Friday we went for our morning walk, coffee on the beach and then came back for breakfast. Afterwards we headed off to see the Waikiki Community Gardens, these are Community owned plots of land which are located across the Ala Wai Canal from Waikiki. Each one is fenced and is about 12 ft.square. Many are very organized and neatly laid out growing a variety of produce and flowers. Unfortunately some have been left to the point of being overgrown with weeds, but we are sure the registered user does not want to give the spot up as there is about a one year wait list to get a spot. The picture of the fruit in the tree is of Papayas not quite ready to harvest.

Saturday we got up early and headed up to the Kapiolani Community College Farmers Market. It’s a pretty good walk from Waikiki through Kapiolani Park and then up the hill along the west side of Diamondhead.

Boy was it busy…………. much busier that when we were here 7 years ago. In fact Tour Companies run shuttle buses from Waikiki to the market every Saturday.

It is not your average Farmers Market.

About 60% are selling cooked and prepared food. For example a real variety of breakfasts, rice, eggs, spam, fish, etc. fried green tomatoes, abalone on a shell, etc. etc.

About 30% were selling fruits, vegetables, and general produce. We bought, Hawaiian baby apple bananas, papaya, pineapple and local tomatoes.

Finally about 10% are selling flowers; which include orchids of all species, anthurium, bird of paradise, etc. etc.

One last picture of the sunset we see each evening from our lanai and more adventures in the days ahead.