More Waikiki Fun

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.