Everything About Hawaii

Sea Life Park

Around Sea Life Park

Sea Life Park. This world famous marine park features over 4000 sea creatures. The park has dolphins, sea lions, penguins, and features the worlds only ‘Wholphine’, half dolphin-half false killer whale. Other exhibits include a Sea Lion Show, Invertebrate Touch Tank, Rocky Shores Exhibit,Hawaiian MonkSea Center, Sea Bird Sanctuary, and Sea Turtle Lagoon.

Makai Undersea Test Range pier and boathouse can be seen from Sea Life Park and is where marine scientists explore the ocean’s mysteries in deep submersibles and bathyscaphs.

Robin Masters’ Estate where “Magnum, P.I.” lived is another 7 tenths of a mile down the road. First, to the right is the area where the outdoor/garden scenes were shot for the television series. Some of the dark green tarps can still be seen where they shielded the set from onlookers. Just past this area is the home used as the main residence for the series.

Sea Life Park Conclusion

Sea Life Park is rather small compared to ocean parks in other cities, but it is worth a stop if you have some extra time. You may also recognize it as the set for several movies that have been filmed there, probably the favorite movie would be “Fifty First Dates”.

Next we’ll talk about the Valley of the Temples and Byodo-In Temple.

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Makapuu

Around Makapuu

Just before Makapuu you’ll find Pele’s Chair. Pele, the goddess of fire, having completed her creation of O’ahu, turned her efforts to the creation of Molokaiand Lāna’i. It is said that Pele viewed the forming of the new islands while resting on her chair.

Makapuu (hill beginning or bulging eye) is the name of an image said to have been in a cave named Keanaokeakuapōli. One of the best known legends about Makapuu tells about a many-eyed female kupua (shapeshifting spirit) who Pele’s sister, Hi’iaka, came to visit. In one legend, Makapuu was said to have had eight eyes, in another legend was said to have been a sister of Mo’ikeha, and in a third, was said to have come to O’ahu with the chief, Pā’ao.

It is from the Makapuu shoreline that Pele is said to have told the fish goddess Mālei to watch over the eastern waters of O’ahu and keep plentiful the fish of the area. The shape of her face is seen above the lighthouse.

Makapuu Beach is also a popular body and boogie-board surfing area. And, as at Sandy Beach, the inexperienced swimmer and surfer should be cautious.

Two small islands offshore of Makapuu.

The smaller is Kāohikaipu (hold back the container) Island. The larger island, Mānana (meaning unknown), is a protected seabird sanctuary. It is popularly known as Rabbit Island, because a plantation manager raised rabbits there in the 1800s.

Just down the road from Makapuu you will find Sea Life Park.

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Pali Lookout

The Road to Pali Lookout

Pali Highway: From Trail to Highway.

In the early 1800’s you had two chooses if you wanted to travel betweenHonoluluand Windward O’ahu.

You could take a canoe trip around the southern end of the island or hike over the steep cliffs of the Ko’olau mountains. The Pali Lookout (cliff) trail was the quickest and most direct route but it was very steep and slippery. Hawaiian’s traveled the trail with ease but foreigners had a very different experience.

Foot Trail: The foot trail was traveled by people carrying containers of poi, bundles of taro and sweet potatoes, pigs, chickens, and goats to sell inHonolulu.

Horse Trail: In 1845, the crowded and dangerous path was paved with stone and widened to six feet. Travel toHonoluluon horse or mule took about three hours.

Carriage Road: In 1897, a new carriage road was built below the existing trail. Portions of the cliff were blasted to create a 20-foot wide road supported by stone walls. The road now wound around the mountain.

Horse and Buggy: A strong wind struck travelers at every turn and for safety, a wooden railing was added. The road was crowded with horses and mules pulling wagons of sugar, bananas, rice, and fish to market inHonolulu.

Highway: The carriage road handled the transition to car with little change until the 1950’s. The construction of the four-lane highway we travel today included excavation of the tunnels. The highway was completed in 1957.

Nu’uanu and Pali Lookout

Pali Lookout, the most famous spot in Nu’uanu, is the site of the Battle of Nu’uanu Pali: Uniting theIslands. In the late 1700’s, Kamehameha I, from theisland ofHawai’i, sought to unite all theHawaiian Islands under one rule. The battle for O’ahu began with the arrival of his forces atWaikīkī in 1795.

O’ahu had been defeated by Maui forces a decade earlier andMaui’s Chief Kalanikūpule now led the forces on O’ahu. After many hard fought battles, he was driven up Nu’uanu Valley to this location. Both sides fought with Hawaiian spears and Western firearms but Kamehameha’s cannon gave him the winning advantage.

The battle, called Kaleleka’anae (leaping of the ‘anae fish), refers to the men forced off the cliff during the battle. There are two versions of what happened. One is that when defeat was certain, the warriors of O’ahu chose death over surrender and leaped from the cliffs to their death below. The other version is that the forces of Kamehameha drove the O’ahu warriors over the cliff and tossed after them the wounded. An estimated 400 warriors died in this battle. With Kamehameha’s victory, O’ahu joined Maui, Moloka’i, Lānai, Kaho’olawe, andHawai’iunder his rule. And with the signing of an agreement with Kauai and Ni’ihau, he became the first king of theHawaiian Islands.

Pali Lookout Conclusion

The weather at the Pali Lookout can be quite different from that of the city, often having high winds and some times rain, it really should be considered a “must see” spot during your visit to Oahu. Do get up there and take in the view of Pali Lookout, you’ll be glad you did.

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Blow Hole

Stop for a look at Blow Hole

Hālona (peering place), better known as Blow Hole, is a popular stopping point on the road to Sandy Beach. Hālona is a natural lava tube that shoots geyser-like fountains of ocean water upward when waves pass through it. On a good day, with heavy waves coming in, the spray can shoot up as high as 30 feet.

Blow Hole and Halona Beach Cove

While Blow Hole is to the left of the parking area, to the right is Halona Beach Cove, also known as “The Peering Place”. Swimming from this tiny beach can be very dangerous for the amateur swimmer, but do have a look. You may recognize the beach that served as the setting for that memorable moment where Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster had their famous love scene in the 1953 classic film “From Here to Eternity”.

While you’re there, do have a look at the ocean just out from Halona Beach Cove as sometimes you can see the Hawaiian green sea turtles that live in the waters there.

It’s just a quick stop, but Blow Hole is well worth taking the time to have a look. Next up, Pali Lookout.

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Hanauma Bay

A Look At Hanauma Bay

The Hawaiian meaning of Hanauma Bay is (curved bay or hand-wrestling bay). As you can see just from my pictures, the bay is postcard beautiful, the very image of aSouthSea island beach. HanaumaBay is a state marine preserve, protecting corals, fish, and other marine life. In recent years, access has had to be regulated in order to protect the marine life from the effects of human overuse, but the public is still encouraged to visit.

Hanauma Bay is a “Must See”

Spending some time at Hanauma Bay is an absolute must for the first time visitor toHawai’i. If you’re the seasoned visitor,HanaumaBay will already be on your list of “must do’s”. Another must, is to bring (or rent) snorkeling gear so that you can visit the fish in their native habitat. Even if you decide not do go snorkeling you should still go to the beach and watch every one else “go crazy” as the fish surround their feet.

Hanauma is named for two young chiefs who, it is said, loved the same chiefess. So they arm-wrestled for her attentions. The curve of the bay represents their two arms.

Elvis and more at Hanauma Bay!

Many people from around the world believe that all ofHawai’ilooks likeHanaumaBaybecause they’ve seen the bay in movies such as Elvis Presley’s “Blue Hawai’i” as well as many other movies. Several scenes were shot atHanaumaBay.

Next up will be a look at Blow Hole, which is just down the road from Hanauma Bay.

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Koko Head

Koko Head Crater

Koko Head or Blood Head in Hawaiian. Legend says that when the half-man, half-pig Kamapua’a attacked Pele at Kalapana on the Island of Hawai’i, Pele’s sister Kapo tricked him by throwing her kohelepelepe (vagina) to Koko Head, luring Kamapua’a to O’ahu and away from Pele at Kalapana. The impression of Kapo’s lure remains to this day on the Makapu’u (hill beginning or bulging eye) side of Koko Head.

Koko Head Crater Botanical Garden and Koko Head Stables

Inside Koko Head Crater is open to the public for walking, hiking, and horseback riding. This is one of the few places on O’ahu where wiliwili trees with bright orange seeds can be found. These seeds, and their more common burgundy or white cousins, are prized for making lei. Koko Head and Koko Crater are named for either the red earth of this area or for the koko (blood) of man bitten by a shark. There is a Hawaiian saying that when the wiliwili are in bloom, the sharks bite.

This has been Koko Head and I hope you’ll check our next article on Hanauma Bay.

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Hawai’i Kai

The Hawaii Kai Area

Hawai’i Kai (oceanside Hawai’i) was named by its developer, Henry J. Kaiser. Hawai’i Kai, built in the 1960s, was the first truly suburban housing development in Hawai’i. Henry Kaiser made a fortune from his company, Kaiser Permanente Cement. He lived in a vast beach front Portlock estate that was painted a bright flamingo pink, his wife’s favorite color. Kaiser developed the resort which is now known as the Hilton Hawaiian Village. His estate funds Kaiser Hospital.

Portlock was named for the British explorer, Captain Nathaniel Portlock, who anchored off O’ahu in 1786.

Next after Hawaii Kai we’ll have a look at Koko Head Crater.

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International Market Place

International Market Place a Must Stop for Shopping.

What is now known as The International Market Place was originally started by Ernest Raymond Ganerr, also known as Donn Beach or Don the Beachcomber. It was in 1956 that the first establishments, Dagger Bar and theBazaarBuildings, were started on the site. During the 1960’s the Hawaiian Halau, Japanese Tea House, andEsplanadeBuildings were added to the location.

International Market Place Today.

Today at the International Market Place you can find dozens of retail outlets, several are established buildings, but a majority are open-air stands and carts selling appeal, jewelry, gifts, souvenirs, a variety of services, and a nice dinning area. An obvious attraction at the International Market Place is a large banyan tree that at one time had Don’s tree house.

One point we’d like to give you is that, with a few exceptions, the prices are going to be quite high here, but don’t let that discourage you from visiting. Just remember, most of those stands, stalls, and carts can be bartered with for a much more reasonable price!

The International Market Place is open daily from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. Next up, a quick look at Hawaii Kai.

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Duke Kahanamoku

Statue of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku

This statue of Duke Kahanamoku honors Hawaii’s Olympic swimming champion who won three Olympic gold medals and two silver medals. Known as the father of international surfing, he was also the sheriff of Honolulu for 26 years. In 1961, Duke Kahanamoku was appointed the official city greeter and was recognized as the ambassador of Aloha the rest of his life.

Duke Kahanamoku – My Thought

The one thing I find interesting about the statue is that in the statue hw is violating one of the cardinal rules of surfing. A true surfer never turns his back to the ocean, but then I guess it’s alright here as the photo takers get a front view of Duke while capturing the ocean in their picture!

Duke Kahanamolu – Next?

This is a very short article but I think it worth while to give you the story of this surfing legend – Duke Kahanamoku. Next, let’s look at the International Market Place.

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Royal Hawaiian Hotel

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel was completed in 1927. The hotel became a part of the American war effort in early 1942 by providing rest and rehabilitation facilities for American service personnel. The great O’ahu M’ Kkuhihewa planted a sacred coconut grove about where the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Sheraton Waikiki Hotels are today. Several descendants of these trees still stand on the mauka side of the Royal Hawaiian. The area was re-named Helumoa (chicken scratch). Legend says Kkuhihewa planted the coconut grove because the phantom rooster of Plolo, named Ka’auhelemoa, who flew down and scratched the earth at the feet of the m’. Helu means “to scratch” and moa means “chicken”.

Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Our quick look at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel now takes us just down Kakakaua Avenue to the statue of Duke Kahanamoku.

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