I'm here in Hawaii! with daughter!!! *updated photos #116

[Hermosa11]

Went to Hilo Hattie store today. Found to pretty scoop neck t's that are my size. Might as well get it now. I have not found anything nice/pretty/female looking for my size.
Sorry to say, this vacation is not the lounge on the beach kind of vacation.
I am too big to sqeeze into a swim suit and even if I DID bring a suit, I would scare off the locals. ha ha Ha ha Sorry, just aint gonna do it.
I will download the photos we took of the large shirt in the entrance way of the Hilo Hattie store. (sil is on his computer)....
I will decrease the size of those photos, they are just too large. sorry about that.

I see that my daughter lives pretty much up the road from Radford High school. Anyone interested in seeing photos of their old alma marta? It would be no problem....just let me know.

Lilostich - you mentioned getting Matsumoto Shave Ice on the North Shore.
My boss told me the SAME thing! I will be sure to try and get there.
I am at the mercy of my daughter driving....I told her I would pay for gas....
so gotta plan a weekend when dsil is home so he can enjoy the drive too.

I still want more Masladas from Leonard's bakery! Aint gonna lose weight on this trip. ha ha ha

Just want to say how I appreciate the nice comments and thoughtful comments about my photos. I enjoy doing this and knowing there is a kind audience for my photos I really appreciate you all. I love doing this for my DIS family, as I enjoy my fellow DIS'rs sharing THEIR travels, etc. Thanks!!!

 

[GRAYWIFE]

Hermosa11: I thought I was gonna die when I saw the first post of this thread. My former husband was stationed at Schofield Barracks from March '84 until February '87. I had my DD21 at Tripler Army Medical Center in June '84. I have not been back since and had planned to take my DD21 back for her 21st birthday but it didn't work out.

Keep the reports coming...I miss it there so much!! Have a great time!!

 

[Judy from Boise]

Hey, Have you seen the size of Hawaiian or Samoan women! Get on that bathing suit and get to the beach . At a minimum you have to body surf at Bellows, and Snorkel at Huanama bay! You have walked the sand at Waikiki so you have one "must do" checked off

 

[lilostitch]

Hey, Have you seen the size of Hawaiian or Samoan women! Get on that bathing suit and get to the beach .

I know you are trying to be supportive of the OP, but as a 1/2 Samoan woman, I'm trying not to be offended by your post...

 

[icebrat001]

yum, shaved ice.

 

[Hermosa11]

just a couple of photos

 

[judi]

I love the pictures please keep posting them. It sounds like your having a wonderful trip.

 

[Skatermom23]

I love reading about your trip!

I spent two tours there with DH for a total of 9 years and plan to go back this summer. I can't wait! Your DD reminds me of myself. I was 23 and DH was 24 when we first went. No kids, two puppies!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Love your reports!!! Please keep them coming. It is as close to Hawaii as we are going to get for now. I love the "normal" pictures, traffic and the Memorial Pic's.

Thanks!

 

[Longsx3]

Went to Hilo Hattie store today. Found to pretty scoop neck t's that are my size. Might as well get it now. I have not found anything nice/pretty/female looking for my size.
Sorry to say, this vacation is not the lounge on the beach kind of vacation.
I am too big to sqeeze into a swim suit and even if I DID bring a suit, I would scare off the locals. ha ha Ha ha Sorry, just aint gonna do it.
I will download the photos we took of the large shirt in the entrance way of the Hilo Hattie store. (sil is on his computer)....
I will decrease the size of those photos, they are just too large. sorry about that.

I see that my daughter lives pretty much up the road from Radford High school. Anyone interested in seeing photos of their old alma marta? It would be no problem....just let me know.

Thanks!!!

I would love a picture of Radford, if it isn't too much trouble! Does your DD live in Red Hill housing? that is where I lived with my DBrother while I was in Hawaii.

If you have time ask your DD to take you to Hanauma Bay (SP?) , it was wonderful. The fish would come up to you, it was a little freaky at first but it was a lasting memory.

Places I remember eating are Bobby Magees in Waikiki, the Yum Yum Tree and the Old Spaghetti Warehouse, I am not sure that they still exsist because this was 19yrs ago but at the time they were all quiet good.

I would like to suggest a run to the mall to pick up a swimsuit...you can't miss swimming in Hawaii. My theory has always been as long as my swimsuit fit properly...so that nothing was hanging out...I don't care what others think and it has been my experience there is always some larger...KWIM??

Enjoy your vacation!

Kelly

 

[Hermosa11]

Yes, we are in Red Hill Area, specifically, the Aliamanu Military Reservation.
We leave down Bougainville Drive and approach Salt Lake Blvd. and there is the school. I will take a photo in next couple of days. Would have been better over weekend without the kids around (thus, one can drive into parking lot area easier).....
I have already swam in the waikiki and sandy beach areas.....okay, it was years ago .....but still, I have done it.

Daughter is slow to get going in the morning - as I am the opposite - so we are a hard match. And since I am at the mercy of her driving....and I don't want to "take off" too much without her....I mean, the purpose was to visit daughter...
But I have suggested Waimia (sp) Falls, and north beach....

She has met this lovely lady here while at work at Macy's. Very Aloha spirit to the lady. DD has spoken to her about her mother coming to visit and the last time the lady was at the store, looked for DD and she was so kind to ask (and remember!) if her mom was still coming out....and the lady said , you must go to a luau! Germaine's specifically. She has some connection with this Luau....what connection specifically, I do not know. They connected yesterday on the phone ....the lady is in Reno, NV and was going to San Francisco in a day or two....(hummm, high level connection, since they are jet setting ).....so she took DD's last name and number in our party and we plan on going this coming Friday. How cool is that. (hummmm, I wonder if it will be free)................

 

[Hermosa11]

One thing I am hankering for. And that is a cup of Kona Coffee.
I love Starbucks, don't get me wrong. But you see so many varities of the Kona Coffee for sale everywhere and unfortunately dd does not have a coffee pot and I am too cheap to spend $20 for two (now) weeks worth of use. I was in an ABC store in Ala Moana Mall and bought a cup! and they had teeny tiny cups for free at the Hilo Hattie store and I had a cup there and snuck a cup home. But where does one enjoy those delightful flavors they sell? I know I will be buying a few flavors to bring home, but I want some NOW!!!

 

[Judy from Boise]

Not trying to offend anyone, just pointing out that in my experience many of the local women who fully engage in outdoor activities are not sterotypically slender. I think the "locals" are much better at accepting all body types than the tourists are!

 

[Hermosa11]

Judy from Boise. I feel that you are so correct. It is that stupid mindframe we get sucked into! I see beautiful island women (over 40) that are of many shapes and they look beautiful in their mumus. The style fits here, but it just would look so out of place in my local. I love it here!!!!!

Today was an awesome day!!! Just Awesome! DD drove us to Hale Koa parking garage (across street from Hilton Hawaiian Village and Hale Koa). We got out and started to roam. Roaming is just not something that dd does. Just not her style. I knew that I was "forceing" her. But we went into the Hilton Hawaiian Village and strolled. We approached the beach area. Here is view of the beach area.

Then we found an "entrance" from beach walkway towards the Hale Koa.
Gosh , the grounds at this Hotel is just lucious! So much greenery!

This is a great view of grounds area of Hale Koa...

This is a view of the Hale Koa's reception area...

I knew this was as much walking that dd could handle. ha ha ha
So I freely suggested that she feel free to dump me somewhere and then pick me up afterwards when dsil's appt. is thru (3pmish) at Tripler....
She agreed, we got to car, and drove to the "main drag waikiki area".....
there was a red light right in front of the Moana Surfrider and I said this is perfect, she said as i was exiting "You sure you're okay with this"?
She had no idea how this is sooo FINE with me.
So I get out and mosey to the Moana Surfrider. SUCH a beautiful hotel.
they have rocking chairs on their "porch"....people rocking away and I say
I want to do that!!!! I go inside and a couple in wedding garb are having their photo taken ...I ask where I can get a paper....they suggest "over there" and I am getting my coin purse out and she said the paper is right over there ....for FREE!!!!! OMG, this is just too cool for me!
So I then mosey to the back area closer to beach area. I see so many beautiful chairs and people relaxing. I sit down and say to myself this is heaven! I then see a beachside bar and go over and get a cup of coffee.
I see a table right next to the beach area!

This is the view I had this morning with my FREE paper and cup of coffee . I kind of realize that this is meant for table service, so I am not that brave and head back to the other table. It is less breezy and fine with me.
So this is my view

Gosh, I think this is a beautiful 2nd rating view !
The married couple are over near me and I take a photo

So I am now thru with coffee and paper. I get up and head to the restroom and wash hands from newsprint. I roam towards the statue , call dh and tell him to take a look at me!

view of ocean, see the ship in the far off distance?

Then I moseyed over to the Hyatt. There were three beautiful Asian brides (and their gooms of course)....had to take a photo
Here are two of them:

 

[Hermosa11]

I took a photo of this hotel that dh and I stayed at way back in 1982!
I would stay here in a heartbeat! Small, great price! and family owned

Then I spied a place to get Kona Coffee....I just did not get coffee here, but I could have!!!!

I then found a little park area (benches, etc) and sat for a bit..
what a view...

Up the ways there was a seal that got its way to the sand for some sun and rest:

Many people were looking.....

I then roamed over towards the Royal Hawaiian grounds

OMG, you have got to use the restroom at the Royal Hawaiian!!! it is so pretty!

Then I went over to the Sheraton and found an "express" type food area and got a Loco Moco!!!! VERY filling. Rice, (bottom) then hamburger patty and then egg on top with gravy. My boss told me to have one and I actually liked it!!!

now the adventure begins..I start heading up towards the Hilton Hawaiian Village and my goal was Ala Moana Mall! I knew it would be a walk....
Got over to the HHV and I saw that I was approaching a bus stop and looked at the various busses that stop here and saw #8 goes to mall and I look down and here it comes!!!!!!
I start rummaging for $2!!!! hurry!!!!!! whew, found it, get on and it is packed. No problem, I have commuted to my work on a bus. I saved myself some walking ... We arrive and I roam just a bit...
I am now looking for bus 54....I believe it is on the OTHER side of the mall,
I get there after roaming the mall and do NOT see the #54 on the signs.
A bus #43 was there and I asked about the #54.....he starts saying it no longer stops at the mall but at X$#$#T stop (OMG, I dont what he is saying)
I turn around like (I will just have daughter pick me up here), he calls me back and tells me to listen to him! OMG, am I in trouble with the bus driver??? He explains he will take me to that stop where I can pick up the #54. He is so nice and gives me back my transfer so I can use it on THAT bus. WE get there and he tells me what to do....(so nice)....and I wait and I end up seeing another bus with Arizona Memorial on the lettering and Aloha Stadium. These are VERY close to dd's house, so I get on that.
We are now approaching "home base" area and I see dsil's work! I get off at next stop. The drive remembered that I asked for Aloha Stadium and asked me where I was going and I said I was going to have DD pick me up, but I thanked him for his concern....aloha spirt.....
I call dd and she said her car's cooling system is worrying her. I say I can just wait for dsil to get off work and we can walk home....she said no, she will pick me up. she does.....

That was just a cool adventure. I was really worried about the bus system, and it was still ....what's the word.....worrysome, but still cool! That last bus I got on stopped at china town, and the capitol, and major sightseeing stops! very cool

okay, Tues, will be going to Goodyear with dd to see about car. no big adventure.....
What a fun day!!!!! I am going to do that again!
aloha

 

[icebrat001]

Beautiful pictures. I am happy you are enjoying yourself. You should be welcomed to some warm weather when you get back home in 2 weeks. It's been in the 60's lately.

 

[Michelle2]

What a great thread! I love seeing your pictures! It sounds like you are having a great time. It also sounds like you are doing about the same things that I did when I went to Hawaii. It's been awhile, but so nice to hear familiar places, and see pictures of places I loved. I loved Pearl Harbor and the memorials...just awesome!

We even went to Germaine's Luau...it was ok, but I was with a huge group of rowdy high school kids, and since it was in the summer, there were also alot of rowdy college kids, and that was a little intimidating. They encourage alot of audience participation, and it got a little out of hand and a little distasteful at times....

If you ever get a chance to head north, we really loved the Polynesian Cultural center, and Kualoa Ranch---alot of movies and "Lost" is filmed there. Just beautiful! I also agree with those that said to go and get in the water--body surfing, boogie boarding, snorkeling...Hanauma bay was one of my favorites!
Hope you have a great rest of your trip, and thanks so much for taking the tiime and sharing with us!

 

[Longsx3]

Yes, we are in Red Hill Area, specifically, the Aliamanu Military Reservation.
We leave down Bougainville Drive and approach Salt Lake Blvd. and there is the school. I will take a photo in next couple of days. Would have been better over weekend without the kids around (thus, one can drive into parking lot area easier).....
I have already swam in the waikiki and sandy beach areas.....okay, it was years ago .....but still, I have done it.

...........

Aliamanu is exactly where we lived! I had to join Navy JROTC to go to Radford and I can remember walking up the hill (Maybe Bougainville drive) to get home. It was not a very fun walk in uniform!

I also remember the mall you mentioned because there use to be a Farrell's (sp?) Ice cream palor there.

You bus adventures sound wonderful.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Thanks so much for sharing your trip and the PICTURES!!

I'm enjoying this, we had our best vacation ever there last year, and got to stay at the Royal Hawaiian (the pink hotel) - it was just gorgeous.

Glad you're having such a wonderful time.

 

[Skatermom23]

I'll be at the Hale Koa in July! Although, I have been before, it was nice to see the photos to refresh my memory! It still looks great!
Kiddos used to go to a private school across the street from costco called Navy Hale Keiki...is it still there? I believe it is on Bougainville Drive.