Wahines on Tour - Hawaii and peek at Aulani! LAST DAY IN THE SUNSHINE UPDATE 8/6

[MAGICFOR2]

This is where we get the Dole Whips?

Having finished our historical tour, it was time to head on up the island in search of the original Dole Whip! We headed NW on H2, up into the hills – kind of right along a Mtn Range - it was a beautiful Drive – it is also known as King Kamehameha Hwy.
We followed the signs and found it, just in the middle of a country field – kind of felt like any farm area in the mainland – until we saw the entrance sign –

We parked and walked around outside in the display gardens around the building.

Did you know pineapples don’t grow on trees? I always thought they grew in some kind of palm tree that resembled the tops of pineapples somehow. They grow on the ground inside the long leaves of the plant.

The plant blooms only once, and takes up to 3 yrs to form a good sized pineapple.
Cute little baby ones:

They start out with blue flowers

Some other kind of plant – I was trying out my fancy camera skills

They had a bridge with a pond and some big goldfish – I mean carp – I mean Koi – of course you could buy some fish food to watch a feeding frenzy - this always grosses me out

About this time, I realized that my camera battery was looking low and we had some other places to be today, so I stopped taking pics at Dole. We checked on the tram ride through the farm so they could give a narrated tour. It was $10 pp to ride – we decided to just go in and shop. There was every kind of pineapple goody you could imagine – candy, cookies, dried, canned, cakes, powdered, drink mixes, you name it. There were cook books and utensils and all kinds of wearable items with the logo on them, as well as toys and skin care items, etc.
Michelle knew I was excited to have a Dole Whip, so she surprised me with the yummy deliciousness while I was still shopping around – I was It was very delicious and refreshing, although maybe not as sweet as the Disney ones - I think I liked that better.
We watched a pineapple cutting demo, and then we got samples of the pineapple sprinkled with a sugary, spicy salt mixture – that’s how the Hawaiins like it. I know I bought some, but I’m not sure where it ended up. I bought two pineapple to bring back on the plane, as our office was having a Hawaiin lunch the week I got back. Jim purchased a case and brought it back on the military plane when he came.
There were “pearl ladies” everywhere with coupons for free pearl, percent off, etc. I went to the booth outside and got a beautiful pearl, and then I “won” another oyster with a set of twins in it – perfect size for earrings. I gave the twins to Michelle, and had my pearl mounted on a plain little bale. I bought a chain that I could use with that one, and also with my mother of pearl and gold “slipper” I had bought earlier in the week as my one main souvie of the trip. (I’ll have to post a pic of that little gem later – I love it!)
About now, we were starting to get hungry, so we decided it was time to get to the famous shrimp truck the boys knew about – it is the “best” one and it is right over there….. at the ocean – “right up North Shore somewhere”….
TO BE CONTINUED – PLEASE ENJOY YOUR PINEAPPLE

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Got a pic of my pearl and my slipper - I had always admired my Hawaii going aunt's slipper - hers was gold with diamonds on it - yeah, not happenin' just the gold one was $600 without the diamonds. So I settled for this mother of pearl with a golf strap - it was on sale for $93 - more my price range. Funny, by the time I bought the chain and the pearl, I still spent over $300, then had to come back home and buy gold hoop earrings to match, which I spent too much on and then promptly lost one of....

Happy Sunday everyone! We are headed up to Salem to do Jim's retirement briefing tomorrow!!!

 

[anewmac]

Hmm that Hawaiian mixture for the pineapple sounds like something E put on his watermelon. Not my cup of tea I don like spicy lol

That slipper is so cute to bad everything was a la cart to put it together lol

Ok waiting for more but I don't like pineapple much so I'm gonna have some grapes (in the pressed form lol)

 

[pkondz]

Having finished our historical tour, it was time to head on up the island in search of the original Dole Whip!

A worthy goal.

We headed NW on H2, up into the hills – kind of right along a Mtn Range - it was a beautiful Drive – it is also known as King Kamehameha Hwy.

Or as our GPS called it "cam-eh, ham-eh, ha-highway".

We followed the signs and found it, just in the middle of a country field – kind of felt like any farm area in the mainland

We stumbled on it by accident. Didn't even know it was there until we drove past. We decided not to stop, so I'm glad you did.

See? With you around I don't need to go everywhere. You'll fill in the gaps!

Did you know pineapples don’t grow on trees?

Yes I did. But only 'cause I saw some while there, too.

I always thought they grew in some kind of palm tree that resembled the tops of pineapples somehow.

Me too! Must've been some cartoon when we were little that had that.

The plant blooms only once, and takes up to 3 yrs to form a good sized pineapple.

Did not know that. That's a long time, isn't it? I just assumed it would be about 6 months or so.

They had a bridge with a pond and some big goldfish

Gotcha.

– I mean carp

Check.

– I mean Koi

K.

– of course you could buy some fish food to watch a feeding frenzy - this always grosses me out

No. What grosses me out is what happens after they've eaten. Ever owned a goldfish? I call 'em "pigs of the sea".

Not the cleanest fish you could own.

We checked on the tram ride through the farm so they could give a narrated tour. It was $10 pp to ride – we decided to just go in and shop.

Smart move. I can imagine the $10 narrated ride...

"And if you'll look to your left, you'll see a vast field of pineapple. Oh! Look to your right! Those are pineapple! As we round the corner, if you'll look ahead, you'll soon be able to see some pineapple..." ad infinitum, ad nauseum.

There was every kind of pineapple goody you could imagine – candy, cookies, dried, canned, cakes, powdered, drink mixes, you name it.

I bought some of those goodies back in town. And they were good too.

There were cook books and utensils and all kinds of wearable items with the logo on them, as well as toys and skin care items, etc.

I can't imagine wearing anything that says 'Dole' on it. Either you're going to be mistaken for a Bob Dole supporter (political or environmental or just mental) or a nutbar who realllly likes pineapple.

Michelle knew I was excited to have a Dole Whip, so she surprised me with the yummy deliciousness while I was still shopping around – I was It was very delicious and refreshing, although maybe not as sweet as the Disney ones - I think I liked that better.

Hey! That's the same reaction I had. Not quite as good as Disney's. I chalked it up to not being in MK. You know, the ambiance makes the treat. But maybe I was wrong and it just wasn't as good.

We watched a pineapple cutting demo,

Just curious. But was it really fast? It usually takes me a couple of minutes to completely cut one up.

and then we got samples of the pineapple sprinkled with a sugary, spicy salt mixture – that’s how the Hawaiins like it.

Interesting. I'd've liked to have tried that.

I bought two pineapple to bring back on the plane, as our office was having a Hawaiin lunch the week I got back. Jim purchased a case and brought it back on the military plane when he came.

I considered bringing back some pineapple, but I wasn't sure if there were any restrictions on bringing them back to Canada.

Plus as it turned out, we didn't have any more room.

There were “pearl ladies” everywhere with coupons for free pearl, percent off, etc.

I know! Those people are everywhere! You couldn't turn around without running into another one.

I went to the booth outside and got a beautiful pearl, and then I “won” another oyster with a set of twins in it – perfect size for earrings.

Did you get the feeling that the pearls are virtually worthless to the vendor and all they really want to do is sell you the mounts, etc.?

I bought a chain that I could use with that one, and also with my mother of pearl and gold “slipper” I had bought earlier in the week as my one main souvie of the trip. (I’ll have to post a pic of that little gem later – I love it!)

Saw the pic. I'm sorry that I didn't see one myself. I would've probably purchased two for the DDs as a nice souvie.


Maybe it's just as well...

About now, we were starting to get hungry, so we decided it was time to get to the famous shrimp truck the boys knew about – it is the “best” one and it is right over there….. at the ocean – “right up North Shore somewhere”….
TO BE CONTINUED – PLEASE ENJOY YOUR PINEAPPLE

If it's the one I'm thinking of, you've got quite the drive ahead of you! Thanks for the chapter!

 

[dizneeat]

Oh my gosh - I didn't even realize Dole was there!!!!! Looks so interesting. Thanks for posting, Tammie, even without pics I could perfectly picture that.

Oh, and lovely souvenirs!!!!!!!

 

[laura74]

Very interesting Tammie. I had no idea that's how pineapples grow and that they take up to three years! That spice mixture on pineapple sounds delicious.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[eandesmom]

Love the pics of the pineapple plants and your slipper is adorable!!!

 

[jedijill]

Once you've had pineapple in Hawaii the pineapple on the Mainland just doesn't measure up!

Jill in CO

 

[lovegrumpy]

My list keeps getting longer.

 

[kmedina]

I do not like pineapples, so I have never had a dole whip. I’ve never seen one growing before. It looks so different and red. Since I do not like to wear it (other than my wedding band), I never buy jewelry. You pearl and necklace are very beautiful. I’ve heard they do cool things like that at certain places. If I ever have a daughter (and she turns out be to girlie, unlike me), I will buy her something like that when she is old enough to take care of it.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

mmmm pineapple...and a dole whip to boot.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hmm that Hawaiian mixture for the pineapple sounds like something E put on his watermelon. Not my cup of tea I don like spicy lol

That slipper is so cute to bad everything was a la cart to put it together lol

Ok waiting for more but I don't like pineapple much so I'm gonna have some grapes (in the pressed form lol)

Jim said they put something like that on their mangos in the Phillipines. There must be a few versions of it!

I'm happy to have my slipper, but it was quite expensive in the long run.

Enjoy your grapes!

A worthy goal.



Or as our GPS called it "cam-eh, ham-eh, ha-highway".

Ours did too! I forgot about that!

We stumbled on it by accident. Didn't even know it was there until we drove past. We decided not to stop, so I'm glad you did.



See? With you around I don't need to go everywhere. You'll fill in the gaps!

Glad to help!

Yes I did. But only 'cause I saw some while there, too.



Me too! Must've been some cartoon when we were little that had that.



Did not know that. That's a long time, isn't it? I just assumed it would be about 6 months or so.



Gotcha.



Check.



K.



No. What grosses me out is what happens after they've eaten. Ever owned a goldfish? I call 'em "pigs of the sea".

Not the cleanest fish you could own.

Ewwww

Smart move. I can imagine the $10 narrated ride...

"And if you'll look to your left, you'll see a vast field of pineapple. Oh! Look to your right! Those are pineapple! As we round the corner, if you'll look ahead, you'll soon be able to see some pineapple..." ad infinitum, ad nauseum.

That's kind of what I was thinking.

I bought some of those goodies back in town. And they were good too.
We got the cookies - Yummmm!


I can't imagine wearing anything that says 'Dole' on it. Either you're going to be mistaken for a Bob Dole supporter (political or environmental or just mental) or a nutbar who realllly likes pineapple.



Hey! That's the same reaction I had. Not quite as good as Disney's. I chalked it up to not being in MK. You know, the ambiance makes the treat. But maybe I was wrong and it just wasn't as good.

I was thinking that might be the case.

Just curious. But was it really fast? It usually takes me a couple of minutes to completely cut one up.

It was so cool! You cut it in half length-wise, leaves and all, cut the core mostly off, then cut in between the rind and the fruit all in one piece.- they use a curved knife you could buy for $12.95 - I didn't. 4th, you cut small slices across, and then for a really fancy presentation you arrange them staggered them across the halves - slightly left, slightly right, etc.

Interesting. I'd've liked to have tried that.



I considered bringing back some pineapple, but I wasn't sure if there were any restrictions on bringing them back to Canada.

I'm not sure - the people there will know - they knew how much I could take and how it needed to be packaged. The airlines don't charge for the extra carry-on box of pineapple as a courtesy.

Plus as it turned out, we didn't have any more room.



I know! Those people are everywhere! You couldn't turn around without running into another one.



Did you get the feeling that the pearls are virtually worthless to the vendor and all they really want to do is sell you the mounts, etc.?
Yup. It was definitely the gold sales they were after.


Saw the pic. I'm sorry that I didn't see one myself. I would've probably purchased two for the DDs as a nice souvie.
I'm sure they woud love it!

Maybe it's just as well...



If it's the one I'm thinking of, you've got quite the drive ahead of you! Thanks for the chapter!

It was "just around the bend"

Oh my gosh - I didn't even realize Dole was there!!!!! Looks so interesting. Thanks for posting, Tammie, even without pics I could perfectly picture that.

Oh, and lovely souvenirs!!!!!!!

I'm glad I could "paint the picture for you!" Thanks for the compliments - I'm really happy I got those pieces!

Very interesting Tammie. I had no idea that's how pineapples grow and that they take up to three years! That spice mixture on pineapple sounds delicious.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

It was fun learning about them, fore sure.

Love the pics of the pineapple plants and your slipper is adorable!!!

Thank you! I know you are so busy this week, so thanks for taking the time to comment!

Once you've had pineapple in Hawaii the pineapple on the Mainland just doesn't measure up!

Jill in CO

That is so true! Actually the Hawaiin pineapple isn't as good as the Okinawan pineapple - that is the best I've had!

My list keeps getting longer.

Uh-Oh! Sounds like you need more days!

I do not like pineapples, so I have never had a dole whip. I’ve never seen one growing before. It looks so different and red. Since I do not like to wear it (other than my wedding band), I never buy jewelry. You pearl and necklace are very beautiful. I’ve heard they do cool things like that at certain places. If I ever have a daughter (and she turns out be to girlie, unlike me), I will buy her something like that when she is old enough to take care of it.

Or maybe you will have a grandaughter and she will turn out to be girly!

mmmm pineapple...and a dole whip to boot.

Dan! Glad you showed up for dessert! How are the kiddos? how is Candi?

 

[CRdisMom]

there is something about having the fruit where it is grown. Nothing beats the orange whip I had in Venice, FL a million years ago. I can almost smell the plantation. Looks so beautiful. The Koi are litte pigs. Mine are horrible. The come up anytime they hear a human voice. Guess Pavlov was right...LOL

So if you are headed to the base for a retirment breifing, I am assuming they may have worked out the retirement issues? fingers crossed

 

[glennbo123]

Loved all of the pictures of the mighty Mo and the pineapple farm....but I'm really looking forward to the shrimp truck update! I hope you got the coordinates, I may need to find it someday.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Dan! Glad you showed up for dessert! How are the kiddos? how is Candi?

hello,
ive been reading along just dont always have time to comment on every thread.

family is good, little missy is walking all over the place...candi is good to...and so is parker.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

there is something about having the fruit where it is grown. Nothing beats the orange whip I had in Venice, FL a million years ago. I can almost smell the plantation. Looks so beautiful. The Koi are litte pigs. Mine are horrible. The come up anytime they hear a human voice. Guess Pavlov was right...LOL

So if you are headed to the base for a retirment breifing, I am assuming they may have worked out the retirement issues? fingers crossed

mmm, I love orange creamy stuff! Do they grow those little oranges in Venice?

No, the briefing was "in case" it all works out Jim is pretty sure it will all work out - just waiting for the letter.

Loved all of the pictures of the mighty Mo and the pineapple farm....but I'm really looking forward to the shrimp truck update! I hope you got the coordinates, I may need to find it someday.

Thanks, Glenn! I will try to get to the shrimp truck tonight!

hello,
ive been reading along just dont always have time to comment on every thread.

family is good, little missy is walking all over the place...candi is good to...and so is parker.

I'm glad to hear you are all fine! I'll bet the kids are really big - do you have pics on FB? I never see anyone's stuff on FB anymore unless it is posted right when I log on.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

I'm glad to hear you are all fine! I'll be the kids are really big - do you have pics on FB? I never see anyone's stuff on FB anymore unless it is posted right when I log on.

yep just go check mine out...there are more on candis but she tags me on alot..

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Let's see, where did we put that shrimp truck? Jim and Wayne were sure the truck they had eaten at before was just along North Shore - they were determined to treat us to that one to compare to the one we had eaten at earlier in the week.

Along the way, we saw lots of little bays with crazy surfers. There weren't alot of people actually surfing becaue the surf was so rough, but there was lots of traffice and congestion. It seemsed like you could just stop and park anywhere - Hang Ten! we stopped at North Shore - we found one of those little beach towns - I don't remember the name -maybe it was North Shore - and went for a walk about.

Michelle had seen a swimsuit factory listed - really just a boutique I think. She didn't see anything she was interested in. We wandered in and out of T-shirt and souvie stores - came across an artist who had some murals and surfboards - after I took some Pics, I saw a sign that said "no pics please" Oh well.


Let's see, where did we put that shrimp truck? Jim and Wayne were sure the truck they had eaten at before was just along North Shore - they were determined to treat us to that one to compare to the one we had eaten at earlier in the week.

Along the way, we saw lots of little bays with crazy surfers. There weren't alot of people actually surfing becaue the surf was so rough, but there was lots of traffice and congestion. It seemsed like you could just stop and park anywhere - Hang Ten!

we stopped at North Shore - we found one of those little beach towns - I don't remember the name - and went for a walk about.

Michelle had seen a swimsuit factory listed - really just a boutique I think. She didn't see anything she was interested in. We wandered in and out of T-shirt and souvie stores - came across an artist who had some murals and surfboards - They were really good - I'm pretty sure I've seen his work before. Just as I pulled out my camera, thinking of you, of course, I saw a sign that said no pics, please. I have to insert random smileys, cuz I don't have enough pics!

I went inside a soap and candle factory, which was a tiny little shop that smelled heavenly! Michelle sent me in there because she knows I'm into natural skin care, etc. and they made some organic items and used essential oils in all of it. I had to buy some soaps for my girls and I and then I bought a little bottle of oil which smelled wonderful and is good on cuticles, etc. I was chatting with the owner, who had been carving soap a moment before, asking about which items were organic, and he gave me a free bar of organic soap as a gift! It is wrapped in pink tissue paper with black polka dots and it smells divine! I didn't use it, I put it in a drawer to make my clothes smell divine. I think he has a website - I'm going to look him up and order some....

Well, Anyhoo - Once we had roamed around and shopped a bit, we got back on the road in search of the shrimp.

It became a chorus of "are we there yet?" "Is this the one?" to which the boys answered - "it's just around this next corner here...." So far we had cut North up through the center of the Island through the mountains, then hit North Shore and we were heading East - then we turned South and guess where we were - Yup. - WINDWARD again I think we were quite far to the South again - maybe about Kahaluu when we discovered it - (Sound heavenly music here - aaah-AAHH--oooo ) The holy grail of Shrimp trucks!!!

Monkey Mike's Huli Huli

Now, I hope you understand that this part of the story is not about poking fun or disrespect at all. I just want you to picture this because it made the day so surreal. I didn't take a picture, because I didn't know how to do it gracefully.

Just as we got out of the car, the clouds burst open and the rain came down in buckets! Luckily, Mike's had Umbrellas strategically placed all through the outdoor seating area, so you could stand under them to look at the menu. There were some people ordering, so we started perusing. The couple stepped away from the window, and the gentleman who was inside taking orders just made me do a double take. He had curvature of the spine, and then he was kind of hunched over to look out the window - he had kind of a character actor face - very square jaw, chisled cheekbones, very wide forehead, stringy dark hair - large eyes that looked in opposite directions - and he was kind of rocking back and forth while he looked out waiting for one of us to step up and order. I'm thinking maybe his back hurt. It was kind of like a scene out of a Monty Python movie or something, but Our waiter was very nice, and very helpful.

Ummm, I kind of got my bearings, did a mental head shake, and we stepped up and ordered - which was very fast, because the truck itself was out in the rain!

This is the other truck - probably for supplies and there was a sink we were invited to use out back - the BBQ was back there and Mike was back there cooking!

I don't know what everyone had - I think Jim and I shared some garlic shrimp, some Macaroni salad and sticky rice, and a Chocolate Banana milkshake.

Okay, this garlic shrimp was TDF!!! Well worth the wait and the long drive, and sitting under umbrellas with the wind blowing the rain sideways at you while your goosebumps have goosebumps.

Our waiter from the window - I think his name was Jerry - came out to greet us. He let me know that I was eating the shrimp all wrong. Because it is peel and eat, but hot, I was peeling all the garlic off with the shell - you are supposed to suck the garlic and butter off and then peel it and eat it. I believe my stomach thanked me for leaving a little of the garlic behind.


Jerry asked us where we were from and I guessed he was from New Jersey. I was close, it was Boston. He had come out to visit a friend and never left. He loves the laid back life in hawaii and never wants to go back to the rat race. I don't blame him. We so enjoyed meeting him and talking with him - I should have asked him to pose for a pic with us or something. That was one of the fun things about this trip - hearing all the stories of the people we met. Such a colorful place.

Of course, as soon as we were done eating, the rain stopped and we were on our way again. Now we were on a mission to find a waterfall....

Next - The One in Which I Lose my Top

 

[podsnel]

Was the town called Haleiwa? That's the verry charming, well known surfer town you hit right when you get to the North Shore. But I guess you hit it first when you come up in the middle, not the windward side. I can't wait to see it for myself! I'm really looking forward to hitting some shrimp trucks and getting some shave ice up there in less than a month. Wooohoooooo!!!!!!!!!

 

[mmeb144]

Next - The One in Which I Lose my Top

Well, at least you aren't going to get hurt...