Day 26: Oahu - The Gathering Place

A quick overnight trip of less than 90 miles took us from Nawiliwili Kauai to Honolulu, Oahu. We docked at 6.30 am, about 90 minutes early, at a downtown pier across from the Iolani Palace. We witnessed sunrise from behind the multiple 50 story skyscrapers that litter the skyline after a majestic bonus sunset in Kauai. Honolulu (meaning "sheltered bay") is really just a big city that happens to be on a beach. We honeymooned here in 1982 and did the classic stuff like Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Pig/Luaus etc. The last time we visited (2018), we went for the more classic sights like Pearl Harbour.  


For our excursion today, we're heading to the North and East of the island and checking out some of the beaches and cliffs up there. More on that below.




Oahu is only the 3rd largest island (and only the 20th largest island in the US - thanks Wikipedia), yet it is the most populated Hawaiian island at almost 1 million inhabitants. Most of them seem to be in cars on Ala Moana Blvd today. Way back in history, before Henry Ford, you can trace civilization on the island to 300 AD. Fast forward, and the Kingdom of O'ahu ruled the islands for over 300 years. Between 1773 and 1810, the various islands and kingdoms fought bitterly but were eventually unified under King Kamehameha III. To celebrate the unification of the islands, he moved his capital from Lahaina, Maui, to Honolulu. 



That resulted in the construction of the Iolani Palace - which still stands and is the only royal palace on American soil. It also flies the British Union Jack as part of the Hawaiin flag (thanks to James Cook). Between 2.8 and 4 million years before all that, it was created, like all of its cousins, by volcanic activity. There are two dormant volcanoes on the island - Wai'anae and Ko'olau.



For our excursion today, we went up to the Eastern side of the island. First stop was Halona Cove at Hanauma Bay. Better known as the "From Here To Eternity" beach after the legendary love scene between Warden and Karen. The driver said we didn't have enough time at the stop to make it down onto the beach, which was, of course, a challenge - so here is me on the FHTE beach. Without Allison, who declined to join me because of bad knees and too many people watching! 

Then we moved onto Pal Nu'Uaua - which is the site of the eventual defeat of the Oahu forces by King Kamehameha as he unified the islands back in the early 1800's. After initial skirmishes in Honolulu, the Oahu forces were driven into the hills and ended up, literally, backed into a cliff. It was either fight and be pushed off the cliffs or jump. There was no surrender option except for the nobles. 400 warriors died.

Compare the illustration with my shot of the cliffs. Trust me when I say if you look down, it's 1,000 feet before you hit bottom. 
Tonight we are in Honolulu until 11pm. Then we arrive in Kahului, Maui about 8am. If all goes according to plan, Allison will go whale watching on a Zodiac, and I'll be hiking through the rainforest.

And finally - a big hullo to Morgan and Rylee (we bought some presents today)







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