HAWAII - 1988
After our Grand Tour in 1981 and 1982, we took trips to British Columbia for salmon fishing for three years and then fished in the State of Utah for two years. We then decided that we wanted to tour the Central States that we missed on our Grand Tour, so in 1987 we took 10 months and traveled 14,000 miles covering 29 states and returned to Yuma, Arizona on January 6, 1988.
When we were traveling on this trip our precious companion Lady II passed away in Montana, it was hard for us to continue on this trip but we still had so many places to see. We toured the Central States back down to Florida and as we kept talking about getting another dog we came across a Maltese puppy in South Carolina that was going to be available in a few weeks.
We knew we wanted to go to Hawaii, and getting a puppy now was not the right time so we continued on our trip. As we were heading back to Arizona we made plans to take a cruise ship to tour the Hawaiian Islands for our 23rd Anniversary. We were going to fly over and rent vehicles at the different islands that we wanted to see but that got too complicated, and so we decided to take the cruise ship.
We booked our flight for January 30, 1988, leaving Los Angeles International Airport for Hawaii, yet still on our minds was trying to find another pet. As we left Yuma to drive over to Los Angeles for our flight, we stopped at a restaurant to get a bite to eat. Nancy got a local paper and saw a private party ad selling a Maltese puppy in Los Angeles. She called the number and they had two females that were 8 weeks old, we said that we could drive to Los Angeles to look at one of them, put a deposit down, and pick her up after our 10-day trip to Hawaii. They agreed to this and we drove out of our way to pick her up from the litter gave them the deposit and then drove to LAX to catch our flight.
This would be a perfect ending to our trip to come back and get a new puppy as our traveling companion.
Here, we are above the clouds at 35,000 feet, now approaching Honolulu airport on Oahu and the coast. We made it, to touchdown at the airport.
We booked the cruise while we were heading back from the East Coast, the ship is the SS Constitution a 30,090-ton vessel that holds 798 passengers. This is the American Flag Luxury cruise ship that we boarded to sail around the Hawaiian Islands.
The next ship is the SS Independence a sister ship that also cruises around the islands. On top of the cruise ship is the Hawaiian State Flag which is the British Union Jack. This was a gift from Captain Vancouver to King Kamehameha which he flew in front of his various homes. In 1816 eight Red, White, and Blue stripes were added for each of the Islands.
Aboard the ship, we went to our stateroom and then walked around the deck, a view of the pool area. We left the dock and are cruising to the Island of Molokai, the forgotten island. This has the greatest ratio of Hawaiians in the state at 37% and is the fifth-largest of the main Hawaiian Islands and the 27th-largest island in the United States. It is 37 miles long and 10 miles wide. It is nicknamed the “The Friendly Isle” for its welcoming residents and open-armed invitation to visitors.
Inside the ship is the Beachcomber Bar and the Hibiscus Dining Room. Approaching Maui, Maui is the second-largest island and began as two separate volcanic peaks West Maui Mountain and Haleakala. They were so close together that thousands of years ago they fused, West Maui Mountains are considered an extinct volcano, but Haleakala is still active and is expected to erupt within the next 200 years.
One thing that makes traveling via a cruise ship is that you can select what tours you want to take as you approach another island to explore. On board with the cruise director, they have many selections and we booked them all at one time knowing which ones we wanted to see.
Here, we are on our way to Haleakala National Park, “House of the Sun,” going from sea level to over 10,023 feet in elevation to the summit of Puu Ulaula and Summit Hill. In the background, you can see Maalaea Bay.
The beautiful “Silversword Plant,” is a native plant and the spheres of silvery-dagger-shaped leaves are endemic to the dry cinder portions of the crater. This is a rare and endangered plant unique to Haleakala on Maui and grows at altitudes between 5,000 and 10,000 feet. The towering blooms can reach a height of 6 feet and take decades to bloom, but after the first and only bloom the plant can live from 15 to 50 years more and then die.
A view of Kahului Bay from the ranger station at Haleakala National Park, and the road from the valley to the top of the mountain. One tour that the cruise ship offered was a bike ride from the top of the mountain at 10,000 feet descending the road to the valley at sea level. You can see several people gathering with helmets on and bright yellow jackets. We did not want to do this as it was a long day trip, and we wanted to see other places on Maui.
Bill and Nancy standing at the edge of the crater, one of the largest on Earth. It is 7.5 miles long, 2.5 miles wide, and about 3,000 feet deep. The last eruption occurred in 1790.
Leaving Haleakala we travel to Iao Valley State Park located within the West Maui Forest. This is a 4,000-acre, 10-mile park, and the 1,200-foot Iao Needle. In 1790 at the Battle of Kepaniwai, is where King Kamehameha I clashed with Maui’s army in his quest to unite the islands. He defeated the army that changed the course of Hawaiian history. We walked the trail and saw the beautiful stream and Iao Needle.
Our tour included a trip to Maui’s Tropical Plantation where we toured the area, and I am standing in front of the giant “Travelers Palm,” no matter how you plant it, it will always grow east to west. The traveler’s palm gets its name from the fact that thirsty travelers could find stores of water in many parts of the plant. We had a great lunch included with our tour.
Leaving the plantation we arrived in the town of Lahaina where Bill was standing in front of a large Banyan Tree. The area where the trees are spans over 1.94 acres, over the length of a city block. The trees grow to over 60 feet. This tree was planted in Lahaina in 1873 has 16 major trunks, and covers an acre, making it the largest banyan tree not only in Hawaii but also in the United States and one of the most massive in the world. They have put support beams under the limbs for support.
Leaving Maui and cruising to the Big Island of Hawaii we arrive at Hilo and the SS Constitution is docked at Hilo. We have a tour booked to go to the Nani Mau Gardens which covers 20 acres. The gardens have more than 225 flowering plants, tropical fruit trees, and orchids. The beautiful Hybrid Vanda Orchid is throughout the gardens as well as the dense forest of palm trees. Nancy is standing next to the Vanda Joaquim Orchid.
We then travel to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The Crater Rim Drive circles 11 miles around Kilauea Caldera at an elevation of 4,000 feet. The caldera is 2.5 miles wide and covers 2,600 acres. Looking at the photos, you can see steam vents rising from Halemaumau Crater, known as the home of Pele, the volcano goddess. Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world’s most massive shield volcano.
Walking around the area, you can see a large fissure in Kilauea, A’a (“ah-ah”) is a rough, blocky lava flow, and Nancy is standing next to the Pahoehoe, which is a smooth, or ropey, glassy lava flow. You can see sulfur banks in the background.
Back on our tour, we are now at the Nahuka Thurston Lava Tube located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park walking along a short lush trail with heavy vegetation and tropical ferns arriving at the entrance to the lava tube. The lava tube that was discovered in 1913 by Lorrin Thurston is 1,800 feet long, and it is estimated that the tube dates back some 350-500 years.
Nancy is standing on a road showing a recent eruption of lava in January 1983 from a series of major eruptions from Kilauea’s east rift zone. The lava flows continued into 1987, destroying homes, but building a spatter cone 800 feet high and creating 20 acres of new oceanfront land. Looking at this photo, you can see steam in the background from the hot lava flowing underneath the hard Pahoehoe surface.
Now standing on Kaimu Black Sand Beach is the largest in the area. Water forms the fine crystals of sand from molten lava to create black sand. You can also see one of the largest coconut groves on the island.
This was our first cruise ship adventure, and we must say that you never get hungry, there is food everywhere. These are photos of the “Grand Buffet,” served on the Promenade Deck at 11:30 PM, along with many ice sculptures, the large roasted pig, and many desserts! A photo of us with the Captain of the Ship at the “Grand Buffet.” As we cruise from one island to the other, a photographer will take photos of the passengers aboard the ship. Here, we are behind the wheel of the SS Constitution and a great photo of us aboard the ship.
When it came time to decide if we wanted to sit with a group of people at dinner, we decided that we wanted to sit by ourselves. This may sound weird, but we were celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary, and we enjoy spending our time together, we always have so much to talk about.
A photo of the SS Constitution off the Kona coast of Hawaii. We booked a tour to go to Kealakekua Bay aboard the 96-foot Captain Cook VII, Bill is enjoying the cruise along the shoreline of the Kona Coast. A postcard view of the Kona Surf Resort and Country Club. He entered the Kealakekua Bay and approached the Captain Cook Monument that was erected in 1874 by his countrymen.
Captain James Cook came to the Hawaiian Islands on January 18, 1778, a year later he found his way to the Big Island and was welcomed by the Hawaiians thinking he was the god Lono, but a week later when he returned they were hostile to him and a fight broke out and he was killed along with four of his sailors.
A view of the 50-foot trimaran “FairWind,” anchored in the bay with people aboard snorkeling in the warm waters of the bay. You can see Bill floating in the 76-degree water viewing the fish and underwater scenery. We left the bay and went to the Ahuena Heiau (temple) that is located within the grounds of King Kamehameha’s II residence in Kona. Prince Liholiho went to school here and later became the King of Hawaii. Cruising back along the shoreline the SS Constitution anchored off of the shoreline.
Back on the ship we cruise to Kauai, the fourth largest island called “The Garden Island.” This view is from the Sheraton Kauai Hotel with its white sandy beaches. Is February 4th, one day before our special anniversary. We took a tour of the Spouting Horn Rocks an ocean blowhole near Poipu Beach. This was formed by a lava tube and the spray can shoot as high as 50 feet into the air. The Hawaiian legend says that a very large lizard or “mo’o” guarded this coast and ate fishermen and anybody else that went too close.
Our tour now takes us to the Waimea Canyon, “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Stretching 14 miles long and 1 mile wide it is 3,600 feet deep, this cuts into the Kokala Plateau. The Parker Ranch was formerly one of the largest, privately-owned ranches in the country, covering 225,000 acres of land, 9 percent of the Big Island. Today, the working ranch is 150,000 acres with an average of 30,000 to 35,000 Angus and Charolais cattle.
The famous Kauai Tree Tunnel along the southern shoreline of Kauai and its beautiful beaches. Over 500 eucalyptus trees are lining either side of the road. Traveling on the east side of Kauai we take a boat tour up the Wailua River to Fern Grotto. The grotto is a natural lava-rock grotto, with lush hanging ferns and tropical foliage, cooled by the mists of waterfalls.
Today is February 5th our 23rd wedding anniversary and we are boarding a helicopter for an hour’s flight over Waimea Canyon, Mt. Waialeale, and Na Pali Coast. When we boarded the ship we knew that we wanted to book this flight as it is very popular, as we recall the cost was around $200.00 a piece but the photos above show that it was worth it.
A view from the helicopter of the Westin Hotel, and our ship docked at Nawiliwili, Kauai. As we are in the air music is playing in the headphones as we soar over the lush valleys of Kauai. From the window Bill takes a photo entering Waimea Canyon, “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Approaching Waialui Falls in Waimea Canyon, and a better view of the falls. The green lush high mountains of Kalalau.
We are now approaching the Na Pali Coast with its 3,000-foot mountains and white sandy beaches. Several views of the Na Pali Coast, and then we approach the “Queens Bath.” The Queens Bath is a large natural pool that has been carved out of a lava shelf and a rocky shoreline. You can hike to the pool, but it is extremely dangerous to swim in the area when the seas are rough. There are warning signs to let visitors know of the danger and there have been over 30 drownings.
Next, you will see Ke’e Beach which is protected by a reef that makes it safe for snorkeling and swimming. This is the beginning of the Na Pali Coast and the Kalalau trail that leads to Hanakapiai and Kalalau Beach.
We are approaching Hanalei Bay, a beautiful area. In 1956 this area had the heaviest rainfall ever recorded on the island, they had 45 inches of rain in 36 hours causing 500,000 dollars in damage.
From the air, you will now see Lumahai Beach in Hanalei, which is famous for films such as South Pacific, Bali Hai, and The Thorn Birds. This beach is known on the island as one of the most dangerous beaches for drowning and is not recommended for swimming. As the music is playing and we soar over the area we now see Mt. Waialeale Crater at an elevation of 5,208 feet. This is the wettest spot on Kauai and is regarded as the “wettest place on earth.” with an average rainfall of 486 inches a year. In this photo, you can see the “Weeping Wall,” where numerous ribbons of waterfalls cascade from the summit.
A view of the famous Manawaippuna Falls is one of Garden Isle’s most notable waterfalls made famous by the opening scenes of the 1993 film “Jurassic Park”. The water cascades from a 400-foot cliff and is only visible via a helicopter. Well, we made it, as we set down at the terminal after a great tour, now it is time to celebrate our evening with a nice dinner and wine on the ship. Our anniversary dinner was steak and lobster, and they presented us with a special dessert and wished us well.
Our ship now cruises to Oahu on February 6th where we end our cruise and go to the Sheraton Hotel on Waikiki Beach. We drop off our luggage and take a tour of the Polynesian Cultural Center where we pass by Mokolii, also known among locals as “Chinamen’s Hat” because of its shape.
The Polynesian Cultural Center is the number one visitor attraction and has 6 island villages showing the cultures of Hawaii, Fiji, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Samoa, Tahiti, and Tonga. This is set on 42 acres with various shows during the day and evening. We spent the whole day touring the sites and seeing the evening shows. The photo of the “Pageant of the Long Canoes,” with the Maori Tribe, and then the Tahiti Tribes in their canoes. A house in the Fiji Village and photos of the evening show called “This is Polynesia,” with 175 performers, each in their native costumes.
An unexpected turn of events occurred when we arrived back at the Sheraton Hotel at 10:00 PM, our room which we booked for several days at the hotel was not ready for us. The hotel management heard about us celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary and they upgraded our room at no extra charge.
Our room was a major upgrade to a suite on the 3rd floor of the Sheraton Surfrider Hotel, we had a two-baloney suite overlooking Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head, with a separate bedroom, living room, dining room, and wet bar. When we booked our room for a two-night stay before flying back to Los Angeles, we got a less expensive room without a view. Had we known that we were getting this great upgrade we would have spent a few more days at Waikiki.
Several photos taken on February 7th of our views from the balcony of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. The famous Sheraton Royal Hawaiian, the (Pink Hotel) with the Sheraton Waikiki in the background. Nancy is on the balcony of our room at the hotel. Bill is sitting in the living room, and Nancy is in the dining room and wet bar, with photos of the master bedroom and Bill on the balcony with a view of the Pacific Ocean, and Nancy with a glass of wine.
From the balcony is a view of a catamaran on Waikiki Beach that is taking tourists out for a ride, and Nancy on the beach to take a ride on the outrigger. Two photos of sunset at Waikiki Beach, and an evening Hawaiian Luau at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel.
On the evening of February 7th, the hotel management sent up an excellent steak dinner, wine, and roses with dessert to celebrate our anniversary. Nancy is enjoying a glass of red wine and an evening view of the lights at Waikiki Beach.
The morning of February 8th we walked the downtown area and saw one of the anchors from the USS Arizona that was recovered after the attack on December 7th, 1941. Then a view of the USS Arizona Memorial that spans over the sunken ship. The ship is 608 feet long and 106 feet wide, this was dedicated on May 30, 1962. A postcard aerial view of the USS Arizona Memorial shows the submerged hull with one of the gun turrets above the waterline.
On our, last day on the island we saw many sites and the beautiful flowers that Hawaii has, this is the “African Tulips,” After a busy day we boarded our flight on American Airlines leaving Oahu for Los Angeles International Airport. A view of Honolulu and Diamond Head.
Facts about our trip from January 30 to February 8, 1988, were by air 5,600 miles, by sea 750 miles, and by bus or cars for our tours was 460 miles making a total of 6,810 miles. We kept track of our cost for the cruise ship, insurance, tours, hotel, and car reservations and it was around $3,900.00.
Now for the most exciting part of the trip, after we landed at Los Angeles International Airport we dove over to the home where we have our new Maltese puppy waiting for us, and here she is. We are so excited to see her, and on the front seat of the truck is a new bed and toys. We put her in the truck and drove to a local vet so that she could get her last series of puppy shots and now to visit relatives in Long Beach, California. As we were driving down to Long Beach we kept trying to think of a name that would be perfect for her.
Our first photo of “Daisy,” next to the flowers that fit her perfectly, white, small, and cute. After visiting the relatives showing Daisy to them, we drive to San Diego and then back to Yuma, Arizona where she is on Nancy’s lap outside of their travel trailer. The next photo is Daisy at 6 months old at Lake Mead, Nevada as we start our travels with her.