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Tuesday, July 08, 2025

Oahu, Hawaii

Back in February when I was looking for tickets to return home from Australia, I found the cheapest route was through Honolulu, a place that was never even on our list. We ended up spending five days there.

We approached Oahu in our usual way: we took public transport and went hiking, after checking off the USS Arizona Memorial on our arrival day. 
  • Aiea Loop Trail: strawberry guavas were in season - we had a great time eating our fill.

    Aiea Loop Trail - Oahu, Hawaii

    Aiea Loop Trail - Oahu, Hawaii

  • Manoa Falls Trail and the Mauka Trail System: While the falls were negligible (1st below), I loved the rainforest. Once we left the falls, crowds also fell away. We went on Aihualama - Pauoa Flats - Manoa Cliff - Moleka - Makiki Valley - Kanealole Trails. Along the way we saw evidence of macadamia nuts, mangos, and lychees on the ground, but no eating this time. From the Aihualama Trail, there was a view to Diamond Head Crater (2nd below).

    Manoa Falls - Mauka Trail System - Oahu, Hawaii

    View to Diamond Head - Aihualama Trail  - Mauka Trail System - Oahu, Hawaii

    Mauka Trail System - Oahu, Hawaii

    Aihualama Trail  - Mauka Trail System - Oahu, Hawaii

    Mauka Trail System - Oahu, Hawaii

    Mauka Trail System - Oahu, Hawaii

  • Diamond Head Trail and Makapuu Lighthouse Trail: Diamond Head Trail is the most popular trail on Oahu and requires reservations. It was a fun walk and a very rewarding view at the top (1st, 2nd below). Makapuu Lighthouse Trail is basically a paved coastal walk (3rd, 4th,below).

    Diamond Head - Oahu, Hawaii

    Diamond Head - Oahu, Hawaii

    Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail - Oahu, Hawaii

    Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail - Oahu, Hawaii

  • On our last day, we went joy riding on the bus (1st below), first to the north side of the island. We attempted the ʻEhukai Pillbox Trail, bailed halfway - the trail was way too slippery after the rain (3rd below). Then lunch at Sunset Beach (4th below). And to the east end of the island to visit with John's fraternity brother Bruce's son David and wife Kellie in Kailua, bagging Lanikai Pillbox Trail.

    Near the Dole Plantation - Oahu, Hawaii

    The Art Deco Haleiwa Beach Park War Memorial - Haleiwa Beach - Oahu, Hawaii

    Paumalu Bunker Trail - Sunset Beach - Oahu, Hawaii

    Picnic Lunch Spot - Sunset Beach - Oahu, Hawaii

    Lanikai Pillbox Trail - Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii

    View from Lanikai Pillbox Trail - Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii

    Oahu, Hawaii

There was no snorkeling due to wind again, but now we too have been to Hawaii.

Oahu, Hawaii

Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial.
Pearl Harbor View from near the Aiea Loop Trail - Oahu, Hawaii

Arizona Memorial - Pearl harbor - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA

Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA

Arizona Memorial - Pearl harbor - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA

We stayed at a hotel near Waikiki Beach.
Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA

Waikiki Sunset - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

Luau - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

One afternoon, we visited Chinatown and the Arts District. Marugame Udon, one of our favorite places to eat in Japan, has a US location in the Arts District. Woohoo! Vegan Tan Tan!

Vegan Tan Tan - MARUGAME UDON - Arts District - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

Clock Tower -Chinatown - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

The ARTS at Marks Garage - Arts District - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

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