A Wild, Windy Day

In Paradise

The last day on vacation in Oahu was a WILD ONE! I have never experienced wind like this on previous visits. The jelly fish were claiming the beach and making it hard to walk the beach barefoot that morning (did that at Kailua Beach). You did not need to go to the spa just head to the beach for a great sand exfoliation (did that at Lanikai Beach)!

A dream day for kite surfers!

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve was closed! You could not have snorkeled and it probably would feel like you were swimming on the spin cycle. Too dangerous with big waves, rip currents and a rocky coral bottom.

Sandy Beach

Stopped at Sandy Beach to check out the waves due to the massive shore break here. The waves did not disappoint. Plus got in some more spa sand exfoliation too. Check it out!

Best to Stay Out of the Ocean and Admire It from a Distance!

(Photos by RSheridan)

Kaena Point State Park

Going West on the Island of Oahu

Kaena Point is the westernmost tip of land on the island of Oahu! The waves put on quite the show here. Like one huge ocean wash machine with undertows, rip currents and waves of all shapes and sizes! One breathtaking, wild and remote place.

Interesting Fact:  Some ancient Hawaiian folklore states that Ka’ena Point is the “jumping off” point for souls leaving this world.

(Photos by RSheridan)

Lyon Arboretum

Stepping Into the Rainforest

The Lyon Arboretum is a 200-acre arboretum and botanical garden managed by the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Dr. Harold Lyon was the original director of the arboretum, a botanist from Minnesota, who in his tenure planted nearly 2,000 species of trees. The arboretum was renamed in his honor after his death in 1957.

The Hours of Operation are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and closed on Sundays. Admission is a Donation of $5.00 per person.

The Lyon Arboretum has an extensive tropical plant collection that it continues to develop as well as an active seed bank. The tropical plant collection emphasizes native Hawaiian plants, like palms and bromeliads. The arboretum is so lush and green with pops of colors. It is in a nutshell an outdoor laboratory! Conservation, Preservation and Restoration!

Check Out Lyon Arboretum’s What’s Blooming Now on their website before you go! I spent about two hours exploring and could have explored for a few more hours.

The Various Gardens are:

• Native Hawaiian Garden
• Bromeliad Garden
• Herb and Spice Garden
• Mapes Garden
• Beatrice Krauss Ethnobotanical Garden
• Betty Ho Memorial Garden
• Stemmermann Memorial Garden
• Young Memorial Garden

Native Hawaiian House

One of the Wild Cockatoos in the arboretum!

DO NOT Mess with this Spiny Specimen!!!

Aihualma Falls

The Buddha Statue

(Photos by RSheridan)

The North Shore

Oahu

I love the North Shore of Oahu! There are the impressive views of the ocean as well as many beaches to explore. There is shrimp to be had at almost every food truck. I decided to go with the coconut shrimp with a honey guava dipping sauce this time. (dug in and cleaned my plate before remembering I should have taken a photo – sorry!)

The Ocean & The Waves

The Beautiful Palms of Paradise

The Beach Treasures

(Photos by RSheridan)

The Setting Sun

On Oahu

The sunsets on this visit were breathtaking – the yellows, golds and oranges! Enjoy!

(Photos by RSheridan)

Showered With Many Colors

On the Hawaiian Islands

The rainbows were showing off on this trip to the Hawaiian Islands! Not one rainbow, but four rainbows! I am excited when I see one rainbow on my travels to Hawaii. Everyone – “Somewhere over the rainbow . . .

Rainbows on the Island of Kauai

Rainbows on the Island of Oahu

(Photos by RSheridan)

The North Shore of Oahu

Adventuring & Exploring

Whale Watching

Went on a whale watching tour out of Haleiwa. I would have needed one heck of an expensive lens to get “that” picture of a whale, so sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the experience instead!

Catamaran Sail (Photo by RSheridan)

Out on the Water & Looking for Whales (Photo by RSheridan)

Pure ENJOYment (Photo by RSheridan)

Rogue Waves

The Calm Before the Storm (Photo by RSheridan)

The Pounding Surf & Waves (Photo by RSheridan)

A Rogue Wave came out of NOWHERE while walking the beach; talk about getting a drenching!

Chinaman’s Hat

Chinaman’s Hat (Photo by RSheridan)

Chinaman’s Hat Area (Photo by RSheridan)

Chinaman’s Hat Area (Photo by RSheridan)

Turtle Bay Resort

Turtle Bay Resort – Wyland Art (Photo by RSheridan)

Big, Beautiful Waves (Photo by RSheridan)

HANG LOOSE EVERYONE!!!

Pearl Harbor

Revisited

We decided to revisit Pearl Harbor while on Oahu for vacation. We decided to do the FREE Option, which includes:

• Access to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
• The Exhibit Galleries:  “Road to War” and “Attack”
• Other Interpretive Exhibits throughout the Facility (i.e. USS Arizona Bell)
• The Remembrance Circle (a tribute to the men, women and children; both military and civilian, who were killed as a result of the attack on December 7, 1941)
• View of the USS Arizona Memorial

A very somber and humbling experience as you walk the grounds and explore the exhibits. A great learning experience to learn more about this important part of U.S. history.

The U.S. Flag Waving In All Its Glory in the Remembrance Circle (Photo by RSheridan)

IMPORTANT Date in U.S. History (Photo by RSheridan)

Anchor from the USS Arizona (Photo by RSheridan)

Bell from the USS Arizona (Photo by RSheridan)

Aircraft Carrier in the Harbor (Photo by RSheridan)

Truly a Great Experience! Truly a Must See!

Valley Of The Temples Memorial Park

Hidden Gem

As a tourist you do not think that there would be a hidden gem within a cemetery, but there is in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. The Memorial Park is located on Oahu in Kaneohe. Founded in 1963 by Paul Trousdale. A beautiful place with gardens, mountain views and plenty of bird life. The Ko’olau Mountains are breathtaking!

The hidden gem is called The Byodo-In Temple. The Temple was built in 1968 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The Temple is a non-practicing Buddhist temple that welcomes people of all faiths. You just want to soak up the beauty as well as the peacefulness and stillness of this place.

The Temple is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is $3.00 for Adults, $2.00 for Senior Citizens and $1.00 for Children. Cash Only.

The Reflecting Pool (Photo by RSheridan)

The Artistry & Detail of the Meditation Hall (Photo by RSheridan)

As you explore the grounds it feels as though you stepped further into paradise and have a feeling of wanting to travel to Japan one day in the near future. I did not see any peacocks, but plenty of Japanese koi and a pair of black swans.

The Japanese koi (Photo by RSheridan)

The Pair of Black Swans (Photo by RSheridan)

The 1st stop was the Scared Bell House or Bon-sho. A 5 foot high, three ton brass bell – the scared bell. My other half decided to strike the bell with the wooden log (shu-moku) before heading to the Temple. The striking of the bell will bring you happiness, blessings and a long life. The tone of the bell was a unique experience and it helped me get to a place of calm and peace before entering the Temple. You want to cleanse your mind of temptation and evil.

The Scared Bell (Photo by RSheridan)

The 2nd stop was the Temple with the Amida Buddha who towers over 9 feet. The Buddha was created by the Japanese sculptor, Masuzo Inui. When in the Hoo-do or Phoenix Hall to see the Buddha take a look around and explore a bit. Also, look at the roof of the Temple where there are two Phoenix bird sculptures; ready to fly away. Remember to remove your shoes before entering the hall.

The Amida Buddha (Photo by RSheridan)

The Roof of the Temple with the Phoenix Sculpture (Photo by RSheridan)

Wide Shot of the Temple with Reflecting Pool (Photo by RSheridan)

Close Up Shot of the Temple (Photo by RSheridan)

Temple with Mountains (Photo by RSheridan)

Breathtaking, Beautiful Place to Really Be One With Yourself!!

Oahu – 3rd Largest Island of the Hawaiian Islands

I visited Oahu in 2000 and it was a remarkable visit – still remember the highlights today.

Highlights

• Honolulu (Waikiki Beach & Diamond Head)
• Hanauma Bay (some R&R & snorkeling – the Toliet Bowl)

Sea Turtle at Hanauma Bay

• Pearl Harbor (USS Arizona Memorial) [side note – the Pearl Harbor movie was being filmed the day of our visit]
• Kane’ohe Bay (some R&R & ocean kayaking)

Kane’ohe Bay – Mokoli’i (Chinaman’s Hat)

• North Shore (stopped at the Turtle Bay Resort, saw the beach where Baywatch was filmed)
• Polynesian Cultural Center (to explore and be part of a Luau)

Visiting Oahu was an amazing experience and lucky for me on this trip I had one more island to see, Maui.