Thirty Years Ago

Since we won't be on the Islands when "someone" celebrates her birthday, the Hawaiian family gave her an early birthday present... an overnight at the Turtle Bay Resort.  It is quite a drive from the south of Oahu to the northern tip, so a quick rest helps get ready for the fun.

As they got ready for the pool, the three ladies discovered they were dressed alike.  One of them  said they looked like "twins."  Hmmm... three of them looked like twins.

Being on the far north tip of Oahu, the trade winds have a direct shot.  This was our view from our room. 

On one side there is a beautiful pool with a slide the kids took advantage of.

Thirty years ago on our first trip to Hawaii right after our Dads had passed away, we came with my oldest brother and wife.  At that time Uncle John was still on Oahu training Asians in theology and evangelism in his Asian School of Evangelism.  Of course we visited him and he and Aunt Lydia took us to the Turtle Bay Hilton for Sunday buffet.  It was a real treat and as I recall quite expensive (I wish I had remembered how much).  Since then the Hilton Hotel has sold the hotel.  It has horse back riding, golf, surfing, and a wonderful sand beach protected by a coral reef (bottom left).

Did I mention it was windy?

A beautiful sunset was followed by an equally beautiful sunrise.

In the morning the squirrels found the beach. 

The oldsters found the shade. 

And the crazies found the waves. Why anyone would paddle a flat board into waves that look like this with rocks in view is beyond me.  I don't think the ride lasted more than ten seconds and then it was paddle into the next wave. I think it is a bit too dangerous for this old man.  A 56 year old who had been surfing since he was 8 was found dead in the surf.

I mentioned the beach and maybe you can see a black dot in the middle of it.  There is a yellow ribbon stretched around it to keep people away.  The reason? 

On the beach lay a rather large lady, or is it a man, with a face only a mother could love.  I guessed it might have been a Monk Seal but was told by the grandson that it wasn't a seal.  Maybe it was a Sea Lion?

Whatever it was it had the beach pretty much to itself and slept there for as long as we were around. Notice the tracking device attached to the back of it.  I guess someone knew he was coming and cleared the beach for him/her.

I named the visitor Whiskas for obvious reasons.

Botanical Garden

 We visited a botanical garden on the way to the North Shore.  Being used to Oaks, Elms, and Evergreens, this variety of trees and their size is amazing.  It was in Wahiawa.... easy for you to say.

I cannot get the size perspective without climbing into these giants, but then, who would take the picture? 

Some sort of plant (one that looks like a vine my Mother used to grow in the house only much larger leaves) reaches up toward the light. 

A rare picture.  No, not of the tree. 

I love the way these two find things to explore even on a sidewalk.  Maybe it is their hats that don't allow the mammoth trees to get their attention and move their eyes downward.

These two are really good "buds." It is so much fun to hear, and see them playing together.  Tutu usually sits in the back seat between them when we drive and has a way of getting them to giggle their heads off.  So fun.

Mom and Dad rarely keep up the pace with the youngsters who are barely visible running ahead.

I want this tree in my yard.  Of course I would have to move from ND.  The "Grands" knew that I like this tree and had it spotted for me. 

Maybe this explains my arthritic knee.  Hmmm.

In a world filled with "good guys" and "bad guys," dinosaurs and transformers, I couldn't fail to see this monster?  At least Hawaii has no snakes, so what is a little lizard?  So what do you think of this critter, kids?

Hawaii's Most Frequented Attraction

Monday we got up early and traveled ten minutes to Hawaii's most frequented tourist attraction - the Pearl Harbor Memorial.

This was our third visit to the Memorial since 1985 when friends gave us our first trip here right after we had lost both of our Dads.

The grounds are beautiful and it seems as if the Museum is larger and can accommodate the crowds. 

It may seem strange to see these young ones looking at something so terrible as the explosion of the Battleship Arizona, but we all felt that they should see it.  Already in school they had learned of the basic facts of the start of WWII. 

The bridge leading to Ford Island where the Arizona was docked.  What a beautiful morning! 

This map shows Ford Island in the middle of Pearl Harbor.  The red ships indicate that they were totally destroyed or severely damaged.  To get to the remains of the Arizona, a boat ride followed our 8:00 am theatre presentation of the attack.

The anchor from the Arizona was recovered and displayed on the grounds.  It weighs nearly 20,000 pounds. The Arizona Memorial is in the distance berthed on Ford Island.

The Navy and Park Service has quite a shuttle system to move so many from the shore to the Memorial and back.

The Memorial seems to float perpendicular over the top of the sunken ship.  

Two groups, one coming and one leaving, made the Memorial crowded at first.  In the distance is the archway that leads to the wall with the names of the 2400 soldiers, sailors, and marines who were killed in the surprise attacks.  Only eight survivors (some were on shore that Saturday night) are still living.

Still clearly visible are the remains of the rusted Arizona.  Many of the ships that were severely damaged were raised and refitted for battle; but not the Arizona which took a direct hit from 10,000 feet exploding five decks below in the ammunition storage area.  Those who heard the explosion said that they never heard anything like it. 

One wonders what these young minds are comprehending about the sights they saw today.  They were respectful (notice the hats are off) and very well behaved.  Hopefully, they will someday comprehend the price of our Freedom.

Here are the names of those killed.  The average age was 20.  One Father and Son died in the attack.  Their last name was Free.  Quite appropriate, isn't it?

Just a quarter mile from the Arizona Memorial sits the Battleship Missouri.  Upon her deck  unconditional surrender with Japan was signed ending WWII.

Still clearly visible at the Memorial are oil slicks which percolate up from the sunken ship.  They are called the tears from the Arizona.

Here the tourists take a brief rest before heading back to the shore. 

Old Glory proudly waves above the Memorial. 

Then it was time to head back to the boat before another group arrived. 

On the way home we saw a submarine heading out the channel to the open Pacific.  A reminder that the cost of freedom is eternal vigilance.  A costly lesson learned on December 7, 1941!