A couple things I learned about pineapple this last week:1. How to pick a ripe pineapple: look on the bottom of the fruit and if the ring is white, it's a good one. If it's yellow, it's not as sweet.
2. A pineapple plant takes 20 months to grow the first fruit, then 18 for the second; then the plant is done. Poor, hard working plant!
The Guinness World Record Maze is on the Pineapple Plantation. We stood in line twice because I've always wanted to navigate one, but there was always something yellow, sweet and tasty that deterred us from the 1.5 hr. avg. maze.
The world's first Satellite Concert was claimed by Elvis in Honolulu on Jan. 14, 1973. Mark had been conspicuously looking for this theatre while driving and scared me half to death by shouting "There it is!" while narrowly avoiding traffic as he made a left turn into the parking lot. He now has a talking/singing head of The King.
This Byodo-In Temple was erected entirely without the use of nails. It's a replica of a 900 year old temple in Japan to honor the first Japanese immigrants and their ancient religion, who settled in Hawaii. Beautiful surroundings and the cloudy skies added to the ser-zen-ity. As we left the incensed environment, Mark 'donged' the bell for all to hear. I guess it's to tell the big Buddha you're coming onto the temple grounds (we just reversed it):
In the movie Pearl Harbor, there's a part of the movie where the two pilots drive to an air field and try to take off with the remaining planes as the Japanese fly overhead trying to destroy their air fleet. Mark took me to this place. It's called Bellows Air Station. They have left a part of the airstrip/runway ruined and broken. It's very humbling; it looks old and forgotten. But still it remains beautiful.
At the beach at Bellows, the first POW of WWII was captured as he swam to shore after his midget submarine broke down in the harbor. The same POW returned to Hawaii after a long life (he even worked for Toyota, which we were excited about); upon his return to Japan, his country told him he should have committed suicide rather than be captured; what an awful thing to be told.
And lastly, my favorite part of the island:
On our 2nd to last day there we were nearly running out of things to go see and do. Mark's father recommended that we drive around the back side of the Punchbowl (a volcano-crater with a WWII memorial inside). It was so jungle like and just how I have envisioned how a piece of my own personal heaven would be like. There was a hiking trail that we noticed, so we hopped out of our car and started the ascent. We just got far enough for me to take a few pictures before gangs of mosquitoes started to torture us and as we started to turn back the rain started. Mark and I ran down the muddy hill so fast. It was so fun! Next time I'll wear bug spray and proper shoes. There will a next time.
On our 2nd to last day there we were nearly running out of things to go see and do. Mark's father recommended that we drive around the back side of the Punchbowl (a volcano-crater with a WWII memorial inside). It was so jungle like and just how I have envisioned how a piece of my own personal heaven would be like. There was a hiking trail that we noticed, so we hopped out of our car and started the ascent. We just got far enough for me to take a few pictures before gangs of mosquitoes started to torture us and as we started to turn back the rain started. Mark and I ran down the muddy hill so fast. It was so fun! Next time I'll wear bug spray and proper shoes. There will a next time. 
6 comments:
Thank you for the tour! I loved learning all of those facts. Thank you for the tip on picking a ripe pineapple...me and my mom never know which ones to buy! I loved the pictures :)
I want to go back!!!! We went in April last year but only spent three days on Oahu and didn't see nearly what we wanted to. These beautiful pics are making me want to book my flight RIGHT NOW!
what a fun experience for you! by the way, i love old elvis movies and i love blue hawaii the best. that bronze statue of him with a lei reminded me of that. and the pineapples.
You did some things and found places that I've never experienced in Hawaiian...yet. They sounded wonderful (except that Elvis place!)
Ok, you really are starting to make me jealous of Hawaii. You have to stop talking about it. It sounds like too much fun that I'm not having.
Lauren- you're welcome! I liked how you called it a tour. ha ha
Kris - I know what you mean! This is the first time I've ever done that much on Oahu. I'm so glad I did!
Aubrey - Blue Hawaii is so fun. I think I'm going to give it to Mark for an anniversary gift (he doesn't read my blog unless I sit him down with the page open! so the info is safe).
Aunt Linda - you don't like Elvis? I understand, I didn't always like him. Mark's 'research' changed my mind a bit. Did you know the church is pro-Elvis? At the Polynesian Cultural Center there is an entire store devoted to Elvis. AND! The church is also putting out a movie about him. neat-o, right? ;)
HSF - I loved that tip on pineapples too; it's always boggled me how to choose a good one. So I thought I'd better share it.
Liz Ann- ok. I'm done. You better go there!
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