Sunday in Honolulu

Climbing...
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

We had a full Sunday! After Kathleen's morning nap, we went to mass in Mililani, then headed to Honolulu. We stopped at Punchbowl so that Gram and Grampa could see the monument. Grampa particularly appreciated the detailed mosaics of the battles of the Pacific. (Too bad he didn't have those as teaching aids when he'd tell us about the history of the US Marines in the Pacific when we were growing up!)

From Punchbowl we headed to Waikiki. We walked along the main strip, checked out the beaches (crowded with people, of course), and picked up some souvenirs. We even made the requisite phone call (to Kevin John, this time) in front of the statue of Duke Kahanamoku, with its webcam.

Hanging at the Hale Koa
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

Waikiki has changed a little bit since Gram and Grampa were here 32 years ago... They were in for a big surprise! The Royal Hawaiian is tiny compared to all the giant hotels on Waikiki now, and most of its spectacular gardens are gone. Even the International Marketplace is bigger, they say! Although seeing how Waikiki has been built up was surprising (and a little sad) for them, they were impressed by how pretty Fort DeRussy and the Hale Koa are now. Some changes are for the better!