Our O'ahu-Hawaii Trip

Who would ever have thought we would be blessed to be able to visit O'ahu, Hawaii twice. It was a wonderful time so, and we wish we could go back already. We left for our trip on Wednesday, March 14th at 1:30am from Calgary. The girls slept all of the way to the airport and were really well behaved for the entire flight. We went through customs in Calgary and had plenty of time before our flight had to leave. We flew on a smaller plane from cold Calgary to Seattle, Washington. At the airport in Seattle we were blessed to run into 2 African Americans who helped us find our way to the right terminal. We took a ride on a Subway/Train to get to the right one. We boarded and left Seattle at about 8:30am Seattle time, and flew for close to 6 hours to Honolulu, Hawaii on the island of O'ahu. Skai and Esther had so much fun flying on the airplane and really enjoyed looking out the window and seeing the ocean. Skai made friends with 2 young girls that sat behind us (they were seated next to Esther and I but traded so Landon and Skai could sit with us instead). They had fun playing peek-a-boo and making all kinds of animal noises. Landon slept some and I got to play with Esther and enjoy the scenery out the window. There was quite a bit of turbulance and we were told to wear our seatbelt for most of the flight, but the girls thought it was so much fun, and was not disturbed or frightened by it at all. When we landed in Honolulu, it was such a beautiful sight and was at least 82 F or warmer out. It was quite the difference from the -4 C in Calgary. We had no troubles getting our luggage and a nice man, who we found out in conversation was a member of the church (Bro. Amsterdam) helped us cart our luggage to the car rental where we picked up our car. We were very thankful for him and his help. Our car was surprisingly big enough for all of our luggage, and had air conditioning (an Impala). We had no troubles finding our way to the North Shore and we stopped at a grocery store, Tamura, and bought some things for dinner that night and for the next day. After picking up our keys and condo number, we headed on to Turtle Bay. Settling in was not a problem, and the girls were finally glad to be done traveling. We unpacked, made spaghetti, had a bath and were asleep by 6:30pm Hawaii time. The girls woke up at 4:00am the next day mind you, but we managed to relax in bed until 5am.

Day 2, Thursday, March 15: We walked around Turtle Bay and went to the bay itself and walked in the water some. Lunch was at 10:30am and we all laid down for a nap afterwards. At around 3pm we went to the pool that is just down from our condo and had a nice swim. When we were all done swimming we went to Hermana Akoi's and had a wonderful visit with her and were able to meet Joe, her husband to be. We are so happy for them and that we have this opportunity to be here with them on this special day of theirs. Hermana Akoi deserves the best and she is getting it! After a wonderful visit with the Akoi's we went to Foodland to buy the groceries we should have the day before but were too tired to think of.

Day 3, Friday, March 18: We went to the Dole Pinapple Plantation. It is a beautiful place. We walked through the garden they had there with hundreds of different plants and flowers and trees from the around the area, and we got to take a train tour of the plantation. I learned and saw that pineapples do not grow on trees but on the ground. Skai loved to look at the birds and chase them. Esther was just happy to be held and be able to see everything that there was to see. After the Plantation we went home for lunch and then to Hukilau Beach, just down the road from the Akoi's. Skai, Esther and I built sand castles in the sand while Landon played in the water and flew his kite. It was a lot of fun.

Day 4, Saturday, March 17: We drove down to Honolulu, got misdirected a few times, but eventually made it to the Aloha Stadium and went to the swapmeet. There is 2 levels of shops that go all the way around this stadium, and they sell pratically everything from luggage to swimsuits, to laptops to jewlery, you name it they probably have it. We bought a lot of things there and probably too much. I just hope there is room in our suitcases for it all. We spent 3 hours walking around at these shops and didn't even see 1/4 of the things that were there. On our way home we got stopped trying to get into our second army base for that day, but the friendly soldier kindly directed us in the right direction. While driving back home, we passed an island called "The China Man's Hat". We thought it would be a nice break for the girls if we got out and took some pictures of it. It was nice out when we pulled into the parking lot but when we went to get out, it was raining. I decided to stay inside the car with Esther, while Landon and Skai took the picture. By the time they came back it was pouring out and Landon and Skai were wet from head to toe. It was fun to watch! Once home we thought it would be nice to swim in the pool some before bedtime. The girls, mostly Esther, is getting used to being in the water.

Day 5, Sunday, March 18: The Akoi's go to the Laie 4th ward, so we thought it appropriate seeing that we are in the Raymond 4th ward, that we should go with them to church. Church was at 10am-1pm and was wonderful. It felt like home among those saints and the girls felt it too. In sacrament meeting both talks were on the Temple Endowment and were amazing. Skai went to nursery with no problems at all, and had a lot of fun playing in there. She didn't even want to come home when church was over, she wanted to play more. Landon, Esther and I went to Sunday School with Sister Akoi. Esther played with the sister that sat next to us and loved her bright clothings. Relief Society was very uplifting as we discussed the importance of the scriptures. After church was over we went to the Akoi's for a delicious Japanese lunch and visited with Miki and Joe some more and also her parents and brothers and sister-in-laws. Skai and Esther love the Akoi's and feel at home with them. Skai sat and played with Miki and her mom and felt very comfortable in their home. After a rest at home we drove to the Temple and went through the visitor's center there. We found out that one of the Senoir missionaries that is there was born in Raymond and is distantly related to the Hardy's. It was an Elder Jacobs. A sister missionary from China took us through and showed us an amazing asian garden that they have in the center. She showed us a video, and over the screen they had a water fall for part of it, them for the rest we heard the water running. It was very peaceful and calming and helped you forget all of the worries and cares that might be bothering you. It was very serene. After walking around the beautiful temple grounds we went home and to bed.

Day 6, Monday, March 19: I have decided that I do not enjoy the business of the city at all. It was quite the opposite feeling today from yesterday in that garden. We eventually made it to the Waikiki Aquarium, didn't get as lost as we did Saturday. It was fun seeing all of the fish outside as well as inside and the girls really enjoyed it there as well. Skai was able to hold a hermit crab in her hand, and also touch a sea urchan. Both of them got very excited with the fishes. There was a puffer fish that would swim right up to us almost as if he was wanting us to take pictures of him. After we were finished there we drove around and found a KFC to stop at and have a bit to eat for lunch. It almost seems that where ever we go we make friends with those around us. At the KFC we visited with the Assitant Manager there and found out a little about her. The girls were glad to get some food into them after a long morning. Once again we found the right roads to go onto to get us home, we went the scenic way and not on purpose a lot of the time. We stopped at Sunset Beach and watched the huge waves and hunted for sea shells. Skai made friends with a cute little red head named Lily who was born on the mainland, but has lived in Hawaii most of her life. The two of them played in the sand and danced around together until we got rained out.
So far this trip has been a lot of fun and we have been able to enjoy the tropical air and sunshine. We have been able to meet many friendly islanders and all along the way Landon has been handing out AMK DVD's to almost everyone we meet and talk to. We are enjoying it here and are glad we still have another week to enjoy out here in O'ahu!

Day 7, Tuesday, March 20: Today was our day in the sun and a day of learning. We thought that it would be nice to spend the day on the North Shore rather than go all the way down to Honolulu or Wikiki. So we spent most of our day at Turtle Bay swimming. I put sunscreen on the girls, but did not think to put sunscreen on ourselves, BIG MISTAKE! After being at the beach for 4 hours at least, we were burned but the girls were fine. We played in the sand and swam in the water, and later Skai and her new friend Dorothy, went searching for fish, crabs and if they were luck, turtles with Landon. Esther loved the sand (at least she put enough of it in her mouth) and she even got used to the water and enjoyed it. By the time my shoulders were too ichy, I felt it was time for home. That evening Landon dropped me off at Miki's for her bridal shower. It was nice to meet more of her family and close friends. We played fun games and enjoyed visiting. Landon had fun making pizza with the girls at home, and came and got me when the shower was over.

Day 8, Wednesday, March 21: Today we went to the PCC (Polynesian Cultural Center). Brother Akoi was very kind and reserved tickets for us. We went on a guided tour to 5 of the 7 villages there that represent each of the polynesian islands. We visited Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti and New Zealand. At each of the villages they taught us a bit about thier culture and way of life. We were also taught some of their dances, music, and food, and Skai even fished in the canal. Half way through we sat down by the canal for the canoe show. Each of the islands dance on their canoe as they float down the canal to live music. In the evening we went to the Ambassadors Dinning for a delicious buffet dinner of seafood, primeribs, fresh fruit, rice, salad and cakes and pies. It seemed that Skai and Esther ended up with more food on the floor than in their mouths, but they also really loved the food. That night we went to the night show. We were able to sit 8 rows from the front in the theatre. The theatre was open to the outside and the stage was really fasinating to watch. Esther surprisingly slept through it all and Skai was too enthrawled with the the music and dancing to sleep. She even danced some herself. We bought a DVD of the Night Show performance which we recommend all to watch. It is just amazing.

Day 9, Thursday, March 22: Well I am cursed. It seems that every time I go to Hawaii I get sick. At least this time it was only for the day. I am not sure it it was something I ate, the heat, or the flue, but nothing stayed in me. So we spent the day in the condo relaxing and feeding the birds in the backyard. Skai loved to try and catch them and kept wondering why they would fly away from her. It was a good thing for all of us to take it easy. Brother Akoi came over and assisted Landon in giving me a priesthood blessing which helped me emensely.

Day 10, Friday, March 23: Today was the wedding day. We were able to make it to the temple for when Miki and Joe came out and how happy they looked. After taking some pictures we were invited to the family lunch on the temple grounds. Later we took more pictures and enjoyed to beauty around us. We thought it would be nice for Skai and Esther to see a bit of the inside of the Temple so we took them into the foyer. On our way out, a temple worker came out one of the side doors to the Temple. Skai, in her innocence called to me and said, pointing to the polynesian man, "Look mom, President Hinckley!" It was so cute, and touching to me that she knows our prophets name, and recogonized that the temple would be a place where he would be. In the evening, by the help of Heavenly Father, we made it to the reception at the golf club in Kanoeho. At first we were unsure of what city we were in, but after looking at the map we noticed that we were right next to Burger King that was shown on it. So we made it! The recpetion was amazing. The food was delicious, the entertainment great and the people were wonderful. There was well over 300 people there to celebrate with them. We flet greatly blessed that we were able to be there to share this day with Miki and Joe.

Day 11, Saturday, March 24: We went swimming at Turtle Bay today because we did not feel like going too far. Skai has made all kinds of new friends at the beach. Today she had 3, 16 year old girls in the water with her looking for rocks! It is fun to watch her as she grows to love life and the people around her. We did not stay too long for 2 reasons. 1) We did not want to get more sun burned and 2) Miki and Joe were coming over for dinner. It was a special treat to have them take time out of their honeymoon to have dinner with us. We had a nice visit and said our good-byes until we see each other again in a few years (She is coming to Canada this time!)

Day 12, Sunday, March 25: The Laie 4th Ward is such a friendly ward. We almost wished we could have moved in. Skai loved nursery again and Esther had fun in Sunday School and Priesthood. The Hawaiian people are very loving and friendly. Their culture is one that we all should live, the spirit of Aloha. After church we went to the Akoi's for lunch again and then home for a nap. In the evening we went for a peaceful walk down the road that the temple is on to a quiet garden by the beach. We went down to the beach and enjoyed the quiet serenity that was felt there. We felt Heavenly Father's love as we listened to the waves and watched the sun set. It made me feel like staying there forever, but we had to go home.

Day 13, Monday, March 26: We decided to brave the traffic and the crazy street signs of Honolulu and Wikiki today. We went to the Honolulu Zoo and did not get lost! Even though it was 100F it was fun to look at all the different animals there. Skai and Esther were soaking up so much information as we watched the animals and walked around the zoo. I think Skai's favorite animal was the hippo and also the pigeons that were around the grounds. We spent a good 3-4 hours there and when the heat was getting to be too much we went to Wiamea Bay to cool off. We saw some 6 ft waves at the shore there that were pretty amazing. Landon braved the water, but the girls and I were content to watch and play with the sand. When we got home, we packed some and went to bed.

Day 14, Tuesday, March 27: Today is our last day here in Hawaii and it is hard to believe that our 2 weeks are up. We thought it would be nice to spend the day at the beach on Turtle Bay, so we did one last time with sunscreen on ALL of us! The water was warm a clear, and the sand was warm and relaxing. Skai chased her birds for one last time and Esther had fun eating the sand and walking in the water. O'ahu is just so beautiful and it is hard to put into words what we saw and experienced there. On our way home from the beach we rinsed off in the pool and came home to pack and take care of our last minute things. We devilered our food to the Akoi's or Brother Akoi's sister next door, and drove around a bit. Then we put the girls to bed and packed until 12:30am. It was time to go home.

Day 15, Wednesday, March 28: We left our condo at 4:30am to go the airport. The whole Honolulu Airport experience was extremely stressful and I do not think that I will write it down. Let's just say we made it to our gate just as the last few people were getting on board of the plane. The people that helped us were very kind and helpful and helped me not break down because I was very close. The baggage man held Esther while Landon and I shifted around our things so our suitcases weren't over weight, and the ticket lady got us a cart for our luggage so that Landon could push it while I pushed the 2 strollers. Then lady at the gate took care of our strollers for us while Landon changed Skai's muckers and so we could get situated on the plane beofre take off. It was a stressful experience but we were blessed in so many ways through it all. The bottom line is that we made it on the plane before take off! The girls were great on the plane and enjoyed themselves a lot. It was a 5 hour flight to San Francisco, but it went by fast. We all got to watch a fun movie "Night At the Museum", which quickeneed the trip. In San Francisco we had no troubles finding our gate and had 3 hours before the plane took off. Skai watched Cinderella on our lap top and went for walks with Landon and I. Esther had fun walking and crawling and loved to be able to move about more. We were able to visit with some of the peole that flew on the plane with us from Honolulu (A couple that have vacationed in Hawaii every year for the last 16 years) The plane ride to Calgary was 2 hours and were we ever glad to be finished, although it was cold when we got to Calgary. We took a shuttle bus to our car and drove home on familiar highways and open space. Skai and Esther slept the whole drive and Landon and I did what we could to stay awake. It was 2:30am when we pulled into our driveway in Raymond, and were glad to be done traveling! Mom Hardy had food waiting for us at our house, which we greatly appretiated. So we unloaded the car, ate and went to bed!

The whole trip was wonderful and memorable and we know we have to go back again. But we feel blessed that we were able to go this second time and the occasion of the trip made it even more special and worth it.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)