Last Day in Paradise

Well, it’s finally here. The last day on O’ahu. We had booked a late flight so we had most of the day to wrap up our exploring but since we had to be out of the Time Share early we also had to be careful not to get too sweaty or we wouldn’t be very good seatmates on the plane!

After checking out and loading our luggage into the car, we drove over to the Waikiki Aquarium. The Aquarium is located in Kapi’olani Park near the base of Diamond Head and just off Waikiki Beach. There’s a great exhibit called “edge of the Reef” that shows the coastal habitats such as tide pools and reefs. The aquarium also has exhibits of seals, jellyfish, sharks, seahorses and tropical fish. The aquarium is maintained by the University of Hawai’i.

After the aquarium we wandered through the park where they were having an artist’s market so the fences were lined with paintings for sale. Some were really wonderful.We also admired a huge Banyan tree in the center of the park. While we were walking we spotted one of the Waikiki Trolleys. I had to get a picture!

Now I confess, we had asked where the best hamburgers in O’ahu could be found and we were told. I can also tell you that it is just across from the park and down the street from Waikiki Beach but I can’t remember the name of it. I can tell you it was good but not outstanding but probably above average. If I can remember the name or if Sandy can remember, I’ll post it in the comment section.

So after our lunch break we headed back to the car to see what we missed by not climbing Diamond Head. We were able to drive into the crater but from there it’s a hike to the rim. Diamond Head is one of the best known volcanic craters in the world. It’s image is on tons of souvenirs and postcards. It’s one of the images most people think of when asked about Hawaii.

I did a little research on Diamond Head before we came and had actually packed a flashlight for the climb. This is a little bit of what I found out. Diamond Head is a 760 ft extinct crater located at the end of Waikiki Beach. Diamond Head is known as Le’ahi (brow of the ahi-yellowfin tuna) in Hawaiian. It got the name Diamond Head because sailors saw calcite crystals glittering in the sunlight and mistook them for diamonds.
The climb from the crater to the top is a steep climb but the trail is mostly paved. There are 2 sets of stairs, one with 99 steps and the other of 76 steps. The trail goes through a 225 ft tunnel (which is why you need a flashlight) and ends with spectacular views of the west side of the Island. During the winter months you can watch whales breaching off shore.

When The United States annexed Hawaii in 1898, a fort was built as one of the major means of harbor defense. Fort Ruger was located in the Diamond Head Crater with a battery of cannons. The crater provided complete concealment and protection from possible invaders. The fort became obsolete with the advent of radar. The observation deck and underground complex is abandoned now but evidence of the command post is still present along the Diamond Head trail.

After days of perfectly flat seas, the trade winds had finally begun to whip up a little surf and here on Diamond Head Drive we got a glimpse of some surfers off in the distance. At least we could say we saw them when we got home. The waves were pretty small but the big waves don’t roll in until the winter storms start churning things up.

We still had quite a bit of time before our plane but we had a deadline for returning the rental car so we headed back out to the airport. We had much less trouble now than we had leaving it the first night! After dropping off the car we had our first experience with the automated check-in kiosks (which are now standard). Luckily the airport had an attendant stationed to assist those technologically challenged people like myself.

Once checked in and through security we were in the airport for the duration. It was really cold in there too. Honolulu airport has an excellent a/c system. I am now the proud owner of a fleece jacket with a Hawaiian logo I purchased at one of the gift shops. With books and magazines to read and suduko puzzles to solve, time passed quickly and before I knew it we were boarding for the long flight home.

Aloha O’ahu, I will miss you Hawaii. J