Tag: Hawaii

Aloha Tuesday, March 4/14

Just after 3AM – We awoke to voices of a woman and man talking to each other saying that they were in the room and we didn’t even know it. We both bolted upright! Holy crap….turns out Todd didn’t log out of the radio station on the computer when we went to bed, just closed the lid, so when the computer “woke up”, the radio began to play…..

For the morning we wandered over to the Hilton Village while our condo was being cleaned. We checked out some of the numerous stores and wildlife on the property. (We think the one Penguin was feeling a little left out of the fun….).

While taking pics of the parrots, my celebrity status was once again resurrected – a Japanese woman asked Todd to take a picture of her and the parrot, then a picture of her with me…..

Dinner was at Moose McGillycuddy’s… It was Tacolicious Tuesday. I tried the chicken and kalua pig tacos (at $2.95 each). Pork was delicious….

Todd had shrimp, sirloin, and calamari tacos (at $3.95 each). He was partial to the calamari. Did I mention the great deal on draft beer? – $3 each – great price!

Wednesday, March 5/14

Each time we have passed the Santouka Ramen Restaurant in the plaza by Don Quijote’s supermarket, it has been lined up out the door. Today, we decided to venture there closer to 2PM once the noon rush had subsided. Great idea – no crowd and yummy food.

The menu is limited to mostly various ramen dishes. I ordered the Miso Ramen and thoroughly enjoyed the flavours.

Todd ordered the Saimini Ramen, a spicier bowl (Yep, for those paying attention – includes Spam, the Hawaiian favourite….). Both bowls contained all fresh ingredients including delicious freshly made ramen noodles.

Then…. Chief’s Luau = FUN! Chief’s Luau has only been around for one year, but in that time, it has been featured on Amazing Race and its popularity continues to grow.

It is held at Sea Life Park on the edge of the ocean looking out to Rabbit Island.

Upon entry we toured the shark tank and turtle pond.

Prior to the show beginning, guests could practice spear throwing, weaving, fire-making, or the hula.

The show opened with the unveiling of the pig, cooked umu style – pig placed on hot rocks and covered with leaves for cooking.

The Pig cooked for supper !

Dinner included purple sweet potato (interesting colour), poi (bland, but that’s normal), taro flour bun (good purple carbo), mixed veggies (including zucchini, onions, and carrots), white fish (okay, I did try it…didn’t finish it), chicken on a skewer (ate that), and of course, the pork (had seconds…so good).

We were introduced to various cultures/dances from Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand, and Hawaii.

Throughout the show audience participation was encouraged.

The culmination included numerous performances using fire-sticks.

Lots of Dances were performed !

The show was fantastic! Decent food, humour, audience interaction, and showmanship made for a great luau….

Another Great Day !

 

 

 

 

Aloha – Saturday, March1/14

Today the Ilikai is 50 years old – the hotel/condo building where we are staying (actually it was February 29, 1964). Unfortunately (and rather oddly), no celebration ceremonies have been planned. That said, the complex has a pretty impressive history. It began much as it still is today with 1) owner-occupants, 2) owners who rented out their units, 3) owners who put their units into the hotel room market and 4) a hotel operator running half the building. The visionary was Chinn Ho (recognize that name? from Hawaii Five-O). The original series opening scene was filmed here with Jack Lord on the penthouse lanai. Because of the support for the television series from local hotel owners Chinn Ho (from the Ilikai) and Roger Kelly (from the Outrigger hotel), one of the characters in the show was named Chinn Ho Kelly.

In 1964, the Ilikai was described as “a monster of concrete and glass” by Paradise of the Pacific magazine.  Over the years, numerous famous people called the Ilikai home – the astronauts of Apollo 13 were reunited with their families, Elvis strolled into the bar area one night and shows by Jack Benny, Jim Nabors, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones, as well as local talents drew several hundred people.

For the past 50 years, Richard Bell, has continued to light the torches and blow the conch signalling sunset. He began the gig at age 26 when relatives were in the entertainment business at the Ilikai and hasn’t looked back.

Sunday, March 2/14

Second day of rainy weather in paradise, but that’s okay – still warm….sitting on the balcony (lanai) people-watching….

We went for a walk once the rain let up mid-afternoon into Waikiki. We wandered down the main strip then a side street before heading back. Came across the “pigeon house” – they sure looked content….

Monday, March 3/14

We went for a morning walk to Ala Moana Park and struck up a conversation with an older man outside the yacht club. He has a lot of family in various parts of Canada and was eager to share stories. We were invited into the club, showed around and given a 2 week pass.

Later in the morning, we took the bus to the courthouse area in Honolulu.  In front of the courthouse (Ali’iolani Hale) stands the statue of King Kamehameha (seen on Hawaii Five-0; but alas still no “Boys” sighting). The 5.5 m statue celebrates Hawaii’s favourite and most famous king.

After clearing security, we toured the courthouse. …Very interesting – explained the judicial system on the islands pre and post Western influence.

Especially interesting was the section on Martial Law in Hawaii from 1941 – 1944 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Across the street is the Iolani Palace. It was the official residence of Hawaii’s monarchy and has been restored to the time when King KalaKaua (he built it in 1882) and his sister, Queen Liliukalani resided.

So much history! King Kalakaua successfully negotiated a reciprocity treaty which allowed Hawaiian sugar into the United States duty-free and products made in the United States into the Kingdom duty-free. He toured the world and hosted world leaders at the residence.

In his later years, on the advice of his physician, King Kalakaua traveled to the United States for a change of climate to recuperate his health. He died at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco on January 20, 1891. His remains were brought back to Hawaii.

Kalakaua was succeeded by his sister, Liliuokalani, who was proclaimed queen on January 29, 1891.

She attempted to bring in a new constitution to solidify Hawaii’s sovereignty, but it was opposed to by forces of the Committee of Safety, which was made up of Hawaii born citizens of American parents, naturalized citizens and foreign nationals. This group, with the support of the American Minister to Hawaii, orchestrated the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and the establishment of a provisional government.

In 1895, an abortive attempt by Hawaiian royalists to restore Queen Liliuokalani to power resulted in the queen’s arrest. She was forced to sign a document of abdication that relinquished all her future claims to the throne. Following this, she endured a humiliating public trial before a military tribunal in her former throne room.

She was sentenced to imprisonment in an upstairs bedroom at the Iolani Palace.

During her imprisonment, the queen was denied any visitors other than one lady companion. She began each day with her daily devotions followed by reading, quilting, crochet-work, or music composition.

In 1993, 100 years after the overthrow, President Clinton signed a Congressional resolution in which the United States government formally apologized to the Native Hawaiian people.

Great day!